Vol. 632 No. 5
80 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he is satisfied with the situation whereby 57% of people recently surveyed were found not to have an ability to speak Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7726/07]
I assume that the figure quoted by the Deputy is derived from recently available Census results. As the Deputy will be aware, interpretation of any such figures must take account of a range of factors, including population increase, levels of immigration, etc. I understand that analysis by the CSO of data relating to Irish language competence in 2004 indicated that 36.7% of the population over the age of 3 did not have such competence, while 38.7% of the population were reported as speaking Irish on a daily basis.
The Government's policy is to increase awareness and use of the Irish language as a Community language on a phased basis. Its specific aim is to ensure that as many of our citizens as possible are bilingual in Irish and in English. The intention is not to displace the English language but to strengthen the Irish language. In many European countries, it is a normal occurrence that people are bilingual. The vision for Ireland is similar, with both English and Irish being widely used on a daily basis throughout the country.
As I have already outlined to the House, the Government published a Statement on the Irish Language on 19 December last. The Government's position with regard to the promotion and development of the Irish language is set out in that Statement. The Statement also commits the Government to the development of a twenty-year strategy based on the 13 objectives outlined in the Statement. I have indicated the arrangements that have been made in relation to the preparation of such a strategy and these matters are currently being addressed.
81 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the local community and voluntary groups in each constituency that are administering the community support for older people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7698/07]
Information in relation to the local community and voluntary groups funded under the Scheme of Community Support for older People, listed by county, is available on my Department's website at www.pobail.iettp://www.pobail.ie/ en/CommunityVoluntarySupports/Community SupportforOlderPeople/.
82 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to a recent academic study carried out at Dublin City University that showed that every banknote tested was contaminated by traces of cocaine; his views on the recent upsurge in cocaine use as evidenced by this study; the efforts he is making to combat the spread of cocaine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7688/07]
85 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the need for increased resources to deal with cocaine addiction within the National Drugs Strategy particularly in view of the fact that drug treatment centres (detail supplied) are seeing an increasing number of clients for whom cocaine is the main problem drug. [7771/07]
108 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the results of a recent survey carried out by researchers from the DCU’s National Centre for Sensor Research which found that 100% of Irish banknotes examined showed traces of cocaine; his views on the widespread use of cocaine reflected in the survey’s results; the steps he is taking to deal with what has been described as a cocaine heroin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6835/07]
142 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to recent comments from the co-ordinator of a group (details supplied) that an increasing number of drug treatment centres are seeing clients for whom cocaine is the main drug problem; if, in this regard, he recognises the need for more resources for the National Drugs Strategy to deal with the larger amounts of cocaine and higher level of use of the drug here; if he will therefore account for the failure to increase funding to the National Drugs Strategy in Budget 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7691/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 82, 85, 108 and 142 together.
While I am aware of the Dublin City University report referred to by the Deputies, I do not consider that anything of significance can be concluded on the basis of the information therein.
The sample of notes used would appear to have been quite small and such surveys can give dramatic outturns, particularly given the potential for cross-contamination of banknotes. The results are not dissimilar to those recorded in London in 1999 — and Spain in 2003 — when 99% and 94% of banknotes tested showed traces of cocaine.
The follow-up survey by Citywide, "Cocaine in Local Communities", is a welcome contribution to our overall knowledge in this area, particularly in the Local Drugs Task Force (LDTF) areas involved in the survey. While drawing attention to increased prevalence of cocaine, this survey also stresses the steps being taken at local level, with funding from my Department, to address the evolving situation. Furthermore, while more than half of drug treatment projects involved reported seeing clients with cocaine as their main drug, the numbers coming forward for treatment for cocaine addiction is still low. The report also stresses the physical and mental health problems arising for cocaine users as well as the financial and legal problems and the knock-on effects on families and communities. In fact, I have repeatedly stressed these issues myself in the context of so-called "recreational" or "week-end" cocaine users and the glamorising of cocaine in some quarters.
At my request, the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD) and the National Drug Strategy Team (NDST) recently prepared a joint briefing paper on cocaine, based on existing data in Ireland. The paper, which is due to be published next week, concluded that all data sources indicated an upward trend in cocaine use. A number of recommendations are made in the paper, principally in regard to treatment, but also covering supply, prevention and research.
A key conclusion of the report is that treatment, primarily in the form of counselling, can and does work and, in this context, the provision of some cocaine specific clinics in areas where cocaine problems are more acute is being considered. However, in the broader context, I am of the view that we should work towards having drug services that can cater for the individual problem drug user, regardless of the drugs they use.
Another key recommendation relates to the training of frontline personnel to deal with cocaine issues. I have already funded a training initiative in this regard, as well as four pilot cocaine treatment projects to examine different methods of treatment for cocaine use. The outcomes of those projects which have been completed are being examined at present to see to what extent they can inform the way forward. Furthermore, I have funded six cocaine specific projects under the LDTF Emerging Needs Fund and the NDST, along with the Drug Task Forces, will continue to review the needs in communities.
As regards funding, I am delighted with the 16% increase to tackle drug misuse now confirmed for 2007, especially as it follows on from significant increases in the previous two years. The allocation of €50m shows an increase of 87% on the corresponding figure for 2004. Furthermore, the Deputies should note that the €50m in my Department's Vote is only part of an overall allocation of well over €200m provided by the Government across a number of other Departments to tackle the drugs problem this year.
Meanwhile, work on the second all-island Drugs Prevalence Survey is in progress and it is expected that preliminary results will be available in the latter part of this year. This will give much greater clarity on the overall prevalence of cocaine.
The challenges posed by cocaine use are significant but I am confident that we can meet these challenges through a co-ordinated approach utilising the structures of the National Drugs Strategy.
83 Mr. McEntee asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his proposals for the rural social scheme; if he will increase the number of places available on this scheme in view of the significant demand for places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7734/07]
98 Mr. Carty asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the types of projects carried out through the rural social scheme by each of the LEADER companies operating in County Mayo; if these have included the development of countryside walks or trails; and his views on increasing the number of places available on the scheme. [7597/07]
134 Mr. Finneran asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the main works which have been carried out under the rural social scheme in County Roscommon to date; and the role he envisages the rural social scheme having in developing countryside recreation such as walking and cycling in County Roscommon in the future. [7600/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 83, 98 and 134 together.
Currently, there is provision for 2,600 participants and a further 130 supervisors on the Rural Social Scheme (RSS). While all of the available places have now been allocated, Implementing Bodies have been encouraged to form a waiting list of suitable eligible applicants, which can then be used to fill vacancies as and when they arise.
Since its introduction, the Scheme has become a key part of many rural communities and is very popular with both participants and local sponsors. While communities benefit from the skills and talents of local farmers and fisher persons, participants also have the opportunity to improve existing, or develop new skills and perform valuable work in their local communities. In this context, the Deputies should note that funding for the RSS for the period 2007-2013 is included in the National Development Plan which clearly confirms the Government's continued and on-going commitment to the Scheme in the coming years.
In relation to countryside recreation, the RSS provides the personnel and capital for projects relating to the maintenance and enhancement of way marked ways, agreed walks, bog roads etc. In general this work involves (i) erecting and maintaining walkway furniture such as fencing, footpaths, stiles, footbridges, drainage channels, signs, benches and facilities for disposal of litter etc; and (ii) carrying out path repair and upgrading.
In this context, an amount of €0.6m was made available to Fáilte Ireland under the RSS for the development of 40 looped walks in 2006. A further €1.5m will be available in 2007 for capital work under the Scheme and my Department will be writing to the Implementing Bodies very shortly advising them of funding available this year. I envisage that the RSS will continue to play a significant role in the development of countryside recreation into the future.
With regard to Co. Roscommon, the RSS in North, North East and North West Roscommon areas is implemented by Arigna Catchment Area Community Company Ltd and in Mid and South Roscommon by Mid South Roscommon Rural Development Company Ltd. The following are the types of works currently on-going in the county under the Scheme:
Maintenance and enhancement of way marked ways and agreed walks in the county and local villages;
Maintenance of local community centres, halls, community sports centres, football pitches and facilities, cemeteries, heritage centres, local monastic sites and parks;
Provision of clerical and technical support to local community and voluntary groups;
The administration of the Rural Information Bureau; and
Working with pre-school groups.
There are currently 5 groups working on waymarked ways and agreed walks in the county — three covering North / North East and North West Roscommon and two covering Mid and South Roscommon.
In Co. Mayo, the RSS is implemented by Comhar Iorrais Leader Teo, Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann, Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta, South West Mayo Development Company Ltd, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Moy Valley Resources and IRD Kiltimagh. The following are the types of works currently on-going in that county under the Scheme:
Maintenance and enhancement of way marked ways and agreed walks in the county and local villages;
Maintenance of local community centres, churches, halls, school grounds, community sports centres, football pitches and facilities, tennis courts, river banks, woodland areas, piers and beaches;
Administration and secretarial duties for parishes, women's groups, community councils, community development offices, community radio;
Care of the elderly and needy in the community;
Provision of information in the Citizen Information Centre;
Working with play/toddler groups;
Graveyard mapping;
Provision of advice on Warmer Homes, insulation and draft proofing;
Croagh Patrick — Stewards for reek Sunday and maintenance of car park;
Lakeside enhancement; and
Refurbishing of monuments and museum exhibition.
84 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on whether the introduction of a new law to make it an offence to incite someone to take drugs would have an impact on drug use here; if, in particular, such a law could help prevent the source of drugs for many young and first time users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7690/07]
The introduction of a law to make it an offence to incite someone to take drugs is a matter for my colleague Michael McDowell T.D. Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. However, I would be of the opinion that such legislation would not represent an appropriate, or effective, response to tackling the problem of drug misuse.
In this context, the Deputy should note that prevention and supply reduction are two of the pillars of the National Drugs Strategy, both of which are significantly resourced through my own Department, the Departments of Education and Science and Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Health Services Executive. I feel that the best way of tackling drug misuse is through robust preventative measures, allied with continuing vigilance regarding enforcement.
In any event, I would be of the view that legislation on the lines suggested would be very difficult to implement. Problems would arise in relation to the definition of incitement and the likelihood is that the burden of proof would be very onerous.
86 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which the decriminalisation policies and practices adopted towards drugs in Portugal and the Netherlands have been used in shaping the Government’s drugs policy and the National Drugs Strategy; if aspects of the law in these countries is considered appropriate here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7681/07]
I am aware of the approach adopted in the Netherlands, which facilitates the use of cannabis under specific conditions, and in Portugal, where there is an emphasis on dealing with problem drug users through treatment procedures rather than through the courts in the first instance. However, these approaches have not been taken into account in shaping the current National Drugs Strategy.
It is my view that a change in the law regarding the use of drugs would not be of benefit in tackling drug misuse in Ireland. With respect to an international perspective on whether a policy of containment works, the United Nations Office for Drugs Control (UNODC), in its 2006 report, argues that there is ample evidence that the approach of making drugs illegal, which is broadly adopted internationally, is effective.
The Mid-Term Review of the National Drugs Strategy (NDS), which was published in 2005, found that the current aims and objectives of the Strategy are fundamentally sound and that progress is being made across all of the pillars. In this context, the Deputy should note that while an extensive public consultation process was undertaken as part of the review, the question of decriminalisation or legalisation of drugs were not raised as issues.
Illegal drug use is a global issue and so our efforts to tackle it in Ireland must be seen in that context. The benign approach to cannabis in the Netherlands, for instance, has lead to what is referred to as "drug tourism" with undesirable consequences for that country and for nearby countries. Against this background, and given the more widespread support for making drugs illegal across Europe, it is my view that a change in the law regarding the possession of, say, cannabis would be of no benefit whatsoever in tackling drug use here — in fact, I would be concerned that it might aggravate the problem.
While cannabis may not be as dangerous as some other drugs, the evidence is that it is damaging to the physical and mental health of the user, particularly the young and those who are heavy users. A recent report by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs emphasises these points. It is my view that the legalisation of such drugs would lead to greater levels of usage with associated health problems.
87 Mr. English asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the statements made by a drug treatment consultant, (details supplied) that lack of heroin treatment facilities in the midlands in leading to increased drug overdoses and increased drug dealing by addicts to feed their habits; the way he will address this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7730/07]
The Deputy will appreciate that primary responsibility for drug treatment rests with my colleague, Mary Harney T.D., the Minister for Health and Children.
However, I understand that the Health Service Executive (HSE) provides addiction services in nine locations in the Midlands region. The range of services provided includes methadone maintenance, counselling, education/awareness programmes and referral services to community, mental health and hospital services. The HSE also provides intervention programmes for the families of substance misusers.
As of December 2006, there were 8,101 people in receipt of methadone treatment of which, 244, were being treated in the Midlands region. I understand that there are 51 people on the waiting list for treatment — 36 in Athlone and 15 in Portlaoise. The HSE is working to address this waiting list, particularly by endeavouring to encourage GPs into the methadone treatment programme.
The HSE continues to expand the range of options available to individuals in response to needs as they present. Meanwhile, the on-going implementation of the Midland Regional Drug Task Force Action Plan, which I launched last November, will result in some expansion of harm reduction-type initiatives that will complement the mainstream addiction treatment service.
The matter of increased drug dealing by drug misusers is primarily a matter for my colleague, Michael McDowell T.D., Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. He assures me, however, that the Garda Síochána invoke a number of broad strategic responses to address the issue of drug trafficking in all parts of the country and in all its forms. A key to this is working in partnership with statutory, community and voluntary groups to reduce both the supply and demand for drugs in society.
In this context, the Deputy should note that in line with the provisions of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, joint policing committees (JPCs) bringing together representatives from the local authorities, An Garda Síochána, public representatives and representatives of the community and voluntary sectors are being established in each of the 114 local authority administrative areas throughout Ireland.
Four Midland centres, Offaly County Council, Tullamore, Birr and Edenderry Town Councils, are among a number of centres where pilot JPCs have been established. A primary function of these committees is to serve as a forum for consultation, discussion and recommendations on local policing matters and to keep under review levels of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour, including the patterns and levels of misuse of alcohol and drugs.
Finally, in relation to drug-related deaths, I understand that the HSE is not aware of an increased number of drug overdoses in the Midlands. In line with commitments in the National Drugs Strategy, a National Drug-Related Death Index is being established. This will give us a clearer view of the situation on the ground and will facilitate the development of health and social service responses aimed at reducing the number of such deaths.
88 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the situation regarding the decentralisation programme under way in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7701/07]
My Department is committed to relocating 140 posts to new headquarters at Knock Airport which we expect to see completed in late 2008. To further the decentralisation process, 70 posts have been assigned to temporary offices in Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo which opened in July last year. The intention is that these posts will be relocated to Knock Airport when the new building is ready.
Of the 10 posts due to decentralise to Na Forbacha, Galway, 9 have already relocated there and it is expected that the remaining post will be in place later this year.
89 Mr. Kelleher asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the projects in RAPID areas in Cork City that have been allocated funding under his Department’s RAPID leverage fund since 2004; and his views on investing in the provision of multi-use games areas, particularly for teenage people in these areas following the continuation of the RAPID programme in the new National Development Plan 2007 to 2013. [7602/07]
The RAPID Programme aims to ensure that priority attention is given to tackling the spatial concentration of poverty and social exclusion within the 45 designated RAPID areas. In addition, in 2006 RAPID priority status was extended to Ballyfermot. My Department, with the support of Pobal, has overall responsibility for the co-ordination of the RAPID programme.
The House will be aware that I introduced the RAPID Leverage Schemes in 2004. Under these schemes, my Department provides funds with other Departments and agencies to provide small-scale local projects such as playgrounds, traffic measures, improved health facilities, CCTV, and top-up funds for projects promoted by sporting organisations under the Sports Capital Programme. In 2006 the terms and conditions of the Playgrounds leverage scheme were extended to enable multi-use games areas or MUGAs to be funded. I believe this initiative has been a very welcome addition to the scheme.
The four designated RAPID areas in Cork City have been allocated a total of over €2.6 million since 2004. The details are set out in the following tables.
|
Fairhill/Gurranbraher/Faranree |
|
|
€ |
|
|
Health Sector Co-Fund 2005 |
60,000 |
|
Lahees 2004 |
30,000 |
|
Lahees 2005/06 |
45,000 |
|
Lahees 2007/08 |
45,000 |
|
Playgrounds 2004 |
72,000 |
|
Playgrounds 2005 |
66,000 |
|
Playgrounds 2006/07 |
66,000 |
|
Sports Cap 2004 |
27,000 |
|
Sports Cap 2005 |
90,000 |
|
Sports Cap 2006 |
24,000 |
|
Traffic 2005 |
22,500 |
|
Traffic 2006/07 |
50,000 |
|
Total Allocated |
597,500 |
|
Togher Mahon |
|
|
€ |
|
|
Health Sector Co-Fund 2005 |
60,000 |
|
Lahees 2004 |
30,000 |
|
Lahees 2005/06 |
45,000 |
|
Lahees 2007/08 |
45,000 |
|
Playgrounds 2004 |
72,000 |
|
Playgrounds 2005 |
66,000 |
|
Playgrounds 2006/07 |
66,000 |
|
Sports Cap 2004 |
89,472 |
|
Sports Cap 2005 |
111,000 |
|
Sports Cap 2006 |
104,700 |
|
Traffic 2006/07 |
50,000 |
|
Traffic 2005 |
5,000 |
|
Total Allocated |
744,172 |
|
Blackpool/The Glen/Mayfield |
|
|
Health Sector Co-Fund 2005 |
60,000 |
|
Lahees 2004 |
30,000 |
|
Lahees 2005/06 |
45,000 |
|
Lahees 2007/08 |
45,000 |
|
Playgrounds 2004 |
72,000 |
|
Playgrounds 2005 |
66,000 |
|
Playgrounds 2006/07 |
66,000 |
|
Sports Cap 2004 |
21,000 |
|
Sports Cap 2005 |
48,000 |
|
Sports Cap 2006 |
164,000 |
|
Traffic 2005 |
22,500 |
|
Traffic 2006/07 |
50,000 |
|
Total Allocated |
689,500 |
|
Knocknaheeney/Holyhill/Churchfield |
|
|
€ |
|
|
D/Jelr Co-Fund 2004 |
10,000 |
|
D/Jelr Co-Fund 2005 |
50,000 |
|
Health Sector Co-Fund 2005 |
60,000 |
|
Lahees 2004 |
30,000 |
|
Lahees 2005/06 |
45,000 |
|
Lahees 2007/08 |
45,000 |
|
Playgrounds 2004 |
72,000 |
|
Playgrounds 2005 |
66,000 |
|
Playgrounds 2006/07 |
66,000 |
|
Sports Cap 2005 |
57,000 |
|
Traffic 2005 |
22,500 |
|
Traffic 2006/07 |
50,000 |
|
Total Allocated |
573,500 |
93 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the value of major drugs finds in the State in 2006 came to over €40 million, with a record €25.6 million worth of heroin discovered; his views on whether this is a major increase on the figure for 2005, and demonstrates in stark detail the scale and amount of drugs available here; if such an increase requires a total re-appraisal of drugs schemes and the National Drugs Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7689/07]
125 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the steps he will take to deal with the growing epidemic of drug use here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6942/07]
129 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the fact that drug seizures made by Gardaí in 2006 have far exceeded targets laid down by the National Drug Strategy according to provisional figures released recently by the Garda National Drugs Unit reflecting a growth in the availability of drugs here and their detection. [7770/07]
145 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to provisional figures from the Garda National Drugs Unit showing that drug seizures made by Gardaí in 2006 far exceeded targets laid down by the National Drug Strategy; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that by the end of 2006 the number of seizures was over six times ahead of the target expected to be reached by 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7683/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 93, 125, 129 and 145 together.
Overall Garda figures for 2006 relating to drugs have yet to be finalised and we must await the annual report of An Garda Síochána for last year before a final judgement can be made on the overall level of seizures across the full range of illicit drugs. However, I am aware that provisional Garda figures indicate that 136kgs of heroin, with an estimated street value of €27.2m, was seized in 2006. This represents an approximate four-fold increase on the volume of seizures in 2005 when 32.28kgs of the drug were seized. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Gárdaí on their success in this regard, and on their significant on-going contribution to disrupting the sale of illegal drugs.
This success reflects a world-wide trend with respect to seizures in that the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimated that global seizures accounted for 44% of cocaine production, 28% of cannabis resin, 25% of opium production in 2005. However, we cannot be in any way complacent, especially given the reported significant increase in heroin production in Afghanistan this year and the consequent threat of increased supply that this entails.
The three key performance indicators for the supply reduction pillar of the National Drugs Strategy — as revised under the mid-term review of the Strategy published in 2005 — are to increase by 2008:
the volume of drugs seized by 50%, based on 2000 figures;
the number of seizures by 20%, based on 2004 figures; and
the number of supply detections by 20%, based on 2004 figures,
With respect to the volume of drugs seized across the three main categories of illicit drugs — heroin, cocaine and cannabis — Garda figures to the end of 2005 show increases of 35%, 1,174% and 1,548% respectively over the levels of seizures in 2000.
