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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 Nov 2006

Vol. 628 No. 4

Written Answers.

The following are questions tabled by Members for written response and the ministerial replies as received on the day from the Departments [unrevised].
Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, answered orally.
Question No. 5 lapsed.
Questions Nos. 6 to 11, inclusive, answered orally.

Genetically Modified Organisms.

Dan Boyle

Ceist:

12 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her attention has been drawn to the volume of genetically modified produce and seeds imported here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40579/06]

My Department has responsibility for the regulation of animal feed and seeds containing GMOs. Following the coming into force, in April 2004, of EU Regulation (EC) 1829/2003 on genetically modified food and feed and Regulation (EC) 1830/2003 on the labelling and traceability of GM products, all GM produce consisting of or containing GM material in excess of 0.9% must be appropriately labelled. This affords competent authorities the opportunity to accurately establish the level of GM imports into the community.

Since April 2004 all feed imports have been subjected to inspection for accuracy of GM labelling and very high levels of compliance have been detected. The level of GM feed imported into Ireland in 2005 was as follows:

GM maize: 464,000t (95% of total imports)

GM Soya: 204,000t (95% of total imports)

GM Rapeseed: 4,300t (3% of total imports)

GM cottonseed: none out of a total of11,000t

In the case of GM seeds the Commission are still examining proposals relating to labelling thresholds. In the interim a voluntary system, involving the majority of Member States including Ireland, was established whereby imports of certain at risk seeds such as maize, fodder beet, oil seed rape and soya bean seed must be accompanied by a laboratory certificate showing the levels of GM in any seed to be below identified thresholds of 0.3% and 0.5% depending on the crop. All certificates received indicated full compliance with these thresholds.

Sheep Industry.

John Perry

Ceist:

13 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will introduce a ewe welfare and quality scheme, similar to the suckler cow scheme for the sheep industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40443/06]

The sheep industry is a very important sector having a farmgate value of the order of €200m. I am aware of the many challenges facing the sector in the current production and very competitive market situation. A Strategy Group examined the sheep industry in the first half of this year and presented me with a comprehensive report including 37 specific recommendations on the actions that needed to be taken and the support that the sector required to ensure its viability at all levels into the future. In July last, I set up a group comprising of all the main stakeholders in the industry as well as the relevant State Bodies and my Department to progress the implementation of those recommendations. The Implementation Group has not yet completed its work.

Green Paper on Energy.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

14 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the role of her Department in the Government Green Paper on Energy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40455/06]

I am very conscious of the important role that agriculture and forestry has to play in the development of Ireland's bioenergy resources and my Department had a specific input into the biofuels and biomass aspects of the Green Paper ‘Towards a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland'.

Prior to publication of the Green Paper, my Department has participated on a number of interdepartmental committees led by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources on the development of Ireland's bioenergy resources. For example, my Department was represented on the ‘Bioenergy Strategy Group', which was established to consider policy options and support mechanisms to encourage greater use of biomass for bioenergy. The Group published a Report ‘Bioenergy in Ireland' which made a number of recommendations to promote the bioenergy sector in Ireland.

The Report also recognized that the development of bioenergy in Ireland is a cross–sectoral issue impinging on several policy areas. In this regard, my Department has been in direct contact with the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources in relation to the development of bioenergy from an agriculture perspective. Indeed, I also discussed the issue directly with my colleague, Minister Dempsey. I therefore welcome publication of the Green Paper, which has set a number of ambitious targets to develop Ireland's renewable energy resources to 2020.

I believe the development of an indigenous bioenergy industry presents a new opportunity for Irish agriculture and will help stimulate diversification of farm incomes, generate sustainable employment and contribute to the development of rural economies.

In accordance with the Green Paper, a Ministerial Taskforce has been established to prepare a road map to develop Ireland's bioenergy resources to 2020. I am working closely with my Ministerial colleagues, as part of this Taskforce, to prepare a comprehensive National Bioenergy Action Plan by the end of this year.

Animal Welfare.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

15 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of animal welfare officers here; the funding provided by her Department to the ISPCA; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40480/06]

My Department has certain statutory responsibility for the welfare and protection of farmed animals under the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes Act 1984 and the European Communities (Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes) Regulations, 2000. In addition there is specific legislation in relation to pigs, calves and laying hens.

Welfare matters are dealt with generally by officers based in my Department's District Veterinary Offices who also have responsibilities in a wide number of other areas related to animal health, disease control etc. Funding is available to deal with emergency care, feeding, transport etc. of welfare compromised farm animals. I am satisfied that the resources available within my Department are sufficient to deal with these matters.

In 2004 the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council (FAWAC) developed an Early Warning/Intervention System (EWS) for dealing with animal welfare cases. This involves my Department, Irish Farmers' Association and the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals. The objective of the system is to provide a framework within which farm animal welfare problems can be identified before they become critical or overwhelming. The new system allows for concerned individuals to approach their local IFA representatives, their local SPCA or my Department in the knowledge that the matter will thereafter be dealt with in the most effective, timely and sensitive manner.

In addition to the foregoing, my Department makes ex-gratia payments annually to organisations involved in the provision of animal care and welfare services, to assist in their on-going work. To date, a total of €5.97m has been paid to such bodies, some €1.2m of which was paid to 86 organisations in December last to assist them during 2006. A provision of €1.1m for this purpose is included in my Department's Estimates for 2006 and applications received are currently being considered for payments in respect of 2007. The ISPCA has benefited from these payments. The headquarters of the Association has received a total of €334,880 to date. That figure does not include payments to affiliated branches of the organisation at national and local level.

The main statutes governing cruelty to animals in this country are the Protection of Animals Acts 1911 and 1965. Responsibility for pursuing cases under that legislation rests with An Garda Síochána, who may on receipt of a complaint, investigate and bring a prosecution against any person alleged to have committed an act of cruelty against an animal. Officers of my Department are regularly involved in assisting the Gardaí in such cases.

EU Directives.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

16 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the status of Ireland’s request for a derogation on the Nitrates Directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36622/06]

Ireland's application for a derogation under the Nitrates Directive was approved at a meeting of the EU Nitrates Committee on 13 November. The draft Commission Decision on the matter is now going through a routine scrutiny process, and I expect the formal Decision granting the derogation to be finalized by Christmas. My Department will be publishing full information and guidelines for farmers at the earliest opportunity.

The derogation, allowing for the application of livestock manure containing up to 250 kg nitrogen per hectare will be available to grassland farms on an individual basis. This is a very significant development for intensive farmers, particularly those in the dairying sector.

While we had argued strongly for extending the derogation to include farmers wishing to take in pig and poultry manure, this was unfortunately not acceptable to the European Commission. I believe, however, that transitional arrangements for pig and poultry producers in the Nitrates Regulations themselves will give those sectors the support and time they need to adapt to the requirements of the Regulations.

The Commission services were very helpful to Ireland in getting the derogation proposal through the approval process without delay. I have already expressed my appreciation to them for this and I am glad to do so again. I am also grateful to the Minister for the Environment and Local Government and his officials and to Teagasc for their valuable support and assistance on this issue which is so important to Ireland's farming sector.

Social Partnership Agreements.

Máire Hoctor

Ceist:

17 Ms Hoctor asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the main elements of the recent partnership agreement with the farming organisations. [40264/06]

The new social partnership agreement, Towards 2016, is the most ambitious and complex yet. To allow for long-term policies to be put in place, Towards 2016 has a unique ten-year framework. The shared overall goal of Towards 2016 is to realise its objectives by enhancing the complementary relationship between social and economic prosperity and by developing a vibrant, knowledge-based economy where economic development is environmentally sustainable and internationally competitive.

This approach is very much in line with the commitments laid out in the agriculture chapter of Towards 2016, where the overriding objective is the sustainable development of a competitive farming and consumer focused agri-food business which contributes to a vibrant rural economy and society. This also reflects the thinking about the future of the sector set out in the Agri Vision 2015 Action Plan.

One of the key features of the agriculture chapter is the Government's willingness to provide a major increase in funding for agriculture from Exchequer resources. This has not only made up for the inevitable decline in EU funding, due to our economic success, but has also provided the finance for the very significant enhancement of some major schemes which support the development of the sector.

The partnership agreement provides that Exchequer funding for the farm schemes under the Rural Development Programme will be €4.7 billion for the period 2007 to 2013. This is an increase of 135% from the €2 billion in Exchequer funds provided for the same schemes in the current round 2000-2006. The total funding for the agricultural measures is €6.8bn, including €2.1bn from EU and modulation.

The new draft rural development programme reflects the commitments contained in the partnership agreement and will cover both agricultural and non-agricultural measures. In line with the EU rural development framework, the measures in the programme will address competitiveness and sustainability. The main elements and expected outcomes are as follows:

A 17% increase in payments under the Rural Environmental Scheme (REPS). The average payment to each eligible participant will increase from €6,170 in 2006 to €7,220 in 2007 and the numbers in this scheme are expected to increase to 64,000.

An 8% increase in Disadvantaged Areas Scheme payments. The average compensatory allowance payment will increase from €2,297 (excluding modulation) to €2,481. Some 102,000 applicants will benefit from this 8% increase.

The average forestry premium will rise from €332 per hectare to €382 — an increase of 15%.

The Installation Aid rate will increase by 56%, bringing it up to €15,000.

A new Early Retirement Scheme will be put in place with a maximum payment rate of €15,000.

A total of €250m is allocated for an Animal Welfare, Recording and Breeding Scheme for Suckler Herds. This measure is included in the current draft rural development programme and is designed to help to ensure high animal welfare standards, to improve the quality of the national beef herd industry while enhancing the marketability of Irish beef in the increasingly discerning European market.

There is capital investment funding of €100 million to support the dairy processing sector. A similar €50m package for the beef and sheepmeat processing sector has also been announced.

These are just some of the measures contained in the agriculture chapter of the partnership agreement, which is a very comprehensive document. It includes actions on all the main farming sectors as well as on the development of the food industry. It also includes important measures on animal health, including a 50% reduction in disease levies, and includes commitments to continuing high levels of service to farmers by the Department. The strong focus on the future in the document is further underlined in the sections on ‘renewable energy', ‘enhancing the environment' and ‘measures to encourage structural change'.

The commitments in relation to the agri-food sector set out in this Partnership agreement are part and parcel of the Government's positive vision for the future of the sector. That vision underlines the fact that delivering safe, high-quality, nutritious food, produced in a sustainable manner, to well-informed consumers in high-value markets is the optimum road for the future of the Irish food industry, and therefore for our farmers.

The recently agreed partnership agreement with the farming pillar has been an important achievement for this Government, and is clear evidence of its commitment to farmers and to rural life in Ireland.

EU Regulations.

Joe Callanan

Ceist:

18 Mr. Callanan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on the implementation of EU regulations under her aegis; the discussions she has had at EU level with regard to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40270/06]

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

24 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she is taking to address the burden of red tape in agriculture; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40447/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 24 together.

My objective on an on-going basis is to ensure that all EU Regulations are drafted in simple and clear terms, that they provide for the appropriate levels of controls in relation to public health, animal health and public finances and that they do not confer excessive administrative or bureaucratic burdens on farmers, the public or my Department. I am fully committed to implementation of the various requirements in an impartial, balanced and practical manner.

I fully support, therefore, the process of simplification that is under way in the EU and I welcome the fact that the incoming German Presidency will give it the highest priority in the first half of 2007. Earlier in the year, my Department submitted suggestions for simplification to the Commission. I raised the matter with Commissioner Fischer Boel during her recent visit to Ireland in September and I wrote to the Commissioner on the matter on 17 October. Last week, I travelled to Germany for a meeting with my German Ministerial colleague, Mr. Horst Seefoher, who is taking over the Presidency in January next and who has undertaken to adopt the simplification process as a priority during his Presidency.

My Department will shortly be submitting a number of proposals to the Commission for the simplification of the implementation arrangements for the Single Payment Scheme and the system of cross-compliance. I intend to pursue these issues as part of the on-going process of simplification and, as stated, the incoming Presidency are fully aware of my views in this regard.

Poultry Industry.

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

19 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps already taken and which have yet to be taken to prepare Ireland for the implementation from February 2008 of rules requiring every laying flock to be subject to a regime of private and official testing to ascertain salmonella status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40533/06]

A national programme setting out the detailed arrangements for operating the new regime in Ireland is being prepared and will be sent to the EU Commission before the end of this year. This should be approved by the Commission in mid 2007. National legislation to give effect to the programme will be required towards the end of 2007. It is intended to write to every egg producer in late spring 2007 to inform them about the new regime and what it will mean for them in terms of additional testing and record keeping.

In July of this year my Department wrote to the Irish Egg Association and the Irish Farmers' Association to advise them of the main provisions of the new testing regime. This subject was also discussed at a meeting with the Irish Egg Association in August. Internal discussions have taken place within the Department on the question of what resources will be deployed to conduct the official sampling regime.

As a large proportion of eggs are sold under the Bord Bia Egg Quality Assurance Scheme, a committee convened by Bord Bia will be examining how the new requirements will fit with the Scheme and vice versa and will consider whether any adaptations to the Scheme are appropriate.

Every egg producer is already registered, which will greatly facilitate the implementation of the new requirements, and resources are available in my Department to conduct the required level of official monitoring and testing.

Departmental Expenditure.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Ceist:

20 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason her Department underspent its allocation in 2006; the reasons for underspends in previous years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40582/06]

Most of the schemes operated by my Department are demand-led measures on which expenditure in any one year is difficult to predict. It is very important that adequate provision is made for such schemes in the annual Estimates. For 2006, the gross provision for the Department was €1.516b, and it is estimated that approximately 94% of this allocation will be spent. While it is not possible to predict the final outturn with precision at this point, savings in the region of €90 million could arise.

Of the total projected savings, over €80 million relates to demand-led schemes. These include measures under the CAP Rural Development Programme (REPS, land mobility and forestry), as well as on-farm investment schemes. The balance is likely to arise primarily in the animal health, research and administrative budget areas.

All of the schemes are subject to variables such as farmer demand, animal disease trends, the pace of progress on approved projects and market conditions. Demand for such schemes is never easy to predict with precision and in recent years it has been impacted by the introduction of the decoupled Single Farm Payment, the Nitrates Directive and the relative proximity of a new Rural Development Programme.

In the case of forestry, issues such as the price of land and competing alternative uses were also a factor. Reducing levels of animal disease, and staff savings arising from improved technology and the centralised administration of the Single Farm Payment are also likely to lead to savings in the relevant Subheads.

I regard it as essential that the measures referred to above, which protect the animal health status of this country, provide vital investment capital and boost income for the farming community and others in the agri-food sector, are adequately funded. My policy has been to ensure sufficient funding for potential demand under these very important measures, and I will continue to do so in the future.

Food Labelling.

Dinny McGinley

Ceist:

21 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she is taking to ensure that non-organic food is not mislabelled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40484/06]

My Department is fully committed to ensuring that consumers can have full confidence in the organic food they buy. For that reason my Department assigned extra resources to the Organic Unit earlier this year and we are now systematically inspecting retail outlets, including supermarkets, shops and farmers markets, checking to ensure that all product identified as organic has been produced fully in accordance with the organic regulations.

The introduction of the European Communities (Organic Farming) Regulation 2004 (S.I. No 112 of 2004) gave my Department powers to prosecute contraventions of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2092/91 on organic production and indications referring thereto on agricultural products and foodstuffs. To date one operator has been convicted of an offence for labelling product in contravention of these Regulations.

Afforestation Programme.

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

22 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans to develop the forestry sector and increase its uptake; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40456/06]

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

113 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans for the development of the forestry sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40444/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 113 together.

The new Rural Development Programme for the period 2007-2013 includes a number of proposed new measures to make investment in forestry more attractive than ever. These include support for investment in recreation as well as wood energy initiatives.

In terms of the Afforestation Scheme, we will continue to provide 100% planting grants. Together with the 15% increase in premium rates I announced as part of the successful conclusion to the Partnership discussions, the forestry option remains an attractive and viable alternative for farmers. The detail of the new Rural Development Programme has yet to be finalised and is currently the subject of a public consultation process. A possible measure as provided for in Article 47 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 to establish a new environmental forestry scheme is also under consideration.

Earlier this year my Department embarked on a joint initiative with the Irish Forestry Industry Chain (IFIC) under the heading ‘Forests for a Bright Future' to highlight the multifunctional benefits of forestry and to stimulate up-take in the afforestation programme. This promotional campaign is expected to run for at least eighteen months, and is promoting the advantages of forestry, particularly to farmers, with a view to increasing the rate of new planting.

Organic Farming.

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

23 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will increase the rate of payment made to organic farmers; the last time this payment was increased; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40435/06]

The current situation is that organic farmers in REPS with holdings of 3 hectares or more qualify for a supplementary organic payment of €181 per hectare on the first 55 hectares, and €30 per hectare over 55 hectares during the in-conversion period. The equivalent rates when full organic status is attained are €91 and €15 per hectare respectively. Organic farmers also qualify for basic REPS payments. Significant increases in the basic REPS payments were introduced in 2004; €200 per hectare for the first 20 hectares, €175 per hectare between 20 and 40 hectares, €75 per hectare between 40 and 55 hectares and €10 per hectare over 55 hectares.

Organic farmers in REPS with holdings of less than 3 hectares are eligible for payments of €242 per hectare during conversion and €121 with full organic status, on top of the basic REPS payment.

Subject to the approval of the European Commission, I am proposing to increase the payments to organic farmers under Ireland's new Rural Development Programme for the period 2007 to 2013. I am also proposing that the system of organic payments should be operated separately from REPS, though organic farmers will be able to join REPS as well.

The new Rural Development Programme is currently in draft form and is the subject of a consultation process.

Question No. 24 answered with QuestionNo. 18.

Alternative Farm Enterprises.

David Stanton

Ceist:

25 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her input into the national bioenergy action plan; if the plan is on target to be completed by the end of 2006; the efforts she is making to encourage both farmer and industry to increase biofuel production; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40573/06]

The Government recognise that the development of Ireland's Bio-energy potential, requires a fully cohesive approach across Government Departments, State Agencies and all relevant stakeholders. Accordingly, in July 2006, a Ministerial Taskforce on Bioenergy was established under the chairmanship of Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Noel Dempsey, TD in which seven Government Departments are partaking.

Over the past few months, I have been participating in the Taskforce and along with my Ministerial colleagues we have been working to deliver an integrated National Bio-Energy Action Plan. It is intended that the Plan will be published before the year end and will establish a firm road map and set challenging targets to develop Ireland's biofuels and biomass resources up to 2020.

Central to this Action Plan is the consideration of initiatives to incentivise the development of Ireland's biofuel market. Interest in producing biofuels in Ireland increased dramatically following the decision in recent budgets to provide excise relief on biofuels. A pilot initiative was rolled out in 2005 for 16 million litres of biofuels and was recently followed by a new excise relief programme valued at some €200m. Under this programme, sixteen biofuels projects will be granted excise relief to deliver a further 163m litres of biofuels on the Irish transport market, representing 2.2% of the entire fuel market.

In addition, the Finance Act 2006 provided for a new 50% VRT relief to promote new flexible fuel vehicles (cars designed to operate on biofuels) for an initial period of 2 years, and also extended the existing VRT relief for hybrid cars by a further year to end 2007.

I believe this package of measures will help stimulate demand for the production of energy crops for the manufacture of liquid biofuels. On the supply side, support to farmers for growing energy crops may only be provided in accordance with EU Regulations. Under the Energy Crops Scheme, aid of €45 per hectare is available for energy crops provided they are intended primarily for use in the production of biofuels and electric and thermal energy produced from biomass. In addition to this scheme, set aside land can be used for a variety of non-food uses including the growing of crops for energy purpose and will therefore qualify to activate set-aside entitlements under the Single Payment Scheme. The EU has agreed that sugar beet will be eligible for aid under the scheme and may also be grown as an energy crop on set aside land.

At the February Council of Agriculture Ministers meeting, I called for a review of the energy crop premium as it was not proving effective in Ireland and I subsequently raised the matter with the Agriculture Commissioner. The EU Commission has published a Report on implementation of the scheme and has made a Proposal, which would allow member states pay national aid up to 50% of the costs associated with establishing permanent crops. The Proposal is currently being discussed in Brussels.

The importance of biofuels is recognised in the AGRI Vision 2015 Action Plan. I believe the development of an indigenous biofuel sector presents a new opportunity for farmers and rural communities. Biofuel development will help stimulate diversification of farm incomes, generate sustainable employment and contribute to the development of rural economies. My Department will continue to work closely with the Department of Communications Marine and Natural Resources to ensure that agriculture contributes to the development of biofuels as part of a coherent energy policy.

Milk Quota.

Damien English

Ceist:

26 Mr. English asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her position on the abolition of milk quota; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40475/06]

The current position is that the EU milk quota regime was extended to 2015 as part of the Luxembourg Agreement on the reform of the CAP. The Commission may bring forward proposals on the future of milk quotas as part of the 2008 ‘Health Check', which may require a Council decision. I will keep the position under review and will evaluate any proposals that may be made by the Commission with a view to ensuring the best outcome for the Irish dairy sector.

Common Agricultural Policy.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

27 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she is satisfied that the CAP reform agreement which is expected to form a basis for the WTO poses a serious threat to the agricultural sector here and throughout the EU with particular reference to self sufficiency, security of supply and high standards in traceability, hygiene and husbandry in the food sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40574/06]

I am satisfied that the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), as it is constituted at present following the major reforms agreed in 2003, provides a sound basis for the continued sustainable development of the agri-food sector in Ireland and throughout the EU.

The European model of agriculture, which is enshrined in the CAP, is based on maintaining competitive, multifunctional and sustainable farming dispersed throughout the Union. One of the core principles of the CAP is to ensure the availability of supply. The EU also ensures the highest standards of hygiene and traceability throughout the food chain through a range of food safety, consumer protection, veterinary and environmental legislation and other requirements. These standards feature within the overall cross compliance system upon which the Single Farm Payment system is dependent. These policies are, and will continue to be, supported by substantial funding for the CAP and rural development. Funding for the period to 2013 was agreed in the decision on the EU's Financial Perspective, 2007-3013, at the European Council in December 2005.

I am also satisfied that the CAP as it has evolved following successive reforms is the basis for the EU's negotiating mandate, as agreed by the Council of Ministers, for the current WTO negotiations. The EU mandate provides that the terms of a new WTO agreement will not undermine CAP reform or require a further reform of the CAP. I fully support the EU position. In addition to ensuring that an adequate level of support and protection for EU agriculture can continue into the future, I will be seeking to ensure that non-trade concerns are fully taken into account in the WTO negotiations. The additional costs incurred by EU producers in meeting EU food safety, animal welfare, traceability and environmental standards must be recognised in a new agreement.

Bovine Disease Controls.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

28 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the progress made to combat incidents of BSE and brucellosis in the livestock industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40258/06]

Following is the information requested by the Deputy.

BSE

The incidence of BSE in Ireland has been declining steadily from a high of 333 cases in 2002 to 182 in 2003, 126 in 2004 and 69 last year. So far this year, 36 cases been confirmed, thus indicating that the downward trend of the past number of years is continuing. In addition, the age profile of cases is increasing with most of the cases now in animals aged 10 years or older. I am confident that the very steady improvement of the past four years will be maintained and that the incidence of BSE will fall further in the coming years reflecting the comprehensive and effective nature of the range of control measures currently in place.

Brucellosis

The incidence of Brucellosis has also been falling progressively in recent years. For example, the number of laboratory positives fell from 6,417 in 1998 to 228 in 2005. The total number of animals slaughtered under the eradication programme fell from 29,778 to 2,375 during the same period. There has been a similar decline in the number of herds depopulated from 328 to 27 in 2005. This progress has been maintained into 2006 with so far only 2 depopulations recorded so far this year.

The substantial improvement in the Brucellosis situation is due to a number of factors, including continued co-operation from all parties with the eradication regime, the tightening up on illegal cattle movements through the Cattle Movement Monitoring System, the regulation of dealers, prosecutions for breaches and the imposition of penalties for failures to comply with animal disease and identification regulations.

I am confident that this progress can be maintained into the future with the continued operation of the existing measures and the on-going co-operation of farmers and all involved in the livestock industry. It is however vital that we continue to recognise that Brucellosis is a highly contagious disease and that we do not relax or relent in our efforts to eradicate it from our national herd. In view of this, we need to continue in the medium term with the existing comprehensive control and eradication measures, which have brought about positive results in recent years in terms of reduced incidence of the disease.

Milk Testing.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

29 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she is taking to provide for independent milk testing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40452/06]

My Department already conducts regular checks on the results of butter fat testing carried out by milk processors. It also checks the calibration of the instruments used in milk processing establishments for measuring the fat and protein levels in milk collected from producers. My Department also monitors the instrument used in measuring somatic cell levels in milk delivered to processors.

In addition my Department conducts random administrative checks to ensure that the results of butter fat and protein tests are correctly transcribed into the calculation of the milk price paid to the producer. In accordance with the provisions of the partnership agreement, Towards 2016, my Department will extend its monitoring and cross checking of the milk testing regime to include all constituents used for payment purposes and, in consultation with the industry, will ensure transparency in the milk analysis regime.

Farm Retirement Scheme.

Donie Cassidy

Ceist:

30 Mr. Cassidy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the situation with regard to farm retirement schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40267/06]

Payments are currently being made under two Schemes of Early Retirement from Farming. I recently announced substantial increases in the maximum pension rates payable under both Schemes to take effect from 1 November 2006. I have decided to increase the maximum pension rate payable under the 1994–99 Scheme from €12,075 to €14,075 and the maximum pension rate payable under the current Scheme from €13,515 to €15,000. These increases will cost some €33 million extra over the remaining period of the two Schemes, and over 5,000 retired farmers will benefit from them.

The announcement of these increases follows an announcement in September of an increase in the off-farm income limit for transferees under the current Scheme of Early Retirement from Farming from €25,400 to €40,000 and the removal of the total income limit for retiring farmers. Heretofore, an income limit exemption for retiring farmers existed only in cases where the farm was transferred definitively to a family member. These changes were effective from 1 September, 2006.

The current Scheme closes to new applications on 31 December 2006. Proposals for a new Scheme, with a maximum payment rate of €15,000, have been included in the draft Rural Development Plan for the period 2007-2013 which was recently published for consultation.

Veterinary Service.

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

31 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she is taking to provide a countrywide and weekend veterinary service for the issue of prescriptions for animal remedies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40490/06]

The Deputy will be aware, given veterinary practices are primarily commercial entities, that their locations are driven by commercial realities and as such I do not have a direct involvement in the issue referred to by the Deputy.

However, insofar as official regulation impacts on this area of activity, I can point to a number of measures which will alleviate difficulties which may arise in certain parts of the country. Under the Veterinary Practice Act 2005, effective from 1 January 2006, there is a provision which for the first time enables the Veterinary Council to recognize qualifications from applicants in Third Countries generally. This, taken with the enlargement of the EU, will make for improved availability of practitioners to meet shortfalls that may arise on the supply side. Furthermore, the Animal Remedies Regulations 2005 contain a number of measures which facilitate veterinary practitioners and their farmer clients to avoid difficulties in this area. These include changes to the prescribing rules in terms of the ending of the requirement to clinically examine an animal prior to writing a prescription and the extended validity period of prescriptions. The Regulations also include a provision, which in a genuine emergency situation and subject to appropriate safeguards, allows a pharmacist to supply a prescription medicine in advance of receiving a written prescription.

Finally, the recent successful outcome to the ‘prescription exemption' issue, which results in the retention of off-prescription status for a range of animal medicines, will also significantly help to alleviate any potential difficulties for farmers since they will continue to be able to obtain these products from existing outlets without having to visit a veterinary practitioner.

Genetically Modified Organisms.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

32 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on reports (details supplied) that organic farmers in Spain are finding traces of genetically modified strains in their crops; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40560/06]

While I have not seen any official report on this issue I do note that the report referred to refers to Spanish farmers abandoning organic cultivation because they are finding traces of GMOs in their produce.

I am confident that the proposed new legislation on organic production, combined with national coexistence measures, will provide sufficient safeguards to enable organic production to reach its full potential in Ireland.

Alternative Farm Enterprises.

John Gormley

Ceist:

33 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans to improve incentives for farmers to grow bio-energy crops; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40585/06]

Pat Breen

Ceist:

67 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will increase the bio-energy payment from €45 per hectare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40473/06]

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

103 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the measures taken by her Department to support farmers to produce crops for biofuel production; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40561/06]

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

107 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her view of EU law providing for the possibility of national aid for topping up the energy crops premium; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40553/06]

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

202 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the incentives in place for farmers to explore and apply the area of bio-energy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40708/06]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

227 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her attention has been drawn to the urgent necessity to provide attractive incentives for the growing of bio-fuel crops; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40854/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 33, 67, 103, 107, 202 and 227 together.

I am aware of the interest at farm level in growing energy crops as a feedstock for bioenergy purposes. Under CAP reform, farmers now have the freedom to focus more clearly on exploiting new farming opportunities, including agricultural production for non-food use. The development of this sector is an opportunity for farmers to diversify and seek new investment opportunities beyond traditional farming outlets.

The key issue for farmers considering energy crops is the expectation of a good economic return. Farmers will only produce energy crops if returns are greater than those offered by more traditional uses.

On the demand side, I believe the announcement last week by the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources Noel Dempsey that 16 biofuel projects are to be granted excise relief under the €200m excise relief programme, will help drive additional demand for production of energy crops. When fully operational in 2008, it will deliver some 163 million litres of biofuels per year and should result in Ireland achieving 2% market penetration of biofuels. I am confident that farmers will respond positively to demand for feedstock arising from these new projects.

On the supply side, support to farmers for growing energy crops may only be provided in accordance with EU Regulations. Under the Energy Crops Scheme, aid of €45 per hectare is available for energy crops provided they are intended primarily for use in the production of biofuels and electric and thermal energy produced from biomass. In addition to this scheme, set aside land can be used for a variety of non-food uses including the growing of crops for energy purpose and will therefore qualify to activate set-aside entitlements under the Single Payment Scheme. The EU has agreed that sugar beet will be eligible for aid under the scheme and may also be grown as an energy crop on set aside land.

At the February Council of Agriculture Ministers meeting, I called for a review of the energy crop premium as it was not proving effective in Ireland and I subsequently raised the matter with the Agriculture Commissioner. The EU Commission has published a Report on implementation of the scheme and has made a Proposal, which would allow member states pay national aid up to 50% of the costs associated with establishing permanent crops. The Proposal, which I welcome, is currently being discussed in Brussels. I should point out, however, that this proposal does not provide for topping up of the energy crop premium.

