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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 11 Dec 2007

Vol. 643 No. 3

Written Answers.

The following are questions tabled by Members for written response and the ministerial replies as received on the day from the Departments [unrevised].
Questions Nos. 1 to 7, inclusive, answered orally.
Questions Nos. 8 to 50, inclusive, resubmitted.
Questions Nos. 51 to 59, inclusive, answered orally.

Schools Building Projects.

James Reilly

Ceist:

60 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Education and Science when construction work will begin on a new national school in Laytown, County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33961/07]

My Department has already provided a 16-classroom facility to meet the immediate accommodation requirements in Laytown. The new 24-classroom school building will be provided by my Department under a design and build contract. The procurement process for this project is now nearing completion and it is expected that the contract will be awarded very soon. As part of the tender competition, the initial design and layout for the school has already been done and some pre-planning discussions have taken place with Meath County Council in order to help ensure that it meets their requirements.

Following the placing of the design and build contract, the first task for the successful contractor will be to submit the application for planning permission for the new school. Given the preparatory work already done it is expected that the application for planning permission can be done within a matter of weeks following the appointment. I want to assure the Deputy that my Department is committed to commencing construction of the new school as soon as possible following receipt of planning permission.

Last week I outlined details of how €594 million is to be spent on school building projects in the coming year.  The majority of this funding will be targeted at primary level and will enable my Department to continue the process of providing new school places and modernising existing facilities in schools throughout the country with a particular emphasis on meeting the new and emerging needs in developing areas such as Laytown. Since 1997 a total of €3.6 billion has been invested in school buildings and this has delivered over 9,300 school building projects. This further investment of €594m will build on these achievements and will focus in particular on the provision of school accommodation in areas where the population is growing at a rapid rate.  The NDP investment of over €4.5 billion will enable my Department to continue to transform the standard of school facilities throughout the country.

Language Support Services.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

61 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps she will take to implement the outstanding recommendations in the Joint Committee on Education and Science report for the provision of educational services in a multi-ethnic multicultural society; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24884/07]

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that significant progress has been made since 2004 on the recommendations in the Joint Committee's report. Recommendation 1 relates to additional teaching support. Earlier this year, the limit of two Language Support Teachers per school was removed and provision was made for a pupil to receive assistance for more than two years where necessary. There are now in the region of 1,900 language support teacher posts in our schools, compared with just 262 in 2001/02.

Recommendation 2 relates to the use of dictionaries. The rules set by the State Examinations for the certificate exams allow for the use of bilingual dictionaries in most subjects for candidates whose first language is not English or Irish. The number of students availing of this has risen from just over 800 in 2004 to more than 1,500 in the current year. Recommendation 3 relates to the appointment of a national co-ordinator. My appointment as the first Minister of State for Integration and the establishment of my Office for Integration was designed to bring a co-ordinated and cohesive response to the integration of newcomers to Ireland.

Recommendation 4 relates to teacher training. Language support teachers are provided with in-service training. Intercultural resource materials have also been developed for teachers and schools. In fact, yesterday I along with the Minister for Education in Northern Ireland, Caitríona Ruane, MLA jointly launched a "Toolkit for Diversity in the Primary School". Recommendation 5 proposes that separated children should not be moved into direct provision, even if they have reached their 18th birthday, until after they have completed the Leaving Certificate. My colleague, the Minister for Children, Brendan Smith, T.D. is responsible for the provision of services to separated children seeking asylum. The HSE has advised that children in their 5th or 6th year of post-primary are not moved into direct provision, after they reach their 18th birthday, during the school year, subject to availability of beds. The Reception and Integration Agency, which is responsible for the operation of the Direct Provision system, is not involved in the above determination process of the HSE and moreover, the person's accommodation situation has no direct bearing on the processing of his/ her asylum claim.

Recommendation 6 relates to school admission policies. Enrolment in individual schools is the responsibility of the managerial authority. However, schools must act in accordance with Section 7 of the Equal Status Act 2000 which, subject to very limited exceptions, prohibits discrimination in enrolment procedures. Recommendation 7 relates to the role of Youth Services, Adult and Non-Formal Education. Funding for youth services for young people of all backgrounds has improved significantly in recent years. The number of migrants benefiting from access to adult literacy training has increased in recent years– with over 12,000 availing of the VEC service in the last school year. A national English language training policy and framework for legally-resident adult immigrants is also being developed.

Capitation Grants.

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

62 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that local authority charges have risen by 104% since 2002 and that this is having an adverse affect on the budgets of the voluntary secondary schools sector as the schools are now required by their local authority to pay domestic refuse disposal and water charges; the steps she could take to increase the allocation of funds to the voluntary secondary schools sector in order to assist it in meeting this increased charge; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33427/07]

Secondary schools receive funding by way of per capita grants, to meet their day-to-day running costs, including refuse and water charges. The value of the capitation grants have improved significantly over the past few years and are set to increase again by €15 to €331 per pupil in 2008. In addition, voluntary secondary schools will benefit by an increase of €15 in the support services grant, bringing that grant to €204 per pupil.

The total increase of €30 per pupil in a voluntary secondary school will bring the aggregate grant to €535 per pupil. The Deputy should be aware that these grants are in addition to the per capita funding, of up to €40,000 per school, that is also provided by my Department to secondary schools towards secretarial and caretaking services. Accordingly, in the case of a secondary school with 500 pupils, the annual grants towards general expenses and support service will be more than €300,000 in 2008. This represents an increase of 92% approximately since 2000. These significant increases are a clear demonstration of my commitment to prioritise available resources to address their needs.

The Deputy will be aware of the commitment in the Programme for Government to examine how local authorities might grant allow schools a reasonable level of usage of water and waste services without charge, and that charges would only apply when a school exceeded the allowance. The Deputy will appreciate that it is a primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, to determine precisely how this commitment will be implemented. A key consideration from my perspective is to ensure that any proposed scheme ensures that schools are treated consistently across the country. My Department will of course input to and support the examination to be conducted by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

The Deputy should note that my Department is to the forefront of design with respect to energy efficiency in school buildings, including measures to conserve water in schools. Typically these involve the use of low-pressure spray taps on wash hand basins rather than the traditional type taps. Dual type flushing units are provided on individual toilets. Where showers are provided, push button type shower controls are used to conserve water usage. Given the scale of my Department's school building programme in recent years many schools have already benefited from these energy saving measures. In addition, my Department has undertaken initial studies into the feasibility of recycling rainwater in schools and the viability of grey-water recycling continues to be kept under review. The performance of my Department in relation to low energy design has been recognised at both national and international level with sustainable energy awards for excellence in design and specification.

State Examinations.

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

63 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the rising number of foreign national students in the school system here, she will introduce an international junior certificate and leaving certificate examination in which non-anglophone students would do non-core subjects in their native language; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33441/07]

I am aware of the rising number of foreign national students in our school system, and also that there are over one hundred languages, other than Irish or English, spoken in Ireland. The facilities we currently provide for our newcomer students in the examination system are expanding each year and are kept under regular review by my Department. In addition, the number of language support teachers has increased dramatically in recent years.

Apart from the eleven curricular languages studied and examined in the Leaving Certificate examination, the State Examinations Commission provides examinations in a range of non-curricular languages. These are languages which do not appear as part of the normal school curriculum but which students may opt to be examined in under certain conditions, chief among which are the requirements that:

the candidates for these examinations be from a member state of the EU

they speak the language in which they opt to be examined as a mother tongue

they are following a programme of study leading to the Leaving Certificate and

they are taking the Leaving Certificate examination in English

In 2007 there were candidates in fifteen such languages, facilitating EU students who might be described as ‘non-anglophone' in sitting an examination in their own language. This number has increased from nine in 2005. Logistically, it would not be possible to extend this service to the model envisaged in the question. This would require a whole new group of experts in those languages, whose skills also extended to the many curricular subjects offered in our certificate examination system in schools.

A key focus of educational policy is to ensure that newcomer students are integrated successfully into the Irish education system and that they have access to the same learning opportunities as are available to other students in the system. The Irish Leaving Certificate is widely respected internationally, and in 2004 agreement was concluded with the UK that from 2006 Irish Leaving Certificate awards at Ordinary and Higher Level would be included in the UCAS Tariff, the points system for admission to higher education colleges in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. This is an indirect mechanism through which achievement in the Leaving Certificate can be compared with awards in a wide range of countries.

In 2005, an information leaflet "Qualifications Can Cross Boundaries" was agreed with the UK and Irish certification and quality assurance agencies which offers a ready reckoner to learners, employers and institutions showing how levels of qualification in Ireland and the UK align with each other. The National Qualifications Authority of Ireland has also established Qualifications Recognition Ireland which provides information and advice on the comparability of international qualifications. The service is networked with similar information centres throughout Europe. Awards in Ireland are included in the National Framework of Qualifications. As developments in regard to the establishment of a European Qualifications Framework (EQF) progress in various Member States, Ireland will be well placed to have its awards included in the EQF, further promoting recognition and mobility.

School Accommodation.

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

64 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the lack of facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Laois which has no physical education hall, computer room or library and has had eight prefabs serving as classrooms for the past nine years; and if she will make a statement on the matter particularly in relation to the school’s need to secure a permanent site with a fully resourced school building to ensure it caters for the growing demand for Irish-medium education. [34006/07]

The Department's long term plan for Portlaoise is to provide three new post primary schools and to amalgamate and expand primary provision to meet the growing needs of the area. Educational provision at post primary level in the town needed to be addressed first and a new V.E.C. school building has already been delivered. The two other post primary school building projects are due to go on site next year.

Now that the accommodation requirements of the town at post primary level are well on the way to being addressed, it is proposed to deal with the primary school requirements. Approval in principle has been given for five large scale primary building projects in Portlaoise which will improve conditions for the schools concerned and provide much needed extra school places. Two new greenfield site schools will be built to facilitate the amalgamation of Scoil Náisúnta an Chroí Naofa, St Paul's Primary School and Scoil Násiúnta Mhuire. The new facilities will be configured as a junior and senior school and they will cater for some 1,600 pupils.

The third project is the extension of Scoil Bride, Knockmay to create a 32 classroom school catering for 800 pupils. The fourth is the extension of The Heath National School which will enable it to cater for 200 pupils. Funding is also being made available to Maryboro National School on a devolved basis to enable the construction of a new three classroom school for 75 pupils. The accommodation needs of the school referred to by the Deputy will be addressed in the context of the overall developments for primary education in the town. However, at this early stage, I am not in a position to say when the project will proceed to construction. My Department will, of course, keep the school informed of developments in relation to the provision of accommodation.

School Inspectors.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

65 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science the duties and responsibilities of primary school inspectors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33446/07]

The Inspectorate is a division within the Department of Education and Science and at present has a complement of over 160 primary and post-primary inspectors. While inspectors are generally recruited to work in either the primary or the post-primary sector, the work of the Inspectorate is managed as a unified service headed by the Chief Inspector. The Inspectorate has a statutory quality assurance remit in relation to educational provision in primary and post-primary schools as set out under Section 13 of the Education Act 1998. The annual inspection programme includes mainstream evaluation of the work of teachers and schools, and thematic evaluations of particular aspects of educational provision.

In accordance with Section 13 of the Education Act the roles and functions of inspectors include the following:

to support and advise recognised schools, teachers and Boards of Management on matters relating to the provision of education,

to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of the provision of education in the State,

to conduct research into education and to support policy formulation,

to evaluate the effectiveness of the teaching, development, promotion and use of Irish in schools, and

to advise on any matter relating to education policy and provision, including curriculum, assessment and teaching methods.

The Rules for National Schools provide further detail in relation to the regulations underpinning the inspection of schools and teachers at primary level. A major part of an inspector's work is the external evaluation of schools through Whole School Evaluation (WSE). A primary inspector may work alone or as part of an inspection team to evaluate the school under the areas of management, planning, curriculum provision, teaching and learning, and student support.

Another major part of the work of primary inspectors is the inspection of probationary teachers Because I have been able to increase the numbers of teachers at primary level at an unprecedented rate in recent years, the number of newly qualified teachers in primary schools has risen rapidly. As a consequence, the evaluation of newly qualified primary teachers now represents a very significant element of the overall inspection programme at primary level. For example, during the school year 2007/2008 primary inspectors will conduct inspections and report on more than 2,500 primary teachers on probation. In addition to mainstream evaluation activity inspectors are involved in conducting in-depth thematic evaluations which examine the quality of selected educational programmes or services across a sample of schools.

All reports arising from WSE inspections or thematic inspections are published on the internet website of the Department of Education and Science. Between June 2006 and mid-December 2007 the Inspectorate will have published 1401 reports on 862 different primary and post-primary schools or centres for education on the Department's website. 284 of these reports are Primary WSE Reports. In addition to the formal inspection activity I have outlined, primary inspectors sit on appeals committees dealing with cases taken under Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998. They are also engaged in developing evaluative instruments and undertaking research. Inspectors also provide policy advice in relation to the following:- initial teacher education, induction and in-career development,- the implementation of school/teacher curriculum support programmes and initiatives,- teacher qualifications — curriculum and assessment issues,- the teaching of Irish, and — special education.

Senior inspectors assigned to my Department's Regional Offices throughout the country provide support and advice of a regional nature, liaising with educational bodies and educational providers within the regional catchment areas. They also undertake some evaluations of centres for education and manage the visiting teacher services.

Question No. 66 answered with QuestionNo. 58.

Language Support Services.

Joe McHugh

Ceist:

67 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans in place to cater for the growing number of non-English speaking students attending both primary and secondary schools here; her views on whether teachers and schools are well enough equipped to deal with the surge in the number of foreign students enrolling in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33977/07]

In May this year I approved the issue of Circular 53/2007 to the Management Authorities in primary and post primary schools outlining the resources available to meet the needs of pupils for whom English is a second language. I removed the limit of two Language Support Teachers per school and extended the provision of language support beyond two years, where a specific request is made. In fact, it is now possible for some schools with over 121 such pupils to have 6 language support teachers. There are now in the region of 1,900 language support teacher posts allocated to primary and post primary schools, compared with just 262 in 2001/2002.

These additional resources will assist schools in providing an inclusive school environment to meet the needs of pupils for whom English is a second language. Such an inclusive school environment reflects values and affirms linguistic, ethnic and cultural diversity. In addition to the language resource teachers there is a significant amount of resources available including the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment's (NCCA) Guidelines — "Intercultural Education in the Primary School" and "Intercultural Education in the Post- Primary school". The NCCA has also published "English as an Additional Language in Irish Primary Schools". Integrate Ireland Language and Training (IILT) has produced a resource book "Up and Away" for English language support in primary schools.

IILT in collaboration with the Southern Education and Library Board (in Armagh) yesterday published a "Toolkit for diversity in the primary school — Together towards Inclusion". This was a joint North South project. This toolkit will be provided to every primary school on the island. In addition, early in the new year a language assessment kit, prepared by IILT, will be provided to all primary schools. This will enable accurate initial and on-going assessment of the language proficiency of newcomer children.

Since 2001 my Department has funded Integrate Ireland Language and Training (IILT) to provide Language Support Teachers with in-service training. I have just established an Integration Unit to ensure that education policies take account of the need to integrate immigrants and their children. This Unit will be assisted by the Department's Steering Committee on the Educational Needs of Newcomers which identifies emerging issues, proposes solutions and arranges for the implementation of agreed solutions and policies. I have commissioned the Economic and Social Research Institute to undertake a large scale study into how an increasing diversity of students impacts upon resource requirements and day to day teaching and learning in both primary and post-primary schools. The report from the research findings is due in autumn 2008.

In addition, in 2008 the Inspectorate will start to conduct an evaluation of the provision of English as an additional language in a number of schools and it plans to publish an analysis of its findings as a composite national report in 2009. These latter two reports along with the advice of the Integration Unit and the Department's Steering Committee will provide me with evidence based data on whether we are meeting the needs of pupils for whom English is a second language, particularly in the context of the increased resources that have now been provided.

School Curriculum.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

68 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will review the proposed changes to early immersion education in Irish medium schools. [34000/07]

The revised primary curriculum was launched in 1999 after extensive consultation with the partners in education. Page 27 in the Introduction to the Curriculum states "It is a particular feature of Irish primary education that children, from the beginning of schooling, have experience of language learning in two languages." It also sets out a suggested minimum weekly time framework for tuition. This provides that where a first language is being taught, there should be four hours instruction per week, and 3 hours per week where there is a shorter day for the infant classes. Where a second language is being taught, the suggested minimum timeframe is 3.5 hours per week, and 2.5 hours per week for infant classes with a shorter day.

Some time ago my Department sought the advice of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment on issues relating to emergent literacy in Irish medium schools. The NCCA produced a series of reports on the matter, including a consultation paper, a literature review of research, and a report on the consultation process. The Council presented its final advice in February 2007.

Having considered the advice in full, I have determined as a public policy issue that the position as set out in the curriculum, and in previous Parliamentary Questions, should remain unchanged i.e that the minimum recommended timeframe set out for a second language in the curriculum should be adhered to. Accordingly, Circular 0044/2007 requires that Irish medium schools should provide for a minimum provision in English of 3.30 hours per week, or 2.5 hours per week where there is a shorter day for infant classes, no later than the start of the second term in Junior infants. The right of parents and children to choose education through the medium of Irish is fully respected, but this does not obviate the need for schools to implement all aspects of the national curriculum. The achievement of the curriculum objectives in every curriculum area at each of the four levels of primary schooling is an over-riding requirement of all schools.

The issue of Circular 0044/2007 is now the subject of a legal challenge in the High Court, and it would not be appropriate for me to make any further comment on the matter.

School Transport.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

69 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of children who have to travel from the islands to the mainland for a primary education and a secondary education; the means of transport available to the children; if she is satisfied that this is the best method of providing for the education of island communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32589/07]

It is my policy that, where possible, education should be provided on islands for both primary and post primary pupils. Where it is not feasible to provide a second-level school on an island, island families are eligible for financial assistance under the Remote Area Boarding Grant Scheme to facilitate a child's attendance at school on the mainland. Under the Scheme, grants are paid towards the cost of boarding in or near second level boarding schools under Catholic religious management in the Free Education Scheme for pupils whose homes are outside the range of public transport services to a day school providing suitable post primary education. This Scheme provides for the payment of grants up to €4,725 in each case towards the cost of boarding or lodgings.

The information requested by the Deputy regarding the number of children availing of transport from islands under the school transport scheme is not readily available. My Department has requested Bus Éireann to provide the relevant information and, as soon as this is available, I will arrange to have it forwarded to the Deputy. I can assure the House that I am committed to ensuring that all persons living on our offshore islands have reasonable access to quality education.

Vocational Training.

David Stanton

Ceist:

70 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science, further to Parliamentary Question No. 276 of 20 November 2007, her Department’s policy in relation to ensuring that practical training and work experience is accessible to persons trained under special educational schemes to train health professionals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33997/07]

The responsibility for curriculum development is a matter for the higher education institutions, having regard to internal and external quality assurance systems, and institutional strategy. I would fully expect that institutions in so developing such curricula would have regard to the needs of all students participating. I would be happy to consider any specific details further should they be brought to the attention of my Department.

It is my understanding that the higher education institutions who provide such courses generally reach agreement with local hospitals or other clinical settings to provide clinical training opportunities for students. The actual arrangements for delivery of these training opportunities are a matter for the Department of Health and Children, and the Health Services Executive.

School Planning.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

71 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which information is available to her Department to facilitate adequate preparation and forward planning for the provision of extra schools and classroom accommodation particularly in areas of expanding population growth and well in advance of actual requirement thereby eliminating the use of temporary accommodation and prefabricated structures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34008/07]

The process of assessing the need for new or additional educational facilities at primary or post-primary level in any given area entails consideration of all relevant factors, including enrolment and demographic trends, housing developments and the capacity of existing schools to meet the demand for places. Liaison with existing schools is also an important part of the process. In this way, every effort is made to ensure that there is adequate existing provision and that timely arrangements are made to extend capacity or provide new infrastructure where necessary.

In addition, Local Authorities are obliged by statute to refer draft local area development plans to the Department for observation and comment so that lands can be zoned for future education use. There are numerous sites reserved for education purposes, particularly in the rapidly developing areas, under this process so as to ensure that there will be sufficient land set aside and available for the future development of education infrastructure.

Over and above the statutory consultation provisions in relation to local authority draft area development plans, my Department has in recent years worked to strengthen contacts with local authorities to enable informed decisions to be made in planning future educational provision. My Department also makes extensive use of data from the Census of Population for a variety of purposes including long-term projections of enrolment at national and local level. The census results for 2006 are of use in identifying broad trends in total population by county and local area. My Department also uses census data when drafting its own area development plans and planning school provision for likely enrolment at local area level.

The Deputy may be aware that the Programme for Government includes a commitment to establish a Developing Areas Unit in my Department. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that this Unit has been established. It is located in Tullamore and forms part of my Department's planning and building division already based in that location. The unit will be solely dedicated to progressing school planning in rapidly developing areas building on improvements that have already been made in school planning in recent years. Staff in the unit will liaise with local authorities, identify where new schools are needed and ensure that they are delivered in the fastest possible timeframe.

To date, 11 members of staff have been redeployed to the unit, comprised of:

1 Principal Officer

1 Assistant Principal Officer

1 Senior Architect

1 Architectural Assistant

3 Higher Executive Officers and

4 Executive Officers

Some of these staff would have been looking after developing areas anyway, and so the consolidation of effort in the new unit will ensure that they are more effectively deployed. The process of filling some of the vacancies arising from the redeployment of staff to the new unit from other areas, is in train.

A further 5 additional (ie non-redeployed) posts — including a professional planner — have been approved for the unit. The necessary recruitment arrangements are now being put in place. The staffing of the unit will be kept under review in light of the evolution of its work programme.

With regard to expenditure on the rental of temporary accommodation, including prefabs, every effort is made to keep this expenditure low. It should be noted that less than 5% of the almost €495 million that was invested in school buildings last year, went on the rental of temporary accommodation. Where accommodation is needed at very short notice, however, a temporary solution can be the only option. Such accommodation may also be used where the need is short-term, such as when a school requires a temporary building while it is awaiting the completion of construction of permanent facilities.

Schools Building Projects.

Joan Burton

Ceist:

72 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science, further to her reply to Parliamentary Question No. 64 of 13 November 2007, the location of the 700 classrooms which were due to begin construction in 2007 as part of her Department’s school building programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33421/07]

The budget for 2007 is the first year of the roll out of the National Development Plan 2007-2013 which will involve an investment of over €4.5 billion in school buildings. This funding will enable the Department to continue to take a proactive approach to the provision of modern school accommodation particularly in developing areas. The Department is planning for an expected 100,000 additional school places over the lifetime of the Plan. This year alone over €540 million will be spent on school building infrastructure with over 1,500 projects on the Department's school building programme. Construction in 2007 alone will ultimately deliver over 700 classrooms to provide permanent accommodation for over 17,500 pupils, mainly in developing areas. Department will target funding, as appropriate, in order to ensure that additional school accommodation is provided in developing areas within the earliest possible timeframes.

The location of the schools where the 700 classrooms are being provided is included in the table.

List of projects delivering 700 classrooms

County

Roll No.

School

1

Carlow

14837L

SN Peadar agus Pol Ballon Carlow

2

Carlow

18090D

S N Cill Damhain Cill Damhain Inis Corthaigh Co Loch Gorman

3

Carlow

18615N

SN Ceartarlach Green Road

4

Carlow

19315G

St Laserians Special School

5

Carlow

19958C

S N Naomh Fhiach Graiguecullen Co Carlow

6

Cavan

11541V

Dromaili SN Cavan

7

Cavan

19432K

Crosskeys Central N S Crosskeys Co Cavan

8

Cavan

19983B

St Clares NS Ballyjamesduff

9

Clare

17026M

Clarecastle BNS

10

Cork

07242M

Cloghroe Mxd Blarney

11

Cork

12203G

S N Naomh Antaine Ballinlough Cork

12

Cork

12382J

Curriglass NS Curriglass Mallow Co Cork

13

Cork

13747F

Riverstown NS Glanmire

14

Cork

14225D

Scoil Bhride Ballydehob Co Cork

15

Cork

16259H

Kilcolman N S Enniskean Co Cork

16

Cork

17050J

SN Naomh Sheamuis, Durras

17

Cork

17528N

St Catherine’s NS, Conna, Mallow

18

Cork

18279A

Carrigaline 3 NS Carragline

19

Cork

19433M

Holy Family SS, Charleville

20

Cork

19908K

Gaelscoil Mhachan Carraig Dubh Corcaigh

21

Cork

20204E

Kilworth NS, Cork

22

Cork

62320R

St Mary’s SS Macroom

23

Donegal

17018N

Scoil Phadraig Dobhar

24

Donegal

17036P

SN Naomh Colmchille Killmacrennan

25

Donegal

18295V

Meenaneary NS, Carrick

26

Donegal

19411C

SN Baile Raighin, Letterkenny

27

Donegal

19553W

Dungloe Central

28

Donegal

71242B

Gairm Scoil Chú Uladh Leifear

29

Donegal

81010J

St Colomba’s Comprehensive Glenties

30

Dublin

11638N

Whitechurch National School Whitechurch Rathfarnham Dublin 16

31

Dublin

12448N

Gardiner St Convent Gardiner Street Dublin 1

32

Dublin

13612F

Presentation Convent

33

Dublin

16629O

Kilternan Church of Ireland NS

34

Dublin

16786H

St. Brigid’s Convent NS, The Coombe

35

Dublin

16893I

SN Naomh Lorcan Stillorgan

36

Dublin

17083B

S N Muire Gan Smal B , Inchicore ,Dublin 8

37

Dublin

17979A

S N Cnoc Ainbhil Lr Kilmacud Rd Stillorgan/Blackrock Co Dublin

38

Dublin

18038B

St Margarets N S St Margarets Co Dublin

Physical Education Facilities.

Sean Sherlock

Ceist:

73 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science the provisions her Department will make to facilitate primary school pupils with adequate access to swimming pools, in order for them to complete the aquatics and water safety programme as part of the primary school curriculum in view of a recent report (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33443/07]

The curriculum in Physical Education at Primary level provides for activity across six strands, athletics, dance, gymnastics, games, outdoor and adventure activities and aquatics. Five of the strands are outlined for implementation at all levels from junior infants to sixth class, while the aquatic strand is outlined for implementation at any one of the class group levels or over a number of levels. The Physical Education curricula at both primary and second level have been developed on the understanding that facilities available to schools vary. Consequently, they offer a level of flexibility that allows each individual school to design a programme that can be delivered using the resources and supports available to it.

Where schools decide to provide pupils with swimming classes in school time, they are expected to fund them from resources already available to them. Primary schools' running costs are met by my Department's scheme of capitation grants. These grants are intended to contribute towards the general operating costs of schools which would include heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance, painting, teaching aids and other miscellaneous charges.

The primary school capitation grant has been increased substantially in recent years. Since 1997 the standard rate of capitation grant has been increased from €57.14 per pupil to €163.58 with effect from 1st January, 2007. This represents an increase of over 186% in the standard rate of capitation grant since 1997. Enhanced rates of capitation funding are paid in respect of children with special educational needs who attend special schools or special classes attached to mainstream schools. The current rates range from €418 to €805 per pupil. The capitation grant is in addition to the Ancillary Services Grant which provides additional funding for primary schools towards the cost of secretarial and caretaking services. The standard rate of grant per pupil under the scheme was increased from €102 per pupil in 2002 to the current rate of €145.50 per pupil.

Under the Programme for Government, we are committed to doubling the standard capitation grant for primary schools over the next five years. Grants to schools for the employment of secretaries and caretakers will also be increased significantly.

Student Support Schemes.

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

74 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Education and Science if she has plans to ensure that the fund for students with a disability, the student assistance fund and the millennium partnership fund are entitlement based. [34003/07]

A key goal of the National Development Plan 2007-13 is to widen participation and increase student and graduate numbers at third level. The Fund for Students with Disabilities, the Student Assistance Fund and the Millennium Partnership Fund, co-financed by the Government and the European Social Fund, form part of the strategy to achieve this goal. The three funding programmes are administered on behalf of my Department by the National Office for Equity of Access to Higher Education (National Access Office), with assistance from Pobal in relation to the Millennium Partnership Fund.

The Fund for Students with Disabilities has increased significantly over the last few academic years. The Fund has grown by approximately 20% per annum. Between 2003-4 and 2006-7 there has been an increase of 63% in the number of applications, reflecting steady improvements in the participation of people with disabilities in further and higher education. In 2006-7 over 2,400 students were approved for gross funding of some €9.986m. The Student Assistance Fund continues to be a vital avenue of financial support for students experiencing particular financial difficulties in third level institutions, assisting with such supports as rent, childcare and food costs. A gross allocation of €6.219m will be made in the current academic year for this fund. 9,886 students benefited from the SAF in 2005-6.

The Millennium Partnership Fund continues to support students from disadvantaged areas with regard to retention and participation in further and higher education. A budget of €1m was made available under the Fund for 2001. The 2006-7 allocation of €2.1m was distributed among 55 Partnerships/community groups around the country. 3,957 students benefited from the Fund in the 2005-6 academic year. There are currently no plans to place the Fund for Students with Disabilities, the Student Assistance Fund or the Millennium Partnership Fund on an entitlement-based footing. Any such change in these supports in the future would require detailed consideration of the full range of issues concerned and would be subject to the availability of resources.

My Department is currently working with the National Access Office and Pobal in relation to the re-orientation of the Millennium Partnership Fund to support the development of a whole-community approach to equity of access to higher education. Community partnerships have been informed and consultations are to start with the partnerships in the New Year. In respect of the Student Assistance Fund, a plan to develop good practice guidelines is currently being implemented by the National Access Office. It is expected that the new guidelines will enhance the effectiveness of this funding programme. The guidelines will be published in the second quarter of 2008, with a view to being implemented for the 2008-9 academic year. As outlined in the current NDP and Towards 2016, these three funds will remain important elements of the Government's overall strategy to alleviate educational disadvantage and to promote social inclusion.

School Accommodation.

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

75 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Science, further to her reply to Parliamentary Question No. 65 of 13 November 2007, the exact number, name and location of the schools in the Dublin south east constituency who were amongst the 9,000 projects in schools nationwide in receipt of €3 billion from her Department over the past seven years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33419/07]

The Deputy will be aware from my previous replies that this €3 billion investment delivered over 9,000 projects in schools throughout the country over the last 7 years. This investment has significantly increased capacity and transformed the standard of accommodation in many schools. Given the scale of investment and the number of projects involved it would require an inordinate amount of staff time to assemble the requested information. However, if the Deputy wishes to clarify the situation in respect of investment in individual cases then I would be happy to provide him with the information.

Official Engagements.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

76 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of dedicated school visits which she has undertaken since June 2007 in her capacity as Minister and as reported in recent newspaper profiles; the purpose of such visits; the name and location of the schools; if, on all occasions, all of the representatives of the Houses of the Oireachtas for the area in which the school was located were notified by her Department of her intended visit and invited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33436/07]

The table lists the school visits undertaken by me since June 2007. There are 32 in total, of which 21 are primary schools and 11 are post primary schools. It is a matter for individual schools to issue invites to events being hosted by them. A list issues to the media each week by the Government Information Services outlining all Ministerial public engagements. Events such as school openings and visits by myself are included on this list. My personal assistant keeps Oireachtas members informed of planned visits to particular areas of the country, on a regular basis.

School

County

St. Kevins NS Sallynoggin

Dublin

Primary

Green Flag

Hollyparks GNS Foxrock

Dublin

Primary

Green Flag

Pres. Sec. Sch. Thurles

Tipperary

PP

Leaving Cert. Results

St. Patricks NS Cork

Cork

Primary

Visit

Trinity Comp.Sch. Ballymun

Dublin

PP

Official Opening of new €9million School

Wandesforde NS Kilkenny

Kilkenny

Primary

Visit

Kilkenny College

Kilkenny

PP

Opening of Extension

Kilkenny mixed NS

Kilkenny

Primary

Visit

Clinstown NS

Kilkenny

Primary

Opening €345,000 Extension

Clogher NS

Kerry

Primary

Visit

Castleisland

Kerry

Primary

Visit

Castleisland St. Pats Col

Kerry

PP

Visit

Whitechurch NS Rathfarnham

Dublin

Primary

Opening New €180,000 extension

Malahide Community Sch

Dublin

PP

Opening of new €14 million School

Blackrock College

Dublin

PP

0pening new senior school building

Cabinteely Comm. Sch

Dublin

PP

Launch new Education Prog. With Ceann Comhairle

St. Laserians Sch. Carlow

Carlow

PrimarySp Sch.