With respect to both the number of seizures and the number of supply detections, no data is yet available for 2006. However, in 2005, the overall number of seizures increased by 14% (from 5,299 to 6,046) while the number of supply detections increased by 21% (from 1,600 to 1,928) over the numbers recorded for 2004. Clearly, most performance indicators with respect to supply reduction have been or are in the process of being met.
However, the nature of any relationship between the level of drugs seizures and the prevalence of drug usage is extremely difficult to determine. Our most recent comprehensive data in this regard comes from the all island Drug Prevalence Survey 2002/2003. Field-work for the second such survey is currently in progress and will be completed in April 2007, with first reports becoming available in the autumn. While the most recent data on heroin use in Ireland comes from a study published in 2004, the Deputies should note that a similar study is to be commissioned in 2007. When completed, these studies will give us a much clearer view of the prevalence and changing nature of drug misuse in Ireland.
At my request, the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD) and the National Drug Strategy Team (NDST) recently prepared a joint briefing paper on cocaine, based on existing data in Ireland. The paper, which is due to be published next week, concluded that all data sources indicated an upward trend in cocaine use. A number of recommendations are made in the paper, principally in regard to treatment, but also covering supply, prevention and research and these are being followed up with the relevant Departments and agencies.
I believe that there are encouraging signs of progress over the past couple of years — be it in the areas of drug seizures, the expansion and success of treatment services, the development of prevention programmes in schools, the expanding work of Local and Regional Drug Task Forces and the valuable work being done through the Young Peoples Facility & Services Fund.
Finally, in regard to the resources available to tackle drug misuse, I am delighted to have secured a 16% increase in my Department's funding to tackle drug misuse in 2007, especially as it follows on from very significant increases in the previous two years. The allocation of €50m shows an increase of 87% on the corresponding figure for 2004. The significantly increased figure clearly illustrates, I believe, the importance that the Government places on tackling the drugs problem across the country. Furthermore, the overall allocation by the Government across a number of Departments to tackle the drugs problem in 2007 will be well in excess of €200m.
94 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the dispute between pharmacists providing methadone treatment to recovering drug addicts on behalf of the State and the Health Service Executive over the HSE’s failure to provide sufficient support; if his attention has further been drawn that this dispute could lead to the withdrawal of services for methadone users; if he has met with representatives of the HSE or with pharmacists representatives to discuss the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7682/07]
Issues around the provision of methadone by pharmacists are primarily a matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE). However, I am aware of the concerns expressed by the Irish Pharmaceutical Union (IPU), having been contacted by a representative of that Union recently. I understand from the HSE that these issues, as well as various other matters raised by the IPU, are being followed up in the normal course between the two parties and that it is anticipated that a meeting will be held in this regard in the near future.
I propose to seek an up-date report from the HSE at the next meeting of the Inter-Departmental Group on Drugs, which is scheduled for next week.
95 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if there has been discussion in relation to allocating moneys from the Dormant Accounts Fund towards projects that provide suicide prevention supports such as Teenline in this Deputy’s constituency. [7777/07]
Funding to assist suicide prevention initiatives was one of the priority funding measures approved by Government for support from the Dormant Accounts Fund in 2006. In this regard, details concerning the allocation of almost €1 million from the Dormant Accounts Fund to support twenty suicide prevention projects were announced on 23 October 2006.
The key objective of this funding measure is to provide interventions and supports to strengthen community based initiatives, particularly, although not exclusively, those targeting young men under 35 years of age. The intention of the funding is to support locally based initiatives supporting suicide prevention. The projects approved are varied and include the provision of early intervention measures for those at risk and also the provision of services for those bereaved through suicide.
The lead Department in relation to this funding measure and in relation to mainstream supports for suicide prevention is the Department of Health and Children. The application and assessment process was administered by Pobal on behalf of the lead Department. In total, 125 applications were received in response to a public invitation. The group referred to in the Deputy's question were not among the applicant groups.
Government recently approved the 2007 Programme of measures to be supported through Dormant Accounts funding. Suicide prevention initiatives are not among the specific themes which will be targeted this year although measures to tackle youth disadvantage will again feature strongly in this year's Programme.
96 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his legislative priorities for the new Dáil session; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7693/07]
The Charities Bill is on the "A" list of the Government's Legislative Programme and will be published during the current Dáil session. The purpose of the Charities Bill is to regulate charities, so as to ensure accountability and to protect against abuse of charitable status and fraud.
The Údarás na Gaeltachta Bill, currently on the "C" list of the Legislative Programme, is expected to be published before the end of the year. The purpose of this Bill is to clarify and update issues in relation to the powers and functions of Údarás na Gaeltachta and to repeal the Arramara Teoranta (Acquisition of Shares) Acts, 1949-2002.
99 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the projects and schemes to be administered by his Department under the National Development Plan 2007 to 2013; the way these schemes will be funded outside of money already pledged in the Budget and Estimates processes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7692/07]
The Deputy will appreciate that the National Development Plan 2007-2013 (NDP) is a strategic document setting out a broad investment framework and investment priorities, together with indicative financial allocations, for the next seven years. It does not contain a list of all projects to be undertaken in 2007, or indeed over the period of the NDP, although certain Chapters, including those on Regional Development, Economic Infrastructure and Social Infrastructure, refer to projects scheduled for delivery or progression between now and the end of 2013.
My Department will be involved in the delivery of a range of programmes within the following priority areas:
Enterprise, Science and Innovation
Rural, Social and Economic Development Programme
Gaeltacht and Islands Development Programme
Social Infrastructure
Waterways Sub-programme
Social Inclusion
Local and Community Development Programme
My Department will also have an important role in relation to the horizontal themes of Development of the Rural Economy and All-Island Co-operation identified in the NDP.
The majority of the expenditure under the aforementioned programmes will consist of a mix of current and capital support for locally initiated projects, which are important but of a relatively small-scale in a national context.
In terms of larger-scale projects, work is under way to explore the possibility of restoring the Ulster Canal to provide a major inland waterway for the border region. Under the Islands Sub-programme, resources will be concentrated on a flagship project, which is expected to commence in 2007, to implement major improvements to the piers and harbours of the three Aran Islands.
There are currently no plans to fund any of the above programmes through other sources such as Public Private Partnership mechanisms or user charges. In the case of the Údarás na Gaeltachta sub-programme, details of own resources utilised by an tÚdarás are set out in Appendix 3 to the Revised Estimate Volume and in the annual Agency Statement for the body included in that Volume.
100 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the Government’s proposals for the development of an Irish language strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7725/07]
I refer the Deputy to the reply I gave to Question No. 71 today.
101 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on whether the closure of an estimated 500 post offices will have a devastating social impact on rural communities; and the measures he proposes to put in place to deal with such an eventual fallout. [7775/07]
122 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the proposed closure of hundreds of post offices throughout rural Ireland; if he supports such proposals; the discussions he has held with the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to address the concerns of rural residents over this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7733/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 122 together.
The Government is committed to a viable and sustainable post office network providing a range of services to meet customer needs as set out in the Programme for Government. The network is geared towards customer demand in both urban and rural locations and must be adaptable to changing circumstances and trends but the core objective of the Government continues to be the retention of access to post office services in as many locations as possible.
The Deputies will appreciate, however, that I have no statutory responsibility for postal services and have not, therefore, assessed the effects, if any, of the closure of post offices. The question of the commercial viability of post offices is a matter for my colleague, Noel Dempsey, T.D., Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.
103 D’fhiafraigh Mr. Gilmore den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil tús curtha go fóill le forbairt na straitéise atá geallta i leith na Gaeilge, cathain a mheasann sé a bheidh an obair sin críochnaithe, agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina leith. [7710/07]
Mar is eol don Teachta d'fhoilsigh an Rialtas ráiteas pholasaí i leith na Gaeilge — "Rialtas na hÉireann: Ráiteas i leith na Gaeilge 2006" ar an 19 Nollaig 2006. Cuireann an ráiteas seo cúram ar an Rialtas maidir le Straitéis fiche bliain a fhorbairt, bunaithe ar 13 cuspóir, lena n-áirítear:
Cuirfear Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla i bhfeidhm go hiomlán agus déanfar éascaíocht don phobal maidir lena gcuid cearta an Ghaeilge a úsáid agus iad ag plé leis an Stát.
Cuirfear réimse leathan seirbhísí ar fáil do thuismitheoirí ar mian leo a gclann a thógáil le Gaeilge.
Leanfar le forbairt a dhéanamh ar sheirbhísí craolacháin ar ardchaighdeán trí Ghaeilge, go háirithe ar TG4, RTÉ agus Raidió na Gaeltachta.
Tabharfar tacaíocht speisialta don Ghaeltacht mar cheantar ina labhraítear Gaeilge.
Leanfar le teagasc na Gaeilge mar ábhar éigeantach ó leibhéal na bunscoile go leibhéal na hArdteistiméireachta agus cothófar cumas i labhairt agus i scríobh na teanga.
Déanfar infheistíocht bhreisithe i bhforbairt ghairmiúil agus i dtacaíocht leanúnach do mhúinteoirí mar aon le hinfheistíocht bhreisithe i soláthar téacsleabhar agus acmhainní agus i dtacaíocht do mhodhanna nuálacha teagaisc agus foghlama.
Déanfar forbairt bhreise ar oideachas bun-leibhéal agus dara leibhéal trí Ghaeilge.
Is é polasaí an Rialtais i leith na Gaeilge ná úsáid agus eolas ar an nGaeilge a mhéadú mar theanga pobail ar bhonn céimiúil. Tá aidhm ar leith aige a chinntiú go mbeidh an oiread saoránach agus is féidir dátheangach i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla. Ní an Béarla a dhíothú atá i gceist ach an Ghaeilge a láidriú. I mórán tíortha san Eoraip, is é an gnáth-chleachtas ná go mbíonn daoine dátheangach. Is fís mar sin atá ann d'Éirinn, leis an mBéarla agus an Ghaeilge araon á n-úsáid go forleathan ar bhonn laethúil ar fud na tíre.
Mar a thug mé le fios ag ócáid seoladh an ráiteas ar an 19 Nollaig 2006 tá na socruithe seo a leanas déanta chun an straitéis a réiteach:
Beidh ról comhairleach ag Fóram na Gaeilge i gcomhairle a chur ar an Aire maidir leis an straitéis. Tá Fóram na Gaeilge comhdhéanta de na Rannaí Stáit ábhartha (An Roinn Oideachais agus An Roinn Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta), eagraíochtaí a bhfuil baint lárnach acu le ceist na Gaeilge, ar nós Foras na Gaeilge, Údarás na Gaeltachta, TG4, Raidió na Gaeltachta agus an earnáil deonach.
Ceapfar duine sa Roinn Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta chun an obair a stiúradh ó lá go lá agus tá €300,000 á chur i leataobh agam le n-íoc as costais a bhaineann le réiteach na straitéise as seo go ceann dhá bhliain.
Fostófar saineolaithe ar conradh le comhairle a chur ar an Roinn agus ar An Rialtas maidir leis an straitéis agus bainfear leas as saineolas domhanda chun an obair a chur i gcrích.
Rachfar i gcomhairle leis an bpobal mar is cuí i réiteach na straitéise ó tharla go bhfuil tacaíocht an phobail don ráiteas agus don straitéis fíorthábhachtach.
Tá próiseas comhairliúcháin maidir le dréachtú an phlean straitéisigh tosaithe cheana féin agus tá an Roinn Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta ag lorg aighneachtaí ina leith. Tá i gceist ag mo Roinnse chomh maith cóip de ráiteas an rialtais a sheoladh chuig gach comhlacht poiblí atá clúdaithe faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 chomh maith le gach bunscoil agus iar bhunscoil, gach leabharlann poiblí agus gach Ionad Comhairle do Shaoránaigh sa stát.
Táim ag bualadh le Fóram na Gaeilge ar an Luan seo chugainn chun forbairt na straitéise agus an ról a bheidh acu sa chúram sin a phlé a thuilleadh.
Tá súil ag an Rialtas go bhfeicfear an ráiteas seo mar bhunchloch do pholasaí nua ar a mbunófar gníomh praiticiúil don Ghaeilge a bheas bunaithe ar chur chuige nua-aimseartha agus straitéis fhoirfe. Tá sé i gceist go bhforbrófar an straitéis thar tréimhse dhá bhlian.
104 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if all LEADER and partnership groups are working together in integrated bodies under the cohesion process. [7768/07]
The core objective of the current round of the cohesion process is the alignment of local, community and rural development structures to achieve full coverage within a given area.
The Deputy will be aware that the key principles governing the process are:
improving on the ground services, supports and impacts on local communities, from within existing levels of resources,
streamlining and rationalising structures so as to avoid overlaps, duplication and undue administrative overheads,
bringing transparency, co-ordination and improved control to the funding and operation of local/community development measures,
strengthening the democratic accountability of agencies and service providers in this area.
The intention is, that from 2007, there will be one company delivering services in any given area and fewer companies overall in the country. This will lead to improved co-ordination of service delivery and maximise the impact of social inclusion measures at a local level.
At this stage, 25 of the local authority areas and na Gaeltachtaí have fully agreed the delivery structures. Discussions are ongoing in relation to outstanding area. It is expected that agreement will be reached in relation to these outstanding groups in the coming weeks.
105 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his proposals to extend the RAPID areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7697/07]
I have no plans at present to further extend the areas covered by the RAPID Programme.
106 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his Department’s involvement in relation to the social finance foundation. [7769/07]
The Social Finance Foundation is the responsibility of the Department of Finance and my Department has no formal role in relation to the initiative.
107 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to a new study from the National Advisory Committee on Drugs showing that participation in drug detoxification programmes leads to reduced drug use, decreased involvement in crime and improved mental and physical health one year on; his plans to increase such drug detoxification programmes and services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7687/07]
The research referred to by the Deputy is part of the Research Outcome Study in Ireland (ROSIE) which was commissioned by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD). The Study aims to assess the effectiveness of treatment for drug users over a period of time and the overall message emerging is that current treatment of opiate users is having significantly positive effects.
The ROSIE study — the first national study of this type — follows participants from the point of treatment intake and monitors progress at intervals of 6 months, 1 year and 3 years. Overall, the study found marked reductions in heroin and other drug use and decreased criminal activity among participants. There was also an improvement in the physical and mental health of participants.
In January 2007, the NACD published a summary of the ROSIE findings focusing on people 1 year after detoxification (Summary of 1 –Year Outcomes: Detoxification Modality). The findings for this cohort demonstrated that participation in a detoxification programme leads to reduced drug use, reduced injecting, decreased involvement in crime, improved physical and mental health symptoms and increased contacts with social care services. Also of interest was the fact that, when compared with other national and international research, the outcomes for ROSIE participants in detoxification treatment were good and programme completion rates were high.
One of the key objectives of the National Drugs Strategy is to encourage and enable those dependent on drugs to avail of treatment leading to reduced dependency and improved overall health and social well-being. In this regard, the results from the ROSIE study are evidence that the aims and objectives of the Strategy are sound and are achievable.
I accept that detoxification is a valuable rehabilitation tool for many problem drug users. Arising from the Mid-term Review of the National Drugs Strategy, I arranged for the establishment of a Working Group on Rehabilitation, chaired by my Department, to draw up a comprehensive strategy for drugs rehabilitation. That Working Group has completed its deliberations and its report will be published shortly. Increased provision of detoxification facilities will feature among its recommendations.
109 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the grants made in 2006 under the Programme of Grants for locally based community and voluntary organisations; if he is satisfied with the progress made under this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7700/07]
The provisional expenditure figure for this scheme in 2006 was €4.8 m. (This compared with an estimate of €3 m.) The Programme of Grants for Locally-Based Community & Voluntary Organisations was re-advertised in August last. A closing date of 25 September 2006 applied for applications under the Scheme of Equipment Grants and the Scheme of Training, Education and Research Grants. No closing date applied to the third Scheme under this Programme, the Scheme of Refurbishment Grants.
I announced the first tranche of funding of almost €400,000 under this Programme last December, covering 29 projects. Assessments are now nearing completion on the remainder of the approximately 1,300 applications received and I expect to be in a position to make further funding announcements in the near future. Applications under the Scheme of Refurbishment Grants continue to be accepted by my Department.
110 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the level of funding available for personal and social monitored alarms; the procedures to avail of such funds; the level of funding available for monitoring and maintenance of such alarms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7572/07]
The purpose of the Scheme of Community Support for Older People is to encourage and assist the community's support for older people by means of a community based grant scheme to improve the security of its older members. The funding available in 2007 is €3 million.
This Scheme is open to people aged 65 and over who have a genuine need for assistance and it is administered by community and voluntary organisations throughout the country with support provided by my Department. Any local voluntary or community based organisation, especially those working with or providing support for older people, can apply to my Department for funding under the Scheme. Individual applications must be made through such organisations.
The Scheme provides maximum individual grants of €300 in respect of the once-off installation cost of socially monitored alarms. Funding is also available under the Scheme for a range of other security measures for older people. Annual monitoring or maintenance fees associated with alarms are not covered under this Scheme. Where socially monitored alarms previously installed under this Scheme are broken or defective and are outside the guarantee period, a limited amount of funding is available towards the cost of replacement. Full information in respect of this Scheme is available on my Department's website www.pobail.ie.
112 D’fhiafraigh Dr. Upton den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an mó scéim teanga faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 atá glactha anois; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina leith. [7712/07]
132 D’fhiafraigh Dr. Upton den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an mó dréachtscéim teanga faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 atá os a chomhair anois; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina leith. [7713/07]
Tá i gceist agam Ceisteanna Uimh. 112 agus 132 a thógáil le chéile.
Tá 43 scéim teanga daingnithe agam anois le comhlachtaí poiblí agus foilsithe. Ta na scéimeanna seo uilig ar fáil ar shuíomh idirlín an Choimisinéara Teanga, www.coimisineir.ie. Sa bhreis ar sin, tá fógra seolta agam chuig os cionn 70 comhlacht poiblí eile ag iarraidh orthu dréacht-scéim teanga a ullmhú agus a sheoladh chugam le daingniú. Tá oifigigh mo Roinne ag plé leis na comhlachtaí sin faoi láthair.
115 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress that has been made since September 2000 in regard to the implementation of the White Paper on a Framework for Supporting Voluntary Activity and for Developing the Relationship Between the State and the Voluntary Sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7699/07]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 48 of 5 October 2006. My Department is currently developing new White Paper funding schemes to replace the current schemes due to cease mid-2007. I expect to be in a position to advertise these new funding schemes in the near future.
116 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the cluster of heroin related deaths in the Dublin area before Christmas 2006; his views on the wider spread of heroin away from Dublin and into provincial towns such as Arklow, Carlow, and Killybegs; his further views on the increased numbers of major seizures of heroin that have taken place around the country in recent times; the efforts he is making to address the spread of heroin here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7684/07]
126 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to a new wave of heroin being imported into Ireland through Central Asia following a record opium harvest in Afghanistan; if more resources will be given to the National Drugs Strategy and projects designed to help heroin users and prevent its spread due to the increased availability of the drug; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7686/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 126 together.
I want to acknowledge, with regret, the tragic deaths late last year of a number of heroin users in Dublin. They illustrate again the inherent dangers associated with drug misuse. In order for the exact cause of these deaths to be ascertained, toxicology reports were initiated. However, I understand the results of these tests are not yet available.
Illegal drug use is a global issue and so our efforts to tackle it in Ireland must be seen in that context. The enormity and the geographic scale of the struggle we face can best be illustrated by looking at the sources of the drugs that are sold on our streets. Heroin comes mainly from the so-called Golden Crescent of Afghanistan and Pakistan, but also from Burma, Laos and Thailand. Furthermore, as the Deputy points out, particularly good harvests in the countries of origin only serve to exacerbate the global situation. To really get to grips with the international problems of drug misuse, I believe that it is imperative that the drug issue be tackled in the countries of origin, as well as in all the countries through which the drugs travel before they reach our shores.
I acknowledge the level of major seizures of heroin in recent times and I congratulate the Gardaí on these successes. The nature of any relationship between the level of drugs seizures and the prevalence of drug usage is extremely difficult to determine. The perception is that heroin use has stabilised in Dublin and that it is at low levels nationwide, with some Leinster towns being mentioned as areas of potential risk. However, our most up-to-date and comprehensive data comes from the all-island Drug Prevalence Survey 2002/2003. Fieldwork for the second such Survey is currently in progress and will be completed in April, with first reports becoming available in the autumn. With respect to heroin use in particular, the Capture/Recapture Study was published by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs in 2003 and a further such study is being commissioned this year. These surveys will give us a much clearer view of the prevalence and changing nature of drug misuse in Ireland.
In regard to the resources available to tackle drug misuse, I am delighted to have secured a 16% increase in my Department's funding to tackle drug misuse in 2007, especially as it follows on from very significant increases in the previous two years. The allocation of €50m shows an increase of 87% on the corresponding figure for 2004. The significantly increased figure illustrates the importance that the Government places on tackling the drugs problem across the country.