My Department has received a number of proposals to introduce establishment grants to support the growing of miscanthus and willow for bioenergy and these are currently being considered.

I am also working closely with Ministerial colleagues to promote the development of an indigenous biofuels sector in Ireland. The Government recently established a Ministerial Taskforce on Bioenergy to prepare a road map to develop Ireland's bio-energy resources to 2020. The Taskforce will prepare a comprehensive National Bioenergy Action Plan by the end of this year.

Freedom of Information.

Joe Costello

Ceist:

34 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the outcome of each of the requests her Department has received under freedom of information legislation during each of the past five years. [40544/06]

My Department has received the following number of requests for records under the Freedom of Information Acts. The outcome of these requests is as indicated in the tablebelow:

Year

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006 to date

Total requests received

363

318

290

212

209

Granted

98

120

119

75

77

Part Granted

108

58

86

49

49

Refused

64

59

42

52

32

Transferred

1

5

2

0

2

Withdrawn

53

33

9

4

5

Invalid

0

9

20

22

12

Outside FOI*

36

25

9

6

8

Lapsed

3

9

3

4

0

Live Cases

24

* These figures represent the number of requests where the information sought was supplied outside of the Freedom of Information Acts. Agreement was reached with the requester in each case.

Milk Supply.

David Stanton

Ceist:

35 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the average somatic cell count in the Irish national milk supply and the impact it is having on the industry; her plans to improve the situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40572/06]

My Department does not compile statistics on the somatic cell count in the national milk supply. The European Communities (Food and Feed Hygiene) Regulations 2005 (S. I. No. 910 of 2005) provide that milk going for the production of liquid milk or dairy products for human consumption must have a somatic cell level not exceeding 400,000 per ml. based on a geometric average over a period of three months, with at least one sample a month.

In 2005 some 2.6% of milk producers failed to maintain this standard, as compared with 3.29% the previous year. In such cases the milk is not collected until successive tests bring the geometric average within the permissible level. It is accepted that mastitis in the cows is the chief cause of high somatic cell levels in milk.

I am currently examining means of encouraging dairy farmers to combat mastitis in their cows in the context of the Animal Remedies legislation.

Genetically Modified Organisms.

Ciarán Cuffe

Ceist:

36 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will put a moratorium on trials of genetically modified organisms in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40580/06]

I wish to inform the Deputy that notifications to trial genetically modified organisms are made to the Environmental Protection Agency in accordance with Part B of EU Directive 2001/18/EC on the deliberate release of GMOs into the environment but not for entry to the food chain. Responsibility for making a decision on these application is a matter for the Environmental Protection Agency as the Competent Authority designated by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Consequently any decisions relating to a moratorium in this area would be a matter for the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Organic Farming.

Seán Ryan

Ceist:

37 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she is satisfied that sufficient support is being made available to the organic sector; her views on the fact that Ireland is still importing up to 70% of its organic food; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40520/06]

Dan Neville

Ceist:

92 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she is taking to develop the organic sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40485/06]

Eamon Ryan

Ceist:

105 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the new measures that she has taken in the past 12 months to improve organic acreage here; the results of these measures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40587/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 37, 92 and 105 together.

I am strongly committed to the development of the organic sector in Ireland. While the sector in Ireland is still 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 draft Rural Development Programme for the period 2007–2013 includes 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 REPS . The draft Programme is currently the subject of a consultation process.

Special investment aid is also available for organic farmers and processors under the Scheme of Grant Aid for the Development of the Organic Sector, which supports investment both on-farm and off-farm. For on-farm investments, grant aid can be given for 40% of the cost up to a maximum grant of over €50,000. For off-farm investments, the maximum grant is over €500,000.

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 from the UK on a pilot basis. 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 14 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. In this regard Bord Bia, in consultation with the Market Development Group, has recently produced a three-year Organic Marketing Plan. The objective of the plan is to develop the organic sector in Ireland for existing suppliers and new entrants. My Department has now approved funding for the Plan, amounting to a substantial sum of €1.5m over the 3-year period. Included in the plan was National Organic Week which this year ran from November 6th to 12th. This is the second year of National Organic Week, the objective of which is to raise consumer awareness about organic food and farming. One of the flagship events during that week, supported by my Department, was the very successful All Ireland Organic Food Conference held in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim.

The decoupling of farm payments has established a policy framework in which farmers have the freedom to farm in response to market demands. In this more market-oriented scenario, there is real scope for organic production to expand with the help of the incentives that I have outlined already.

My Department is also fully committed to ensuring that consumers can have full confidence in the organic food they buy. For that reason my Department assigned extra resources to the Organic Unit earlier this year and we are now systematically inspecting retail outlets, including supermarkets, shops and farmers markets, checking to ensure that all product identified as organic has been produced fully in accordance with the organic regulations. The introduction of the European Communities (Organic Farming) Regulation 2004 (S.I. No 112 of 2004 gave my Department powers to prosecute contraventions of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2092/91 on organic production and indications referring thereto on agricultural products and foodstuffs. To date one operator has been convicted of an offence for labelling product in contravention of these Regulations.

Animal Diseases.

Shane McEntee

Ceist:

38 Mr. McEntee asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food further to Parliamentary Question No. 377 of 27 June 2006 regarding equine infectious anaemia, if she will furnish a response to the issues raised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40486/06]

Further to my replies to Parliamentary Question Nos 377 of 27 June 2006 and 156 of 17 October, the investigation referred to remains ongoing. It is a very comprehensive investigation and, as I have indicated previously, my Department will, in the event of sufficient evidence being established, endeavour to pursue a prosecution. As I have advised the Deputy previously, given the nature and stage of the investigation, I am not in a position to comment any further on its progress at this stage nor would it be appropriate for me to do so.

EU Regulations.

Michael Finneran

Ceist:

39 Mr. Finneran asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the recent correspondence or discussions she has had with Commissioner Fischer Boel on the simplification of EU regulations as these are applied to the farming community. [40268/06]

John Cregan

Ceist:

50 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the recent correspondence or discussions she has had with Commissioner Fischer Boel on the simplification of EU regulations as these are applied to the farming community. [40393/06]

Johnny Brady

Ceist:

75 Mr. J. Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the recent correspondence or discussions she has had with Commissioner Fischer Boel on the simplification of EU regulations as these are applied to the farming community. [40259/06]

Jimmy Devins

Ceist:

77 Dr. Devins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position with regard to the implementation of EU regulations that impact on the farming community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40274/06]

M. J. Nolan

Ceist:

118 Mr. Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position in relation to the implementation of EU regulations which affect farmers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40272/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 39, 50, 75, 77 and 118 together.

My objective on an on-going basis is to ensure that all EU Regulations are drafted in simple and clear terms, that they provide for the appropriate levels of controls in relation to public health, animal health and public finances and that they do not confer excessive administrative or bureaucratic burdens on farmers, the public or my Department. I am fully committed to implementation of the various requirements in an impartial, balanced and practical manner.

I fully support, therefore, the process of simplification that is under way in the EU and I welcome the fact that the incoming German Presidency will give it the highest priority in the first half of 2007. Earlier in the year, my Department submitted suggestions for simplification to the Commission. I raised the matter with Commissioner Fischer Boel during her recent visit to Ireland in September and I wrote to the Commissioner on the matter on 17 October. Last week, I travelled to Germany for a meeting on this and other issues, with my German Ministerial colleague, Mr Horst Seefoher, who is taking over the Presidency in January. He has already indicated that he intends to make simplification a priority issue in his Presidency. I used the meeting to make my views very clear on the matter.

Food Labelling.

John Deasy

Ceist:

40 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the discussions she has had with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and the Department of Health and Children on the enforcement of country of origin labelling within the catering trade; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40441/06]

The regulations governing the provision of country of origin information on beef in the catering sector were introduced by the Minister for Health and Children. Responsibility for enforcement of the regulations is with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).

Officials of my Department have had extensive discussions with the Department of Health and Children and the FSAI during the drafting of the regulations and since the regulations were made. These discussions included aspects relating to enforcement.

There are over 44,000 food businesses in Ireland of which over 29,000 are in the service sector, which includes caterers. These are inspected on a routine basis by the Environmental Health Officers in the Health Service Executive operating under a Service Contract with the FSAI.

Checks on compliance with the Health (Country of Origin of Beef) Regulations are being incorporated into routine hygiene and food safety inspections by HSE Environmental Health Officers for establishments covered by these regulations.

Sheep Industry.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

41 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will implement the recommendations of the strategy report for the Irish sheep sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40442/06]

Liam Twomey

Ceist:

98 Dr. Twomey asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the action she is taking to implement the recommendations of the sheep strategy group report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40453/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 98 together.

The Sheep Industry Development Strategy Group issued its report in June 2006. This is a comprehensive study of the sheep industry which sets out a Development Plan for the industry contained in 37 recommendations. I decided that the best way to implement these recommendations was to set up an implementation body comprised of representatives of all sectors in the industry, including the relevant state bodies. It is chaired by Mr John Malone, former Secretary General of my Department, who was also the author of the Strategy Group report. The Implementation Group has not yet completed its work.

Bovine Diseases.

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

42 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason butchers cannot bone out bovine animals on their premises over 24 months; the reason same is not increased to 30 months in line with BSE and SRM restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40437/06]

Michael Ring

Ceist:

84 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason butchers cannot bone out bovine animals on their premises up to 30 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40439/06]

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

94 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason butchers cannot bone out bovine animals on their premises over 24 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40438/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 42, 84 and 94 together.

Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 designates certain bovine tissues as specified risk material (SRM) and lays down rules for its removal as a public health protection measure in the context of BSE controls.

In its opinion of 28 April 2005 the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded that a scientific basis existed to review the age limit for the removal of certain SRM in bovine animals, in particular as regards the vertebral column. In July 2005 the EU Commission adopted a reflection paper, the TSE Roadmap, looking at the next steps that could be taken with regard to BSE in the short, medium and long term. After consultation with the Member States and stakeholders, Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1974/2005 was adopted in December 2005. This Regulation provided that the age limit for removing vertebral column, including dorsal root ganglia of bovine animals as SRM could be increased from 12 to 24 months. Provision is also made for further review of the age limit, which would have to be on the basis of scientific advice.

The requirement for authorisation of retail establishments such as butchers for the specific activity of handling and removing SRM is prescribed in European and national regulations. The Environmental Health Officers Service of the Health Service Executive, under service contract to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) implements these regulations in retail butchers shops. Butchers are required either to declare non-handling of SRM or to comply with the standards for authorisation for handling of SRM. Authorisation ensures that this material is removed and disposed of in a manner which protects consumers. Butchers seeking authorisation need to demonstrate the presence of systems to ensure adequate identification, separation, removal, storage and disposal of SRM.

Retail butchers who choose not to handle SRM can handle all beef from animals under 24 months. In addition unauthorised retail butchers can handle beef from animals over 24 months if it has been boned out or has its vertebral column removed prior to intake.

The handling of SRM at retail level has been identified as a priority area for protection of consumers. The FSAI has consulted with the trade on the approach to implementing these regulations, and has published an extensive set of Frequently Asked Questions on its website, www.fsai.ie, to assist the trade in understanding these requirements.

The requirement that all bovine animals over 30 months of age, slaughtered for human consumption, must be tested for BSE is also provided for in Regulation (EC) No. 999/2001. Under the Regulation, as it currently stands, I have no discretion to raise the age limit at which bovines destined for human consumption must be tested.

Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 is currently in the process of being revised, though it is not now anticipated that the proposed amendments will become law before 2007. The amendments, as currently drafted, would enable Member States to seek the approval of the Commission and other Member States for revisions to their annual monitoring programmes to change the age limit for testing for BSE in healthy animals slaughtered for human consumption. Such applications would be on the basis of a range of criteria relating to the BSE situation and controls in the particular country. These criteria have yet to be determined and may yet take some time to finalise.

I, and my officials, have made repeated and consistent efforts to have the age thresholds for the various categories of animals changed, based on the results of surveillance carried out here and I will, of course, continue to press for a change in the age threshold at every opportunity.

Food Industry.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

43 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of meetings of the Food Agency Co-operation Council in 2004, 2005 and to date in 2006; the number of times that its successor has held meetings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40493/06]

The Food Agency Co-operation Council met on 20 occasions since its inception in 2000. During 2004 and 2005 priority was given instead to meetings of the food development agencies directly concerned with the food programme components of the National Development Plan 2000-2006. Two such meetings took place in 2004, one in 2005 and one in 2006 to assess progress on the Plan in preparation for meetings of the NDP Monitoring Committees.

In the light of a more market orientated CAP, the 2015 Agri-Vision Report and the Enterprise Strategy Report my Department examined future co-operation arrangements between agencies for the most effective development of the agri-food industry. Arising from this, I included in the Agri-Vision 2015 Action Plan the establishment of a high level group of CEOs of food agencies, which will subsume and develop the role of the Food Agency Co-Operation Council. The inaugural meeting of the new Agency CEO Group took place on 18 July 2006. The next meeting of the Group will take place in the coming weeks.

The Group, which is chaired at Ministerial level, comprises of the Chief Executives/ Directors of Teagasc, Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland, Bord Iascaigh Mhara, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Fáilte Ireland, FÁS, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, and the Food Safety Promotion Board. The Group operates in tandem with the Food Industry Committee which has also met chaired at Ministerial level.

In addition arrangements have been made by my Department to bring the agencies together at regional level to drive the development of regional and local food enterprises. The first of these initiatives, the North West Food Forum — Market Focus for Small Food Enterprises — took place in Killybegs in November 2005. Similar regional events took place in Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan (North-East) in June 2006, in Portlaoise (Midlands) in September 2006 and in Kilkenny (South-East) last week. At these fora, significant time was allocated for the agencies to network with the industry stakeholders and to showcase the services available to assist regional food company development.

Horticulture Industry.

Seán Ryan

Ceist:

44 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her attention has been drawn to the possible effects on the horticulture industry here if a proposed landfill (details supplied) in north Dublin goes ahead; her plans to make a submission on the issue to the Environmental Protection Agency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40549/06]

I am aware that there are local concerns about the possibility of the proposed landfill contaminating the water supply used by horticultural producers in the area and I understand that the issue has been the subject of submissions to the Environmental Protection Agency, which is currently examining the waste licence application. It is of course vital that horticultural activity anywhere in the State, and particularly in the region of intensive cultivation close to this proposed landfill, should not be jeopardised in any way by environmental hazards. Before issuing a waste licence, the EPA must be satisfied that emissions from the landfill will not cause significant adverse environmental impacts and I am confident that its procedures for processing the licence application will take full account of the scientific evidence.

State Aid.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

45 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a meeting scheduled for October 2006 was held in which the European Commission’s draft of the community guidelines for state aid in the agriculture sector for 2007 to 2013 was discussed; if so, if she will provide a summary of the views therein expressed on the draft guidelines; if the threshold of 30% production loss to trigger compensation is in respect of losses caused by animal disease and a reduction of aid to 75% is still likely to be included in the eventually adopted guidelines. [40536/06]

I can confirm that my Department was represented at a meeting of the EU Working Group and Advisory Committee on State Aids which took place on 25 October to discuss the proposed Community Guidelines for State Aid in the Agriculture Sector, 2007-2013. Prior to the meeting, I, together with several of my EU Ministerial colleagues, had strongly opposed many of the original proposals brought forward by the Commission. I had taken the matter up bilaterally with the Commissioner as well as raising it in the Council of Ministers meeting. Following these representations, the Commission published revised proposals on 21 October and these were the subject of discussion at the meeting on 25 October.

The Commission's revised proposals addressed most of the concerns that I had raised. Insofar as compensation for animal disease is concerned, the proposed 30% threshold of loss for entitlement was dropped and, as in the past, aid up to 100% will be permitted.

Important changes were also introduced by the Commission in relation to other issues which I raised including the relaxation of proposed rules on advertising, the withdrawal of a proposed tendering system for on-farm investment schemes and the restoration of aid for breeding in the livestock sector.

My Department and all other Member States welcomed the revised proposals at the meeting on 25 October. In addition to seeking clarification on specific points, Member States also raised a number of remaining detailed points of concern. The Commission indicated that it would consider the further comments of Member States before reaching a final decision. The decision on the State Aid rules which will apply for the period 2007-2013 is a matter for the Commission. I understand that a final decision will be made on 6 December.

EU Directives.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

46 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she is taking to address the burden placed on farmers by the nitrates directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40448/06]

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

51 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she is taking to ease the burden of paperwork placed on farmers by the nitrates directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40449/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 51 together.

The implementation of the Nitrates Directive is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Following a process of consultation with the farming organizations and other stakeholders, the Minister, Deputy Roche, made the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2006 some months ago.

A number of measures to help farmers meet their obligations under the Regulations are already in place. In accordance with the Sustaining Progress agreement, improvements to the Farm Waste Management Scheme and the Dairy Hygiene Scheme and substantially increased REPS payments were delivered in 2004. In March 2006 I announced further significant improvements in the Farm Waste Management Scheme, designed specifically to assist farmers meet the requirements of the Nitrates Directive. Subject to the approval of the European Commission, I am making proposals in the new Rural Development Programme, specifically in the context of REPS, that will help farmers further.

With the support of Teagasc and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, I have recently secured the agreement of the EU Nitrates Committee to a derogation which will be available to grassland farms on an individual basis and will allow farmers to operate at a level of up to 250 kg organic nitrogen per hectare. This is a very significant development for intensive farmers, particularly those in the dairying sector. Under the new Rural Development Programme I am also proposing that farmers availing of this derogation should also have access, for the first time, to REPS.

My Department is also committed to giving farmers practical help where possible and to keep the burden of paper-work to a minimum. In the last few weeks, all cattle farmers have been sent a Nitrogen and Phosphorus Statement for 2005, using information on the Department's databases. This Statement will be sent out every year from now on. As regards record-keeping generally, records that are already being kept for other purposes and meet the requirements of the Regulations are acceptable; and most of the information needed is already on the Single Application form, stock registers and CMMS profiles. There are some additional records which must be kept, and examples of how to keep these are contained in the Explanatory Handbook which was issued to all farmers recently.

In addition, my officials and Teagasc staff are currently holding a series of 36 information meetings throughout the country. At these meetings, farmers are given information to help them understand the practical aspects of the Regulations. They also have an opportunity to ask questions about any particular concerns they may have.

Food Industry.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

47 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the recommendations of the consumer liaison panel which her Department has implemented; the recommendations of the consumer liaison panel which her Department has not yet implemented but which will be and when they will be implemented; and the recommendations of the consumer liaison panel which will not be implemented. [40534/06]

The Consumer Liaison Panel was established in January 2002 to strengthen communication between consumers and my Department. A consumer-focused approach is vital to the future of a progressive multi-functional agrifood industry, encompassing not alone the basic function of food production but food safety, food quality, environmental and animal welfare issues. The Consumer Liaison Panel is a standing panel which is briefed on Department activities and provides feedback from a consumer perspective. Since its establishment, apart from giving immediate reaction to the Department on issues of consumer concern such as animal health, agri-environment and food safety, the Panel has commissioned research in two major areas, viz. food labelling and food prices.

During 2002 the Panel recommended an examination of food labelling. As a result my predecessor set up the Food Labelling Group in July of that year. In December 2002, the Labelling Group presented its report containing 21 recommendations covering

General Labelling Rules

Policy and Enforcement

Consumer Education and Awareness and

Origin.

As the recommendations covered issues within the responsibility of a number of Departments and Government Agencies, an inter Departmental/ Agency Group was set up to progress implementation of the recommendations. This Group included representatives from my Department, the Departments of Health and Children, Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, together with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and the Food Safety Promotion Board.

While food labelling is a particularly complicated and broad-based area, I am pleased to say that very substantial progress has been achieved in implementing the recommendations of the Report. Nineteen of the twenty one recommendations, many of which were beyond the remit of my own Department and some which were to be activated only after others had been completed, have been addressed. The remaining two recommendations which relate to aspects of origin labelling are also being addressed. In July of this year new regulations were introduced, by way of amendment to the Health Act 1947, which extend the existing beef labelling regulations to restaurants and catering establishments. These new Regulations, which are enforced by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, oblige hotels, restaurants and other catering establishments to provide consumers with clear information on the country of origin of their beef.

The amended Health Act 1947 will also facilitate the extension of country of origin labelling to all meats including poultry meat. I have raised the issue with the EU Commission and am taking every opportunity to press for progress on the matter. I have also raised the issue in the context of the current review of food labelling legislation which is being carried out by D.G. Sanco. Ireland's concerns have been submitted by the Department of Health & Children which has overall responsibility for general food labelling legislation.

In 2003, the Panel expressed its concerns about the lack of transparency on food prices in Ireland and commissioned a study to assess the data sources on the price of food in Ireland and to recommend a model for monitoring the share of the price of key food items absorbed at different stages of the food supply chain. My Department has provided funding for this research and the final report was signed off by the Consumer Liaison Panel in recent weeks. There are no recommendations of the Panel which my Department has not acted upon.

Agricultural Processing Sectors.

Jimmy Devins

Ceist:

48 Dr. Devins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on the development of the dairy, beef and sheep processing sectors; the policies she will put in place to support such development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40275/06]

Johnny Brady

Ceist:

82 Mr. J. Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans for investment in the dairy, beef and sheep processing sectors. [40260/06]

Joe Callanan

Ceist:

88 Mr. Callanan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans for the development of the dairy, beef and sheep procession sectors; if she is optimistic with regard to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40271/06]

John Cregan

Ceist:

120 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans for investment in the dairy, beef and sheep processing sectors. [40394/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 48, 82, 88 and 120 together.

In keeping with commitments given in the agri-Vision 2015 Action Plan, I have in recent months announced investment packages totalling €150 million to support the development of the dairy, beef and sheep meat processing sectors. €100 million is for the dairy sector while €50 million is being provided for the beef and sheep meat sectors. This substantial grant assistance, which should trigger investment in excess of €400 million, is yet another clear indication of the Government's commitment to the continued development of a modern, competitive, innovative and market-focused food industry.

Financial support will be made available towards the cost of the construction and acquisition of buildings, new machinery and equipment and will significantly assist the industry in improving efficiency and competitiveness. Indeed, I would, at this stage, like to commend the positive response, over recent years, of the dairy, beef and sheep meat sectors to the challenges presented in an ever-changing market. This has made a major contribution to the enhanced status and reputation of Irish produce abroad. In Government we strived to lead that progress and assist stakeholders by adopting pragmatic, if ambitious, policies in supporting the development of the sectors.

The investment schemes will be managed by Enterprise Ireland who will evaluate the suitability of investment projects submitted for grant assistance.

I launched the Dairy Investment Fund in September 2006 and the closing date for applications was Thursday last 23 November. The Dairy Fund will support Annex 1 dairy projects where the input and output is a minimum of 75% Annex 1. I was very pleased to be informed by Enterprise Ireland that the Dairy Investment Fund was over subscribed. An Evaluation Committee, comprising of representatives from EI, my Department and other experts, will select the projects to be grant aided following a detailed technical and commercial analysis of each project.

While the scheme for the beef and sheep meat processing sectors was only announced on 8 November, there has already been a very positive response from the industry and I expect significant progress to be made fairly quickly. I am at present in consultation with Enterprise Ireland and expect to be in a position to publish the full eligibility criteria and terms and conditions of this scheme in the near future.

Farm Retirement Scheme.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

49 Mr. Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position regarding changes to the farm retirement schemes. [40265/06]

Payments are currently being made under two Schemes of Early Retirement from Farming. I recently announced substantial increases in the maximum pension rates payable under both Schemes to take effect from 1 November 2006. I have decided to increase the maximum pension rate payable under the 1994–99 Scheme from €12,075 to €14,075 and the maximum pension rate payable under the current Scheme from €13,515 to €15,000. These increases will cost some €33 million extra over the remaining period of the two Schemes, and over 5,000 retired farmers will benefit from them.

The announcement of these increases follows an announcement in September of an increase in the off-farm income limit for transferees under the current Scheme of Early Retirement from Farming from €25,400 to €40,000 and the removal of the total income limit for retiring farmers. Heretofore, an income limit exemption for retiring farmers existed only in cases where the farm was transferred definitively to a family member. These changes were effective from 1 September, 2006.

The current Scheme closes to new applications on 31 December 2006. Proposals for a new Scheme, with a maximum payment rate of €15,000, have been included in the draft Rural Development Plan for the period 2007-2013 which was recently published for consultation.

Question No. 50 answered with QuestionNo. 39.
Question No. 51 answered with QuestionNo. 46.

Infectious Diseases.

Joan Burton

Ceist:

52 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the situation regarding the procedures in place to deal with an avian flu outbreak; if new initiatives have been put in place by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40531/06]

My Department has developed comprehensive contingency arrangements to deal with any case of avian influenza in wild birds or any outbreak in poultry. These arrangements are kept under constant review with a view to updating them to take account of new developments that arise.

I have recently signed new Regulations which provide the most up-to-date legislative basis for actions to be taken in the event of a case or outbreak of avian flu. These new Regulations give effect in Irish law to three pieces of EU legislation, two of which replace existing legislation introduced earlier in the year while the third gives effect to a European Council Directive.

This update of legislation is indicative of my determination to maintain a proactive approach and reflects my commitment to being fully prepared to deal with any eventuality which a case or outbreak of avian flu might bring. It also reflects the increased risk associated with the autumn/winter migratory season which is now underway.

My Department is continuing to ensure that it and other relevant bodies are fully prepared and equipped to deal with any case or outbreak and will further refine its preparedness along with other parties to reflect the new legislation. There are currently no outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian flu in the EU and the immediate risk to Ireland is therefore low.

I am satisfied that my Department is adequately prepared to deal with any case/outbreak of avian flu which may arise here in the coming months.

Mushroom Industry.

Gay Mitchell

Ceist:

53 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the inspection regimes administered by her Department in relation to the mushroom growing industry; the frequency with which such inspections take place; the penalties in place for failure to comply with these Departmental regulations; the number of such establishments found to be in breach of existing regulations in 2005 and to date in 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40436/06]

The pesticide residue monitoring programme conducted by my Department on behalf of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), is reviewed and agreed on an annual basis with the FSAI. The risk-based programme thus developed involved the analysis of some 1,350 samples of agricultural produce in each of the years 2005 and 2006 for up to 150 different pesticide compounds.

In 2005 some 10 samples of mushrooms were taken. All were found to be free of illegal residues. In 2006, 12 samples have been analysed to-date, none of which contained illegal residues. Following media allegations of misuse of plant protection products by a mushroom grower, two samples were taken from the grower in question and both were found to be free of illegal residues of the products alleged to have been used. Indeed there were no illegal residues of plant protection products detected in any mushroom samples analysed in the period 1994 to 2006.

The regulatory framework for plant protection products in Ireland relating to the marketing and use of plant protection products as set out in SI 83 of 2003 is designed to ensure a very high standard of protection for human health and the environment. Enforcement of the legislation involves inspections to ensure that only approved products are present in the market and are used by farmers and growers. Inspections take place mainly at whole distribution level. However where there is evidence of possible misuse of plant protection products generated through the residue monitoring programme or from any other source, specific inspections at end-user level take place. There was no evidence of misuse of plant protection products uncovered during two unannounced inspections conducted by officers of my Department on the premises of the mushroom farm at the centre of recent allegations.

Penalties involving fines of up to €5,000 and or 6 months imprisonment can be imposed where evidence of misuse is uncovered, at the discretion of the courts.

Health Issues.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

54 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the discussions she has had with the Irish food industry to address the issues of obesity in the Irish population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40526/06]

Joe Sherlock

Ceist:

74 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the discussions she has had with the farmers’ representative organisations with a view to addressing the obesity issues in the Irish population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40521/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 74 together.

Obesity is, I believe, an immensely important issue for the future health of our society and demands a multifaceted response as indicated in the Report of the National Taskforce on Obesity which made recommendations for cross sectoral actions in areas including education, social and community, health, food supply and the physical environment. The recommendations to my Department have been addressed by way of specific healthy food initiatives such as the promotion of school milk and fruit and vegetables.

I have consistently encouraged the agrifood industry to maintain its focus on meeting the requirements of health conscious consumers and have welcomed industry initiative to promote healthy lifestyles. Following consultation with the food industry and research institutions on funding of public good research, food and health was selected as a key theme in the 2006 call for research proposals under the FIRM programme.

Alternative Farm Enterprises.

Michael Noonan

Ceist:

55 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans for the development of the biofuel sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40445/06]

John Perry

Ceist:

58 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the measures she will take to promote alternative renewable energy from agriculture; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40492/06]

Pádraic McCormack

Ceist:

61 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the action she is taking to develop the biofuel sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40454/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 55, 58 and 61 together.

I am currently participating in a high level Ministerial Taskforce on Bioenergy, which has been established by Government to prepare a plan to develop Ireland's bioenergy resources to 2020. The Ministerial Team is currently working on a National Bio-energy Action plan to establish targets to promote greater use of biomass and biofuels. The consideration of further initiatives to incentivise the development of Ireland's biofuel market is a key part of this Action Plan. The Plan will be finalised by the end of 2006 and support measures will be announced on budget day.

The production of Biofuels is one of the main elements in developing the renewable energy sector. In the Green Paper on energy "Towards a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland" the Government made a firm commitment to develop an indigenous biofuels industry in Ireland and to achieve 5.75% biofuels penetration by 2010. The Green Paper also sets out a number of other areas where progress can be made in the transport, heat and electricity markets.

I believe the development of an indigenous biofuel sector presents a new opportunity for farmers and the rural economy. Agriculture and forestry has the potential to be the source of many feedstocks for biofuels. For example, oilseed rape, wheat and sugar beet can be used for the manufacture of liquid transport biofuels.

In this regard, I am confident the new excise relief programme announced by Minister Noel Dempsey, TD last week will help drive additional demand for production of energy crops for the manufacture of liquid biofuels. The response to this scheme was excellent with over 100 applications for excise relief from a broad range of companies. Sixteen projects have been offered excise relief including a number in the food and farm business sector. When fully operational in 2008, the scheme will deliver some 163 million litres of biofuels per year and will result in CO2 savings of over 250,000 tonnes per annum.

In addition, the Finance Act 2006 provided for a new 50% VRT relief to promote new flexible fuel vehicles designed to operate on biofuels for an initial period of 2 years, and also extended the existing VRT relief for hybrid cars by a further year to end 2007.