Opening of Early Intervention unit at school

Maynooth Post Primary

Kildare

PP

Official opening of new €3million extension

St Conleth’s Derrinturn Carbury

Kildare

PP

Opening early intervention centre linked to St Conleth’s

St. Farnhams Prosperous

Kildare

PP

Official opening of €2.3million extension

St. Bernards NS Abbeylara

Longford

Primary

Official opening of new €500,000extension

Sc. Mhuire Aughnagarron Granard

Longford

Primary

Opening of New €380,000 extension

Colmcille Aughnacliffe

Longford

Primary

visit

Lanesboro Community Col.

Longford

PP

Official opening of €900,000 refurbishment

Castleknock Educate together

Dublin

Primary

Official opening of new €5million School

St. Louise Rathmines

Dublin

Primary

Visit

Glenageary & Killiney NS

Dublin

Primary

Opening New €830,000 extension

St. Claires NS Harold’s

Dublin

Primary

Launch of assessment guidelines for NCCA

Knockconnon NS

Monaghan

Primary

0pening new €1.3million school

St. Comgall’s NS Connons.

Monaghan

Primary

Opening of €320,000 extension

St Oliver Plunkett Loughmore

Monaghan

Primary

Visiting newly opened pre-school

Sc. Na Gcailini Castleblayney

Monaghan

Primary

Digital school awards

Site Acquisitions.

Shane McEntee

Ceist:

77 Deputy Shane McEntee asked the Minister for Education and Science if the purchase has been completed for the site of a new national school in Laytown, County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33825/07]

The new 24 classroom Primary School for Laytown will be positioned on that part of the site which was purchased by my Department in May 2007.

Schools Building Projects.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

78 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of projects that fall into each of the four bands categorised in the school building programme development for the years 2003 to 2007 respectively; and ifshe will make a statement on the matter. [33438/07]

As I have indicated previously I intend to continue to move through the School Building and Modernisation Programme in a planned way over the next number of years. This is possible with the availability of €4.5 billion capital funding for first and second level school infrastructure development under the new NDP 2007-2013. This will build on the major investment of over €2.6 billion on school infrastructure in the period of the last NDP 2000-2006.

The priority rating of each individual project is established in accordance with the Criteria for Prioritising Capital Projects which allocates each project to an appropriate priority band rating on the basis of objective criteria. A review of the criteria for prioritising large-scale projects was undertaken in consultation with the Education Partners early in 2004 to ensure that the criteria have the optimum precision and are fully tuned to meeting the priority accommodation needs of primary and post-primary schools and in general the feedback from the Education Partners to the review has been positive. The revised criteria have been seen as bringing greater clarity and focus to the system. The amended criteria are applied to all projects that proceed to tender and construction.

The numbers of building projects under consideration can changes on a day to day basis as new applications are received and existing applications are progressed in my Department. The Deputy will appreciate that this investment must continue to be targeted using the published prioritisation criteria. Details of projects to move forward under the programme will be published as and when they are ready to be advanced in the context of capital expenditure requirements.

Joe Costello

Ceist:

79 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Education and Science, further to her reply to Parliamentary Question No. 64 of 13 November 2007, the new procedures agreed and implemented by her Department and local authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33422/07]

As part of the Government's strategy for the provision of school places for 2008 and onwards, a commitment to establish a Developing Areas Unit in my Department is given under the Programme for Government. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that this Unit has been established. It is located in Tullamore and forms part of my Department's planningand building division already based in that location.

The unit will be solely dedicated to progressing school planning in rapidly developing areas, building on improvements that have already been made in school planning in recent years. Staff in the unit will liaise with local authorities, identify where new schools are needed and ensure that they are delivered in the fastest possible timeframe. My Department has also initiated a tender process for a drawdown contract facility that will be used to provide additional school places in the rapidly developing areas for 2008 and onwards. This drawdown contract facility is aimed at providing school accommodation in very short timescales using modern methodologies such as off-site construction.

Both I and my senior officials have met with the relevant local authorities in relation to the acquisition of suitable sites for new schools and, where possible, pre-empting any planning issues that may arise. This close cooperation with local authorities will help ensure that additional school places are provided in the developing areas within the earliest possible timeframes. These strategies are being underpinned by a budget of €4.5 billion over the lifetime of the National Development Plan.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

80 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science if she is satisfied with the educational facilities available to the island communities on the islands; the advancement of education on the islands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32590/07]

It is my policy that, where possible, education should be provided on islands for both primary and post primary pupils. School building projects are progressed in the context of the Department's multi annual school building programme and are prioritised in accordance with the published criteria which has been agreed with the Education Partners.

School Inspectors.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

81 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary school inspectors currently employed by her Department; the number of vacancies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33447/07]

There is currently a full staffing complement in my Department's Primary Inspectorate. The overall staffing of 82 inspectors is made up of 36 divisional inspectors and 46 district inspectors.

Schools Building Projects.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

82 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps that she will take to reform the planning and building unit of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24885/07]

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department's Developing Areas Unit has been established. To date, 11 members of staff have been redeployed to the unit, comprised of:

1 Principal Officer

1 Assistant Principal Officer

1 Senior Architect

1 Architectural Assistant

3 Higher Executive Officers and

4 Executive Officers

Some of these staff would have been looking after developing areas anyway, and so the consolidation of effort in the new unit will ensure that they are more effectively deployed. The process of filling some of the vacancies arising from the redeployment of staff to the new unit from other areas, is in train. A further 5 additional (ie non-redeployed) posts — including a professional planner — have been approved for the unit. The necessary recruitment arrangements are now being put in place. The staffing of the unit will be kept under review in light of the evolution of its work programme.

School Management.

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

83 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that following the significant reduction in the number of religious personnel who traditionally provided extensive management and administration services as well as teaching services in the voluntary secondary school sector, the burden of management has fallen heavily on the shoulders of the principal and deputy principal of such schools; her views on the necessity for the creation of a new role of administrator in the voluntary secondary school sector with the grade of senior administrative officer responsible to the principal and having responsibility for all matters of school management relating to finance, buildings including contents, non-teaching staff in general and administration; if she will enter into negotiations with the relevant secondary school authorities to discuss the establishment of such a post and have it funded with additional funds from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33430/07]

The issue raised by the Deputy has already been the subject of discussion between officials from my Department and representatives of the relevant secondary school management authority. My Department has also received a submission from the management authority in regard to the matter. The submission is currently being considered and I can confirm that officials of my Department are available to discuss the matter further with the secondary school management authority.

State Examinations.

Ciaran Lynch

Ceist:

84 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount of fees collected for the junior certificate examination and the leaving certificate examination for each of the years 2002 to 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33429/07]

Generally speaking, examination fees are increased each year in line with the consumer price index. The costs associated with the certificate examinations have been spiralling in recent years due to the introduction of new methods of assessment in various subjects and to continuing increases in special arrangements for students with special needs. I should point out that the income received from examination fees each year amount to only a fraction of the total cost to the taxpayer of running the examinations.

The Deputy may be aware that medical card holders, or candidates whose parents or guardians hold a current medical card, are exempt from payment of examination fees. It is estimated that approximately 30% of all examination candidates benefit under this scheme annually. The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table:

Junior Certificate

2002: €2,960,301

2003: €3,062,772

2004: €3,363,147

2005: €3,589,773

2006: €3,726,812

Leaving Certificate

2002: €3,628,637

2003: €3,813,522

2004: €4,244,184

2005: €4,342,536

2006: €4,046,679

Visa Applications.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

85 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps she has taken since June 2007 to discuss with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Department of Foreign Affairs, to provide for coherence, transparency, efficiency and effectiveness in the system of allocating visas to foreign nationals outside the EEA, who seek to come here to pursue their studies in recognised Irish institutions as recommended in a recent report (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33433/07]

Since June 2007 my Department has had formal meetings with officials from the Department of Justice Equality and Law Reform on two occasions. At one of these meetings the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment and other agencies involved in the internationalisation of Irish education were also present. In addition to this, there are continuing contacts between officials by phone and e mail on the general approach to these matters. My Department and the D/Justice Equality and Law Reform are also represented on the Advisory Council for English Language Schools, and issues concerning student immigration also arise in this forum.

Responsibility for the allocation of student visas, and immigration generally, is a matter for the Department of Justice Equality and Law Reform and the immigration authorities. The position in regard to students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland entering Ireland to study has been clear from the outset and is set out in the Report of the Internationalisation of Irish Education published in 2004. The immigration regime provides that such students must be attending full time programmes of at least 15 hours per week, pay the full economic fee and be fully self financing.

My Department has also established an Internationalisation Register setting out the programmes which have been approved for the purpose of access to work by such students. This is updated on a monthly basis, is posted on my Department's website, and is made available to the immigration authorities.

School Management.

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

86 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will keep her commitment to establish a new model of national school with the VEC as its patron by September 2008; the location of the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32959/07]

Historically, the church authorities acted as patrons or sponsors of primary schools by initiating the process of establishing a new school when one was needed to serve a specific geographic area. The vast majority of primary schools are privately owned, publicly-funded institutions, the denominational character and ethos of which is respected by the State. This model of school provision has been incrementally evolving to reflect changes in demand and in the expectations of society, notably the demand for diversity. With these changes, there has been an increase in the number of patron bodies seeking recognition for new schools.

To meet the challenges posed by demands for greater diversity, I announced on 17 February 2007 my intention to introduce a new model of primary school patronage on a pilot basis. This new model will have the capacity to cater for the wishes of parents for denominational, multi-denominational and non-denominational education within the framework of a single patron model and a single board of management structure. The framework for the new model will be representative of and designed to cater for the diversity of religious beliefs within an area served by a primary school. The new model of patronage will be used particularly in growing areas. It is not intended that the new model will replace the existing models. The existing models will continue as heretofore but the proposed model will be an option available where the specific local circumstances warrant the new approach.

Following my announcement, officials in my Department engaged in consultations with the Education Partners and the County Dublin Vocational Education Committee to explore the detailed implementation measures that will need to be in place prior to the introduction of the new model. The initiative has been broadly welcomed by the Education Partners. Work on the development of the new patronage model is on-going within my Department, in consultation with the Education Partners, and it is intended that the pilot project will be operational by September 2008.

State Examinations.

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

87 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Science when a standard assessment for non-anglophone pupils will be introduced in secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33440/07]

A key focus of educational policy is to ensure that newcomer students are integrated successfully into the Irish education system and that they have access to the same learning opportunities as are available to other students in the system, albeit with additional language support where needed. In the region of 1,900 additional teachers are being provided across primary and second level schools to support the language needs of pupils with a deficit in English.

Newcomer students avail of the same assessment arrangements as are available generally under the Certificate Examinations. In addition to the 11 languages provided for in the curriculum, the State Examinations Commission provides examinations in a range of non-curricular languages. These are languages which do not appear as part of the normal school curriculum but which students may opt to be examined in under certain conditions. Chief among these conditions are the requirements that:

the candidates for these examinations be from a member state of the EU

they speak the language in which they opt to be examined as a mother tongue

they are following a programme of study leading to the Leaving Certificate and

they are taking the Leaving Certificate examination in English

Candidates may undertake examination in only one of these language subjects.

For the 2007 Leaving Certificate examinations, candidates were entered for 15 non-curricular EU language subjects, an increase from nine in 2005. In regard to language proficiency, the Department has commissioned assessment packs from Integrate Ireland Language and Training to assist teachers in determining the English language proficiency levels of newcomer pupils. The packs have been designed for primary level, and are currently being adapted to make them age appropriate for second level use. Schools may use the primary packs in the interim.

Higher Education Review

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

88 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if her Department will carry out a comprehensive top level review of higher education here in view of a recent report (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33444/07]

I am aware of the details of the survey. The higher education sector makes a significant contribution to sustaining Ireland's economic prosperity and the creation of a dynamic cohesive society. Recent years have witnessed significant improvements in support for universities and institutes of technology, reflecting the priority afforded by Government to the continued reform and development of the sector. I agree that it is important that the sector be provided with a clear sense of direction for the future and I will be addressing this matter further in the New Year.

Departmental Expenditure.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

89 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason the OECD reported that in 1994 Ireland spent 5.5% of GDP on education yet in 2007 the OECD Education at a Glance report indicated Ireland spent 4.6% of GDP which places us in joint last place in a range of thirty OECD countries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33417/07]

Between 1995 and 2004, in real terms (allowing for inflation), total public and private spending has increased here by 74% at primary, second and further education levels and coincidentally by 74% at higher education. At primary and secondary levels, this scale of increase was the second highest of any OECD country while at third level it was 6th highest.

So, total spending grew faster, here, in absolute terms than in most other OECD countries over that period. The OECD in its recent report has remarked (page 202): ‘In Ireland, the strong growth of GDP hides a significant increase in spending on educational institutions when spending on education is considered as a proportion of GDP.' It should also be noted that the OECD report to which the Deputy refers relates to 2004 and hence does not capture the extra investment that has been put into Irish education in the past three years. In fact, the Department's expenditure for this year was €8.6 billion — €2 billion more than in 2004 and the estimate for 2008 is over €9.3 billion.

The OECD Report also showed how Irish students are performing significantly better than those in other developed countries on a whole range of important measures. More recently data published by OECD from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) has confirmed that, in 2006, Irish students continued to perform above the OECD average in Science and especially in Reading. In Mathematics, students in Ireland were average.

Departmental Agencies.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

90 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will establish Education Ireland on a statutory basis as recommended in a recent report (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33432/07]

Preparations are well advanced to establish Education Ireland in the first instance as a company with responsibility for promoting the development of Ireland as a centre of excellence for international education. Draft legislation is also being prepared to establish Education Ireland on a statutory basis in the course of 2008.

School Records.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

91 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science the provisions, in view of a recent report (details supplied), she will make to supply schools with adequate storage facilities for student test scores; if an electronic database will be established alongside the hard copy files; if additional administrative staff will be appointed to manage, collate and store these files; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33437/07]

The advice in the Guidelines on Assessment issued by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment recommends to schools that they keep assessment information for 17 years, until the child enrolled has reached 21 years of age. This is not a legal requirement under the Data Protection Acts but rather stems from legal advice given by the Department to the NCCA in response to a query asking whether there was a statute of limitations for holding this type of information. The Statute of Limitations varies depending on the type of case. Where litigation arises for alleged failure to educate, the statute of limitations provides for a timeframe equal to 3 years after the child's 18th birthday — ie when the child reaches 21 years of age. It is for this reason that the guidelines advise schools to hold information on assessment until the pupil reaches 21 years of age. Data Protection requirements also specify that personal information may not be kept for any longer than necessary.

The guidelines on storage relate to a one page summary for each child showing how they performed in the test. The test booklets themselves do not have to be stored. The volume of documentation which should be retained is therefore not excessive for an individual pupil. This information can also be recorded electronically or scanned for electronic filing. All schools have access to computer facilities for administrative purposes.

The Guidelines were approved by the Council of the NCCA prior to the launch. Therefore, unions, management bodies, parents' council and other representative bodies had the opportunity to examine them fully before finalisation. These are Guidelines for teachers. I do not believe this issue will give rise to significant difficulties, but if such arise, my Department will be happy to examine the matter in collaboration with the partners in education.

Schools Building Projects.

Shane McEntee

Ceist:

92 Deputy Shane McEntee asked the Minister for Education and Science when planning permission will be submitted for the building of a new national school in Laytown, County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33826/07]

My Department has already provided a 16-classroom facility to meet the immediate accommodation requirements in Laytown. The new 24-classroom school building will be provided by my Department under a design and build contract. The procurement process for this project is now nearing completion and it is expected that the contract will be awarded very soon. As part of the tender competition, the initial design and layout for the school has already been done and some pre-planning discussions have taken place with Meath County Council in order to help ensure that it meets their requirements.

Following the placing of the design and build contract, the first task for the successful contractor will be to submit the application for planning permission for the new school. Given the preparatory work already done it is expected that the application for planning permission can be done within a matter of weeks following the appointment. I want to assure the Deputy that my Department is committed to providing the new school in Laytown at the earliest possible stage.

Joan Burton

Ceist:

93 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science, further to her reply to Parliamentary Question No. 64 of 13 November 2007, the name, location and cost of the 1,500 school projects in receipt of €540 million as part of her Department’s school building programme for 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33420/07]

The Deputy will be aware from my previous reply that this year's investment in schools infrastructure of over €540 million, the first year of the roll out of the new National Development Plan, will deliver over 1,500 projects in schools throughout the country. This investment will significantly increased capacity and transform the standard of accommodation in many schools. Given the scale of investment and the number of projects involved it would require an inordinate amount of staff time to assemble the requested information. However, if the Deputy wishes to clarify the situation in respect of investment in individual cases then I would be happy to provide her with the information.

Capitation Grants.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

94 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the significant discrepancy in the funding for the voluntary secondary schools compared to other schools in the post-primary system having regard to the fact that almost 60% of all second level students attend the 400 voluntary secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33425/07]

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

106 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps she has taken to ensure that equal funding for all schools in the post-primary sector would be achieved within the next two budgets of 2008 and 2009 in line with the commitment given in the programme for Government 2007 to 2012; the amount, based on the present numbers of pupils in the post-primary system, of additional funds that will be required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33424/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 106 together.

My Department provides funding to secondary schools by way of per capita grants, which afford schools considerable flexibility in the use of these resources to cater for the needs of their pupils. There have been significant improvements in recent years in the level of funding for voluntary secondary schools, and I am pleased to advise the Deputy that increases will continue to be applied in 2008. As I announced last week, with effect from 1 January 2008, the standard per capita grant will increase by €15 to €331 per pupil. In addition, voluntary secondary schools will benefit by an increase of €15 per pupil from 1 January 2008 in the support services grant, bringing that grant to €204. This increase is inclusive of a €10 increase in equalisation funding for voluntary secondary schools.

The total increase of €30 per pupil in a voluntary secondary school will bring the aggregate grant to €535 per pupil. The Deputy should be aware that these grants are in addition to the per capita funding, of up to €40,000 per school, that is also provided by my Department to secondary schools towards secretarial and caretaking services. Accordingly, in the case of a secondary school with 500 pupils, the annual grants towards general expenses and support service will be more than €300,000 in 2008. This represents an increase of 92% approximately since 2000. These significant increases in the funding of voluntary secondary schools are a clear demonstration of my commitment to prioritise available resources to address the needs of schools. It is estimated that an additional €14.64m is required to complete the process of equalisation of funding at second level.

Schools Building Projects.

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

95 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science when a technical team will visit a school (details supplied) in County Kerry to enable the design work for a new school to commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34017/07]

An application for capital funding towards the provision of an extension at the school to which the Deputy refers was received and assessed. The long term projected staffing, on which the future accommodation needs of the school will be based, has been determined and notified to the school authority. In order to determine how best to provide for the school's accommodation needs into the future, it will be necessary to have a technical assessment of existing buildings carried out. Officials from the Department will be in contact with the school authority to arrange a date in due course.

Multi-Denominational Schools.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

96 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the number, arising from the announcement to construct 13 new schools in north Dublin, of these schools that will be multi-denominational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33439/07]

No decision has been taken yet on the number of new multi-denominational schools which will open in Fingal in the 2008/2009 school year. However, I can say that Educate Together has lodged a number of notifications of intention to apply for the recognition of new schools in the north Dublin area for next September with the New Schools Advisory Committee (NSAC). The NSAC is an independent advisory group established to process applications for the recognition of new primary schools and to make recommendations to me. I would expect that the NSAC will produce its report early in 2008.

Schools Recognition.

Sean Sherlock

Ceist:

97 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on a recent report (details supplied) highlighting the rising number of students entering third level colleges from fee paying grind schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33442/07]

I am aware of the article to which the Deputy refers. The schools referred to by the Deputy are not recognised by my Department. Parents are entitled to opt to have their children educated in schools that are not recognised post-primary schools and to have them prepare in that way for the Leaving Certificate Examination and entrance to third level institutions. While I respect the right of parents in that regard my focus is on supporting recognised schools in continuing to provide a high quality of education that enables students to reach their full potential in terms of all aspects of their personal development.

Question No. 98 answered with QuestionNo. 58.

Third Level Fees.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

99 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans she has to increase the fees for foreign nationals outside the EEA enrolling on a post-leaving certificate course to cover the cost of tuition, administration and normal student support services provided by the school or college; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33435/07]

Students from outside the European Economic Area, (EEA), other than refugees and those with humanitarian leave to remain in the State. are required to pay the full economic fee when participating on programmes in further and higher education. This includes students attending Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses. This is a normal process as part of Irish immigration procedures and is in line with the 2004 Report on the Internalisation of Irish Education. The admission of persons to the State from outside the EEA is a matter for the immigration authorities. The basic conditions for a student visa require that the student attend a full-time programme of education and training and that they are financially self-supporting. The current cost for participation on a PLC courses for students from outside the EEA is €3,653 per annum. There are no plans to increase this fee at present.

State Examinations.

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

100 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on whether lower standards for the leaving certificate and junior certificate examinations have led to grade inflation over the past decade; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32960/07]

The increase in the numbers of candidates achieving high grades in the more recent examinations can be attributed to a number of factors. In particular, teaching which is focused on the requirements of the examinations programme, access by students and teachers to all elements of the examination programme including past examination papers, the facility to view examination scripts, marking schemes and Chief Examiners reports, and well resourced and researched text books. Likewise, the significant increase in professional development provision for teachers since 1994 can be regarded as having a positive impact on examination achievement.

Throughout the period 1989 to date, a number of syllabi were revised on the advice of the NCCA. Individual subject course committees have seen syllabus change as an opportunity to make syllabus content and examinations more student friendly and more accessible. Accordingly, when syllabi change, statistical comparison with earlier figures becomes difficult. Today's examination candidates are better prepared, better supported and better resourced than ever before. Students and teachers prepare for the examinations in order to achieve the maximum results.

Early School Leavers.

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

101 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Science the specific steps she proposes to take, in view of her reply to a previous parliamentary question to enable her Department to have a comprehensive set of statistics which would indicate the number of pupils who left school before sitting their junior certificate examinations; if such statistics would include PPS numbers and addresses in order to enable education and training bodies to maintain contact with the individual concerned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33418/07]

I can assure the Deputy that my Department is committed to further developing high-quality, relevant and timely statistical information relating to all levels of education in order to contribute to the development of policies and services to the public and to meet the needs of learners, education providers and other users of education data, nationally as well as internationally.

In that regard my Department, is currently finalising a Statement of Data Strategy for 2008-2010, which will examine the question of data sharing between the Department and its agencies. An important element in addressing such issues would clearly be the use of a unique identifier which would be used by all agencies in tracking an individual's progress through the education system over time. The Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) is clearly the most efficient numerical identifier to use since it, potentially, links information to other public data holdings and can serve as an effective way of correctly identifying individuals across a number of policy interfaces from education to health, training or employment, based on appropriate data protection protocols.

The PPSN is already used as the key identifier on my Departments Post-Primary Pupils Database . The Programme for Government contains a commitment to develop a Database at Primary level and the implementation issues involved are currently being examined. It should be noted that the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) is currently developing its own Case Management System to enable tracking of students who drop out of school or who record more than 20 days absence in any school-year. Section 21 of the Education Welfare Act 2000 requires the principal of a school to give notice in writing to an Educational Welfare Officer of a student's name if, for whatever reason, his or her name has been removed from the school's register.

The Deputy will also be aware that the emphasis placed by this Government on tackling educational disadvantage in recent years is absolutely unprecedented. Since 2003, we have increased investment in educational inclusion measures at all levels by no less than 60%, to €730 million in 2007. We are determined to ensure that young people from disadvantaged areas get the support they need to encourage them to finish school. To this end, we have provided additional investment in a wide range of areas, including extra teachers, grants for books, homework clubs, school meals and summer camps. We have also expanded access to important services such as the Home School Community Liaison scheme and the School Completion Programme which work with students at risk of early school leaving and their families.

Indeed, there are now approximately 620 staff working in services such as these, including over 130 extra posts allocated under the DEIS Action Plan over the past two years. In addition, the National Educational Welfare Board now has over 100 staff, and is specifically tasked with tackling attendance problems that if left unchecked can culminate in young people dropping out of school. There is an emphasis under DEIS on helping children to make a smooth transition to second level. Initiatives such as familiarisation days and week-long transfer programmes have been shown to have been very successful in that regard. Schools participating in the School Support Programme under DEIS are being encouraged to prioritise the development of effective transfer programmes for pupils making the transition to post-primary education.

In terms of achievement at post-primary level, it is important to look at the issue in terms of attainment of second level education or equivalent rather than just school completion. Focusing just on school devalues the hard work of students who continued their education in Youthreach centres, went on to train for apprenticeships through FÁS, or acquired qualifications through other equally valuable routes. The Government is encouraged by data that shows that the attainment levels of our young people have improved significantly in recent years. By 2006, 85.4% of Irish 20 to 24 year olds had obtained upper second level education or equivalent -up from 82.6% in 2000 and significantly ahead of the EU average of 77.8%.

The improvement in the proportion of 20-24 year olds with at least second level education or equivalent in recent years is testament to the success of the Government's dual strategy of both improving school completion levels and increasing access to second chance and further education. We are also conscious that the content and perceived relevance of the school curricula have an important effect on students' motivation and desire to finish school. Under the DEIS plan, more students in disadvantaged areas will have access to the Junior Certificate Schools Programme and the Leaving Cert Applied programme.

To conclude, there is evidence that the Government's focus on improving school completion rates and attainment levels in recent years is making a difference. I assure the Deputy that further improvements in this area will continue to be a priority for us in the years ahead. Social inclusion measures across other Government departments have also been prioritised under the Towards 2016 agreement, the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion and the National Development Plan.

Third Level Fees.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

102 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on whether all students attending part-time education for the first time should be enabled to access free education on the same basis as full-time students. [34001/07]

Students pursuing approved part time undergraduate courses are eligible for tax relief on their fees. The Towards 2016 agreement also contains a commitment to put in place a targeted scheme to alleviate the fees in public institutions for part-time courses at third level for those at work who have not previously pursued a third level qualification. The Higher Education Authority, in consultation with my Department, has been developing a scheme in response to this commitment and a pilot programme in Pharmaceutical Technology has commenced in IT Tallaght. It is expected that a number of other pilot programmes will commence in 2008. The Strategic Innovation Fund which the Government introduced to incentivise reform and modernisation of higher education also provide opportunities for institutions to review their structures to provide better opportunities for part-time provision. For example, in the institute of technology sector, Cork IT is leading a project to enhance opportunities for people in employment to access learning to enhance their skills for current and future occupations.

The Programme for Government also includes a commitment to introduce a more extensive new system of means-tested free fees, with a view to enabling more people with work or family commitments to avail of opportunities at third level. The timescale for implementing this commitment will depend on the resources available in future Budgets.

School Planning.

Joe Costello

Ceist:

103 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Education and Science, further to her reply to Parliamentary Question No. 56 of 13 November 2007, the number of area development plans that have been published; the location where copies can be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33423/07]

Five Draft Area Development Plans have been published by the Commission on School Accommodation to date. The areas covered by the Plans are:

Mountmellick/Mountrath

The N4/M4 corridor

Newport/Westport

North Kerry

North Dublin

The Commission is currently finalising a Plan for the East Meath and South Louth area. All Plans, which will be the blueprint for capital investment for the areas concerned for the foreseeable future, are available on the Department's website www.education.ie.

Pupil-Teacher Ratio.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

104 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which class sizes have been reduced in all schools throughout the country since the beginning of the 2007/08 school year; the way this compares with the previous year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34007/07]

The information on class sizes for the 2007/08 school year is currently being compiled in my Department. As the Deputy will be aware, major improvements have been made in staffing at primary level in recent years. There are now in the region of 6,000 more primary teachers than there were in 2002. By the 2006/07 school year, we had reduced the average class size in our primary schools to 24, while the pupil teacher ratio was 16.4:1, including resource teachers etc. In that year, schools were staffed on the basis of a general rule of at least one classroom teacher for every 28 children. Given that the national average was 24, many schools benefited from much more favourable staffing ratios than this.

Extra teachers were provided by the Government for the 2007/08 school year to improve primary school staffing so that schools would generally get at least one classroom teacher for every 27 children. A further initiative in recent years 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 330 such posts have been sanctioned in the 2007/08 school year compared to 280 in 2006/07.

The improvements we have made in school staffing in recent years are absolutely unparalleled. The Government is committed to providing more teachers to our primary schools over the next five years in order to reduce class sizes. 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.

Youth Services.

Joe McHugh

Ceist:

105 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Science the action she will take to safeguard the future of groups (details supplied) in County Donegal in view of the fact that the building they occupy is up for sale; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33976/07]

My Department supports a number of schemes and initiatives which provide non-formal educational opportunities for young people throughout the country through voluntary participation in youth work. This support consists mainly of grant-in-aid assistance for national and major regional youth work organisations under the Youth Service Grant Scheme, targeted youth work responses for young people through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme and support for youth clubs and groups at a local level through the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme.

Donegal Youth Services is in receipt of annual grant-in-aid funding for the Daybreak Programme and the Donegal Outreach Project under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme and for a Youth Information Centre in Letterkenny. This funding is channelled through Co. Donegal VEC and Youth Work Ireland. My Department has no role in the management of youth work facilities, nor does it provide for capital funding in the youth work area.

Question No. 106 answered with QuestionNo. 94.

Local Authority Charges.

Ciaran Lynch

Ceist:

107 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will enter into negotiations with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to see if it is possible to establish an agreed countrywide regime for local authority levies for schools in the free education scheme that would result in schools being treated as non-commercial premises and thereby have their operational costs reduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33428/07]

The Deputy will be aware of the commitment in the Programme for Government to examine how local authorities might grant allow schools a reasonable level of usage of water and waste services without charge, and that charges would only apply when a school exceeded the allowance. The Deputy will appreciate that it is a primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, to determine precisely how this commitment will be implemented.

A key consideration from my perspective is to ensure that any proposed scheme ensures that schools are treated consistently across the country. My Department will of course input to and support the examination to be conducted by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Capitation Grants.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

108 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if her Department will provide financial aid to the schools in Adamstown that are facing bankruptcy in view of a recent report (details supplied). [33445/07]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

744 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the start up grants that have been provided to each school in an area (details supplied) in County Dublin; if she will provide extra funding for these schools in view of significant additional costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34190/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 744 together.

The schools referred to by the Deputy are recognised primary schools and attract funding in the same way as all recognised primary schools. The Deputy will be aware that schools' running costs are met by my Department's scheme of capitation grants. and capitation grants have been increased substantially in recent years. I announced further improvements in grant rates last week in the context of the Budget. The primary capitation grant will increase by €15 to more than €178 per pupil. The ancillary services grant for primary schools will also be improved by €6 to €151.50 per pupil.

Taken together, these increases mean that primary schools eligible for the full ancillary services grant will get €330 per pupil — or €21 extra — next year to cover their day to day running costs, with a primary school of 300 pupils getting €6,300 more. In fact, this 300 pupil school will get almost €100,000 from my Department next year to meet day to day running costs. The Deputy will be pleased to know that following the recent budget announcements, overall education expenditure has increased from circa €1.9 billion in 2002 to €9.3 billion next year, an increase of 8% on the funding position after Budget 2007. This will enable my Department to consolidate the major service improvements that have been put in place in recent years and to make further progress in a wide range of areas.

Extra investment of more than €690 million in education next year will enable me to put about 1,200 extra teachers in place, to deliver improvements in school buildings and to increase day-to-day funding for schools. The funding arrangements for newly established primary schools currently include a start up grant of €6,348.69. I intend reviewing this grant following consideration of the additional funding allocated to the primary sector in Budget 2008.

School Curriculum.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

109 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will reverse the decision directing all Irish medium schools to teach two and a half hours of English every week from no later than the start of the second term of junior infant class. [33999/07]

The revised primary curriculum was launched in 1999 after extensive consultation with the partners in education. Page 27 in the Introduction to the Curriculum states "It is a particular feature of Irish primary education that children, from the beginning of schooling, have experience of language learning in two languages." It also sets out a suggested minimum weekly time framework for tuition. This provides that where a first language is being taught, there should be four hours instruction per week, and 3 hours per week where there is a shorter day for the infant classes. Where a second language is being taught, the suggested minimum timeframe is 3.5 hours per week, and 2.5 hours per week for infant classes with a shorter day.

I have determined as a public policy issue that the position as set out in the curriculum, and in previous Parliamentary Questions, should remain unchanged i.e that the minimum recommended timeframe set out for a second language in the curriculum should be adhered to. Accordingly, Circular 0044/2007 requires that Irish medium schools should provide for a minimum provision in English of 3.30 hours per week, or 2.5 hours per week where there is a shorter day for infant classes, no later than the start of the second term in Junior infants. I met the National Parents' Council and a range of Irish language organisations to discuss the matter, and my officials met the Chief Executive of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. In addition, the Council was notified formally of my decision in the matter prior to the issue of the Circular.