In 2007, substantial progress is expected by the Regional Drugs Task Forces in implementing their action plans. Meanwhile, through the Emerging Needs Fund, the Local Drugs Task Forces will be able to address the most pressing issues arising in the evolving drugs situation in their areas. In addition, the Minister for Health & Children announced an increase of €6 million as part of Budget 2007 to address the health-related aspects of the National Drugs Strategy. Overall, therefore, the allocation by the Government across a number of Departments to tackle the drugs problem in 2007 will be well in excess of €200m in total.
I believe that there are encouraging signs of progress over the past couple of years in tackling the problem of drug use in Ireland — be it in the areas of drug seizures, the expansion and success of treatment services, the development of prevention programmes in schools, the expanding work of Local and Regional Drug Task Forces and the valuable work being done through the Young People's Facility & Services Fund. Through the National Drugs Strategy, the Government is committed to continuing to tackle the problem into the future.
117 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of projects being funded under the emerging needs fund to tackle drug misuse at a local level in the local drugs task force areas of Dublin; the main types of supports and actions being funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7606/07]
The Emerging Needs Fund was established to facilitate a flexible and timely response to evolving needs in regard to drug misuse in Local Drugs Task Force (LDTF) areas. To date, I have allocated almost €4m under the Fund to 67 projects, 63 of which are based in Dublin LDTF areas. A wide variety of projects are involved, including cocaine and poly-drug use projects, rehabilitation initiatives and support for the families of problem drug users. I am arranging for my officials to forward details of the 67 projects to the Deputy.
118 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the proposals he has to review the operation of the Official Languages Act 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7704/07]
As I have outlined on a number of occasions in this House, I am satisfied that considerable progress has been made to date in the implementation, on a phased basis, of the provisions of the Official Languages Act 2003.
A total of 43 schemes prepared by public bodies, including that of my own Department, have now been confirmed by me and published. In addition, my Department is in discussion with in excess of 70 additional public bodies in relation to completion or commencement of the process of drafting a scheme.
Although all provisions of the Act are now in operation a number of these only came into operation on 14 July 2006.
As the Deputy will be aware on 14 December 2006 both the Dáil and the Seanad approved a draft of Regulations dealing with the use of the Irish and English languages by public bodies in pre-recorded oral announcements, on stationery and on signage. I expect to be in a position to make the Regulations shortly.
The implementation of the Act is under continuing review by my Department, but I would stress that its implementation is a long-term project. I have outlined my plans for development of a long-term strategy for Irish in replies to other Questions in the House today.
121 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his proposals to initiate adequate qualitative research into the extent of illegal drug use and the reasons people are taking up the illegal drug habit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7695/07]
As the Deputy is probably aware, research is one of the five pillars of the National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008. The key objectives under this pillar are to have valid, timely and comparable data available on the extent of drug misuse amongst the population. In this context, the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD) was established in 2000 to advise Government in relation to prevalence, prevention, treatment and consequences of problem drug use in Ireland, based on its analysis of research findings and information available to it.
In relation to prevalence of drug use, the NACD, in conjunction with the Drug and Alcohol Information and Research Unit in Northern Ireland, published a series of bulletins based on results from an all-island Drug Prevalence Survey 2002/2003. This study found that almost one in five (19%) of respondents on the island of Ireland reported ever taking an illegal drug. Cannabis was the most commonly used illegal drug. Lifetime prevalence rates for cannabis were 17% in Ireland and current rates of use were 2.6%. Aside from cannabis, the most common drugs ever used were ecstasy (5%), magic mushrooms, LSD and poppers (each 4%), amphetamines (3%), solvents, cocaine (each2%), heroin, (o.4%) and crack (0.3%).
The second all-island Drugs Prevalence Survey is currently in progress and it is expected that preliminary results will be available in the latter part of this year. This will give much greater clarity on the overall current prevalence of drugs in Ireland.
In relation to heroin use, the 3-Source Capture-Recapture Study published in 2004 by the NACD, estimated the number of people using heroin at 14,452 in 2001. When the Dublin figures were extracted from this study and compared with a previous study carried out in 1996 (which looked at Dublin only), the number of people using opiates in the capital was estimated to have declined by a approximately 1,000. The second Capture-Recapture Study will get under way this year.
In addition to these studies, the NACD's 2005-2008 work programme includes: the continuation of the Research Outcome Study in Ireland; a new study on drugs and crime; and work focusing on (i) prostitution and drugs and (ii) early school leavers and drugs. The recent results of the Research Outcome Study in Ireland (ROSIE) are particularly encouraging and provide clear evidence that the current treatment of heroin users is having very positive results.
Illegal drug use is a global issue and our efforts to tackle it in Ireland must be seen in that context. Through the National Drugs Strategy, the Government is committed to tackling the problem into the future and I can assure the Deputy that our actions in that regard will continue to be backed up by quality research producing relevant information in an evolving situation.
123 Mr. Kelleher asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the level of funding which has been provided in County Cork through his Department’s community development programme since 2002; the groups which have delivered the programme locally on behalf of the Government in the county; and if it is planned that they will continue to be involved over the course of the National Development Plan 2007 to 2013. [7601/07]
Under the Community Development programme, multi-annual funding is provided to locally based voluntary and community groups involved in anti-poverty and social inclusion initiatives. Since June 2002 my Department has provided funding of approx €6.8 million to Community Development Projects in County Cork. Details of the funding and the projects involved are shown in the table below.
It is planned that projects will continue to be funded under the new National Development Plan.
|
Name of CDP Project |
From June 2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
20071 |
Totals |
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
Ballyphehane/Togher |
58,100 |
111,930 |
115,876 |
127,600 |
131,500 |
38,380 |
583,386 |
|
Bantry and District |
85,950 |
102,200 |
104,820 |
117,838 |
131,100 |
36,780 |
578,688 |
|
Bere Island |
40,500 |
80,980 |
95,714 |
93,900 |
116,100 |
30,330 |
457,523 |
|
Cork Social and Health |
25,950 |
56,480 |
65,430 |
80,560 |
104,855 |
31,170 |
364,445 |
|
Cork Traveller Visibility Group |
113,050 |
91,220 |
91,917 |
266,656 |
110,600 |
31,770 |
705,213 |
|
Cumann na nDaoine |
30,007 |
62,100 |
64,041 |
74,655 |
113,372 |
31,980 |
376,155 |
|
Farranree |
53,100 |
100,200 |
112,975 |
124,164 |
118,100 |
35,430 |
543,969 |
|
Fermoy Young Mothers |
6700 |
13,405 |
14,113 |
38,331 |
63,275 |
18,300 |
154,124 |
|
Glen |
40,270 |
81,080 |
92,704 |
96,300 |
121,583 |
33,690 |
465,627 |
|
Gurranabraher |
— |
— |
— |
23,000 |
34,320 |
—2 |
57,320 |
|
Mahon |
107,500 |
115,000 |
117,250 |
129,150 |
136,697 |
37,050 |
642,647 |
|
Mayfield |
163,180 |
147,590 |
220,531 |
115,185 |
125,184 |
33,390 |
805,060 |
|
Sherkin Island/ West Cork Arts Centre3 |
48,700 |
64,350 |
101,000 |
32,333 |
7,500 |
— |
253,883 |
|
We the People |
60,813 |
107,200 |
111,537 |
116,945 |
122,850 |
33,480 |
552,825 |
|
West Cork (Clonakilty) Travellers |
22,100 |
45,703 |
49,884 |
69,538 |
60,200 |
16,260 |
263,685 |
|
Totals |
855,920 |
1,179,438 |
1,357,791 |
1,506,155 |
1,497,236 |
408,010 |
6,804,549 |
1 The figures for 2007 represents an advance on the 2007 budget based on 30% of the 2006 allocation.
2 Awaiting appointment of new coordinator before 2007 funds issue.
3 Funding was withdrawn from Sherkin Island Development Society in 2004. West Cork Arts Centre was funded until the end of 2006 in respect of a BA Programme in Visual Arts previously administered by Sherkin Island Development Society.
127 D’fhiafraigh Mr. M. Higgins den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil scéim aige i leith theorainn na Gaeltachta, agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina leith. [7709/07]
Níl aon scéim, per se, ag mo Roinnse chun athraithe a dhéanamh ar theorainn na Gaeltachta. Faoi mar atá curtha in iúl agam don Teach cheana féin, áfach, bhí mór-staidéar teangeolaíoch idir lámha le tamall anuas dírithe ar úsáid na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht mar bhunús chun:
forbairt theangeolaíoch na Gaeltachta mar cheantar labhartha Gaeilge a threisiú; agus
athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar na limistéir oifigiúla Ghaeltachta.
Tá an staidéar sin déanta anois agus á scagadh ag mo Roinnse faoi láthair. Níl aon chinneadh déanta maidir le moltaí an staidéir sin go fóill. Glacaim leis go mbeidh an tuarascáil le foilsiú i dtráth cuí agus beidh mé sásta cóipeanna a chur ar fáil i Leabharlann an Oireachtais ag an am sin.
131 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the full extent of the funding available to him from the proceeds of the Dormant Accounts Fund or other sources for allocation to various sporting, cultural, community of Gaeltacht initiatives or existing enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7723/07]
I take it the Deputy is referring to non-exchequer sources of funding.
As the Deputy will be aware from information provided in response to previous questions, details of expenditure by my Department which is funded by the National Lottery and the Dormant Accounts Fund are included in the Audited Appropriation Accounts published by the Comptroller and Auditor General for the years 2002-2005.
The provisional outturn for Dormant Accounts-funded expenditure by my Department in 2006 was €17.679m, while the corresponding allocation for 2007 is €28m. The provisional outturn for 2006 in respect of Departmental programmes part-funded from the National Lottery is €36.629m, while the corresponding allocation for 2007 is €39.957m.
133 Mr. Blaney asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the main schemes and programmes in his Department being provided to the offshore islands of County Donegal; and his plans to improve the transport infrastructure of the County Donegal islands within any of those programmes. [7603/07]
Since 1997, my Department and its predecessor, the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, have provided some €8.7m for essential capital works on the islands off the County Donegal coast. These works included pier and road improvements, water supply, waste management, car parking facilities and village renewal. Assistance is also available for the provision of community and recreational facilities and activities on the islands. It is intended to continue with this programme of investment in the islands over the coming years.
My Department currently subsidises two ferry services in Co Donegal serving Toraigh and Árainn Mhór at a total cost of over €305,000 per annum. A winter helicopter service arranged by Údarás na Gaeltachta is also funded by my Department for Toraigh. In addition, plans are currently being progressed for the provision of a subsidised cargo service for Toraigh.
I also launched a plan in 2006 aimed at marketing the islands, including those in Donegal, internationally as a niche product. The total cost of this initiative, which is being funded jointly by my Department and Fáilte Ireland, is €343,000 over a three-year period.
The Deputy should also be aware that the various schemes operated by Údarás na Gaeltachta promoting enterprise and community development are also available to Gaeltacht islands in Co Donegal and that an tÚdarás provides annual administration grants to the co-operatives on Toraigh and Árainn Mór, and to Ancaire, the co-op serving the smaller Donegal islands.
135 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the Irish rural link strategic plan 2007 to 2009. [7772/07]
I was pleased to launch the Irish Rural Link Strategic Plan 2007-2009 recently. Irish Rural Link are working through their Plan to achieve vibrant, inclusive and sustainable rural communities, aims shared by my Department and delivered through the LEADER Programmes, CLÁR, the Rural Social Scheme and other measures funded by my Department.
I welcome the Plan and hope to see continued co-operation between Irish Rural Link and my Department on achieving our common goals in the future.
136 D’fhiafraigh Mr. Gilmore den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cén obair atá idir lámha aige chun a chinntiú go mbeidh go leor aistritheoirí Béarla Gaeilge agus go leor ateangairí Béarla Gaeilge a mbeidh caighdeán maith a ndóthain acu ar fáil chun an t-éileamh atá ann anois in Éirinn agus san Eoraip a shásamh; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina leith. [7711/07]
I dtús báire ba mhaith liom a chur i gcuimhne don Teachta go bhfuil Foras na Gaeilge, ar iarratas uaim, tar éis córas creidiúnaithe d'aistritheoirí Gaeilge a fhorbairt. Is é seo an chéad chóras dá leithéid a bheidh ar fáil d'aistritheoirí Gaeilge na tíre seo. Reáchtáladh dhá scrúdú i 2006 agus de thoradh na scrúdaithe sin tá áthas orm a rá gur éirigh le 75 aistritheoir an caighdeán chuí a bhaint go dáta. Tá sonraí iomlán an phainéil sin foilsithe ar shuíomh idirlín an Fhorais. Tuigim go bhfuil i gceist dhá scrúdú eile a eagrú i mbliana agus gach bliain eile as seo amach. Sa chaoi sin cuirfear le líon na n-aistritheoirí cáilithe. Is cinnte gur cúnamh praiticiúil fíor-thábhachtach a bheidh sa phainéal seo do chomhlachtaí poiblí a úsáideann seirbhísí ó aistritheoirí príobháideacha, go háirithe i ndáil lena ndualgais faoin Acht a chomhlíonadh.
Sa bhreis ar sin, ní miste dom a lua gur chuir mé ciste ar leith de €1m ar bun i 2006 chun tacú le soláthar sainchúrsaí tríú leibhéal trí Ghaeilge. Tá an scéim nua, atá á riaradh i gcomhar leis an Roinn Oideachais agus Eolaíochta agus an tÚdarás um Ard-Oideachas, dírithe ar líon na gcéimithe le scileanna sonracha Gaeilge i réimsí ar leith a mhéadú, i gcomhthéacs Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla agus an Ghaeilge a bheith mar theanga oifigiúil san Aontas Eorpach.
137 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his proposals in relation to the redevelopment of the Ulster Canal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7732/07]
As the Deputy will be aware, the National Development Plan 2007 — 2013 indicates that work is under way to explore the possibility of restoring the Ulster Canal to provide a major inland waterway for the border region.
My Department continues to liaise with the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in the North with a view to taking this issue forward and I am hopeful of being in a position to make a further announcement before too long.
138 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the financial assistance available to Mulranny Pier, County Mayo, taking into account that this pier is within a Gaeltacht area, is extremely busy with traffic increasing on an annual basis and acknowledging the danger of this pier as it is tidal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7575/07]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No 315 of 14 February 2007. I regret that the information I gave was incorrect — it was based on information available to my Department at the time. I now understand that the pier in question is just inside the Gaeltacht.
I can now confirm to the Deputy that the provision of financial assistance towards the development of the pier at Mulranny will be assessed under the usual criteria when grants under my Department's scheme for small piers in the Gaeltacht are being sanctioned in the future.
139 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the type of support provided by his Department’s language assistants scheme to parents in the Gaeltacht who wish to raise their children through the Irish language; and his views on making such a scheme available to parents outside the Gaeltacht. [7595/07]
At present my Department funds two pilot programmes that provide direct support to families in the Gaeltacht that are raising their children through Irish. These programmes are administered by Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne in Co Kerry and Muintearas Teo in Co Galway. They involve a variety of activities ranging from home visits, workshops and lectures to support services, parent/children groups, Irish courses, summer camps, etc. A review of these programmes will take place when the pilot periods come to an end and, based on that review, a decision regarding further programmes will be taken. It is not intended to extend the scheme to areas outside of the Gaeltacht at this stage.
140 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the proposed funding from the Dormant Accounts and Rapid Leverage Funds to counteract educational disadvantage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7781/07]
Disbursements from the Dormant Accounts Fund are designed to assist three broad categories of persons:
those affected by economic and social disadvantage;
those affected by educational disadvantage; and
persons with a disability.
Within the overall allocation of €60 million in 2006, the Government ring-fenced €18 million from dormant accounts to support projects tackling educational disadvantage.
A significant element of this funding is being used for a Small Scale Capital Grant funding measure for schools participating in the DEIS Programme, schools located in or serving RAPID areas and Special schools. Through this measure, for which the Department of Education and Science is the lead Department, funding is being made available to provide facilities such as parent rooms, dining areas, outdoor play areas and libraries in eligible schools. In addition, allocations to RAPID designated schools under this funding measure will be matched through my Department's RAPID Leverage Fund up to a total of €6 million.
Applications were invited from eligible schools in January this year and the closing date for receipt of applications is 1 March 2007. In accordance with the dormant accounts legislation, all applications received will be evaluated against approved assessment criteria and recommendations submitted to Government for approval.
143 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that FÁS are failing to send representatives to Drug Task Force meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7780/07]
The Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces bring together all Departments and State Agencies involved with tackling problem drug use, as well as the community and voluntary sectors. It is imperative that there is full engagement by all parties to ensure the success of the Task Forces and the co-ordinated implementation of the National Drugs Strategy.
I have not been notified of any issue in relation to the level of attendance of FÁS officials at Drug Task Force meetings. It is my understanding that FÁS representatives are actively engaged in these structures and that they are making a significant contribution to the ongoing implementation of the Strategy.
I understand that, where any issue regarding the levels of attendance at Drug Task Force meetings arises, it is the norm that it be addressed within that forum through the relevant Chairperson. A mechanism is in place to refer the matter to the National Drugs Strategy Team (NDST), should this prove necessary.
Meanwhile I am assured by the NDST that the issue of the level of engagement of representation of all relevant parties on Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces is overseen by them on an ongoing basis.
144 D’fhiafraigh Mr. M. Higgins den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cad iad na nithe a bhaineann le cumhachtaí agus feidhmeanna Údarás na Gaeltachta atá le soiléiriú agus le tabhairt suas chun dáta i mBille Údarás na Gaeltachta atá geallta; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina leith. [7708/07]
Chuir mo Roinn tús le hathbhreithniú cuimsitheach ar chumhachtaí agus fheidhmeanna Údarás na Gaeltachta ionas go bhféadfaí moltaí a chur faoi bhráid an Rialtais chun an reachtaíocht faoina bhfeidhmíonn an tÚdarás faoi láthair a leasú mar is cuí.
Mar chuid den phróiseas sin, thug mé cuireadh don phobal aighneachtaí a chur faoi bhráid mo Roinne agus fuarthas 67 aighneacht dá réir. Tá na haighneachtaí sin foilsithe ar shuíomh idirlín na Roinne mar aon leis an anailís neamhspleách a rinneadh orthu.
Agus dréachtscéim ghinearálta de Bhille á cur le chéile laistigh de mo Roinnse, cuireadh san áireamh na haighneachtaí ón bpobal mar aon le polasaithe agus tuarascálacha cuí eile, e.g., tuarascáil Choimisiún na Gaeltachta 2002, Beartas Forbartha an Údaráis 2005-2009, an Grúpa Oibre um Chruthú Fostaíochta sa Ghaeltacht (2002), Ahead of the Curve (Enterprise Strategy Group 2003), An Straitéis Spásúil Náisiúnta (2002), etc.
Is é an staid reatha ná go bhfuil an Bille um Údarás na Gaeltachta ar liosta C de chlár reachtaíochta an Rialtais. Tá mé dóchasach go bhfoilseofar an Bille roimh dheireadh na bliana.
146 Mr. Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon who has made an application for humanitarian leave to remain here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7807/07]
The persons concerned arrived in the State on 4 May, 2004 and applied for asylum. Their applications were refused following consideration of their cases 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, the first named person was informed by letter dated 30 January, 2006, that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of him. The second named person was informed by letter dated 17 January, 2006, that the Minister proposed to make deportation orders in respect of her and her children. They were given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why they should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State; leaving the State before orders are made or consenting to the making of deportation orders. Representations have been received on behalf of the persons concerned.
These persons' case files, 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 files to be passed to me for decision in due course.
147 Mr. Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for the difference in respect of his decision in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare and that of the Garda National Immigration Bureau; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7823/07]
On 21 February 2007, the person concerned presented at Carlow Garda Station for the purpose of fulfilling her obligations to register as a non EU national in compliance with the provisions of Section 9 of the Immigration Act, 2004.
The person concerned was not in possession of documentation required of her by the Immigration Officer to whom she presented to. She was therefore granted a permission pursuant to Section 4 of Immigration Act 2004 to remain in the State for a further period of six months only. The registration fee is determined by the provisions of Immigration Act, 2004 (Registration Certificate Fee) Regulations, 2006.
148 Dr. Twomey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if in view of an increased population in Castlebridge in County Wexford and a subsequent rise in crime and anti-social behaviour in the area, there are plans to provide 24-hour Garda protection for the people of Castlebridge; if so, when they will be introduced; the alternative proposals and if such plans do not exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7827/07]
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 following the attestation of 299 new members on Thursday, 16 November, 2006. 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 combined strength (all ranks), of both attested Gardaí and recruits in training as at the 31 December 2006 was 14,068. Furthermore, I should say that in December, 2006 as part of a package of anti-crime measures, the Government approved the continuation of the existing Garda recruitment programme to achieve a total Garda strength of 15,000. The accelerated intake of approximately 1,100 new recruits per annum into the Garda College will continue, until this target is met. The Garda Budget now stands at €1.4 billion, an 11% increase on 2006 and a 96% increase since 1997 in real terms.