At present, the EU Energy Crops Scheme provides farmers with a premium of €45 per hectare for growing energy crops to produce biofuels and biomass. In addition to this scheme, set aside land can be used for a variety of non-food uses including the growing of crops for energy purpose and will therefore qualify to activate set-aside entitlements under the Single Payment Scheme. The EU has agreed that sugar beet will be eligible for aid under the scheme and may also be grown as an energy crop on set aside land.

At the February Council of Agriculture Ministers meeting, I called for a review of the energy crop premium as it was not proving effective in Ireland and I subsequently raised the matter with the Agriculture Commissioner. The EU Commission has published a Report on implementation of the scheme and has made a Proposal, which would allow member states pay national aid up to 50% of the costs associated with establishing permanent crops. The Proposal is currently being discussed in Brussels. Short Rotation Crops (SRC) such as willow and miscanthus also have the potential to contribute to Ireland's renewable energy strategy. My Department has received a number of Proposals to introduce establishment grants for miscanthus and willow and these are currently being considered.

We have also expanded the scope of the Research Stimulus Fund to provide for consideration of projects dealing with biofuels. Five of the projects selected under the 2005 and 2006 calls for proposals directly relate to biofuels and energy crops and were awarded total grant assistance of some €1.5m. Projects supported under this Programme will complement the research work being done by Teagasc and others in this area.

Wood biomass has the potential to play a major role in Ireland's renewable energy strategy. Wood energy is renewable, carbon neutral, sustainable and can be produced locally. It can be used alone or co-fired with other fuels such as peat to generate electricity.

Currently, forest cover in Ireland amounts to approximately 710,000 hectares, or 10% of the land area. This timber resource has significant energy potential and in the coming years, will bring a large amount of solid wood biomass, in the form of woodchip, logs and wood pellets, to the marketplace for energy generation.

The Government is providing very attractive grants to farmers undertaking forestry. The Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme and the Native Woodland Grant Scheme both provide up to 100% of the cost of establishing the forest, along with annual premiums of up to €500 per hectare per annum for 20 years. Support for the wood energy is also envisaged under the new Rural Development Programme (2007-2013).

Horticulture Industry.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

56 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the assistance her Department provides to apple growers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40546/06]

Apple production, with 46 growers at the last census in 2002, represents a small but important sector within our horticultural industry. My Department has contributed to the support of those growers through its grant aid schemes under the National Development Plan. The NDP Scheme of Investment Aid for the Commercial Horticulture Sector has supported apple producers with aid for on-farm investment in specialist plant and equipment. In the period 2000-2006, aid amounting to €709,642 has been approved under this Scheme in respect of investments of over €2 million. In the same period €133,385 was paid under the NDP Capital Investment Scheme for Marketing and Processing to aid investments of €333,463 in a cold store and equipment.

The Producer Organisation Scheme is also available as a means of drawing down funding for apple production. The key aim of the PO scheme is to improve product quality and promote the concentration of supply which in turn helps to reduce production costs and stabilise producer prices.

Rural Development.

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

57 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will provide grant aid to support handling, drying and storage facilities for grain farmers to facilitate farm to farm trading; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40472/06]

Under the Draft Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 which was recently published by my Department, grant aid for farm grain storage and ancillary facilities is included under the sub-measure in the Farm Investment category of the programme. The Programme remains to be cleared by the EU Commission and must also fulfill EU State aid criteria.

Question No. 58 answered with QuestionNo. 55.

Single Payment Scheme.

Gay Mitchell

Ceist:

59 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she is taking to address the burden of cross compliance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40440/06]

The position is that cross compliance involves two key elements:

a requirement for farmers to comply with 18 statutory management requirements (SMRs) set down in EU legislation on the environment, food safety, animal health and welfare and plant health,

a requirement to maintain the farm in good agricultural and environmental condition (GAEC).

The rate of on-farm inspection required for cross-compliance is 1% of those farmers to whom the Statutory Management Requirements (including the Nitrates Directive) or GAEC apply. However at least 5% of producers must be inspected under the Bovine Animal Identification and Registration requirements as this level is prescribed under the relevant Regulations.

In 2006, 8,200 farmers have had their holdings selected for on-the-spot inspection out of some 130,000 who have applied for the Single Payment Scheme (over 100,000 of these are also applicants for Disadvantaged Areas Scheme). The value of both schemes to Irish farmers is some €1.55 billion in 2006.

My Department's policy towards on-farm inspection for the Single Payment Scheme has been to give advance notification of up to 48 hours in all cases. This policy of systematic pre-announcement of inspections was questioned by the Commission in July 2006 and its unacceptability, was conveyed to my Department in a formal communication in August. As a result my Department was obliged to agree to a proportion of Single Payment Scheme inspections being carried out in 2006 without prior notification. Some 650 farms out of 130,000 involved in the Single Payment Scheme were subsequently selected for unannounced inspection. The balance of inspection cases, representing 92% of the 8,200 farms selected for Single Payment Scheme/ Disadvantaged Areas Scheme inspection in 2006, are all pre-notified to the farmer.

The EU regulations governing the Single Payment Scheme would allow my Department to give pre-notification of inspection in the case of certain elements of cross-compliance e.g. the Nitrates Regulations. However, my Department is committed, in the Charter of Rights for Farmers 2005-2007 to carrying out all Single Payment Scheme and Disadvantaged Area Scheme checks during a single farm visit in most cases. This then obliges my Department to respect the advance notice requirements applicable to the most stringent element of the inspection regime viz. maximum of 48 hours notice but with no advance notice in a proportion of cases.

My Department is also committed in the Charter of Rights to pursuing with the European Commission a strategy to deliver advance notification of 14 days for inspections under the Single Payment Scheme. The matter has been raised with the Commission on a number of occasions since 2004, particularly in the context of the Irish situation where we are applying a fully decoupled and essentially area-dependent Single Payment Scheme. I have personally made the case again recently to Commissioner Fischer Boel and this issue will be a key point for Ireland in the CAP undersimplification initiative of the Commission which is now underway. I had a meeting last week with my German counterpart, Horst Seehofer, who takes over the chair of the Agriculture Council in January, where I gave my wholehearted support to his proposal to make simplification of the CAP a core issue during the German presidency.

I believe that pre-notification of Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme inspections, fits in with the practicalities of Irish agriculture where increasingly, farmers are also engaged in off-farm employment. In a decoupled Single Payment Scheme system, the provision of advance notification of inspection to the farmer should not negatively impact on the effectiveness of the control. However, as the EU regulations stand, my Department is obliged to carry out a small proportion of inspections without prior notification and this is what is being done in 2006.

It is important, however, to point out, that the total level of cross compliance penalties in 2005 — the first year of application of the Single Payment Scheme — amounted to about €330,000, out of the total Single Payment financial envelope of more than €1.2 billion available to Ireland.

Genetically Modified Organisms.

Simon Coveney

Ceist:

60 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her position on the release of genetically modified crops; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40495/06]

Ireland's national policy on GMOs was officially set out in the October 2000 Report of the Interdepartmental Group on Modern Biotechnology which was endorsed by the Government. The overall conclusion of this report was summarised as "a positive acceptance of the potential benefits of biotechnology tempered by a precautionary approach to the potential risks — and to ensure that as far as is possible, the benefits of biotechnology are maximised and the risks minimised without compromising on safety for people and the environment".

Coupled with this position is the comprehensive set of GM legislation which has been adopted by the European Parliament and the Council over the last five years under the co-decision procedure. This new legislation, which is binding on all member states, governs the assessment and approval procedures for GM crops, food and feed which ensures that the highest standards are in place to protect the citizens of the Community from a food safety and environmental safety aspect. The current authorisation procedure for the deliberate release of GM crops into the environment is the most stringent in the world. Accordingly we can be reasonably assured that this system, which has at its core a rigorous scientific risk evaluation system, will ensure that the environment and the food chain will be fully protected following the release of authorized GM crops. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the Competent Authority in Ireland responsible for the authorization of GM crops for deliberate release into the environment.

Question No. 61 answered with QuestionNo. 55.

Social Partnership Agreements.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

62 Mr. Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the main provisions of the partnership agreement with the farming organisations. [40276/06]

One of the key features of the agriculture chapter of Towards 2016 has been the Government's willingness to provide a major increase in funding for agriculture from exchequer resources. This has not only made up for the inevitable decline in EU funding due to our economic success as a country, but has also provided the finance for the very significant enhancement of some major schemes which support the development of the sector.

National Exchequer funding for the farm schemes under the Rural Development Programme will be €4.7 billion for the period 2007 to 2013. This is an increase of 135% from the €2 billion in exchequer funds provided for the same schemes in the current round 2000-2006. The total funding for the agricultural measures is €6.8 billion, including €2.1 billion from EU and modulation. The new draft rural development programme reflects the commitments contained in the partnership agreement and will cover both agricultural and non-agricultural measures. In line with the EU rural development framework, the measures in the programme will address competitiveness and sustainability. The main elements are as follows:

A 17% increase in payments under the Rural Environmental Scheme (REPS).

An 8% increase in Disadvantaged Areas Scheme payments.

The average forestry premium will rise by 15%.

The Installation Aid rate will increase by 56%, bringing it up to €15,000.

A new Early Retirement Scheme will be put in place with a maximum payment rate of €15,000.

A total of €250m is allocated for an Animal Welfare, Recording and Breeding Scheme for Suckler Herds.

Capital investment funding of €100 million to support the dairy processing sector, and a €50m package for the beef and sheepmeat processing sector has also been announced.

These are just a few of the measures contained in the agriculture chapter of the partnership agreement, which is a very comprehensive document. It includes actions on all the main farming sectors, as well as on the development of the food industry. It also includes important measures on animal health, including a 50% reduction in disease levies, and includes commitments to continuing high levels of service to farmers by the Department. The strong focus on the future in the document is further underlined in the sections on "renewable energy", "enhancing the environment" and "measures to encourage structural change".

Genetically Modified Organisms.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

63 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her attention has been drawn to the insurance industry’s stance on covering Irish farmers in the case of genetically modified organisms being found on their farms due to cross-contamination; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40577/06]

The difficulties presented by the reluctance of the insurance industry to offer insurance cover to growers of GM crops was identified by the Interdepartmental Group established within my Department to draw up strategies and best practices to ensure that efficient and effective co-existence of GM and non-GM crops in Ireland. In order to address these difficulties and help create an environment which facilitates the choice of enterprise, be it organic, conventional or GM, the Working Group has recommended the establishment of a redress fund to compensate conventional and organic crop growers for any verifiable economic loss identified. My Department is currently engaged in the process of considering all the recommendations set out in the Working Group's Report in conjunction with the submissions received in the public consultation process held last March.

Animal Welfare Bodies.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

64 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on setting up an animal procedures group here which would perform the research necessary to institute proper evidence based guidelines regarding animal health and welfare standards. [40556/06]

My Department has statutory responsibility for the welfare and protection of farmed animals. The legislation governing this is the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes Act 1984 and the European Community (Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes) Regulations, 2000. In addition there is specific legislation in relation to pigs, calves and laying hens.

I attach great importance to animal welfare issues and have taken a number of initiatives in this area, including establishing the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council (FAWAC), with a view to promoting and sustaining good practice and compliance with all of the relevant standards, whether on-farm, during transport or at time of slaughter. FAWAC is chaired by an independent Chairman and includes representation from farming bodies, animal welfare organisations, livestock exporters, the veterinary profession, Teagasc and the Agriculture Departments in both Dublin and Belfast. FAWAC has already identified a number of areas that it feels are worthy of particular attention and had made such issues part of its initial work programme. I will carefully consider any views that FAWAC may wish to offer in relation to animal health and welfare issues and how these concerns might be best addressed.

I have also established a Scientific Advisory Committee on Animal Health and Welfare, which is once again independently chaired and which includes among its membership persons of particular expertise and scientific distinction. This Committee is available to advise me of the scientific dimensions of animal health or welfare. It is also available to assist FAWAC where required.

World Trade Negotiations.

Michael Noonan

Ceist:

65 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the status of the World Trade Organisation talks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40489/06]

The Director General of the WTO announced the resumption of the negotiations at the WTO Trade Negotiations Committee in Geneva on 16 November. The negotiations had been suspended since July because of lack of progress. The negotiations will proceed for the moment with technical rather than major political issues. It is too early to assess whether significant progress can be made in the near future. However, there is a consensus among WTO members that a "window of opportunity" to make progress may arise in early 2007 as the US deliberates on the policies it will pursue in support of agriculture in the new US Farm Bill.

While I am committed to an ambitious and balanced outcome to the negotiations, my position remains that agriculture must not be sacrificed for the sake of an overall agreement. Having carried out CAP reform in preparation for the WTO negotiations, my overriding concern is to ensure that a new agreement will not necessitate further reform of the CAP. My specific priorities are:

on Market Access, to resist further concessions, especially tariff cuts, to secure adequate protection for sensitive products in the Irish context and to retain an effective Safeguard Clause;

on Domestic Supports, to defend direct payments to farmers against reduction by ensuring their eligibility for the WTO ‘Green Box' or non-trade distorting category of payments is maintained;

on Export Subsidies, to ensure flexibility in the phasing out arrangements and full parallel treatment for the elimination of all forms of export subsidy;

on Non-Trade Concerns, to ensure that account is taken of non-trade issues in the final agreement and, specifically, that the additional costs incurred by EU producers in meeting EU food safety, animal welfare, traceability and environmental standards are recognised in a new agreement.

EU Directives.

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

66 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the procedure involved for farmers to avail of the 250 kg derogation under the nitrates directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40451/06]

Ireland's application for a derogation under the Nitrates Directive was approved at a meeting of the EU Nitrates Committee on 13 November. The draft Commission Decision on the matter is now going through a routine scrutiny process, and I expect the formal Decision granting the derogation to be finalized by Christmas. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government will then amend the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters) Regulations, 2006 to give legal effect to the derogation. Once the legal basis for the derogation is in place, my Department will publish full information and guidelines for farmers at the earliest opportunity.

Question No. 67 answered with QuestionNo. 33.

Animal Welfare.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

68 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of people who have been imprisoned and the length of time as a result of being convicted of violating animal welfare related legislation during each of the past five years; the legislation violated in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40548/06]

The main statutes governing cruelty to animals in this country are the Protection of Animals Acts 1911 and 1965. Responsibility for pursuing cases under that legislation rests with the Garda Síochána who may, on receipt of a complaint, investigate and bring a prosecution against any person alleged to have committed an act of cruelty against an animal. Information on convictions and-or on sentences imposed is not available to my Department. My Department also has certain statutory responsibility for the welfare and protection of farmed animals under the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes Act 1984 and the European Community (Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes) Regulations 2000. In addition there is specific legislation in relation to pigs, calves and laying hens. Implementation of this legislation is dealt with generally by officers based in my Department's District Veterinary Offices. While information in relation to animal welfare cases dealt with in any particular year, including cases where prosecutions have been brought, is not compiled centrally in my Department, I am not aware of any case where a term of imprisonment has been imposed under this legislation.

Farm Retirement Scheme.

Tom Hayes

Ceist:

69 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans to implement the recommendations of the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food report on the ERS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40494/06]

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

96 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will implement the recommendations of the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food report on the farm retirement scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40466/06]

I propose to take Question Nos. 69 and 96 together.

The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture published its report on the Early Retirement Schemes in February 2005. The report dealt with a range of issues and I responded to it in detail in September 2005. As I explained in this response, certain of the Committee's recommendations are precluded by the EU Regulations under which the current Scheme and its predecessor are operated.

I saw some merit in other aspects of the Committee's report, specifically those relating to income limits and in line with the Joint Committee's recommendations, I have increased the off-farm income limit for transferees in the current scheme from €25,400 to €40,000 and have abolished the income limit for transferors with effect from 1 September 2006. As this scheme will close to new applications at the end of December the practical effect of any further changes would be very small.

The Committee paid particular attention to two further issues. One was the implication of decoupling for retired farmers who had leased out land and quota to transferees before or during the Single Payment Scheme reference period. I believe we secured the best deal that we could for people in this situation, in spite of the reluctance of the Commission at the outset. A specific mandatory category was included in the National Reserve arrangements under the Single Payment Scheme. This category caters for farmers who inherited or otherwise received a holding free of charge or for a nominal amount from a farmer who retired or died before 16 May 2005 where the land in question was leased out to a third party during the reference period. Under these arrangements, where a farm reverted to the retired farmer at the end of a lease without any entitlements, the farmer taking it over will have access to the National Reserve. Retired farmers in the current scheme who farmed during part or all of the reference period and who hold Single Payment entitlements could activate entitlements and lease them to their transferees. If the transferee did not wish to use the entitlements, a transferor has until 2007 to lease the entitlements with land to another farmer. Once at least 80% of the entitlements have been used by the lessee, the transferor has the option to sell the entitlements with or without land; otherwise he can continue to lease the entitlements with land.

The second issue the Joint Committee focused on was the levels of payment under the two schemes. In the course of discussions on this issue, the European Commission had pointed out that the rate in the earlier scheme was set at the maximum amount for co-funding that the Regulation allowed, and that it would not be possible to secure co-funding for an increase in the rate of pension for existing participants in the current scheme. The Commission, however, agreed to increases for existing participants in both schemes, funded entirely from the national exchequer as a state aid. I recently announced substantial increases in the maximum pension rates payable under both Schemes to take effect from 1 November 2006. I increased the maximum pension rate payable under the 1994-1999 scheme from €12,075 to €14,075 and the maximum pension rate payable under the current scheme from €13,515 to €15,000. These increases will cost some €33 million extra over the remaining period of the two schemes, and over 5,000 retired farmers will benefit from them.

EU Directives.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

70 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she is satisfied that farmers are fully aware of the compliance rules under the nitrates directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40450/06]

I have taken a number of steps to ensure that there is detailed information available to farmers about their responsibilities under the Nitrates Regulations. In February my Department placed advertisements in the farming press explaining the main provisions of the Regulations. Earlier this month an explanatory handbook, along with a copy of the revised Regulations introduced in July by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, issued to all farmers. The handbook explains in clear and straightforward terms what farmers must do. A statement of the organic nitrogen and phosphorus produced by their cattle for the year 2005 also issued to farmers recently; this statement is helpful in giving farmers an understanding of how close to the 170 kg limit they are operating.

In addition, my officials and Teagasc staff are currently holding a series of 36 information meetings throughout the country. At these meetings, farmers are given information to help them understand the practical aspects of the Regulations. They also have an opportunity to ask questions about any particular concerns they may have.

Animal Diseases.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

71 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on whether the recent outbreaks of equine infectious anaemia here will negatively affect Ireland’s reputation in regard to animal health and welfare. [40558/06]

Dinny McGinley

Ceist:

85 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps her Department is taking to support owners of animals which were inadvertently infected with swamp fever; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40488/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 85 together.

Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA) has a worldwide distribution and, until this year, Ireland and the UK had been previously free of this disease. The first cases of EIA were recorded in Ireland on the 15 June 2006. Some 27 cases of this disease have now been confirmed here in both the thoroughbred and sport horse sectors.

My Department has, since the first cases were confirmed, had as a priority the containment and eradication of the disease, given the considerable value and reputation of the Irish bloodstock industry. To that end, my Department has put in place a very comprehensive surveillance programme, the cost of which is partly borne by my Department. In August, I announced a package of measures to assist those owners whose horses are subjected to movement restrictions and, consequently, included in a surveillance programme over a period of at least ninety days. This package includes a financial contribution for each visit by a veterinarian to take blood samples from horses that are subject to movement restrictions and covers the cost to the Irish Equine Centre (IEC) of analysing the sample. The provision of this financial assistance recognises the burden imposed on owners whose horses are required to complete a programme of testing for EIA. Since then, I have significantly widened the surveillance programme by targeting particular populations of horses, identified on a risk-assessment basis as being part of a high-risk group, principally in the Meath/Kildare/North Dublin areas. The cost of this phase of the surveillance programme is also being met by my Department.

At this stage, almost 25,000 tests for EIA have been carried out at the IEC or at my Department's Central Veterinary Research Laboratory and, to date, just the 27 cases have been confirmed. It is intended that the surveillance programme will continue for some time and consideration is being given to widening it further during the 2007 breeding season as part of an intensified effort to ensure that all cases of the disease are identified and that the disease is eradicated as soon as possible. We are, of course, conscious of the potential reputation damage to the Irish bloodstock industry as a consequence of this disease outbreak, though there is no evidence to suggest that the industry has suffered in terms of trade. We are particularly conscious of the value of the Tripartite Agreement with the UK and France and we have been extremely diligent in ensuring that our partners are kept fully informed of all developments in Ireland. We have also fully briefed all other EU Member States through the EU Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCAH). Furthermore, we have also ensured that the veterinary authorities in those countries to which any in-contact animals may have travelled have been advised immediately.

My Department has also supported those sales companies and other equine event organisers who have insisted on negative EIA test results before horses are admitted to sales or such other events. These are decisions taken voluntarily by those organisations, which will all assist in providing ongoing confidence in the Irish bloodstock industry and the health status of the Irish equine population.

My Department is continuing to investigate the circumstances in which the disease first came to be introduced into Ireland and will, in the event that sufficient evidence is produced as a result of the investigation, endeavour to pursue a prosecution in this regard. I must emphasise the absolute necessity of maintaining a prudent approach in relation to the controls currently in place and the need for horse owners/trainers, veterinary practitioners and all those associated with the equine industry to continue to maintain a vigilant approach in the interests of containing this outbreak and eradicating EIA from Ireland.

Alternative Farm Enterprises.

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

72 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans for the future utilisation of land previously used to grow sugar beet; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40481/06]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

226 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the proposals she has to incentivise the production of bio-fuels with particular reference for the need to replace the beet growing sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40853/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 226 together.

Under CAP reform, farmers now have the freedom to focus more clearly on exploiting new farming opportunities, including agricultural production for non-food use, while retaining their single payment. This gives farmers an incentive to exploit new opportunities in growing energy crops as a feedstock for biofuel and biomass production. The development of this sector is an opportunity for farmers to diversify and seek new investment opportunities beyond traditional farming outlets.

Under the agreement on reform of the EU sugar regime, the Single Payment Scheme is being extended to cover sugar beet compensation. The sugar reform agreement also provides for the introduction of aid for diversification measures in the event that sugar beet production completely ceases. This aid, worth almost €44 million in Ireland's case, must be drawn down in the framework of a national restructuring programme to be prepared and submitted to the Commission by the end of this year. Under the EU Regulations, payments of the diversification aid would begin in September 2007.

The production and utilisation of agricultural products for energy purposes can only be sustained in the longer term if biofuels generate a more favourable return than traditional market outlets. I am confident the recent announcement that sixteen biofuel projects have been granted excise relief worth some €200 million will stimulate demand for the production of energy crops. When fully operational, the scheme will support the use and production of 163 million litres of biofuels annually and provide a stable market in which farmers can supply.

At present, the EU Energy Crops Scheme provides farmers with a premium of €45 per hectare for growing energy crops to produce biofuels and biomass. I recognise that the take up of the scheme in Ireland has been low to date. At the February Council of Ministers meeting, I called for a review of the premium and I subsequently raised the matter with the Agriculture Commissioner. The EU Commission has just published a Report on the implementation of the scheme and has made a proposal, which would allow member states pay national aid up to 50% of the costs associated with establishing permanent crops. The Proposal is currently being discussed in Brussels.

I am working closely with Ministerial colleagues, as part of the Ministerial Taskforce on Bioenergy to prepare an Action Plan to develop Ireland's bioenergy resources to 2020. A key part of this Action Plan will be the consideration of further initiatives to incentivise the development of Ireland's biofuel market.

Farm Retirement Scheme.

Máire Hoctor

Ceist:

73 Ms Hoctor asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the recent developments to the farm retirement schemes. [40263/06]

Payments are currently being made under two Schemes of Early Retirement from Farming. I recently announced substantial increases in the maximum pension rates payable under both Schemes to take effect from 1 November 2006. I have decided to increase the maximum pension rate payable under the 1994-1999 Scheme from €12,075 to €14,075 and the maximum pension rate payable under the current Scheme from €13,515 to €15,000. These increases will cost some €33 million extra over the remaining period of the two Schemes, and over 5,000 retired farmers will benefit from them.

The announcement of these increases follows an announcement in September of an increase in the off-farm income limit for transferees under the current Scheme of Early Retirement from Farming from €25,400 to €40,000 and the removal of the total income limit for retiring farmers. Heretofore, an income limit exemption for retiring farmers existed only in cases where the farm was transferred definitively to a family member. These changes were effective from 1 September 2006. The current scheme closes to new applications on 31 December 2006. Proposals for a new scheme, with a maximum payment rate of €15,000, have been included in the draft Rural Development Plan for the period 2007-2013 which was recently published for consultation.

Question No. 74 answered with QuestionNo. 54.
Question No. 75 answered with QuestionNo. 39.

Animal Welfare.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

76 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will confirm that veterinary staff of her Department carry out visits to registered user establishments licensed for animal experiments; the number of inspections that have taken place each year between 1997 and 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40576/06]

The use of animals for experimental or other scientific purposes is regulated under EU and national legislation (respectively Council Directive 86/609/EEC and the European Communities (Amendment to Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876) Regulations, 1994) which legislation falls within the remit of the Minister for Health and Children. In the past, current and recently retired members of my Department's veterinary staff carried out inspection visits on behalf of the Department of Health and Children. All reports were made to the Department of Health and Children and consequently there is no data on them held in my Department.

Question No. 77 answered with QuestionNo. 39.

Farm Waste Management.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

78 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of applications received to date for the farm waste management grant; the amount of capital that will be involved at farm level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40518/06]

My Department has received almost 23,000 applications under the Farm Waste Management Scheme since its introduction in February 2001. The scheme will close for new applications at the end of this year. The capital investment involved is estimated at over €500 million.

Animal Welfare.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

79 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the persons who represented Ireland at the recent Conference on Community Animal Health Policy Strategy; the views they expressed; her view of what should be included within a community animal health policy strategy; and the options that should be considered to improve European Union biosecurity policy. [40552/06]

Two officials from my Department attended the Conference on Community Animal Health Policy Strategy (CAHP) hosted by the Finnish Presidency held in Brussels on 7 November 2006. The conference was set against the backdrop of the development of a new EU animal health strategy and in the context of an ongoing external evaluation of the EU's existing animal health policy aimed at strengthening the policy of disease eradication, making emergency vaccination a more viable option, simplifying the legislation and making better use of financial resources to fund new actions. This evaluation was launched by Commissioner Kyprianou in December 2004. It is hoped by mid 2007 that the Commission will present a new Communication on the CAHP and its strategy over the period 2007-2013 based on the evaluation results and the conference conclusions.

Items discussed during the conference included:

a presentation of the main results of an evaluation of the CAHP 1995-2004 commissioned by the European Commission;

the challenges for the future CAHP for the years 2007-2013;

the increased sharing of responsibilities and costs and increased disease prevention / biosecurity issues.

Ireland did not make a formal presentation at the conference because the format involved presentations by selected speakers largely from the European Commission and the European Parliament with limited audience debating opportunities between or after sessions. Animal health plays a key role in facilitating the trade in animals and their products, ensuring food safety and preventing the transmission of animal diseases between animals and to humans. With regard to the development of the CAHP, I believe that serious consideration will have to be given to the increasing range of options becoming available to prevent and combat animal diseases and their spread, the further development of biosecurity arrangements, the simplification of animal health legislation, the arrangements for financing of disease outbreaks and the potential for sharing of costs and responsibilities. Within the context of a new CAHP, Ireland's acknowledged high health status should not be in any way compromised and I and my officials will make every effort to maintain this position. I welcome the initiation of this discussion on the development of a Community Animal Health Policy for the next six years, which I hope will lead to an effective, affordable and socially acceptable animal health policy in Europe.

Food Industry.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

80 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of and the approved establishments under the control of her Department which are permitted to remove mould from cheese and use that cheese in the manufacture of processed cheese; the amount of cheese that has its mould removed for these purposes; and the amount of processed cheese that is produced from such de-moulded cheese. [40535/06]

The removal of mould from cheese is not an activity for which a food business establishment requires specific approval. The purpose of the European Communities (Food and Feed Hygiene) Regulations 2005, (S. I. No. 910 of 2005) under which milk processing establishments are approved by my Department, is to ensure that all food for human consumption is handled in a safe and hygienic manner at every stage of the production process. At present there are two approved establishments in the State which do not themselves produce cheese but have special facilities for removing mould growth before selling the product on for further food uses, including the production of processed cheese.

Social Partnership Agreements.

John Ellis

Ceist:

81 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the main elements of the recent partnership agreement with the farming organisations. [40261/06]

One of the key features of the agriculture chapter of Towards 2016 has been the Government's willingness to provide a major increase in funding for agriculture from exchequer resources. This has not only made up for the inevitable decline in EU funding due to our economic success as a country, but has also provided the finance for the very significant enhancement of some major schemes which support the development of the sector.

National Exchequer funding for the farm schemes under the Rural Development Programme will be €4.7 billion for the period 2007 to 2013. This is an increase of 135% from the €2 billion in exchequer funds provided for the same schemes in the current round 2000-2006. The total funding for the agricultural measures is €6.8bn, including €2.1bn from EU and modulation.

The new draft rural development programme reflects the commitments contained in the partnership agreement and will cover both agricultural and non-agricultural measures. In line with the EU rural development framework, the measures in the programme will address competitiveness and sustainability. The main elements are as follows:

A 17% increase in payments under the Rural Environmental Scheme (REPS).

An 8% increase in Disadvantaged Areas Scheme payments.

The average forestry premium will rise by 15%.

The Installation Aid rate will increase by 56%, bringing it up to €15,000.

A new Early Retirement Scheme will be put in place with a maximum payment rate of €15,000.

A total of €250m is allocated for an Animal Welfare, Recording and Breeding Scheme for Suckler Herds.

There is capital investment funding of €100 million to support the dairy processing sector, and a €50m package for the beef and sheepmeat processing sector has also been announced.

These are just a few of the measures contained in the agriculture chapter of the partnership agreement, which is a very comprehensive document. It includes actions on all the main farming sectors, as well as on the development of the food industry. It also includes important measures on animal health, including a 50% reduction in disease levies, and includes commitments to continuing high levels of service to farmers by the Department. The strong focus on the future in the document is further underlined in the sections on "renewable energy", "enhancing the environment" and "measures to encourage structural change".

Question No. 82 answered with QuestionNo. 48.

Food Industry.