While the right of parents and children to choose education through the medium of Irish is fully respected, this does not obviate the need for schools to implement all aspects of the national curriculum. The Circular on this issue is now the subject of a legal challenge in the High Court, and it would not be appropriate to make any further comments about the matter.

State Examinations.

David Stanton

Ceist:

110 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science, further to Parliamentary Question No. 242 of 3 October 2007, if the Circuit Court has issued a judgment on her Department’s appeal regarding the Equality Tribunal recommendation on annotations on leaving certificate transcripts of students with disabilities; if not, when she expects her Department to receive same; the action her Department has taken or will take as a result; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33998/07]

The Circuit Court issued its Judgement on 19th October last on my Department's appeal on the findings of the Equality Tribunal in relation to annotations on examination certificates. The Court found that the practice of including an explanatory note on examination certificates where a core element was not assessed is not discriminatory. My Department has been served notice that one of the students involved will be appealing the Judgement to the High Court.

Special Educational Needs.

Joanna Tuffy

Ceist:

111 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Education and Science the percentage of both primary and secondary school students who require special needs assistance for learning difficulties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33448/07]

Special needs assistants are allocated to schools to support the care needs, rather than the learning difficulties, of certain children with special needs. Some children with learning difficulties may have no care needs and do not need the support of a Special Needs Assistant. These children can be supported by the learning support teacher in the school. Schools which have enrolled children with certain special educational needs may also be sanctioned additional resource teaching support.

As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers, for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to schools to support children with special needs. As a result, the information requested by the Deputy is not retained by my Department. I will forward the Deputy's question to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.

School Insurance.

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

112 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps that need to be taken by her Department, the Department of Finance, and the voluntary secondary school sector to enable that sector to be covered for insurance purposes by a company (details supplied) which currently provides insurance to local authorities, the health sector, the VECs, higher education institutions and other public bodies having regard to the high cost of insurance being experienced by this sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33426/07]

The Deputy may be aware that my Department is currently undertaking a review of insurance arrangements in schools throughout the primary and post-primary sectors as part of the VFM and Policy Review Initiative. The Value for Money and Policy Review Initiative was introduced in June 2006, replacing the former Expenditure Review Initiative and is part of the wider public service modernisation agenda.

The review includes schools in the voluntary secondary school sector and will address current insurance arrangements as well as possible potential alternatives, such as that referred to by the Deputy, as part of its terms of reference. The review is being undertaken in full consultation with the relevant management bodies in the post-primary sector. It is intended that the review will provide an evidential basis for future policy formulation in this area by my Department.

Population Statistics.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

113 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Taoiseach the approximate population of the islands within the remit of the local authority of Donegal County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34394/07]

Jack Wall

Ceist:

115 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Taoiseach the approximate population of the islands within the remit of the local authority of Mayo County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34418/07]

Jack Wall

Ceist:

116 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Taoiseach the approximate population of the islands within the remit of the local authority of Galway County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34419/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 113, 115 and 116 together.

The information requested by the Deputy is contained in the table.

Population of inhabited Islands off the coast, Census 2006

Persons

Co. Donegal

An Chruit

53

Árainn Mhór

522

Aughnish

3

Gabhla

4

Inis Bó Finne

36

Inis Caorach

7

Inis Fraoigh

9

Inis Mhic an Doirn

13

Oileán an Bhráighe

13

Toraigh

142

Uaigh

27

Total

829

Co. Galway

An Ros

12

An tOileán Mór

1

Árainn

824

Eanach Mheáin

140

Fornais

65

Garmna

1,010

Inis an Ghainimh

2

Inis Bearachain

1

Inishbofin

199

Inisheer

247

Inishmaan

154

Inis Ní

28

Inis Treabhair

1

Inishtrurk

1

Leitir Mealláin

213

Leitir Móir

528

Maínis

140

Omey

2

Roisín an Chalaidh

7

Total

3,575

Co. Mayo

Acaill

2,620

Clare

136

Clynish

5

Collan More

18

Inis Bigil

24

Inishcottle

3

Inishgort

1

Inishlyre

7

Inishnakillew

3

Inishturk

58

Inisraher

0

Island More

1

Total

2,876

Departmental Agencies.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

114 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Taoiseach why funding was not provided to the Law Reform Commission to provide legislative drafting expertise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34414/07]

The matter of resources for Government Departments and Agencies is dealt with in the general context of the estimates process, which must also have regard to the overall management of the State's financial resources. The funding allocated to the Law Reform Commission was determined in that context and in the context of Government policy in relation to these matters.

Questions Nos. 115 and 116 answered with Question No. 113.

Departmental Committees.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

117 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Taoiseach if his Department has a management advisory committee or an equivalent management committee; if it meets regularly; if so, the frequency of same; if he and the Ministers of State attached to his Department attend the meetings; if a special adviser or advisers attached to the ministerial office or offices attend such meetings; if the minutes are circulated subsequent to each meeting with an indication as to the action to be taken by whom and when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33214/07]

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

119 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Taoiseach if he convenes specific policy meetings with officials in his Department; the way a policy meeting with officials is different from that of a management meeting such as a management advisory committee meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33216/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 119 together.

The Management Advisory Committee in my Department meets regularly to deal with all relevant aspects of the implementation of the business plan of the Department in furtherance of the Statement of Strategy, to deal with the management of the Department's resources and compliance with the various obligations relevant to the work of the Department and to assist the Secretary General of the Department in carrying out his responsibilities under the Public Service Management Act, 1997. Minutes of the meetings are circulated to the Department and specify the action points arising.

I do not routinely attend meetings of the MAC but I am briefed regularly on issues arising by the Secretary General. Having regard to the nature of the work of the Department, and its relatively small size, I am in frequent discussion with the Secretary General and Assistant Secretaries about all aspects of the work of the Department. In particular, I meet regularly with them to discuss the work programme of the various Cabinet Committees which are one of the principal means by which my Department contributes to the development of policy under the Programme for Government.

Meetings are regularly held to discuss the development and implementation of policy in respect of social partnership, public service modernisation, developments in respect of Northern Ireland and issues relating to security. The Government Chief Whip and the Minister for European Affairs attend these policy meetings as appropriate.

Departmental Staff.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

118 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Taoiseach the number of programme managers, special advisers, policy assistants, personnel on secondment and other personnel who are not part of the existing Civil Service who make up his Department, including permanent civil servants attached to the office of the Minister and Ministers of State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33215/07]

There is one Programme Manager employed in my Department who is my Special Advisor. I have three Special Advisors, the Government Chief Whip has one Special Advisor and the Minister of State for European Affairs also has one Special Advisor. In addition, the Government Press Secretary and two Deputy Government Press Secretaries are employed by my Department. Of the seven Personal Assistants in my Department, four are permanent civil servants. I do not have policy assistants. Fifteen staff are seconded into my Department as a result of Cross-Departmental recruitment arrangements for specific purposes, none of whom is a political appointee.

The seconded staff are assigned to various Divisions within my Department including the Government Chief Whip's Office, the Government Press Office, the Communications Unit, the Organisational Review Programme Team and the EU and International Affairs Division. Currently, there are 25 contract staff in my Department, 18 of whom are political appointees. The total number of core staff is 196. Of the 12 staff assigned to the Government Chief Whip's constituency and private offices, nine are civil servants. The other Minister of State in my Department has a staff of four, three of whom are permanent civil servants.

Question No. 119 answered with QuestionNo. 117.

Energy Resources.

Simon Coveney

Ceist:

120 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Taoiseach the percentage of energy consumed in his Department and in all agencies for which his Department has responsibility that comes from renewable sources. [33285/07]

The contract for the supply of electrical energy to Government Buildings, my Department and its agencies, is not specifically for ‘green' energy but does of course include a component of ‘green' energy as connected to the national grid. The supply is at medium voltage and the electrical supply companies that specialise in ‘green' energy are not active in this area of the market. The source of heating energy for the entire Government Buildings complex, which includes my own Department, is natural gas. There is a central plant serving the whole facility and this includes a combined heat and power unit (CHP) which is a ‘green' energy source.

The Office of Public Works is in the process of bringing forward proposals for a new energy centre for the complex and this will be presented to the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission on Wednesday, 12 December, 2007. It is intended that the new energy centre will provide for a number of alternative sources of energy for the complex which will include increasing the number of combined heat and power units as well as other viable ‘green' energy sources which are currently being examined.

Departmental Expenditure.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

121 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Taoiseach the amount of mobile telephone bills paid directly by his Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33344/07]

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

122 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Taoiseach the amount of mobile telephone bills paid in the form of expenses to staff by his Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33359/07]

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

123 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Taoiseach the amount of mobile telephone bills paid in relation to the departmental mobile telephone assigned to him by his Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33374/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 121 to 123, inclusive, together.

The total expenditure on mobile phones by my Department was €176,897 in 2006 and €166,938 to date (end November) in 2007. Detailed information of the kind sought by the Deputy is not available in aggregated format. However, on examination of records for one sample month, the following breakdown of mobile phone use is available, which may be helpful to the Deputy:

Type of Usage

Cost in Sample Month

% of cost compared to overall Cost in sample month

%

Total expenditure in Sample Month

12,161.71

Calls Abroad

1,728.77

14

Data Charges — National

2,175.79

18

Data Charges — International

412.25

3

Note: All figures are inclusive of VAT.

In addition, mobile phone bills are not paid in the form of expenses to staff in my Department nor has any Departmental mobile phone been assigned to me.

Departmental Staff.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

124 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Taoiseach the number, rank and pay of all civil servants in his Department and ministerial staff, personally appointed by him or otherwise, who are engaged in media monitoring; the nature of the work done; the persons who the information is circulated to or the people who have access to this information; the cost of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33514/07]

I do not personally appoint staff to the media monitoring unit. There are currently four Executive Officers and one Clerical Officer working in the Communications Unit. It has a vacancy at EO level. The staff are established civil servants, four of whom are on secondment from other Departments. The total projected cost of the Communications Unit for 2007 is €338,607, with €123,464 being a direct cost to my Department. The pay scales for the Unit's staff are those applicable throughout the Civil Service for serving EOs and COs. The current scale ranges from €29,093 to €50,510 for EOs and from €23,221 to €38,469 for COs.

The Unit is manned for 18 hours each day, by means of a flexible rota of three working shifts and the staff are accordingly paid a shift allowance of one sixth of their salary. The Unit provides a media information service to Government Ministers and their Departments by furnishing news updates and transcripts. The staff in the Unit report directly to an Assistant Principal in the Government Information Service.

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

125 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Taoiseach the number and name of newspapers purchased by his Department daily and weekly; the number provided to himself and to the Minister of State’s office; the yearly cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33529/07]

My office is provided with 1,560 newspapers annually at a cost of €2,184. The Minister of State's office is provided with 1,352 newspapers annually at a cost of €2,410.20. The table* outlines the number and name of the newspapers purchased by my Department daily and weekly at an estimated annual cost of €132,228.20.

Newspapers purchased by my Department

Number of newspapers purchased daily by my Department

Number of newspapers purchased weekly by my Department

Irish Times, Irish Independent, Irish Examiner, Financial Times, Financial Times (Saturday), Daily Star, Daily Sun, Sun (Saturday), Mirror, Irish Daily Mail, Irish Daily Mail (Saturday), Belfast Telegraph, Irish News, Herald Tribune, Le Monde, London Times, London Times (Saturday), Daily Telegraph, Lá, Frankfurter, Evening Herald, Sunday Independent, Sunday Business Post, Sunday Times, Sunday Tribune, Sunday Observer, Sunday Telegraph, Mail on Sunday, News of the World, Sunday World, Sunday People, Sunday Mirror, Star on Sunday, Farmers Journal, Irish Catholic, Bray People, Donegal Democrat, Wicklow People, Tipperary Star, Nenagh Guardian, Foinse, Derry Journal, Kerryman South, European Voice, Athlone Voice, Galway Advertiser, Wicklow Times, An Phoblacht, Athlone Advertiser

277

1,636

*Figures are inclusive of my office and the office of the Minister of State.

Departmental Staff.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

126 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Taoiseach the number of press officers and press advisers in his Department; the rank and pay of each; the description of work done; the persons to whom the information is circulated or made accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33544/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

128 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Taoiseach the number of press advisers employed by his Department; the cost of such advice for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33574/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 128 together.

There are four press officers based in my Department, one at Assistant Principal grade and three at Higher Executive Officer grade. Their pay is at the current rate for these respective grades. The Government Press Secretary is paid the max of the Assistant Secretary scale, while both of the Deputy Government Press Secretaries are paid at Principal Officer higher scale level. The duties of the Government Press Secretary and of the press officers in my Department are to liaise with the media on my behalf. The Deputy Government Press Secretaries have particular responsibilities in respect of the Green Party and the Progressive Democrats, respectively.

The Government Press Office provide a comprehensive information service on Government policy to the public through the national and international media on behalf of myself, my Department and the Government. Political correspondents are briefed on a daily basis by the Government Press Secretary and Deputy Government Press Secretaries. Through regular contact with Departmental Press Officers, they ensure that there is a co-ordinated approach to media matters.

Press releases, statements and speeches are e-mailed simultaneously to news desks daily and all important speeches and policy documents are posted on my Department's website. Staff of the office and Departmental Press Officers are available after hours and at weekends to answer media queries. The Government Press Secretary and his staff strive to ensure that relevant information and replies to press queries are communicated accurately, speedily and efficiently to the media. The cost of the Press Advisors (i.e. successive Government Press Secretaries and Deputy Government Press Secretaries) for each year since 1997 is detailed in the table.

Year

Cost

2007 — up to 31st October

€233,730

2006

€227,723

2005

€217,428

2004

€206,171

2003

€189,980

2002

€165,181

2001

IR£118,245

2000

IR£107,126

1999

IR£106,514

1998

IR£102,883

1997 — from 27/06/97

IR£48,385

Consultancy Contracts.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

127 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Taoiseach the number, cost and name of any media consultants employed by his Department; the cost of such advice for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; the nature of the work done; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33559/07]

The table contains detailsof the cost, nature of work done and nameof media consultants employed by my Department each year from 1997 to date (November 2007).

Media Consultancy

Year

Name

Type of Consultancy

Amount

1997

Nil

Nil

Nil

1998

Hall Public Relations

PR consultant for the 1798 Commemoration

12,697.00

1999

Nil

Nil

Nil

2000

Nil

Nil

Nil

2001

Nil

Nil

Nil

2002

Nil

Nil

Nil

2003

Nil

Nil

Nil

2004

RTE

PR Consultancy EU Presidency

35,256.79

Grayling Gilmore

PR Consultancy EU Presidency

29,803.65

Carr Communications

Disability Bill — Public Relations

12,147.74

2005

The Design Consultancy

Short Jpeg Film- Asia Strategy

145.20

2006

Nil

Nil

Nil

2007 (End of Nov)

Nil

Nil

Nil

Question No. 128 answered with QuestionNo. 126.

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

129 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Taoiseach the number of credit cards held by his Department; the cost of same for each year since 2000 to date in 2007; the persons who hold these cards and for whom they are used; the annual amounts purchased; the cumulative interest on same for each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33589/07]

The total number of credit cards currently held by my Department is 29. The annual cost of supplying credit cards, the amounts purchased and any interest payments for each year from 2000 to date are detailed in the table.

Year

Total Payments (excl. Charges)

Charges (incl. Stamp Duty)

Interest

2000

185,852.33

3,079.11

0.00

2001

83,882.81

3,498.13

0.00

2002

83,583.51

2,932.05

0.00

2003

70,207.31

4,077.84

0.00

2004

102,746.20

4,245.25

0.00

2005

98,198.72

2,075.92

0.00

2006

135,039.13

2,361.80

0.00

2007

117,375.02

1,324.05

0.00

Credit cards are allocated to Office Holders and Officials where this facility will be of practical use in meeting the requirements of official business, for example, to facilitate meeting of travel expenses and official entertainment, the procurement of goods and services such as on-line conferences bookings, air travel, purchase of IT equipment and library supplies. In general, credit cards are allocated to office holders and senior officials including Ministers, Secretaries General, Assistant Secretaries, Special Advisers, Private Secretaries and Heads of Divisions where appropriate.

While a credit card has been assigned to me by the Department, I have not had occasion to use it. The current holders are myself, the Chief Whip, Secretary General, Private Secretary to the Taoiseach, Private Secretary to the Minister of State Roche, Assistant Secretaries (5), Press Officer to the Government, Head of Government Information Services, Special Adviser to Taoiseach (2), Special Adviser to the Minister of State, Programme Manager Green Party, Principal Officers (5), Finance Officer (2), Personnel Officer, Assistant Principal Officer — Protocol, Higher Executive Officer — Management Services, Chairman — National Forum on Europe, Director — National Forum on Europe and Director — Ireland Newfoundland Partnership.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

130 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Taoiseach the cost to his Department of photographers used by all Ministers in his Department on a yearly basis for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33604/07]

The total cost of photographers used by my Department from 1997 to date is detailed in the table.

Year

Cost of Photographers per year

1997 (July to December)

13,633

1998

17,733

1999

18,810

2000

22,280

2001

9,020

2002

45,624

2003

39,446

2004

27,424

2005

44,814

2006

80,827

2007 (to end November)

51,559

The costs in question relate to the engaging of photographers by the Government Information Service for the purpose of recording events of public importance and the dissemination of the photographic records to the media.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

131 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Taoiseach the cost of make-up for him for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33619/07]

The total spend by my Department on make-up services from 1997 to date are detailed in the table.

Year

Cost of Make-up Service per year

1997 (July to December)

4,819

1998

21,117

1999

17,221

2000

20,330

2001

17,600

2002

18,439

2003

19,051

2004

27,722

2005

26,037

2006

25,583

2007 (to end of November 2007)

15,593

With regard to the use of make up services, since the advent of television, people appearing before camera under artificial lighting conditions are required to use make-up to counter the effects of the strong lighting that is used by media organisations in such circumstances. The Taoiseach is no exception in this regard. Successive Taoisigh have been required to use make-up under these conditions when being interviewed for television or video broadcast, etc.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

132 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Taoiseach the cost of his Department’s entertainment allowance for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33634/07]

My Department's expenditure on entertainment for each year from 1997 to date is detailed in the table.

Year

Entertainment Expenditure

1997

371,000

1998

232,000

1999

311,000

2000

362,000

2001

383,000

2002

421,000

2003

320,000

2004

399,000

2005

287,000

2006

641,000

2007*

262,633

* Expenditure for the period January to November 2007.

Most of this expenditure is in relation to State protocol, such as State dinners and receptions organised in association with visits by Heads of State or Heads of Government. It also includes entertainment of other foreign dignitaries and other official entertainment such as arises in association with official meetings and events.

Government Information Services.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

133 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Taoiseach if his Department receives a daily summary of stories relevant to his Department from Government Information Services; if this summary is in written, verbal or electronic format; if these are furnished to a departmental press officer or press adviser; and if the press officer or adviser furnishes this information to him every day or how often it is furnished. [33649/07]

I do not receive a daily summary of stories relevant to my Department from the Government Information Services. However, the Communications Unit furnishes news updates in electronic format to me, the Ministers of State in my Department, departmental officials, the Government Information Service and my political advisors. These summaries are not specific to the Department of the Taoiseach but are a synopsis of the news as broadcast. The Government Press Secretary verbally briefs the Taoiseach on news stories and developments relevant to his work and that of his Department as they occur.

Official Engagements.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

134 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Taoiseach if a press adviser travels with him on official visits; and if there were official visits attended by him in the past year at which a press adviser was not present or was not in contact with him. [33664/07]

The Taoiseach is generally accompanied by the Government Press Secretary or a government press officer on official visits. There have been no official trips in the last year on which a press officer has not accompanied the Taoiseach.

Departmental Transport.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

135 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Taoiseach the cost of providing transport including their official car to Ministers of State in his Department and staff for each year from 1997 to date in 2007. [33679/07]

My Department does not provide transport to any member of staff, including Ministers of State. However, staff are entitled to claim mileage where privately owned cars have been used for the purpose of official business. All mileage payments are made in accordance with Department of Finance rules. This also applies to Ministers of State assigned to my Department.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

136 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Taoiseach the cost of him using public transport for every year since 1997 to date in 2007; and the cost of providing similar services to Ministers of State and staff for the same period. [33694/07]

The cost to my Department in respect of the use of public transport (buses and trains) from 2002 to date is detailed in the table.

Year

Cost of using Public Transport

2002 (July to Dec)

1,642

2003

3,003

2004

7,280

2005

5,618

2006

6,181

2007 (Jan-Nov)

2,947

Personally, I have not incurred any expenditure in this regard.

The information requested by the Deputy for the years 1997 to July 2002 is not readily available. However, it is being compiled at present and will be forwarded as soon as possible.

Departmental Communications.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

137 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Taoiseach if his Department carries news summaries on its internal web; the persons who have access to such information; the way they access same; the person who compiles same; the cost of same; the regularity with which this information is updated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33724/07]

The Communications Unit post the news summaries on the Department of the Taoiseach's intranet which can be accessed by staff in the Department. The Unit updates this information on a daily basis and at no additional cost to the Department.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

138 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Taoiseach the number of mobile phones used by him and supplied by his Department; the annual cost of same for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33739/07]

No Departmental mobile phones have been assigned to me.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

139 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Taoiseach if any of the advisers or staff appointed by him directly have mobile phones and other equipment supplied by his Department; the annual cost of same since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33754/07]

The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available. It is being compiled and will be forwarded.

Departmental Reports.

Charles Flanagan

Ceist:

140 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Taoiseach when the value for money review of the National Economic and Social Council, National Economic and Social Forum and the National Economic and Social Development Office was completed; the value of the saving to the Exchequer generated by the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33808/07]

As part of the implementation of the Government's Value for Money Review and Policy Review Initiative, my Department is undertaking a review of the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) and its constituent bodies — the National Economic and Social Council (NESC), the National Economic and Social Forum (NESF) and the National Centre for Partnership and Performance (NCPP). This Review was deferred under the first round of expenditure reviews while the legislation establishing NESDO as a statutory body was put in place. The provisions of this legislation came into effect on 1 January, 2007.

Since then, a steering group, chaired by my Department, has been established to oversee the Review, terms of reference have been agreed and work is now underway. It is envisaged that the Review will be completed in the first half of 2008. In line with the objectives of the Value for Money and Policy Review initiative, the Review will analyse in a systematic manner what is being achieved by Exchequer spending and will provide a basis on which more informed decisions can be made on priorities. More specifically, the Review aims:

to analyse the outputs of the grant-in-aid funding provided to NESDO;

to determine the impact on the development of public policy in line with the objectives of the Department of the Taoiseach and other relevant public organisations for NESDO; and

to inform future funding, administration, structural and policy decisions in relation to NESDO.

Departmental Transport.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

141 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Taoiseach the cost on a yearly basis for transport hire of any kind for his transport brought from and to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34099/07]

The cost to my Department on a yearly basis from 2002 to date for transport hire is detailed in the table.

Year

Cost of Transport Hire

2002 (July to December)

68,174

2003

44,724

2004

77,751

2005

83,922

2006

117,865

2007

50,534

The reasons for the hire of transport include refunds to the Department of Foreign Affairs in respect of car hire for official functions when travelling abroad, for specific state functions where transport is required for dignitaries and to facilitate business meetings including those in connection with Northern Ireland. The information requested by the Deputy for the years 1997 to July 2002 is not readily available. However, it is being compiled at present and will be forwarded as soon as possible.

Departmental Communications.

Damien English

Ceist:

142 Deputy Damien English asked the Taoiseach the number of staff in his Department that are provided with a blackberry device or similar mobile e-mail equipment. [34228/07]

68 staff in my Department are provided with blackberry devices or similar mobile e-mail equipment.

Damien English

Ceist:

143 Deputy Damien English asked the Taoiseach the number of databases used by his Department; and the number of these that are wholly and partly operated by external organisations or individuals and operated solely within his Department. [34243/07]

There are over 300 internal databases in use in my Department. These are operated solely internally within the Department. My Department also owns three cross departmental extranets and these applications are hosted within the Department. In addition to this, one database is operated within the Department by security-cleared staff from a contracted external organisation. Another database is operated off-site in a shared services facility run by the Department of Finance. My Department's websites are hosted by the LGCSB (Local Government Computer Services Board) on our behalf.

Damien English

Ceist:

144 Deputy Damien English asked the Taoiseach the number of information technology projects undertaken by or for his Department since 2004 that have been delivered over budget, after their original deadline, on budget, under budget, on their original deadline and ahead of their original deadline; and if he will present the information in tabular readable form. [34258/07]

The information sought by the Deputy is outlined in the table.

Project Title

On Budget

On Time

EU Directives Extranet

Yes

Yes

Active Citizenship Website

Yes

Yes

On-line OECD Review

Yes

Yes

Cabinet Committee System

Yes

Yes

Move HRMS System to shared service facility

Yes

Yes

In addition to these, systems are regularly developed in-house to meet business needs. These projects are usually completed over a short period of time using our normal resources and budget.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Damien English

Ceist:

145 Deputy Damien English asked the Taoiseach the steps he has taken to offset the carbon dioxide emissions caused by ministerial travel in his Department; and if none to date, the plans he will put in place on the matter. [34273/07]

I refer the Deputy to the answer given today by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to an identical question.

Data Protection.

Damien English

Ceist:

146 Deputy Damien English asked the Taoiseach if he is satisfied that personal information relating to members of the public held on his departmental databases is safe from hackers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34288/07]

To protect personal data within my Department, we comply fully with the provisions of the Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003, the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 and the National Archives Act 1986 in managing both electronic and paper based records. My Department applies best practice and uses industry standard security protection devices and software to protect its network from hackers. In addition to this, access to personal information held electronically within my Department is controlled by application security and confined to relevant authorised personnel only.

Management Information Framework System.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

147 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Taoiseach the estimate of the money saved to the Exchequer in 2007 by the use of the management information framework system; the way this saving was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34310/07]

The Management Information Framework has been fully implemented in my Department. While the actual savings resulting from the use of the system have not been specifically quantified, the use of the system has resulted in increased efficiencies and greater productivity across a range of activities, in particular through:

the provision of an integrated modular financial management system which automates and streamlines financial transaction processing, thus eliminating duplication and increasing productivity;

use of technology to provide electronic processing, for example electronic funds transfer for payments to suppliers and staff, thus eliminating unnecessary delays and providing enhanced service to the Department's customers;

the ability to record financial data at a more detailed level which enhances the management information available to my Department, including the availability of cost allocation and both cash and accruals data;

improved reporting capacity, allowing for the development of reports to meet a broad range of statutory reporting and management information requirements, including for financial management and budgeting, statutory accounting and reporting, evaluation of value for money, resource allocation and decision-making purposes;

and the provision of enhanced controls over expenditure and compliance requirements.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

148 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Taoiseach if the management information framework system has been fully rolled out in his Department; the use being made of performance indicators, the costing framework and management reports provided by this system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34325/07]

The Management Information Framework system has been fully implemented in my Department. This system provides the Department with a flexible system of financial management, integrated with performance and output measurement so as to enhance accountability, efficiency and performance. The MIF system ensures more efficient processing of financial transactions and accounting and provides a range of reports for management information. The system provides and facilitates the use of better financial information including the allocation of costs to the Department's objectives, which, in turn, provides enhanced information for management decision making and allocation of resources.

Performance Indicators have been developed to measure performance across the range of Departmental activities as set out in the Department's Statement of Strategy and are reported in the Department's Annual Report. Performance Indicators are also defined at operational level and are used by managers at Divisional level to monitor progress against annual Business Plans. Given the nature of my Department's role and the objectives which are being pursued, the use of quantitative indicators has not always been found to be appropriate. However, an appropriate mix of qualitative and quantitative indicators has been identified to assist in measuring and evaluation of progress against objectives.

The MIF system also provides the framework for information presented in the Department's Annual Output Statement, which expands on each of the Department's Strategic Objectives. This Statement explicitly links the inputs and resources associated with each Strategic Objective to the outputs achieved, thus providing transparency on the use of the Department's resources and a means for evaluation of the use of those resources against achievements.

Proposed Legislation.

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

149 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will amend the Electoral Act 1997 to give the Standards in Public Offices Commission the power to appoint an investigation officer to assess compliance with ethics legislation on the part of public representatives and officials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33237/07]

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

150 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will amend the Electoral Act 1997 to give the Standards in Public Offices Commission the power to initiate an investigation without a formal complaint; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33238/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 149 and 150 together.

The Ethics Acts (i.e. the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 and the Standards in Public Office Act 2001) already allow the Standards in Public Office Commission, where it considers it appropriate to do so, to launch ‘own initiative' investigations, where no formal complaint has been made. Issues concerning non-office holding members of the Oireachtas would be, in the first instance, a matter for the Select Committee on Members' Interests of the relevant House.

As regards inquiry officers, the Ethics Acts already allow the Standards in Public Office Commission, where it has received a formal complaint, to request an inquiry officer to carry out a preliminary inquiry into the complaint. As I have already stated in response to other parliamentary questions, I do not intend to amend the legislation to allow the Standards Commission to appoint inquiry officers where a formal complaint has not been made.

Question No. 150 answered with QuestionNo. 149.

Salary Agreements.

James Bannon

Ceist:

151 Deputy James Bannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if, in view of the pay increase that An Taoiseach has awarded himself and other Government Ministers and the projected pay restraints in the public sector, he will make provision for a Christmas bonus for the political staff of the Houses of the Oireachtas, in line with practice in the private sector and the Department of Social and Family Affairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33241/07]

The pay of political office holders is covered by the terms of reference of the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector. The Review Body, which was established in 1969, is a independent standing body whose primary function is to advise the Government on the general levels of remuneration appropriate to higher public servants (civil service, local authorities, health boards, non-commercial State bodies, Garda Síochána, Defence Forces, hospital consultants, etc.), members of the judiciary, and political office-holders.

It is seven years since the last general review was carried out by the Review Body in relation to the pay of those covered by its remit. It is established Government policy to accept the recommendations of this independent review body. This has been accepted by successive Governments.

When the Deputy refers to political staff of the Houses of the Oireachtas I assume he means staff appointed by the deputies e.g. Secretarial Assistants and Parliamentary Assistants. The pay of these grades is encompassed by the public service benchmarking process (via linkages to civil service grades). They benefited from increases recommend by the first benchmarking exercise, which report some five years ago (compared to seven years for the last Review Body report). The Public Service Benchmarking Body is currently finalising its second report. Towards 2016 provides that the implementation of the recommendations of the Benchmarking Body should be discussed in the context of discussions on whatever arrangements on pay and conditions are to be put in place on the expiry of the current public service pay agreement under Towards 2016.

The terms and conditions of public service employees do not in general provide for the payment of bonuses. The ‘Christmas bonus' paid by the Department of Social and Family Affairs is not made to the staff of the Department but to Social Welfare recipients.

Question No. 152 withdrawn.

Energy Resources.

Simon Coveney

Ceist:

153 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the percentage of energy consumed in his Department and in all agencies for which his Department has responsibility that comes from renewable sources. [33280/07]

In relation to the heating of my Department's offices the fuels used are natural gas and oil, which are from non renewable sources. The supply of electrical energy to my Department is provided by two of the major suppliers of electricity to the national grid. While the supply from these providers is not principally from renewable sources, I understand that this supply does include a component of green energy. This would be typical of the situation that applies in the agencies for which my Department has responsibility.

The Office of Public works has informed me that they are in the process of bringing forward proposals for a new energy centre for the Government Buildings complex, which includes the principal offices of my Department. It is intended that this energy centre will provide for a number of alternative sources of energy for the complex which will include a combined heat and power system.

Betting Licences.

Kieran O'Donnell

Ceist:

154 Deputy Kieran O’Donnell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he or his Department approved of the involvement of the national lottery in discussions with the Sonas consortium relating to a proposed casino in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33327/07]

No request for such approval has been presented to me since my appointment as Minister for Finance. However, as the Deputy will be aware from my response last week (Dáil Question No. 87 answered on 6 December 2007), in February 1998, the Chairman of the National Lottery Company wrote to the Department of Finance about the Company's intention to go into a 12-month non-disclosure agreement with Sonas Centre Ltd, stating that Sonas had "expressed an interest in considering the NLC [the National Lottery Company] in some role in relation to casino gaming and for this to be evaluated by the parties, a non-disclosure agreement is necessary". Having considered the matter, and with the agreement of the then Minister, the Department replied in March 1998 informing the National Lottery Company that it would have no objection to the National Lottery Company's entering the agreement.