I have been further informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength of Castlebridge Garda Station on 26 February, 2007 was 1. Castlebridge Garda Station forms part of the Wexford District. The personnel strength of the Wexford District on 31 December, 1997 and 26 February, 2007 was 76 and 104 (all ranks) respectively. This represents an increase of 28 (or36.8%) in the number of personnel allocated since that date.
Castlebridge Garda Station is open to the public from 10am to 1pm daily, subject to manpower availability. The call diversion system is in operation and linked to the District Headquarters at Wexford Garda Station.
Garda Management state that the extension of the opening hours at Castlebridge Garda Station would necessitate the employment of additional personnel on indoor administrative duties who may be more effectively employed on outdoor duties.
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 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.
I have been advised by the Garda authorities that recorded crime in the area was relatively static between 2000 and 2004. However, local Garda management has noted an increase in the number of domestic burglaries and thefts from farm holdings/building sites in rural areas of the sub-district in the past two years. As a result, Superintendent Wexford met with members of the Castlebridge Community Council in October 2006 to discuss crime and traffic issues. Local Garda management constantly monitors crime and personnel levels to ensure every option is examined in order to provide a higher Garda presence in the sub district of Castlebridge by augmenting resources whenever possible. The local community has been assured of the support and commitment of An Garda Síochána to provide a high visibility presence in the sub-district.
Current policing plans in the area are predicated on the prevention of crime, including crimes of violence against persons and property and public order offences and the maintenance of an environment conducive to the improvement of quality of life of the residents. This strategy is, and will continue to be, central to the delivery of a policing service to the Castlebridge area.
149 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he or representatives from his office have met a journalist (details supplied) in an official capacity; the number of occasions of same; the purpose of the meeting; and if information from official files was shared with the journalist. [7829/07]
The Deputy will not, I am certain, be surprised to learn that any Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform will have occasion to meet with journalists, especially Crime and Security correspondents, from time to time, as a normal function of that Office. Officials in my Department and myself had a standard relationship with the journalist in question in the course of his work as a Crime and Security correspondent. On no occasion was official information improperly shared with this person by myself or by anybody authorised to do so on my behalf.
150 Mr. Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in regard to Parliamentary Question No. 114 of 15 February 2007; the protection the applicant has in regard to this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7833/07]
Section 15(1)(c) of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 sets out the conditions for naturalisation in terms of residency i.e. an applicant must be resident in the State for a continuous period of one year immediately prior to the date of application and during the eight years immediately preceding that period, have a total residence in the State amounting to four years.
Section 16A(1) of the same Act also states that for the purposes of calculating the period of residence in relation to an application for naturalisation, only those periods during which the applicant has the permission of the Minister to reside in the State — other than for the purposes of claiming asylum or engaging in a course of education or study — are reckonable.
It is the responsibility of a work permit holder to ensure that, for the purposes of applying for naturalisation, his / her permission to remain in the State be renewed in sufficient time so as to comply with the conditions set out above.
151 Dr. Upton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will investigate the case and provide the reason for the refusal of an application for a visitors visa to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 20; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7836/07]
The application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Visa Office, Dublin on 22nd November, 2006. The decision to refuse the application was taken on 29th November, 2006.
The application was refused as the Visa Officer was not satisfied, on the basis of the documentation submitted, that the person in question had demonstrated a sufficient obligation to return home or would observe the conditions of the visa. Additionally, it was felt that the person in question had not demonstrated a clear link to the reference in Ireland. Finally, the Visa Officer was not satisfied with the letter submitted, in support of the applicants proposed visit, as no dates of travel were included.
An appeal against the initial refusal decision was received on 6th December, 2006. However, following a re-examination of the application the decision to refuse was upheld on 11th December, 2006. As each applicant is entitled to one appeal only, no further review in this matter can be granted; however it is open to the applicant to make a fresh application.
152 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); if a full Garda investigation of the persons allegations was carried out to ensure that there was no Garda wrongdoing in this case of an innocent person who was arrested and harassed in respect of their claims, and whose stance was vindicated by a nolle prosequi being entered by the State in November 2006. [7848/07]
153 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for the contradictions in the Garda custody record of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7849/07]
154 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if Wexford Garda station had videotaping equipment on 10 October 2002; if not the nearest Garda station which had; and the reason a prisoner (details supplied) was not transferred there when they requested a videotaped interview. [7850/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 152 to 154, inclusive, together.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that a Garda Superintendent has been appointed to examine the Garda investigation file in this matter.
It would therefore in the circumstances be inappropriate for me to comment further at this time.
155 Mr. Sargent asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will take action in view of reports of cruelty inflicted on tame cats by shooting at close range in the Swords area of north County Dublin where the killer holds a gun licence; and if specific legislation will be introduced regarding the safety and welfare of cats in order that abuse like this can not go unchallenged in future. [7855/07]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that in November 2005 a complaint was received at Swords Garda Station that cats had been shot at a location outside Swords and a suspect was nominated.
I understand that the complaint was fully investigated by the Garda authorities, who liased with the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA). No evidence of the commission of a criminal offence was disclosed by the Garda investigation.
I am further informed that the complainant was advised of the outcome of the Garda investigation by the Garda authorities and the ISPCA.
Legislation relating to the welfare of animals is the responsibility of the Minister for Agriculture and Food.
156 Mr. Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the requirements for acquiring a public dance licence; the requirements for a late night special exemption licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7867/07]
I can inform the Deputy that the legislation governing the granting of licences for public dancing is set out in the Public Dance Hall Act 1935. A licence granted to operate a Dance Hall is granted as appropriate by the District Court Justice in the locality. I have no direct function in the matter.
Section 11 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003 (which substituted a new section for section 5 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1927) provides that the District Court may grant a special exemption order which permits the sale and consumption of intoxicating liquor on a specified occasion after normal closing time. Special exemption orders are granted on a case-by-case basis by the District Court and this means that an application must be made to the Court by the licensee in respect of each occasion for which such an order is sought.
The officer in charge of the Garda Síochána for the relevant licensing area must be given at least 48 hours notice of an application for a special exemption order. Among the grounds on which objections to the granting of such orders may be made include undue inconvenience or nuisance to persons residing in the locality, or an undue risk to public order in the locality.
Provision is made for a local authority role in determining the duration of special exemption orders in its administrative area. A local authority may adopt a resolution concerning the expiry times of special exemption orders in respect of the whole or a specified part of its administrative area. The District Court is required to have regard to any such resolution before making a special exemption order on foot of any application by a licensee.
157 Ms Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his proposals in respect of drafting legislation to allow for a property services regulatory authority; when this legislation will be brought before Dáil Éireann; the functions and powers of the proposed authority; the remedies it will be able to provide for residents who are receiving an unsatisfactory service or being overcharged by their management companies; the powers the proposed authority will have regarding companies that are meeting their statutory obligations as Irish companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7868/07]
The Government Legislation Programme published on 30 January provides for publication of the Property Services Regulatory Authority Bill in 2007. This legislation will give effect to key recommendations of the Auctioneering/Estate Agency Review Group, including establishment of the Property Services Regulatory Authority to control and regulate the provision of property services provided by auctioneers, estate agents and property management agents.
Pending enactment of the legislation, I have established an Implementation Group to assist and advise on practical matters relating to the new body and to prepare for the new licensing system. A Chief Executive designate has also been appointed and is engaged in preparatory work for establishment of the Authority.
As regards difficulties arising in relation to the operation of property management companies, the Law Reform Commission's Consultation Paper on Multi-Unit Developments makes it clear that action will be required across a broad range of policy areas, including the planning and development code, company law, consumer protection law and the development of regulatory structures. In recognition of this, and the cross-cutting nature of many of the issues, the Government has approved the establishment of a high-level interdepartmental committee to assist in the development of a coherent and comprehensive legislative response to the difficulties arising in relation to property management companies.
A key task of the committee, which will hold its first meeting next week, will be to identify the key legislative and administrative actions to be taken and to determine a timescale for implementation as soon as possible. In particular, the committee will have regard to recommendations for legislative reforms contained in the Law Reform Commission's Report on Multi-Unit Developments which will be published later this year.
I should also mention that the National Consumer Agency has produced a very valuable booklet entitled ‘Putting Consumers First' which contains information and guidance for those who have bought an apartment or house in a multi-unit complex, or are considering doing so. In addition, the Director of Corporate Enforcement has launched a draft consultation paper on the governance of property management companies which provides essential information for the members and directors of management companies and is seeking submissions from interested parties.
Pending the enactment of future legislation, I believe that improved awareness of their rights, and a better understanding of the corresponding duties and responsibilities of developers and builders, will enable the owners of apartments and houses in multi-unit complexes to assert their rights as company members, become involved in the management of their company and combat abuses.
158 Ms McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of people detained in Cloverhill prison for immigration reasons; the longest period that any of them has been detained; the length of time on average between their application for asylum being sanctioned and the process being completed for their release; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7869/07]
I am advised that there is a total of eleven persons currently detained in Cloverhill Prison on immigration related matters. The longest current period of detention for any of these 11 persons is 17 days in custody.
Six of the persons detained are the subject of Deportation Orders and have been detained, pending deportation, on the basis of having previously evaded deportation. Two of the persons detained are the subject of Transfer Orders pursuant to the Dublin Regulation and have been detained in accordance with the Refugee Act, 1996 (Section 22)(Amendment) Order, 2004. A further three persons have been refused leave to land, contrary to Section 4(3) of the Immigration Act, 2004 and are being detained pending arrangements for their removal from the State on the next available return flight.
Asylum applicants are not detained while their cases are being processed.
159 Mr. Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for the difference of interpretation or the reason for the decision to grant permission for only six months instead of his declared position of 12 months in view of the fact that the cost of such registration is €100 each time and that families can not afford this fee; if he will make a statement in regard to the position of a person (details supplied). [7874/07]
On 21 February 2007, the person concerned presented at Carlow Garda Station for the purpose of fulfilling his obligations to register as a non EU national in compliance with the provisions of Section 9 of the Immigration Act, 2004.
The person concerned was not in possession of documentation required of him by the Immigration Officer to whom he presented. He was therefore granted a permission pursuant to Section 4 of Immigration Act 2004 to remain in the State for a further period of six months only. The registration fee is determined by the provisions of Immigration Act, 2004 (Registration Certificate Fee) Regulations, 2006.
160 Mr. O’Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will make a statement on the Dean Lyons case following recent developments. [7886/07]
I refer the Deputy to the comprehensive 1000 word statement regarding recent developments in relation to the Dean Lyons case issued by me on Thursday last 22 February 2007. The content of that statement may be accessed on my Department's website at www.justice.ie.
Furthermore, I addressed other contemporary aspects of the Dean Lyons case in my response to Parliamentary Question Numbers 29, 45 and 53 on that same date.
161 Mr. O’Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report on his continued efforts to assign additional gardaí to Tallaght. [7887/07]
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 following the attestation of 299 new members on Thursday, 16 November, 2006. 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 combined strength (all ranks), of both attested Gardaí and recruits in training as at the 31 December 2006 was 14,068. Furthermore, I should say that in December, 2006 as part of a package of anti-crime measures, the Government approved the continuation of the existing Garda recruitment programme to achieve a total Garda strength of 15,000. The accelerated intake of approximately 1,100 new recruits per annum into the Garda College will continue until this target is met. The Garda Budget now stands at €1.4 billion, an 11% increase on 2006 and a 96% increase since 1997 in real terms.
I have been further informed by the Garda authorities that the number of Gardaí stationed at Tallaght Garda Station on 31 December 1997 to 31 December 2006 and on 31 January, 2007 was as set out in the table hereunder:
|
Year Ending |
Tallaght |
|
31/12/97 |
133 |
|
31/12/98 |
139 |
|
31/12/99 |
142 |
|
31/12/00 |
159 |
|
31/12/01 |
159 |
|
31/12/02 |
159 |
|
31/12/03 |
166 |
|
31/12/04 |
173 |
|
31/12/05 |
167 |
|
31/12/06 |
178 |
|
31/01/07 |
177 |
|
Increase since 31/12/97 |
44 (or 33%) |
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 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.
I know that the Garda Commissioner will take full account of the needs of the Tallaght area in his allocation of the very considerable increase currently under way in the strength of the Force.
162 Mr. Gregory asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will ask the Garda authorities to report on the action they are taking to provide adequate protection to the residents of an area (details supplied) in Dublin 7 who are the victims of nightly anti-social behaviour and vandalism by groups of youths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7941/07]
163 Mr. Gregory asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if arrests have been made arising from vandalism and damage to property carried out in an area (details supplied) in Dublin 7 by a gang of youths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7942/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 162 and 163 together.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that local Garda management is aware of the problem local residents have with anti-social behaviour and public disorder in the area concerned, particularly in relation to groups of youths from the locality congregating around the area.
I am further informed by the Garda authorities that the area referred to is regularly patrolled by uniform and plain clothes Gardaí from its local Garda station with a view to ensuring a concentrated and visible Garda presence in the area. These patrols are backed up by Divisional Garda Units, including the Traffic Corps, Mountain Bike, Drug, Task Force and the District and Divisional Detective Units.
I understand that there has been one incident, of graffiti, recorded in the area referred to. This incident is under investigation by the Garda authorities and arrangements have been made with the local authority to have the graffiti removed. However, no one has been made amenable for this incident to date.
Community policing is a central value of policing policy and there are two Gardaí from the local Community Policing Unit assigned to the area. They liase with local residents and residents' group and give assistance and crime prevention advice. Any complaints of anti-social behaviour and vandalism are fully investigated when reported to the Garda authorities.
Current policing policy in the area is predicated on the prevention of public order offences; the prevention of crime including crimes of violence against persons and property and the maintenance of an environment conducive to the improvement of quality of life of the residents. This strategy is, and will continue to be central to the delivery of a policing service to the area in question.
164 Mr. Curran asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22 who came here in March 2005. [7959/07]
The applicant applied for asylum on 2nd March, 2005. His application was refused and a Deportation Order was made on 6th July, 2006.
The applicant instituted Judicial Review proceedings on 25th August, 2006 challenging the Deportation Order made in respect of him and accordingly, as the matter is sub judice, I do not propose to comment further.
165 Mr. Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress to date of the decentralisation of Garda headquarters to Thurles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8048/07]
166 Mr. Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress to date of the decentralisation of Garda fixed penalties unit to Thurles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8049/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 165 and 166 together.
Under the Government's Decentralisation Programme, one hundred and fourteen posts are scheduled to decentralise from sections in Garda Headquarters to Thurles by the end of 2008. The Garda Central Vetting Unit commenced its operations in Thurles in November 2005 involving the transfer from Dublin of thirty-one posts. Ten further posts will be added to that Unit in the coming weeks.
Another advance move is planned for 2007, when forty-three posts from the Fixed Charge Processing Unit will relocate to Thurles. The Office of Public Works has confirmed that tenders for the building work in respect of the new office have been sought and I understand that the accommodation is now expected to be ready for occupation in September.
167 Mr. Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of stab vests provided to members of An Garda Síochána to date; when he expects every operational member of the force to have an allocated stab vest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8050/07]
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that they have put in place a contract for the supply and delivery of 11,000 Anti-Stab/Ballistic vests (with an option to purchase an additional 4,000). Delivery and fit-out commenced on 8th February and I am advised that as of 27th February, 2007 a total 1,000 vests have been issued. Distribution to all uniform members will be completed within the next number of months. In addition, a separate contract for the supply and delivery of up to 2,100 (an initial supply of 1,500 with an option to purchase a further 600) Ballistic Vests with anti-stab properties has been put in place. These Ballistic Vests are being provided to Detective Gardaí and those employed on a long term basis as aides to Detective Units. The Garda authorities advise me that as of the 27th February 2007 a total of 1,500 vests have been issued. A further order has been placed for delivery of an additional 300 Ballistic Vests.
168 Mr. Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí in County Tipperary stations (details supplied) who are due to retire in 2007; the number who have retired since 2002; the number who have transferred into these stations; the number who have transferred out of these stations; the number of newly attested Gardaí who were deployed since 2002; the number of newly attested Gardaí expected to be deployed in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8051/07]
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 the Garda Síochána increased to a record 13,000 following the attestation of 299 new members on Thursday, 16 November, 2006. 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 combined strength (all ranks), of both attested Gardaí and recruits in training as at the 31 December 2006 was 14,068. Furthermore, I should say that in December, 2006 as part of a package of anti-crime measures, the Government approved the continuation of the existing Garda recruitment programme to achieve a total Garda strength of 15,000. The accelerated intake of approximately 1,100 new recruits per annum into the Garda College will continue until this target is met. The Garda Budget now stands at €1.4 billion, an 11% increase on 2006 and a 96% increase since 1997 in real terms.
I have also been informed by the Garda authorities that no Gardaí from the Stations listed above have reported their intention to retire in 2007. Garda Management state that the number of Gardaí (all ranks) who have retired from the Stations listed above since 1 January, 2002 was 57. Garda management further state that the information on total numbers of transfers to and from the Stations referred to in the question over the past five years is not readily available in the detail sought and can only be obtained by the disproportionate expenditure of Garda time and resources. It is anticipated that approximately 1,100 Student Gardaí will be attested to the Garda Síochána during 2007. 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 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. I know that the Garda Commissioner will take full account of the needs of Garda Stations in County Tipperary in his allocation of the very considerable increase under way in the strength of the Force.
169 Mr. Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a final reply will issue to correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8052/07]
I refer the Deputy to my previous answer of 27th June 2006 which outlined the procedures for issuing a temporary Travel Document to a Stateless person. From the additional information supplied by the Deputy I can state the person concerned is not considered Stateless as defined by the 1954 Convention on the Status of Stateless Persons and is in a position to obtain a passport from their country of origin. In this regard the person referred to made an application for a temporary Travel Document in order to travel and obtain their own national passport. The application was approved and a temporary Travel Document was issued on 30 August 2006 for this purpose. Due to exceptional circumstances this document was extended for a further six months on 21 February 2007 to allow the person concerned to travel with her son to obtain their own national passports.
170 Mr. Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of crimes reported across all headings here from 2002 to 2006; the number under each, reported in County Tipperary during the same period; the number of successful convictions that have been recorded for each; the number of cases pending; the number of unsolved cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8053/07]
171 Mr. Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of crimes reported across all headings from 2002 to 2006 in County Tipperary; the number of successful convictions that have been recorded for each; the number of cases pending; the number of unsolved cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8054/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 170 and 171 together.
The information requested by the Deputy in respect of the years 2002 to 2005 is available in the relevant Garda Annual Reports, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library. Following the submission to me in 2004 of a report and recommendations by an expert group on crime statistics, I decided that the compilation and publication of crime statistics should be taken over by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, from the Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Act, 2005 consequently makes provision for this and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. Following the setting up of the necessary technical systems and auditing of the data from which the statistics are compiled, I am pleased to note that the CSO is now compiling and publishing criminal statistics and has published provisional headline crime statistics for the third and fourth quarters of 2006. In addition, it has compiled and published a series of quarterly and annual statistics for the period starting with the first quarter of 2003. I understand that the CSO are examining how the crime statistics published might be expanded and made more comprehensive. I have asked the CSO to provide the information sought by the Deputy, in relation to 2006, directly to him.
172 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Finance the criteria and implications for a land owner who wishes to sign his holding over to persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7814/07]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the proposed transfer by a landowner, in the circumstances outlined, is treated as a disposal for capital gains tax purposes. In computing the gain the deemed sale price is the market value of the property at the date of the transfer. Relief from capital gains tax is available where an individual, aged 55 years or over, disposes of all or part of his/her "qualifying assets". For the purposes of this relief "qualifying assets" include assets which have been owned by the individual for a period of not less than 10 years ending on the date of the disposal and have been used for the purposes of farming or a trade by the individual throughout the 10-year period ending with the disposal. If the transfer is from parent to child, relief is withdrawn if the child disposes of the assets within 6 years of the date of transfer. The withdrawn relief is chargeable on the child.
For the purpose of both Gift and Inheritance Tax (Capital Acquisitions Tax), the relationship between the person who provides the gift or inheritance (the disponer) and the person who receives the gift or inheritance (the beneficiary), determines the maximum tax-free threshold- known as the "Group Threshold". The threshold applying to a gift or inheritance received by a child from his/her parents is the Group A threshold and for 2007 this is €496,824. Any other gifts/inheritances that might have been received by the beneficiary from within the same Group A threshold (i.e. from parents) since 5 December 1991 will also be taken into account when applying the threshold for the purpose of calculating the gift/inheritance tax. Each child is separately entitled to its own Group A tax-free threshold.