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

83 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the initiatives she has taken to encourage the food industry to invest in research and development; the initiatives she has taken to promote transfer of intellectual property from the research base in to industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40525/06]

My Department's Agri Vision 2015 Plan of Action and the National "Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation 2006-2013", which were launched this year, identify the necessary actions to build a knowledge-based, competitive, innovative and consumer focussed agri-food sector. Investment in Research and Development is at the forefront of these strategy documents and funding in this area has been a priority for my Department.

My Department provides competitive funding of public good food research programmes by the Universities, Institutes of Technology and Teagasc and core funding for the public service research role of Teagasc. In carrying out its public service role Teagasc seeks to achieve a balance between free dissemination of knowledge and legal protection of its research results and recognises the principle that its intellectual property should be used for the greatest public benefit. As a development organisation it has a special responsibility for linking public research to industry. An important role in this process is played by Teagasc's commercial subsidiary, Moorepark Technology Ltd, which is a pilot plant operated on a commercial basis that gives public researchers a process focus and provides industry and Teagasc with a technology transfer vehicle. Recently Teagasc has hired an Intellectual Property Officer to encourage and support the recognition, identification and optimum protection of its IP and promote an entrepreneurial culture among the organisation's staff in this area.

Under the Food Institutional Research Measure (FIRM) funding for the public good element of research, from basic to pre-commercial, is allocated by my Department on a competitive basis. The main objectives of the Programme are to provide a base of information and expertise in generic technologies that supports innovation and product development in the food industry, and assists in assuring consumer protection by ensuring that product development is underpinned by attention to food safety and quality issues. Funding amounting to €94 million has been approved to date for FIRM projects under the National Development Plan 2000-2006. The outcomes of FIRM research are disseminated widely for the benefit of the industry as a whole via the RELAY project (website reference www.relayresearch.ie).

My Department is keen to ensure that Intellectual Property rights arising from food research are secured and exploited to the maximum. In its 2004 report — The National Code of Practice for Managing Intellectual Property from Publicly Funded Research- the Irish Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (ICSTI), stated that public research organisations have a responsibility to ensure that "commercially viable opportunities are recognised and exploited for public good". According to this code of practice, "transparent and consistent procedures for managing intellectual property are key to transferring the knowledge generated in our PROs (Public Research Organisations) to industry and therefore to commercial reality." With this aim in mind, a workshop funded under FIRM, and attended by representatives of all industry stakeholders, to discuss the whole area of Intellectual Property rights took place in October 2005. The Code was published in November 2005.

Funding to the food industry for in-company research and technology transfer is administered by Enterprise Ireland. In addition, my Department works closely with Enterprise Ireland to ensure that all aspects of food research, from applied to commercial, are facilitated and has supported initiatives by Enterprise Ireland to encourage greater involvement by the food industry in food research and development.

Question No. 84 answered with QuestionNo. 42.
Question No. 85 answered with QuestionNo. 71.

Sugar Beet Sector.

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

86 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on whether the State should but back land owned by Greencore, and formerly by the Irish Sugar Company, under a compulsory purchase order in order to recoup the public interest and investment in this property. [40313/06]

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

111 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will make a statement on the latest developments regarding Greencore. [40312/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 111 together.

I presume that the Deputy is referring to the recent announcement by Greencore Group plc of plans for a major development project at Carlow. I have no comment to make on that announcement. When Siúicre Eireann cpt was privatized in 1991, the assets were transferred to Greencore. Sugar production has now ceased in Ireland. There is no question of the land owned by Greencore being acquired by the State for the purpose mentioned by the Deputy.

Alternative Energy Projects.

Shane McEntee

Ceist:

87 Mr. McEntee asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she is taking to promote wood energy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40465/06]

Wood biomass is one of the most versatile of renewable energy sources and has the potential to play a major role in Ireland's future energy strategy. Wood energy, in the form of logs, chip and pellet, is renewable, carbon neutral, sustainable and can be produced locally. Solid biomass, mainly in the form of solid wood, is already the largest source of renewable energy in Ireland, accounting for 57% of Ireland's total final renewable energy consumption in 2004.

My Department, working in co-operation with COFORD (the National Council for Forest Research and Development) and Teagasc, actively encourages the development of the wood-energy sector through a range of support measures aimed at creating an effective and efficient supply chain from producer to end user. These measures complement more recent support schemes introduced by the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources targeting the user side of the chain through the Pilot Bio-heat Boiler Deployment Programme and the Greener Homes Scheme.

My Department offers 100% grants and attractive premiums for up to 20 years to encourage the establishment of new forests on agricultural land. My Department also supports individual projects and initiatives which focus specifically on wood-energy. Examples of these include the Clare Wood Energy Farm Forestry project and the Forest Link project in Donegal. My Department is also supporting projects to market solid-wood products to domestic customers and a wood-pellet manufacturing enterprise.

During 2006 COFORD, which is wholly-funded by my Department, has been running a series of thinning and chipping demonstrations across the country under the banner Forest-Energy 2006. The programme is being organised in cooperation with Teagasc, Waterford Institute of Technology, Bord na Móna and the major private forestry companies. In addition, COFORD has put in place a series of workshops on Wood Biomass Harvesting and Supply Chain issues.

In terms of new schemes, my Department is currently examining the introduction of a Wood Biomass Harvesting Machinery Scheme. The purpose of the proposed scheme is to encourage investment in wood biomass processing machinery, such as whole tree chippers and forest residue bundlers. A scheme to encourage the establishment of willow as a short-rotation energy crop is also being designed.

Question No. 88 answered with QuestionNo. 48.

Farmers’ Markets.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

89 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the progress that farmers have made in relation to direct sales of their produce to consumers by way of farmers markets; the supports, monitoring and strategies in place to develop such markets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40257/06]

Direct routes to market, in particular Farmers markets, are a growing and pioneering route to market for farmers, domestic and small food producers in Ireland. They collectively make a major contribution to the local economy encouraging local produce, assisting start-ups of new businesses and maintaining local employment. The growth of these markets also reflects changing consumer preferences for fresh locally produced foods. They offer producers the opportunity to meet and sell directly to consumers and offer consumers an enjoyable shopping experience promoting provenance and authenticity. The most recent number of markets recorded in Ireland is 112; this is an increase of over 60 new markets since February 2005. A full listing of farmers markets is available on the Bord Bia website www.bordbia.ie.

Bord Bia has a dedicated direct routes to market resource in the Small Business Department which provides assistance to producers, individuals and market organisers. This mentoring assistance is vital for start up companies who wish to utilize the markets from a sales, marketing, product development and consumer perspective. Bord Bia continue to provide practical advise to those interested in starting a local food market.

Building on the success of the Farmleigh Food Market, Bord Bia and the Office of Public Works have this year held one-day seasonal food markets on OPW Heritage sites in Fota House & Gardens, Cork and JFK Arboretum, Wexford to enhance public awareness of heritage sites and foster closer ties with the local farming, business and community interests.

Bord Bia is cooperating with the Dublin City Council with regard to the Dublin City Markets in Smithfield where their extensive regeneration programme with particular emphasis on the development of the Fruit, Vegetable and Fish markets and surrounding areas is underway. The Dublin City Council has set up a Consultative Forum on the markets which is facilitated by Bord Bia. The forum which is comprised of members from the Irish Farmers Markets Traders Organisation, retailers, restaurateurs, traders, Bord Bia and Dublin City Council. This promises to be one of the most exciting and innovative developments for the Farmers Market concept and will provide access for small food producers to the lucrative Dublin market.

Looking ahead Bord Bia will produce an information guide which will explore farmers markets as an alternative route to market for small business farmers and entrepreneurs. To support the development of farmers markets in Ireland, Teagasc supported by Bord Bia will run a series of farmers market training courses starting in 2007. The course is targeted at existing and potential new entrants to the farmers markets system and will provide participants with the knowledge, skill and competence for direct selling of food products in compliance with food safety regulations and product liability legislation. My Department will continue to support Bord Bia initiatives in this area and develop this important route to market for Irish business giving its importance to regional and local food economies .

Social Partnership Agreements.

Donie Cassidy

Ceist:

90 Mr. Cassidy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on the outcome of the partnership talks with the farming organisations; the way she expects it to benefit farmers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40266/06]

One of the key features of the agriculture chapter of Towards 2016 has been the Government's willingness to provide a major increase in funding for agriculture from exchequer resources. This has not only made up for the inevitable decline in EU funding due to our economic success as a country, but has also provided the finance for the very significant enhancement of some major schemes which support the development of the sector.

National Exchequer funding for the farm schemes under the Rural Development Programme will be €4.7 billion for the period 2007 to 2013. This is an increase of 135% from the €2 billion in exchequer funds provided for the same schemes in the current round 2000-2006. The total funding for the agricultural measures is €6.8bn, including €2.1bn from EU and modulation.

The new draft rural development programme reflects the commitments contained in the partnership agreement and will cover both agricultural and non-agricultural measures. In line with the EU rural development framework, the measures in the programme will address competitiveness and sustainability. The main elements are as follows:

A 17% increase in payments under the Rural Environmental Scheme (REPS).

An 8% increase in Disadvantaged Areas Scheme payments.

The average forestry premium will rise by 15%.

The Installation Aid rate will increase by 56%, bringing it up to €15,000.

A new Early Retirement Scheme will be put in place with a maximum payment rate of €15,000.

A total of €250m is allocated for an Animal Welfare, Recording and Breeding Scheme for Suckler Herds.

There is capital investment funding of €100 million to support the dairy processing sector, and a €50m package for the beef and sheepmeat processing sector has also been announced.

These are just a few of the measures contained in the agriculture chapter of the partnership agreement, which is a very comprehensive document. It includes actions on all the main farming sectors, as well as on the development of the food industry. It also includes important measures on animal health, including a 50% reduction in disease levies, and includes commitments to continuing high levels of service to farmers by the Department. The strong focus on the future in the document is further underlined in the sections on "renewable energy", "enhancing the environment"and "measures to encourage structural change".

Tuberculosis Incidence.

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

91 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the measures she is taking to eradicate tuberculosis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40474/06]

The overall national strategy for the eradication of TB provides for a comprehensive range of measures, including the mandatory annual testing for all cattle in the national herd, the early removal of reactors, a wildlife programme involving the targeted removal of badgers where they are implicated in a TB outbreak, the use of the gamma interferon test, as an adjunct to the tuberculin test, in problem herds and the depopulation of infected herds where the level or duration of infection indicates that this is necessary to clear the herd and/or protect the neighbourhood.

In addition, my Department also provides advice to farmers in relation to bio-security against TB infection such as maintaining satisfactory stock-proof boundary fencing, avoiding contact with other herds, exercising care in buying-cattle and ensuring that only recently tested animals are allowed move onto the farm. The ERAD compensation schemes are designed to encourage good bio-security practices and breaches of the various animal disease, welfare and identification regulations are prosecuted.

The present eradication programme is scientifically based and is kept under constant review, as evidenced by the changes that have occurred in recent times. Such recent changes include a more focused contiguous herd testing policy and greater use of the ancillary gamma interferon blood test in target herds. On the technology side, new and enhanced computer systems have been developed including an individual bovine animal unique identification and passport system, a computerised movement monitoring system for bovine animals (CMMS) and an animal health computer system (AHCS).

In addition, in view of the recognition that the incidence of the disease in wildlife is a major impediment to eradication of the disease, the current eradication scheme contains a significant wildlife strategy aimed at removing badgers in adjacent areas where they are implicated in tuberculosis breakdowns. The wildlife strategy is implemented under licence from and in co-operation with the Department of the Environment and Local Government.

These measures have improved the effectiveness of the programme as evidenced by a significant reduction in the incidence of the disease from 4.2 reactors per thousand in 1998 to 2.9 in 2005. The 2005 TB eradication programme was completed with 97% of the 123,322 cattle herds tested within the twelve-month period. A total of approximately 6.5 million animals were subject to at least one test within twelve months and approximately 9 million animal tests were carried out.

My Department will continue to monitor and review the effectiveness and efficiency of the programme on an on-going basis with a view to the eventual eradication of the disease. In this context, notwithstanding the fact that the existing wildlife strategy has contributed to a reduction in the incidence of bovine TB, it is accepted that the development of a vaccine for badgers is a prerequisite if eradication of tuberculosis from the cattle population is to be achieved. My Department, in conjunction with the Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis m(CVERA), plans to commence a large-scale field trial of BCG in badgers in the near future to test the efficacy of a vaccine. However, any vaccine will not be available in the immediate future and the existing strategy will remain in place for some time. In the meantime, the existing programme, updated as appropriate in light of developments, will remain in place.

Question No. 92 answered with QuestionNo. 37.

Food Safety Standards.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

93 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if Ireland’s 2006 annual residue monitoring plan was approved by the European Commission on 18 October 2006; and if she will provide this Deputy with a copy of same. [40545/06]

Ireland's National Residue Monitoring Plan was formally approved by the European Commission on 3 November 2006, having completed the necessary Commission decision-making processes. My Department will arrange to have a copy of the plan forwarded to the Deputy.

Question No. 94 answered with QuestionNo. 42.

Farm Household Incomes.

Simon Coveney

Ceist:

95 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she is taking to support dairy incomes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40471/06]

While the price of milk is obviously a key determinant of dairy farmers incomes, other elements impacting on farmers' incomes include direct payments, scale and efficiency and returns from the market. This year's milk price, taken together with the single payment entitlement of 3.6 cent per litre is similar to recent years though clearly there is greater pressure now on producer prices than heretofore.

The price paid to milk suppliers is a commercial matter between the supplier and purchaser over which I have no influence. Milk prices paid to producers have reduced over the past few months arising from a number of factors including the new policy framework where market forces are the key drivers of dairy product prices as well as market developments in product areas which have a dominant role in our product mix. Greater efficiency and economies of scale at both producer and processors levels are key to competitiveness in the market.

At EU level, I have consistently challenged the pace and level of reduction in support level implemented by the Commission. In my view it is important that the EU consolidates its international market share while ensuring there is balance on the EU market. I have urged the Commission to maintain a competitive combination of aids and subsidies to achieve these objectives.

At producer level, I have introduced a new Milk Quota Trading System which will create a more open market system of transferring quota. The new system will allow farmers much greater freedom to make choices about how much milk quota should be transferred, affording them far greater scope to decide the volume and price of quota they wish to buy and sell.

I am confident that the Irish dairy industry at both producer and processor level will make the necessary adjustments to adapt to new market conditions. In the meantime I will continue to encourage the Commission to carefully manage the market to ensure a smooth transition through the final phases of the 2003 Luxembourg Agreement.

Question No. 96 answered with QuestionNo. 69.

Alternative Energy Projects.

John Gormley

Ceist:

97 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her attention has been drawn to the development, in Scotland, of a €24 million bio-energy plant by a company (details supplied); if her attention has further been drawn to the level of state support this company received for this project; if she has discussed the possibility of similar supports for the development of bio-energy with the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources; if such supports are planned; if projects of a similar scale are viable here in view of the decline in forestry planting in recent years; if the company has approached her concerning similar projects. [40584/06]

While I have no direct knowledge of this development, it is my understanding from media reports that the company in question plans to build a combined heat and power plant in Scotland to produce electricity and wood pellets for commercial use. The question of providing Exchequer funding for similar bioenergy projects in Ireland is a matter for the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, who has overall responsibility for energy policy. In the last budget, an indicative allocation of €11m was provided for a Combined Heat and Power programme to run from 2006 to 2010. A new Combined Heat and Power Deployment Programme, which is being administered by Sustainable Energy Ireland, will provide grant support to assist the deployment of small-scale fossil fired and biomass CHP systems.

Forestry is by its nature a long-term activity and planting rates fluctuate from year to year. What is important is to ensure that, on average, a viable rate of planting is maintained over time. Notwithstanding the decline in planting levels this year, the average annual afforestation rate over the last 20 years has been about 14,000 hectares and as a result substantial biomass potential remains to be tapped in our forests.

The Government recently established a Ministerial Taskforce on Bioenergy, which is being chaired by Minister Dempsey, to prepare a plan to develop Ireland's bioenergy resources to 2020. I am participating in the Taskforce and along with my Ministerial colleagues we are working to deliver an integrated National Bio-Energy Action Plan by the end of 2006. The Plan will set challenging targets to develop Ireland's bioenergy resources up to 2020.

Question No. 98 answered with QuestionNo. 41.

Animal Exports.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

99 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the countries to which the 2836 dogs certified for export between March 2004 and October 2006 were exported. [40550/06]

A total of 2836 dogs, certified for export between March 2004 and October 2006, were exported to France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Poland, Spain and Sweden. The significant exports during that period were 2,302 dogs to France, 431 dogs to Spain and 86 dogs to Italy. Furthermore 9 dogs were exported to Germany and 6 dogs were exported to Portugal while one dog was exported to both Poland and Sweden since March 2004.

Rural Development.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

100 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the degree to which she expects the rural development programme to increase production, encourage speciality or niche development with particular reference to self-sufficiency in the food sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40575/06]

The Rural Development programme will assist market orientation and sustainability in its support for competitiveness and the enhancement of the environment. The on-farm investment measure, in particular, will provide support for general farm improvement and the horticulture and organic sectors. Direct support for organic farming is also proposed under the environmental objective. Ireland is already more than self-sufficient in the main food groups and the Rural Development programme is based on the new CAP framework where, post decoupling of income support, the focus will be on the marketplace.

Afforestation Programme.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Ceist:

101 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reasons for the cut in planned spending on forestry in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40583/06]

I have provided sufficient funds in the 2007 Estimates to encourage a renewed planting effort, intended in the first instance to restore annual afforestation rates to at least 10,000 hectares. We should not underestimate the challenge which lies before us in this regard and the draft Rural Development Programme for the 2007-2013 period takes this into account, incorporating several new and innovative measures to attract farmers into forestry. The overall amount of funding allocated to forestry under the Programme amounts to just under 1 billion (968 million). These are demand-led schemes and my intention is to stimulate that demand in so far as possible, ultimately it is a matter for individual land owners to choose to plant some or all of their land. In this context issues such as price of land and competing land use alternatives play a major role.

Land Mobility.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

102 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans to increase land mobility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40479/06]

There has been some improvement in farm structures in recent years, however, low levels of land mobility can be obstacles for those who wish to enter farming or expand the size of their holdings. The volume of agricultural land being offered for sale is at historically low levels, while land prices have risen dramatically. However, land leasing is now much more common than in the past.

Proposals for a new, enhanced early retirement and installation aid schemes have been included in the draft Rural Development Plan for the period 2007-2013. This plan is currently open for public consultation before being submitted to the European Commission. It provides for total public expenditure of €6.8 billion across a range of measures for the agri-food sector over the next seven years. Increased support for land mobility is being provided through a substantial increase in the installation aid grant. The rate of this grant will increase by 55% to €15,000 compared with €9,520 under the current scheme. An increased maximum pension of €15,000 is also provided for under the new early retirement scheme. Payment rates are also being increased for existing pensioners.

In addition, there are a number of other generous schemes and reliefs aimed at encouraging land mobility and reducing the cost of transfers to young trained farmers. These include:

A rental income tax exemption of up to €15,000 for farmers over 40 years who lease out land for a period of 7 years or more.

A rental income tax exemption of up to €10,000 for farmers over 40 years who lease out land for a period of 5 to 7 years.

Capital Gains Tax — Retirement Relief for farmers aged over 55 years.

A 90% Agricultural Relief from Capital Acquisitions Tax.

The provision of full Stamp Duty Relief for young trained farmers.

Stamp Duty relief for land swap for the purpose of farm consolidation between two farmers.

These incentives help to improve land mobility through early farm transfer, encouraging leasing and land swaps. These, in turn, help improve the availability of land to farmers who wish to enter farming or increase their scale of production.

Question No. 103 answered with QuestionNo. 33.

Dairy Sector.

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

104 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her position on the restructuring of the dairy industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40476/06]

I announced a Dairy Investment Processing Fund earlier this year. The Fund, amounting to €100 million of Government grant assistance will generate total Capital investment of €300 million over three years. The objective of the Fund is to support Capital Investment related to the processing of Annex 1 dairy products.

My main motivation in launching the Fund was in recognition of the critical and urgent need to significantly improve the efficiency and cost competitiveness of the Irish Dairy processing sector. The Prospectus Report published in 2003 highlighted the structural deficiencies in an industry that has to compete in international markets against much larger enterprises that are increasing scale at a faster rate than in Ireland. I am confident that the Fund will stimulate the necessary investment to ensure the long term competitiveness and viability of the dairy industry in Ireland.

Enterprise Ireland will manage and implement the Fund. The closing date for applications was Thursday 23 November and I have been informed by Enterprise Ireland that the Fund was over subscribed. Enterprise Ireland will play a key role, together with my Department, in the evaluation of the suitability of investment projects submitted for grant assistance.

At producer level I also introduced a new Milk Quota Trading System which will create a more open market system of transferring quota. The new system will allow farmers much greater freedom to make choices about how milk quota should be transferred, affording them far greater scope to decide the volume and price of quota they wish to buy and sell.

Question No. 105 answered with QuestionNo. 37.

Food Labelling.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

106 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans to establish an all-island food label; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40482/06]

I am supportive of initiatives to promote food on all-island basis where this is of mutual benefit and leads to closer economic co-operation. The development of an all-island animal health policy is a necessary prerequisite to the establishment of an all-island food label. The development of the animal health policy is being actively pursued in the context of North/South cooperation. In addition an all-island food label would require negotiation between the relevant authorities regarding its status and conditions for use and general acceptance from consumers and buy-in by producers and processors island-wide.

In the meantime a Memorandum of Agreement was finalised between Bord Bia and Invest Northern Ireland (INI) to provide for structured ongoing co-operation in food promotion at International Trade Fairs, retail promotions on the UK market, co-operation on developing the speciality sector on an all island basis and market research and intelligence.

Question No. 107 answered with QuestionNo. 33.

Animal Welfare.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

108 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of random welfare inspections at transiting ports and airports carried out on consignments for export involving all live animals; the animals which were subjected to these inspections; the location where these inspections were carried out; and the number of violations of welfare legislation detected. [40542/06]

Officials in my Department carry out inspections on consignments of cattle, sheep, pigs, horses, donkeys, cats and dogs exported from Dublin Airport, Shannon Airport, Dublin Port, Dún Laoghaire Port and Rosslare Port. In 2005 a total of 3,863 inspections were carried out on animal consignments exported from Irish ports and airports while a further 3,648 inspections have taken place in 2006 up to the end of October.

There was a small number of findings relating to water delivery systems and stocking densities in vehicles transporting bovines, most of which were addressed at the point of export. There were no significant breaches of welfare legislation detected during the course of inspections of other species of animals at export points.

Animal Identification Scheme.

Joe Costello

Ceist:

109 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the criteria to be used to assess the relative merits of the tenders for the supply of bovine animal identification tags when the initial request for tenders was advertised; if the criteria changed throughout the tendering process; against which of these criteria did each of the failed tenders not achieve a score at least as good as that achieved by the eventual winner of the contract. [40543/06]

A short list of the tenders that were submitted to my Department for the supply of bovine animal identification tags was compiled following an evaluation of the completeness of the documentation to establish that each tender complied with all the conditions and requirements specified in the Invitation to Tender. The selection criteria did not change during the tendering process. Each tender included on the short-list was evaluated to establish the most economically advantageous tender on the basis of the criteria laid down in the Invitation to Tender which included, inter alia, suitability of the eartags, technical capacity to manufacture and supply eartags, experience and reputation as a manufacturer of eartags and proven ability as a supplier, and cost of tags, replacement tags and the applicator.

The company that was awarded the contract was deemed by the Selection Committee to have a significant advantage over the other companies in relation to tag suitability, technical capacity and experience and reputation. A number of the other companies obtained higher scores in respect of the cost the tags, cost of replacement tags and cost of the applicators than the company awarded the contract.

Genetically Modified Organisms.

Ciarán Cuffe

Ceist:

110 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she perceives a conflict between promoting a clean, green image for Ireland’s food industry, including the organic sector and her failure to put in place a moratorium on genetically modified field trails; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40581/06]

Firstly I wish to inform the Deputy that the issue of placing a moratorium on genetically modified field trials is not a matter for my Department but that of my colleague the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

I am in no doubt but that any trials on GMOs in Ireland must be managed to ensure that the Green image which is associated with Ireland and its importance in the development and promotion of our food industry is protected. For that reason it is critically important that such trials must be carried out under the most stringent controls, compatible with EU legislation, and based on full scientific evidence to ensure that the safety of food and the environment are fully safeguarded. I am satisfied that such safeguards are feasible under Regulations which have been adopted by the Council and European Parliament.

Question No. 111 answered with QuestionNo. 86.

Food Safety Standards.

Eamon Ryan

Ceist:

112 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps that she has taken to improve her Department’s pesticide residue monitoring and food traceability regime since late October 2006 when investigation by RTÉ exposed deficiencies in these programmes; if further resources will be provided for food traceability of pesticide monitoring programmes in 2007; if a company (details supplied) is still trading; if the company has been penalised due to evidence of unauthorised pesticides on its premised; if she has been informed of when the Health and Safety Authority’s investigation into the impact of the use of these chemicals will conclude; if there have been positive findings under the pesticide residue monitoring regime since the broadcast of RTÉ’s findings of 27 October 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40586/06]

The pesticide residue monitoring programme conducted by my Department on behalf of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), is reviewed and agreed annually with the FSAI. The risk-based programme thus developed involved the analysis of some 1,350 samples of agricultural produce, including 10 of mushrooms, in 2005/2006 for up to 150 different pesticides. The programme will be further strengthened in 2007 by increasing the analytical scope to include up to 200 pesticide compounds.

The number of mushroom samples analysed as part of this residue monitoring programme compares favourably with similar programmes in other Member States. In 2005 the following numbers of mushroom samples were analysed in Sweden (10), UK (48), Netherlands (12), Norway (35) and Belgium (19). I am satisfied that this risk based programme, jointly developed and agreed by my Department and the FSAI, provides a high standard of protection for Irish consumers.

No evidence of illegal use of plant protection products was found during two unannounced inspections conducted by officers of my Department on the premises of the mushroom farm at the centre of recent allegations. When last inspected on the 9th of November 2006 the producer in question had 6 mushroom tunnels in operation in Ballaghaderreen and two samples of mushrooms were taken. These samples were tested for residues of prochloraz, fluazinam and formaldehyde, the products alleged to have been used illegally, but no illegal residues were found. Accordingly the question of applying a penalty did not arise. Officers of my Department are in contact with the Health & Safety Authority in their on-going investigation but as yet there is no completion date set for its conclusion.

Question No. 113 answered with QuestionNo. 22.

Dairy Sector.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

114 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of applications she has received for the new capital grant towards the dairy processing industry; if she is satisfied with the uptake; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40517/06]

The Government has provided a fund of €100 million to assist the investment of some €300 million in total in the dairy processing sector over the next three years. The objective of the Dairy Processing Investment Fund is to support capital investment related to the processing of dairy products. The high level of grant assistance will stimulate the necessary private sector investment to ensure the long term competitiveness and viability of the dairy industry in Ireland.

Enterprise Ireland will manage the scheme and implement the Fund. The closing date for the Fund was Thursday 23 November and I have been informed by Enterprise Ireland that the Fund was oversubscribed. Enterprise Ireland will play a key role, together with my Department, in the evaluation of the suitability of investment projects submitted for grant assistance.

Food Labelling.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

115 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the discussions she has had with the catering industry to promote compliance with the requirement to label beef with the country of origin at catering level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40524/06]

The responsibility for implementation of the Health (Country of Origin of Beef) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 307 of 2006) lies with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). There are over 44,000 food businesses in Ireland of which 29,000 are in the service sector. This includes restaurants, hotels and pubs. During the preparation of the regulations my Department had extensive discussions with the representative bodies for hotels, restaurants and pubs who did not have any practical difficulties with the regulations.

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

116 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she is taking to extend country of origin labelling in the catering trade to lamb, pigmeat and chicken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40468/06]

All beef sold or served in the retail or catering sector is now required by law to carry an indication of country of origin. There are EU Regulations which provide for the labelling of unprocessed poultry meat at retail level. The information which these regulations require on the label includes the registered number of the slaughterhouse or cutting plant and, where imported from a Third Country, an indication of country of origin. There are no specific EU regulations governing the labelling of pigmeat or sheepmeat beyond the general food labelling regulations which do not require "country of origin" information.

The general EU food labelling regulations covering all food sold in Ireland require that the information be given clearly, accurately and in a language understood by the consumer. Among these requirements is origin marking in cases where failure to provide such information would be likely to mislead the consumer to a material degree. This legislation comes under the remit of the Department of Health and Children.

The primary legislation enacted by the Oireachtas in March of this year, under which our beef labelling requirements on country of origin were extended to the catering sector also allows for the extension of country of origin labelling to other meats. However, because different origin labelling requirements apply to other meats in the retail sector under current EU legislation and there are also different systems of traceability as well as some import/export complexities, it is not as straightforward as it is for beef. The European Commission has opposed Member States introducing legislation in this area that is in excess of common EU requirements. Nonetheless, my Department has recently commenced consultations with the Department of Health and Children on draft new regulations to require operators in the retail and catering sectors to provide country of origin information on poultrymeat, pigmeat and sheepmeat. It is my intention to submit these regulations, when they are finalised, to the European Commission for approval as required by EU legislation.

Of course, the preferred way forward is that the Commission would progress the question of country of origin labelling of all meat at EU level. I wrote earlier this year to the European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection on this subject. I also raised the issue in the Agriculture Council some months ago and will continue to take every opportunity to press for progress on this matter. I have used the opportunity provided by bilateral meetings with EU Ministerial colleagues to seek their support for EU action on Country of Origin Labelling and so far have been encouraged by their response.

The Health and Consumer Protection Directorate of the European Commission undertook a consultative process on a wide range of issues in this area earlier this year, under a document entitled Labelling: Competitiveness, Consumer Information and Better Regulation for the EU. I arranged for my Department to make a submission on food labelling and country of origin labelling of meat in particular to the Department of Health and Children, who co-ordinated the Irish contribution to this process.

Animal Health Policy.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

117 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she is taking to introduce an all-island animal health regime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40478/06]

There is a long history of co-operation between the administrations north and south on animal health issues. The administrations have traditionally shared information at local and national levels on disease control and surveillance issues and have worked together to combat illegal movements of animals and animal products. During the Foot and Mouth emergency of 2001 the co-operation and consultation at official, Ministerial and political levels was vital.