Kieran O'Donnell

Ceist:

155 Deputy Kieran O’Donnell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if officials of his Department ever attended meetings with representatives of the national lottery and the Sonas consortium relating to a proposed casino in north Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33328/07]

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

210 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the meetings his Department officials had with representatives of Sonas or Ogden in 1990 to 1994 inclusive to discuss the location of a casino in the Phoenix Park, Dublin; and if these meetings took place, if a person (details supplied) attended. [34327/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 210 together.

I am advised by my Department that the only relevant report on file in my Department concerns a meeting on 7 November 1995, between a promoter of the Vector Ogden/Sonas proposal and Department officials. This dealt with the general remit of the Task Force then examining the pros and cons of licensing casinos, and not with particular proposals.

Kieran O'Donnell

Ceist:

156 Deputy Kieran O’Donnell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if any reports of meetings between the national lottery and the Sonas consortium relating to a proposed casino in north Dublin were submitted to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33329/07]

No such reports have been submitted to me since I was appointed other than reports arising from recent questions and enquiries into what transpired during the 1990s.

Departmental Expenditure.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

157 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the amount of mobile telephone bills paid directly by his Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33339/07]

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

158 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the amount of mobile telephone bills paid in the form of expenses to staff by his Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33354/07]

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

159 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the amount of mobile telephone bills paid in relation to the departmental mobile telephone assigned to him by his Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33368/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 157 to 159, inclusive, together.

Staff in my department do not ordinarily claim expenses in respect of mobile call charges. If necessary, staff are provided with a mobile phone on a temporary basis where appropriate. The cost of mobile charges incurred by me in 2006 was €1,677.89 and to date in 2007 is €2,077.58. The cumulative cost of mobile charges for my Department in 2006 was €69,653.56 and to date in 2007 is €91,874.13. In the time available it was not possible to compile the information on data and roaming charges. This information will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Departmental Reports.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

160 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance when the value for money review of the Information Society was completed; the value of the savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33480/07]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

161 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance when the value for money review of the Economic and Social Research Institute was completed; the value of the savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33481/07]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

162 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance when the value for money review of Ordinance Survey Ireland was completed; the value of the savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33482/07]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

163 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance when the value for money review of Civil Service child care initiative will be completed; the anticipated value of the savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33483/07]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

164 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance when the value for money review of the procurement management reform will be completed; the anticipated value of the savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33484/07]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

165 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance when the value for money review of departmental procurement will be completed; the anticipated value of the savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33485/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 160, 161, 162, 163, 164 and 165 together.

The table sets out the completion schedule for the reviews in question.

Value for Money Review

Completion

Economic and Social Research Institute

July 2006.

Information Society Fund

August 2006.

Ordnance Survey Ireland

January 2007.

Departmental Procurement

Due to be completed by the end of 2008.

Procurement Management Reform

Expected to be completed in early 2008.

Civil Service Childcare Initiative

Expected to be completed in early 2008.

The Value for Money and Policy Review of the Grant-in-Aid payment to the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) contained five recommendations, all of which are in the process of being implemented. The recommendations are intended to improve the overall value for money for the grant-in-aid. Among other things, they are directed at relating funding to outputs; benchmarking the ESRI with comparable institutes in other EU member states, and periodically reviewing the policy relevance of the Institute's research. The level of the grant in aid has not changed significantly as a result of the review.

The Information Society Fund terminated at the end of 2005 in line with its intended lifespan. As a result, an annual allocation for the fund is no longer required. However, work continues in Departments and Offices on the Government's e-Agenda through the normal business planning and budgetary process.

The objectives of the Value for Money and Policy Review of the Grant-in-Aid to Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSI) were to assess the objectives of the grant; to identify improved output definitions and monitoring arrangements for future editions of the Service Level Agreement with OSI so as to drive increased operational efficiency across the organisation; and to assess whether OSI should remain under the aegis of the Department of Finance, be assigned to another Department or be merged with another appropriate body. While the focus of the Review was largely on policy aspects relating to the payment of the grant-in-aid, several of the recommendations, should contribute to the efficiency of the organisation and reduce not only the direct Exchequer grant, but also the payments for services made to the organisation by both the public and private sector. It is however not practicable at this early stage to calculate a specific value for the savings to the Exchequer that will be delivered on foot of the recommendations, which are currently in course of implementation.

With regard to the reviews of departmental procurement, procurement management reform and the civil service childcare initiative, it is not possible to anticipate the consequences of these reports until their findings are finalised and considered.

Tax Code.

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

166 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will assist a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 with their query. [33492/07]

I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, given the basis on which the taxpayer is employed, he is liable to tax under Schedule E PAYE. Therefore, it would not be in order to classify the person as a self-assessed taxpayer. On 29 November 2007 the Revenue Commissioners wrote to the taxpayer's agent outlining the reasons why this is so. A copy of this letter also issued directly to the taxpayer.

Departmental Staff.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

167 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number, rank and pay of all civil servants in his Department and ministerial staff, personally appointed by him or otherwise, who are engaged in media monitoring; the nature of the work done; the persons who the information is circulated to or the people who have access to this information; the cost of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33509/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

169 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of press officers and press advisers in his Department; the rank and pay of each; the description of work done; the persons to whom the information is circulated or made accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33539/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

171 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of press advisers employed by his Department; the cost of such advice for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33569/07]

I propose to answer questions 167, 169 and 171 together.

There were no Press Advisers in my Department for the period concerned. The Press Officer is responsible for management of the Press Office, the functions of which comprise responding to questions regarding the Minister for Finance or the Department of Finance from all members of the broadcast and print media, as well as members of the public; organising press events to inform the press and public on Departmental matters; making necessary arrangements in association with the Minister's Private Office for public events at which the Minister for Finance is speaking, both at national and international levels; and editorial control of the Department's web site.

There is no formal media monitoring system in the Department. However, staff in the Press Office review newsprint and other media on a daily basis and where appropriate bring media articles to the attention of the Press Officer or to the attention of relevant management staff. In addition, management staff throughout the Department have access to both print and on-line media reports.

The salary ranges of the staff in the Press Office are as follows:

Press Officer — €69,179 — €86,504 plus a 10% attraction allowance.

Higher Executive Officer €47,000 — €58,130.

Executive Officer €29,093 — €47,980.

Clerical Officer €22,766 — €36,913.

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

168 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number and name of newspapers purchased by his Department daily and weekly; the number provided to himself and to the Minister of State’s office; the yearly cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33524/07]

The cost of newspapers purchased by my Department in 2006 was €77,050 and to date in 2007 was €76,907. The table sets out the number of each paper purchased on a daily and weekly basis for Departmental staff and papers supplied to my offices in Dublin and Tullamore and to the Minister of State's office.

Daily and Weekly Newspapers supplied for Departmental Officials

No. of Copies

Irish Independent

30

Irish Times

84

Irish Examiner

9

Wall Street Journal

2

Financial Times

41

Evening Herald

7

The Guardian

1

Mirror

1

Star

1

Irish Daily Mail

2

The Sun

1

1

Herald Tribune

1

London Independent

1

Daily Telegraph

1

London Times

1

Farmers’ Journal

3

Irish News

1

Sunday Papers

Sunday Independent

4

Sunday Business Post

5

Sunday Tribune

4

Sunday World

2

Sunday Star

1

Sunday Telegraph

1

Sunday Times

2

Sunday Observer

1

Daily and weekly newspapers provided to Tánaiste’s offices

No. of copies

Irish Independent

2

Irish Times

2

Irish Examiner

2

Sunday Independent

1

Sunday Tribune

1

Sunday Business Post

1

Sunday Times

1

Tullamore Tribune

2

Offaly Express

2

Offaly Weekly

2

Papers provided for the Minister of State’s Office to June 2007*

No. of copies

Irish Independent

1

Irish Times

1

Irish Examiner

1

Irish Examiner

1

Evening Herald

1

*From this date newspapers supplied to the Minister of State were provided by the Office of Public Works.

Question No. 169 answered with QuestionNo. 167.

Consultancy Contracts.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

170 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number, cost and name of any media consultants employed by his Department; the cost of such advice for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; the nature of the work done; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33554/07]

Details in relation to expenditure by my Department on the provision of advice by media consultants over the period in question are as set out in the table.

Consultant

Amount

Purpose

Year

Brindley Advertising

318,030

Design and delivery of Euro advertising campaign.

1998

Brindley Advertising

581,869

Design and delivery of Euro changeover advertising campaign.

1999

Brindley Advertising

226,403

Design and delivery of Euro changeover advertising campaign.

2000

Adept Creative Services Ltd;

445,746

Design and delivery of Euro changeover advertising campaign.

2000

Curtin Communications

402,758

Provision of publicity services relating to NDP/CSF.

2000

Drury Communications Research

51,334

Public awareness research on NDP/CSF 2000-2006.

2000

Fleischman-Hilliard Saunders

41,272

Consultancy on National Development Plan (NDP) Communications Strategy.

2000

Brindley Advertising

6,288

Design and delivery of Euro changeover advertising campaign.

2001

Adept Creative Services Ltd;

1,294,176

Design and delivery of Euro changeover advertising campaign.

2001

Curtin Communications

357,643

Provision of publicity services relating to NDP/Community Support Framework (CSF)

2001

Adept Creative Services Ltd

129,838

Design and delivery of Euro changeover advertising campaign.

2002

Q4 Consultants

83,400

Arrangement of informal ECOFIN meeting.

2003

Curtin Communications (later merged with and became Grayling)

332,883

Provision of publicity services for NDP/CSF.

2003

Grayling

128,032

Consultancy Fees in relation to Provision of publicity services for NDP/CSF (excluding third party fees).

2004

Lansdowne Market research

14,822

NDP public awareness research.

2004

Curtin Communications

239,152

Provision of publicity services relating to NDP/CSF.

2004

Drury Communications Research

79,051

Public awareness research on NDP/CSF 2000-2006.

2004

Grayling

128,032

Provision of publicity services for NDP/CSF

2004

Grayling

102,424

Provision of publicity services for NDP/CSF

2005

Grayling

67,276

Provision of Publicity Services for NDP/CSF

2006

MRPA Kinman Communications

38,720

Provision of Publicity Services for NDP/CSF

2006

Grayling

66,106

Provision of publicity services for NDP/CSF.

2006

MRPA Kinman Communications

125,293

Provision of Publicity Services for NDP/CSF

2007

Question No. 171 answered with QuestionNo. 167.

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

172 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of credit cards held by his Department; the cost of same for each year since 2000 to date in 2007; the persons who hold these cards and for whom they are used; the annual amounts purchased; the cumulative interest on same for each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33584/07]

There are currently eight departmental credit cards issued to office holders and officials in my Department. I, as Minister, hold one credit card, and my Private Secretary, Press Officer and Special Adviser have each been issued with one credit card. One senior official has also been issued with a credit card. These cards are used generally for official expenses in connection with travel, including accommodation and subsistence expenses, and official hospitality.

The three remaining cards are for the general usage of the Department in the purchase of a range of goods and services, mainly the on-line purchase of publications and for booking training courses and conferences. It is the practice of the Department not to incur interest charges on credit cards, and such bills are generally paid on or before the due date.

The table sets out the cost of official purchases associated with credit cards. The table includes costs from 2003. Prior to 2003, records were not held in a manner which would facilitate the identification of such costs without undue administrative effort.

Year

2003

66,298.00

2004

73,451.00

2005

70,128.00

2006

42,399.00

To date in 2007

41,180.00

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

173 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the cost to his Department of photographers used by all Ministers in his Department on a yearly basis for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33599/07]

The cost to my Department of photographers used by the Ministers and Ministers of State in my Department in each year since 2003 is listed in the table. Prior to 2003, before the Department introduced its new financial management system, records were not held in a manner which facilitates the identification of such costs without undue administrative effort.

Year

Photographers

2003

570

2004

11,160*

2005

5,440

2006

2,880

2007 to date

5,893

*Ireland's Presidency of European Union.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

174 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the cost of make-up for him for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33614/07]

The cost of make-up for each year since my appointment as Minister for Finance in 2004 is outlined in the table.

Year

Make-up

2004

550

2005

No costs

2006

750

2007 to date

No costs

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

175 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the cost of his Department’s entertainment allowance for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33629/07]

Subhead A3.1 (Incidental Expenses — Entertainment) of Vote 6 (Office of the Minister for Finance) provides for entertainment related expenses within my Department's budget. Within the A3.1 allocation expenditure arises for Ministerial, State and official entertainment as well as for routine office catering for business purposes. A breakdown of the total to isolate expenditure on entertainment over the last ten years is not available. However, for the year 2006 approximately 70% relates to routine office catering as distinct from entertainment.

The table sets out the outturn for the subhead for each year since 1997 to 2006 and the expenditure to date in 2007.

Vote 6 Subhead A3.1 (Incidental Expenses)

Expenditure €,000

1997

67

1998

101

1999

56

2000

69

2001

103

2002

123

2003

138

2004

132

2005

70

2006

115

2007 YTD

100

Government Information Services.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

176 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if his Department receives a daily summary of stories relevant to his Department from Government Information Services; if this summary is in written, verbal or electronic format; if these are furnished to a departmental press officer or press adviser; and if the press officer or adviser furnishes this information to him every day or how often it is furnished. [33644/07]

The press office receives electronic communications from the Communications Unit, Department of the Taoiseach which sets out the headlines from daily print media and radio programmes. The Department's press office only brings media headlines and reports to Management's attention and/or my attention if it is appropriate to do so.

Official Engagements.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

177 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if a press adviser travels with him on official visits; and if there were official visits attended by him in the past year at which a press adviser was not present or was not in contact with him. [33659/07]

As Tánaiste and Minister for Finance I do not have a press advisor. My Department's Press Officer attends most public engagements at home and abroad. On occasions where the Department's Press Officer was not in attendance on official visits, my Special Adviser undertook the necessary press functions.

Departmental Transport.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

178 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the cost of providing transport including their official car to Ministers of State in his Department and staff for each year from 1997 to date in 2007. [33674/07]

In the time available it has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy. This process is currently under way and the information will be forwarded to the Deputy when the process has been completed.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

179 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the cost of him using public transport for every year since 1997 to date in 2007; and the cost of providing similar services to Ministers of State and staff for the same period. [33689/07]

In the time available it has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy. This process is currently under way and the information will be forwarded to the Deputy when the process has been completed.

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

180 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if any refurbishing or improvements have been made to ministerial offices since 1997; the nature of such improvements; the cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33704/07]

The information requested by Deputy Fergus O'Dowd is not in a format which is readily available. Accordingly, the information is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in due course.

Departmental Communications.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

181 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if his Department carries news summaries on its internal web; the persons who have access to such information; the way they access same; the person who compiles same; the cost of same; the regularity with which this information is updated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33719/07]

My Department does not carry news summaries on the internal web.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

182 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of mobile phones used by him and supplied by his Department; the annual cost of same for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33734/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

183 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if any of the advisers or staff appointed by him directly have mobile phones and other equipment supplied by his Department; the annual cost of same since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33749/07]

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 182 and 183 together.

Since becoming Minister for Finance the annual cost of mobile phone charges incurred by me is as in the table.

Year

2004

195.15

2005

1,891.86

2006

1,677.89

To date in 2007

2,077.58

The cost of mobile charges incurred by staff appointed directly by me is as in the table.

Year

2004

431.83

2005

4,440.94

2006

4,284.15

To date in 2007

5,054.67

Tax Code.

Bobby Aylward

Ceist:

184 Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will accept the recommendations of the IFA to have EU compensation to former beet growers calculated as capital rather than income for tax purposes as it is not a capital disposal and should not be liable for capital gains tax. [33756/07]

There are 3 elements to the overall sugar beet compensation package: Compensation to growers, Restructuring Aid, and Diversification Aid. The tax treatment of sugar beet compensation payments to former sugar beet growers is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners. I am informed by the Commissioners that, based on the information available to them on the current proposals for the payment of such aid, the payments are regarded as income and will be subject to income tax. The payments are not, therefore, regarded as a capital receipt and the issue of whether an asset disposal takes place does not affect their tax treatment.

In Budget 2008 I announced that the income from diversification aid payments would be spread over 6 years for the purpose of calculating income tax liability. This follows a similar provision in Finance Act 2007 for the restructuring aid element of the compensation package.

Departmental Reports.

John O'Mahony

Ceist:

185 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance when the value for money review of the provision of flood relief schemes will be completed; the anticipated value of the savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33785/07]

The value for money review of the OPW Flood Relief programme is due for completion by the end of 2007.

John O'Mahony

Ceist:

186 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance when the value for money review of the property management scheme will be completed; the anticipated value of the savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33786/07]

The value for money review of the OPW Property Management Service is due for completion by the end of 2008. It is not possible at this stage to make assumptions on what the outcome of this review will indicate.

Tax Collection.

Ciaran Lynch

Ceist:

187 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the amount of money that has been collected by the Revenue Commissioners special investigation unit in each of the past five years. [33804/07]

Ciaran Lynch

Ceist:

188 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the annual running cost of the Revenue Commissioners special investigation unit for each of the past five years. [33805/07]

I propose to take questions numbers 187 and 188 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, over the years Revenue initiated a number of Special Investigation Projects related to particular methodologies which had been used by taxpayers to evade taxes. To date recoveries of almost €2.4 billion have been made. Some of these projects have been completed or are nearing completion while others are ongoing. The yield for each of the past five full years (2002 to 2006) from these projects is set out in the Table. For completeness the yield for the 11 months to the end of November 2007 totals €111.08 million.

The estimated annual running costs for the years 2003 to 2006 of the Special Investigation Project Units which have been coordinating these projects are set out in the Table. The figures relate to staff salaries and other non salary costs. Due to Revenue restructuring, it is not possible to be very precise about the running costs for 2002, but they would broadly be on a par with those of subsequent years.

Yield from Special Investigations 2002 to 2006

Heading

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

DIRT Audits

1.0

1.0

3.0

Bogus Non-Resident Accounts

112.0

138.8

84.2

47.0

15.5

Offshore Assets

127.8

585.4

83.5

55.3

Single Premium Policies

382.0

33.0

Ansbacher

5.2

5.3

19.1

10.35

10.67

NIB/Clerical Medical

17.6

6.1

4.65

3.44

1.9

Tribunals

0.24

6.42

1.36

10.44

3.21

Total

136.04

285.42

697.71

536.73

119.58

Estimated Running costs

3.12

3.45

3.38

3.65

Ciaran Lynch

Ceist:

189 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of prosecutions and the number of convictions that have arisen out of investigations undertaken by the special investigations unit in each of the past five years. [33806/07]

I am assuming that the Deputy is referring to investigations undertaken by the Investigations and Prosecutions Division of the Revenue Commissioners. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the following is the up to date position on court convictions for tax evasion since 2002.

In 2002, there were three cases and three convictions. Fines totalling €5,540 were imposed and there was one custodial sentence of six months.

In 2003, there were six cases and seven convictions. Fines totalling €29,365 were imposed and there was one custodial sentence of two years suspended.

In 2004, there was one case and one conviction. A fine of €5,000 was imposed and 180 hours community service was imposed in lieu of a three months custodial sentence.

In 2005, there were ten cases and these in fact resulted in thirteen convictions — a prosecution for tax evasion can involve more than one person, or a case may involve both individual and corporate culpability. There were three custodial sentences, one of six months suspended on each of four counts to run concurrently and two of three months each. In a further two cases 240 hours and 120 hours of community service were imposed in lieu of custodial sentences of six months and three months respectively. In the other five cases fines totalling €204,457 were imposed.

In 2006 there were three cases resulting in three convictions. One case received a six-month suspended sentence and a fine of €3,200. In the other two cases fines totalling €35,481 were imposed.

In 2007, so far, there have been eight cases concluded resulting in eight convictions. In one case a custodial sentence of twelve months suspended together with a fine of €500 was imposed. In another two cases custodial sentences of 18 months suspended and 9 months suspended were imposed. In the other five cases fines were imposed totalling €14,667. In another two cases guilty pleas were entered and sentencing has been adjourned until 2008.

In addition to the figures outlined above, another 16 cases are currently before the Courts, the DPP has given directions to prosecute in another 12 and is considering a further 6 cases that have been referred to him. There is a bench warrant outstanding in 1 case and there are another 43 cases under investigation for potential prosecution in connection with suspected tax evasion.

Disabled Drivers.

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

190 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance when a decision will be made on an appeal under the disabled drivers and disabled passengers tax concession scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33807/07]

The initial application for a Primary Medical Certificate under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994, is made to the Senior Medical Officer of the relevant local Health Service Executive administrative area. If the Primary Medical Certificate has been refused in this case, the named person may appeal the refusal to the Medical Board of Appeal, National Rehabilitation Hospital, Rochestown Avenue, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. I would point out that the Medical Board of Appeal is independent in the exercise of its functions.

Tax Code.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

191 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will introduce tax incentives in the Finance Bill to encourage families to use biodegradable nappies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34037/07]

I can inform the Deputy that children's nappies are not subject to VAT or any other indirect tax. Consequently the option of incentivising the use of specific types of children's nappies such as biodegradable nappies through the tax code does not arise.

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

192 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the circumstances where first time buyer stamp duty relief can be provided to persons who purchased a house jointly, but where one of the parties had previously purchased a dwelling as a joint applicant with a third party. [34050/07]

The stamp duty relief for first time buyers is provided for in section 92B of the Stamp Duties Consolidation Act 1999 and the term "first time purchaser" is defined in the section. In the definition, a first time purchaser is referred to as a person who has not previously purchased a house or a part of a house or previously built a house on his or her own behalf. In addition, a first time purchaser is a person who has received a gift of a house after 22 June 2000 or received a gift of part of a house after 27 June 2000.

To qualify for relief, the purchaser or purchasers must declare that they have not purchased property previously and that they will occupy the property for at least two years. Where a property is purchased jointly, each purchaser must satisfy the conditions in order to qualify for first-time buyers exemption. This position has existed since the first-time buyers exemption was introduced.

The only exception to this general position is in relation to divorced and separated persons which was most recently addressed in the Finance Act 2007. A person whose marriage is the subject of a decree of divorce, judicial separation, nullity or a deed of separation can be regarded as a first-time purchaser once, and only once, where the person buys another house to live in. The main conditions for this treatment are that the person no longer retains an interest in the former marital home and that following the granting of the decree or the making of the deed of separation, the spouse (or former spouse) of the person occupies the former marital home, as his or her only or main residence. However, the spouse does not necessarily have to still be occupying it at the time when the person, who originally left the marital home, purchases a new home. First-time purchaser relief will be denied to that person, where at the date of the decree or at the date the deed of separation is made, the person has an interest in another house/apartment apart from the former marital home.

Tax Collection.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

193 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of companies and individuals who have taken advantage of the tax relief available under section 234 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 in each year from 2002 to 2006; the maximum, minimum, average and median amount of relief granted to companies in each year, without identifying the companies involved; the maximum, minimum, average and median amounts of relief granted to individuals in each year, without identifying the individuals involved; his views on whether this is a useful way of encouraging research and development and the use of intellectual property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34061/07]

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that returns of income from patents for years prior to 2004 were not captured in such a way as to provide a basis for compiling the information sought by the Deputy. Patent income was aggregated in the Revenue Commissioners' records with other forms of income and could not be distinguished without conducting an extensive investigation of those records.

The relevant information available is based on returns by individuals and companies of tax exempt income arising from patents for the tax years 2004 and 2005, the latest year available, and is as set out in the table. Because of the Revenue Commissioners' obligation to observe confidentiality in relation to the taxation affairs of taxpayers, figures for the maximum relief claimed by individuals and companies have not been provided due to the very small numbers claiming at that level.

Tax relief Claimed under Section 234 of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997

Item

2004 Individuals

2004 Companies

2005 Individuals

2005 Companies

Maximum relief

Minimum relief

10

19

3

48

Average relief

49,451

154,127

48,293

150,617

Median relief

12,406

25,371

16,741

23,824

Number of cases

635

214

760

270

The estimated relief claimed has assumed tax foregone at the 42% rate in the case of individuals and 12.5% in the case of companies. The figures shown correspond to the maximum Exchequer cost in terms of income tax and corporation tax. The tax returns which have been recently filed for 2006 are being processed and information for that year corresponding to that in the above table will not be available until 2008.

The scheme of tax exemption for patent income which has been in place for over 30 years was reviewed last year by external consultants. The consultants report on the scheme is available on my Department's website. The consultants concluded, among other things, that "it is clear that the benefits of the Scheme exceed costs by some margin".

P. J. Sheehan

Ceist:

194 Deputy P. J. Sheehan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) in County Cork, is due a refund of tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34062/07]

I have been informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the taxpayer has been in employment in this country since 2006. To enable Revenue to determine if the taxpayer is entitled to a refund of tax for 2006, a form P60 for that year should be submitted to the following address: Revenue Commissioners, PAYE Mail Centre, PO Box 63, Ennis, Co Clare. No refund will be due for 2007 unless the person has a claim for additional tax credits for that year.

Proposed Legislation.

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

195 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will introduce an amendment to the Valuation Act 2001 to exempt non-profit making voluntary sporting organisations from the requirement to pay water rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34071/07]

Water charges are levied by virtue of Local Government legislation and not the Valuation Act, 2001. As Tánaiste and Minister for Finance I have no role, therefore, in relation to the setting of water charges.

Management Information Framework System.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

196 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the financial cost of the roll out of the management information framework system across all Government Departments since 2000 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34075/07]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

208 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the estimate of the money saved to the Exchequer in 2007 by the use of the management information framework system; the way this saving was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34305/07]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

209 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if the management information framework system has been fully rolled out in his Department; the use being made of performance indicators, the costing framework and management reports provided by this system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34320/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 196, 208 and 209 together.

The Management Information Framework (MIF) project covered all central Government Departments and Offices — numbering 33 in all. Based on their reports to my Department, the total costs of the MIF roll-out was €59.3 million up to end-2006, by which time installation was completed, compared with the €60 million estimate submitted to the Government in 2003. Most of the expenditure was for replacement of outdated systems with modern, computerised financial management systems: these include, for example, a shared services project which now covers the Justice Group of Votes (the Gardaí, the Prison Service, the Courts Service, the Property Registration Authority and the parent Department) as well as the Vote of the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism.

My Department has fully rolled-out its financial management system in support of the MIF project and already has an extensive range of performance indicators in its Statement of Strategy, on which it reports annually. A more focussed set of performance indicators has been developed for use in its Annual Output Statement from 2007 onwards. My Department will be reporting on these early in 2008 when presenting to Dáil Éireann its Annual Output Statement for 2008, which will include information about the achievement of the 2007 targets. Costing is undertaken at both subhead and strategic priority level. The Department's finances are systematically monitored, subhead by subhead, from reports produced by the system. The system also produces reports for use by individual business unit managers and for use in response to ad hoc queries, parliamentary questions, etc.

Like all modern systems, the MIF requires higher levels of staff skills and periodic upgrades, etc., than the old systems. As against that, the MIF, with its modern financial management systems, has facilitated streamlining of financial processes, faster processing of accounts and greatly-increased use of electronic financial transfers. For example, the number of payable orders processed by the Paymaster General's Office in my Department for Government Departments and Offices has fallen from 4.2 million in 2001 to an estimated one million in 2007 — part of this is due to the reduction in the number of annual payments made to farmers under the CAP and the greater use of electronic fund transfers by farmers. In addition, of course, the old financial management systems would have had to have been replaced in any event. The Comptroller and Auditor General is conducting a value-for-money review of the MIF and will, presumably, take all of these factors into account in arriving at his conclusions.

Departmental Transport.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

197 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the cost on a yearly basis for transport hire of any kind for his transport and that of his staff for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; the reason for such hire; if tenders were sought; the locations brought from and to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34094/07]

The table provides details of the cost of transport hire in respect of myself and my staff for attendance at meetings since my appointment as Minister for Finance. Car hire for the trips outlined was arranged by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Year

Purposes and location of car hire

Cost

2004

Attending ECOFIN meetings in Brussels

1,562

2005

Attending ECOFIN meetings in Brussels St Patrick’s Day programme in Atlanta/Savannah Attending function at the Irish College Leuvene Brussels Beijing ASEM meetings Meeting with the German Finance Minister in Berlin Attending a meeting in Washington in relation to IMF and World Bank matters. Attending ECOFIN meeting in Luxembourg

21,446

2006

Attending ECOFIN meetings in Brussels St Patrick’s Day programme Australia Attending European Council meeting Brussels Attending ECOFIN meetings in Luxembourg.

13,204

2007 year to date

Attending ECOFIN meetings in Brussels Attending NDP Business Breakfast in Belfast St Patrick’s Day programme in Chicago Attending European Council meeting in Brussels

18,021

Tax Code.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

198 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of persons registered as availing of tax exile status in the country; if he has plans to provide conditions whereby a greater proportion of the tax forgone might be available to the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34134/07]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

199 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the conditions and criteria that apply for persons who are availing of tax exile status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34135/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 198 and 199 together.

I am assuming that the reference by the Deputy to ‘persons who are availing of tax exile status' is a reference to Irish domiciled individuals claiming to be non-resident for tax purposes. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the 2005 income tax year was the first year for which it was possible to capture the number of returns of income and gains made by persons based outside the State who are not resident here for tax purposes. There were 3,030 individuals in that category in 2005. Returns for 2006 were due to be filed by 31st October 2007 (or, in the case of returns made on ROS, Revenue's on-line system, by 15 November 2007). The statistics from these returns are not yet available.

Under the 1994 Finance Act rules a person is regarded as resident in the State for tax purposes in a tax year if he or she spends: (a) 183 days in the State in that year, or (b) 280 days in aggregate in that tax year and the preceding tax year. An individual who is present in the State for 30 days or less in a tax year will not be treated as resident for that year unless he or she elects to be resident. Also, a day will only count if the individual is present in the State at the end of the day. However even if an Irish domiciled person establishes non-residence he or she remains liable to Irish tax on income arising in Ireland (e.g. income from directorships, a trade or profession, rented properties etc.). The only income which escapes Irish tax for individuals in this category is income arising elsewhere in the world outside Ireland.

As regards gains, Irish domiciled non-resident individuals remain liable to Irish capital gains tax on disposals of land, buildings or shares deriving their value from these assets and certain other assets such as minerals in the State or other assets related to exploitation of such minerals. They are not liable to Irish capital gains tax on assets outside this category e.g. shares or equities in companies not deriving their value primarily from land, buildings etc. The tax residency rules were last updated in the 1994 Finance Act. These rules are similar to the rules that apply in many other developed countries and these are constantly kept under review.

Michael Creed

Ceist:

200 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if private child care facilities that provide an education module both for pre-school and after school can have part of their premises exempted from rate liability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34176/07]

The Valuation Act, 2001 which came into effect on 2 May 2002 provides that all buildings used or developed for any purpose including constructions affixed thereto are rateable. In regard to the Valuation Act, 2001, I should point out that the Commissioner of Valuation is independent in the exercise of his duties under the Act, and that I, as Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, have no function in decisions in this regard.

The basic premise under the Act is that all interests (including buildings) are rateable unless expressly exempted under schedule 4. Schedule 4 of the Valuation Act 2001 outlines the categories of property and the various uses that are deemed to be non rateable under the Act. Paragraphs 10 (education) and 16 (charitable purposes) are two areas in that schedule which may be relevant to the rateability of child care facilities. Accordingly, purpose-built childcare buildings designed and used to make profit are rateable as commercial buildings. Houses which have been adapted for commercial use in a dedicated area (i.e. converted garage for exclusive use as childcare) are rateable, for that specific area.

The Valuation Act, 2001 maintains the long-standing position that commercial facilities — including all private childcare facilities such as play schools, pre-schools, crèches and Montessori schools — are liable for rates. It was not intended that the Valuation Act 2001 would expand or contract the valuation base.

The rateable valuation of commercial property is based on net annual value (NAV) i.e. the rental value of the property. Any individual ratepayer who has concerns about the valuation of their property or of any part thereof, including its rateability or the method of calculation may, on payment of a statutory fee of €250, apply to the Valuation Office for a revision of the valuation. If dissatisfied with the outcome, they may appeal to the Commissioner of Valuation in the first instance and subsequently to the independent Valuation Tribunal. There is also a further right of appeal to the High Court and ultimately to the Supreme Court on a point of law.

Public Service Contracts.

Damien English

Ceist:

201 Deputy Damien English asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the advice and assistance available to small start-up businesses offering services and supplies to public bodies; the steps he has taken to ensure that such businesses can access the same information and competitions as large well-established preferred bidders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34213/07]

Government recognises the important business opportunities that public service contracts represent for small businesses in the local and national economy and encourages participation to the greatest extent possible. Public procurement guidelines issued by the National Public Procurement Policy Unit (NPPPU) in my Department recommend that contracting authorities ensure that recently established firms, or firms with no previous experience of public contracts, are not excluded from the tendering process.