If a gift or inheritance consists of agricultural lands, the market value of the agricultural lands may be reduced by 90% provided certain conditions are met. The conditions attaching to the relief are that the land is taken by a "farmer", who is defined in the legislation as an individual in respect of whom not less that 80 per cent of his or her assets, after taking the gift or inheritance, consist of agricultural property and also that the land is not disposed of for six years after the date of the receipt of the gift or inheritance. A gift of land attracts a stamp duty liability based on the market value of the land transferred. The rates of stamp duty which apply are set out in the Table that follows this reply. The stamp duty payable is reduced by 50% in the case of a gift from a parent to a child. There is an exemption from stamp duty in the case of the transfer of land to a person who is under 35 years of age, who is the holder of specified educational qualifications and who complies with certain other conditions. However, having regard to the details supplied by the Deputy, this exemption would not apply to the transfer in this case.
|
Market Value |
Rate of Duty |
|
Up to €10,000 |
Exempt |
|
€10,001 to €20,000 |
1% |
|
€20,001 to €30,000 |
2% |
|
€30,001 to €40,000 |
3% |
|
€40,001 to €70,000 |
4% |
|
€70,001 to €80,000 |
5% |
|
€80,001 to €100,000 |
6% |
|
€100,001 to €120,000 |
7% |
|
€120,001 to €150,000 |
8% |
|
Over €150,000 |
9% |
173 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Finance the revenue taken in by his Department from VAT on gas, ESB and phone bills for the past twelve months; if he will provide a breakdown of the figures; and his plans to reduce the VAT rate to lesson the impact of inflation on these utility bills. [7845/07]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the information to be furnished on VAT returns does not require the yield from particular sectors of trade to be identified. It is, therefore, not possible to identify what portion of the net VAT received relates to sales of electricity, gas or telecommunications to domestic households. However, based on statistical data derived from non-Revenue sources, the expected revenue accruing from VAT on gas, electricity and telecommunications at the end of 2006 is as follows:
|
Electricity |
Gas |
Telecommunications |
|
€176 million |
€84 million |
€485 million |
These figures would include VAT from unregistered and exempt businesses as well as domestic consumers. It should also be noted that the VAT content of purchases of gas, electricity and telecommunications is a deductible credit for business in the Irish VAT system.
The VAT rating of goods and services is subject to the requirements of EU VAT law with which Irish VAT law must comply. Supplies of electricity and gas are already subject to the reduced VAT rate of 13.5% and telecommunications services are subject to the standard rate of VAT of 21%. Under the VAT Directive Member States may retain the zero rates on goods and services, which have been in place since 1 January 1991, but cannot extend the zero rate to other goods and services. It is therefore not possible under EU law to apply a zero VAT rate to the provision of domestic utilities including electricity, gas and telecommunications. In the case of supplies of electricity and gas, under EU law, it would not be possible to reduce the rate applying to such products below 12%. Such a change in the reduced VAT rate, while having a significant Exchequer cost, would have little or no effect on the retail price of such products. In the case of telecommunications services, it would not be possible to reduce the VAT rate without reducing the rate applying to all goods and services to which the standard rate applies. This would have significant implications for the Exchequer. A reduction of 1% in the standard VAT rate would cost the Exchequer €415 million.
174 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Finance the situation regarding the flood relief plan; the timeframe for the flood relief measures for persons (details supplied) following a meeting of the Office of Public Works officials, Clare County Council and other bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7862/07]
A study carried out by the Office of Public Works has identified works that will alleviate the flood risk in the area referred to. These works will be undertaken in conjunction with Limerick and Clare County Councils using their statutory powers, which will require the carrying out of a public consultation process. The timing of the works will depend on the successful completion of this process and the need to accommodate environmental constraints. It is expected that works will commence in the autumn.
175 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on the efforts of the Office of Public Works to develop a new Garda station for Tallaght. [7889/07]
The Commissioners of Public Works are reappraising the site of the existing Garda Station at Tallaght with a view to maximising the development potential for the State. Planning is under way for a major development of the site to include all Garda requirements for Tallaght and a new Courthouse. It is expected that a Part 9 planning process will be initiated later this year.
176 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Finance if an embargo on the recruitment of staff exists within the public service; if such an embargo exists for all grades of staff; the basis for such an embargo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8035/07]
There is no embargo on the recruitment of staff for any sector within the public service. The Government has, over the last number of years, followed a policy under which the growth in public service employment has slowed overall. The Government will continue to control and regulate numbers employed in the public service within agreed ceilings. Organisations can recruit staff within the overall ceiling which has been agreed for their sector. It is a matter for each individual Department and sector of the public service and relevant Minister to set priorities to give effect to this policy.
177 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Finance if he will expand the disabled drivers scheme to take account of other forms of disability not currently eligibly under the scheme; the reason for not undertaking such an expansion; the last time review or expansion of the scheme way carried out since the scheme was introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8056/07]
The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme provides relief from VAT and VRT on the purchase of a car adapted for the transport of a person with certain physical disabilities, as well as relief from excise on the fuel used in the car up to a certain limit. The disability criteria for eligibility for the tax concessions under this scheme are set out in the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994. A person must be severely and permanently disabled and satisfy one of the following conditions:
(a) be wholly or almost wholly without the use of both legs;
(b) be wholly without the use of one leg and almost wholly without the use of the other leg such that the applicant is severely restricted as to movement of the lower limbs;
(c) be without both hands or without both arms;
(d) be without one or both legs;
(e) be wholly or almost wholly without the use of both hands or arms and wholly or almost wholly without the use of one leg;
(f) have the medical condition of dwarfism and have serious difficulties of movement of the lower limbs.
The scheme has been in operation in some form since 1968. As regards changes to the medical/disability criteria: only criterion (a) was in place up to 1989, when they were expanded by the addition of (b), (c), (d) and (f); and in 1994, the final criterion at (e) was added. A special Interdepartmental Review Group reviewed the operation of the Disabled Drivers Scheme. The terms of reference of the Group were to examine the operation of the existing scheme, including the difficulties experienced by the various groups and individuals involved with it, and to consider the feasibility of alternative schemes, with a view to assisting the Minister for Finance in determining the future direction of the scheme.
The Group's Report, published on my Department's website in July 2004, sets out in detail the genesis and development of the scheme. It examines the current benefits, the qualifying medical criteria, the Exchequer costs, relationship with other schemes and similar schemes in other countries. The Report also makes a number of recommendations, both immediate and long-term, referring respectively to the operation of the appeals process and options for the future development of the scheme. In respect of the long-term recommendations, including those relating to the qualifying disability criteria, further changes can only be made after careful consideration, given the scale and scope of the scheme. For this reason, the Government decided that the Minister for Finance would consider the recommendations contained in the Report of the Interdepartmental Review Group in the context of the annual budgetary process having regard to the existing and prospective cost of the scheme. This consideration is undertaken on a regular basis.
178 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be called to Galway for the urgent cardiac procedure that they have been told they need. [7804/07]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive 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 question 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.
179 Ms Harkin asked the Minister for Health and Children if in view of the recent closure of the 21 bed rheumatology unit in Our Lady’s Hospital, Manorhamilton, County Leitrim at weekends, this reflects a change in operational policy by her Department and the Health Service Executive towards Manorhamilton Hospital; if it is envisaged that there will be a change in services provided by the hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7805/07]
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. 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.
180 Ms Harkin asked the Minister for Health and Children further to a previous parliamentary question the timeframe for examination of the motorised transport grant for a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim. [7822/07]
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.
181 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Health and Children the situation regarding progress in the provision of the 14 bed extension to Kenmare Hospital, County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7825/07]
The Government's sustained high level of investment in healthcare 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 €559.5 million and over the period of the NDP the figure is €4.9 billion. 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. The Department of Health and Children received the Health Service Executive's Capital Plan for 2007 on 17 January 2007. The Plan is presently being evaluated with a view to its approval by my Department and the Department of Finance. The Health Service Executive will announce details of the approved capital programme following this process.
182 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when moneys due from the nursing home refunds will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [7846/07]
The Health Service Executive has responsibility for administering the Repayment Scheme and the information sought by the Deputy relates to matters within the area of responsibility of the 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 to the Deputy.
183 Mr. N. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children when a refund of pension will be made in respect of hospital charges levied on a person (details supplied). [7847/07]
The Health Service Executive has responsibility for administering the Repayment Scheme and the information sought by the Deputy relates to matters within the area of responsibility of the 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 to the Deputy.
184 Mr. N. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children when a refund of pension will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Cork in respect of geriatric hospital charges paid. [7854/07]
The Health Service Executive has responsibility for administering the Repayment Scheme and the information sought by the Deputy relates to matters within the area of responsibility of the 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 to the Deputy.
185 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children when refund under the national repayment scheme will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [7863/07]
The Health Service Executive has responsibility for administering the Repayment Scheme and the information sought by the Deputy relates to matters within the area of responsibility of the 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 to the Deputy.
186 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children when payment will be made under the national repayment scheme for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [7864/07]
The Health Service Executive has responsibility for administering the Repayment Scheme and the information sought by the Deputy relates to matters within the area of responsibility of the 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 to the Deputy.
187 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the outcome of the application by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick for refund of moneys under national repayment scheme. [7865/07]
The Health Service Executive has responsibility for administering the Repayment Scheme and the information sought by the Deputy relates to matters within the area of responsibility of the 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 to the Deputy.
188 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be admitted to Crumlin Hospital for surgery. [7866/07]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive 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 question 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.
189 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Dublin is still waiting on a refund under the health repayment scheme; the date on which they will receive their payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7875/07]
The Health Service Executive has responsibility for administering the Repayment Scheme and the information sought by the Deputy relates to matters within the area of responsibility of the 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 to the Deputy.
190 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the concerns he has in regard to a submission (details supplied); the investigations her Department or the Health Service Executive has carried out in researching these figures; the result of such research or investigation; the action taken as a result; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7876/07]
An effective national cervical screening programme will result in a substantial reduction in the incidence of cervical cancer. It is my objective to have such a programme rolled out, beginning late this year, based on an affordable model. For that purpose, on 1 January 2007, I established a National Cancer Screening Service which amalgamates BreastCheck and the Irish Cervical Screening Programme.
The total allocation to the new Service is €33m; this is a 71% increase on the 2006 allocation to the Programmes. This includes additional funding of €5m for 2007 to the Service to commence roll out of the Cervical Screening Programme. Significant preparatory work is well under way involving the introduction of new and improved cervical tests, improved quality assurance training and the preparation of a national population register. The plan is to have cervical screening managed as a national call/recall programme via effective governance structures that provide overall leadership and direction, in terms of quality assurance, accountability and value for money. All elements of the programme, call/recall, smear taking, laboratories, colposcopy and treatment services will be quality assured, organised and managed to deliver a single integrated service.
191 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the investigations carried out by her Department into the testing of the 30,000 smear tests that are to be tested in the USA; if she or the Health Service Executive has satisfied themselves that the testing will be carried out and verified to international standards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7877/07]
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.
192 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 230 of 14 February 2007, payments are due to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare under the health repayment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7878/07]
The Health Service Executive has responsibility for administering the Repayment Scheme and the information sought by the Deputy relates to matters within the area of responsibility of the 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 to the Deputy.
193 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the income limit for a person (details supplied) to be eligible for the diet supplement scheme which preceded the new regulations Circular No. 03/06; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7881/07]
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.
194 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be facilitated with a bed in the National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7923/07]
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.
195 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will urgently review the application by a group (details supplied) in County Mayo for staffing grant assistance for a community child-care group; if her attention has been drawn to the voluntary work already carried out by this group, with an approved building ready to commence business and with children waiting to attend this necessary facility; her views on whether preschool education is essential with a majority of children in this area having to attend national school without having attended preschool; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8013/07]
As the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006 (EOCP) and the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010 (NCIP), which are being implemented by the Office of the Minister for Children. The introduction of the NCIP in January 2006, prior to the closure of the EOCP, has facilitated applicants unable to meet the end of EOCP deadlines for grant assistance by providing an alternative source of grant aid for child care provision.
With an allocation of €575 million for the 5 year period of 2006-2010, the NCIP is a key element of the National Childcare Strategy 2006-2010. The NCIP aims to deliver a more comprehensive approach to early years care and education and to deliver 50,000 additional child care places, with a greater focus on pre-school places for 3-4 year olds and school age child care.
Support towards the staffing costs of employing child care workers, in community based child care facilities in disadvantaged areas, was provided under the EOCP and have been extended to 31 December 2007 for all groups who are meeting the terms of their existing staffing grant contracts. A new programme of staffing grants under the NCIP is expected to be announced later this year and will be informed by the outcome of a Value for Money Review of the EOCP which is currently in progress. The Review is expected to be completed in the first half of 2007.
With regard to the Group in question, I understand that they were recently informed by the Childcare Directorate of my Office that their application for staffing grant assistance under the EOCP was being refused, as the application could not meet the end 2006 timeframe for entering into contract under the EOCP. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that this position has been reviewed in the case of EOCP staffing grant applicants who have already entered into contract in respect of a linked EOCP capital grant, and who are due to open new child care facilities in advance of the introduction of the proposed new programme of staffing grants under the NCIP. As a result, subject to the availability of EOCP funding for this purpose, applications for EOCP staffing grant assistance will continue to be considered in the circumstances outlined.
I have asked officials in the Childcare Directorate of my Office to contact the Group in question, along with a number of other Groups in similar circumstances, at the earliest opportunity to advise them of the position in regard to their grant application.
196 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if she proposes to establish a College of Podiatry; and, if so, when and where will it be located. [8014/07]
In January of this year I, along with my colleague the Minister for Education and Science, announced the provision of funding to establish a new degree programme and associated clinic for the education of podiatrists (chiropodists) in Ireland. The FÁS ‘Healthcare Skills Monitoring Report' August 2005 identified podiatry as an occupation with long term supply shortfalls and recommended the establishment of a BSc in Podiatry. The provision of a school is a particular priority with the increased need for services due to the aging population and the significant increase in diabetes. The availability of podiatry services has been shown internationally to improve or maintain the mobility of older persons and reduce the requirement for more extensive health services. Both my Department and the Department of Education and Science along with the Health Service Executive and the Higher Education Authority (HEA) are working to establish a school of podiatry which will provide a 4 year degree program leading to a BSc in podiatry. An annual intake of 25 students is planned.
The HEA, working in partnership with a health care provider, has issued a call for proposals to higher education institutes for the establishment of a school and are currently awaiting responses. It will then be necessary for a comprehensive evaluation of any responses before a decision in relation to the school, including its location, can be reached.
197 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Health and Children if a programme (details supplied) will be expanded to North Tipperary; the reason the programme has not been expanded to date; if funds will be made available to expand the programme without delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8026/07]
The question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, 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.
198 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that two new phone transmitter panels have recently been placed at a site (details supplied) in Dublin 15 in view of the fact that a 200 metre exclusion zone was voted in by local councillors; if his attention has been further drawn to the scientific research on mobile phone base stations which indicates that such stations are a cause for concern; if his attention has been drawn to the work and findings of EM Radiation Research Trust, based in Geneva who recently met with nine representatives of voluntary groups in Ireland and the United Kingdom; when the report on non-ionising radiation from the Joint Committee will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7858/07]
Planning is a matter for the relevant local authority in the first instance, under the aegis of my colleague, the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche.
My Department maintains a watching scientific brief on the most up-to-date research in relation to potential health effects of electromagnetic fields, including those emitted by mobile telephones and the associated base stations. Government policy in this area is guided by the advice from international expert bodies, such as the World Health Organisation and the International Commission for Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). These bodies continually examine the totality of the scientific and medical evidence available so we have the most up-to-date and accurate information in regard to the potential health effects, if any, of electromagnetic fields.
The international consensus of scientific research to date is that there is no consistent evidence for adverse health effects below international guidelines, at the level of exposure from mobile phones and base stations. These guidelines have been developed by ICNIRP and are endorsed by the European Union under Council Recommendation EC/519/1999. Indeed, the World Health Organisation states that: "Considering the very low exposure levels and research results collected to date, there is no convincing scientific evidence that the weak RF signals from base stations and wireless networks cause adverse health effects". The Inter-departmental Committee on the Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields have received the report of the Expert Group and formulated proposals to Government. I will shortly bring these proposals to my Cabinet colleagues.
199 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if, since his recent meeting with a deputation (details supplied), he has progressed their requests in respect of compensation claims similar to that received by their counterparts in the UK; if a compensation redress scheme will be established; the timeframe for the implementation of such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8022/07]
As I made clear to the Deputy, and to the deputation of former miners, the situation in the UK is different in that the industry there was nationalised. The Deputy will recall that I promised to raise the miners' request with my Government colleagues. The question of levels of benefit or compensation for occupational injury or illness is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for Social and Family Affairs. I have asked him to give the matter his attention.
200 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on the decision by An Post to seek the closure of 500 post offices, in view of the review of offices under way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8023/07]
I am not aware of any decision by An Post to close 500 post offices. I understand that An Post and the Irish Postmasters Union are engaged in negotiations in accordance with the framework set out in the Ryan report which addresses issues between An Post and postmasters such as remuneration and severance packages and that these negotiations are at an advanced stage.
201 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government recognises the ruling of the court of first instance of December 2006 in relation to the PMOI; if the Government supports the ruling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7960/07]
The Council of the European Union is currently examining its procedures for listing persons and entities, suspected of being involved in terrorism, for asset freezing purposes in order to take account of the judgment of the Court of First Instance delivered on 12 December 2006. Ireland is active in these discussions and is working with EU partners to improve the EU's listing procedures to ensure that they are in line with the judgment of the Court by ensuring that such individuals and entities are provided with reasons for their listing and an opportunity to make their case for non-inclusion on the list.
On 28 September 2001, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1373 (2001) on combating terrorism. The resolution obliges States to freeze funds and other financial assets or economic resources of persons and entities who commit, or attempt to commit, terrorist acts. It was implemented in the EU through Common Positions 2001/930/CFSP and 2001/931/CFSP, which list such individuals and entities, and Council Regulation (EC) 2580/2001 which orders the freezing of the funds and assets of those on the list. The list is regularly updated by Council decisions and PMOI (People's Mujahidin of Iran) was included in May 2002.
PMOI brought an action before the Court of First Instance seeking annulment of those Common Positions and Decisions relevant to its listing. The Court issued its judgment on 12 December 2006 and annulled the relevant Council Decision, insofar as it included PMOI on the list, on the grounds that the Council had not given PMOI an opportunity to make its views known, had not provided PMOI with a sufficient statement of reasons for its inclusion in the list, and was therefore in breach of certain fundamental rights guaranteed by the Community's legal order including the right to a fair hearing. The Court did not examine whether PMOI was involved in terrorist acts or whether its inclusion on the EU's asset freeze list was therefore justified. In addition, the Court did not annul the relevant Common Position on listing which was in operation at the time PMOI took its action, as the latter had sought. Neither did it annul the subsequent Decision that maintained PMOI on the list. The claim by PMOI for damages was also dismissed as inadmissible.
In compliance with the judgment of the Court, the Council informed PMOI on 30 January 2007 that it intended to maintain PMOI on the asset freeze list, and it provided PMOI with a statement of reasons for its inclusion in this list. The Council also invited PMOI to present its observations on this statement of reasons within one month, together with any supporting documentation. The Council will carefully examine any observations submitted by PMOI within this period, before making a decision on whether to include it on the asset freeze list.
202 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding an application by a club (details supplied) for funding under the 2007 sports capital programme. [7857/07]
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 November 24th 2006. All applications received before the deadline, including one from the organisation in question, are currently being evaluated against the programme's 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.
203 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of applications received under the 2007 sports capital programme; the number in each county; when assessments will be complete; when he will make a decision on the 2007 allocations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8047/07]
The sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, is the primary means of providing funding to sporting clubs and organisation and to voluntary and community organisations towards the provision of sporting facilities at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The programme is advertised on an annual basis.
The 2007 sports capital programme was advertised in the Press on October 15th and 16th last. The closing date for receipt of applications was November 24th 2006. All of the 1,533 applications received before the deadline are currently being evaluated against the programme's assessment criteria, which are outlined in the guidelines, terms and conditions of the programme. The breakdown by county is contained in the attached schedule. I intend to announce the grant allocations for the programme as soon as possible after the assessment process has been completed.
|
County |
Number of applications |
|
Carlow |
22 |
|
Cavan |
33 |
|
Clare |
60 |
|
Cork |
181 |
|
Donegal |
52 |
|
Dublin |
229 |
|
Galway |
96 |
|
Kerry |
81 |
|
Kildare |
38 |
|
Kilkenny |
40 |
|
Laois |
35 |
|
Leitrim |
23 |
|
Limerick |
82 |
|
Longford |
24 |
|
Louth |
47 |
|
Mayo |
61 |
|
Meath |
38 |
|
Monaghan |
35 |
|
Offaly |
41 |
|
Roscommon |
29 |
|
Sligo |
29 |
|
Tipperary |
81 |
|
Waterford |
42 |
|
Westmeath |
37 |
|
Wexford |
66 |
|
Wicklow |
31 |
|
Total |
1,533 |
204 Ms Cooper-Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the policy of Ireland on the EU regulation on anti-dumping duty on polyester fibre from Malaysia and Taiwan. [7824/07]
On 12 April 2006 the EU Commission initiated an investigation into a complaint of dumping of imports of polyester staple fibres (PSF) from Malaysia and Taiwan. The Commission's initial investigation has concluded that dumping of PSF by the countries concerned has taken place and that the imposition of provisional anti-dumping measures is justified. Accordingly the Commission has imposed provisional anti-dumping measures under Commission Regulation No. 2005/2006 of 22 December 2006 for a period of 6 months. The Commission investigation is continuing and is expected to reach definitive conclusions in the next few months.