The establishment of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) offered an opportunity to build on existing co-operation arrangements and provided a framework for the development of an all-island animal health policy. The main objectives of the Council are to foster co-operation and to devise a common, unified animal health strategy for the island as a whole. This involves the convergence of animal health policies and the development of joint strategies for dealing with animal diseases. The ultimate objectives of an all-island animal health policy are to establish a common import regime and equivalent internal arrangements with a view to achieving free movement of animals and animal products within the island.

The programme of work, mandated by the NSMC, is being progressed by nine working groups at official level. The remit of these groups includes TB and Brucellosis, TSEs (BSE and Scrapie), veterinary medicines, other Zoonoses and animal diseases, disease surveillance, animal welfare, import and export of live animals and animal products, animal identification, traceability and cross-border aspects of fraud.

These working groups meet regularly and their work has focussed on three main themes: common or equivalent controls at points of entry to the island; convergence of internal animal health policies; and development of joint strategies for the control of animal disease.

The main achievements to date are the development of a co-ordinated and complementary approach towards import policies and portal controls at points of entry to the island, the convergence of policies in regard to animal identification and Scrapie and the strengthening of co-ordination and co-operation between both administrations on a variety of issues such as T.B, Brucellosis, FMD, BSE, Avian Influenza, cross-border fraud, etc. These groups continue to report progress in exchange of information and in implementation of initiatives aimed at policy convergence and the development of a common unified strategy for the island as a whole.

The Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council includes representation from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, (DARD). A representative from DARD also attends the Avian Influenza Advisory Group. Since the decision at EU level to lift the BSE ban on exports from the United Kingdom from 3 May 2006, arrangements are in place and working well between the two administrations facilitating the trade of cattle from Northern Ireland for slaughter, breeding and production.

The achievement of an all-island animal health strategy involves complex dialogue and negotiation over a range of areas between the Irish, Northern Irish and British authorities and will require the agreement of the European Union ultimately.

Question No. 118 answered with QuestionNo. 39.

Genetically Modified Organisms.

Liam Twomey

Ceist:

119 Dr. Twomey asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans to evaluate the economic implications of the use of genetically modified organisms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40491/06]

I wish to inform the Deputy that I have no plans at present to commission any further evaluations on the economic implications of the use of genetically modified organisms other than the study carried out by Teagasc earlier this year. You will recall that Teagasc, at my request, carried out an evaluation of the possible national economic implications for the Agri-Food industry from the use of GMOs in crop and livestock production. Teagasc based their study on the following scenarios: (i) The economic implications of only allowing the importation into Ireland of certified GM-free soyabean and maize livestock feed ingredients; and (ii) the economic implications of GM-free crop cultivation in Ireland.

In the first scenario the study showed that substantial additional costs would be placed on the livestock sector, particularly on specialist dairy and beef farmers, if they were to use certified GM free soya and maize only in feedingstuffs. In the second scenario the study examined five hypothetical GM crops which could be grown here — herbicide tolerant sugar beet, Septoria resistant winter wheat, Fusarium resistant winter wheat, Rhyncosporium resistant spring barley and blight resistant potatoes. This study showed that increased profits could be generated for growers of these crops compared to their conventional equivalent. However, the study showed that there is a significant cost in relation to Identity Preservation for conventional growers in a coexistence arrangement.

Question No. 120 answered with QuestionNo. 48.

Food Labelling.

John Deasy

Ceist:

121 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the discussions she has had with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland on the enforcement on the food labelling laws in view of their report to her Department of breaches in the law under her jurisdiction following an investigation of 90 food businesses completed in 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40477/06]

The enforcement of food labelling regulations is centralised in the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), who ensure that the appropriate controls are carried out by the relevant official agencies. The official agencies include the Health Service Executive, my Department, the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs and the local authorities.

My Department is in touch with officials of the FSAI on an ongoing basis and regular meetings are held to discuss a wide range of issues. Any issues which arise in relation to the enforcement of food legislation, including enforcement of labelling legislation, are discussed where necessary, in this context.

As I indicated in replies to similar questions on the 27th June 06 and 17th October my Department received the elements of the FSAI report that referred specifically to processing plants that came within its remit. These related to 11 premises and were all minor breaches. My Department, to the satisfaction of the FSAI, addressed the issues identified by the FSAI audit.

Animal Welfare.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

122 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views in relation to the European Commission’s proposal to ban the trade of cat and dog fur in the EU; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40551/06]

The EU Commission presented proposals on the 22nd of November dealing with the banning of trade in cat and dog fur and the import and export of these products. In general I welcome the Commission's decision to propose legislation in this area but of course the detailed provisions will have to be discussed in the various EU fora in the period ahead.

Horticulture Industry.

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

123 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she is satisfied that the levels of support for the horticulture industry are adequate to allow it to compete with imported products; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40532/06]

The main fruit imports from outside the EU are bananas and the main imports from other EU Member States are apples and pears. The main vegetable imports from both outside the EU and from other Member States are onions, shallots, garlic and leeks. Total imports of fruit and vegetables were valued at €671m in 2005 and our exports in the same period were valued at €241.4m.

My Department has contributed significantly to the support of the horticulture industry through its grant aid schemes under the National Development Plan 2000-2006. These schemes have been a catalyst for investment and growth and have assisted producers to upgrade or develop new production facilities and have also enabled commercial enterprises to improve marketing and processing facilities.

The NDP Scheme of Investment Aid for the Commercial Horticulture Sector has promoted the specialisation and diversification of on-farm activities, improvement in the quality of products, environmentally friendly practices and improved working conditions on farms. In the period 2000-2005, a total of €13.5m was paid in grants to producers supporting investments of €38.6m. This year a further €7.67m grant package will fund projects to the investment value of €21.91m.

Under my Department's NDP Capital Investment Scheme for the Marketing and Processing of Agricultural Products a total of €10.5m has been awarded in the fruit and vegetable sector to date. Some €7m was awarded in respect of 15 projects in this sector earlier this year.

Fruit and vegetable producers also benefit from EU aid under the Producer Organisation scheme. Some €23.85m has been paid to recognised Producer Organisations in the period 2000-2006. The development of Producer Organisations under EU Regulations has made a very important contribution to the development of the sector as it enables producers to benefit from their combined strength in the production and marketing of their product.

Agrifood Industry.

Damien English

Ceist:

124 Mr. English asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans for the enhancement of research and development within the agrifood sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40446/06]

Research and Development are central to the future well being of the agri-food sector and I am committed to building the Knowledge Economy in the Agri-Food sector. The important role of the sector is recognised in the Government Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation 2006-2013 and Research and Development is also central to the strategy outlined in the Agri-Vision Action Plan, which I launched earlier this year.

The Action Plan focuses on research in sustainable agricultural production, research in food quality, safety and nutrition, especially food for health and well-being, research on product innovation as well as research on forestry and on the rural economy. The priority is to ensure that the whole industry will operate to the highest standards, built on a strong foundation of modern scientific knowledge, skills and innovative practices so that it remains competitive in the global marketplace.

In line with the priority which I attach to the research area, I have allocated a record €97 million this year to research programmes and activity undertaken by Teagasc, third level institutions and directly by the Department and this will continue to be a priority funding area for my Department under the next National Development Plan.

EU Directives.

Joan Burton

Ceist:

125 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will review the explanatory booklet on the nitrates directive; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that farmers consider the booklet to be unnecessarily bureaucratic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40527/06]

The Nitrates Regulations are themselves unavoidably complex. Considerable efforts were made in the explanatory booklet to put the requirements of the Regulations in clear and straightforward terms. There are no plans to review the booklet, which has already issued to 140,000 farmers. My officials, along with Teagasc staff, are currently holding public meetings for farmers all over the country to explain the requirements of the Regulations further, and to answer individual queries.

Farm Retirement Scheme.

John Ellis

Ceist:

126 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the recent developments to the farm retirement schemes. [40262/06]

Payments are currently being made under two Schemes of Early Retirement from Farming. I recently announced substantial increases in the maximum pension rates payable under both Schemes to take effect from 1 November 2006. I have decided to increase the maximum pension rate payable under the 1994–99 Scheme from €12,075 to €14,075 and the maximum pension rate payable under the current Scheme from €13,515 to €15,000. These increases will cost some €33 million extra over the remaining period of the two Schemes, and over 5,000 retired farmers will benefit from them.

The announcement of these increases follows an announcement in September of an increase in the off-farm income limit for transferees under the current Scheme of Early Retirement from Farming from €25,400 to €40,000 and the removal of the total income limit for retiring farmers. Heretofore, an income limit exemption for retiring farmers existed only in cases where the farm was transferred definitively to a family member. These changes were effective from 1 September, 2006.

The current Scheme closes to new applications on 31 December 2006. Proposals for a new Scheme, with a maximum payment rate of €15,000, have been included in the draft Rural Development Plan for the period 2007-2013 which was recently published for consultation.

Dairy Sector.

Dan Neville

Ceist:

127 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the discussions she has at EU level to protect dairy supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40483/06]

The Irish dairy industry continues to contribute very substantially to the national economy, with an annual output value of some €2.3 billion. In 2005 Irish dairy exports performed exceptionally well totalling €2 billion, despite downward adjustments to EU market supports brought about by the implementation of the mid-term reform of the CAP.

After a number of successful years, 2006 has been more challenging for the Irish dairy industry. The butter market, in particular, experienced difficulties for much of the year. However the protein market has performed very well and Irish and EU processors and traders benefited from the strong prices and demand, particularly on the Internal market. In addition butter prices have now stabilised, although the relatively high stocks of intervention butter in the EU will limit any price increase. The price of oil and the value of the US dollar/Euro exchange rates will continue to be important factors in determining the success of Irish and EU traders to compete on the global market. In the wider context of WTO, I have strongly defended the CAP as a whole and have advocated a EU position which fully takes account of the needs of Irish agriculture including the dairy sector in the areas of internal support, export support and market access.

I remain concerned about the determination of the Commission to reduce internal aids and export subsidies to the new intervention price levels and I have regularly requested the Commissioner to redirect policy to support both the internal and international butter markets. The Commissioner is fully aware of my view that market stability is essential to allow the dairy industry time to adjust to the current market realities and adapt their business strategies accordingly.

Public Inquiries.

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

128 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will examine the new evidence outlined by three independent experts and senior counsel on the Stardust fire tragedy. [40895/06]

I can inform the Deputy that the position remains as set out in my response to his question on this subject of Wednesday, 22 November (39279/06).

Residency Permits.

Gay Mitchell

Ceist:

129 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the consideration that has been given to the application for leave to remain on the basis of family reunification in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; when a decision will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40698/06]

The person in question was the subject of a Family Reunification application which was refused in November 2004.

A request for a review was submitted in November 2004. Following a complete review of the case, the application was again refused in December 2004.

At present there is no Family Reunification application pending in respect of the above named.

Missing Persons.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

130 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of people currently recorded as missing persons; the degree to which resources are available within his Department to monitor the situation and helpline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40719/06]

I refer the Deputy to my answer to Parliamentary Question No. 203 of 7 November 2006.

Residency Permits.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

131 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position of the application for leave to remain in the State in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40720/06]

The person concerned arrived in the State on 01 July, 2003 and applied for asylum. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999, as amended, he was informed by letter dated 21 March, 2005, that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State; leaving the State before an order is made or consenting to the making of a deportation order. Representations have been received on behalf of the person concerned.

This person's case file, including all representations submitted, will be considered under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act, 1999, as amended, and Section 5 of the Refugee Act, 1996 (Prohibition of Refoulement). I expect the file to be passed to me for decision in due course.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

132 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if an application for residency has been received in relation to persons (details supplied) in County Limerick; if so, when it will be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40761/06]

Applications for long-term residence from the persons referred to by the Deputy were received on the 21st August 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 grant an exemption from employment permit requirements to any such dependants.

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 persons concerned will be notified.

Ministerial Responsibilities.

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

133 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 257 on 9 March, 2005, in which he confirmed his own responsibility in law as Minister for the performance of any functions which are assigned by law to his Department, the basis on which he proposes to confer statutory functions in relation to prison building on the Prison Service, a section of his Department, separate and distinct from the statutory functions vested in himself as Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40762/06]

I wish to advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service is currently a non-statutory agency of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, with its own Director General and an Interim Board. The Irish Prison Service is not a corporation sole and cannot sue, or be sued, in its own name. While certain functions are delegated to the Service, it acts as an agency of my Department and all legally binding contracts are signed in my name.

Specific functions have and may be assigned to the Director General of the Irish Prison Service as provided for by law.

Residency Permits.

John Curran

Ceist:

134 Mr. Curran asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will be made regarding an application for permission to remain in this State by a person (details supplied) in County Dublin. [40763/06]

I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 169 of Thursday, 23 March, 2006 (ref: 11450/06) and the written reply to that Question. The position is unchanged.

Citizenship Applications.

Tom Hayes

Ceist:

135 Mr. Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary who has applied for naturalisation. [40774/06]

An application for citizenship from the individual in question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department on 16 October, 2006. Applications received in the latter half of 2004 are currently being processed and at the present time there are approximately 11,700 applications awaiting processing before that of the person involved. It is likely that processing of this application will commence during the second half of 2008.

Human Trafficking.

Pat Carey

Ceist:

136 Mr. Carey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the measures his Department is considering to deal with the problem of trafficking in persons, involving the recruitment, transfer and sale of vulnerable people (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40801/06]

I wish to inform the Deputy that legislation creating an offence of trafficking in persons for the specific purpose of sexual or labour exploitation is contained in the draft Criminal Justice (Trafficking in Persons and Sexual Offences) Bill. This Bill has been approved by Government and is currently being drafted in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel.

This Bill will comply with the EU Framework Decision on combating trafficking in persons for the purpose of their sexual and labour exploitation. It will also fulfil the criminal law requirements of two other international trafficking instruments, the Protocol to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in persons, especially women and children, which supplements the UN Convention against transnational organised crime and the 2005 Council of Europe Convention on action against trafficking in human beings.

I am informed that An Garda Síochána, through the Garda National Immigration Bureau, takes a proactive approach in preventing and combating trafficking of human beings. Participation in joint operations, in particular with the United Kingdom Immigration Service, is ongoing and recognises the vulnerability of the Common Travel Area to abuse by persons engaged in illegal immigration and associated criminality.

At a national level the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) continues to liaise with Government and non-governmental agencies, such as Ruhama and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), to ensure ongoing liaison and cooperation, including the exchanging of any information relating to suspected human trafficking.

While the number of incidents of human trafficking reported remains low, An Garda Síochána, through the activities of on-going operations such as ‘Operation Quest' and ‘Operation Hotel' will continue to monitor the sex industry in Ireland and ensure that all instances of suspected trafficking are thoroughly investigated. Operation ‘Quest', in particular targets foreign nationals involved in the sex industry, while ‘Operation Hotel' targets the trafficking of human beings for exploitation.

On 5th May this year I launched a poster campaign, organised by An Garda Síochána and facilitated by Crimestoppers, designed to encourage victims of trafficking of to report their plight to the State authorities. Posters have been displayed at airports, bus and railway stations, hostels and hospitals and Garda stations. I can assure the Deputy that victims of trafficking are treated with respect and dignity and are provided with assistance by the State when they come to the attention of the authorities.

I am informed by Garda management that eighty-five persons have been arrested on suspicion of committing a breach of the provisions of Section 2 of the Illegal Immigrants (Trafficking) Act 2000. Proceedings have been initiated in respect of twenty-four alleged breaches of the provisions of Section 2 of the Act. To date three persons have been convicted in respect of a total of ten breaches of the provision concerned. A trial date has been set for later this year in relation to a further twelve alleged trafficking offences.

The Scheme of the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill makes provision for a new and integrated framework for the effective management of migration to the State. An integral part of that framework will be the ability to make and publish statements of the Government's immigration policy in relation to any aspect of immigration, including, where necessary, victims of human trafficking. In the context of the proposed legislation, it will be possible for a suitable immigration policy statement to address all of the issues concerning the treatment of victims of human trafficking in an appropriate manner.

Garda Vetting Services.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

137 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason it is taking so long to roll out the mechanisms for Garda vetting of employees of all organisations that work with young people, in particular childcare workers and sports organisations as priorities; the time frame that has been established for the expansion of this urgently needed service; when additional funding will be made available for the necessary staffing and resources to complete the expansion of this service; and the progress being made with the Health Service Executive with a view to establishing mechanisms to manage Garda vetting applications for the childcare sector. [40811/06]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

138 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason a childcare organisation (details supplied) has not been able to get Garda clearance for their childcare workers despite being a FÁS sponsored organisation and the fact that the delays are jeopardising their ability to provide a vital service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40812/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 138 together.

The phased expansion of Garda vetting services commenced in the first quarter of this year and is proceeding apace, in co-operation with the relevant client sectors and the associated Government Departments and Agencies. This expansion will continue until all organisations which recruit persons to work in a substantial, unsupervised capacity with children and vulnerable adults can avail of the Garda Síochána's vetting service.

The expansion process is being phased for sound administrative reasons in both the Garda organisation and the client sectors, having regard to the lessons learned from international experience in the widespread provision of criminal record vetting services. I do not accept that this expansion process is ‘taking too long'.

In this regard, expansion has already occurred in respect of, inter alia, the primary and post-primary education sectors, the youth work sector and in a range of health and social services sectors.

Substantial additional human and other resources have already been provided to the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) in order to respond to the increased demand for vetting, including a more than doubling in the number of staff assigned to the Unit. Requirements in this regard are subject to continual review.

In respect of the sports sector, the GCVU has already provided training to the Irish Sports Council and arrangements are now being put in place to extend vetting on a phased basis to an increasing number of sports organisations.

In relation to the pre-school/childcare sector, I understand that the Health Service Executive is engaging with this sector to support the development of an arrangement whereby providers in that sector will have access to vetting. The GCVU is ready to commence, on a phased basis, the further expansion of the vetting service to this sector, including to the childcare organisation in question, from January 2007, subject to agreement on appropriate liaison mechanisms, including the identification of a sectoral central point of contact to manage vetting applications and disclosures thereon.

Garda Deployment.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

139 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if there has been a needs assessment done for a Garda station or sub-station in Palmerstown; the number of Gardaí covering the Palmerstown, Clondalkin and Lucan areas; and if additional Gardaí are proposed or will be sent to that area. [40813/06]

I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength (all ranks) of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 13,000 on Thursday, 16 November, 2006, following the attestation of 299 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June, 1997 and represents an increase of 2,298 (or 21.5%) in the personnel strength of the Force during that period. The induction of 280 new Garda recruits to the Garda College on 6 November, 2006 resulted in a combined strength, of both attested Gardaí and recruits in training, of 14,137. The Garda Budget now stands at €1.3 billion, a 13% increase on 2005 and an 85% increase since 1997 in real terms.

I have been further informed by the Garda authorities that the Palmerstown area is patrolled by both Ronanstown and Ballyfermot Garda Stations. The personnel strength of Ronanstown, Ballyfermot, Lucan and Clondalkin Garda Stations, which form part of the D.M.R. West Division, as at 31 December 1997 and as at 29 November 2006 is as set out in the following table:

Station

31/12/97

29/11/06

Increase by

% increase

Lucan

58

71

13

22.4%

Clondalkin

56

94

38

67.8%

Ronanstown

58

93

35

60.3%

Ballyfermot

72

87

15

20.8%

The personnel strength of the D.M.R. West Division as at 31 December, 1997 was 513 (all ranks). The personnel strength of the D.M.R. West Division as at 29 November, 2006 is 719 (all ranks). This represents an increase of 206 (or 40.1%) in the number of personnel allocated since that date. I am not aware of any plans by the Garda authorities to change the policing structures which operate in this area.

I should add that it is the responsibility of Garda management to allocate personnel to and within Divisions. These personnel allocations are determined by a number of factors including demographics, crime trends, administrative functions and other operational policing needs. Such allocations are continually monitored and reviewed along with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy. This ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources, and that the best possible service is provided to the public.

Joint Policing Committees.

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

140 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if progress has been made on the setting of the 22 pilot Joint Policing Committees; their function; and the 22 pilot areas chosen for the pilot project. [40844/06]

Section 36 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 provides for the establishment of a joint policing committee in each local authority administrative area and as part of the local government structures. The purpose of these committees is to provide a forum where a local authority and the senior Garda officers responsible for the policing of that area, with the participation of Oireachtas members and community interests, can consult, discuss and make recommendations on matters affecting the policing of the area.

The joint policing committees are being established by local authorities and the Garda Commissioner in accordance with guidelines which I issued in June after consultation with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

In view of the innovative nature of the committees and the number which will be established, I decided, following consultation with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, to pilot the committees in 22 local authority areas for a limited period.

The guidelines make special provision for Dublin City Council. Because of the size of the City Council area, in addition to the joint policing committee, they provide for the establishment of five subcommittees of the committee, corresponding to the city's local areas.

The pilot phase has joint policing committees in Fingal, Offaly and Wicklow County Councils, Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Waterford City Councils, Drogheda and Sligo Borough Councils and Athy, Arklow, Ballinasloe, Birr, Bray, Edenderry, Greystones, Letterkenny, Mallow, Tralee, Tuam, Tullamore and Wicklow Town Councils.

Sixteen of these committees have already held meetings, and the remaining six are expected to meet in the near future.

Residency Permits.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

141 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will reconsider under any other criterion an application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40864/06]

The person in question applied for permission to remain in the State on the basis of being a parent of an Irish citizen child, born before 1 January 2005, in accordance with the revised arrangements announced by me on 15 January, commonly referred to as the IBC/05 scheme.

The person in question did not satisfy the criteria under the revised arrangements and was notified of this decision on 16 December 2005. There is no separate procedure for considering leave to remain in the State based on being the parent of an Irish citizen child. The fact that a non-EU national is the parent of an Irish citizen child can only be considered in the context of the deportation process.

Garda Operations.

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

142 Mr. Gregory asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 82 of 10 May 2006, if the vehicles (details supplied) have been checked by the Garda authorities; and if action will be taken. [40865/06]

I am informed by the Garda authorities that enquiries have been made by local Gardaí which indicate that the vehicles referred to are the property of a local garage owner, who has been advised regarding the parking of these and other vehicles on the public road. The vehicles referred to have now been removed. I am further informed that Gardaí from the local Garda Community Policing Unit will continue to monitor the situation to prevent a recurrence.

Airfield Security Measures.

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

143 Ms C. Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action he has taken in view of his statement in Dáil Éireann on 16 November 2006, to improve co-ordination between the Departments concerned with the policing and customs monitoring of small airfields such as Weston Aerodrome; the action he proposes to take in regards to same; if he will bring about more stringent security measures at such facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40897/06]

The Garda Síochána is represented on the multi-agency group responsible for the formation and implementation of aviation and airport security policy. In this regard, the Garda authorities maintain close liaison with the Department of Transport in respect of security arrangements at small aerodromes.

Moreover, there is regular — almost daily — contact between the Garda Síochána and the Revenue Commissioners in respect of the enforcement of drug legislation. In addition, I understand that the Revenue Commissioners are conducting a review of licensed aerodromes, and this is being dealt with as a matter of priority. Pending the outcome of this review, I will further consider what measures, including co-ordination measures, may be required.

National Development Plan.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

144 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether the Government’s approach to spending is unbalanced on a regional basis, in view of the apparent underspend in the Border Midland Western region under the National Development; and his plans to address this situation. [40740/06]

Michael Ring

Ceist:

148 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Finance the reason expenditure in the Border Midland Western region is behind the indicative target set out in the National Development Plan; the comparison expenditure figures for all regions and details of their indicative targets for each year from 2000 to date in 2006; the reason for the underspend under the National Development Plan in the BMW region; and his plans to rectify the matter. [40733/06]

Jerry Cowley

Ceist:

152 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Finance the basis of information available to him from monitoring committee reports, including their assessments of continuing spend under the current National Development Plan, that he expects by the end of the programme period in six weeks time (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40759/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 144, 148 and 152 together.

The National Development Plan/Community Support Framework (NDP/ CSF) 2000-2006 is an integrated investment plan and strategy for economic and social development for Ireland. The aim of the plan is to ensure that Ireland remains internationally competitive and that our economic success is shared more equally. There was a commitment of €57 billion of Public, Private and EU funds over the programme period, which under EU Rules, does not actually end in six weeks time but rather continues to 2008. The size of the investment has involved substantial investment in infrastructure — such as roads, public transport, water and waste services — in health services, social housing, education, industry and rural development. The Plan is delivered through seven Operational Programmes each of which has a Monitoring Committee which meets twice yearly to monitor the ongoing implementation of the Programme. There is also an overarching NDP/CSF Monitoring Committee which is chaired by my Department and this Committee also meets at least twice a year.

The most recent information on expenditure is from the October reports of the Monitoring Committees of the Operational Programmes. These indicate that €48 billion had been spent by the end of June 2006. In view of the slow start up in some areas at the beginning of the programme and the relatively disappointing response in certain demand led schemes due mainly to the impact of the slowdown in economic activity in 2000-02, the outbreak of foot and mouth disease and a lower than anticipated take up of financial opportunities by the private sector, this can be considered to be a good implementation rate. However, a fuller picture of expenditure will not be available until the full year expenditure data for 2006 is analysed after the NDP/CSF Monitoring Committee meets in June 2007 and when the co-funded measures under the NDP/CSF achieve their full entitlement to Structural Funds by the end of 2008, the timetable set out in the Regulations.

The Monitoring Committees have also provided to my Department their assessment of the likely spend on the Programmes between July 2006 and the end of 2008. Overall, their assessment is that the original NDP/CSF forecast will largely be met, even though there are likely to be broadly offsetting variances as compared to the original forecasts at individual Operational Programme level. The final Exchequer and EU commitment is actually expected to be ahead of the original forecast generally covering a lower than expected take-up from the private sector.

The House will be aware of the general state of play in relation to expenditure in the BMW region from previous debates and questions on this issue. The figures reported at the recent Monitoring Committee meetings indicate that some €11.1 billion or 82% of forecast Exchequer and EU expenditure had been incurred by the end of June 2006. This is a healthy implementation rate given the reasons as outlined above. The corresponding figure for the S&E region was €30 billion or 108% of forecast Exchequer and EU expenditure. Based on the most recent information available to my Department, I anticipate that by the end of the programme period, the original forecasts for Exchequer and EU spending in the BMW region will largely be met. Details of the annual breakdown of expenditure and forecasts for each region will be available following the December meeting of that Monitoring Committee and I will write to the Deputy with the information then.

The Government's commitment to the Regions under the current NDP/CSF is delivering results. The ESRI carried out a mid-term evaluation of the NDP/CSF 2000-2006 which stated that the BMW region had all but closed the gap with the S&E region in respect of the rate of unemployment and employment growth. The ESRI in its recent ex-ante assessment of investment priorities for NDP 2007-2013 concludes that "The current NDP has greatly enhanced the economic and social infrastructure of the State with major benefits to economic development throughout all regions".

The Government's commitment to the BMW region does not cease when the current funding round draws to a close. Investment to achieve more balanced regional development is a key Government priority. An important objective of the next NDP (2007-2013) will be the promotion of balanced regional development in line with the National Spatial Strategy (the NSS). The details of the strategy for regional development will have to await publication of the Plan. I am, nonetheless, confident that the level of ambition in the overall NDP 2007-2013 investment envelope combined with a commitment to utilise this investment to implement the NSS will lead to a better balance in economic development.

In addition, the BMW region will also receive Structural Funds allocation of €458 million under the next round of funding for 2007-2013. In that context, my Department is also preparing the National Strategic Reference Framework which will set out the strategic orientation of the Structural Funds and link the European Community's priorities with the national and regional priorities, and which in turn will assist in the preparation of the relevant Operational Programmes.

Tax Code.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

145 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Finance the reason a company (details supplied) must supply audited accounts to the Revenue Commissioners in view of the fact that the company has charitable status and are a community based group whose constitution states that it is a non-profit making organisation and the workings of the group are solely to do with improvement of facilities in the area of their community; his views on a change in legislation to assist such groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40861/06]

As I stated in my reply to the Deputy's question of the 16th of November last, the Revenue Commissioners advise me that they have not sought audited accounts from this charity. I am further advised that the Revenue Commissioners have detailed procedures in place towards ensuring that bodies which have been granted charitable tax exemption are complying with the terms of their exemption and applying their funds for charitable purposes only. Under these procedures, all tax exempt charities are required to maintain proper books of accounts and audited accounts are required where the income of the charity exceeds €100,000 per annum.

I am satisfied that the legislation covering charitable tax exemption is appropriate and I have no plans to make any changes in this area. However, as with all tax exemptions and reliefs, charitable tax exemption is carefully monitored on an ongoing basis.

Full details relating to the application and monitoring procedures for charities are set out in information booklet CHY1, "Applying for Relief from Tax on the Income and Property of Charities", which can be found on the Revenue website at www.revenue.ie.

EU Directives.

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

146 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Finance if directives 2004/18/EC and 2004/17/EC have been transposed into Irish Law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40872/06]

EU Directive 2004/18/EC co-ordinating procedures for the award of public works contracts, public supply contracts and public service contracts has been transposed into Irish Law by regulations made under Statutory Instrument 329 signed on 22 June 2006. Draft regulations implementing EU Directive 2004/17/EC, co-ordinating the procurement procedures of entities operating in the water, energy, transport and postal services sectors are at an advanced drafting stage and, subject to clearance by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, should be ready for signature shortly.

Tax Code.

Ned O'Keeffe

Ceist:

147 Mr. N. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Finance if he will arrange to have a P21 issued in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Cork. [40693/06]

The Revenue Commissioners have advised that a P21, 2005, issued to the persons in question on 3 October 2006 and that a duplicate has issued dated 28 November 2006.

Question No. 148 answered with QuestionNo. 144.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

149 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the cost of reducing the 42% tax rate to 40% for all taxpayers, for making that reduction apply to income between €32,000 and €42,000 for a single person with corresponding bands for other categories, and for making that reduction apply to income between €32,000 and €52,000 for a single person with corresponding bands for other categories of taxpayer. [40756/06]

By reference to the 2007 Pre-Budget ready reckoner prepared by the Revenue Commissioners the full year cost to the Exchequer of reducing the top rate of income tax by two percentage points is estimated to be €457 million. The ready reckoner is available on my Department's website, at www.finance.gov.ie

It is assumed that the thresholds for the proposed new tax bands mentioned by the Deputy would not alter the existing standard rate band structure applying to single and widowed persons, to lone parents and married couples.