Significant measures have been introduced which make it easier to bid for public contracts. A national public procurement website (www.etenders.gov.ie) was developed by my Department in recent years where all significant public sector contracts are now advertised. This central facility, which is available free of charge, increases transparency and greatly facilitates access to public sector contracts for all suppliers. On average, about 1,000 tendering opportunities are open at any given time. The small and medium enterprise sector has been actively targeted through a marketing campaign and suppliers receive free email alerts to tender notices of interest to them. Figures show a steady increase in the number of registered suppliers competing for business. In addition, the site offers access to contracting authorities' buyer profiles and contacts as well as general information on public procurement, regulations and guidance.

From time to time, the NPPPU arranges and participates in public procurement events with the aim of highlighting opportunities and providing information on public procurement for small businesses. The Unit recently consulted and invited submissions from stakeholders in the public procurement market on possible obstacles to small and medium sized enterprise participation with a view to addressing them. Responses have been received from interested parties and these are currently being examined to identify possible actions that can be taken.

Tax Yield.

Damien English

Ceist:

202 Deputy Damien English asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the per capita tax revenue and Government expenditure in the Border Midlands Western region, Dublin region, south-west region and east and south-east region; and if he will provide the information in tabular readable form. [34214/07]

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that statistics on tax receipts are not recorded in such a manner as would enable the information requested by the Deputy to be provided. Such information could not be obtained without conducting a protracted investigation of the Revenue Commissioners' records. I refer the Deputy to the recent combined answer to PQs 32018/07 — 32023/07 on 4th December last, which provided information for some tax heads on the basis of county divisions. Expenditure information is not collected in such a way as to show a breakdown of public expenditure by region.

Departmental Communications.

Damien English

Ceist:

203 Deputy Damien English asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of staff in his Department that are provided with a blackberry device or similar mobile e-mail equipment. [34223/07]

The staff provided with mobile access to e-mail varies in accordance with business needs. At present, twenty-one (21) members of staff have such access.

Damien English

Ceist:

204 Deputy Damien English asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of databases used by his Department; and the number of these that are wholly and partly operated by external organisations or individuals and operated solely within his Department. [34238/07]

The table shows the number of databases used by my Department; and the number of these that are wholly and partly operated by external organisations or individuals and operated solely within my Department.

The number of databases used by my Department

The number of databases wholly and partly operated by external organisations or individuals

The number of databases operated solely within my Department

19

2

17

Damien English

Ceist:

205 Deputy Damien English asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of information technology projects undertaken by or for his Department since 2004 that have been delivered over budget, after their original deadline, on budget, under budget, on their original deadline and ahead of their original deadline; and if he will present the information in tabular readable form. [34253/07]

The table shows the number of information technology projects undertaken by my Department since 2004, the number delivered over budget, the number after their original deadline, the number on budget, the number under budget, the number delivered on their original deadline and the number delivered ahead of their original deadline.

Number of information technology projects undertaken by my Department since 2004

Delivered over budget

After original deadline

On budget

Under budget

On original deadline

Ahead of original deadline

13

1

1

11

1

11

1

Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Damien English

Ceist:

206 Deputy Damien English asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the steps he has taken to offset the carbon dioxide emissions caused by ministerial travel in his Department; and if none to date, the plans he will put in place on the matter. [34268/07]

On foot of the commitment in the Programme for Government on carbon offsetting of official air travel, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is developing a scheme for use by all Government Departments and bodies under their aegis. My Department will fully implement the terms of the scheme outlined as soon as they become available.

Data Protection.

Damien English

Ceist:

207 Deputy Damien English asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that personal information relating to members of the public held on his departmental databases is safe from hackers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34283/07]

All of my Departmental databases including those holding personal information relating to members of the public are protected from hackers by modern firewall infrastructures. The first layer of protection is provided at the Government Network Internet access point with a further layer located at the Department's access point to the Government Network. Both infrastructures provide industry standard intrusion protection and are constantly monitored on a 24/7 basis. Within my Department's IT infrastructure, all of the databases are further protected from unauthorized access through the use of individual access permissions set up by the IT system administrators. These access permissions are multi-layered at PC, server and application level.

Questions Nos. 208 and 209 answered with Question No. 196.
Question No. 210 answered with QuestionNo. 155.

Garda Stations.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

211 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the position in regard to the future use of the old Garda station, Carbury, County Kildare; the extent to which plans have been formulated in this regard; if it is intended to re-use or dispose of the premises; the expected future use; the extent or degree to which discussions have taken place with other individuals, groups or bodies in this regard; the future plans for the site and the premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34373/07]

It is proposed to place the former Garda Station in Carbury, County Kildare for sale on the open market early in 2008.

Child Care Services.

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

212 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Health and Children when a decision will be made on an application for grant assistance for a crèche (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33233/07]

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. With regard to the application for capital grant assistance under the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010 referred to in the question, I understand that it is currently in the assessment process. The applicants will be informed of the outcome in due course.

Mental Health Services.

Sean Sherlock

Ceist:

213 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the latest NESF report on mental health and social inclusion; the way the senior officials group will take these recommendations forward under the national action plan for social inclusion; if the senior officials group will publish regular reports on the implementation of the NESF’s recommendations; if so, when the first will be produced; if targets, implementation schedules, performance indicators and outcomes will be published and established; if so, when; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33298/07]

The Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy, "A Vision for Change", which was launched in January 2006, acknowledges links between social inclusion and mental ill-health and the pervasive impact of stigma and discrimination on those experiencing mental ill-health. The report provides strong evidence linking poverty and mental ill-health and recognises the impact that the lack of housing and education can have on an individual's mental health and well-being. "A Vision for Change" makes a number of key recommendations designed to promote greater social inclusion for people with mental health problems.

The National Economic Social Forum's report on Mental Health and Social Inclusion is consistent with "A Vision for Change". It is the responsibility of each Government Department to implement the recommendations relevant to their Department. A cross-departmental structure is already in place under the Senior Official's Group on Social Inclusion to address the preventative aspects of health including mental health. In addition, the proposed Office of the Minister for Disability and Mental Health will oversee cross-departmental cooperation in the area of mental health.

Health Services.

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

214 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if persons (details supplied) will be assisted. [33415/07]

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 case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

215 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the extent to which she has put in place new measures to improve the availability of speech and language therapy services to enable adequate access throughout the whole country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34360/07]

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal 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.

Vaccination Programme.

Chris Andrews

Ceist:

216 Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Health and Children the date the first child will be vaccinated against pneumococcal disease; the person who is responsible within the Health Service Executive for making this happen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33219/07]

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Services 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.

Pension Provisions.

Beverley Flynn

Ceist:

217 Deputy Beverley Flynn asked the Minister for Health and Children when the parallel benchmarking for retired group VIII rationalisation salary scale will be applied. [33228/07]

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 and funding for all health services, including the payment of pension entitlements to eligible personnel, has been provided as part of its overall vote. The Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issue raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Nursing Homes Repayment Scheme.

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

218 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Health and Children when a decision will be made on an application for nursing home rebate for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33231/07]

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.

Services for People with Disabilities.

James Reilly

Ceist:

219 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will supply home support for a child (details supplied) in County Cavan with cerebral palsy and worster drought syndrome; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33234/07]

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

Health Services.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

220 Deputy Bernard Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will investigate a situation in relation to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [33259/07]

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 case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

221 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the criteria used by the Health Service Executive to determine if a child’s dental issues are serious enough for work to be done under the public orthodontic services. [33267/07]

The Deputy's question regarding the way that children are assessed and deemed eligible for orthodontic treatment 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.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

222 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be called to Galway for an appointment, in view of the urgency of the situation. [33269/07]

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to 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 case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this case investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Energy Resources.

Simon Coveney

Ceist:

223 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Health and Children the percentage of energy consumed in her Department and in all agencies for which her Department has responsibility that comes from renewable sources. [33282/07]

At present most of the energy used in my Department doesn't come from renewable sources. Following a tendering process conducted under the auspices of the Office of Public Works, a contract is now in place with Energia for the supply of electricity to my Department's offices. It is understood that a small portion of the electricity supplied by Energia comes from renewable sources. The procurement of energy supplies by Agencies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the Agencies themselves.

Health Services.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

224 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive an appointment for further investigation of their health problem in view of the fact that their last appointment was 21 May 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33299/07]

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 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

John Cregan

Ceist:

225 Deputy John Cregan asked the Minister for Health and Children if a consultant led cystic fibrosis service is available in the mid-west region in order to continue the care at present being provided for children up to the age of 18 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33301/07]

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 issue raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Proposed Legislation.

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

226 Deputy Tony Gregory asked the Minister for Health and Children the time-scale for the implementation of the fair deal scheme. [33302/07]

The final details of the Bill to provide for the new Long-Term Residential Care Scheme — A Fair Deal — are being addressed at present. The Minister proposes to publish the Bill as soon as possible, following Government approval.

Food Safety.

Ned O'Keeffe

Ceist:

227 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will take action to protect consumers in view of the advertisements by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland informing the public about food labelling which are misleading to consumers. [33306/07]

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has overall responsibility for enforcing food law — including legislation relating to food labelling. The legislation is enforced by Environmental Health Officers of the Health Service Executive (HSE) on foot of a service contract with the FSAI. It is a requirement of the labelling legislation that the consumer should not be misled. As part of its work in this area, the FSAI recently published a report The Labelling of Food in Ireland 2007 which consolidates information on this issue. Any issues of concern in regard to misleading labelling should be brought to the attention of the FSAI for appropriate follow-up.

Departmental Reports.

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

228 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Health and Children the response by her Department to the recommendations made to her Department by the Competition Authority in its June 2006 report on competition in the optometry profession; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33319/07]

The executive summary of the Report to which the Deputy refers commences "The optometry profession in Ireland is an example of a profession where competition is generally working well." The Report makes five recommendations, four of which fall within my remit. The first of these recommendation is to "allow optometrists to provide State-funded eye examinations to children identified at national school exit screening". My Department has informed the Competition Authority that children over the age of eight years could be referred directly to optometrists from the school medical service. The mechanics of introducing this change are being examined at present in the context of a H.S.E. review of the role of the community ophthalmic physician.

The final three recommendations concern the removal of unnecessary restrictions on advertising, setting out the functions of the Opticians Board in legislation and changing the composition of the Opticians Board. My Department has informed the Competition Authority that these recommendations will be considered in the event of a review of the Opticians Act, 1956.

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

229 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Health and Children the response by her Department to the recommendations made to her Department by the Competition Authority in its October 2007 report on competition in the dental profession; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33320/07]

I welcome the Report on Competition in the Dental Profession prepared by the Competition Authority. I will consider its recommendations in the context of the National Oral Health Policy, launched by me on the 18th October last.

Voluntary Sector Funding.

Seán Barrett

Ceist:

230 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide core funding to the Irish Osteoporosis Society to enable this charity to continue and expand its vital work for osteoporosis sufferers and the general public; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33324/07]

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.

Cigarette Prices.

James Reilly

Ceist:

231 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the process by which the minimum price of various packets of 20 cigarettes is calculated; the legislative provisions that support this measure; the reasoning behind the recent increase in the minimum price of some cigarettes which occurred on 19 November 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33330/07]

My Department sets a minimum price for three categories of cigarettes (plain unfiltered cigarettes, filtered cigarettes of less than 80 mm in overall length and filtered cigarettes of 80 mm and over in overall length) based on data compiled annually by an independent firm of chartered accountants. The Tobacco Products (Control of Advertising, Sponsorship and Sales Promotion) Regulations (S.I. No. 326 of 1991) as amended by the Tobacco Products (Control of Advertising, Sponsorship and Sales Promotion)(Amendment) Regulations, 2000 (S.I. No. 35 of 2000) provides the legislative basis for this measure.

Smoking is the largest single cause of preventable mortality in Ireland, killing 6,500 people every year. Maintaining a floor price for cigarettes is an important component in national tobacco control policy, particularly in preventing young people's initiation and subsequent addiction to tobacco.

Departmental Expenditure.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

232 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount of mobile telephone bills paid directly by her Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33341/07]

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

233 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount of mobile telephone bills paid in the form of expenses to staff by her Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33356/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 232 and 233 together.

The amount of mobile telephone bills paid directly by my Department are as follows:

Year

Total Amount

Roaming

DATA

2006

146,514

29,024

26,734

2007

149,785

27,492

28,269

My Department does not pay telephone bills in the form of expenses to staff.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

234 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount of mobile telephone bills paid in relation to the Departmental mobile telephone assigned to her by her Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33371/07]

The information requested by the Deputy is as follows:

Year

Total Cost

Data

Roaming

2006

5,845

241

3,559

2007

4,773

805

1,105

Health Service Staff.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

235 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of positions that remain to be filled by the Health Service Executive in each of its 32 local areas (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33390/07]

Almost 130,000 people work full-time or part-time in our public health services. In recent years, the Government's ongoing high level of investment in health has achieved and maintained significant increases in the numbers of doctors, nurses and other health care professionals employed in the public health services. The Government has also invested heavily in the education and training of such personnel in order to secure a good supply of graduates to provide for the health care needs of the population into the future.

Subject to overall parameters set by Government, the Health Service Executive has the responsibility for determining the composition of its staffing complement. In that regard, it is a matter for the Executive to manage and deploy its human resources to best meet the requirements of its Annual Service Plan for the delivery of health and personal social services to the public. The Executive is the appropriate body to consider the 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.

Hygiene Standards.

James Reilly

Ceist:

236 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the suite of sanctions available to enforce hygiene standards in hospitals; her views on whether the sanctions are adequate to address the recent hygiene report issued by HIQA and other hygiene situations that could arise in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33411/07]

James Reilly

Ceist:

237 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the action she will take to address the concerns and results of the recent National Hygiene Services Quality Report into hygiene in hospitals; her proposals to monitor or enforce changes in regulations pertaining to hospitals to enforce accountability for hygiene on the hospital management, individual hospital managers and hospital staff in a similar manner to the accountability enforced by health inspectors in restaurants where both the owner of the restaurant and the employee can be summonsed and fined for engaging in unsafe, unhygienic work practices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33412/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 236 and 237 together.

Achieving and maintaining the highest possible standards of hygiene in our hospitals and health care facilities generally is a priority for this Government. The National Hygiene Services Quality Review on acute hospitals was published by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) on 13th November, 2007. The report represents a thorough assessment of how hygiene services are provided and managed in 51 HSE funded acute care hospitals. The method of assessment and criteria used are substantially different to previous audits carried out by the HSE and therefore the results are not comparable. The results do, however, set a very good benchmark for the future. Following on from the publication of the report, it is my belief that the Authority will revisit some hospitals reviewed to check that immediate measures have been put in place. The focus within the HSE at this point is to work with and support hospitals to improve practices rather than impose sanctions.

The HIQA review not only looked at the immediate service delivery elements of hygiene but also examined the critical areas of governance and corporate management. Hospitals generally performed well on hygiene in the service delivery area with most hospitals achieving either extensive or exceptional compliance with the standard. However, the results were poor on governance. While the good hygiene practice of front-line staff highlighted in the report is vital, real improvement in this whole area also depends heavily on good leadership and a system of governance. A quality improvement plan now needs to be drawn up by all the hospitals and the HSE. This will continue to be monitored by HIQA as part of its ongoing quality assurance programme.

HIQA is currently working with managers and clinicians to develop national standards for Infection Prevention and Control which should be finalised in March 2008. When completed these, along with the national hygiene standards, will provide a comprehensive framework to help reduce the spread of infection and improve the quality of our health care. In addition, the Authority has submitted views to the Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance to consider measures to create an impetus for change in the form of a framework of incentives and sanctions. The work of the Commission will be finalised mid 2008 and I will examine their recommendations at that time.

Care of the Elderly.

James Reilly

Ceist:

238 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposals in place to fund, staff and resource HIQA to meet its remit under the fair deal, to have in place an inspectorate to inspect and evaluate private and public nursing homes here and to supply details of the amount of extra funding, staff numbers required and number of homes that have to be inspected; when all nursing homes will be inspected under the proposed new nursing home standards; when new regulations will be introduced by her Department to facilitate those new nursing home standards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33413/07]

The safety and well-being of older people living in nursing homes is of critical concern to this Government. We are committed to ensuring that quality care and patient safety comes first and that everyone receives the same high standard of quality-assured care.

A fundamental principle of the Health Service Reform Programme is to put the users of health and personal social services at the centre of the services. The Health Act 2007 reflects this principle and provides for the establishment of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA). The objective of the Authority is to promote safety and quality in the provision of health and personal social services. The existing inspection and registration systems for residential services will be replaced by a strengthened and expanded system and the Act strengthens and modernises the registration and de-registration process.

Statutory responsibility is given to the Chief Inspector of Social Services for inspecting and registering children's residential centres, residential centres for people with disabilities and residential centres for older people, including private nursing homes. The Health Service Executive (HSE) is liaising with HIQA to facilitate this and transitional arrangements will be agreed as we move towards the new system of inspection.

Formal standards are a key requirement for inspection and registration. A new set of draft national standards for residential care was published in January 2007. The draft standards are designed to ensure the protection of residents, to safeguard and promote their health, welfare and quality of life and to ensure that there is a focus on the well-being, dignity and autonomy of older people. They set service providers the goal of providing a setting in which older people can experience a good quality of life.

The standards were developed by a working group which was chaired by the Department of Health and Children, and included the HSE, Social Service Inspectorate and the Irish Health Services Accreditation Board. As the Health Act, 2007 provides that the enhanced inspection function will be taken over by HIQA, the draft standards were formally referred to the Authority for consultation and finalisation.

HIQA published draft standards on 8 August, 2007 for public consultation. Members of the public, service users, their families, service providers and all those with an interest in residential care for older people were invited to submit their views on the draft. The results of the public consultation were discussed at the most recent meetings of the HIQA Working Group. It is expected that the standards will be finalised shortly. The next step will be to refer the standards to the Minister, following which Regulations will be drafted to give statutory underpinning to the Standards.

Since its establishment in May 2007, HIQA's priority has been to commence building its organisation and operational capacity. It has at this stage a staff of 60 which includes 18 in the Social Services Inspectorate. In 2007 it has a budget for current expenditure of €9.667m available for its overall operations. HIQA is now in the process of arranging the transfer of further inspectorate staff from the HSE and will also be carrying out direct recruitment for this function in 2008. The budget for HIQA for next year is currently being finalised and will represent a significant increase in its allocation over the 2007 funding.

I am satisfied that the resources required to carry out inspections under the new ‘Standards' regime will be in place when the necessary Regulations are made. HIQA will not have a direct remit under the Fair Deal, but as described here, will have important functions relating to the safety and quality of nursing homes.

Hospital Services.

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

239 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the proposal to develop a national cancer biobank infrastructure starting off with two hospitals; and if she will work closely with Biobank Ireland Trust on this matter. [33414/07]

In June 2007 I established an expert group to develop proposals for the establishment of a National Cancer Biobank. Membership of the group includes representatives of the US National Cancer Institute, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the Department of Health Social Services and Public Safety in Northern Ireland, the Health Service Executive, the Health Research Board, the Irish Co-operative Oncology Research Group and the Irish Cancer Society. The group will also make recommendations on North/South collaboration and potential for an all-island biobank. It is expected that the group will report to me early next year.

Cancer Screening Programme.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

240 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if she has reviewed the evidence in support of her policy of ending the application of free BreastCheck at age 65; her estimate of the extra cost of extending the age for providing BreastCheck; the way this compares with the benefits that would be conferred by picking up illness early; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33479/07]

The expert advice from BreastCheck and from the National Cancer Forum, as contained in the National Strategy for Cancer Control, is that following the national extension of the programme, the upper age limit should be extended to women aged 69 years. The priority of BreastCheck is to screen women who have not yet been screened and accordingly it is fully focussed at present on the completion of the first round of screening in the West and South. I will consider extending the age limit as recommended when the national roll-out of the programme is sufficiently developed and it is assured that a quality service is being delivered. Any woman irrespective of her age who has immediate concerns or symptoms should contact her GP who, where appropriate, will refer her to the symptomatic services in her area.

The Deputy's specific question in relation to the cost of extending the age range of BreastCheck is the responsibility of the National Cancer Screening Service. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Chief Executive Officer of the Service to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the matter raised.

Hospital Services.

Ciaran Lynch

Ceist:

241 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will confirm that a patient (details supplied) of Cork University Hospital was informed that their brain scan files had become mixed up with those of another patient and that they were requested to make an appointment for six months hence; the reason for this occurrence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33486/07]

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 case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Health Services.

Áine Brady

Ceist:

242 Deputy Áine Brady asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of primary care facilities in County Kildare; her plans to roll out further facilities in a growing area like Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33487/07]

The Primary Care Strategy aims to increase health service capacity through the development of services in the community to give people direct access to integrated multidisciplinary teams of general practitioners, nurses, home helps, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and others. It has been estimated that up to 95% of people's health and social services needs can be properly met within a primary care setting and the establishment of new Primary Care Teams can contribute greatly to enhancing community based health services.

The provision of the appropriate infrastructure to facilitate the delivery of primary care services is being considered by the HSE, having regard to a number of factors. These include the type and configuration of the services involved, the mixed public/private nature of our health system, the suitability of existing infrastructure and the capital requirements of the health services generally over the coming years. As the Health Service Executive has the operational and funding responsibility for Primary Care services, it 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 this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

243 Deputy Bernard Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has been waiting since June 2006 to have a cataract removed from their left eye from which they have no sight at the present time; and if it cannot be done by their consultant will they be referred to the National Treatment Purchase Fund to have this urgent operation carried out. [33488/07]

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 case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy. Patients waiting more than three months on a surgical waiting list may qualify for treatment under the National Treatment Purchase Fund. It is open to the person in question or anyone acting on their behalf to contact the Fund directly in relation to their case.

Hospital Car Parks.

Sean Sherlock

Ceist:

244 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the contractual arrangements relating to parking at Cork University Hospital and Cork University Maternity Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33499/07]

Sean Sherlock

Ceist:

266 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the revenue secured through pay parking across public hospitals in Cork city and county in 2006 and 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33821/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 244 and 266 together.

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 issues raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Departmental Staff.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

245 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children the number, rank and pay of all civil servants in her Department and ministerial staff, personally appointed by her or otherwise, who are engaged in media monitoring; the nature of the work done; the persons who the information is circulated to or the people who have access to this information; the cost of this service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33511/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

247 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of press officers and press advisers in her Department; the rank and pay of each; the description of work done; the persons to whom the information is circulated or made accessible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33541/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 245 and 247 together.

There are 5 Civil Servants assigned to the Department's Press Office as follows: 1 Higher Executive Officer; 2 Executive Officers; and 2 Clerical Officers. The associated annual pay cost for these civil servants is €346,489 (calculated on the mean of the scale). There is also one Special Advisor in my Department who acts as my Press Advisor, and has responsibility for media related activities. The annual salary of this Special Advisor/Press Advisor is € 116,487.

A press cutting service is provided to my Department, with cuttings received made available to staff on the Department's intranet. From time-to-time, officials may request transcripts of media interviews which may require follow up responses or contain new information and the services of two external media companies are used as required this purpose. Payments made to date this year for media monitoring amount to €85,135.

The main areas of work in my Department's Press Office involves the timely processing of, and response to, a large volume of media queries and requests for information on health issues from a wide range of media outlets. This includes broadcast and print media at both national and local level and specialist medical publications. The Press Office also makes necessary media and communications arrangements around health announcements and liaises with the Government Information Services, other Departments, and relevant health agencies in that regard. Press Office staff do not have any specific or significant role in media monitoring.

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

246 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children the number and name of newspapers purchased by her Department daily and weekly; the number provided to herself and to the Minister of State’s office; the yearly cost of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33526/07]

158 newspapers are purchased daily, consisting of the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Irish Examiner, Irish Star, Irish Sun, Irish Mirror, Irish Daily Mail, Irish News, Financial Times, Daily Telegraph, Guardian and Evening Herald.

20 newspapers are purchased weekly, comprising the Saturday Independent, Saturday Irish Times, Saturday Sun, Sat Guardian, Sunday Independent, Sunday Star, Sunday World, Sunday Mirror, Irish Mail on Sunday, News of the World, Sunday Business Post, Sunday Observer, Sunday Tribune, Sunday Times, Nenagh Guardian, Tipperary Star, Midland Tribune, Anglo Celt, Northern Standard and Donegal Democrat.

The Office of the Minister receives 12 newspapers daily. The four Offices of the Ministers of State are provided with 32 newspapers daily, and six weekly. The cost from 1 Jan to 30 Nov 2007 was €55,000.

Question No. 247 answered with QuestionNo. 245.

Consultancy Contracts.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

248 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children the number, cost and name of any media consultants employed by her Department; the cost of such advice for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; the nature of the work done; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33556/07]

During the period concerned, my Department primarily retained the services of public relations / communications and advertising consultancy firms to implement national health promotion campaigns. The related expenditure set out in the table covers a variety of services ranging from the provision of advice, through the cost of purchasing advertising space, to organising events.

The table covers the period from 1997 to 2006 and information for 2007 is being collated by my Department and will be forwarded to the deputy as soon as possible.

Name of Media Consultant

Nature of the work done

Year of Contract

Expenditure Incurred

Archer Communications

Media Advice to the Minister of State

1997

1,187.00

QMP Publicis

Advertising, media purchasing and project management work in relation to National Health Promotion Public Awareness Campaigns (AIDS Awareness, Anti-Smoking, Breastfeeding, etc.)

1997

1,578.00

Drury Communications

PR for National Health and Lifestyle Survey — Phase 1

1998

25,600.00

Drury Ltd

Media Advice to the Minister and his Department

1998

213,092.00

Fleishman-Hilliard

Folic Acid Awareness Campaign

1998

9,000.00

Grayling Gilmore

Public relations and project management work in relation to National Health Promotion Public Awareness Campaigns (Healthy Eating, Folic Acid, Breastfeeding, Smoking, Smoke-free at Work & Obesity) launch of reports (CLAN, SLAN, Nutrition Policy & Health Promotion Strategy Review), and conference organising

1998

38,500.00

QMP Publicis

Advertising, media purchasing and project management work in relation to National Health Promotion Public Awareness Campaigns (AIDS Awareness, Anti-Smoking, Smoke Free at Work, Breastfeeding, etc.)

1998

47,788.00

Grayling Gilmore

Public relations and project management work in relation to National Health Promotion Public Awareness Campaigns and conference organising

1999

43,000.00

QMP Publicis

Advertising, media purchasing and project management work in relation to National Health Promotion Public Awareness Campaigns

1999

69,734.00

Carr Communications

Alcohol Awareness Campaign

2000

26,100.00

Dillon Consultants

Unintended pregnancy and STI prevention campaign — December 2000-December 2001

2000

165,000.00

Grayling Gilmore

Public relations and project management work in relation to National Health Promotion Public Awareness Campaigns and conference organising

2000

38,000.00

Public Communication Centre

Provision of public relations services for the National Heart Health Campaign

2000

70,000.00

QMP Publicis

Advertising, media purchasing and project management work in relation to National Health Promotion Public Awareness Campaigns

2000

214,673.00

Walsh Public Relations

Launch and publicity for the National Children’s Strategy

2000

16,110.00

Carr Communications

Alcohol Awareness Campaign

2001

156,700.00

Carr Communications

Promotion of the National Health Strategy

2001

100,724.00

Convenience Advertising

Advertising: Sexual Health Campaign

2001

110,700.00

Dillon Consultants

PR services in relation to the ‘Think Twice Campaign’

2001

63,486.00

Grayling Gilmore

Public relations and project management work in relation to National Health Promotion Public Awareness Campaigns and conference organising

2001

43,500.00

QMP Publicis

Advertising, media purchasing and project management work in relation to National Health Promotion Public Awareness Campaigns

2001

193,039.00

Walsh Public Relations

PR and event management work in relation to Dáil na nÓg 2001

2001

19,401.00

Carr Communications

Public launch and communication of Forum on Fluoridation Report

2002

16,973.00

Carr Communications

Communications Consultancy in respect of BCG vaccine

2002

5,445.00

Carr Communications

Alcohol Awareness Campaign

2002

156,600.00

Carr Communications

PR and event management in relation to Dáil na nÓg 2002

2002

23,255.00

Carr Communications

Communications support in relation to the organisation of the first annual National Health Consultative Forum in 2002.

2002

24,405.00

Convenience Advertising

Advertising: Sexual Health Campaign

2002

163,800.00

Grayling Gilmore

Public relations and project management work in relation to National Health Promotion Public Awareness Campaigns and conference organising

2002

13,000.00

Ogilvy

National Drugs Awareness Campaign

2002

101,200.00

QMP Publicis

Advertising, media purchasing and project management work in relation to National Health Promotion Public Awareness Campaigns

2002

327,726.00

Wilson Hartnell

National Drugs Awareness Campaign

2002

212,960.00

Brindley Advertising

Publication of two reports — “Speaking Your Mind” & “What We Heard”

2003

4,516.00

Carr Communications

The Evaluation of ‘Cancer Services in Ireland’ A National Strategy 1996 — (media advice & launch of report)

2003

12,810.00

Carr Communications

The Development of Radiation Oncology Services in Ireland — media advice & launch of report

2003

12,810.00

Carr Communications

Alcohol Awareness Campaign

2003

130,600.00

Carr Communications

Consultancy services to provide information to the Public on the SARS alert

2003

23,667.00

Convenience Advertising

Advertising: Sexual Health Campaign

2003

193,200.00

Gibney Communications

Public Relations in relation to the National Task Force on Medical Staffing

2003

39,840.00

Grayling Gilmore

Public relations and project management work in relation to National Health Promotion Public Awareness Campaigns and conference organising.

2003

260,000.00

QMP Publicis

Advertising, media purchasing and project management work in relation to National Health Promotion Public Awareness Campaigns

2003

530,291.00

Carr Communications

Expert Group on Mental Health Policy — cost of the public consultation process and the publication of two reports on that process — “Speaking Your Mind”

2004

144,408.00

Convenience Advertising

Advertising: Sexual Health Campaign

2004

165,300.00

Grayling Gilmore

Public relations and project management work in relation to National Health Promotion Public Awareness Campaigns and conference organising.

2004

520,000.00

Murray Consultants

Public Relations in relation to the National Task Force on Medical Staffing

2004

75,456.00

QMP Publicis

Advertising, media purchasing and project management work in relation to National Health Promotion Public Awareness Campaigns

2004

366,841.00

Slattery PR

Public Relations for the UN Day for Older People Conference

2004

15,589.00

Carr Communications

Media Advice (Launch of the Report of the Commission on Assisted Human Reproduction)

2005

5,515.00

Grayling Gilmore

Public relations and project management work in relation to National Health Promotion Public Awareness Campaigns and conference organising

2005

113,000.00

Hunter Red Cell

National Adoption Contact Preference Register — Radio advertising campaign

2005

120,000.00

QMP Publicis

Advertising, media purchasing and project management work in relation to National Health Promotion Public Awareness Campaigns (AIDS Awareness, Anti-Smoking, Smoke Free at Work, Breastfeeding, etc.)

2005

389,629.00

Carr Communications

To develop and implement a communications strategy for the announcement of a new initiative on Long Term Care for Older People

2006

40,000.00

Departmental Staff.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

249 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of press advisers employed by her Department; the cost of such advice for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33571/07]

The table details the number of press advisors employed by my Department and the cost of such advice for each year of service from 1997 to date in 2007.

Year

Number of Press Advisors

Period of Employment

Salary

1997

Nil

1998

Nil

1999

Nil

2000

Nil

2001

Nil

2002

1

19/08/2002-31/12/2002

50,197

2003

1

01/01/2003-31/12/2003

72,609

2004

1

01/01/2004-07/10/2004

64,847

2005

1

24/01/2005-31/12/2005

104,080

2006

1

01/01/2006-31/12/2006

109,361

2007

1

01/01/2007-to date

115,377

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

250 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of credit cards held by her Department; the cost of same for each year since 2000 to date in 2007; the persons who hold these cards and for whom they are used; the annual amounts purchased; the cumulative interest on same for each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33586/07]

Cards are issued to me as Minister and to two nominated officers, namely the Registrar of the Adoption Board and the Accountant. In previous years a number of other cards were held by nominated officers in my Department and offices under the remit of my Department such as the Secretary General, the National Children's Office, the Ombudsman for Children, the Hepatitis C & HIV Compensation Tribunal, the Commission on Assisted Human Reproduction and the Chairman of the Post Mortem Enquiry. The cost of these cards, which includes the annual membership fee and the Government Levy and the amounts purchased are set out in the table. No interest was paid during the period.