In general, Ireland's policy is to support the adoption of protective measures where dumping has caused injury to Community industry, and where it is considered to be in the overall Community interest having regard to the views of producers and users. In this case I am aware that there are domestic producer and user interests in the measures and it is open to interested parties to make submissions to the Commission before it reaches a definitive conclusion.
Before the Community position is finalised the Member States will be given an opportunity to make their views known in this case. In considering the best approach to be adopted by Ireland I will take fully into account any submissions received from the producer and user industry here.
205 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will accept that the implementation of the Seveso directive here through the designation of large safety zones over massive tracts of land, most of which are not owned by the operators of the plants in question, results in the diminution of third party property rights together with the de facto handing over of such rights to the owners of the said plants, and that such action is totally at odds with the polluter pays principle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7842/07]
Council Directive 96/82/EC — the Seveso II directive as amended by Directive 2003/105/EC — was transposed into Irish law through the European Communities (Control of Major Accident Hazards Involving Dangerous Substances) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 74 of 2006). The Seveso Directives require that preventing major accidents and limiting the consequences of such accidents be taken into account by the Member States in their land use policies and or other relevant policies.
The Directives require that, in the interest of safety, these policies must take account of the need, in the long term, to maintain appropriate distances between establishments covered by the directive and residential areas, areas of public use and areas of particular natural sensitivity or interest. The Directives further require that the procedures set up to implement these policies must be designed to ensure technical advice on the risks arising from the establishment is available, on a case by case or on a generic basis, when decisions on land use planning are taken.
Under these Regulations, the Health and Safety Authority has a role in providing technical advice to the planning authorities in the context of land use planning. The decisions on land use planning, however, are a matter for the planning authorities, including in relation to the siting and any subsequent granting of permission for additional development of plants which fall under the terms of the European Communities (Control of Major Accident Hazards Involving Dangerous Substances) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 74 of 2006). Issues concerning the Planning and Development Act 2000, which governs land use planning, are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
206 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the powers which are available to the Employment Appeals Tribunal to ensure that awards made are honoured by employers who have been found to be in breach of employment law; and if he will seek a report on the extent to which such awards are not honoured, as occurred in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [7852/07]
Generally, employment legislation provides that, where the relevant body makes an award by way of a decision or determination in favour of the employee, the employer is allowed six weeks to implement the award. During the six week period either party concerned may appeal on a point of law to the Circuit or High Court, as appropriate. If, on the expiry of that period, the employer has failed to implement the award the District or Circuit Court, as appropriate, may, on application by the employee concerned, the employee's trade union with the consent of the employee or the Minister, if the Minister considers it appropriate to make the application having regarding to all the circumstances, make an order directing the employer to carry out the determination in accordance with its terms.
Some 119 cases involving the failure of an employer to implement an award of the Labour Court or the Employment Appeals Tribunal were, in 2006, referred to the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Employment by an employee or trade union with a view to an application being made for an order directing the employer to carry out the determination. In cases where the Chief State Solicitors Office so advises, legal proceedings may be instituted.
Details of any applications made directly to the District or Circuit Court by employees or trade unions and of awards not followed up by employees on the expiry of the six week period are not available to the Department. The Prosecution and Enforcement Unit of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment deals with the enforcement of determinations coming from the Labour Court and Employment Appeals Tribunal where the employer has failed to carry out the terms of the determination.
If the person referred to by the Deputy contacts the Enforcement Unit at Telephone Nos. 01-6313314 or 6313017, they will be advised of the steps necessary for the institution of legal proceedings to enforce the award.
207 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if workers are entitled to a higher rate of pay for working on Sundays irrespective of whether they are full-time or part-time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7920/07]
Under the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 an employee, irrespective of whether he or she is full-time or part-time, is entitled to a premium for Sunday work if having to work on Sunday has not otherwise been taken account of in the determination of his or her pay. This Sunday premium consists of:
(a) a payment to the employee of an allowance of such amount as is reasonable having regard to all the circumstances, or
(b) an increase in the employee's rate of pay by such an amount as is reasonable having regard to all the circumstances, or
(c) the grant to the employee of such paid time off from work as is reasonable having regard to all the circumstances, or
(d) a combination of two or more of the means referred to at (a) to (c) above.
If an employer refuses to grant an employee a premium for working on Sunday it is open to that employee to refer the matter to a Rights Commissioner for adjudication. If the value of a Sunday premium is not specified in a collective agreement applying to the employee who has taken the case to the Rights Commissioner, the Rights Commissioner can have regard, in determining the case, to the value of any premium for Sunday work provided for in a collective agreement which applies to an employee who is employed to do, under similar circumstances, identical or similar work in the same industry or sector as the employee who has made the claim to the Rights Commissioner.
208 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the Competition Authority ruling in respect of a company (details supplied) in County Tipperary; his views on the ruling in view of the fact that the UK Office of Fair Trade did not have similar concerns; the resources and facilities he will make available to the company’s management to ensure the future viability of the Thurles operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8043/07]
I am aware of this matter which relates to a merger transaction in respect of which a determination was made by the Competition Authority on the 9th of February 2007 in exercise of the powers conferred on it by the Competition Act 2002. As required by the Act, the Authority's determination must be published within 2 months of the date of that determination.
The Competition Authority is the statutory independent body responsible for merger regulation and I, as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, have no role or function in relation to mergers under the Act, other than media mergers. I am not entitled to access any information on which a decision of the Authority is based and therefore it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the Authority's determination in this case or any other case.
I would point out that in reaching its decision, the Authority has regard to the impact on competition in markets for goods and services in this State. When making a ruling on a proposed merger the UK Office of Fair Trading has regard to its own criteria. I am advised that Enterprise Ireland, the body responsible for the promotion and development of indigenous industry, has been in contact with the company and has offered to assist in every way possible.
209 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has had discussions with the Department of Education and Science regarding measures to assist workers undertaking postgraduate courses for the purposes of upskilling, retraining or career advancement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8044/07]
While the provision of postgraduate courses is in the first instance a matter for the Minister for Education and Science, there is regular and ongoing contact between the two Departments, both in the identification of national skills needs and in the production of co-ordinated policy responses to meet those needs.
The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs is charged with advising both the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Minister for Education and Science on matters relating to the skills needs of the economy, including those at graduate and post-graduate level. This Group, which also has representatives from the two Departments and from their respective agencies, is one of the principal forums dedicated to addressing skills issues at the nexus of the education and training strands of policy.
The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs recently finalised research to underpin a National Skills Strategy to address skill needs to the year 2020. This report, which will be launched shortly, contains recommendations about the need to upskill workers at all levels in the National Framework of Qualifications including at post graduate level.
210 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will review the capping on the community employment scheme; the changes in policy he has introduced in 2007 in respect of CE schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8045/07]
The primary purpose of CE is to provide short-term work experience and training opportunities for long-term unemployed persons and other disadvantaged groups with a view to facilitating their progression to work in the open labour market.
As part of the restructuring of CE approved in 1999, future participation in CE by an individual was capped at 3 years, effective from April, 2000. This change was introduced to discourage repeated participation in CE and to encourage unemployed persons to avail of training/education options where possible, which are shown to have more successful progression outcomes for individuals. The three-year cap was amended in August 2001 to allow particularly disadvantaged persons to remain on the programme for a further period. In general, approximately 20% of participants including persons less than 55 years of age may benefit from an additional year on the programme under the flexibility guidelines introduced in August 2001.
In November 2004, it was decided that the 3-year cap would be extended for CE participants aged over 55. This category of participants is now eligible to participate on CE for a maximum of 6 years.
In July 2006 my Department published its Sectorial Plan under the Disability Act, 2005. One of the key highlights of this Plan is to increase participation rates of people with disabilities on CE over the period of the Plan and to raise the CE participation limits for people with disabilities, in order to provide additional training to assist progression to employment:
For people with disabilities under 55 years of age, the participation limit has been raised by one year from 3 to 4 years;
For people with disabilities over 55 years of age, the participation limit has also been raised by one year from 6 to 7 years.
While I have not introduced any policy changes relating to Community Employment in 2007, I am informed by FÁS that the participation limits will continue to be operated flexibly at local level.
211 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of staff assigned to the processing of work permits in his Department each year since 2002; the number of work permits applied for since 2002; the number of applications awaiting processing; the average duration taken from application to issuance or refusal of a permit; his views on assigning additional staff to the processing of applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8046/07]
The table below shows the number of staff in the work permits section from 2002 to 2006. Also set out below is the total number of permit applications received in those years.
|
No. of Staff |
Work permits applied for (both new and renewal) |
|
|
2006 |
31.1 |
26,495 |
|
2005 |
30.1 |
27,721 |
|
2004 |
35.0 |
36,355 |
|
2003 |
35.0 |
50,877 |
|
2002 |
35.0 |
42,999 |
The number of applications awaiting processing are 2,952 and the average time taken to process applications in the 12 months to end of February was 20 working days. The Department is committed to meeting its quality customer service target for processing applications and if staff resources are an issue in this regard it will be addressed.
212 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason the new Senior SmartPass cannot be processed at the local social welfare branch offices in County Cork at Bandon, Castletownbere, Clonakilty, Dunmanway, Fermoy, Kinsale, Macroom, Midleton, Newmarket, Passage West, Skibbereen, and Youghal; his views on the inconvenience for elderly applicants who have to go to the social welfare local offices at Cork City, Bantry, Cobh or Mallow to have these applications processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7943/07]
I have recently announced the implementation of the all Ireland free travel scheme commencing on 2 April which will enable pensioners resident here and in Northern Ireland to travel free of charge on all eligible transport services on the island.
Implementation of a single travel pass for all-Ireland free travel, acceptable in both jurisdictions, will require the completion of the Integrated Ticketing project being developed under the auspices of the Department of Transport and subsequent integration with the ticketing systems in operation in Northern Ireland. My Department has on-going engagement with these bodies and projects.
Pending development of the integrated ticket system, my Department has engaged with the Department of Regional Development and Translink, the main transport authority in Northern Ireland, to put in place an interim scheme to permit senior residents of both jurisdictions to avail of free travel within the other jurisdiction.
As part of this scheme residents of this jurisdiction wishing to travel in the North will be required to use a travel card similar to smart pass as used by their Northern Ireland counterparts. Customers will need to apply for the travel pass in person and to supply photographs for authentication at their Social Welfare Local Office which is considered the most appropriate location for this service. This will be a once off transaction for customers availing of this scheme, but the level of applications will be kept under review to determine if there is a need at some future point to alter the policy.
213 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of staff in the office for social inclusion, OSI; the cost of running the office in 2006; the projected cost for 2007; the role of the OSI; and the interaction between his Department and the OSI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7999/07]
The office for Social Inclusion (OSI) was set up in 2002 under the National Anti-Poverty Strategy (NAPS) as part of the institutional structure of the NAPS and to be responsible for the implementation of the strategy and monitoring of progress and for research and data development. The Office is within my Department and has been involved in the development and co-ordination of the recent National Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2007-2016 (NAPinclusion) and in the preparation of the social inclusion elements of Towards 2016 and the National Development Plan 2007-2013 (NDP). The total cost of running the Office for Social Inclusion amounted to €633,192 in 2006 and the estimated cost for 2007 is €883,000.
The strategic framework embodied in the new NAPinclusion will facilitate greater co-ordination and integration of structures and procedures across Government at national and local levels to achieve more effective implementation. Arrangements are also in place for a more comprehensive monitoring process that encompasses Towards 2016 and the NDP. A key element of this process will be the preparation by the OSI of an annual Social Inclusion Report, which will review progress against targets on an annual basis, identify any new issues arising which might benefit from a more co-ordinated approach and report on stakeholders' views emerging from various fora.
The OSI will also be involved in the preparation of regular national reports to the EU to ensure exchange between Member States of knowledge, experience, expertise and good practice on social protection and social inclusion. OSI will also participate in mechanisms to foster North-South co-operation on social inclusion issues.
In addition to its co-ordination, monitoring and evaluation roles, the OSI is responsible for the development of support functions to underpin the social inclusion process. These include the development of a data strategy to ensure that progress against targets can be effectively monitored; research on the nature and causes of poverty and social exclusion in today's society and on the effectiveness of the policies and programmes designed to meet these challenges; and the development and implementation across central and local government of Poverty Impact Assessment guidelines.
The role of the OSI is kept under review in the context of the development of strategy on poverty and social inclusion in order to ensure that the arrangements for putting forward the social inclusion agenda generally continue to be effective and efficient.
Further information about the Office and its work can be viewed on its website —www.socialinclusion.ie.
214 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Transport his views on whether the situation whereby road traffic signage regulations do not make provision for signage which restricts cycling in certain public places is satisfactory; if he will reform this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7851/07]
Under the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997-2006 it is an offence to cycle on a footpath, to cycle in a bus-only street, to cycle in the wrong direction on a one-way street, to cycle in a contra-flow bus lane or to cycle in a tram-only street.
These offences apply nationwide in respect of all footpaths on public roads, and to the other situations referred to, without the requirement to erect a separate prohibitory traffic sign at every such location to indicate that a prohibition on cycling applies.
The policy of providing a traffic sign to indicate the application of the road traffic law is not used where a prohibitory measure applies as a blanket provision across the entire public road network.
215 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport the number of vehicles which will benefit from supports funded by his Department to convert to bio-fuels; when this scheme will commence; the cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7816/07]
219 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Transport the discussions he has had with the Bus Éireann regarding requirement to use 5% biofuel mix; the duration of these discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8025/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 215 and 219 together.
The Department of Transport has recently funded a scheme to convert 50 selected vehicles to run on pure plant oil, PPO, which is being carried out under the aegis of the German-Irish Chamber of Industry and Commerce. The cost to the Department is €227,000 and provides for 75% of the cost of engine modification.
Decisions about successful applications are being made in April with the view to obtaining a diverse mix of transport operators and the project will conclude in November. It is expected that this scheme will be complementary to the Minerals Oil Tax Relief, MOTR, Scheme II and will help develop a sustainable indigenous network of localized PPO supply chains in Ireland.
Bus Éireann have been using bio-diesel made from recovered vegetable oil, RVO, in its Cork City tours fleet since April 2006 while Dublin Bus have used 5% bio-diesel blend on a trial basis in 5 open-top tour buses since May 2006.
These trials have proceeded without technical difficulties and I have instructed public transport providers, under the auspices of CIE, to operate their entire existing fleet on a 5% bio-diesel blend in as short a time-frame as is possible.
In addition, Dublin Bus have secured a commitment from the relevant engine manufacturer, Volvo, that would allow new buses to be modified to operate on a 30% biofuel mix without affecting the warranty. Therefore, I have requested the Chairman of CIE to set out the steps required to move toward these targets and I expect an action plan from the company, which will include estimated costs for this initiative. It is my intention that all new vehicles procured, as part of fleet replacement by CIE from 2008, will be capable of operating on a 30% bio-diesel blend.
216 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 314 of 13 December 2005 and bearing in mind that there are no two-dimensional public safety zones whatsoever at Changi Airport, Singapore that handled over 32 million passengers in 2005, if his Department approved of the designation of a 3,000 metre long red zone at Waterford Airport that by comparison handled a 74,357 passengers in the same year; his views on whether this latter red zone is totally unnecessary if not bizarre from a safety perspective and is a classic example of regulatory capture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7843/07]
As I stated in a response to a previous Question my Department did not issue recommendations relating to a red zone at Waterford Airport.
The question of red zones at regional airports is a matter for the owners and operators of the airports in conjunction with the relevant local planning authorities.
217 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if he is satisfied with the bilingual road signage here despite the fact that the Irish translation on road signage is obviously smaller and in a lighter font; and if he has had or will have discussions with the National Roads Authority in relation to same as they receive a grant from public moneys for such signage. [7853/07]
The manner is which text is displayed on traffic signs by road authorities, and the format used in the case of Irish text, English text or text in any other language is determined by the Minister for Transport under section 95 of the Road Traffic Act 1961.
The Traffic Signs Manual sets out the principles laid down for road authorities in relation to the manner in which Irish and English text must be displayed on traffic signs. The Manual sets out the standard form of all non-regulatory traffic signs. In the case of regulatory traffic signs, the text to be displayed is prescribed in the Road Traffic (Signs) Regulations 1997-2006 and in the associated Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997-2006.
Road authorities and the National Roads Authority can only provide traffic signs on the public roads that comply with the road traffic regulatory provisions and the directions given in the Manual.
The same Transport Heavy font is used for Irish and English text on traffic signs. It is important that road users be aware that two distinct languages are displayed on traffic signs and be able to distinguish between the two texts and read the message from the text that is relevant to them. Irish text is displayed above any other text on a sign, is inclined to the right at an angle of 15 degrees to the vertical with the first letter of each word having a capital letter and the remaining letters in lower case. On a bilingual sign the translation of that text into English is displayed in uppercase Roman numerals underneath the Irish text.
I am satisfied with the present provisions in relation to the display of text on traffic signs and I have no proposals to amend the relevant statutory provisions.
218 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Transport the overall cost of the new intercity rail fleet; if his attention has been drawn to the breakdown problems with the new intercity trains; the number of the new trains that have entered service; if any of these trains here been withdrawn from service and are now used for spare parts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8017/07]
I presume the Deputy is referring to the 67 new Intercity carriages that have entered service on the Dublin-Cork route. All 67 carriages are now in service. I am informed by Iarnród Éireann that the new carriages are operating reliably, providing the new hourly service each way on the Dublin-Cork route.
I understand from Iarnród Éireann that the overall cost of the 67 Intercity carriages is €117m.
220 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the way that groups that may qualify for a grant under the community supports for older people are identified and encouraged to apply for such grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7798/07]
Any local voluntary or community based organisations, especially those working with or providing support for older people, can apply for funding under the Scheme of Community Support for Older People.
Full information on the Scheme is publicly available on my Department's website at www.pobail.ie, including lists of organisations already funded under the Scheme.
In addition, for the last several years the Scheme has been advertised annually in the local and national newspapers. Ahead of the launch of the 2006 Scheme, my Department had conducted consultations with voluntary and community based organisations, as a result of which I made several important changes to the Scheme provisions. For the formal Scheme launch in May last, I hosted a reception involving representatives of a wide range of voluntary organisations to mark ten years of the Scheme and to publicise the Scheme generally and the new Scheme provisions.
I should also point out that on an ongoing basis, my officials are in contact with locally based volunteers in support of this Scheme.
221 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the level of funding available under the community supports grants; the breakdown of the allocation of such funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7799/07]
222 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of applications for the recent round of community support grants; the percentage of successful applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7800/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 221 and 222 together.
The Programme of Grants for Locally-Based Community and Voluntary Organisations was launched in August 2006 and to date approximately 1,300 applications have been received. While a closing date of 25th September applied to the Scheme of Equipment and the Scheme of Training, Education and Research, no closing date applies to the Scheme of Refurbishment and applications continue to be received by my Department.
I announced the first tranche of funding of almost €400,000 under this Programme last December, covering 29 projects. Assessments are now nearing completion on the remainder of the approximately 1,300 applications received and I expect to be in a position to make further funding announcements in the near future. When the assessments have been completed comprehensive statistics will be available.
Maximum funding under this Programme is €40,000 for the Scheme of Refurbishment, with €10,000 each for the Schemes of Equipment and Training, Education and Research. My Department has allocated €3m to this Programme for 2007.
223 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the level of funding available under the community support grants for smoke alarms; the procedure to avail of such grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7801/07]
The purpose of the Scheme of Community Support for Older People is to encourage and assist the community's support for older people by means of a community based grant scheme to improve the security of its older members.
This Scheme is open to people aged 65 and over who have a genuine need for assistance and it is administered by community and voluntary organisations throughout the country with support provided by my Department. Any local voluntary or community based organisation, especially those working with or providing support for older people, can apply to my Department for funding under the Scheme. Individual applications must be made through such organisations.
The Scheme provides maximum individual grants of €50 in respect of the smoke alarms. Funding is also available under the Scheme for a range of other security measures for older people. Full information in respect of this Scheme is available on my Department's website www.pobail.ie.
224 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will approve a Gaeltacht road grant for persons (details supplied) in County Mayo. [7803/07]
This application will be considered, together with other applications under the scheme, when the next list of roads is being prepared for approval under my Department's Gaeltacht Access Road Scheme.