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the full year cost to the Exchequer, estimated by reference to 2006 incomes, of the introduction of each of these 40 per cent rate bands could be of the order of €135 million, and €215 million, respectively, depending on how the bands were structured. However, given the current band structures, there would be major issues to be worked out as to whether such a new rate could be integrated into the current system and whether it could be operated in practice. The cost estimates are provisional and subject to revision.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

150 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if he will ask the Revenue Commissioners to reissue a tax refund cheque to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7 which was inadvertently issued to another person with the same name. [40757/06]

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a replacement refund cheque for €980 will issue within the next 10 days. The address on record is now correct.

Sean Fleming

Ceist:

151 Mr. Fleming asked the Minister for Finance the yield to the Exchequer from companies whose corporation tax for the first accounting period does not exceed €50,000; if he will continue with the June 2002 arrangement on preliminary corporation tax to help small and medium enterprise start-ups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40758/06]

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the yield in corporation tax to the Exchequer from companies whose corporation tax liability for their first accounting period did not exceed €50,000 was approximately €22 million. This estimate is by reference to corporate profits earned in accounting periods ending in 2004, the latest year for which the relevant figures are available.

I presume that the arrangement to which the Deputy refers concerns the concessionary treatment by the Revenue Commissioners of certain companies allowing them to pay two instalments of preliminary corporation tax in one payment.

"Preliminary tax" is a payment on account of final liability. Changes were introduced in Budget 2002 which brought forward the date for payment of preliminary corporation tax from six months after the end of the accounting period to one month before the end of the accounting period. These changes were phased in over a transitional period from 2002 to 2005 during which time companies paid their preliminary corporation tax in two instalments. The first instalment was payable one month before the end of a company's accounting period and the second instalment was payable six months after the end of the accounting period. Revenue's concessionary practice allowed certain companies (whose corporation tax liability for their start-up period did not exceed €50,000) to pay all of their preliminary tax in the second of the two instalments during the transitional period. This practice was set out in detail in Revenue's publication Tax Briefing No. 48. When the 2002 to 2005 transitional period ended, the tax was no longer payable in two instalments and, as a direct result, the concessionary practice no longer applied. In respect of first or "start-up" accounting periods ending in 2006, all companies are required to pay their preliminary corporation tax one month before the end of their accounting period.

I am conscious of the contribution made to the economy by small and medium-sized enterprises but I do not comment at this time of year on matters connected with the Budget.

Question No. 152 answered with QuestionNo. 144.

Jerry Cowley

Ceist:

153 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Finance his views on allowing companies holding conferences here to reclaim their VAT in view of the fact that this is common practice in other countries and that hotels here would receive an increase in lucrative international conference business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40772/06]

As the Deputy will be aware from previous replies to similar questions on this issue, I want to make sure any such relief can work and does not open up the VAT system to other very costly demands. The examination of the matter is ongoing and I will consider it in the context of the forthcoming Budget.

Genetically Modified Organisms.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

154 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children her position in regard to genetically modified food production; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40857/06]

Government policy with regard to Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) is based on the Report of the Inter-Departmental Group on Modern Biotechnology, published in October 2000. In line with the recommendations of this report, my Department adopts a "positive but precautionary" approach to the issue of GM foods which reflects the priority given to consumer choice and safety.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland is the competent authority in Ireland for the enforcement of legislation governing GM food and carries out regular checks of the marketplace to ensure compliance with GM food legislation. I am satisfied that appropriate arrangements are in place to ensure the safety of authorised GM foods, or foods containing GM ingredients, placed on the market in Ireland.

Health Services.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

155 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will commission a study into the adequacy of the speech therapy services delivered by the Health Service Executive to children in their school going years, with a view to assessing the feasibility and value of establishing a dedicated speech therapy service under her Department in order to end the present practice of parents having to pay private fees to supplement speech therapy services from the Health Service Executive. [40870/06]

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.

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

156 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Louth was refused physiotherapy by the Health Service Executive Dublin north east at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda on 19 October, 2006; if the HSE intend to provide this service to patients; when this service will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40694/06]

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Hospital Charges.

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

157 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Louth was charged €35,000 for an essential service; if they will be refunded by the Health Service Executive; and when this refund will be awarded to the person. [40695/06]

The statutory hospital in-patient charge of €60 per night applies to everyone receiving treatment in a public hospital (with a number of exceptions) up to a maximum of €600 in any twelve month period. Where a patient opts to see a consultant in a private capacity, they have moved outside the public system, and the fee charged is a private contractual arrangement between the patient and the consultant. Neither my Department nor the Health Service Executive has any responsibility for the reimbursement of such fees. From the information provided by the Deputy, it appears that the person referred to received medical treatment in a private capacity.

Health Services.

Ned O'Keeffe

Ceist:

158 Mr. N. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [40696/06]

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services has been assigned to the Health Service Executive. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this case investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

159 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo can expect to be called for orthodontic treatment. [40735/06]

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.

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

160 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Health and Children when an audiologist service will be provided at Louth County Hospital, Dundalk, County Louth; the reason this service was removed from the hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40736/06]

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issue raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Home Help Service.

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

161 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of personnel employed as home help or home support workers in each of the Health Service Executive regions; the number of hours allocated in each region; the average number of hours allocated to each client in each region; if separate figures are available in respect of County Louth in each of these cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40737/06]

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issue raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Care of the Elderly.

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

162 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Health and Children when respite care will be made available to a person (details supplied) in County Louth; the reason this respite care undertaken has been withdrawn; and the way is proposed to deal with this person on the dates concerned. [40738/06]

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Health Services.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

163 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will arrange a re-assessment for orthodontic treatment for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; if she will provide copies of all the reports in relation to the way they were assessed; if she will investigate this case and indicate the reason a child who needs orthodontic treatment according to dentists in the private sector is being refused treatment by the Health Service Executive. [40760/06]

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 Accommodation.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

164 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the occupancy rates of designated beds by patients with private medical insurance in each of the ten co-location hospitals for the past three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40773/06]

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular matter raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Bullying in the Workplace.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Ceist:

165 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Health and Children if an investigation has been or will be carried out in relation to allegations of ongoing bullying of trainees and staff within the Tullamore ambulance service over the past 18 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40775/06]

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Ceist:

166 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Health and Children the procedures in place to deal with complaints of bullying within the Health Service Executive; the specific systems in place relating to ambulance services; if she is confident that staff are aware of and act of such procedures, particularly within the Tullamore ambulance service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40776/06]

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Ceist:

167 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason files relating to complaints of bullying within the Tullamore ambulance service went missing in the past few months; the efforts made to trace these lost files or to ascertain whether or not they were deliberately removed; if there are plans to notify existing and past staff members that said files have gone missing and to resubmit complaints; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40777/06]

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Ceist:

168 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Health and Children the powers that exist within the Health Service Executive to investigate individuals have deliberately lost or stolen files relating to complaints of bullying within a particular arm of the health service, including for example an ambulance service; the penalties that can be applied should such individuals be found to have interfered with due process; if there are recent cases where such investigations and penalties have been applied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40778/06]

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Ceist:

169 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Health and Children if studies have been carried out in relation to the impact on patient care and public safety of ongoing harassment and bullying of staff working in already stressful environments, such as an ambulance service; if such situation require additional monitoring due to the primacy of the patients involved and the public safety issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40779/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 165 to 169, inclusive, together.

Over 120,000 people work full-time or part-time in our public health services. In recent years, the Government's ongoing high level of investment in health has achieved and maintained significant increases in the numbers of doctors, nurses and other health care professionals employed in the public health services. The Government has also invested heavily in the education and training of such personnel in order to secure a good supply of graduates to provide for the health care needs of the population into the future.

Subject to overall parameters set by Government, the Health Service Executive has the responsibility for determining the composition of its staffing complement. In that regard, it is a matter for the Executive to manage and deploy its human resources to best meet the requirements of its Annual Service Plan for the delivery of health and personal social services to the public. The Executive is the appropriate body to consider the matters raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Hospital Accommodation.

Gerard Murphy

Ceist:

170 Mr. G. Murphy asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress made in providing additional beds in Kanturk Community Hospital; and if her Department provided the necessary funding to the HSE to carry out the works. [40783/06]

The Government's sustained high level of investment in health care has enabled the completion and commissioning of numerous new facilities in both the acute and the non-acute sectors. This year, the sum available for expenditure in health under the Health Service Executive's capital plan is €555 million. The HSE has responsibility for the planning and management of capital projects in the health sector, including the development referred to in the Deputy's question. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Hospital Services.

John Perry

Ceist:

171 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will intervene on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo and have them called for their operation in view of the fact that their condition has deteriorated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40802/06]

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this case investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Garda Vetting Services.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

172 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress being made in establishing mechanisms to manage Garda vetting applications for the complete child care sector, as referenced in a letter from the Garda central vetting unit to a Dublin child care organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40810/06]

In line with the recommendations of the Garda Vetting Report and the expansion of the Garda Central Vetting Unit, the Garda vetting service is being expanded by means of a phased roll-out within resource capacities. The roll out is accompanied by training for organisations who will be submitting the vetting applications. The expansion will continue over this year and next year and beyond until vetting is provided for all personnel working in a full time, part-time or voluntary capacity with children and vulnerable adults. This will include all workers involved in the childcare sector.

Garda vetting is currently required as a condition of funding in respect of every childcare employee whose employees are in receipt of staffing grant assistance under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme (EOCP), excluding FÁS funded employees on Job Initiative (J.I.), Community Employment (C.E.) and Social Economy Programmes. Such funding is not available to private childcare facilities run on a commercial basis.

Hospital Services.

John Gormley

Ceist:

173 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will reconsider the decision to move cancer treatment facilities from St. Luke’s to St. James from 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40830/06]

The decision to transfer St. Luke's Hospital was taken by the Government in the context of its consideration of the National Plan for Radiation Oncology Services. The decision is based on expert advice and is designed to ensure that radiation oncology, one element of cancer care, is integrated with all other aspects of care, including surgery and medical oncology. This is in line with best international practice. I am convinced that this model will provide better patient centred treatment with improved quality of service and outcome for patients. The Board of St. Luke's Hospital and its Executive Management Team are fully committed to supporting the Government's decision in relation to the development of radiation oncology. A transfer on similar lines took place earlier this year in Northern Ireland when radiation oncology services transferred to Belfast City Hospital, a major academic teaching hospital.

In progressing the transfer, I will build on the expertise and ethos of St. Luke's. I have ensured that experts at St. Luke's are centrally involved in the planning and delivery of the National Plan. The plan consists of large centres in Dublin (at Beaumont and St. James's Hospitals), Cork and Galway and two integrated satellite centres at Waterford Regional Hospital and Limerick Regional Hospital. Medical and scientific experts from the hospital are involved in developing the output specifications for the delivery of new radiation oncology services nationally. The Chief Executive at St. Luke's will lead the management team of the new facility at St. James's. I also appointed the Chairman of St. Luke's to chair a National Radiation Oncology Oversight Group to advise me on progress on the implementation of the plan.

The tender has recently been awarded for two additional and two replacement linear accelerators at St. Luke's to provide much needed interim capacity pending the roll out of the national plan. I expect these services to commence late next year. I also recently announced the approval of two radiation oncology facilities at Beaumont and St. James's Hospitals, comprising of two linear accelerators and associated treatment planning at each site, to be delivered in early 2009. These are key elements of the delivery of the National Plan.

The expertise and professional commitment of the staff at St. Luke's Hospital will continue to be an essential element in the development of cancer care.

Hospital Food.

John Gormley

Ceist:

174 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will improve the quality of hospital food; her views on the fact that many patients do not like the food currently served; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40831/06]

The information sought by the Deputy relates to matters within the area of responsibility of the Health Service Executive. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

National Lottery Funding.

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

175 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Health and Children the status of an application by a group (details supplied) in County Kerry for lottery funding to build a day care centre in Listowel to cater for the needs of the elderly in the greater north Kerry area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40863/06]

My Department received an application for a grant from the Health and Children allocation of National Lottery funds from the organisation referred to.

There is a protocol in my Department for processing applications for National Lottery grants. When a completed application form is received in my Department it is registered in the Finance Unit and forwarded to the relevant Service Division for their assessment, evaluation and recommendation. All applications are then considered in the context of the recommendation and the overall level of funds available to me. This application is one of many under consideration for a grant from my Department and the organisation in question will be informed as soon as a decision has been made.

Medical Cards.

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

176 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a product (details supplied) is not available on the medical card in view of the fact that many elderly persons require the eye treatment on a permanent basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40868/06]

There is a common list of reimbursable medicines for the General Medical Services and Drug Payment schemes. This list is reviewed and amended monthly, as new products become available and deletions are notified. For an item to be included on the list, it must comply with published criteria, including authorisation status as appropriate, price and, in certain cases the intended use of the product. In addition, the product should ordinarily be supplied to the public only by medical prescription and should not be advertised or promoted to the public.

Any application by a supplier to have Ocuvite included on the common list will be considered in the usual way. People with a medical card who experience undue financial hardship in obtaining any product which is not on the common list should contact the local area of the Health Service Executive.

Ministerial Replies.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

177 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason no response issued from the Health Service Executive in relation to a parliamentary question placed for answer several weeks ago; and when a response will issue in this regard. [40890/06]

The Health Service Executive has informed my Department that a reply has issued to the Deputy.

Fisheries Protection.

Cecilia Keaveney

Ceist:

178 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the way it is intended to compensate the drift net fishermen who have only received licences within the past five years; the way persons who have only received licenses within the past year will be compensated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40787/06]

The Government has created a hardship fund for those affected by the compulsory cessation of indiscriminate mixed stock fishing at sea, realising that these proposals will entail hardship for commercial fishermen and vulnerable coastal communities. The fund will be available to all those subject to a compulsory closure of their current commercial fishery, namely the holders of drift-net licences and some draft net licence holders.

The level of payments will be based on the average verifiable catch for each licence holder for the past 5 years (2001-2005). Each individual licence holder should receive 6 times his average catch multiplied by the average net income per salmon (which is estimated to be €23 per salmon). In all cases a payment equal to 6 times the current licence fee will be made to each licence holder. I believe this is a fair and reasonable allocation.

As the Deputy is aware changes in the management of the wild salmon fishery for 2007 and beyond were signalled in advance of the 2006 season. In the circumstances it would be unlikely that fishermen who obtained a licence in the past year could claim that they suffered unexpected hardship.

Departmental Funding.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

179 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Comhlámh Cork office may close due to shortage of funding; and the action he proposes to take on the matter. [40734/06]

Currently Comhlámh is the recipient of substantial multi-annual funding from Irish Aid. Comhlámh carries out, with Irish Aid support, very valuable development education and volunteer-related activities in the Cork region, as it does throughout Ireland. I am aware that Comhlámh has decided to close its office in Cork at the end of this year. I am assured, however, that these activities will not be affected by the closure of that office. The issue of how Comhlámh wishes to organise its activities and all related administrative decisions, including the closure of the Cork office, is solely a matter for Comhlámh.

International Agreements.

Pat Carey

Ceist:

180 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is his intention that Ireland will sign and ratify the UN Protocol Trafficking 2000 and the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40871/06]

It is the Government's intention that Ireland proceed a) to ratify the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, and b) to sign and ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings, as soon as the necessary legislation is in place. In an Adjournment Debate in the House on 23 November, Minister of State Conor Lenihan T.D., on behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform Michael McDowell T.D., set out comprehensively the existing legal position in Ireland in relation to human trafficking.

As regards the legislation referred to above, at the request of the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to the Government is preparing a draft Criminal Justice (Trafficking in Persons and Sexual Offences) Bill which will create an offence of trafficking in persons for the specific purpose of sexual or labour exploitation. This will supplement existing legislation in that area. It is expected that the Bill will be published in early 2007. When the Bill becomes law, Ireland will be in a position to comply fully with the commitments enshrined in both the international instruments in question.

Emigrant Support Services.

Paddy McHugh

Ceist:

181 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the financial support provided to organisations in London who provide support to Irish people in that city; if he will report on recent discussions and developments which have occurred between his Department and such organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40896/06]

The interests and needs of the Irish community in Britain are of particular importance to the Government. The strong commitment of the Government to support our community abroad is reflected in the unprecedented level of funding secured for emigrant services. This year, €12 million is being disbursed to assist our communities abroad, an increase of 45% on 2005. The allocation for next year is €15.2 million, 27% more than this year. Overall, this represents a massive fifteen-fold increase since 1997.

In addition, arising from a decision I took as Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs in 2000, €67 million has been paid out to over 14,000 Irish pensioners who benefit under the pre-1953 social insurance scheme, many of whom are living in Britain.

Most of the emigrant services funding is directed to organisations in Britain that are engaged in a wide range of community care activities of direct benefit to Irish people there. Increased funding is having a very tangible and positive impact. So far this year, 142 organisations in Britain have received grants amounting to €8 million; 56 of these are located in London and have received grants totalling €3.5 million.

Further applications for funding are currently under consideration and I look forward to making an announcement very shortly on additional grants. By the end of this year, I expect that funding to Irish community organisations in Britain will have reached the unprecedented amount of at least €9 million, an increase of some 25% on last year's funding there. The organisations receiving funding this year provide a range of services, ranging from informal community networking groups for senior citizens to organisations that offer outreach services and advice on entitlements. We will continue to support them in their invaluable work with, and for, Irish people.

Another important area relates to initiatives that support homeless Irish people. The Simon Community in London estimates that the number of homeless Irish in central London has fallen from over 600 in 1999 to under 100 this year. I was pleased to note that Simon credits the Irish Government funding with having played a key role in this.

That said, I remain very concerned about the plight of any person in this unfortunate situation, and am determined to respond to their needs. This is why I have approved grants so far this year exceeding €800,000 to organisations, including Simon, Cricklewood Homeless Concern and Arlington House that support homeless Irish people in London and provide critical follow-on support and outreach services to this particularly vulnerable section of our community there.

While the primary emphasis in funding continues to be on supporting frontline welfare services, I am pleased that the additional allocation has also made it possible to support a number of capital projects as well as projects which support our community in Britain in their wish to express their Irish identity.

Officials of the Embassy in London and the Irish Abroad Unit of my Department will continue to work very closely with our community organisations in London and elsewhere in Britain, to ensure that they can have a direct channel to Government and that our response to their needs continues to be effective in the period ahead.

Decentralisation Programme.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

182 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of staff decentralised to the head office in County Kerry; if an office has been retained in Dublin; if so, the number of personnel involved there; if he has satisfied himself that the new system is giving the best possible service on a national basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40716/06]

My Department, excluding the National Archives, i.e. approximately 130 posts, will relocate to Killarney under the Government's Decentralisation programme and, as the Deputy may be aware, was designated by the Decentralisation Implementation Group as one of the "early mover" Departments. Construction of the new building in Killarney is expected to commence before the end of the year and the anticipated completion date is early 2008.

In the meantime, an advance group of 44 staff relocated to temporary accommodation at Fossa, Killarney in September last. The temporary premises is capable of accommodating up to 70 staff and following a "bedding down" period, consideration will be given to transferring further units of my Department on a phased basis, ultimately leading to the relocation of all 130 staff to the new permanent building in Killarney in early 2008.

Careful consideration was given to the units that made up the advance group and I am satisfied that my Department is operating effectively in both locations. I am also satisfied that, with the help of the best modern technology, officials in my Department's Dublin and Killarney offices communicate effectively with each other and with my Department's customers.

Sports Capital Programme.

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

183 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will support a school (details supplied) in Dublin 5 in their application for floodlights on their grass pitch. [40752/06]

The sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, allocates funding to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national levels. Applications for funding under the 2007 programme were invited through advertisements in the Press on October 15th and 16th last. The closing date for receipt of applications was Friday last, November 24th. I can confirm that an application in the name of the organisation in question and a second organisation was received prior to the deadline.

All of the applications will be evaluated against the programme's detailed assessment criteria, which are outlined in the guidelines, terms and conditions of the programme. I intend to announce the grant allocations for the programme as soon as possible after the assessment process has been completed.

For the Deputy's further information, the circumstances under which projects involving schools can be funded are as follows:

where the application submitted for funding is a joint application from the school and a local sports club or community group;

where the application shows a clear need for the proposed sports facility in the area, as formally agreed with other local groups and/or the local authority;

where the local community will have access to the proposed facility for a minimum of at least 30 hours a week throughout the year when it is not being used by the school or college itself

and finally, of course where the application meets the general guidelines, terms and conditions which apply to all applications under the programme.

As the Deputy is aware, responsibility for funding of school sports facilities rests with the Department of Education and Science, and the number of school-related applications to my Department's sports capital programme is relatively low. For example in 2006 out of a total of 1,338 applications, only 30 were school-related and, of these, 12 projects were successful and were allocated a total of €1.4 million in funding.

I can assure the Deputy that any school-related applications received under the 2007 sports capital programme which meet the necessary conditions and which would clearly increase sports participation and fill an identified gap in the level of sporting facilities in that community will be given every consideration for funding.

Job Creation.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

184 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on whether job creation in the Border Midland Western region has not kept pace with other regions here; the number of jobs created in the BMW region, on a county basis from 2000 to date in 2006; the number of redundancies in the region, by county for the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40730/06]

One of the key objectives of the enterprise development agencies is to encourage more balanced regional development and this is being pursued within the framework of the National Spatial Strategy. Some types of FDI project have a very strong preference for locating in a major urban centre, with its concentration of labour, services, transport links, and infrastructure. The lack of large urban centres in the BMW Region provides a challenge in this respect.

IDA Ireland has taken a number of proactive steps to promote investment and job creation in the BMW Region. These include:

Adopting a target of trying to locate 50% of all new Greenfield FDI first-time jobs into the BMW region. This is an ambitious target relative to the 25% share being won by the BMW region in the late 1990s. Over the 2000-2005 period an estimated 40% of all new Greenfield first time jobs have been located in the BMW region.

Upgrading the scale, resources and management responsibility of its regional offices, in order to enhance the Agency's ability to maximise the amount of FDI that locates in the BMW region.

Utilising the higher grant ceilings available in the BMW Region relative to the rest of the country in order to encourage investment projects to locate within the BMW region.

The following is a table that gives the number of jobs created in companies assisted by the Enterprise Agencies (Enterprise Ireland and the Industrial Development Authority) in the period 2000 to 2005 in the BMW region.

Number of Jobs Created in companies assisted by the Enterprise Agencies (EI and IDA) in period 2000-2005 in BMW Region

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

Border

Cavan

362

365

249

343

389

838

Donegal

617

834

379

391

408

648

Leitrim

66

387

181

600

177

61

Louth

1,253

774

447

250

646

521

Monaghan

385

355

371

328

347

536

Sligo

298

261

264

263

316

306

Midlands

Laois

83

277

133

70

101

82

Longford

241

446

120

359

257

417

Offaly

275

242

671

230

358

261

Westmeath

711

547

585

365

544

448

West

Galway

2,799

1,296

1,047

1,374

1,634

1,896

Mayo

898

606

322

290

329

489

Roscommon

288

213

250

214

173

174

Total all

8,276

6,603

5,019

5,077

5,679

6,677

Source: Forfás Business Information System.

The data in the latest Quarterly National Household Survey is published by the Central Statistics Office on a regional rather than a county basis and they show that the numbers in employment have increased by 27% from 407,500 to 515,900 in the Border Midland Western region in the period 2000 to 2006. This compares to an increase of 19% in the Southern and Eastern region and 21% in the State overall during the same period.

Numbers employed

Increase in employment

% increase

’000

’000

BMW

2000

407.5

2006

515.9

108.4

26.6%

Southern/Eastern

2000

1,264.0

2006

1,501.1

237.1

18.7%

State

2000

1,671.4

2006

2017.0

345.6

20.6%

The following are two tables that give the number of redundancies in the BMW region from 2000 to 2006.

Notified Redundancies by Area Code for Period 01/01/2000 to 01/12/2004

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

Totals

Cavan

55

90

91

168

131

535

Louth

455

642

960

606

464

3,127

Monaghan

86

152

99

335

160

832

Area Total:

596

884

1,150

1,109

755

4,494

Donegal

230

495

465

1,145

725

3,060

Leitrim

70

62

59

49

69

309

Sligo

49

145

119

251

213

777

Area Total:

349

702

643

1,445

1,007

4,146

Laois

74

141

92

118

246

671

Longford

131

94

101

50

63

439

Offaly

255

375

431

145

207

1,413

Roscommon

53

65

133

321

66

638

Westmeath

132

304

526

681

448

2,091

Area Total:

645

979

1,283

1,315

1,030

5,252

Galway

333

959

1,394

1,342

907

4,935

Mayo

92

278

402

476

375

1,623

Area Total:

425

1,237

1,796

1,818

1,282

6,558

Totals

2,015

3,802

4,872

5,687

4,074

20,450

Actual Redundancies by Area Code for Period 01/01/2005 to 01/10/2006

2005

2006

Total

Border Region

Cavan

142

118

260

Louth

422

611

1,033

Monaghan

152

112

264

Area Total:

716

841

1,557

Donegal

504

760

1264

Leitrim

50

59

109

Sligo

260

251

511

Area Total:

814

1,070

1,884

Midland Region

Laois

186

119

305

Longford

135

252

387

Offaly

249

181

430

Roscommon

129

65

194

Westmeath

314

173

487

Area Total:

1,013

790

1,803

Western Region

Galway

973

906

1879

Mayo

663

268

931

Area Total:

1,636

1,174

2,810

Totals

4,179

3,875

8,054

Work Permits.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

185 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will expedite a decision on the application for a work visa for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 who is currently enrolled in a degree programme and who is required to undertake work experience as part of the course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40753/06]

The Work Permits Section of my Department informs me that they have no record of a work permit application in this case.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

186 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the number of applications for a work permit by a company (details supplied) to employ an individual who is legally resident here on a student visa, that this permit application has been repeatedly refused on the grounds that it is not permitted to transfer from a student visa to a work permit, which is in violation of his Departments policy as stated at his Department’s website and that the most recent application for a work permit pointed this out, but was ignored; and if he will, as a matter of urgency, approve the application for this person who has been waiting over five months for a work permit and whose employer is eager for them to take up employment. [40809/06]

The Work Permits Section of my Department informs me that this application was refused on the basis that the above named individual entered the State to pursue a course of studies and is therefore not entitled to enter full time employment. Having heard an appeal in this case the original decision was up held.

However, it should be noted that students attending recognized programmes of study are entitled to work twenty hours per week during term time and forty hours per week during holidays without, at present, the need for a work permit.

Grant Payments.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

187 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the persons or companies who received grant aid from the Mayo County Enterprise Board in the past twelve months, including the amount received, name and address of the recipients, purpose of the grant and so on; if all the grant amount approved has been drawn down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40888/06]

The detailed information being requested is a day-to-day operational matter for Mayo County Enterprise Board. While my Department would, as part of an overall financial monitoring exercise in relation to all 35 County Enterprise Boards, request information on a regular basis in relation to spending patterns and projected grant drawdowns the level of detail being requested, in this instance, by the Deputy would not ordinarily form part of our request to a County Enterprise Board.

However the Deputy may wish to note that the 2005 Annual Report of Mayo County Enterprise Board contains information on the grants paid out in 2005 including the amount in question, the name of the grant recipient and the sector in which the grantee operates. This Annual Report has been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas and should be available from the Oireachtas library. I have asked Mayo County Enterprise Board to contact the Deputy directly in relation to his queries in respect of the current year.

EU Negotiations.

John Gormley

Ceist:

188 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the EU request of ACP countries under EPA services negotiations will include infrastructure services; if this heading will include requests that relate to water infrastructure; the impact he expects this will have on the poorest sections of those societies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40889/06]

The European Union (EU) has not submitted formal requests to any ACP country, in the context of EPA services negotiations, seeking market access commitments in relation to infrastructure services. Thus, there is no request in relation to water infrastructure. More recently, the EU has reiterated, in the context of the on-going EPA services negotiations, that it would not submit written requests to the ACP, unless suggested by ACP Regions themselves, in order to facilitate ACP Regions own internal decision-making process.

International Agreements.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

189 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the extent to which he can expedite the process of investigation of entitlements arising from combined contributions in two or more jurisdictions having particular regard to the delays experienced currently; if satisfactory bilateral social welfare arrangements exist between Ireland and Canada; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40722/06]

Currently Ireland has bilateral social security agreements with seven countries: Austria, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the USA and Switzerland. Ireland entered into a bilateral understanding with Canada on 1 October 1994. The main purpose of these agreements is to protect the social security pension rights of workers who have worked both in Ireland and the other country to which the agreements apply.

Bilateral agreements provide for periods of insurance and, where appropriate, periods treated as equivalent to periods of insurance in Ireland and the relevant country to be combined for the purposes of calculating and pension entitlements. They also provide that workers posted on a temporary basis may continue to be covered under the social insurance system of the country in which they were previously insured. The liaison procedures which have been established with each country are reviewed frequently. Regular contact is made with the appropriate foreign agencies to ensure the smooth transfer of the necessary information required to decide on these types of claims. No significant difficulties are being experienced in relation to any of the agreements at this time.

The time taken to process claims that fall to be examined under bilateral agreements is longer than that for standard Irish entitlements because of the added complexity that arises in these cases. While every effort is made to minimise processing times, the overriding objective in dealing with these claims is to ensure that people receive their full entitlements.

I would like to assure the Deputy that delays in processing applications do not result in any losses to pensioners and those who qualify for payment have their claims backdated fully in accordance with the normal regulations for backdating pension claims. While delays occur from time to time in the processing of individual claims I am satisfied that reasonable arrangements exist under the Bilateral Social Security Agreement between Ireland and Canada.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

190 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason incorrect information was given in a previous parliamentary question; if this matter will be examined urgently; and if he will confirm the decision made on the revised application submitted by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [40764/06]

The information given in reply to the previous parliamentary question was based on information supplied by the HSE who advised that this and other cases have been the subject of discussion between the Deputy and the HSE by telephone. Following further enquiries with the Executive, I now understand that a meeting between the Deputy and the HSE is scheduled for early December.