Year

Government Levy/ Annual Fees

Purchases

€000

€000

2000

0.3

9

2001

0.4

55

2002

0.5

22

2003

0.7

12

2004

1.0

29

2005

1.0

27

2006

0.3

10

2007

0.8

17

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

251 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children the cost to her Department of photographers used by all Ministers in her Department on a yearly basis for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33601/07]

The table sets out the cost of photography services provided to my Department, for ministerial and other official purposes, in the period concerned:

Year

1997

3,767.40

1998

3,725.65

1999

4,021.22

2000

16,168.98

2001

10,126.25

2002

18,534.70

2003

13,947.45

2004

27,846.57

2005

11,495.23

2006

8,113.82

2007 (to date)

7,938.09

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

252 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children the cost of make-up for her for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33616/07]

On the basis of records supplied to me by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the following were the costs for media presentation for me as Minister in the periods indicated below.

July 2000 to November 2000

2,320.00

Dec 2000 to July 2001

5,335.61

August 2001 to April 2003

12,375.00

May 2003 to July 2003

3,380.00

Sept 2003 to Nov 2003

2,990.00

Dec 2003 to March 2004

2895.00

April 2004

900.00

Total

30,195.61

The records in the Department of Health and Children, based on invoices presented, show expenses for media presentation in 2006 as €1500. It is not possible based on records and invoices presented to supply the Deputy with costs in relation to make-up specifically.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

253 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children the cost of her Department’s entertainment allowance for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33631/07]

My Department's official spend on entertainment, including State Receptions and other Official Functions is set out below:

Year

Cost

1997

182,050

1998

191,826

1999

191,256

2000

214,308

2001

229,642

2002

343,973

2003

426,914

2004

361,039

2005

470,527

2006

438,857

2007

337,678

Government Information Services.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

254 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children if her Department receives a daily summary of stories relevant to her Department from Government Information Services; if this summary is in written, verbal or electronic format; if these are furnished to a Departmental press officer or press adviser; and if the press officer or adviser furnishes this information to her every day or how often it is furnished. [33646/07]

The Government Information Service provides my Department with summary news updates, covering all major news items, throughout the day. My Department's Press Office internally circulates the summaries of the 8.00 a.m. and 9.00 a.m. news programmes and Morning Ireland headlines, by email to senior managers. My Special Advisor in the media area discusses health related items in the news updates with me, as and when he deems this necessary.

Official Engagements.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

255 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children if a press adviser travels with her on official visits; and if there were official visits attended by her in the past year at which a press adviser was not present or was not in contact with her. [33661/07]

My press adviser accompanies me on most official engagements.

Departmental Transport.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

256 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children the cost of providing transport including their official car to Ministers of State in her Department and staff for each year from 1997 to date in 2007. [33676/07]

The information requested is being collated in my Department and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

257 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children the cost of her using public transport for every year since 1997 to date in 2007; and the cost of providing similar services to Ministers of State and staff for the same period. [33691/07]

The information requested is being collated in my Department and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Departmental Communications.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

258 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children if her Department carries news summaries on its internal web; the persons who have access to such information; the way they access same; the person who compiles same; the cost of same; the regularity with which this information is updated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33721/07]

My Department's intranet carries news feeds and press cuttings which are available to all staff. The information is accessed using standard browsing technology. The data in relation to news feeds is automatically gathered using standard technology such as RSS feeds (really simple syndication) and these are updated several times during the day. The intranet is maintained by the Internal Systems Unit. In relation to the availability of press cuttings on the intranet, these are accessed on a daily basis via web links from a third party supplier Media World, at the cost of €4,100 per month.

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

259 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of mobile phones used by her and supplied by her Department; the annual cost of same for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33736/07]

I have the use of one mobile telephone which has been supplied to me by my Department. Since taking up Office as Minister for Health and Children the following costs have been incurred:

Year

Cost

2004

648

2005

5,749

2006

5,845

2007

4,773

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

260 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children if any of the advisers or staff appointed by her directly have mobile phones and other equipment supplied by her Department; the annual cost of same since 1997 to date in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33751/07]

Advisers and other staff appointed by me are supplied with mobile telephones and other items of equipment necessary for the performance of their duties. This equipment remains the property of my Department. The costs in respect of these items since I became Minister for Health and Children, are set out below:-

Year

Mobile Phone Annual Cost

Purchase Cost of IT Equipment

2004

1,401

4,458

2005

11,691

2,516

2006

13,333

214

2007

9,503

Nil

Departmental Reports.

John O'Mahony

Ceist:

261 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health and Children when the value for money review of the allocation and utilisation of funds for acute hospitals will be completed; the anticipated value of savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of this report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33769/07]

I take it that the Deputy is referring to the Value for Money and Policy Review Assessment of the Allocation and Utilisation of Funding in Acute Hospitals. Hospital Network 2 (Southern Area Group) is being used as the model for this exercise which will, however, have wider national relevance.

The consultants were asked to provide a systemic analysis of the allocation and utilisation of funding for expenditure in the Southern Hospitals Group in 2006 under the Government's Value for Money and Policy Review Initiative. The overall objective of the review is to:

assess the VFM achieved from money allocated and utilised in the Southern Hospitals Group and

to inform the scope for alternative approaches.

The Report is not yet complete so it is not possible to estimate the value of any savings that might accrue to the Exchequer as a result of the exercise.

John O'Mahony

Ceist:

262 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health and Children when the value for money review of the equal opportunities child care programme will be completed; the anticipated value of savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of this report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33770/07]

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the Value for Money Review of the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006 (EOCP) was completed in June 2007 and the Report on the Review was submitted to and approved by the Government on 11 July 2007.

The Government's Value for Money and Policy Review Initiative is part of a framework to secure improved value for money from public expenditure. Its objectives are to analyse Exchequer spending in a systematic manner and to provide a basis on which more informed decisions can be made on priorities within and between programmes. The EOCP is a major EU co-funded investment programme with a total allocation of €535 million during 2000-2007. With the coming to an end of the EOCP in 2007, the Government introduced the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010 (NCIP) in January 2006 to ensure a smooth transition for childcare services and to continue to support the development of the sector. This Exchequer only funded programme has an allocation of €575 million during 2006-2010.

The Value for Money Review of the EOCP was intended to inform the implementation of the NCIP, in particular the new Community Childcare Subvention Scheme 2008-2010 which will replace the EOCP staffing support grant. It is not the intention to reduce the commitment to funding for childcare services as a result of the Value for Money Review but, rather, to ensure that the NCIP is efficiently and effectively implemented to secure the best outcomes from public funding. The recommendations of the Value for Money Review are being implemented by the Childcare Directorate of the Office of the Minister for Children. Some of the key recommendations of the Value for Money Review addressed the question of a new NCIP support scheme for community childcare services. These recommendations are provided for in the new Community Childcare Subvention Scheme which was submitted to the Government with the Value for Money Review in July of this year and which was also approved.

I understand that the total allocation to this Scheme is €153 million over the next 3 years. As the total expenditure under the EOCP staffing support grant scheme in 2007 is expected to amount to €37.25 million, I am pleased to say that this represents a very significant increase in the annual funding allocation to support community childcare services.

John O'Mahony

Ceist:

263 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health and Children when the value for money review of the efficiency and effectiveness of long stay residential care for adults will be completed; the anticipated savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of this report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33771/07]

The Value for Money (VFM) Review of Long Stay Residential Care for Adults within the Mental Health Services is due to be completed by the end of December, 2008. The Review Steering Group is chaired by a representative of the HSE and the Steering Group membership is composed of senior officials from the HSE, the Department of Finance, the Department of Health and Children and an Independent Quality Assessor. The review is being carried out as part of the programme of Value for Money and Policy Reviews which was approved by the Government in June, 2006, for the period 2006-2008. The Review is one of three VFM Policy Reviews in relation to topics under the aegis of the Department of Health and Children.

The objectives of the Value for Money and Policy Review initiative are to analyse Exchequer spending in a systematic manner and to provide a basis on which more informed decisions can be made on priorities within and between programmes. As the Review is still in progress, it is not possible to assess the outcome or to anticipate recommendations until the Review is completed.

Child Care Services.

Áine Brady

Ceist:

264 Deputy Áine Brady asked the Minister for Health and Children the child care providers in County Kildare that have received capital funding and financial support for running costs since 2004 to date in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33772/07]

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 table provides details of funding allocated under the Childcare Programmes to childcare providers in Kildare from January 2004 to date. As will be seen €5.86 million was allocated under the capital strand of the EOCP and the NCIP. An additional €1.1 million was allocated towards staffing costs for Community Based/Not for Profit Groups.

Name of Provider/Group

Townland

Grant Type

Total approved

The Crèche, National University of Ireland

Maynooth

Capital — Community/Not-for-Profit

1,000,000

Allenwood Community Development Association Ltd

Naas

Capital — Community/Not-for-Profit

130,000

The Cottage Crèche

Maynooth

Capital Private Providers >20

8,972

Longtown Crèche Ltd

Sallins

Capital Private Providers >20

10,195

Curragh Finn Crèche

Curragh Finn

Capital Private Providers >20

23,166

The Purple Penguin Crèche

Celbridge

Capital Private Providers >20

50,790

Ryevale Montessori & Day-Care

Leixlip

Capital Private Providers >20

5,557

Chuckles

Rathangan

Capital Private Providers >20

21,704

Tí na nÓg

Naas

Capital — Self-employed

9,248

Breda McGuirk

Monasterevin

Capital — Self-employed

50,790

Butterstream Preschool

Clane

Capital — Self-employed

50,790

Small Talk

Leixlip

Capital — Self-employed

10,317

Small Beginnings

Clane

Capital — Self-employed

9,655

Kildare Youth Services — Naas Child and Family Project

Naas

NCIP — CB Capital

1,000,000

Sugradh Community Out of School Playcare Service

Celbridge

NCIP — CB Capital

1,000,000

Athy Travellers Support Group Ltd

Athy

NCIP — CB Capital

174,456

Celbridge Community Centre

Celbridge

NCIP — CB Capital

34,530

Little Folk Pre School Playgroup

Nurney

NCIP — Private Capital

100,000

Busy Fingers Crèche Ltd

Newbridge

NCIP — Private Capital

100,000

Lots of Tots

Athy

NCIP — Private Capital

43,526

Sharon O’Neill

Castledermot

NCIP — Private Capital

100,000

Ardreigh Childcare Centre

Athy

NCIP — Private Capital

52,500

Little Toppers

Straffan

NCIP — Private Capital

100,000

Happy Faces Early Learning Centre

Athy

NCIP — Private Capital

100,000

Ryevale Montessori & Day-Care

Leixlip

NCIP — Private Capital

45,000

Treehouse Childcare (Kildare)

Celbridge

NCIP — Private Capital

100,000

Happy Steps Childcare

Kilcock

NCIP — Private Capital

72,266

Blossoms Pre-school

Naas

NCIP — Private Capital

44,250

Bright Beginnings

Dunmurray Road

NCIP — Private Capital

100,000

Early Days Crèche & Daycare Centre

Clane

NCIP — Private Capital

100,000

Wise Owl Montessori

Maynooth

NCIP — Private Capital

100,000

Tots Crèche & Daycare Nursery

Newbridge

NCIP — Private Capital

100,000

First Steps

Naas

NCIP — Private Capital

16,210

Primrose Hill Playgroup

Clane

NCIP — Private Capital

14,080

Tir na nÓg

Newbridge

NCIP — Private Capital

33,750

Happy Days Montessori & Afterschool

Celbridge

NCIP — Private Capital

39,750

Naas Childcare Ltd T/A Tir na nÓg

Naas

NCIP — Private Capital

60,000

Buzy Bees Playschool

Sallins

NCIP — Private Capital

49,257

The Purple Penguin Crèche

Celbridge

NCIP — Private Capital

98,100

Respond (Support) Ltd — Flinters Estate Community Group

Athy

NCIP — Private Capital

106,801

Bernie Moore

Newbridge

NCIP — Private Capital

100,000

Giggles Crèche

Newbridge

NCIP — Private Capital

59,025

Clever Cats Childcare Centre

Carbury

NCIP — Private Capital

100,000

Acorn Montessori & Crèche

Sallins

NCIP — Private Capital

100,000

Farm Lee Childcare

Celbridge

NCIP — Private Capital

100,000

Colaiste Lorcain

Castledermot

NCIP — Private Capital

7,387

Greenlane Montessori & Afterschool

Leixlip

NCIP — Private Capital

100,000

Tir na nÓg Nursery & Montessori Centre

Athy

NCIP — Private Capital

20,720

Bright Eyes

Clane

NCIP — Private Capital

7,350

Capital Total

5,860,142

Allenwood Community Development Association Ltd

Naas

Staffing — Community/Not-for-Profit

200,000

Flinters Estate Community Group

Athy

Staffing — Community/Not-for-Profit

50,700

Newbridge Family Resource Centre

Newbridge

Staffing — Continuation Funding

164,750

Athy Community Development

Athy

Staffing — Continuation Funding

30,667

Athy Travellers Group

Athy

Staffing — Continuation Funding 05

29,624

Sugradh Community Out-of-School Playcare Service

Celbridge

Staffing — Continuation Funding 07

80,500

Athy Community Development

Athy

Staffing — Continuation Funding 07

144,700

Newbridge Family Resource Centre

Newbridge

Staffing — Continuation Funding 07

281,800

Athy Travellers Group

Athy

Staffing — Continuation Funding 07

119,300

Staffing Total

1,102,041

Nursing Homes Repayment Scheme.

Pádraic McCormack

Ceist:

265 Deputy Pádraic McCormack asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposals she has to extend the nursing home refund scheme to patients who are in private nursing homes in contracted beds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33818/07]

The Health (Repayment Scheme) Act 2006 provides a clear legal framework to repay recoverable health charges for publicly funded long term residential care. All those fully eligible persons who were wrongly charged and are alive will have their charges repaid in full. The estates of all those fully eligible persons who were wrongly charged for publicly funded long term residential care and died since 9 December 1998 will have the charges repaid in full. The scheme does not allow for repayments to the estates of those who died prior to that date.

Recoverable health charges are charges which were imposed on persons with full eligibility under the Health (Charges for In-patient Services) Regulations 1976 as amended in 1987 or charges for in-patient services only, raised under the Institutional Assistance Regulations 1954 as amended in 1965. It is not my intention to extend the parameters of the health repayment scheme.

Question No. 266 answered with QuestionNo. 244.

Health Services.

Sean Sherlock

Ceist:

267 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the existence of a project (details supplied) in County Cork; if so, if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that no core funding was made available to the project by the Health Service Executive in 2007; if she will increase the core funding made available to this group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33822/07]

The Deputy's question relates to the funding, 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.

Nursing Homes Repayment Scheme.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

268 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons whose claims have been settled under the nursing home repayments scheme; the proportion of claims settled; the number and proportion in each Health Service Executive area; when she anticipates that all claims will be settled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33827/07]

The HSE has informed my Department that since the commencement of the scheme over 32,000 claims have been received and to date 5,007 payments totalling over €99.03m have issued. 8,015 offers of repayment, totalling over €155.5m, have been made. The scheme is administered by the Health Service Executive in conjunction with the appointed scheme administrator KPMG/McCann Fitzgerald. Therefore the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the specific issue raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Health Services.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

269 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the full range of services available at the Health Service Executive health centre in Cromcastle, Coolock, Dublin 5. [33828/07]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

270 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the full range of services available at the Health Service Executive health centre in Darndale, Dublin 5. [33829/07]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

271 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the full range of services available at the Health Service Executive health centre in Kilbarrack, Dublin 13. [33830/07]

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

The Primary Care Strategy aims to increase health service capacity through the development of services in the community to give people direct access to integrated multidisciplinary teams of general practitioners, nurses, home helps, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and others. It has been estimated that up to 95% of people's health and social services needs can be properly met within a primary care setting and the establishment of new Primary Care Teams can contribute greatly to enhancing community based health services.

The provision of the appropriate infrastructure to facilitate the delivery of primary care services is being considered by the HSE, having regard to a number of factors. These include the type and configuration of the services involved, the mixed public/private nature of our health system, the suitability of existing infrastructure and the capital requirements of the health services generally over the coming years. As the Health Service Executive has the operational and funding responsibility for Primary Care services, it is the appropriate body to consider the particular matters raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have these matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Hospital Staff.

James Reilly

Ceist:

272 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children her views, in view of the important revelations by various medical professionals (details supplied) on withdrawing the so-called gagging clause in the proposed consultants contract in order that future failings in the health service are brought to the attention of the appropriate authorities and to her attention, if that is deemed necessary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33831/07]

James Reilly

Ceist:

275 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the status of the consultants contract; the progress that has been made on finalising the negotiations on a revised contract; the issues that remain unresolved; when the revised contract will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33841/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 272 and 275 together.

Talks on a new contract commenced on 24th November 2005 under the independent chairmanship of Mr Mark Connaughton SC. Bi-lateral talks took place over the summer and full plenary talks resumed on 4th September 2007. The Chairman presented his final report on the consultant discussions to the parties on 4th October 2007. On 9 October I wrote to the Irish Hospital Consultants Association and the Irish Medical Organisation conveying acceptance of the chairman's final report and noting the medical organisations support for the report subject to reservations. Discussions recommenced between the parties on 17 October and are ongoing with a view to implementing the independent chairman's recommendations and to resolving outstanding issues.

I am unclear as to the ‘gagging clause' to which the Deputy refers. It is proposed that the new contract will contain a confidentiality clause to safeguard information concerning the medical or personal affairs of patients and/or staff. However, it is also proposed to include a clause concerning the right of consultants to advocate on behalf of patients/clients or persons awaiting access to service. I am anxious that the talks are concluded as soon as possible so that the HSE can proceed with arrangements for the recruitment of the extra consultants needed for the public health service.

Medical Cards.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

273 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of full medical cards available on a county basis; if she is satisfied that the system is working; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33832/07]

Medical cards are made available to persons and their dependants who would otherwise experience undue hardship in meeting the cost of General Practitioner (GP) services. In 2005 the GP visit card was introduced as a graduated benefit so that people on moderate and lower incomes, particularly parents of young children, who do not qualify for a medical card would not be deterred on cost grounds from visiting their GP.

Since the beginning of 2005 substantial changes have been made to the way in which people's eligibility for a medical card is assessed and these apply equally to the assessment process for a GP visit card. The income guidelines have been increased by a cumulative 29% and in addition allowance is now made for reasonable expenses incurred in respect of mortgage/rent, childcare and travel to work costs. In June 2006 I agreed a further adjustment to the assessment guidelines for GP visit cards and these are now 50% higher than those in respect of medical cards.

Between January 2005 (1,145,083) and November 2007 (1,270,873) an additional 125,790 people have medical cards. As at 1st November 2007, 74,671 persons held a GP visit card. Thus since January 2005, an additional 200,461 people have free access to GP services.

The Programme for Government commits to the following: Indexing the income thresholds for medical cards to increases in the average industrial wage; Doubling of the income limit eligibility of parents of children under 6 years of age, and trebling them for parents of children under 18 years of age with an intellectual disability; Allowing people with disabilities to work without losing key essential medical card cover after 3 years; Implementation of an annual publicity campaign and making applications easier so as to increase uptake amongst those who are eligible for Medical Cards and GP Visit Cards.

At present, my Department is carrying out a data collection exercise and a review of the eligibility criteria for medical cards and this work is expected to be completed by autumn next year. I am committed to making further progress in this area as soon as that review is completed. Detailed statistical data in relation to the number of medical cards issued on a county basis is held by the Health Service Executive. Therefore, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to provide the details requested directly to the Deputy.

Health Services.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

274 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon will be called for an appointment; the reason for the delay in same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33839/07]

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to 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 case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this case investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Question No. 275 answered with QuestionNo. 272.

Infectious Diseases.

James Reilly

Ceist:

276 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of infection control committees and teams that have been put in place in each hospital to date as recommended in the Health Service Executive infection control action plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33842/07]

James Reilly

Ceist:

278 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if a clinical nurse specialist has been identified in each ward and area with responsibility for overseeing the implementation of the infection control committees as recommended in the Health Service Executive infection control action plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33844/07]

James Reilly

Ceist:

279 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if she is satisfied with the complement of infection control staff employed by the Health Service Executive; the number of infection control staff recruited to date in 2007; the number of infection control staff vacancies that remain to be filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33845/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 276, 278 and 279 together.

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the HSE under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall Vote. Subject to overall parameters set by Government, the Health Service Executive has the responsibility for determining the composition of its staffing complement. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issues 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.

James Reilly

Ceist:

277 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress achieved in meeting her target to reduce health care associated infections by 20%, to reduce MRSA infections by 30% and to reduce antibiotic consumption by 20%; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33843/07]

I can assure the Deputy that tackling Health Care Associated Infections (HCAIs), including MRSA continues to be a priority for the government and for the Health Service Executive (HSE). The HSE launched a National Infection Control Action Plan in March 2007. An Infection Control Steering Group, chaired by Dr. Pat Doorley, National Director (Population Health) is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the plan. Over the next three to five years, the HSE aims to reduce HCAIs by 20%, MRSA infections by 30% and antibiotic consumption by 20%. Achievement of these targets will benefit all patients who are at risk. These targets will be achieved through the development of national and local level action plans to reduce the potential for spread of infections between persons in health care settings, and, in addition, will focus on reducing antibiotic use in Ireland. The Steering Group is supported by eight Local Implementation Teams which will ensure that all local facilities are focused on achieving the national targets.

A new National Surveillance System has recently been established by the HSE to collect data and provide information on a quarterly basis on four key areas, to monitor HCAIs in our health care system: Staphylococcus bacteraemia; Antibiotic consumption; Alcohol gel use; MRSA surveillance in Intensive Care Units. The data for 2006 is currently being finalised and a report will be released by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre in the near future. Data for 2007 will be available in early 2008.

On that basis, it is not possible to indicate the rates of progress towards achievement against the targets on reductions in HCAIs or antibiotic consumption until sufficient data is available. While accepting that not all HCAIs are preventable, I am satisfied that significant steps are being taken to reduce the rates of infections and to treat them promptly when they occur.

Questions Nos. 278 and 279 answered with Question No. 276.

Hospitals Building Programme.

James Reilly

Ceist:

280 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the status of her co-location initiative; the number of contracts that remain at tender stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33846/07]

The Board of the Health Service Executive approved preferred bidders for the following six co-located hospital sites at its July meeting: Waterford Regional Hospital; Cork University Hospital; Limerick Regional Hospital; Sligo General Hospital; Beaumont Hospital; St. James's Hospital. Since then the hospitals and the preferred bidders have been working towards finalising the Project Agreements for these sites. It is expected that the Project Agreements for the sites will be concluded in the near future. Connolly Hospital and Tallaght Hospital, which are also participating in the co-location initiative, are at an earlier stage of the procurement process. A tender in relation to the former is under consideration. It is expected that the invitation to tender (ITT) for Tallaght Hospital will issue in the near future.

Health Service Staff.

James Reilly

Ceist:

281 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the length of time she expects the health service employment recruitment ban to continue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33847/07]

The current pause on the recruitment of additional staff is a temporary measure initiated as part of the Health Service Executive financial break-even plan. There is no recruitment ban in place in the HSE. Of course, in any instance where a critical or essential vacancy arises it may be filled through redeployment of existing staff by the Line Manager or re-assignment of responsibilities based on an assessment of the priority of need.

Notwithstanding this, the Health Service Executive recognises that there are some circumstances where the appointment of staff may be necessary in front-line services. Accordingly, a process has been put in place to evaluate, monitor and approve requests for derogation from the general recruitment pause. A small group has been established including a representative of the National Hospitals Office, PCCC and other Directorates of the HSE and this group meets weekly to consider such applications. Of the applications for derogation received to date, 520.8 WTEs (wholetime equivalents) have been approved where posts have been identified as critical to service delivery.

I have been advised by the Health Service Executive that the recruitment pause will continue for December 2007 and the current arrangement will be reviewed prior to the end of the year. It is intended that a robust employment control framework will continue to be applied to services in 2008.

Health Insurance.

James Reilly

Ceist:

282 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on whether it is wise and fair that the smallest insurer in the market (details supplied) should be the only health insurer forced to make money payments under the risk equalisation scheme in March 2008; the way she sees this system as encouraging choice and competition in the market; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33848/07]

James Reilly

Ceist:

283 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the current stay in payments on the risk equalisation scheme; the way a company (details supplied) is being forced to make the payment due to its failure to litigate against the Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33849/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 282 and 283 together.

Under the provisions of the risk equalisation scheme the company referred to in the Deputy's questions would, when the Health Insurance Authority next considers the matter, be subject only to 50% of the payments that would normally fall due in its case given the manner in which the provisions of the risk equalisation scheme apply to it. In addition, having regard to facilitating competition in the market, the current risk equalisation scheme falls a long way short of full equalisation and only partially equalises risk differentials between the insurers. With regard to the other likely contributors to the risk equalisation scheme, the question of a stay is before the High Court on 18th December.

Health Service Investigations.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

284 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children if the investigations into diagnosis in Portlaoise Hospital will include other cancers as well as cancer of the breast; if concerns have been raised in relation to broader diagnostic issues in the hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33985/07]

The review of mammograms at the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise is complete. A report on the review will be published after any individual identified in it has been offered the opportunity to comment, as is the normal legal requirement. A clinical review of ultrasounds at Portlaoise was completed last week. I have asked for a report from the Board of the HSE on the management of all events following the decision to suspend breast radiology services at Portlaoise. I expect that this will be completed early in the New Year. The HSE has also informed me that it is still considering how best to deal with the situation regarding the consultant radiologist who has been placed on administrative leave.

Hospital Staff.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

285 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will authorise the appointment of a paediatric phlebotomist for the Mid-West Regional Hospital to replace the service which was withdrawn when the pilot programme ended; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33986/07]

Almost 130,000 people work full-time or part-time in our public health services. In recent years, the Government's ongoing high level of investment in health has achieved and maintained significant increases in the numbers of doctors, nurses and other health care professionals employed in the public health services. The Government has also invested heavily in the education and training of such personnel in order to secure a good supply of graduates to provide for the health care needs of the population into the future.

Subject to overall parameters set by Government, the Health Service Executive has the responsibility for determining the composition of its staffing complement. In that regard, it is a matter for the Executive to manage and deploy its human resources to best meet the requirements of its Annual Service Plan for the delivery of health and personal social services to the public. The Executive is the appropriate body to consider the 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.

Health Services.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

286 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if core funding will be provided for a society (details supplied) to enable it to continue its works. [33991/07]

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.

Nursing Homes Repayment Scheme.

P. J. Sheehan

Ceist:

287 Deputy P. J. Sheehan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will re-examine the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 who has been seeking refund of nursing home charges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34012/07]

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.

Charles Flanagan

Ceist:

288 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of claims to date submitted to the Health Service Executive under the scheme for the repayment of all wrongfully charged long-stay maintenance charges in public long-stay facilities and for public contracted beds; the number of persons paid; the amount of payments paid to date; and the number of claims outstanding. [34039/07]

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has responsibility for administering the health repayment scheme in conjunction with the appointed scheme administrator KPMG/McCann Fitzgerald. The HSE has informed my Department that since the commencement of the scheme over 32,000 claims have been received and to date 5,007 payments totalling over €99.03m have issued. 8,015 offers of repayment, totalling over €155.5m, have been made.

Health Services.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

289 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of additional home help hours funded by her Department in 2007; the cost of this programme; the number of home help hours in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34041/07]

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.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

290 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of additional home care packages funded by her Department in 2007; the cost of this programme; the number of home care packages in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34042/07]

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.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

291 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of additional residential care beds funded by her Department in 2007; the cost of this programme; the number of residential care beds in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34043/07]

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. The 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.

Child Care Services.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

292 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of additional child care places under the NCIP and the previous equal opportunities child care programme funded by her Department in 2007; the cost of this programme; the number of child care places under this programme in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34044/07]

The €535 million Equal Childcare Programme (EOCP) 2000-06, which was co-funded by the European Union, was succeeded in 2006 by the National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP) 2006-10 which has a fund of €575m and is entirely Exchequer funded. Both Programmes consist of grant schemes for capital investment, staffing support and quality improvement. While applications for EOCP grants are now closed, funding continues to be drawn down and childcare places are still being created.

From 1 January 2007, the total value of grants approved under the EOCP is €4,685,612, resulting in 2,947 new childcare places. This brings the total number of childcare places created since the beginning of the EOCP to 37,306. From 1 January 2007, the total value of grants approved under NCIP is €111,669,633. There is a time-lag between the point where grants are approved and the creation of physical places. While 266 new childcare places have been created in 2007 under the NCIP, the projected number of new childcare places once the approved NCIP funding is drawn down is 27,463 childcare places. The total number of NCIP new childcare places created to date is 1,472.

Services for People with Disabilities.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

293 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of additional residential and respite care places in respect of physical and sensory disability funded by her Department in 2007; the cost of this programme; the number of residential and respite care places in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34045/07]

As part of the Multi Annual Investment Programme under the Disability Strategy, the Government provided the Health Service Executive an additional €75m in 2007. This funding included monies to provide additional residential places and additional hours of personal assistance for people with a physical and sensory disability. The Government is also honouring its promise in relation to the Multi-Annual Investment Programme for people with disabilities, with a further €50 million investment in 2008 to provide additional residential, respite and day places. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Health Service Executive to arrange to have the details requested by the Deputy provided directly to him as a matter of urgency.

Mental Health Services.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

294 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of additional beds for under 16s in the child and adolescent mental health programme funded by her Department in 2007; the cost of this programme; the number of beds for under 16s in this programme in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34046/07]

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 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. The Executive, therefore, 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.

Health Services.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

295 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of additional primary care teams funded by her Department in 2007; the cost of this programme; the number of primary care teams in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34047/07]

The Primary Care Strategy aims to increase health service capacity through the development of services in the community to give people direct access to integrated multi-disciplinary teams of physiotherapists, general practitioners, nurses, home helps, occupational therapists and others. It has been estimated that up to 95% of people's health and social services needs can be properly met within a primary care setting and the establishment of Primary Care Teams can contribute greatly to enhancing community based health services.

In 2007 an additional €20m was provided in the Vote of the Health Service Executive to enable the full-year costs of the 87 primary care teams funded in 2006 to be met and to enable a further 100 teams to be established during 2007. These developments will involve, altogether, the appointment of some 600 additional front-line health care professionals. The Government has committed under the Towards 2016 agreement to the establishment of 300 Primary Care Teams by 2008; 400 by 2009 and 500 by 2011. A review of these targets will be undertaken in 2008.

As the Health Service Executive has the operational and funding responsibility for Primary Care Services it 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 this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Vaccination Programme.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

296 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children when she expects to receive the final report of the vaccine damage compensation group; the funding provided in budget 2008 to implement the recommendations of the group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34052/07]

The Group is continuing with its consideration of this matter, and is consulting with a number of representative bodies and individuals, and I look forward to receiving their final recommendations shortly.

Infectious Diseases.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

297 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans she has to establish a compensation fund for the victims of hospital acquired infection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34054/07]

I share the public concern in relation to Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs). Tackling HCAIs, including MRSA, is a priority for the Government and for the Health Service Executive (HSE). The State Claims Agency is dealing with a number of claims against the State which involve an element relating to MRSA. However, the matter of liability in such cases has yet to be established. I have no plans to establish a compensation fund.

Official Engagements.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

298 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if meetings have taken place between herself or her Ministers of State and representatives of the drinks industry, including members of employers’ groups working on behalf of the drinks industry; the number of such meetings and the issues discussed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34055/07]

Since this Government came into office no formal meetings have taken place between myself and any representatives of the drinks industry. I can also state that no such meetings took place in that time with the Minister for Health and Children or any of the other Ministers of State at the Department of Health and Children. For the Deputy's information I can inform him that Minister Harney, who was Minister for Health and Children in the previous Government, last met formally with representatives of the drinks industry on 23rd November, 2006. At that meeting I understand that a range of issues were discussed around the issue of alcohol policy and alcohol misuse in Ireland.

Health Service Staff.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

299 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the HSE does not collate complaints of bullying and harassment of HSE staff but does so in relation to service users; the way the matter of harassment and bullying of staff is dealt with in the HSE if there is no collation of information and as such no register of such complaints, actions taken, results of actions; and the need for human resources to have a paper trail that would have a historical and useful value to address such very important issues as bullying and harassment of staff within the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34064/07]

Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to have delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services in a safe and secure setting. This includes responsibility for dealing with any complaints an employee may have concerning his or her working environment. The Executive is therefore the appropriate body to consider the 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 to the Deputy.

Health Services.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

300 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount of funding allocated to the HSE to provide home care packages for the Kildare/west Wicklow areas for the year 2007; if this funding has been totally allocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34065/07]

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.