225 Dr. Twomey asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the rural transport scheme for the Wexford area; his plans to extend this scheme; if this scheme will be extended throughout parts of north County Wexford, in particular the Riverchapel area which has seen a sizeable increase in population over the past 10 years but which is not serviced be essential services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7834/07]
The operation of the Rural Transport Programme (formerly known as the Rural Transport Initiative) is a matter for my colleague Minister of State Pat the Cope Gallagher TD, Department of Transport.
226 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will assist in the provision of funding for an association (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7883/07]
My Department provides funding for projects through a number of schemes and programmes including Community & Voluntary Grants, the LEADER and CLÁR Programmes and Gaeltacht Schemes. Funding may also be available for projects, such as the one that the Deputy refers to, through the Dormant Accounts Fund.
Each of the schemes and grant programmes operated by my Department are governed by rules and eligibility criteria, which projects have to meet in order to qualify for funding.
In respect of the project referred to by the Deputy, detailed information on the grant schemes and programmes operated by my Department, including eligibility criteria, can be accessed on my Department's website at www.pobail.ie.
227 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the expenditure through or by his Department to community groups involved in drug treatment programmes in 2006; the expected expenditure in 2007; the qualifying criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7949/07]
228 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he will meet the requirements of community groups involved in tackling drug addiction and which were unsuccessful in their application for grant aid in 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7950/07]
229 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans to offer financial support to community based groups involved in combating the drug problem with particular reference to Dublin and adjoining counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7951/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 227 to 229, inclusive, together.
The majority of current expenditure allocated to community groups through my Department for drugs initiatives is channeled through the Local Drugs Task Forces (including the Emerging Needs Fund), the Regional Drugs Task Forces and the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund.
The combined current expenditure on these in 2006 was €31.80m and I happy to advise the Deputy that the expected expenditure of €39.15m in 2007 represents an increase of 23%.
Of the 14 Local Drugs Task Forces, 12 are based in Dublin and one in Bray.
Expenditure in 2006 in these 13 areas under the Local Drugs Task Force process, the Emerging Needs Fund and the Young People's Facilities & Services Fund came to €24.61m. The comparable provision for 2007 is €27.84m.
Of the 10 Regional Drugs Task Forces (RDTFs), four cover the greater Dublin area and the adjoining counties — East Coast RDTF (Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown and Wicklow), Northern Area RDTF (North Dublin City and Fingal), South West RDTF (South Dublin, Kildare and West Wicklow) and the North Eastern RDTF (Meath, East Cavan, Louth and Monaghan). Specific allocations are not made on a county basis, rather each RDTF produced a strategic plan for the region involved. In 2006 a total of €1.71m was spent in these four RDTFs on implementing actions identified in those plans. It is expected that this figure will be doubled in 2007.
Local and Regional Drug Task Force projects normally originate at Task Force level and are submitted to the National Drugs Strategy Team (NDST). Following consideration by the NDST, recommendations for funding of some projects are made to my Department. Under the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund (YPFSF), projects normally originate from Development Groups in the various Task Force areas and are submitted to the National Assessment Committee of the YPFSF chaired by my Department. In the event of projects not being selected for submission, communities are at liberty to pursue the matter with the relevant Drugs Task Force or Development Group.
230 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his proposals for expenditure under the CLÁR scheme in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7952/07]
233 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if, arising from previous years experience, he will expand or extend the remit of the CLÁR programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7955/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 230 and 233 together.
As the Deputy is aware, the CLÁR Programme is a targeted investment programme for rural areas, which was launched in October 2001. The areas covered by the Programme were reviewed in 2002 and, more recently, in 2006 and as a result, CLÁR now covers parts of 22 counties and all of Co. Leitrim and benefits a population of nearly 727,000. I have no plans at present for a further review of the Programme.
With regard to expenditure, a budget of €18.683m has been allocated to the Programme for 2007. The proposed breakdown of that expenditure is detailed below:
|
(€000s) |
|
|
Road and Water Schemes |
13,456,000 |
|
Sport, Community & Enhancement Schemes |
2,367,000 |
|
Health and Education |
1,130,000 |
|
Energy & Telecommunications |
622,000 |
|
Other |
1,108,000 |
|
Total |
18,683,000 |
Under the Programme in 2007, a number of new initiatives will be introduced in the areas of health and coastal development and a number of other new measures are also under consideration by my officials at present.
I feel that the approach being implemented under the Programme whereby small community and rural infrastructural projects are being supported — many of which might otherwise not be funded — is having a very positive impact on the lives of people living in the CLÁR areas.
231 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent of his proposals for expenditure under the RAPID scheme in 2007; the way it will compare with previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7953/07]
232 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will develop and expand the RAPID programme to deal with a wider range of issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7954/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 231 and 232 together.
The RAPID Programme aims to ensure that priority attention is given to tackling the spatial concentration of poverty and social exclusion within the 45 designated RAPID areas. In addition, RAPID priority status was extended to Ballyfermot in 2006. My Department, with the support of Pobal, has overall responsibility for the co-ordination of the RAPID programme.
As I have indicated to the House on a number of occasions, it is a matter for individual Departments to report on the provision of funding and progress on delivery with respect to projects under their responsibility in the RAPID areas. The provision in my Department's Vote funds two elements of the Programme. The first relates to the costs of the administration of the Programme; the second element relates to the RAPID Leverage Fund schemes.
I initiated the Leverage schemes in 2004 in order to support small-scale projects identified locally by the Area Implementation Teams in each of the RAPID areas. These schemes are co-funded by the relevant agencies and fund projects that focus on estate enhancement, graffiti clean-up, traffic calming, CCTV, health and sports facilities, and the provision of playgrounds. Since the introduction of these schemes I have increased the amount of funds allocated from some €6.5m in 2004 to some €11.0m in 2006. I am satisfied that the capital allocation of €7.8 million in 2007 is sufficient to meet the funding commitments I have approved for these schemes including the balance of funds allocated in 2006. Actual spend in each year since 2004 on leverage of small scale projects was 2004 €1.98m, 2005 €4.51m and 2006 €4.54m.
In terms of expansion of the scheme, the Deputy will be aware of the joint initiative announced in January 2007 with my colleague the Minister for Education and Science that will enable €18m worth of investment in schools in RAPID areas.
234 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has satisfied himself that rural housing requirements are being met to the extent required as per his previous comments on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7956/07]
The National Spatial Strategy (NSS) addresses many of my concerns on issues such as rural housing. The rural settlement policy framework contained in the NSS, which represents overall Government policy on rural housing, aims to sustain and renew established rural communities while strengthening the structure of villages and smaller settlements to support local economies. In this way it seeks to ensure key assets in rural areas are protected to support quality of life and that rural settlement policies are responsive to the local circumstances of different areas.
The guidelines for planning authorities on sustainable rural housing published by my colleague, Dick Roche T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, provide a more detailed framework for planners, based on the approach set out in the NSS regarding rural housing policy. The guidelines reflect my own view that rural housing within the confines of good planning practice is needed. These guidelines are important in ensuring clarity and consistency in the implementation by planning authorities of Government policy on rural housing.
235 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the full extent of his Department’s expectations in terms of receipts from the Dormant Accounts Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7957/07]
Dormant Accounts legislation provides for an annual transfer by credit institutions and insurance undertakings of monies in dormant accounts into the Dormant Accounts Fund. Since the establishment of the Fund in May 2003, a total of €373.2 million has been transferred, of which €112.6 million has been reclaimed. At this juncture, it is difficult to estimate what the inflows to the Fund will be in 2007 and subsequent years.
236 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his Department’s expenditure in County Kildare in 2006 through the various schemes operated by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7958/07]
Records maintained by my Department indicate that a total of €3.798m was expended by my Department in grants and assistance to groups in Co. Kildare during 2006 under various programmes as summarised below. A further €2.114m was also expended by Waterways Ireland within the county during 2006.
|
€ |
€ |
|
|
Community Development Projects |
||
|
Athy CDP |
125,300 |
|
|
The Bridge CDP |
98,625 |
|
|
N.W. Kildare Community Development |
74,831 |
|
|
Sub-total |
298,756 |
|
|
CDP Once Off Grants |
||
|
Athy CDP |
11,405 |
|
|
The Bridge CDP |
8,000 |
|
|
N.W. Kildare Community Development |
8,200 |
|
|
Sub-total |
27,605 |
|
|
Community Support for Older People |
||
|
Care of Elderly Association Newbridge |
13,281 |
|
|
Monasterevin Old Folk Community |
3,051 |
|
|
The Evergreens |
3,478 |
|
|
Celbridge Community Alert |
5,572 |
|
|
Muintearas |
2,116 |
|
|
Newtown Donadea Senior Citizens |
1,000 |
|
|
Sub-total |
28,498 |
|
|
Support For Volunteering |
||
|
Kildare Volunteer Bureau |
69,300 |
|
|
Sub-total |
69,300 |
|
|
Community Services Programme |
||
|
Ar an Uisce Enterprise |
153,413 |
|
|
Centre for Performing Arts |
69,821 |
|
|
Larkwood Products Ltd |
142,964 |
|
|
Lullymore Heritage Park |
174,311 |
|
|
Naas Sports Group Ltd |
90,719 |
|
|
Sub-Total |
631,228 |
|
|
WP Federations & Networks National Association of Boards of Management |
||
|
Special Education |
36,500 |
|
|
Breaking Through |
66,000 |
|
|
Accord |
23,500 |
|
|
Sub-total |
126,000 |
|
|
Improved Co-ordination of Local & Community Development Services |
||
|
Kildare County Council — CDB |
382,000 |
|
|
Sub-total |
382,000 |
|
|
RAPID — Top-up Sports Capital Programme |
||
|
Athy Sports and Acrobatics Club |
1,500 |
|
|
Athy Rugby Football Club |
60,000 |
|
|
Athy Rowing Club |
2,100 |
|
|
Sub-total |
63,600 |
|
|
RAPID — Traffic Measures |
||
|
Athy Town Council |
28,322 |
|
|
Sub-total |
28,322 |
|
|
LEADER |
||
|
Kildare European Leader II Teo |
948,934 |
|
|
Sub-total |
948,934 |
|
|
Area Based Rural Development |
||
|
Kildare European Leader II Teo |
57,977 |
|
|
Sub-total |
57,977 |
|
|
Rural Social Scheme |
||
|
Kildare European Leader II Teo |
15,062 |
|
|
Kildare European Leader II Teo (Capital) |
12,241 |
|
|
Sub-total |
27,303 |
|
|
Local Development Social Inclusion Scheme |
||
|
Action South Kildare |
686,332 |
|
|
OAK Partnership |
422,154 |
|
|
Sub-total |
1,108,486 |
|
|
Total Programme Spend |
3,798,009 |
If the Deputy has further queries in relation to any of the individual payments listed above, my officials will be glad to assist him in any way possible.
237 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her Department has responsibility for implementation of EEC Council Regulation No. 2080/92; if a national programme instituting a community aid scheme for forestry measures in agriculture has been devised; if such a programme is being implemented; the manner of its implementation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7802/07]
My Department had overall responsibility for the implementation of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2080/92. This Regulation was repealed by Council Regulation (EC) No. 1257/1999 on support for rural development, including forestry measures.
The latest Rural Development Regulation, No. 1698/2005 came into force on 1st January 2007. The Rural Development Programme (RDP) for 2007 to 2013 was submitted to the European Commission for approval in December 2006, following extensive public consultation. It includes a range of support measures for the agricultural and forestry sectors, some of which are co-financed with community aid while others are exclusively nationally funded. The grant aid programme for forestry is now higher than ever before with grant-aid available for the first afforestation of agricultural land, the construction of forest roads and under a new Forest Environment Protection Scheme.
238 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the remaining single farm payment will be made for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7837/07]
The position is that an application for the Transfer of Entitlements under the Single Payment Scheme to the person named was submitted on the 31st March 2006. During processing of the Transfer application, it was necessary for an official of my Department to write to the person named to seek clarification on certain matters relating to the application. Upon receipt of the requested documentation my Department will process the application and will correspond directly with the person named. The person named has also made application under the Consolidation measure of the Single Payment Scheme. This application will be processed on completion of the Transfer of Entitlements application.
239 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the grant-aid available to somebody involved in forestry for the development of roadways, entrances and other enhancements which would be made in the interests of health and safety and the environment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7856/07]
The forest service of my Department provides grant-aid for the construction of forest roads at development stage and at harvesting stage. A comprehensive manual is available setting out the detailed specifications for such roads, taking account of site requirements, site conditions, health and safety and the environment.
The level of grant available is based on the costs incurred, up to a maximum of €45 per linear meter.
240 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the average waiting time for payments under the farm waste management scheme on a county basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7961/07]
Under the Charter of Rights for Farmers 2005-2007, there is a comment that payments under the farm waste management scheme will be made within 14 weeks of receipt of a valid claim. In view of the substantial increase in the number of applications received in 2006 under this scheme, there may be instances where this deadline cannot be met by my Department despite best efforts to do so. I am examining various proposals to speed up the payment process to ensure adherence to the charter deadlines as soon as possible.
241 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will review the single farm payment inspection process and introduce a streamlined, efficient and less bureaucratic system for farmers; her views on whether the 66 page, 1,450 item checklist which requires her Department inspectors’ signatures in almost 30 places must be radically and immediately reformed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8042/07]
My Department is committed to ensuring the maximum level of integration of inspections across all areas including inspections under the disadvantaged areas scheme. On this basis, the overall number of annual inspections under the single payment scheme and disadvantaged areas scheme is unlikely to exceed 8,000. This is a significant reduction from the 18,000 inspections annually under the old coupled regime.
My Department is carrying out a full review of the inspection arrangements for the single payment scheme and the disadvantaged areas scheme before finalising the report forms and checklists for 2007. The review will also involve consultation with the farm bodies and this process will commence as soon as possible.
My Department is in regular contact with the European Commission with a view to simplification of single payment scheme requirements with particular reference to advance notice of inspections and tolerances. The initiative by the Commission on simplification of the CAP and the review of cross-compliance, which is under way, provides the opportunity for a fresh look at cross-compliance and other single payment scheme issues. I am certainly pressing for this both in direct contact with Commissioner Fischer Boel and the President of the Council, Minister Seehofer. I raised the matter at the Council recently where several member states had similar problems to ours. It is not surprising then that simplification of the CAP and the cross-compliance regime in particular are core issues for the current German Presidency of the EU.
242 Dr. Twomey asked the Minister for Education and Science if a school can refuse admission to a student who is in the school’s catchment area but where an older sibling did not attend the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7828/07]
The selection and enrolment of pupils in second level schools is the responsibility of the school management authorities. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking second level places in an area. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice. As schools may not have a place for every applicant, a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants.
Under section 15(2)(d) of the Education Act 1998, each school is legally obliged to disclose its enrolment policy and to ensure that principles of equality and the right of parents to send their children to a school of the parents choice are respected. Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 provides parents with an appeal process where a board of management of a school or a person acting on behalf of the board refuses enrolment to a student. Where a school refuses to enrol a pupil, it is obliged to inform parents of their right under section 29 of Education Act 1998 to appeal that decision to the Secretary General of my Department. Only where an appeal under section 29 is upheld can the Secretary General direct a school to enrol a pupil.
The National Educational Welfare Board, NEWB, is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The NEWB can be contacted at National Educational Welfare Board, National Headquarters, 16-22 Green Street, Dublin 7, or by telephone at 01-8738700.
243 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if a bus pass or financial assistance will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny to enable them to attend school; and if she will expedite a response in view of the poor financial circumstances of the family. [7830/07]
My Department will request the transport liaison officer for County Kilkenny to examine the situation regarding school transport for the pupil referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied. The transport liaison officer will contact the family when this examination is completed.
244 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science if the €2,000 physical education grant for each primary school has been awarded; if this will be an annual grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7831/07]
A special PE funding package, of €6.5 million, issued late last year to primary schools. Under the package, each school received €2,000 towards the cost of replacing and upgrading PE equipment in their school. This grant was issued, as a once-off measure, to enable schools to replace older equipment such as goalposts, PE mats, benches etc. The modern equipment that can be purchased will facilitate PE and sporting activities in schools, which everyone recognises is a very important aspect of school life.
This funding package was made as part of this Government's continued commitment to modernise facilities in schools throughout the country. In addition, since 2000, my Department has provided in excess of €5.5 million in grant-aid to primary schools to facilitate the provision of coaching or mentoring in connection with physical education or to purchase resource materials associated with the provision of physical education.
Appropriate classroom equipment is provided as part of extension and refurbishment projects and new school buildings funded by my Department. Under the furniture and equipment element of my Department's school building and modernisation programme, funding is available for the provision of additional equipment at developing schools or the replacement of outdated or damaged equipment.
I increased the level of grant payable under the annual devolved grant scheme for minor works to national schools last November. All primary schools with full recognition receive a basic grant of €5,500 plus €18.50 per mainstream pupil and €74 per special needs pupil. This grant is intended to address works required to the physical infrastructure of the schools or to pay for items of furniture and equipment for educational use, including PE and IT related equipment. Some €27 million was paid out to primary schools throughout the country to enable thousands of small scale works to be completed without the need to interact with my Department.
Primary schools that establish a class for special needs pupils receive a once-off grant of €6,500 per class to purchase equipment, including physical education equipment, that they feel best meets the needs of the pupils attending the class. Schools may use their general capitation funding to support the implementation of curricula, including physical education. Since 1997, the standard rate of capitation grant at primary level was increased from €57.14 per pupil to €163.58 from 1 January 2007.
245 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science if the task force announced on 10 November 2001, to assist in promoting healthy lifestyles amongst primary school children is still in existence; if the national sport co-ordinator and the two assistant co-ordinators to work with the task force were appointed at that time; their present status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7832/07]
I assume the Deputy is referring to the Primary School Sports Initiative, (PSSI), which was launched in January 2001. It was established as a precursor to the roll out of national in-service training for primary teachers in the Physical Education Curriculum. As part of this initiative, a task force was established to inform the development of the project. Three teachers were seconded to the initiative, and were appointed as National Co-ordinator and assistant national co-ordinators. These teachers worked closely with 27 schools during the lifetime of the initiative and developed lesson plans based on the PE Curriculum which have since been developed into a CD ROM, launched by me in May 2006 and circulated to every school in the country.
The work of the PSSI served to inform the content and structure of the seminars provided by the Primary Curriculum Support Programme, (PCSP), for all primary teachers. Following the commencement of the training of designated PE trainers within the PCSP, the budget for the PSSI was subsumed into this programme. Following interviews, the 3 teachers seconded to PSSI were offered positions as PE trainers with PCSP. The national co-ordinator of the initiative however, had been appointed as principal before taking up this offer but the two assistant national co-ordinators accepted the offer and worked as trainers with the PCSP between 2004 and 2006. They have since returned to their base schools.
Currently, there is an Assistant National Co-ordinator working with the PCSP who has responsibility for leading a team of 17 Physical Education/Social Personal and Health Education Cuiditheoir who are involved in supporting teachers in schools in the promotion of physical activity and healthy lifestyles. This Co-ordinator also takes responsibility for co-ordinating the Active Schools Awards, another Department of Education and Science initiative which aims to raise the profile of PE and co-curricular physical activity in the context of the Primary PE curriculum and to promote lifelong involvement in sport and physical activity.
246 Mr. McEntee asked the Minister for Education and Science her proposals to meet the classroom needs of a school (details supplied) in County Meath from September 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7838/07]
I can confirm to the Deputy that the school to which he refers has submitted an application for additional accommodation to cater for its long term needs. This application is being assessed. The school authority has not applied for any additional accommodation for September, 2007.
247 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals regarding an autism unit at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15; the arrangements in place to secure therapeutic and clinical support for the unit; the provisions and resources in place regarding staffing and fitting the unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7859/07]
The Deputy will be aware of my commitment to ensuring that all children, including those with autism receive an education appropriate to their needs, preferably through the primary and post primary school network. In this regard my Department has established 181 special classes for children with autism, attached to special and mainstream schools, 5 special classes for children with Asperger's Syndrome,16 pre-school classes to facilitate the demand for early intervention provision for children on the autistic spectrum and 14 Stand Alone facilities providing an Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) specific methodology on a pilot basis. Two of these facilities have yet to be established.
The Deputy may be aware that a building project to provide new accommodation at the school is nearing completion and I understand that it will be ready for occupation in the coming months. I understand that there is provision for an autism unit within the new accommodation. My officials wrote to the school principal on 16 February 2007 indicating the range of supports available to schools from my Department to support autism units. These include a special class for autism typically established with an initial staff of one teacher and two special needs assistants (SNAs) for every six pupils and additional SNA support may be provided on the basis of the assessed needs of individual pupils.
As a further support, many smaller schools where autism units are approved by the National Council for Special Education can now have an administrative principal to assist with the establishment and running of specialist intervention locally. In addition, enhanced levels of capitation are available to special schools and mainstream schools with special classes.