A person may qualify for payment of a back to school clothing and footwear allowance if he or she is in receipt of a social welfare or health service executive payment, is participating in an approved employment scheme or attending a recognised education or training course, and has household income at or below certain specified levels. The person concerned was refused back to school clothing and footwear allowance as her household income was substantially above the prescribed limit for entitlement to the allowance. She was advised of her right to appeal this decision to the area appeals officer of the Executive. The Executive has advised that she has not appealed this decision. According to the records of the HSE, no second application for BSCFA has been received from the person concerned.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

191 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved and granted the carer’s allowance. [40766/06]

The person concerned was refused the Carer's Allowance on the grounds that full time care and attention as prescribed in regulations is not required in this case. On 27 November 2006 he was notified of the decision, the reason for it and of his right to appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

Under Social Welfare legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by Deciding Officers and Appeals Officers. These Officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

192 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) who is an old age pensioner and on a low income has been refused the free fuel allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40767/06]

Eligibility for a fuel allowance is subject to means and other conditions. The main conditions that apply to the fuel allowance scheme are that a person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment, must satisfy a means test and must either be living alone or with a qualifying dependant. A person may have a combined household income of up to €51 per week over and above the maximum rate of state pension (contributory) or savings/investments of up to €46,000, and still qualify for fuel allowance.

The person concerned is in receipt of a State Pension (Contributory) at the maximum rate of €193.30 per week. She also has income of €90.48 per week from a private pension. As this amount is in excess of the income limit allowable for eligibility to a fuel allowance, her application was refused in January last and she was notified accordingly.

Any extension of the fuel allowance scheme would have financial implications and could only be considered in a budgetary context.

Social Welfare Code.

John Deasy

Ceist:

193 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will raise the income limit for entitlement to the free fuel allowance to ensure that those recipients of the State non-contributory pension who avail of the new €100 a week earnings allowance do not lose the free fuel allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40788/06]

People in receipt of the state non-contributory pension who avail of the €100 a week earnings disregard do not lose fuel allowance. They continue to satisfy the means test for fuel allowance for as long as they remain entitled to the state non-contributory pension.

Eligibility to the fuel allowance scheme is subject to means and other conditions. The main conditions that apply to the fuel allowance scheme are that a person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment, must satisfy a means test and must either be living alone or with a qualifying dependant. People who qualify for means-tested pensions or allowances such as state pension (non-contributory), long-term jobseeker's assistance or one-parent family payment do not have to undergo a further means test to qualify for fuel allowance. The majority of people who receive fuel allowances qualify because they satisfy the relevant means test for their primary weekly payment.

The fuel allowance income limit referred to by the Deputy applies in the case of contributory pensions such as state pension (contributory), state pension (transition) and invalidity pensions, which are not means tested. In the case of recipients of contributory pensions, any earnings from insurable employment and/or occupational pensions are normally regarded as means for the purpose of determining an individual's entitlement to a fuel allowance. A person may have a combined household income of up to €51 per week over and above the maximum rate of state pension (contributory) or savings/investments of up to €46,000, and still qualify for fuel allowance. This income limit was increased to €51 per week with effect from 1 June 2005.

Any changes in the means rules for the scheme, such as an increase in income limits, would have cost implications and would have to be considered in the context of the Budget and in the light of the resources available to me for improvements in social welfare generally.

Open Skies Agreements.

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

194 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport if he will make representations at EU level pointing out the competitive disadvantage imposed on Ireland by prohibiting a bilateral agreement pending the completion of the stalled EU wide open skies deal with the US in view of the fact that other EU countries already have bilateral open skies agreements with the EU. [40869/06]

The liberalisation of air transport services between Ireland and the US would deliver major benefits for Irish business and tourism. I have drawn to the attention of the Commission and colleagues in the Council of Ministers that the conclusion of an open skies agreement would have particular benefits for Ireland compared to Member States (15 of 25) that already have open-skies agreements with the US. Those Member States already enjoy an advantage in unrestricted access to route rights for the development of air services to and from the US.

Following the agreement reached with the US Authorities to providing for an orderly change to the Shannon stop arrangements in the context of the proposed EU-US Open Skies agreement it is very disappointing that that agreement has still not been finalised. This is due to problems that have arisen on the US side in making changes to the US rules on ownership and control restrictions for airlines. Following the US mid-term elections earlier this month it is widely perceived that the rule-making procedures will, at a minimum, be delayed further. I should point out however that the US administration has not yet stated how it intends to proceed in this matter following those elections.

I informed Government in September this year of my intention to pursue all possible avenues to provide for the entry into force at the earliest possible date of the EU-US open skies agreement including the transitional arrangements relating to Ireland already agreed between the EU and the US I also indicated that, in the event that an EU-US agreement is not achievable within a reasonable timeframe, I intend to seek to implement, in accordance with applicable Community law, the essential elements of the transitional arrangements relating to Ireland by way of an amendment to the Ireland US bilateral air services agreement.

While allowing some time for clarification of the intentions of the US administration following the US elections, I am considering all of the options to progress this matter as soon as possible including the legal issues arising under Community law in relation to an amendment of the Ireland US bilateral air services agreement.

Driver Testing.

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

195 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Transport the reason driving tests have been outsourced to the National Car Test. [41237/06]

A block of 40,000 driving tests, which can be extended to 45,000 tests if necessary, was outsourced to SGS Ltd., the company contracted to conduct driving tests, as part of a package of measures to reduce the driving test backlog that also included employment of additional staff and a bonus scheme for staff. The Road Safety Authority now has responsibility for the delivery of driving tests and the operation of the outsourcing contract.

Foras na Gaeilge.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

196 D’fhiafraigh Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta ó bunaíodh Foras na Gaeilge sa bhliain 1999 cá mhéad airgid, arna shonrú bliain ar bhliain, a chuir siad ar ais chuig an Roinn. [40808/06]

Dírím aird an Teachta ar an bhfreagra a thug mé ar Cheist Uimh. 509 uaidh den 1 Samhain 2006. Is fiú a lua ag an bpointe seo go raibh botún cló sa tríú sraith den tábla a bhain leis agus gur fuílleach €403,000 agus ní €3,000 a bhí i gceist sa bhliain 2001.

Farm Inspections.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

197 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason her Department insists on unannounced farm inspections; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40725/06]

The Department of Agriculture and Food, in the context of delivering the Single Payment Scheme, is required to carry out on-the-spot inspections on a number of farms covering such issues as eligibility under the Scheme, compliance with EU legislation in the areas of the environment, food safety, animal health and welfare and plant health and ensuring that the farm is maintained in good agricultural and environmental condition. A minimum of 5% of Single Payment Scheme applicants is required to be inspected under the eligibility rule. Up to two-thirds of these inspections are carried out without a farm visit and using the technique of remote sensing. The rate of on-farm inspection required for cross-compliance is 1% of those farmers to whom the Statutory Management Requirements (including the Nitrates Directive) or GAEC apply. However at least 5% of producers must be inspected under the Bovine Animal Identification and Registration requirements as this level is prescribed under the relevant Regulations. On-farm inspection is a requirement of the main schemes operated by my Department including REPS, Early Retirement, Farm Waste Management and other measures included in the €6.8 Billion funding package recently agreed for the 2007-2013 period. In carrying out the inspection function my officials try to be reasonable while respecting the regulatory requirements of the schemes involved.

In 2006, 8,200 farmers have had their holdings selected for on-the-spot inspection out of some 130,000 who have applied for the Single Payment Scheme — over 100,000 of these are also applicants for the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. The value of both schemes to Irish farmers is some €1.55 billion in 2006. My Department's policy towards on-farm inspection for the Single Payment Scheme has been to give advance notification of up to 48 hours in all cases. This policy of systematic pre-announcement of inspections was questioned by the Commission in July 2006 and its unacceptability, was conveyed to my Department in a formal communication in August. As a result my Department was obliged to agree to a proportion of Single Payment Scheme inspections being carried out in 2006 without prior notification. Some 650 farms out of 130,000 involved in the Single Payment Scheme were subsequently selected for unannounced inspection. The balance of inspection cases, representing 92% of the 8,200 farms selected for Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme inspection in 2006, are all pre-notified to the farmer.

The EU regulations governing the Single Payment Scheme allow my Department to give pre-notification of inspection in the case of certain elements of cross-compliance e.g. the Nitrates Regulations. However, my Department is committed, in the Charter of Rights for Farmers 2005-07 to carrying out all Single Payment Scheme and Disadvantaged Area Scheme checks during a single farm visit in most cases. This obliges my Department to respect the advance notice requirements applicable to the most stringent element of the inspection regime viz. maximum of 48 hours notice but with no advance notice in a proportion of cases. My Department is committed in the Charter of Rights to pursuing with the European Commission a strategy to deliver advance notification of 14 days for inspections under the Single Payment Scheme. The matter has been raised with the Commission on a number of occasions since 2004, particularly in the context of the Irish situation where we are applying a fully decoupled and essentially area-dependent Single Payment Scheme. I have personally made the case again recently to Commissioner Fischer Boel and this issue will be a key point for Ireland in the CAP simplification initiative of the Commission which is now under way. I had a meeting last week with my German counterpart, Horst Seehofer, who takes over the chair of the Agriculture Council in January, where I gave my wholehearted support to his proposal to make simplification of the CAP a core issue during the German presidency.

I believe that pre-notification of Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme inspections, fits in with the practicalities of Irish agriculture where increasingly, farmers are also engaged in off-farm employment. In a decoupled Single Payment Scheme system, the provision of advance notification of inspection to the farmer should not negatively impact on the effectiveness of the control. However, as the EU regulations stand, my Department is obliged to carry out a small proportion of inspections without prior notification and this is what is being done in 2006. My Department is seeking authority to allow advance notification in all Single Payment Scheme inspection cases and I will continue to press in the CAP simplification process.

Water Meters.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

198 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the discussions she or her Department has had with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the installation of water meters on farms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40726/06]

My Department has had no formal discussions with the Department for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the installation of water meters on farms. However, my Department has included the installation of water retention equipment on farms as an eligible investment under the proposed new Farm Improvement Scheme which will be introduced next year as part of the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme.

Genetically Modified Organisms.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

199 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the Government will follow the example of regions in Austria, Italy or Greece which have total bans on genetically modified production at regional level, Poland, which has a ban on GM seeds and crops and Switzerland, which has put in place a ban on GM livestock and crops; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40703/06]

As I have indicted to this House on previous occasions EU legislation on the cultivation of GM crops does not provide for the declaration of a GM free country or region. This legislation has been adopted by the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers and is binding on all Member States. There are, however, options available to restrict the growing of GM crops within regions of a country. One option is the concept of voluntarily developed GM free regions, which is being explored by a number of regional communities and authorities throughout the Community. Another option is to seek a derogation from the Commission that, on the basis of sound scientific evidence, co-existence is not possible in certain regions in respect of certain named crops. The cultivation of these crops can then be legitimately prohibited if the case made is accepted by the Commission. None of the bans referred to by the Deputy have received the approval of the Commission and are unlikely to receive such approval under the current legislation. The ban on certain GM varieties in Poland, accepted by the Commission, is based on scientific advice, relating to their unsuitability for production under Polish climatic conditions.

Grant Payments.

Ned O'Keeffe

Ceist:

200 Mr. N. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her attention has been drawn to the fact that payment of extensification under the EU single payment scheme has not issued to a person (details supplied) in County Cork following confirmation that payment was due to issue in recent weeks. [40686/06]

As indicated in an earlier reply regarding payments due to the person named, the Single Payment Scheme has replaced the old livestock schemes, including the Extensification Premium Scheme. An application under the 2006 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 5 May 2006. The 50% advance payment issued to the person named on 16 October 2006. The balancing payments are due to commence on 1 December 2006.

Avian Flu.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

201 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of applications submitted under the EU avian flu package; when these compensation payments will be made; her views on whether the poultry industry is under pressure and needs all the support it can get; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40688/06]

A total of 110 applications were submitted to my Department by the 29 September deadline under the compensation measures introduced for poultry producers due to the fall-off in consumption arising from concerns in regard to avian influenza. My Department is processing the claims, including conducting on-site inspections, and will pay those that are eligible as soon as possible. The industry is experiencing certain pressures including competition from imported product along with the costs of complying with new environmental protection and welfare legislation. My Department is establishing a group of experts to examine the various factors impacting on the poultry industry here and to establish what actions can be taken to meet the challenges and realise its full potential. One issue which I have been pressing for at EU level is country of origin labelling for all poultry products.

Question No. 202 answered with QuestionNo. 33.

Food Industry.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

203 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the potential for the development of local and regional food economies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40709/06]

I am firmly of the view that there is great potential for development of local and regional food economies, which is why I have established a regional food fora initiative involving my Department, Bord Bia and the other food development agencies. The first forum was held in Donegal in late 2005 on the theme of Market Focus for small food enterprises. Speakers shared experiences on regional food development, state agencies and service providers were on hand to assist producers and food enterprises interested in growing their business, food products from the region were showcased and a Food and Drink Trade Directory for the region was also launched.

Three further Regional Food Fora have been held in 2006 in the North-East (Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan) in June, in the Midlands (Portlaoise) in September and in the South-East (Kilkenny) in November. In all, 18 counties have been covered by the initiative to date. The response from small food companies and producers to the events overall and the contribution of local food entrepreneurs willing to share their experience of success has been enthusiastic. At the most recent Forum, in Kilkenny, there was a very positive response to a food safety workshop delivered jointly by my Department and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. This regional initiative has offered small food entrepreneurs good opportunities to showcase products, build business linkages and obtain advice on what development agencies have to offer. By working closely with farmers, small food producers and local agencies we can successfully promote food enterprise and innovation to develop unique products reflecting the strengths of each region. Marketing those foods is important. The International Speciality Food Forum organised by Bord Bia in May, at the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin focused on the theme of Regional and Local Foods — An Opportunity for Growth. Up to 80 Irish speciality and premium food and drink producers showcased their products to around 150 trade buyers attending from Ireland and the UK.

Bord Bia also undertook research this year into the opportunities for Irish speciality and local foods in Great Britain, in particular consumer motivation, to assist and orient small food companies interested in that market. Bord Bia's Guide to the Retail Speciality Sector to assist small and speciality producers was launched at the Regional Food Forum in Kilkenny. Varied routes to market are central to the development of small food businesses and the record growth of farmers markets is testament to this. Building on the success of the Farmleigh Food Market, Bord Bia and the Office of Public Works have this year held one-day seasonal food markets on OPW Heritage sites in Fota House & Gardens, Cork and JFK Arboretum, Wexford to enhance public awareness of heritage sites and foster closer ties with the local farming, business and community interests. The output of the Irish artisan and speciality food sectors grew 10% in 2005 to reach €475m. This strong performance demonstrates the opportunities that exist for the right products. There are further growth prospects for these sectors nationally and in the United Kingdom where the market is forecast to reach €7.5 billion over three years making initiatives to promote local and regional food economies very timely.

Farm Waste Management.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

204 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the incentives in place for farmers regarding farm waste and disposal of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40710/06]

A revised Farm Waste Management Scheme was launched by my Department on 24 March 2006 as part of the arrangements to enable farmers meet the additional requirements of the Nitrates Directive. The principal changes to the Scheme include:

(a) an increase in the standard grant-rate from 40% to 60%, with 70% being available in the four Zone C counties;

(b) an extension of the Scheme for the first time to sectors such as horses, deer, goats, pigs and poultry, and mushroom compost;

(c) the removal of any minimum income requirements from farming from the Scheme so that all small farmers can participate in the Scheme; and

(d) an increase in the maximum eligible investment from €75,000 to €120,000 per holding.

In addition, a Pilot Waste Processing Facilities Scheme is also in place which supports the demonstration of new technologies for the treatment of livestock manures in order to assist sectors, such as pigs and poultry, meet the requirements of the Nitrates Directive. Both Schemes close for new applications at the end of 2006.

Genetically Modified Organisms.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

205 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of incidents where her Department investigated cases of illegally imported genetically modified organisms; the quantities of genetically modified maize found; the penalties imposed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40711/06]

The only incident where animal feed containing illegal genetically modified organisms was imported into this country was the 2,500 tonne consignment of maize gluten from the USA in May 2005 which contained the non authorised genetically modified maize line called Bt10. Having received prior notification of its importation from the importers officials of my Department were able to supervise its unloading and storage pending its destruction. None of the material was placed on the market. All of the illegal material was subsequently sent to Holland for incineration in December 2005 with all costs borne by the importer. No further penalties were imposed on the importer.

Grant Payments.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

206 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the grants available to farmers under the areas of agri-environment, non-food crops and agri-food; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40712/06]

In the case of on-farm investments, grants are available to eligible farmers under my Department's Farm Waste Management Scheme, Dairy Hygiene Scheme, Alternative Enterprises Scheme, Pig Welfare Scheme and Pilot Waste Processing Facilities Scheme.

REPS 3 closed to new applications on 13 October 2006 to allow all applications on hand to be processed before the end of the year. It is proposed to introduce a REPS 4 scheme early in 2007.

Under the Forestry Grant and Premium Scheme, grants are available to cover 100% of planting costs, as well as a 20 year tax free premium for farmers (15 years for non farmers) of up to €500 per hectare, depending on the species planted. Supports are also available for grant aided forests in the form of grants for road construction, woodland improvement (pruning and shaping) and forest reconstitution.

Aid is provided for Energy Crops, at a rate of €45.00 per hectare, in respect of products considered as bio-fuels. The aid, which is payable in addition to the Single Payment, is granted in respect of areas where production is covered by a contract between the farmer and a processor, except in the case of processing undertaken by the farmer on his/her holding. Aid may also be provided for the use of set-aside land for the production of raw materials not intended primarily for human or animal consumption. Under the National Development Plan 2000-2006 the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture sector provides grant aid of 35% of eligible investment for non-food crops.

Under the National Development Programme 2000-2006 my Department operates a competitive ‘near farm' capital investment scheme of aid for the marketing and processing of certain agricultural products. Following a series of general and targeted calls for applications all funding provided for the Scheme has been allocated.

Under the National Development Plan 2000-2006, the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector provides grant aid of 35% for products in the agri-food area. The Scheme of Investment Aid for the Potato Sector (seed potatoes) provides grant assistance of 35% to seed potato producers towards the capital cost of equipment and facilities for the production and storage of seed potatoes. Growers of fruit and vegetables who form a Producer Organisation (PO) with the objective of improving product quality and concentrating supply can benefit from EU aid payable for operational programmes implemented by the PO.

There are grants available to certain poultry producers but only in respect of certain actions they took to cut back on production in the period October 2005 to April 2006.

Full details of all schemes operated by my Department are contained in the Department's publication "Schemes and Services".

Food Labelling.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

207 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she is satisfied with compliance for labelling and traceability requirements in the food area; if many cases have been brought to her attention where the requirements have not being satisfactorily met or such requirements have been abused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40713/06]

Stringent traceability systems are implemented by my Department in relation to animal products produced in Ireland. The enforcement of all food labelling regulations has been centralised in the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and any cases of non-compliance are brought to the attention of that Agency. The enforcement of these regulations is carried out through a number service contracts between the FSAI and other Government Department and Agencies including my own Department. These include the Health Service Executive, the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs and the local authorities.

My Department is in regular contact with officials of the FSAI in relation to the enforcement of food legislation, including legislation governing food labelling and traceability. I am satisfied that that proper controls are in place to ensure compliance with this legislation is so far as my Department is concerned. In circumstances where my officials find or are advised of non-compliance with this legislation within any of the areas within the remit of my Department, immediate action is taken to remedy the situation.

Infectious Diseases.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

208 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the schemes in place by her Department or under the aegis of her Department to prevent, detect and combat the spread of infectious diseases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40714/06]

Maintaining Ireland's acknowledged high status in relation to animal health is of critical importance given the economic and social significance of agriculture to the country. In this connection my Department has a number of disease prevention, eradication and surveillance schemes in place to ensure that this high health status is protected and maintained.

EU approved programmes for the prevention, control and eradication of certain animal diseases have been put in place by my Department for Tuberculosis, Brucellosis, BSE, Scrapie, Aujeszky's Disease and Salmonella. These programmes include measures such as genotyping of positive flocks, active and passive surveillance testing of animals to ensure early detection of disease and culling of susceptible or infected animals for which compensation at market value is paid to the herd or flock owner.

Apart from these EU approved programmes, national disease prevention measures are also in place in this country including the recent introduction of an intensive surveillance programme initiated by my Department following the outbreaks of EIA in Ireland in 2006. The restriction and testing of horses traced as having been in-contact with earlier confirmed cases is a central element of my Department's approach to containing and eradicating this disease. Constant vigilance is also maintained against the introduction of diseases such as Newcastle Disease, Foot and Mouth Disease, Classical Swine Fever and African Swine Fever where the Department acts on suspicion of these disease symptoms reported by veterinary practitioners in the field. My Department also has contingency arrangements in place to deal with outbreaks of most of these diseases.

My Department also carries out surveillance testing in relation to a range of other diseases including Enzootic Bovine Leukosis, Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis, Johnes Disease, Avian Influenza and Bluetongue.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

209 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the countries that have been effected by the avian flu virus; the level of risk to Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40715/06]

Since December 2003, highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been reported in 61 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Pacific and the Near East. In the same period, human cases of avian influenza have been reported in Azerbaijan, Cambodia, China, Djibouti, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam and, most recently, in South Korea (source OIE 27/11/06). The overall total of human cases of avian influenza for the affected countries stands at 258 with 153 fatalities.

The first case of the Asian lineage of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 reported in an EU Member State was in over-wintering waterfowl in Greece in February 2006. Since then the number of EU Member States where H5N1 has been detected in wild birds stands at 14 (Greece, Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Hungary, France, Slovakia, Sweden, Poland, Denmark, the Czech Republic, UK and Spain), with outbreaks in poultry recorded in 5 Member States in 2006 (France, Sweden, Germany, Denmark and Hungary). No further cases have been reported in the EU since a single infected bird was found in Spain in late June 2006.

In the absence of any reported disease in the EU since then and taking account of the autumn/winter migration, the risk of the introduction of the disease to Ireland is currently regarded as low. Notwithstanding this, I would like to assure the Deputy that my Department has developed comprehensive contingency arrangements to deal with any case/outbreak of avian influenza in wild birds or poultry and will further refine its preparedness along with other parties in the light of any development in the disease risk posed.

Water Meters.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

210 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the discussions she has had with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the installation of water meters on farms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40746/06]

My Department has had no formal discussions with the Department for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the installation of water meters on farms. However, my Department has included the installation of water retention equipment on farms as an eligible investment under the proposed new Farm Improvement Scheme which will be introduced next year as part of the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme.

Grant Payments.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

211 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will take steps to ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath has their disadvantaged and single farm payment for 2006 paid to them without further delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40780/06]

The person named is not the registered herdowner in this case. The registered herdowner applied in her own name for the 2006 Single Payment Scheme and Disadvantaged Areas Scheme in May 2006. However an application was submitted to my Department and processed on 11th October 2005 to transfer the herdnumber to the joint names of the existing herdowner and the person named. Subsequently a further application was submitted and processed on 12th October 2006 to transfer the herdnumber back to the original herdowner only. The herdnumber is now registered in the sole name of the other person. The position is that no application was ever submitted to transfer the Single Payment entitlements to the person named or to the joint names.

The applications to transfer the herdnumber have resulted in inconsistencies between the records of registered herdowner and the registered owner of the Single Payment entitlements in this case which has resulted in a delay to the processing of the 2006 Single Payment and Disadvantaged Areas payments. The issue is currently being resolved and payment will issue to the registered herdowner shortly.

Afforestation Programme.

Gerard Murphy

Ceist:

212 Mr. G. Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of contracts awaiting approval by the forestry division to proceed with planting; and the number of these delays due to lack of direction by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government with regard to Hen Harrier habitats. [40781/06]

Gerard Murphy

Ceist:

213 Mr. G. Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the forestry division will issue permits to proceed with planting under contracts (details supplied). [40786/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 212 and 213 together.

There are currently 925 applications for afforestation grant aid being processed by the Forest Service of my Department. Of these, 109 applications — including the two specifically referred to by the Deputy — are in respect of areas proposed as Special Protection Areas for the Hen Harrier.

The Hen Harrier is a protected species and the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government has identified a number of areas around the country which are important for its survival. The European Commission have expressed the gravest concern at any further planting within these areas until it is possible to fully access the impact of forestry on the species. In order to do that, it is necessary to work out what type of management regime needs to be put in place to accommodate both forestry and the hen-harrier in the areas being proposed as Special Protection Areas. To this end, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has established a working group, on which the forestry and farming interests are represented, as well as my Department, to help with the development of such a management regime. The applications will be looked at again when an appropriate regime for the hen harrier has been agreed.

Single Payment Scheme.

Dan Neville

Ceist:

214 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position in relation to the application for entitlement under the national reserve for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick who has been processed under B1. [40790/06]

The person named was successful under the New Entrant measure of the Single Payment Scheme. The person named also made an application to transfer in entitlements under the Private Contract Clause measure (purchase) of the Single Payment Scheme. This application will be processed as soon as information, requested recently, is provided to my Department. As previously indicated to the Deputy the person named also submitted an application for an allocation of entitlements from the Single Payment Scheme National Reserve under Category B.

Category B caters for farmers who between 1 January 2000 and 19 October 2003 made an investment in production capacity in a farming sector for which a direct payment under Livestock Premia and/or Arable Aid schemes would have been payable during the reference period 2000-02. Investments can include purchase or long term lease of land, purchase of suckler and/or ewe quota or other investments. The person named applied under Category B (i) in relation to purchased/leased land and B (ii) for purchase of sucker quota and has been deemed successful under both categories.

The Regulations governing the Single Payment Scheme provide that checks must be made to ensure that an allocation from the National Reserve, to an applicant who has already benefited under other measures associated with the Single Payment Scheme, does not result in double benefit. An applicant may only benefit from the measure that is most beneficial. The person named has already benefited from another measure (New Entrant during the reference period) and an allocation from the Reserve would result in double benefit.

The question of an allocation from the 2005 National Reserve cannot be considered until such time as the Private Contract Clause application has been fully processed. An allocation from the National Reserve will then be made if it is found to be more beneficial than the new entrant status already availed of. In that case the new entrant status will be rescinded. A formal letter of decision together with relevant payment due, if any, will then issue to the person named.

Grant Payments.

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

215 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a single farm payment will be made available to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40791/06]

An application for the Transfer of Entitlements to the person named under the Single Payment Scheme was submitted on the 12th of May 2006. This application has now been fully processed and payment in respect of 82.47 transferred entitlements will issue shortly.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

216 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when persons (details supplied) in County Monaghan will be granted their single payment and arrears due; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40799/06]

The second person named submitted an application under the Single Payment Scheme on 5th May 2005 and payment relating to that application issued on 01 December 2005. An application to transfer 18.2 additional entitlements by Private Contract clause was subsequently submitted. This is currently being processed and the balance of the 2005 payment will issue shortly.

An application for the transfer of entitlements under the 2006 Single Payment Scheme from the second person named to the joint names of the first and second persons named has also been received. Following completion of processing under the 2005 scheme, my Department will be in a position to complete the transfer of entitlements to joint names and process the 2006 entitlements for payment.

Farm Inspections.

John Perry

Ceist:

217 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the satellite inspection will be carried out on the farm of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40803/06]

The position is that an application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 26th April 2006.

As part of the control procedures, the application was randomly selected for a Satellite Inspection. The results of the Satellite Inspection appeared to indicate that the total area found was less than the area claimed by the person named. As a result of this discrepancy it was necessary to issue a request for a Ground Eligibility Inspection to be completed in this case. The ground eligibility inspection will be undertaken as soon as possible and the results will be communicated to the applicant.

If the person named is not satisfied with the result of the inspection, he may seek a review by contacting his Local Office. He also has the right to appeal the outcome of any such a review.

Bovine Disease Controls.

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

218 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if, at any joint meeting with her counterpart in Northern Ireland, the movement of animals across the island was discussed; the items that were discussed; and if anything was agreed in relation to this matter. [40806/06]

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

219 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reasons preventing the trade of cattle across the island of Ireland; and the action plan he has in place to remove any reasons preventing the movement of cattle across the island freely. [40807/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 219 together.

A number of meetings involving officials from my Department and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Belfast have taken place to co-ordinate arrangements in relation to the import of cattle from Northern Ireland following the decision at EU level to lift the BSE ban on exports from the United Kingdom from 3 May 2006.

I can confirm that arrangements have been put in place between the two administrations to facilitate the trade of cattle from Northern Ireland for slaughter and for breeding and production based on EU trading requirements relating to such trade.

Common Agricultural Policy.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

220 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans for the development of agriculture in the future; if Ireland has been fairly treated in the course of the CAP reform, having particular regard to the prevailing situation in other long established EU States; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40847/06]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

221 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the extent to which she has examined the future prospects for agriculture here in the aftermath of the CAP reform and in anticipation of the WTO; if all of the agreements entered into to date are being honoured in the spirit and the letter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40848/06]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

222 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she is satisfied that in the aftermath of CAP reform, adequate provisions exist to ensure self sufficiency in regard to the food section within the European Union; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40849/06]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

223 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if in the aftermath of CAP reform and in anticipation of WTO agreement, she is satisfied regarding the future of the food producing sector here and throughout the EU; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40850/06]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

224 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she is satisfied that all arrangements and agreements entered into in the context of the CAP reform and in anticipation of the WTO agreement are being observed in the letter and spirit; her views on proposals to address outstanding issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40851/06]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

229 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she is satisfied regarding the future of the dairy, beef and cereal sectors in view of CAP reform and forthcoming WTO; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40856/06]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

232 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she is satisfied regarding the future of the agricultural sector here with particular reference to competition in the export area from competing countries throughout the European Union and worldwide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40860/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 220 to 224, inclusive, 229 and 232 together.

Earlier this year I published the Agrivision 2015 Action Plan which sets out my vision for an agri-food sector that is competitive, consumer-focussed, which contributes to a vibrant rural economy, society and environment and which also exploits opportunities in non-food areas. The Action Plan sets out 167 actions required of all participants in the agriculture and food sector which will allow it to flourish through all stages of production and enable rural communities to achieve their full potential. The Action Plan takes account of the challenges and opportunities presented by CAP reform and the on-going WTO negotiations. Many of the action points are already translated into policy initiatives either within the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 or as separate items such as investment in the beef, sheep and dairy processing sectors. I believe that, by adopting the approach I have set out and by achieving a balanced outcome to the current WTO negotiations, the agri-food sector can face the future with confidence.

Recent CAP reforms have made European agriculture more competitive, better prepared for globalisation, more compliant with food safety requirements, more environmentally sustainable and more conscious of animal welfare requirements. Having taken the decision in Ireland to decouple our direct payments, we have gone further than most Member States in developing a consumer and market led agri-food sector. In addition, the emergence of rural development as the second pillar of the CAP represents a recognition of the need to develop the wider rural economy and to support rural communities by improving competitiveness, maintaining agriculture in disadvantaged areas and promoting diversification.