National Treatment Purchase Fund.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

301 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the comparison and difference in cost values of the National Treatment Purchase Fund in relation to costs, time scale of hospital visits, waiting times for consultations, surgery and so on as compared to normal HSE procedures in relation to such costs, time scales and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34066/07]

It is not possible to directly compare the cost of treatment arranged by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) and the cost of similar procedures carried out in hospitals funded by Health Service Executive (HSE) because of differences in the determinants that go to make up costs in the two systems. For example, in public hospitals the cost of medical education is a major factor but this is not significant in private hospitals. In addition, the NTPF costs include pre and post-operative consultations whereas this is not so with the HSE costing system. The NTPF advises my Department that, in general, the time that its patients stay in hospital for surgery mirror those within the HSE for patients who require similar procedures

Health Services.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

302 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason her reply to Parliamentary Question No. 452 of 26 September, 2007 was confined to Longford-Westmeath when the question was in relation to the training of home helps within the HSE; if the stated area is the only area where home helps are receiving training; if so, the reason for same; if not, the record within the rest of the HSE in relation to the training of home helps; if the type of training as stated in the original reply is available in such areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34067/07]

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 was the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to issue a reply directly to the Deputy.

The HSE inform me that a letter was sent to the Deputy, dated 16 November 2007, in which it said that the information being sought in relation to the exact numbers of Home Support staff trained and the cost to the HSE, was not routinely available so may take some time to collect. Following on from that letter, I am told that the HSE requested this information from each of the relevant sectors across the country. It would appear that the reply supplied by Longford/Westmeath sector was sent directly to the Deputy, as well as to the HSE. The Executive are continuing to compile the composite reply on this matter, including information in relation to Longford/Westmeath, which will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is completed.

Hospital Waiting Lists.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

303 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive a date for their operation or if they are entitled to seek such an operation under the National Treatment Purchase Fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34072/07]

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 case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy. Patients waiting more than three months on a surgical waiting list may qualify for treatment under the National Treatment Purchase Fund. It is open to the person in question or anyone acting on their behalf to contact the Fund directly in relation to their case.

Mental Health Services.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

304 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will make a statement on the status of the new psychiatric unit in Letterkenny; if planning permission has been applied for; when the decision is due; if the funding is available; and when she expects the new unit to open. [34080/07]

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. This includes the acquisition and development of property under its remit. The Executive, therefore, 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.

Departmental Transport.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

305 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children the cost on a yearly basis for transport hire of any kind for her transport and that of her staff for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; the reason for such hire; if tenders were sought; the locations brought from and to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34096/07]

The information requested is being collated in my Department and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Medical Services Regulation.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

306 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children her proposals for regulation and consumer protection in the area of cosmetic surgery and cosmetic procedures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34107/07]

Under the Medical Practitioners Act 1978, the Medical Council is charged with responsibility for the registration of medical practitioners and the regulation of their activities. Persons who avail of the services of doctors performing plastic surgery should endeavour to seek the services of reputable providers. When invasive procedures are being arranged, persons would be strongly advised to check that the services are provided by a medical practitioner who is appropriately registered with the Medical Council. In addition, before agreeing to undergo any procedure, persons should ascertain the level of follow-up medical support which will be available to them after the surgery has been completed.

Where a concern arises about the professional activity of a registered medical practitioner, the Medical Council has the power to investigate the circumstances of the complaint, and, if a prima facie case exists, to conduct an inquiry. Where a finding of professional misconduct or unfitness to practise is made against a doctor, the Council has the authority to suspend, limit or revoke the registration of that individual.

The Medical Practitioners Act 2007 provides for a clear compulsory requirement for registration for all medical practitioners, changes to the Fitness to Practise process and the introduction of a mandatory scheme for the maintenance of professional competence. These and other new provisions of the Act will afford greater protection to the public.

Health Services.

Catherine Byrne

Ceist:

307 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Health and Children if the number of detoxification beds for recovering drug addicts has been affected by recent Health Service Executive cutbacks; if so, the way they have been affected; if she will increase the number of detoxification beds in view of the increase in the number of people becoming addicted to drugs and needing to detox; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34119/07]

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.

Catherine Byrne

Ceist:

308 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Health and Children the length of time it currently takes to access a detoxification bed after referral from a general practitioner or consultant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34120/07]

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.

Health Service Staff.

Andrew Doyle

Ceist:

309 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health and Children if the chief executive of the Health Service Executive has decided that the administrative roll out of PPARS will be suspended; the payroll and personnel system that will be used in the HSE; if senior management of the HSE has been part of the operational design of the new system; the factors taken into account in the choice of the new payroll and personnel system for the HSE; the number of people currently employed by the HSE; the number of categories working in the service; and if these categories have standard conditions of employment. [34133/07]

The management and delivery of health and personal social services, including related payroll and personnel issues, are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act, 2004. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Health Services.

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

310 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason young children cannot avail of the free child development service in places like Ballinasloe, Tuam and Loughrea in County Galway; if there is a waiting list; if all children in the State are entitled to such a service free of charge; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34171/07]

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.

Departmental Staff.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

311 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of non-Civil Service staff employed by her Department; the specific roles of these staff; the cost of these staff to the Exchequer; the number of these staff engaged in carrying out her work as a constituency Deputy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34193/07]

The following non-civil service staff are either employed directly by or seconded to my Department:

Grade

Number Employed/Seconded

Chief Therapist Advisor

1

Therapist Advisor

2

Nurse/Midwife Advisor

1

Nursing Advisor

1

Special Advisors

6

Personal Assistants

6

Personal Secretaries

5

Civilian Drivers

6

Legal Research Advisor

1

The total annual salary cost of the above posts is €1.78m. The following non-civil servants are also seconded to my Department and recoupment arrangements are subject to discussion with the relevant agencies at present.

Grade

Number Employed/Seconded

Director of Social Work

1

Disability Advisor

1

Acting Chief Environmental Health

1

Youth Project Officer

1

Palliative Care Advisor

1

Dental Advisor

1

Nursing Advisor

1

Social Worker

1

Of the above posts, only one person (Personal Assistant) is involved in Constituency work on my behalf.

Hospitals Building Programme.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

312 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children the cost of co-located private hospitals to the Exchequer with a breakdown of the cost for each of these hospitals; the amount of tax relief involved with these hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34194/07]

There will be no direct capital cost to the State arising from the co-location initiative. There will be a loss of private health insurance income to the hospitals from private health insurers. This is estimated at €79 million in respect of the six sites where the co-location initiative is most advanced, as follows — Waterford Regional Hospital €11m, Cork University Hospital €18m, Sligo General €8m, Limerick Regional €17m, St James €14m, Beaumont €11m. I consider that this is a small price to pay in order to free up 1,000 beds for public patients where the running cost of over €300 million is already being met by the State. The loss of income will be mitigated, in part, through income from the lease of the land and a potential share of profits from the co-located facility.

It is anticipated that the private developers will avail of the scheme of capital allowances under the Finance Acts. The level of tax relief depends on the financing arrangements for each hospital and it is not possible, at this stage, to provide a breakdown of potential capital allowances by hospital site. However, it should be noted that not all costs are eligible for tax relief under the scheme. The Government's consideration of the initiative assumed a capital cost of €1 million per bed. It is anticipated that for each €1 million in allowed capital expenditure, most relief will be claimed at the 41% income tax rate plus any allowable PRSI-related relief, spread over 7 years, and not taking account of tax buoyancy effects. This is still less than the capital cost to the State of building and commissioning an additional 1,000 new beds for public patients.

Services for People with Disabilities.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

313 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason children in a school (details supplied) in Dublin 20 can not access a speech and language therapist; the measures she will take to rectify this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34195/07]

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.

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

314 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will assist a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3. [34205/07]

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 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

315 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the level of speech, language and occupational therapy a child (details supplied) in County Cork with a learning disability is receiving at present from the Health service Executive; and if further intervention services can be provided in 2008. [34208/07]

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.

Departmental Communications.

Damien English

Ceist:

316 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of staff in her Department that are provided with a blackberry device or similar mobile e-mail equipment. [34225/07]

In my Department 53 staff have access to a Blackberry device.

Damien English

Ceist:

317 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of databases used by her Department; and the number of these that are wholly and partly operated by external organisations or individuals and operated solely within her Department. [34240/07]

My Department uses in excess of 150 application databases in support of the day to day work of the organisation. These databases support the routine administration and workflow within my Department such as human resources, finance, payroll, representations, briefing materials, parliamentary affairs, statistical analysis etc. The majority of the databases are operated solely within my Department. One of the most significant databases is the Civil Registration System used by the General Register Office. This database is operated as a managed service by an external service provider.

In the carrying out of their official duties staff in my Department also access a wide range of information from a variety of databases that are externally owned and operated. With the advent of the Internet as a means of accessing data it is not feasible to accurately quantify the number or operational details of the databases regularly used.

Damien English

Ceist:

318 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of information technology projects undertaken by or for her Department since 2004 that have been delivered over budget, after their original deadline, on budget, under budget, on their original deadline and ahead of their original deadline; and if she will present the information in tabular readable form. [34255/07]

The Information in relation to my Department is set out in the table.

Budget

Time

IT Projects

Target

Over

Under

On Time

After Original Deadline

Ahead of Original Deadline

19

18

1

0

11

5

3

Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Damien English

Ceist:

319 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps she has taken to offset the carbon dioxide emissions caused by Ministerial travel in her Department; and if none to date, the plans she will put in place on the matter. [34270/07]

On foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government on carbon offsetting official air travel, my colleague Mr. John Gormley, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, is currently developing a scheme for use by all Government Departments and bodies under their aegis. It is anticipated that these details will be announced shortly.

Data Protection.

Damien English

Ceist:

320 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Health and Children if she is satisfied that personal information relating to members of the public held on her departmental databases is safe from hackers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34285/07]

All database information held in my Department is handled in accordance with the requirements of the Data Protection Acts 1998 and 2003. The Department has policies in relation to the acceptable use of ICT facilities. Access control policies determine access rights to sensitive personal data. Data under the General Register Office (GRO) is governed by the Civil Registration Act 2004 and the security procedures in place are in accordance with best practice.

The policy in relation to usage of ICT facilities exists to ensure that ICT systems are protected from a range of threats. My Department deploys a number of ICT security measures including industry-standard firewalls, authentication devices and security software to ensure that all data residing on Departmental networks are secure. From time to time testing of the infrastructure by independent experts takes place. I am satisfied that all reasonable preventative measures are in place to guard against attack from hackers. My Department is aware of the on-going challenges in relation to protecting its data and is constantly reviewing its procedures.

Management Information Framework System.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

321 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children the estimate of the money saved to the Exchequer in 2007 by the use of the management information framework system; the way this saving was made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34307/07]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

322 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children if the management information framework system has been fully rolled out in her Department; the use being made of performance indicators, the costing framework and management reports provided by this system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34322/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 321 and 322 together.

The Management Information Framework (MIF) was introduced to ensure that Government Departments and Offices, through the availability of a full accrual based accounting system and performance measurement data, have the opportunity to consider fully the planning of investment on the basis of a value added concept.

The vast majority of the Health Vote, amounting to some €15bn gross for 2007, relates to direct service provision, which is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive (HSE). As a consequence, responsibility for expenditure and performance measurement in the wider health delivery system is a matter for the HSE. The Deputy will be aware that the HSE and the wider health delivery system have always operated on the basis of full accrual accounting principles which underpinned a broad management information framework, including a National Service Planning process, output statement, monthly reporting on key performance targets and budget outcomes, and value for money assessments.

As with all other Government Departments, the Health & Children (including the Office of the Minister for Children (OMC)) Vote is accounted for on a cash basis. It is worth noting, however, that the amount spent directly within the Department (the Administrative Budget) is in the region of €52m or 0.35% of the total Health Vote in 2007. In that context, the Department's MIF project was based on upgrading its existing Financial Management System (FMS) to a dual accounting system (both Vote and accrual capabilities), thereby meeting the MIF strategic objective in a cost effective manner. The financial system upgrade was installed in line with the Government Decision deadline of 31 December, 2004. The roll out of the full MIF, to include the transfer of the OMC and activities of additional Ministers of State, is scheduled for completion in early 2008.

Whilst the upgraded financial system continues to operate in Vote mode, the benefits in terms of more efficient and speedy access to financial and management information/analysis can be seen as a major advantage within the Department. It is difficult to represent the operational and management benefits in financial terms.

Services for People with Disabilities.

Beverley Flynn

Ceist:

323 Deputy Beverley Flynn asked the Minister for Health and Children her proposals to improve funding and resources and to provide additional social workers to address the needs of the 450 people on the blind register in County Mayo. [34328/07]

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal 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.

Pharmacy Regulations.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

324 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she is available to preside over discussions between the Health Service Executive and the Irish Pharmaceutical Union with a view to reaching agreement on outstanding or contentious issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34366/07]

As the Health Service Executive (HSE) has operational responsibility, under the Health Act 2004, for the management and delivery of health and personal social services, the issue of revised reimbursement prices for community pharmacy under the GMS and community drugs schemes, following the announcement by the HSE on 17 September 2007 of new wholesaler arrangements, is being managed by a HSE-led team which includes representation from my Department.

The revised pricing arrangements were arrived at following a detailed consultation process accompanied by independent economic analysis. I have previously outlined in detail to the Oireachtas the legal provisions under competition law which prevent the Health Service Executive (HSE) from negotiating with the Irish Pharmaceutical Union (IPU) on fees, prices or margins for their members. When it became clear that the HSE could not negotiate with pharmacists or wholesalers on fees or margins, a detailed, fair and transparent consultation process, including independent economic analysis and public consultation, was carried out to inform the final determination of the new reimbursement pricing arrangements for drugs and medicines under the GMS and community drugs schemes.

As the Deputy is aware, in order to address concerns expressed by the Irish Pharmaceutical Union (IPU), on behalf of community pharmacists, about the implications of the legal advice on competition law on their right to negotiate fees through the Union, a process of dialogue was established, chaired by Bill Shipsey SC, to explore ways in which concerns raised by the IPU about the implications of this legal advice might be addressed. I am also exploring, in consultation with the Attorney General, the other relevant Government Departments and the HSE, the best way of progressing the development of a new contract with pharmacists. There is ongoing engagement between the Irish Pharmaceutical Union and the HSE under the auspices of Mr. Shipsey and, in view of the progress in this regard, the HSE has decided to defer the implementation of the new reimbursement rates planned to take effect for community pharmacists on 1st December 2007 to a later date.

Cancer Screening Programme.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

325 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she has received correspondence from a group (details supplied) in Dublin 8; her plans to respond favourably to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34367/07]

I received correspondence from the Group referred to by the Deputy on 22 November last. The correspondence related to the National Quality Assurance Standards for Symptomatic Breast Disease Services which I approved last June under the Health Act 2007. I am very grateful for the significant support provided by Europa Donna Ireland in terms of the implementation of the Standards and the designation by the Health Service Executive of eight specialist centres for symptomatic breast disease. My Department has issued a response to Europa Donna Ireland in this regard.

Adoption Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

326 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she or her Department will implement policy to reduce waiting times for intercountry adoptions; her plans to address this issue in early date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34368/07]

The HSE has statutory responsibility for the implementation of policy with regard to assessments for intercountry adoption. As the Deputy may be aware, requests for assessment for intercountry adoption are continuously increasing. The recent study on intercountry adoption, undertaken by the Children's Research Centre in Trinity College, revealed that Ireland has one of the highest rates for foreign adoption in Europe. In addition, as a result of the increased number of children coming from abroad, a new and increasing demand for post-adoption reports from sending countries has been created. Both assessments and post-placement reports are being undertaken by HSE social work staff.

The HSE has been assessing the provision of services in the context of moving from the health board system to a single executive. It has acknowledged that there is a divergence in the provision of services and is committed to addressing those differences. In a number of areas, the HSE has improved waiting times by contracting assessments out to non-statutory agencies with appropriate expertise.

The HSE has also appointed an outside consultant to undertake a review of the intercountry adoption service. This review is examining staffing, business processes, resources, strengths and options within the service. The HSE has indicated that it will contact the Department shortly with proposals to improve this service based on the outcome of the report. I would like to assure the Deputy of my attention to this issue and reiterate the importance of a rigorous and effective assessment system.

Health Services.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

327 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive to Parliamentary Question No. 158 of 6 November 2007. [34379/07]

The Deputy's question relates to the funding, 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. PQ No (27030/07) 158 was referred to the HSE on 01/11/2007. My Department has requested an update on the status of the reply.

Health Service Staff.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

328 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason home helps in the Kildare west Wicklow area have to wait until 2008 for the payment of their travel allowance payments and arrears; if the matter will be addressed by the use of the Health Service Executive computer system analysing and processing the claims to ensure payment before Christmas 2007; the reason there is a different mechanism of payroll process for the eastern community works area than other areas of the HSE and that all payments within the Health Service are not determined by the HSE computer payment system; when the process will be changed to ensure that the travel allowances are paid on time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34380/07]

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 and funding for all health services, including the payment of travel allowances to eligible personnel, has been provided as part of its overall vote. The Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issues raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have these matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Mental Health Services.

James McDaid

Ceist:

329 Deputy James McDaid asked the Minister for Health and Children the position of the proposed refurbishment of the acute psychiatric unit at Letterkenny General Hospital; when work is scheduled to start on the refurbishment of the unit; and the amount of funding that has been allocated towards the funding. [34410/07]

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. This includes the acquisition and development of property under its remit. The Executive, therefore, 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.

Departmental Properties.

James McDaid

Ceist:

330 Deputy James McDaid asked the Minister for Health and Children if the Health Service Executive carried out an audit of the lands attached to the psychiatric hospitals throughout the country as she has requested; the position regarding the audit carried out regarding St. Conal’s Psychiatric Hospital in Letterkenny, County Donegal; if any land attached to St. Conal’s Psychiatric Hospital in Letterkenny has been sold or disposed of in any way; if so, the person who authorised the sale or disposal of lands; if any land attached to the hospital has been sold, the proceeds of the sale received by Donegal mental health services; the proceeds channelled into community mental health services as she intended; if lands attached to St. Conal’s are to be sold in the future will Donegal mental health services receive the proceeds of the sale; and if the money will be used to fund the transition of services from hospital based to community based in Donegal as she intended. [34411/07]

The Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy "A Vision for Change”, which provides the basis for the future development of mental health services, envisions an active, flexible and community-based mental health service, with a greatly reduced need for hospital admissions. It is recommended that in the future, mental health services should be delivered by a range of specialised multi-disciplinary community mental health teams, based in community mental health centres. To bring this about, the Report further recommends that steps be taken to bring about the closure of all psychiatric hospitals, and that the resources released by these closures, should be re-invested in the mental health service to fund the new mental health service infrastructure requirement.

Responsibility for the implementation of "A Vision for Change” including the recommendations relating to the acquisition and disposal of psychiatric hospital buildings and lands, is a matter for the HSE. The Executive, therefore, 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.

Departmental Staff.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

331 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when a chief dental officer will be appointed in her Department; and when her Department will advertise to have that position filled. [34416/07]

At the launch of the National Oral Health Policy on the 18th October last, I announced that my Department would be filling a senior clinical dental position. In addition, I indicated that I was open to considering, in conjunction with stakeholders, the structure, role and responsibilities of this position. My Department has sought and received the views of stakeholders on this post. My Department is currently examining the submissions we have received.

Health Services.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

332 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be called for an appointment to a clinic. [34417/07]

The Health Service Executive has the operational and funding responsibility for Primary Care services, including arrangements relating to those clinics referred to by the Deputy. As such it 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 this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Departmental Reports.

James Reilly

Ceist:

333 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the person who carried out the review of recruitment procedures for locum consultants as announced in Dáil Éireann on 13 June 2000; the date the review was completed; the recommendations made by the review; if the recommendations have been implemented; if she will make a copy of the review available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34563/07]

Recruitment procedures for the appointment of locum consultants were the subject of review between the Department and the health service bodies during the period 2000 and 2002. In June 2000 the then Minister for Health and Children, Mr Micheál Martin, T.D. announced the establishment of a Working Group to consider recruitment procedures for locum consultants arising from the case of a locum Consultant Pathologist at Tralee, Sligo and Letterkenny General Hospitals.

The work of this group appears to have been superseded arising from the case of the employment of a UK based Consultant Psychiatrist to a locum psychiatrist position with the former South Eastern Health Board (SEHB), between April and November 2000, while he was suspended by the General Medical Council (GMC) in the United Kingdom and was consequently the subject of legal proceedings by the Medical Council in Ireland. In 2001 at the request of the then Minister for Health and Children, Mr Micheál Martin, T.D., Ms Maureen Lynott carried out a review of the circumstances surrounding this case and to consider how procedures and/or regulations may need to be improved.

Ms Lynott's report was the subject of follow-up action with relevant health agencies which included consideration of her report by an inter agency health care forum. All matters relating to the recruitment, assessment of qualifications and experience, competence, termination of employment etc. of locums are the responsibility of the employing authority.

Departmental Records.

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

334 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has conducted a recent review of the accuracy of the national vehicle and driver file; if he is satisfied with the accuracy of the database; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33317/07]

The National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) consists of a modern IT infrastructure. I am satisfied that the data currency and accuracy levels of the file are fully satisfactory and fit for purpose in relation to supporting driving licence and motor tax services and for the provision of vehicle and driver related data to facilitate the business activities of a number of approved bodies/agencies including the Garda Síochána.

Road Network.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

335 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Transport when the value for money review of strategic non-national roads be will completed; the anticipated value of the savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33473/07]

The value for money review of the strategic non-national roads programme is scheduled to be completed in May 2008. As the review is currently ongoing it would be premature at this stage to anticipate its outcome.

Road Safety.

James Reilly

Ceist:

336 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Transport his plans to proactively test drivers for the presence of illegal drugs in a similar manner to the successful random alcohol testing campaign which is the norm and which is an effective tool in curtailing the use and abuse of alcohol while driving [34384/07]

The Road Traffic Acts provides that a member of the Garda Síochána may, where he or she is of the opinion that a person in charge of a mechanically propelled vehicle in a public place is under the influence of a drug or drugs to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of that vehicle, require that person to go to a Garda station and further require that person submit to a blood test or to provide a urine sample.

The Medical Bureau of Road Safety analyses blood and urine specimens received under the Road Traffic Acts for the presence of a drug or drugs. Enforcement of the law on drug driving is a matter for An Garda Síochána. When a member of the Garda suspects that a motorist is driving under the influence of any intoxicant the Garda may arrest the suspect under Section 49 of the Road Traffic Act 1961.

The Department of Transport will keep under review the development of technology internationally for roadside testing for drugs. At present there is no reliable equipment available for that purpose. When suitable technology becomes available, any measures applied to the roadside testing of drivers for alcohol will also be applied in relation to drugs.

Rail Network.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

337 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the western rail corridor; the breakdown of the stages; when he expects the section from Claremorris to start; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33224/07]

The phased re-opening of the Western Rail Corridor is being progressed by Iarnród Éireann in line with the timelines set out in Transport 21 which provides, subject to compliance with statutory requirements and requirements relating to approval of capital projects, for the Ennis to Athenry section to be completed in 2008, the Athenry to Tuam section in 2011, the Tuam to Claremorris section in 2014 and the Claremorris to Collooney section to be preserved under the Clár Programme.

I understand from Iarnród Eireann that work is underway on Phase One and Iarnród Éireann expects to have approximately 7 miles of new track laid by year-end. The Government has approved funding for the development of phase 2 of the Corridor between Athenry and Tuam, subject to completion by Iarnród Eireann of a fuller appraisal of this section. As I have advised above, under Transport 21 the Tuam to Claremorris section is due for completion in 2014. I would not expect to receive an initial business proposal for this section from Iarnród Eireann until late 2010/2011. Iarnród Eireann, with the assistance of funding under the Clár programme, is undertaking work to preserve the rail alignment on the Claremorris to Collooney section.

Energy Resources.

Simon Coveney

Ceist:

338 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Transport the percentage of energy consumed in his Department and in all agencies for which his Department has responsibility that comes from renewable sources. [33286/07]

It is assumed that the Deputy's reference to energy consumption in the context specified relates to electricity usage. The Electricity Supply Board is the supplier of electricity to my Department's offices. On the basis of the proportion that renewable energy resources contribute to the total electricity generated by the ESB, it is estimated that renewable resources account for approximately five per cent of my Department's electricity consumption. Insofar as the agencies within the remit of my Department are concerned, I am arranging for them to correspond directly with the Deputy in the matter. Finally, I wish to draw the Deputy's attention to the Government's White Paper on renewable energy which signals a major expansion of the contribution which renewable resources will make to Ireland's total energy requirements over the next few years.

State Airports.

Pat Breen

Ceist:

339 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Transport if he discussed the extension of the US customs and border facility at Shannon Airport at his recent meeting with the US Secretary of Homeland Security; if progress has been made on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33300/07]

I recently met with Secretary Chertoff of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security when we discussed the possible extension of the pre-inspection facilities for U.S. bound passengers at Dublin and Shannon Airports to full pre-clearance. I hope to receive the detailed U.S. proposals in the matter in the near future. The operation of these facilities would be subject to a new Inter-Governmental agreement to be concluded between Ireland and the U.S and the advice I have received is that this would require new legislation.

Departmental Expenditure.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

340 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Transport the amount of mobile telephone bills paid directly by his Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33345/07]

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

341 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Transport the amount of mobile telephone bills paid in the form of expenses to staff by his Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33360/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 340 and 341 together.

The cost of mobile telephones for my Department in 2006 and 2007, which are all paid directly to the service provider by this Department, with a breakdown of data and roaming charges is set out in the table.

Year

Total

Data Charges

Roaming Charges

2006

153,628

23,386

26,800

2007

166,397

30,990

21,862

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

342 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Transport the amount of mobile telephone bills paid on the departmental mobile telephone assigned to him by his Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33375/07]

The cost of the mobile telephone assigned to the Minister for Transport in 2006 and 2007 with a breakdown of data and roaming charges is set out in the table.

Year

Total

Data Charges

Roaming Charges

2006

4,027.14

Nil

1,416.68

2007 (to date)

4,131.74

538.81

849.99

Road Network.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

343 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the problems being experienced by local authorities regarding the implementation of a directive from the Health and Safety Authority which states that local councils can no longer deal with areas of concern on main roads throughout the State, and that any requests for remedial work must be processed through the office of the national road design; and his views on whether there is a huge backlog in national road design offices, resulting in delays of several months before requests can even be processed and whether there are not enough staff to cater with this new demand, resulting in longer delays for many jobs that local authorities would have previously undertaken without undue hesitancy. [33493/07]

As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme element of Transport 21. The implementation of individual national road projects including their design, is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Act, 1993 in conjunction with the relevant local authorities concerned.

Departmental Staff.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

344 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the number, rank and pay of all civil servants in his Department and ministerial staff, personally appointed by him or otherwise, who are engaged in media monitoring; the nature of the work done; the persons who the information is circulated to or the people who have access to this information; the cost of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33515/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

346 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the number of press officers and press advisers in his Department; the rank and pay of each; the description of work done; the persons to whom the information is circulated or made accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33545/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 344 and 346 together.

There are 4 civil servants in my Department engaged in media monitoring. The table provides information as requested.

Number

Rank

Pay

2

Clerical Officers

€23,221-€37,652 p.a.

1

Press Officer — Higher Executive Officer

€44,314-€56,250 p.a. Allowance: €11,956 p.a.

1

Press Adviser — Principal Officer equivalent

Current Scale — €82,016-€95,363 p.a.

The Press Office is responsible for the development, management and dissemination of information to the media. A Press cutting service is provided by a small team in the Corporate Services section of my Department. This press cutting service is accessible to all staff of the Department. The role of this team is to circulate any articles in the daily newspapers relevant to the remit of the Department.

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

345 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the number and name of newspapers purchased by his Department daily and weekly; the number provided to himself and to the Minister of State’s office; the yearly cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33530/07]

The information sought by the Deputy about newspapers purchased by my Department is set out in the table. Three newspapers are provided for me: Irish Times, Irish Independent and the Irish Examiner. My Department does not have a Minister of State. The yearly cost of newspapers supplied to my Department is €7,800 approx.

Daily Papers

Quantity

Sunday Papers

Quantity

Irish Independent

12

Sunday Independent

2

Irish Times

29

Sunday Business Post

2

Irish Examiner

6

Sunday Tribune

2

Financial Times

4

Irish Mail on Sunday

2

UK Times

2

Sunday World

2

Daily Mail

4

Sunday Times

2

Irish Star

5

Sunday Express

1

Irish Mirror

2

News of the World

1

Irish Sun

2

Sunday Mirror

1

Evening Herald

6

Star Sunday

1

Foinse

1

Meath Chronicle

2

Clare Champion

1

Total

76

Total

16

Question No. 346 answered with QuestionNo. 344.

Consultancy Contracts.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

347 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the number, cost and name of any media consultants employed by his Department; the cost of such advice for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; the nature of the work done; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33560/07]

The number, cost & name of any media consultants employed by the Department of Transport; the cost of such advice for each year since 2002 to date is as follows.

Consultant

Year

Cost

Nature of Work

Laurie Carr Associates

2002

1,440

Media Relations

2004

1,840

Tony O’Brien Communications

2004

5,920

Media Relations

Departmental Staff.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

348 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the number of press advisers employed by his Department; the cost of such advice for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33575/07]

There is one Press Adviser currently employed in my Department. The table provides the information requested by the Deputy. As the Department of Transport has only been in existence since 2002 the information is provided from that year.

Year

Costs per annum

2002

€65,778–€81,126

2003

€68,409–€84,371

2004

€74,466–€91,841

2005

€71,990–€92,813

2006

€76,162–€94,205

2007

€66,000

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

349 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the number of credit cards held by his Department; the cost of same for each year since 2000 to date in 2007; the persons who hold these cards and for whom they are used; the annual amounts purchased; the cumulative interest on same for each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33590/07]

My Department holds twelve credit cards. For each year until February of this year there was a yearly standing charge of 19.05 euro. This increased to 25 euro in February. There is a yearly Government charge of €40 per card. The cards are held by the following people.

Mr. Dan Commane

Mr. Padraig McGoldrick

Mr. Pat Mangan

Mr. Martin Diskin

Ms Olive Stephens

Mr. Michael O'Mealoid

Mr. Conor O'Leary

Mr. Les Kennedy

Mr. Fintan Towey

Mr. Jurgen Whyte

Mr. Fintan O'Brien

Ms Doreen Keaney

All the cards are used to cover incidental expenditure on behalf of the division where the individuals work except in the case of the card held in Finance Division which is used to cover hotel and conference bookings on behalf of Department wide staff.

The total amount spent by my Department in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and to date in 2007 for credit cards is as follows:

Year

Amount

2002

8,067.05

2003

98,205.51

2004

119,676.69

2005

82,393.84

2006

95,913.73

2007

96,577.04

The above amounts include all charges and interest. The interest charges included in the above for each year are as follows:

Year

Amount

2002

104.41

2003

1,315.63

2004

84.22

2005

669.47

2006

0

2007

0

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

350 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the cost to his Department of photographers used by all Ministers in his Department on a yearly basis for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33605/07]

The cost to my Department of photographers used by all Ministers on a yearly basis since the Department of Transport was established in 2002 is set out in the table.

Year

Total 2002

3,276.54

Total 2003

12,151.86

Total 2004

21,456.68

Total 2005

16,246.70

Total 2006

8,973.94

Total 2007

9,102.72

TOTAL

71,208.44

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

351 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the cost of make-up for him for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33620/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

352 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the cost of his Department’s entertainment allowance for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33635/07]

The amount spent on entertainment and catering in my Department since 2002 to date in 2007 is as follows:

Year

Amount

2002

165,097.24

2003

109,264.09

2004

159,494.72

2005

97,806.70

2006

132,413.13

2007

136,220.64

This amount covers such items as catering costs in relation to staff meetings and training, as well as entertainment and catering costs relating to staff and visitors on official business.

Departmental Communications.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

353 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if his Department receives a daily summary of stories relevant to his Department from Government Information Services; if this summary is in written, verbal or electronic format; if these are furnished to a departmental press officer or press adviser; and if the press officer or adviser furnishes this information to him every day or how often it is furnished. [33650/07]

The Government Information Service email a daily summary of national stories (not specific to my Department) to the Press Office for information. This information would generally not be passed on to me as a matter of course.

Official Engagements.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

354 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if a press adviser travels with him on official visits; and if there were official visits attended by him in the past year at which a press adviser was not present or was not in contact with him. [33665/07]

A Press Advisor travels with me on official visits where there may be a press/media presence.