Additional training supports for staff engaged in the education provision for children with autism can be accessed through the Special Education Support Service (SESS). The service will, as appropriate, consolidate, co-ordinate, develop and deliver a range of professional development initiatives and support structures to the relevant staff.
Other supports include assistive technology grants where this is recommended and specialist equipment such as modified desks and chairs as required.
As the Deputy is aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is now operational. A specific function of the NCSE, through its network of local special educational needs organisers (SENOs), is to identify appropriate educational placement for all children with special educational needs. The SENO is a focal point of contact for parents and schools. It is open to a parent to contact the SENO directly regarding their child's needs. Contact details for the SENO may be accessed on the NCSE website at www.ncse.ie.
The provision of therapeutic and clinical support for the autism unit is a matter for the Health Services Executive (HSE) and funding is provided to the HSE for such purposes.
248 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will confirm that she is in a position to sanction a devolved grant for a school (details supplied); and the amount of same. [7860/07]
An application has been received in my Department from the school referred to by the Deputy under the Small Schools Scheme 2007. All applications received under this scheme are under consideration and the list of successful applicants will be published shortly.
249 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary schools which have been identified with the largest numbers of newcomer children needing English language support; if she will confirm that teachers will be appointed to these schools in the coming weeks; if so, the number appointed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8011/07]
A total of 130 primary schools have been identified with eligible non-English speaking newcomer pupils. The schools in question have been notified by my Department that they qualify for a total of 179 posts under the initiative referred to by the Deputy.
The recruitment and appointment of personnel to fill teaching posts, including language support posts, is a matter for the Board of Management of each individual school. Agreed procedures with regard to the filling of posts (e.g. compliance with any redeployment panel arrangements in place, composition of selection boards, advertising etc) must be followed.
It is the policy of my Department that only qualified personnel should be employed. Unqualified personnel should not be appointed except in exceptional circumstances and then only when all avenues for recruiting qualified personnel have been exhausted.
Teaching posts that arise are normally advertised by the relevant school Board of Management in the national press. It is a matter for persons wishing to be considered for appointment to submit their applications direct to the Board of Management.
250 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Science the discussions her Department has had with the board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there are varied views on the proposed re-location of this school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8012/07]
Discussions are ongoing between the Department, Wicklow County Council and the educational providers in the Greystones/Delgany area with a view to ensuring that the long term educational needs of the area are adequately met. All possible options will be considered and the concerns of parents will be taken into account.
251 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in the view of the fact that most Vocational Educational Colleges committees do not have the resources or structures to fund community groups involved in the teaching of English, she has plans to provide grant assistance to community and voluntary groups who are providing English language classes to new immigrants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8018/07]
The Adult and Further Education services are funded by my Department and delivered locally by the Vocational Education Committees (VECs). Any grant assistance from my Department to community or voluntary groups for English language classes must be channelled through VECs.
The White Paper on Adult Education "Learning for Life" (2000) stated that asylum seekers would be entitled to free access to Adult Literacy, English language and mother culture supports and refugees are entitled to the same access to education and training as Irish nationals.
My Department gives an annual grant to all VECs for the provision of Adult Literacy and Community Education. This fund may be used for the teaching of English to immigrants.
The cost of the literacy service delivered by VECs, which was funded by my Department, was over €23 million in 2006. The number of students was over 35,000. 27% of these, amounting to 10,000 clients, attended English for Speakers as Other Language (ESOL) courses.
The language needs of migrants formed part of the negotiations between social partners in drawing up the new social partnership agreement "Towards 2016". A prioritised action included in the agreement is that the annual student cohort availing of the general national literacy service delivered by the Vocational Education Committees will be significantly increased by the provision of an extra 7,000 places by 2009, 3,000 of which will be provided this year. Under the terms of the agreement, there will be a particular focus on the increasing number of migrants receiving an English language service (ESOL).
252 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will honour the commitment in the 2002 Programme for Government to reduce mainstream class sizes to 20:1 in the lifetime of this Government; the average mainstream class size per teacher, excluding all non mainstream teachers for each county; the length of time it will take to reach the target of 20:1; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8019/07]
The commitment referred to by the Deputy relates to pupils under nine years of age. Information in relation to class sizes is provided in the annual census of primary schools. The census for the current school year (2006/07) is currently being worked on. Details on class size in primary schools will be available for Counties.
Major improvements have been made in staffing at primary level in recent years. There are now 4,000 more primary teachers than there were in 2002. 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.
Children with special needs and those from disadvantaged areas are getting more support than ever before to help them to make the most of their time at school.
Indeed, with the thousands of extra primary teachers hired by this Government, recent years have seen the largest expansion in teacher numbers since the expansion of free education. Furthermore, the Government is committed to providing even more primary teachers next year to reduce class sizes.
As the Deputy knows 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 September this will reduce to 27 children per classroom teacher.
School authorities are requested to ensure that the number of pupils in any class is kept as low as possible, taking all relevant contextual factors into account (e.g. classroom accommodation, fluctuating enrolment). In particular, school authorities should ensure that there is an equitable distribution of pupils in mainstream classes and that the differential between the largest and smallest classes is kept to a minimum.
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.
253 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will remove SSIA payments from the means test for the higher education grant; her reason for not removing this once off payment which can have a significant impact on lower income families which would otherwise qualify for the grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8020/07]
The Government is determined to ensure that SSIA savers are treated fairly in the calculation of reckonable income under my Department's maintenance grant schemes.
This is being achieved in two ways: Firstly, income from SSIAs is being treated exactly the same as income from similar savings and investment products; and Secondly, the reckonable income limits for student grants have been increased considerably in recent years.
Since SSIAs were introduced, the amount of income to be included in respect of them is the government grant earned on the savings in the relevant tax year plus, in the case of savings accounts, the gross interest earned in the relevant tax year, and, in the case of investment accounts, the investment profit earned in the relevant tax year. Investment losses sustained in the relevant tax year are deductible.
The same position has long applied to interest earned on other savings products, including deposit accounts, post office savings certificates, life assurance bonds etc. The treatment of SSIAs is therefore consistent with the traditional treatment of other similar investments over many years. The Department of Finance is aware of this approach to the assessment of income for eligibility for student support.
So, in applying for a grant for the 2007/08 academic year, only the relevant income earned, as outlined above, on the SSIA in 2005 has to be declared. The maximum that the Government grant to any SSIA saver could have amounted to last year, as in any year of the SSIA scheme, is €762.
This has been the position since SSIAs were introduced.
254 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Science if all higher education grants will be processed by vocational education committees for the 2007 to 2008 academic year; when VECs and local authorities will be notified of these changes; the time frames involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8021/07]
I announced in June 2006 that the Vocational Education Committees (VECs) would be given sole responsibility for the administration of the third level student maintenance grants and that this was part of my overall plans to introduce service improvements in the administration of the student grant schemes.
The arrangements for the future administration will be provided for in new statutory framework through a Student Support Bill. The Government has approved the drafting of a new Student Support Bill which will place all student support schemes on a statutory footing for the first time, including providing for the designation of an appropriate awarding authority and for the general basis on which grants will be awarded to eligible students.
Work on the Bill is at an advanced stage and I hope to be in a position to publish the Bill shortly.
My Department is in consultation with the key stakeholders in order to map the most logical and effective arrangements for the future structure and administration of the student support schemes, including the arrangements for the 2007/08 academic year. These consultations are a priority for my Department at present.
255 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 495 of 29 November 2005, if he will confirm that the Snow Report in question at paragraph 4.7.2 unequivocally acknowledges that, on the sole basis of risk to either air navigation or to those on the ground, restriction of all development under the approach surfaces at Casement Aerodrome particularly to a wide area at a distance of 1,370 metres from the thresholds might seem logically unsustainable, particularly in view of the fact that there are no available data for a satisfactory risk analysis on Irish military aircraft during landing and take-off operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7841/07]
Red safety areas were first adopted at Casement Aerodrome following a review in 1992 by Aer Rianta, on behalf of the Department of Defence, of policy in relation to safety zones at the aerodrome. International Civil Aviation Organisation standards and recommendations in relation to obstacle limitation surfaces for airports, designed to protect the safety of aircraft as they land and take off by ensuring that there are no obstacles in the way, as well as considerations in regard to public safety in the vicinity of the aerodrome, were taken into account in determining the size and shape of the red safety areas at Casement Aerodrome. The areas are essentially two-dimensional surfaces on the ground originating 60 metres beyond the runway thresholds, have a width of 300 metres and diverge at a rate of 15% at each side to a width of 700 metres and have an overall length of 1370 metres in the case of each runway. The Department's policy approach is that no new developments should be allowed within red safety areas. However, extensions to existing domestic dwellings are acceptable in certain circumstances.
While the Snow Report, referred to by the Deputy, contains discourse in relation to the restriction of development under the approach surfaces at Casement Aerodrome, the recommendation in the case of Casement Aerodrome contained in the report was that approach areas be retained for security and safety reasons because of the large proportion of training, including single engine/solo flights by inexperienced pilots, carried out at the aerodrome. The matter will, however, be kept under review.
256 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress made with regard to allocating funds to Kilkenny County Council under the farm plastic recycling scheme where statistics show the urgent need for this scheme to be rolled out to Kilkenny at the earliest possible date (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7818/07]
To address the issue of accumulated backlogs of farm plastic, designated facilities are being provided on a temporary, once-off basis by local authorities where farmers may deposit stockpiled farm film plastic and silage wrap. This arrangement operated on a pilot basis in the first instance in counties Galway, Clare, Mayo, Offaly and Waterford during June and July of last year. This service is free to the farmer and funding to assist the local authorities is being made available from my Department through the Environment Fund.
The collections were well supported by farmers in the counties participating in the pilot phase, leading to large quantities of plastic being deposited at designated sites. A significant finding from the pilot scheme is that it is not possible to operate collections in a large number of counties at the same time due to capacity constraints on the part of recovery operators. Accordingly, it was necessary to roll out the scheme to other areas on a staggered basis. Arising from a comprehensive examination of the information available, I approved further collections of waste silage/bale wrap by Leitrim, Roscommon, Carlow, Longford, North Tipperary and Wicklow County Councils which recently concluded. Announcements regarding further extensions of collections to other areas, including Kilkenny, will follow a review of this second phase of the scheme.
257 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the initiatives promoted by his Department to encourage local authorities and voluntary housing organisations to provide for the housing of Irish emigrants who wish to return to live here in their older years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7819/07]
My Department supports the Safe Home Programme which aids returning Irish emigrants in securing social housing supports where they are eligible for them.
Under an amendment made to the terms of my Department's voluntary housing Capital Assistance Scheme in November 2001, up to 25% of accommodation in new projects provided throughout the country by individual voluntary housing bodies with funding under the scheme may be allocated to elderly returning emigrants who satisfy eligibility criteria in relation to their present circumstances and are included in the Safe Home waiting list.
258 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a form of grant system is available to assist residents to improve the energy retention of their homes particularly by way of insulation or exulation of building materials, that is, breeze blocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7820/07]
There are no specific grants available from my Department or local authorities for energy retention improvements to homes. However, Sustainable Energy Ireland, under the auspices of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, operates a Low Income Housing Programme. This was set up to help establish and implement a national plan of action to address the problem of fuel poverty. Core delivery is through the Warmer Homes Scheme. This programme aims to improve the energy efficiency and comfort conditions of homes occupied by low-income households and at establishing the systems and growing the capacity in Ireland to install such measures which include attic insulation, draught proofing, lagging jackets, energy efficient lighting, cavity wall insulation and energy advice.
My own Department operates a number of targeted options to assist vulnerable groups, such as lower income households and elderly persons, to secure necessary improvement works to their homes. These include the local authority house improvement loan scheme, the disabled persons and essential repairs grant scheme, the improvement works in lieu of local authority housing scheme and a Central Heating Programme, all administered by local authorities, and the Task Force on Special Housing Aid for the Elderly which is administered by the Health Services Executive.
The Essential Repairs Grant and the Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Grant Scheme have been reviewed recently and will be replaced by the Scheme of Housing Aid for Older People, to be administered by local authorities, during 2007.
My Department also financially assists local authorities in upgrading, renovating and re-developing their housing stock through the Remedial Works Scheme and funding for regeneration and redevelopment projects. Works under the Remedial Works Scheme must comply with Building Regulations and where an extensive programme of refurbishment is carried out, measures are taken to improve thermal insulation in accordance with Building Regulations.
259 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if there are grants available for persons in private dwellings to assist with replacing their existing septic tank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7839/07]
Grants are not available from my Department to individual householders for the replacement of septic tanks. However, under the Rural Water Programme, grants of €2,031 per house are available from county councils to groups of householders who provide common sewerage facilities in cases where existing facilities are deficient and giving rise to pollution.
260 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the regulations governing the non-development by builders of amenity type proposals, such as playgrounds, creches, or service buildings made as part of a larger residential or mixed use development but where no timeframe was conditioned by the local authority for the completion of such amenities; if it is open to a developer to progress the residential part of such developments and not the amenity type developments; the post-permission sanctions open to a local authority in compelling the developer to build the promised amenities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7840/07]
Under the provisions of Section 40 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, a planning permission is normally granted for a period of 5 years beginning on the date of the granting of permission. All development, including that necessary to comply with the terms of any condition imposed by the planning authority or An Bord Pleanála on appeal, must be substantially completed within this period.
Enforcement of planning control is a matter for the planning authority, which can take action where a development does not comply with the terms of its planning permission. The 2000 Act introduced strengthened arrangements for enforcement by planning authorities in relation to unauthorised developments. There is now a statutory obligation on a planning authority to issue a warning letter regarding unauthorised development in defined circumstances and to carry out an investigation and expeditiously decide whether an enforcement notice should be issued. In addition, the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006 empowered planning authorities to refuse permission to any developer who has substantially failed to comply with a previous planning permission: in such a case the developer will have to go to the High Court if he/she wishes to apply to have this decision overturned.
Under Section 156 of the 2000 Act, a person who is found guilty on indictment of an enforcement offence is liable to a fine of up to €12.7m, or to imprisonment for up to 2 years, or to both.
Sections 34(4)(g) and 180(2)(b) of the 2000 Act also provide that in order to ensure that estates are completed satisfactorily, a planning authority may attach a condition to a planning permission requiring the giving of adequate security for the satisfactory completion of a development, and, if the development is not subsequently completed satisfactorily, may apply the security to that satisfactory completion.
Accordingly, it is clear that planning authorities have very substantial powers to compel the completion of housing estates, and any amenity type development, by developers in accordance with the terms of the planning permissions.
261 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to the confirmation by way of reply to Parliamentary Question No. 358 of 7 February 2006 that there have been no aircraft accidents whatsoever or associated third party fatalities in any of the red zones at any of the State airports since their introduction in 1968, if he will explain the rationale for the replacement of such massive red zones with the proposed but even larger public safety zones with such fact perhaps best exemplified by the replacement of the approximately 230 hectares existing red zone at the eastern end of Runway 10/28 at Dublin Airport by an outer public safety zone having an area of approximately 1,073 hectares; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7844/07]
I am advised that it has been the practice since 1968 to limit development in areas known as "red zones" around the 3 state airports of Dublin, Cork and Shannon, for reasons both of air navigation safety and public safety. In 2000, my Department and the Department of Transport jointly commissioned Environment Resource Management (ERM) to review the specific issue of addressing public safety on the ground around the major airports, based on current scientific practice. In assessing this matter, ERM used recent advances in risk modelling techniques which made it possible to quantify the risks to the public on the ground from aircraft crashes.
The recommendations of ERM were that the use of the "red zones" should be discontinued for public safety purposes. Public safety zones should instead be introduced, of a different size and shape to "red zones", and should have varying levels or development restrictions within them, depending on what type of development is proposed at different points. It will be important for example to be able to restrict building heights near runways to ensure that obstacle clearance surfaces for departing and arriving aircraft are maintained, in line with the State's obligations under the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation of 1944. Public safety zones would also be designed to protect the public on the ground from the small but real possibility that an aircraft might crash in a populated area and to ensure, as far as possible, that there are not large concentrations of people continually in the areas most at risk from crashes.
Draft Planning Guidelines on public safety zones around Dublin, Cork, and Shannon Airports are being prepared by my Department and are almost complete. In this context due consideration is being given to the ERM recommendations, including recommendations relating to the "red zones". It is intended to issue the draft Guidelines for public consultation shortly under the Planning and Development Act 2000. All comments received during the consultation process will be considered before the guidelines are finalised and issued under Section 28 of the 2000 Act.
262 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the upgrading of a sewerage scheme at Glin, County Limerick. [7861/07]
The Glin Sewerage Scheme, which is being advanced as part of a grouped project that also involves Athea, Askeaton, Foyes and Shanagolden, is approved for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007. My Department is awaiting submission of Limerick County Council's Preliminary Report for the project.
263 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if special areas of conservation are being proposed for a geographical area (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the impact that such proposals will have on the turbary owners in these areas; the number of people that might be affected; if there has been consultation with the owner groups who will be severely impacted by such proposals; the alternatives that have been proposed for the people affected in order that they can meet their turbary requirements; if they will be allocated other areas where they can harvest their turf requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7882/07]
The geographical areas referred to (Carn Park and Crosswood Bogs) were proposed as candidate SAC in December 2002 and were publicly notified at that time in accordance with the requirements of the Habitats Regulations 1997. Land Title enquires revealed that 75 persons with turbary rights were affected by the designation.
People who are cutting turf for their own personal domestic use are permitted to do so in less sensitive areas of the bogs until the end of 2008. However the use of so-called "sausage machines" is not permitted. The Cessation of Turf Cutting Scheme as currently administered by my Department provides payments to individuals for the purchase either of raised bog or turbary rights on raised bogs in designated areas. However, the Scheme does not allocate alternative turbary rights in other areas nor is this proposed.
264 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the proposed incinerator at Poolbeg, Dublin 4; if the project will be abandoned. [7884/07]
The waste to energy plant proposed to be located at Poolbeg is being procured as a public private partnership by Dublin City Council acting on behalf of the four Dublin local authorities, and within the framework of the statutory regional waste management plan. Dublin City Council has informed my Department that the selected service provider for the project has been seeking significant changes in the financial and commercial terms originally agreed. This matter is I understand the subject of continuing negotiations between the Council and the prospective service provider, and I am not in a position to comment further on it at this stage. The applications for planning permission to An Bord Pleanala, and for a waste licence to the EPA, are sponsored by Dublin City Council, not the service provider, and are being maintained.
265 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will confirm plans to fund and develop a new fire station in Tallaght. [7888/07]
Dublin City Council sought sanction to extend the fire station in Tallaght and this was approved in principle in the 2006 Fire Services Capital Programme. However, the Council are now of the view that a new replacement station is the most cost effective option and this proposal has been approved in principle under the 2007 Programme. Funding for the project will be determined following receipt of detailed cost plans and design documents from the council.
266 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will confirm that the Dublin region, as a designated gateway region identified in the National Spatial Strategy and National Development Plan, will be eligible to bid for funding from the gateway innovation fund alongside the other gateways, as is implied within the NDP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7891/07]
My Department and the Department of Finance are currently working up the terms of the operational framework for the Gateway Innovation Fund, established under the National Development Plan 2007-2013. Qualifying or assessment criteria have not yet been finalised.
267 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has responsibility for the funding of small or group sewerage schemes throughout the country; the full extent of the budget under this heading in 2006; the full extent of the budget for 2007, the number of schemes which might fall within this category and in respect of which he has received communication to such effect from Kildare County Council in respect of County Kildare; the schemes that fall within the relevant category for favourable consideration by him in 2007; if this includes a scheme or schemes for Straffan, Ardclough, Stapelstown, Clougharinkoe, Broadford, Carbury, Derrinturn, Tinahoe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7922/07]
Funding for small public and for private group sewerage schemes is allocated to local authorities by my Department through annual block grants under the Rural Water Programme. The prioritisation and approval of individual schemes under the Programme is a devolved function of the local authorities.
Expenditure on small public water and sewerage schemes under the 2006 Programme amounted to €22.062m. Group sewerage schemes are funded from the provision for new group water and sewerage schemes in respect of which there was expenditure of €28.996m in 2006.
In common with all county councils, Kildare County Council was invited by my Department in December 2006 to submit an outline of its proposed work programme and funding requirements for the 2007 Rural Water Programme. The Council's submission does not include the schemes by the locations referred to in the Question.
268 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the sources, cost involved and details of companies from which carbon credits will be purchased in order to reduce penalties arising from the Kyoto Protocol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8024/07]
I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 103, 120, 132, 157 and 213 of 27 February 2007. It will be a matter for the National Treasury Management Agency, on enactment of the Carbon Fund Bill, to decide on the modalities for future purchases of carbon credits. In relation to the Kyoto Protocol commitment period 2008-2012, the Government has signalled its intention to purchase up to a maximum of 18 million carbon allowances. At an assessed average price of €15 per allowance, the total estimated cost is €270m.