Council decisions on the CAP and Rural Development policy represent a consensus among 25 Member States based on compromise between competing interests and budgetary constraints. I believe that Ireland has a successful record in securing the best possible outcome in the negotiations for the Irish agri-food sector. I am also satisfied, in overall terms, that allowing for the degree of subsidiarity which applies in many cases, the CAP and Rural Development policy are being implemented in a uniform manner.

One of the core principles of the CAP is to ensure the availability of supply. The CAP also ensures the highest standards of hygiene and traceability throughout the food chain through a range of food safety, consumer protection, veterinary and environmental legislation and other requirements. These policies are, and will continue to be, supported by substantial funding for the CAP and rural development. Funding for the period to 2013 was agreed in the decision on the EU's Financial Perspective, 2007-3013, at the European Council in December 2005. In the Irish context, I recently announced a draft Rural Development Programme which will provide €6.8b in support and investment for the agri-food sector. There will also be substantial support in the form of EU funding for market support and direct payments.

Negotiations are continuing in the WTO on a new international trading framework and while I am committed to an ambitious and balanced outcome to the WTO negotiations, my position remains that agriculture must not be sacrificed for the sake of an overall agreement. Having carried out CAP reform in preparation for the WTO negotiations, my overriding concern is to ensure that a new agreement will not necessitate further reform of the CAP. In that respect, I am mindful of the particular strategic importance to Ireland of the beef and dairy sectors. My objectives are to ensure that direct payments are not cut, that all forms of export subsidy are treated equally and that tariff cuts are minimised. I am also conscious that the high standards of production entailed in meeting consumers' demands within the European Model of Agriculture must not be undermined by the acceptance into the EU markets of product that is compromised in terms of quality, traceability or health standards simply because it is cheaper. I will seek to ensure that the higher costs incurred by EU producers are recognised in negotiations on non-trade concerns in the WTO.

Food Labelling.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

225 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if is satisfied that food labelling and traceability is being fully observed here and throughout the European Union; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40852/06]

The enforcement of food labelling regulations is centralised in the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) who ensure that the appropriate controls are carried out by the relevant official agencies. The official agencies include the Health Service Executive, my Department, the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs and the local authorities.

My Department is in regular contact with officials of the FSAI in relation to the enforcement of food legislation, including legislation governing food labelling and traceability. I am satisfied that proper controls are in place to ensure compliance with this legislation is so far as my Department is concerned.

Other Member States within the European Union must comply with the same European legislation governing food labelling and traceability, the enforcement of which is a matter for each Member State. The European Commissions Food and Veterinary Office audits Member States to verify that such legislation is properly enforced and their reports are published on their website.

Question No. 226 answered with QuestionNo. 72.
Question No. 227 answered with QuestionNo. 33.

Sugar Beet Sector.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

228 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if all EU countries have ceased sugar beet production; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40855/06]

A key element in the sugar reform package, agreed by the Council of Ministers in November 2005, is a four-year restructuring scheme for the sugar industry. Under this scheme, sugar processors who are prepared to renounce sugar quota and dismantle the associated production facilities may apply for restructuring aid. The objective of the scheme is to take out up to 6 million tonnes of sugar quota in order to restore balance to the EU sugar market.

For the first year of the scheme, the closing date for restructuring aid applications was 31 July 2006. Nine applications from five Member States, including Ireland, have been approved in respect of a total of 1.19 million tonnes of sugar quota. The Irish quota was 199,260 tonnes, equivalent to 3.3% of the 6 million tonnes target.

The deadline for submission of applications in the second year of the scheme is 31 January 2007. The rate of aid available in the first two years is €730 per tonne of quota renounced but this rate will reduce in the third and fourth years. To date, Ireland is the only Member State in which sugar production has ceased completely under the restructuring scheme. A small number of Member States are not engaged in sugar production.

Question No. 229 answered with QuestionNo. 220.

Grant Payments.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

230 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the extent to which payments in respect of various schemes run by her Department have been met in full to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40858/06]

Following is the information requested by the Deputy.

Single Farm Payments

Advance payments under the Single Farm Payments commenced on the 16 October last. To date €568.58 million has been paid to 93% of applicants.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme

Payments under the Disadvantaged Areas commenced on 21 September last. To date €246.6 million has been paid to 91% of applicants.

On Farm Investment Schemes

In the case of my Department's on-farm investment schemes (Farm Waste Management Scheme, Dairy Hygiene Scheme, Alternative Enterprises Scheme and Pig Welfare Scheme) and in the case of the Installation Aid Scheme, all payments have been made in accordance with the deadlines set out in my Department's Charter of Rights for Farmers 2005/2007.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme

To date in 2006 my Department has received 22,711 new applications, 91.5% of which have been processed in accordance with the targets in the above Charter. In addition, some 33,100 annual applications for payment have been received, 87% of which have been processed in accordance with the Charter.

Early Retirement Scheme

Under ERS 2000/06 Scheme 256 applications went into payment in 2006, to date, of which 98% were processed in accordance with the Charter.

Forestry

In the year to date my Department has paid approximately €84.7 million in respect of the Afforestation Scheme, of which 71% claims of the first Afforestation Grant, 60% of the second Afforestation Scheme and 94% of the Premium have been paid.

Horticulture

Under the NDP Scheme of Investment Aid for the Commercial Horticulture Sector in 2006.

A grant package of €7.67m was approved and will fund projects to the investment value of €21.91m. A total of €1.6m has been paid to date. All satisfactorily completed payment claims will be paid by the end of the year. Some projects will not be completed until 2007.

Under the Producer Organisation Scheme, aid in respect of eligible expenditure in the claims which were lodged in January 2006 have all been paid.

Eradication

Compensation payments under the TB and Brucellosis eradication schemes arising as a result of disease breakdowns are paid as soon as possible, following receipt from farmers of all documentation and any clarification necessary to effect the payments. So far this year, payments under these schemes amount to €15.8m. There are no applications outstanding.

Capital Investment

Payments in respect of the scheme of aid for capital investment for marketing and processing projects are made following receipt of claim and inspection of the work and the supporting documents. As projects may be completed over a lengthy period the timing of payments is demand-led. All payments have been made within the payment period as specified under the Charter of Rights for Farmers.

Poultry Producers

There are compensatory payments available to poultry producers in respect of certain measures taken to reduce the production of poultry during the period October 2005 and April 2006. A total of 110 applications were submitted to the Department by the end of September deadline. My Department is processing all the claims and will pay all those eligible as soon as possible.

Capital Grant Scheme for Animal Carcase Disposal

Under the Capital Grant Scheme for Animal Carcase Disposal the original number of applications was 26, of these 10 have been fully approved and paid, 8 are outstanding and the remaining 8 did not proceed with their applications.

The reason there are still outstanding projects is due to delays in the planning process and difficulties in procuring contractors.

Development of the Horse Industry

Other than 3 claims received in the last week my Department have paid all outstanding claims for equine measures under the NDP 2000 to 2006.

Cattle Preservation Grant Scheme

All Kerry Cattle Preservation Grant Scheme applications received to date in 2006 have been paid.

Energy Crops Scheme

My Department has received 248 applicants under the 2006 Energy Crops Scheme. Payments have not yet commenced. Applications have been processed and it is expected that approximately 68% of payments will issue over the coming weeks.

Poultry Industry.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

231 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she is satisfied regarding the adequacy of supply of home produced turkeys for the Christmas market; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40859/06]

Quality home-produced turkeys have been a significant feature of the Christmas trade for decades. There is a strong consumer preference for home-grown turkeys. Retailers recognize this and emphasise Irish origin in their promotional material. I expect there will be an adequate supply of home produced turkeys over the coming weeks for the Christmas market.

Imports are also a feature of the turkey business and these birds are produced to full EU veterinary standards.

Question No. 232 answered with QuestionNo. 220.

Schools Refurbishment.

Paddy McHugh

Ceist:

233 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will allocate a grant under the 2007 summer works scheme to a school (details supplied) in County Galway in order to allow essential improvements be carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40689/06]

School Planning Section of my Department is in receipt of an application for the Summer Works Scheme 2007 from the management authority of the school to which the Deputy refers. Applications for the Summer Works Scheme are currently being assessed and the list of successful applicants will be published as soon as possible.

School Staffing.

David Stanton

Ceist:

234 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science when the general allowance threshold for appointing learning support teachers was last reviewed; her plans to carry out a further review in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40690/06]

The Deputy will be aware that my Department implemented a general allocation system of learning support/resource teachers to schools with effect from September 2005. The system is intended to cater for children with learning support and high incidence special educational needs.

It is a matter for each school to determine the pupils with learning support and high-incidence special education needs that will receive supplementary teaching support. Each school will have enough resource teaching hours to provide its pupils with a level of support appropriate to their needs. The school can use its professional judgement to decide how these hours are divided between different children in the school, to ensure that all their needs are met.

It is intended that a review of the general allocation model will be undertaken after three years of operation.

School Transport.

David Stanton

Ceist:

235 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the criteria for establishing free school transport in the CLÁR areas; her plans to reduce the number of pupils required as part of the criteria; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40691/06]

The terms of the school transport schemes are uniformly applied throughout the country. In general, a minimum of seven pupils, eligible for school transport, must be residing in a distinct area before a school transport service may be established. However, there is a provision in the Primary School Transport Scheme whereby a service can be established for a lesser number of eligible pupils.

Special Educational Needs.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

236 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of part-time special needs assistants in schools here. [40727/06]

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

237 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of full-time permanent special needs assistants in schools here. [40728/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 236 and 237 together.

The number of part time Special Need Assistants currently employed in Primary, Voluntary Secondary and Community and Comprehensive schools and paid on my Department's centralised payroll system is 1,850.

The number of full time Special Need Assistants currently employed in Primary, Voluntary Secondary and Community and Comprehensive schools and paid on my Department's centralised payroll system is 6,623.

Special need assistants allocated to Vocational Education Committees are employed and paid by the individual committees. There are 511 whole time equivalent special need assistant posts currently allocated to Vocational Education Committes.

Tax Code.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

238 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science if her Department has a mechanism of informing teachers who go on maternity benefit that they are entitled to claim back tax on the tax-free portion of their benefit if they have signed up to having their benefit paid to her Department; if she will ensure that teachers are informed of this right; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40729/06]

My Department has recently introduced new arrangements for the payment of casual and non casual teachers employed in Secondary and Community/ comprehensive schools. It is proposed to introduce similar arrangements for the payment of casual and non casual teachers in primary schools during 2007.

The establishment of a mechanism to advise teachers regarding the matter referred to by the Deputy, is being considered at present. It is being examined in the context of a review of procedures arising from the recent introduction of the new arrangements for the payment of casual and non casual teachers.

Schools Building Projects.

Pat Breen

Ceist:

239 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of an application for a school (details supplied) in County Clare regarding the small schools scheme 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40742/06]

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 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.

Physical Education Facilities.

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

240 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will advise a school (details supplied) in Dublin 5 on the best way in obtaining funding for floodlights for their grass pitch; and if she will work with the necessary Departments on this matter. [40747/06]

The scope of the works referred to by the Deputy is appropriate for consideration under the Summer Works Scheme. While an application was received from the school in question under the Summer Works Scheme for 2007, it did not refer to an upgrade in the facilities of the school's sports ground. All applications under the Summer Works Scheme 2007 are currently being assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria and it is intended to publish a list of successful applicants before Christmas.

If an ugrade in the sports grounds facilities are necessary, it will be open to the management authorities to apply for this under the next Summer Works Scheme, details of which will be announced in the coming year.

School Transport.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

241 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason the school bus servicing a school in County Kilkenny does not collect children (details supplied); if she will expedite a response; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40748/06]

Bus Éireann have advised that concessionary fare paying transport has been offered to the pupils referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied.

School Accommodation.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

242 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of two applications for funding under the permanent accommodation scheme 2007 and grant aid for major works for a school (details supplied) in County Carlow; the time frame for the decision in each case; and if she will expedite a response. [40749/06]

I can confirm that the Department is in receipt of two applications for capital funding from the management authority of the school to which the Deputy refers, one under the Permanent Accommodation Scheme 2007 and one under the Small Schools Scheme 2007.

The closing date for receipt of applications for both of these devolved funding schemes was the 27th October 2006. The Department is now in the process of assessing the applications of the all schools that applied under these schemes according to the published prioritisation criteria.

A list of successful schools will be published when the assessment process has been completed.

Institutes of Technology.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

243 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science if, under Part II Section 9 (1) of the Universities Act 1997, the recommendation of an tÚdarás has been sought in regard to the appointment of a body including international experts and national experts by the Government to advise an tÚdarás whether Waterford Institute of Technology should be established as the University of the South East; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40750/06]

In February 2006 the Governing Body of Waterford Institute of Technology wrote to my Department seeking a review of its status under Section 9 of the Universities Act 1997. Since this submission was made, the Government has passed significant new legislation in the form of the Institutes of Technology Act 2006. This will now bring our institutes of technology and universities together under a single strategic ambit. It also provides substantial new managerial and academic freedoms for our leading institutes of technology to develop their roles in line with regional needs and strategic ambition.

The new legislation will transform the Irish higher education landscape and needs to inform our consideration of the case being made for university status for Waterford. In order to achieve the best outcome, as a first step, I am commissioning a preliminary independent examination of the submission that the Governing Body has made.

This preliminary independent examination involves the appointment of an eminent international expert on higher education. The expert will comprehensively analyse the Waterford IT submission, taking account of the wider changing policy context. Once completed, the independent expert report will be used to guide the Government's decision on whether a formal statutory review process should be initiated to consider the application, as required under the Universities Act.

On 24 November, 2006 I confirmed the appointment of Dr Jim Port to conduct this preliminary assessment of the submission made by the Governing Body of Waterford Institute of Technology. Dr Port is a UK based independent consultant on higher education issues. He has previously provided advice on higher education issues to a number of international agencies including the OECD, European Universities Authority, Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), the Scottish Funding Council and our Higher Education Authority.

School Placement.

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

244 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will assist a person (details supplied) in County Dublin in obtaining a suitable school placement as a matter of urgency. [40751/06]

The Deputy will be aware that a specific function of the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is to identify appropriate educational placements for all children with special educational needs.

My officials have been advised by the NCSE that no application for placement in the school referred to in the details supplied was made to the SENO attached to the school. It is open to the parent to contact the SENO regarding any special educational needs that the pupil may have. I have arranged for the local SENO to contact the parent of the pupil in question to discuss these needs.

Medical Education.

Peter Power

Ceist:

245 Mr. P. Power asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on plans by the University of Limerick to develop a graduate school of medicine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40784/06]

Peter Power

Ceist:

246 Mr. P. Power asked the Minister for Education and Science when the Higher Education Authority will be issuing a call for proposals for the new graduate entry stream to medical training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40785/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 245 and 246 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. As part of these reforms I am increasing the annual number of undergraduate places for Irish and EU students from 305 to 485. I am also introducing a separate graduate entry stream which will provide 240 additional places per annum. These increases, which will be phased in over a five year period, will increase the annual number of medical places from 305 to 725.

The Higher Education Authority has recently issued 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 will be open to the University of Limerick to submit a proposal in relation to the development of a graduate school of medicine under this competitive process. Proposals, which are to be submitted by the end of January 2007, will be assessed by an international panel of experts. It is anticipated that the results will be available by March 2007.

Pupil-Teacher Ratio.

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

247 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science if there are figures available regarding the class sizes in primary schools in Counties Clare, Laois and Offaly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40792/06]

Information in relation to class sizes is provided in the annual census of primary schools. The reference date for the provision by schools of this information is the 30th September of the school year in question and the date for return by the schools is 31 October. Consequently, the details for the current school year (2006/2007) are not yet available.

As the Deputy will be aware, there are now no less than 4,000 extra teachers in our primary schools, compared with 2002. Furthermore, there are nearly 7,000 more primary teachers than there were in 1997. This represents the largest increase in teacher numbers since the expansion of free education.

The average class size in our primary schools is 24 and there is now one teacher for 17 pupils at primary level, including resource teachers etc.

I am sure the Deputy will be pleased to know that the number of children in large classes has decreased dramatically under this Government. In the school year in which we came into office there were 52,190 children in classes of 35 and over — five times the number that there are now. 1,901 of these children were in classes of 40 and over — compared to just over 200 last year.

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.

The improvements we have made in school staffing in recent years are absolutely unparalleled. But we are determined to go even further, and so the 2007 Estimates include provision for another 800 primary teachers. About 500 of these will be classroom teachers, which includes our commitment to reduce class sizes.

I assure the Deputy that we will continue to prioritise further improvements in school staffing going forward. We will also continue our focus on measures to improve the quality of education in our primary schools to ensure that increased resources lead to better outcomes for our children.

School Management.

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

248 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the situation of a school (details supplied) in County Offaly where there is no board of management; the action she will take on the situation on foot of this; her views on the future of the situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40793/06]

According to information recently received by my Department, there is currently a fully functioning board of management in existence at the school referred to by the Deputy.

With regard to the future of the school, current enrolment at the school stands at three pupils. In March 2005, the patron, chairperson and principal were notified by my Department that recognition would be withdrawn from the school from the end of August 2007. I understand that the school community have been made aware of the impending closure by the Board of Management of the school.

Psychological Service.

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

249 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science if the revised list of schools, itemised on a county basis that have access to the National Educational Psychological Service is available as indicated in the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 295 of 19 October 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40794/06]

I understand that the data requested has now been prepared within my Department and will issue to the Deputy in the next few days.

Special Educational Needs.

Pat Carey

Ceist:

250 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will reconsider her decision not to grant permanent recognition to a school (details supplied) in Dublin 9, in view of the fact that it is on one of only six schools in Dublin City which has a special class for pupils with autism; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40800/06]

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

251 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Education and Science if a school (details supplied) in Dublin 9 which has not yet received permanent recognition may on a once off basis apply for the minor works grant and summer works scheme in view of its special needs including a special class for autism which requires an occupational therapy room; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40867/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 250 and 251 together.

New schools operate with provisional recognition from the Department. During the period of provisional recognition, it is the responsibility of the school patron to provide interim accommodation. This accommodation must be capable of fully meeting the needs of the developing school until permanent recognition has been secured and the Department is in a position to provide permanent accommodation for the school.

The school to which the Deputy refers commenced operation with provisional recognition in September 2002. At the time provisional recognition was granted, the Patron Body was notified, in writing, of the terms and conditions underpinning the grant of recognition. In this regard, it was specifically stated that, the Patron has sole responsibility for the critically important matter of accommodation. It was also made clear that the accommodation sourced by the Patron would be required to meet the needs of the school as it developed and that in the event of permanent recognition being granted, interim accommodation would remain the Patron's responsibility until the Department was in a position to provide permanent accommodation.

This remains the position and the Department is completely satisfied that there can be no misunderstanding on the Patrons behalf in relation to this matter.

In relation to the granting of permanent recognition to the school in question, an assessment is being carried out by the Department which will strategically examine the extent of multi-denominational provision in the Dublin 9 area and will determine long term requirements and how these should best be addressed. The issue of permanent recognition will be revisited once this assessment has been completed.

While schools with temporary recognition do not qualify for capital funding, the Department does provide grant aid for the rental of interim accommodation. It is open to a school to seek an increase in this rental as its needs develop. This includes the rental of extra accommodation for special or other needs. The school in question should apply to the Department for extra rental assistance if it now has a particular requirement in this regard.

School Insurance.

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

252 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the way she is assisting second level schools with high insurance costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40892/06]

Significant improvements in the levels of direct funding to second level schools have been made in recent years. The funding arrangements made by my Department for second level schools reflect the sectoral division of our second level system. At the core of all arrangements is a reliance upon capitation as the principle determinant of funding. There are however significant differences in the approaches to insurance cover. In my view it is important to consider these issues in the wider context of the equalisation of funding arrangements across the second level system.

My Department provides funding to secondary schools by way of per capita grants, which affords schools considerable flexibility in the use of these resources to cater for the needs of their pupils. There have been significant improvements in recent years in the level of funding for voluntary secondary schools. In addition to the €12 per pupil increase in 2006 in the standard per capita grant that now stands at €298 per pupil, voluntary secondary schools have benefited additionally by the increase of €14 per pupil in 2006 in the support services grant bringing the overall grant to €159 per pupil.

I wish to draw the attention of the Deputy to my announcement of further significant increases in the context of the 2007 estimates. From 1 January next the standard per capita grant will be increased by a further €18 to €316 per pupil. In addition, the support services grant will be increased by a further €30 for voluntary secondary schools, which includes a further equalisation measure, to €189 per pupil. For such schools this cumulative increase of €48 per pupil will bring the aggregate grant to over €500 per pupil from 1 January next. These grants are in addition to the per capita funding of up to €40,000 per school that is also provided by my Department to secondary schools towards secretarial and caretaking services. For example in the case of a secondary school with 500 pupils, this will bring annual grants towards general expenses and support service to over €290,000.

Budget allocations for schools in the VEC and C&C sectors are increased on a pro rata basis with increases in the per capita grant. The provision that I have made, in the context of the 2007 estimates, for these significant increases in the funding of voluntary secondary schools is a clear demonstration of my commitment to prioritise available resources to address the needs of schools.

School Staffing.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

253 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if the principal of a four mainstream class teacher school (details supplied) in County Westmeath which has a specialist autism unit attached thereto will be appointed on an administrative basis; the level of resources including additional teachers that will be so allocated as per her announcement of 12 November 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40893/06]

My recent announcement referred to by the Deputy introduced a range of new measures to improve the capacity of schools to cater for the educational needs of all their pupils and will assist their principals in their work. Some principals have particularly heavy workloads arising from the size of their school. Others carry additional duties arising from the fact that in addition to their mainstream classes they have a significant number of special classes containing children with complex special needs. I am responding to these needs by the introduction of these new measures.

The new measures include: the allocation of additional teachers to allow all deputy principals in schools with 24 or more mainstream class teachers operate as administrative deputy principals; the allocation of additional teachers to allow deputy principals in mainstream schools that, in addition to their ordinary mainstream class teachers, also have five or more special classes for children with the more complex, low incidence, special needs, to operate as administrative deputy principals; where a school has a principal and four or five mainstream class teachers also has a specialist autism unit established under approval of the National Council for Special Education, the principal will be appointed on an administrative basis.

An autism unit comprises two or more special classes for children with autism. In this context, the school in question does not have sufficient special classes to meet the criteria for additional support.

School Accommodation.

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

254 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the action she will take regarding the accommodation and site issue at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 22. [40894/06]

The Department is acutely aware of the situation in the school referred to by the Deputy and the need for a permanent solution to its long term accommodation needs. It is in discussion with the Local Authority regarding issues on access to a proposed site. When these issues have been resolved, I will be in a position to provide details on the proposed site.

Special Educational Needs.

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

255 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Science the provision she is making to ensure that the students of a special unit for autism at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare are provided with school based, educational provision during the month of June 2007; her views on the fact that for such children the provision of home tuition is not a suitable solution; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40899/06]

My Department's support package for the July Education Programme is available to all special schools and mainstream primary schools with special classes catering for children with autism who choose to extend their education services through the month of July. The Department also provides for a July Programme for pupils with a severe/profound general learning disability. The package includes special nationally agreed rates of remuneration for teachers and special needs assistants involved in the July Programme. Participating schools also receive a special rate of capitation funding in respect of pupils participating in the programme. Funding is also available to facilitate the provision of school transport and escort services for the children.

All relevant schools are encouraged to participate in this initiative in the interest of the children in question. If schools are not participating in the July Education Programme, home tuition is offered as an alternative for the pupils who would normally attend such schools.

My Department is currently considering proposals to extend the July Programme service to post primary schools catering for pupils with autism. In this regard, the development of appropriate support measures to facilitate post primary schools in participating in this programme is being examined. My Department is evaluating existing arrangements with a view to formalising a programme in consultation with all concerned.

Water and Sewerage Schemes.

Paddy McHugh

Ceist:

256 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received the revised preliminary report and additional information as requested for a project (details supplied) in County Galway; if he will give approval to the project to proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40938/06]

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

267 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the present position with the Kinvara sewerage scheme, Kinvara, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40862/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 256 and 267 together.

The Kinvara Sewerage Scheme is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007 as a scheme to start construction in 2007. My Department's examination of Galway County Council's Preliminary Report for the scheme is being finalised in the light of the additional information received from the Council last month.

Farm Waste Management.

David Stanton

Ceist:

257 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the funding made available to respective local authorities to enable plastic recovery services to be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40692/06]

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 service is free to the farmer and funding to assist the local authorities is being made available from my Department through the Environment Fund. 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. 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 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.

Social and Affordable Housing.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

258 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of social and affordable houses completed under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 and awaiting allocation in Kildare County Council at present; when the allocation of same will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40717/06]

Information on the number of social and affordable houses under Part V in Kildare County and which are awaiting allocation at present, and on when these allocations will take place, is not available in my Department. However, I would expect the Council to ensure that Part V homes are occupied immediately following transfer by developers.

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

259 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will allow tenants to purchase a dwelling from a voluntary housing association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40718/06]

There is no provision at present in the voluntary housing schemes for the purchase of individual houses by tenants. However, it was agreed under Housing Policy Framework — Building Sustainable Communities that consideration would be given in consultation with the voluntary and co-operative sector, to pilot a tenant purchase scheme for some new voluntary homes under the scheme. The timing and modalities of such a scheme, including any legislative element, will be developed in the coming months.

National Development Plan.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

260 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he will take to ensure that all targets for his Department contained in the National Development Plan for the Border Midland Western region are reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40731/06]

The National Development Plan, and relevant Operational Programmes for Economic and Social Infrastructure and for the Border, Midlands and Western Region, which derive from it, set out specific expenditure and output targets across a range of areas for which my Department is responsible : housing, water services, non-national roads, rural water supply, waste management, urban and village renewal, habitats conservation and protection, and heritage conservation.

Primary responsibility for the achievement of these outputs rests with the local authorities in the BMW Region who are the Implementing Agencies defined under the Operational Programmes (OPs). My Department will continue to work closely with these local authorities to ensure that funds are allocated to them for the achievement of the outputs, that the necessary expenditure associated with the outputs is incurred and that this expenditure is certified in accordance with prescribed procedures.

Housing Schemes.

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

261 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of units of accommodation built by cooperative housing associations, as distinct from voluntary housing associations, under the capital funding schemes from 2000 to 2005 in Galway County and City; the locations of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40754/06]

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

262 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of units of accommodation built by cooperative housing associations, as distinct from voluntary housing associations, under the capital funding schemes from 2000 to 2005; the location of such schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40755/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 261 and 262 together.

In the period 2000-2005 funding was allocated under the capital funding schemes to co-operative housing bodies in respect of 419 units of accommodation. The details are set out in the following table.

Year

Name of Co-operative Housing Association

Location

No. of Units.

2000

Galway Co-op

Corrach Buí, Bishop O’Donnell Road, Galway

12

2001

National Association of Building Co-operatives (NABCo)

Phase 2, New St., Dublin 8.

15

2001

NABCo

Bremore, Balbriggan, Dublin

45

2002

NABCo

Poppintree, Ballymun, Dublin.

81

2002

NABCo

Newtown Court, Malahide Road, Dublin 17.

193

2003

NABCo

Riversdale, Sandyford Road, Dundrum, Dublin.

23

2004

Galway Co-op

Fána Búrca, Knocknacarra, Galway.

17

2006

NABCo

Kilcronan Court, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.

31

2005

Belcarra Community Co-operative Society Ltd.,

Cuillare, Belcarra, Castlebar, Co. Mayo.

2

Local Authority Boundaries.

Michael Noonan

Ceist:

263 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position of the application by Limerick City Council to extend the borough boundary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40771/06]

In light of the desirability of achieving the maximum consensus locally, an exploratory process has been initiated at my request between the Managers of Limerick City and Limerick and Clare County Councils, with the assistance of officials of my Department, to consider the range of options open to the three Councils in the context of Limerick City Council's application for a boundary alteration. This process is ongoing.

EU Directives.

Gerard Murphy

Ceist:

264 Mr. G. Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason for the long delay by his Department in issuing guidelines to the forestry sector, in the Department of Agriculture and Food, on guidelines on the preservation of Hen Harrier Habitat; and his view on the fact that this lack of direction by his Department is holding up the plantation of thousands of acres of trees. [40782/06]

Under the EU Birds Directive, Ireland, like other Member States, is required to maintain the population of bird species, and to designate Special Protection Areas for species which are identified in Annex 1 of the Directive, including the Hen Harrier. In 2002, based on the then available information, a range of possible Special Protection Areas (SPAs) were identified for Hen Harriers in the State. Since then, my Department has thoroughly reviewed the research and information on the Hen Harrier, including the results of a second national survey in 2005. Based on this work, a significant consolidation in relation to the number and extent of Hen Harrier SPA's is now envisaged.

My Department has established a Working Group representing farming and forestry interests, and the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture and Food to develop a practical management regime for possible further forestry in areas being considered for designation. Following completion of these discussions and final decisions on the designations, the proposed SPAs for the Hen Harrier will be notified to individual landowners. The statutory appeal process will apply.

With regard to current applications to the Forest Service for new forestry in these areas, my Department understands that decisions on some of these may be made shortly on the basis of a special scientific examination which was recently carried out.

Register of Electors.

John Deasy

Ceist:

265 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the procedures he had put in place for people who were illiterate and could not read notification regarding the deletion of their names from the register of electors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40789/06]

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; house to house or other sufficient enquiries must be made for this purpose.

In April 2006, I announced a package of measures to assist local authorities in their work on preparing the 2007/8 Register, which included the use of Census enumerators or other temporary personnel to support local authorities in preparing the Register; over 1,500 personnel were engaged in this work.

My Department worked with a group of local authority managers and senior officials to put in place the enhanced programme for improving the next 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 at least twice and provided with forms and information, if necessary. This provision for extensive house to house enquiries would have been of particular assistance to persons with literacy difficulties.

Building Energy Ratings.

John Perry

Ceist:

266 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, with regard to the introduction of the certificate for energy rating on houses personnel from his Department will be appointed to carry out the assessments; the training that will be given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40804/06]

Building Energy Rating will be carried out by assessors registered with Sustainable Energy Ireland, who have successfully completed training meeting the requirements of the Training Specification published on 6 October 2006, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library. Assessors will be generally building professionals (architects, engineers etc.) in private practice.

Question No. 267 answered with QuestionNo. 256.
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