Departmental Transport.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

355 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the cost of providing transport including their official car to Ministers of State in his Department and staff for each year from 1997 to date in 2007. [33680/07]

The costs associated with my Ministerial car, including the driver are borne by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The cost of providing similar services (including salaries and expenses of civilian drivers) to junior Ministers in my Department since June 2002 when the Department of Transport was formed has been as follows:

Year

2002

33,267

2003

87,842

2004

117,158

2005

101,723

2006

124,673

2007

59,112

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

356 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the cost of him using public transport for every year since 1997 to date in 2007; and the cost of providing similar services to junior Ministers and staff for the same period. [33695/07]

I refer to my previous reply to question no. 97 of 15 November 2007 in relation to transport costs for myself and Ministers of State in my Department since I came into office. A breakdown of public transport costs for my predecessors in the Department of Transport is not readily available. The compilation of this information would require an excessive amount of staff time and resources.

Departmental Communications.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

357 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if his Department carries news summaries on their internal web; the persons who have access to such information; the way they access same; the person who compiles same; the cost of same; the regularity with which this information is updated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33725/07]

My Department makes relevant press cuttings available on its intranet. These are available to all staff and are accessed using a standard internet browser. The service is provided by one officer who works on it part time and is assisted by two others on a part time rota basis. The table sets out the costs of the service.

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

€82,640

€52,754

€60,670

€61,227

€63,644

€67,340

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

358 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the number of mobile phones used by him and supplied by his Department; the annual cost of same for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33740/07]

The number of mobile phones used by me or by my predecessors is outlined in the table.

Minister

Number of mobile phones used by Minister and supplied by the Department

Minister Brennan

1

Minister Cullen

2 and 1 blackberry

Minister Dempsey

4 and 1 blackberry

A breakdown of expenditure is not readily available from the Department's records.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

359 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if any of the advisers or staff appointed by him directly have mobile phones and other equipment supplied by his Department; the annual cost of same since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33755/07]

Advisors and staff appointed directly by me or by my predecessors who have mobile phones and other equipment are outlined in the table.

Minister

Staff

Minister Noel Dempsey

Olive Stephens Tanya Harrington James Fegan Una Grehan Margaret Conway

Minister Martin Cullen

Colin Hunt Sean Dower Dan Pender Pat Daly Inez O’Neill

Minister Seamus Brennan

Frank Lahiffe Tom Rowley Mary Browne Bobby Holland

A breakdown of individual items of expenditure is not readily available from the Department's records.

Rail Services.

Áine Brady

Ceist:

360 Deputy Áine Brady asked the Minister for Transport the number of commuters, per year for the years 2005 and 2006 and an estimate for 2007, who use the Maynooth line at Maynooth, Leixlip Louisa Bridge and Confey rail stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33775/07]

Áine Brady

Ceist:

361 Deputy Áine Brady asked the Minister for Transport the number of commuters, per year for the years 2005 and 2006 and an estimate for 2007, who use the Kildare line at Sallins and Hazelhatch in Celbridge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33776/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 360 and 361 together.

My Department has asked Iarnród Éireann to compile the information sought and to forward it to the Deputy directly.

Road Network.

Andrew Doyle

Ceist:

362 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport the implications the recent amendment to the Roads Bill 2007 has with regard to funding of local authority non-national roads budgets; and if he will confirm that this funding for these roads is to be cut for 2008. [33779/07]

I assume the Deputy is referring to the Local Government (Roads Functions) Act 2007, which was enacted on 26 November 2007. That Act facilitates the transfer of certain functions from the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to the Minister for Transport. In relation to non-national roads, the Act amends the Local Government Act 1998 to allow the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to make payments from the Local Government Fund to the Minister for Transport to facilitate the payment of grants for such roads. In 2008, the payment from the Fund in respect of non-national roads will be €564.9 million compared to a provision of €520 million in 2007.

Port Development.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

363 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport his views on whether the decision of An Bord Pleanála to allow Dublin Port to apply for land reclamation to facilitate 600,000 TEU capacity per annum as a strategic infrastructure will pre-empt the commitment to assess alternative locations such as Cork, Bremore and Greenore to provide this additional capacity needed by 2014; his role to date in this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33780/07]

The National Development Plan proposes a comprehensive study of the role of Dublin Port, taking account of locational considerations, in the context of overall ports policy on the island of Ireland, wider transport policy, urban development policy, the National Spatial Strategy and national economic policy. Preparations for this study will be initiated in the near future. An Bord Pleanála recently decided that the proposed project to expand Dublin port qualifies as strategic infrastructure. This is the first part of the pre-application stage under the Strategic Infrastructure Act, 2005. Planning applications are operational matters for the company and I have played no role in this regard.

Road Network.

Áine Brady

Ceist:

364 Deputy Áine Brady asked the Minister for Transport the progress to date and the planned improvements to upgrade the R402 in Kildare between Carbury and Johnstownbrige in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33788/07]

In 2007, a grant of €2.5 million was allocated to Kildare County Council for the R402 Enfield — Edenderry Improvement Scheme. Progress with the project is a matter for Kildare County Council.

Áine Brady

Ceist:

365 Deputy Áine Brady asked the Minister for Transport if all the roads allocations to Kildare County Council for 2007 for the non-national roads previously funded from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government have been spent or will be spent during 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33789/07]

In 2007, grants totalling €23,685,337 were allocated to Kildare County Council for the improvement and maintenance of non-national roads. Claims and payments in respect of the 2007 non-national roads grants have not yet been finalised.

Departmental Reports.

Charles Flanagan

Ceist:

366 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport when the value for money review of the CIÉ subvention scheme was completed; the value of the saving to the Exchequer generated by the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33809/07]

The Expenditure Review on CIÉ subvention was published at the end of November after examination by my Department. The purpose of the review was to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the subvention paid to CIÉ over the period 2001-2005. The report also contains a number of measures to be taken up with the CIE companies to strengthen the management of public expenditure and deliver better value for money for the future and this is now being done.

Charles Flanagan

Ceist:

367 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport when the value for money review of the capital spend by the Dublin Transport Office will be completed; the anticipated value of the savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33810/07]

Preparation of the report of the review is at an advanced stage. I will make public its findings when it has been completed.

Charles Flanagan

Ceist:

368 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport when the value for money review of the rail safety scheme will be completed; the anticipated value of the savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33811/07]

My Department is currently engaged in a procurement process for the engagement of consultants to conduct a review of the Railway Safety Programme 2004-2008. The target date for the completion of the review is before the end of the current programme — end 2008. I cannot say at this point what will be the outcome of the review.

Search and Rescue Service.

Joe McHugh

Ceist:

369 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Transport if a report was carried out by senior coast guard executives in relation to the proposed new coast guard station; if so, the reason this report is not available under the Freedom of Information Act 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33881/07]

The Deputy will be aware that I have recently confirmed that new equipment should be procured to operate two fully manned marine rescue centres. I have also confirmed that locating one on the east coast and one on the west coast is the preferred option and that the east coast centre should be co-located with the HQ.

In relation to the west coast I consider that the site should provide a technically robust location and also be situated where all the staff at the centre can live within close proximity to enable them to be called on in an emergency. The Centres should be within a within a reasonable distance of each other to facilitate resilience and mutual support in the event of the loss of one centre, facilitate staff training and development and reduce associated costs. I have not yet decided where that location should be. The work to determine the best west coast site is in progress.

For the information of the Deputy I will provide him with a copy of a submission to me of the 5th October 2007 which provided the background to these decisions. If the Deputy would like a copy of the Deloitte and Touche Study, he should contact my office and a copy will be forwarded to him.

Public Transport.

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

370 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport if a decision has been made on the granting of a licence to Dublin Bus for the operation of the proposed new number 141 bus route from Swords to Dublin city centre via Santry, Whitehall and Drumcondra; if all private operators that are granted a bus licence are subject to the disability access requirements of the Equal Status Act 2000; if his Department in conjunction with An Garda Síochána is currently investigating the operation of private bus services without a licence in any parts of the country; the mechanisms in place in his Department to monitor and regulate the operation of bus services particularly in the greater Dublin area; if he plans to reform the bus licensing laws; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33978/07]

I refer to my reply to the Deputy's Parliamentary Question number 269 on 31st October,2007 when I advised that my Department was currently considering the Dublin Bus proposal for a new Route 141 for bus passenger services between Swords and Rathmines via Drumcondra, taking into account the newly licensed commercial service operating between Swords and the City Centre via the Dublin Port Tunnel. That is still the current position.

Annual Passenger Licences issued in accordance with the Road Transport Act, 1932 are not subject to meeting the disability access requirements of the Equal Status Act, 2000. However, the approach being taken to the provision of wheelchair accessible buses and coaches in Ireland is outlined in "Transport Access for All", my Department's Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act 2005, a copy of which is in the Oireachtas Library.

It has long been recognised that the Road Transport Act 1932, as amended, is in need of significant reform so that the legislative provisions better reflect the realities of modern transport services, including the needs of people requiring disability access. The reform programme for the public transport market that I am pursuing will address these needs. In the meantime, my Department will continue to promote improvements in the administration of the bus licensing service based on the principles of due process and fair procedures.

The operation of a passenger road service without a licence issued by my Department is a criminal offence and the enforcement of such activity is a matter in the first instance for the Garda Síochána. In this regard, where my Department becomes aware of the operation of an unauthorised service the matter is passed to the Garda for their investigation.

Parking Regulations.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

371 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Transport his plans to change the disabled parking scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34074/07]

Provisions for the designation of parking bays on public roads that are reserved for use by persons who hold a disabled persons' parking permit and the granting of such permits are set out in the Road Traffic (Signs) Regulations 1997 (S.I. 181/97) and the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations, 1997 (S.I. 182/97). A review of all aspects of this disabled persons' parking scheme is ongoing in my Department with a view to ensuring that the designated parking bays are reserved for use by persons for whom those bays are a necessity.

Departmental Transport.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

372 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the cost on a yearly basis for transport hire of any kind for his transport and that of his staff for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; the reason for such hire; if tenders were sought; the locations brought from and to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34100/07]

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

Departmental Meetings.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

373 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the number of management board meetings within his Department held since 2000 to date in 2007; the number of these meetings that were informal; the persons who attended the informal management board meeting held on 13 June 2007; the notice given of this meeting; the agenda discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34102/07]

The Department was established in 2002 and records show that 168 formal management board meetings have been held since then. It is not possible to say precisely how many informal management board meetings have taken place in the same period, as many of these meetings were of a very short duration for consultation or coordination purposes only and, being informal, required no formal record to be prepared.

The informal meeting on 13 June 2007 was attended by the Secretary General, Assistant Secretaries Mangan, Murphy, Cullen and Mullen and Principal Officer, M. Nic Lochlainn. This informal meeting on 13 June 2007 was convened at short notice to facilitate the completion of the written brief for the new Minister and to consider any outstanding operational matters pertinent to the change of Minister.

Rail Network.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

374 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Transport if the rail line from Glasnevin Junction, Dublin running along the Royal Canal south of Croke Park is in active use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34200/07]

This is a day to day operational matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have no role in the matter. However, I understand from Iarnród Éireann that the line south of Croke Park is used for services.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

375 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure that the Oireachtas Library is furnished with a copy of the feasibility study which was undertaken by Irish Rail on the proposed interconnector and the option of increasing services via the Phoenix Park tunnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34201/07]

Consistent with my statement in the Dáil on 14th November, 2007, I propose to publish full information on feasibility studies and business cases for major projects and the factors taken into account in making decisions on them in due course. This will be done when there is no danger that it will have a negative impact on the State's ability to get best value for money through the public procurement process. The basis for the Government decision will be transparent but it will be handled in such a way as to avoid compromising the State's commercial interest and by extension the interests of all taxpayers. Accordingly, it would be premature to release studies on the Interconnector at this stage.

Light Rail Project.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

376 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure that the extension of the Luas service to west Dublin is accompanied by the provision of park and ride facilities to maximise the incentive for people to utilise public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34202/07]

It is proposed that the Luas toCitywest will have a park and ride facility adjacent to the stop at Cheeverstown. It is intended that this park and ride facility will accommodate some 300 cars.

Departmental Communications.

Damien English

Ceist:

377 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Transport the number of staff in his Department that are provided with a blackberry device or similar mobile e-mail equipment. [34229/07]

Mobile email equipment has been supplied to 47 staff in my Department.

Damien English

Ceist:

378 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Transport the number of databases used by his Department; and the number of these that are wholly and partly operated by external organisations or individuals and operated solely within his Department. [34244/07]

My Department has 28 production databases, three of which are hosted by external organisations.

Damien English

Ceist:

379 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Transport the number of information technology projects undertaken by or for his Department since 2004 that have been delivered over budget, after their original deadline, on budget, under budget, on their original deadline and ahead of their original deadline; and if he will present the information in tabular readable form. [34259/07]

The information requested by the Deputy is in the tables which list all projects with a budget of €50,000 or greater which were completed by or for my Department since 2004.

2004

Description

Expenditure

Percentage of budget target

Within Completion Deadline

%

Intranet Site Development

36,296.40

52

Yes

Electronic Travel and Subsistence System

132,672.96

95

Yes

Integration of Voice and Data

51,609.25

99

Yes

2005

Description

Expenditure

Percentage of budget target

Within Completion Deadline

%

Driver Testing Call Centre

52,620.00

134.40

Yes

Upgrade of Driver Testing system

185,053.00

111.00

Yes

Road Haulage Tachonet system

2,392,767

100.65

Yes

2006

Description

Expenditure

Percentage of budget target

Within Completion Deadline

%

IT Helpdesk Tracking System

42,000

70

Yes

Outsourcing of Driving Tests

40,000

80

Yes

Integration of Marine Directorate

295,000

109

Yes

Data Backup Replacement

124,000

88

Yes

Windows 2003 System Rollout

193,978

73

No — delayed by six months due to pressure of work

2007

Description

Expenditure

Percentage of budget target

Within Completion Deadline

%

Mobile Working

124,571.00

83

Yes

Automated Audit and Risk Assessment System

59,290

99

Yes

Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Damien English

Ceist:

380 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Transport the steps he has taken to offset the carbon dioxide emissions caused by Ministerial travel in his Department; and if none to date, the plans he will put in place on the matter. [34274/07]

In the National Climate Change Strategy, the Government has decided that it will voluntarily introduce a carbon offsetting scheme for all air travel on Government business, including flights by Ministers and by civil servants. Practical arrangements will be put in place by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to enable each Department to compute annually the emissions associated with its air travel and to make a contribution to an appropriate fund to secure verified emission reductions of an equivalent amount.

Data Protection.

Damien English

Ceist:

381 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Transport if he is satisfied that personal information relating to members of the public held on his Departmental databases is safe from hackers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34289/07]

I am informed that all electronic data held by my Department is protected using industry best practices. I am further informed that data security measures are regularly reviewed in the light of changing circumstances and that any appropriate measures identified are implemented.

Transport Policy.

John O'Mahony

Ceist:

382 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on Government policy towards County Mayo and the western region; and when he will sanction the delivery of vital infrastructural projects such as key road, rail and air; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34291/07]

A number of major infrastructural projects are in train in Mayo and the West. Transport 21, the Government's 10-year financial framework for investment in transport infrastructure, provides for a number of important projects in County Mayo. The N5 connects Dublin to Westport and Castlebar. Major sections of this route have been upgraded. The Charlestown Bypass was opened in November of this year and work continues on improvements on the Castlebar-Westport section of the route. The Atlantic Road Corridor runs from Letterkenny to Waterford via Sligo, Tuam, Ennis, Limerick, Mallow and Cork. Construction work will commence on parts of this route in 2008, three years ahead of schedule, thanks to acceleration in the funding provision for this project. Grants for improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads are allocated annually to all local authorities.

Under Transport 21, the Tuam to Claremorris section of the Western Rail Corridor is to reopen in 2014, linking Mayo to Galway, Limerick and Cork by rail. Iarnród Éireann will take delivery of 183 high-specification Intercity railcars in 2007 and 2008. These will serve the national Intercity network, including Dublin to Mayo. As a result frequency on this line will increase from three services each way to five services each way daily. Bus services to the west of Ireland will benefit from investment, under Transport 21 with the purchase of 235 new buses by Bus Éireann. In addition, my Department provides funding to the local authorities in the regional cities for bus priority measures. In this regard, €4.89 million was made available in 2007 to Galway City and County Councils for bus priority measures in the city and its environs. My Department is in discussion with the local authorities in Galway about arrangements for an examination of the feasibility of introducing light rail transit or bus rapid transit in the context of the Galway Transportation and Planning Study.

Ireland West Airport at Knock has been allocated €27 million of funding, which will be used mainly for enhancing safety and security and investing in infrastructural improvements. In addition the Government approved grant aid of €27 million for the airport under the Regional Airports Capital Investment Grant Scheme, including almost €10 million for safety and security projects and €17 million for developmental projects. As indicated in the Ports Policy Statement, it is proposed that the regional harbours still operating under the Harbours Act 1946, will be transferred to local authority or port company control. My Department is working with the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government in this regard and has assisted in the process of preparing the relevant harbours for transfer with funding from a budget currently in the region of €4 million per annum. This funding has been allocated towards essential works to protect the fabric of the harbours concerned. In County Mayo, it is expected that the River Moy and Westport Harbours will transfer to local authority control in the near future.

Management Information Framework System.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

383 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Transport the estimate of the money saved to the Exchequer in 2007 by the use of the management information framework system; the way this saving was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34311/07]

The implementation of the management information framework system has assisted in improving the financial control environment, improving analysis and generally enhancing the effectiveness of financial management services. The system has also assisted in improving cost saving analysis within the Department. However, there is no readily available financial estimate of the value derived to the Exchequer as a consequence of the implementation of the system.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

384 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Transport if the management information framework system has been fully rolled out in his Department; the use being made of performance indicators, the costing framework and management reports provided by this system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34326/07]

The Department's management information framework system, AGRESSO Financials, went live in September 2002 and has been fully rolled out to support the operational and reporting needs of the Department. The main focus in relation to performance indicators has been the reform of the estimates process and in particular tracking progress in relation to the indicators published in the Annual Output Statement. A system to automatically link this information with financial information from Agresso is in place to support regular monitoring and reporting of targets throughout the year. The Department has a fully defined costing framework in place, with the ability to capture both direct and indirect costs and, in particular, to support the full costing of activities and objectives at business and statement of strategy levels. In the context of management reports, the new financial management system has led to much improved reporting functionality in the context of timely and accurate reports with, in particular, on-line access to Divisional Managers to a suite of personalised flexible reports.

Driving Licences.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

385 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport if prior to his recent decision in respect of provisional licence holders, he sought or received information from any source regarding the degree to which holders of provisional licences were involved in fatal or non-fatal accidents in each of the past five years; the number of such provisional licence holders in each year; the number of full licence holders in the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34369/07]

The answer to the first part of the question is "No". As regards the second and third parts of the question, information of this kind can be obtained directly from the Road Safety Authority.

Taxi Regulations.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

386 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Transport when the taxi regulator will provide funding for the provision of taxi ranks throughout the country; if his Department will provide extra funding through a grant scheme to underpin such funding; the amount of funding available to the regulator; if this funding is to be determined on a pro rata basis in relation to the areas and the number of taxis in each area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34382/07]

Decisions regarding the location and operation of taxi ranks on public roads are matters for consideration by the relevant local authority. Under section 84 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, as substituted by section 15 of the Road Traffic Act 2002 and amended by section 42(10) of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003, a local authority is empowered to make bye-laws in respect of any specified area in its functional area appointing the places at which taxis may stand for hire. The making of such bye-laws is a reserved function of a local authority.

The provision of funding for taxi ranks is primarily a matter for local authorities. My Department does not provide specific grants to local authorities for the provision of taxi ranks on non-national roads. However, it is open to local authorities to use discretionary improvement or block grants allocated to them for various eligible works on regional and local roads, including traffic management schemes and the provision of road traffic signs, including regulatory road markings for taxi ranks. Decisions regarding the works to be funded from discretionary grants are matters for local authorities.

The Commission for Taxi Regulation is an independent statutory body whose main source of funding is licence fees in respect of small public service vehicles. The Commission for Taxi Regulation does not receive any funding directly from the Exchequer. Decisions regarding the use of licence fee revenue are primarily a matter for the Commission in the discharge of its functions under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003.

Public Transport.

Simon Coveney

Ceist:

387 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Transport the number of buses currently in service in the Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann fleets that run on alternative fuels; the percentage of the total fuel used that is alternative fuel in each case of a bus that uses alternative fuel; and the number of buses currently in service in the Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann fleets that use hybrid engines. [34383/07]

I have asked CIE to move to using a 5% biodiesel blend in current CIE vehicles and to plan for a 30% blend in new vehicles. My Department is working with CIE to establish how these targets can be achieved in the shortest timeframe possible. Both Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus have been undertaking trials on the use of biofuels. Bus Éireann is piloting the use of bio-diesel produced from recovered vegetable oil in part of its Cork City tours fleet. Dublin Bus uses bio-diesel made from such oil on a trial basis in five open-top tour buses, which have been operating without any technical difficulties. Part of the Transport 21 investment programme will also bring more fuel efficiency to the public transport fleet.

All 239 buses currently on order, or about to be ordered, will have Euro IV engines which are more fuel efficient. In addition, Dublin Bus will be leasing a prototype hybrid electric double-decker bus in 2008 on a trial basis. It is estimated that this vehicle can achieve 34% less fuel consumption than a standard bus. Dublin Bus will consider the further acquisition of hybrid electric vehicles as part of future fleet replacement. I have also announced the preparation of a Sustainable Travel and Transport Action Plan, which will set out a broad suite of policies and measures to help the transport sector progress along a more sustainable trajectory and make a further contribution to reducing emissions to 2020.

Air Services.

James Bannon

Ceist:

388 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Transport the measures he will take to counteract the discontinuance of flights (details supplied) in and out of Gatwick Airport from Knock Airport which provided an important link to the Gatwick area of London as currently there is no other direct link to Gatwick. [34402/07]

Measures relating to the establishment and development of air services to and from Ireland West Airport Knock are a commercial matter for the airport authority, in which I have no function. The six regional airports, including Knock, play an important role within the national transport network by providing air transport access for their respective catchment areas, thereby boosting the potential for attracting inward investment and tourism business. Financial assistance provided by the Exchequer has contributed to the growth in passenger numbers at these airports in recent years.

Knock Airport is pursuing a developmental strategy aimed at winning increased traffic levels. Under Transport 21, the airport has been earmarked for €27.1 million in capital expenditure grants, consisting of €9.9 million for safety and security projects and €17 million for developmental projects up to the end of 2010. I am satisfied that this capital expenditure grant allocation will further enhance the airport's ability to attract new air services on a commercial basis.

Human Rights Issues.

Charlie O'Connor

Ceist:

389 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action he is taking in response to worldwide concerns regarding human rights abuses in Zimbabwe; his contacts in the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33220/07]

I am deeply concerned about the situation in Zimbabwe. The Government of Zimbabwe's disastrous economic policies have led to severe hardship for ordinary people, and those who seek democratic change face enormous obstacles. Politically motivated violence is reported to have increased throughout 2007. Many opposition activists and supporters, including those from the Movement for Democratic Change, have been arrested and some have been severely beaten in police custody.

International efforts must focus on pushing for a level playing field for the March 2008 elections to allow the people of Zimbabwe to decide who they think can best lead their country out of its current economic and political crisis. Ireland and the EU strongly believe that African leadership is the key to encouraging progress towards economic and political stability. We support the talks between the government and opposition in Zimbabwe which are being mediated by President Mbeki under a Southern African Development Community mandate. It is expected that the talks will conclude soon.

Implementation of any agreement will be crucial, and will need to be carefully monitored. When EU Foreign Ministers discussed the situation in Zimbabwe in October, they agreed that the EU may need to follow up the Southern African Development Community initiative once it is complete. At the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 19 November, it was agreed that President Mugabe would hear a tough and clear message on the EU's abhorrence of his policies at the EU-Africa Summit in Lisbon, and such a message was delivered last weekend.

There have been no political level visits between Ireland and Zimbabwe in recent years. The Secretary General of my Department raised Ireland's concerns about the failed political and economic policies of President Mugabe's Government with Zimbabwean officials in Harare in June 2007, and also had talks with members of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change. The Irish Ambassador to South Africa, who is also accredited to Zimbabwe, has regularly expressed to Zimbabwean interlocutors the Government's deep concern about the situation there. He most recently met Zimbabwean officials during a visit to Harare in September 2007. He also has regular contact with South African officials on this issue.

Our Embassy in Pretoria monitors allegations of human rights abuses in Zimbabwe and raises issues of concern in relation to human rights and governance with the Zimbabwean Government at all levels and at every available opportunity. In their capacities as local EU Presidency representatives, the Irish Ambassadors in both Lesotho and Zambia have raised concerns about Zimbabwe with their host countries. I am very conscious of the suffering of the Zimbabwean people under this brutal regime, and the Government is determined to continue our support to them. Irish Aid funding for the people of Zimbabwe has amounted to more than €17 million over the past two years. Our contribution is channelled through UN agencies, local and international NGOs, and Irish missionaries, and has a direct and positive effect on the lives of thousands of people. Ireland is ready to respond appropriately to any positive change in Zimbabwe.

Middle East Peace Process.

Charlie O'Connor

Ceist:

390 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on contacts in the Middle East in respect of the ongoing quest for peace; the recent contacts in the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33221/07]

Ireland is a long-standing and active proponent of a negotiated two-State solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as the central element of a comprehensive settlement in the Middle East. The Government has argued consistently within the EU and internationally that the restoration of a credible peace process is an urgent necessity if further conflict in the region is to be avoided. I have therefore warmly welcomed the agreement reached between Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas in Annapolis last month to launch final status negotiations with the objective of concluding a peace treaty before the end of 2008. I believe that, with political will on all sides, there is a genuine opportunity for the realisation of a two-State solution, and for movement towards a regional settlement. This opportunity must not be lost.

At the meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council which I attended in Brussels yesterday, we agreed that the EU will work directly with the parties and through the international Quartet to support the negotiating process. It is in the interests of all parties that it results in the establishment of an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian State, which unites the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza, living in peace and security with Israel and its other neighbours. The EU will also work closely with the Arab States in the promotion of a comprehensive settlement in the region, building on the historic Arab Peace Initiative, which was reaffirmed at the Arab Summit in Riyadh earlier this year.

The Donors' Conference, which will take place in Paris on 17 December, will be an important opportunity for the international community to underline in practical terms its commitment to the building of the institutions of a future Palestinian State. The EU will play a central role, as the strongest supporter internationally of the Palestinian people. The overall level of assistance from the Union and its Member States has risen significantly in recent years, and will amount to over €800 million this year. Ireland's bilateral assistance has also increased, from €4.5 million in 2005 to well over €7 million in 2007. At the Paris Conference, we will announce a significant multi-annual pledge of further assistance for Palestine, in line with our record in providing assistance to the Palestinian people and the strength of our commitment to the establishment of a Palestinian State.

Emigrant Support Services.

Charlie O'Connor

Ceist:

391 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding his Department’s Irish abroad initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33222/07]

The establishment of the Irish Abroad Unit in the Department of Foreign Affairs in 2004 has greatly enhanced our capacity to develop and implement policies aimed at building relations with, and providing practical and financial assistance to, Irish communities overseas, across a wide range of important issues. Reaching out to and strengthening links with our communities abroad, and with those of Irish ancestry, is a cornerstone of Government policy. The funding of community groups working with emigrants is an essential and positive element in strengthening our outreach to the wider "Irish Family" worldwide. The very substantial level of funding now available to assist with the provision of services and support to vulnerable Irish men and women helps also to promote and sustain valuable community structures into the future.

The strong commitment of the Government to support our community abroad is reflected in the unprecedented level of funding secured for emigrant services. This year, €15.165 million was allocated to assist our communities abroad, an increase of 26% on 2006. While the needs of the vulnerable members of our community in Britain remain a particular area of concern, I am pleased that increased funding has enabled us to support a much wider range of initiatives, including capital projects, than was possible in the past. A particular area of focus relates to initiatives that support homeless Irish people. In this regard, the Simon Community estimates that the number of homeless Irish in central London has fallen from over 600 in 1999 to under 100 last year, and credits Irish Government funding with having played a key role in this. I find this very gratifying and encouraging.

As well as our continuing support for frontline welfare services in Britain and the United States, I am pleased that the additional funding available in recent years has made it possible for me to broaden the range of projects and extend the geographic reach of our activity. In the past year, for example, I have been happy to approve funding for Irish community organisations in other countries, including South Africa and Zimbabwe. This wider Government support represents an acknowledgement and appreciation of the role of generations of Irish, past and present, across the globe.

As we near the end of 2007, the plight of our undocumented citizens in the US continues to be of the utmost concern to the Government. The Government has been steadfast in its support for the undocumented. The Taoiseach and I have used every possible opportunity to advocate on their behalf and will continue actively to do so in the period ahead. Officials in the Irish Abroad Unit and at our Embassies and Consulates help to keep our people abroad in touch with Ireland. They also maintain close and interactive contact with frontline organisations that support our communities. This helps to ensure that the Irish voluntary sector around the world has an effective channel of communication with the Government and that everything possible gets done to advance the interests and well-being of our citizens overseas.

Energy Resources.

Simon Coveney

Ceist:

392 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the percentage of energy consumed in his Department and in all agencies for which his Department has responsibility that comes from renewable sources. [33281/07]

To date in 2007, 87% of this Department's energy budget has been spent on electricity. According to Eirgrid's latest figures, at least 9.3% of the electricity supplied comes from renewable sources, mainly wind and hydroelectric. The remaining 13% of the Department's energy budget is attributable to oil and gas, which are non-renewable sources.

Departmental Expenditure.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

393 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount of mobile telephone bills paid directly by his Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33340/07]

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

394 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount of mobile telephone bills paid in the form of expenses to staff by his Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33355/07]

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

395 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount of mobile telephone bills paid in relation to the Departmental mobile telephone assigned to him by his Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33370/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

410 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of mobile phones used by him and supplied by his Department; the annual cost of same for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33735/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 393, 394, 395 and 410 together.

The figures set out in the table include all costs for all mobile phones assigned to personnel at Headquarters in my Department.

2006

2007 to 31 October

Total (excluding VAT)

165,667

120,369

Data charges

14,112

8,580

Roaming charges

37,893

35,280

For operational reasons, I have two mobile telephones. There is also a telephone in my official car. The table sets out the costs, excluding VAT, of mobile telephones supplied to me since my appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs in September 2004.

Sept-Dec 2004

2005

2006

2007 to 31 October

Cost (inclusive of monthly account fees)

1,989

9,251

9,079

5,585

The records retrievable by the Department, in the time available, do not provide a basis upon which the data and roaming charges for 2004 to 2006 for individual accounts can be calculated. However, I can advise the Deputy that the charges to date in 2007 for roaming and data relating to my accounts are €2,193.99, and €798.86 respectively.

Departmental Staff.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

396 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number, rank and pay of all civil servants in his Department and ministerial staff, personally appointed by him or otherwise, who are engaged in media monitoring; the nature of the work done; the persons who the information is circulated to or the people who have access to this information; the cost of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33510/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

398 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of press officers and press advisers in his Department; the rank and pay of each; the description of work done; the persons to whom the information is circulated or made accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33540/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

400 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of press advisers employed by his Department; the cost of such advice for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33570/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 396, 398 and 400 together.

There is one press officer and three other officials in the press office of the Department, together with a Press Advisor, whom I personally appointed in 2004. The Press Advisor is at the level of Counsellor/Principal Officer, with a salary scale of €82,016 to €101,446. No Press Advisors were employed at the Department between 1997 and 2004. The press officer is at the level of First Secretary/Assistant Principal with a salary scale of €66,302 to €82,679. Two of the officials are at the level of Third Secretary, with a salary scale of €33,439 to €59,213 and one is at the level of Clerical Officer, with a salary scale of €23,221 to €37,652.

The work of the officials involved covers the broad range of duties in relation to press work, including liaison with the media, both foreign and domestic. Media monitoring is part of these duties and a summary of the main news items in Ireland is forwarded electronically each day to overseas missions and to all staff at Headquarters. The direct cost of this monitoring service, which is provided by the Irish Times, amounts to €49,164 annually. The Press Office also prepares a daily summary of news items specifically relating to the work of my Department. This information is disseminated to Ministerial Offices and senior management in the Department.

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

397 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number and name of newspapers purchased by his Department daily and weekly; the number provided to himself and to the Minister of State’s office; the yearly cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33525/07]

I have provided, for the benefit of the Deputy, a tabular statement setting out details of the newspapers purchased by my Department on a daily and weekly basis. In order to achieve value for money, my Department has an agreement with certain suppliers to allow it to vary the number of newspapers provided on a weekly basis to provide for changes in staff requirements and to avoid partially unused yearly subscriptions. As such, the table details the newspaper requirement for the week beginning 3rd December 2007.

Daily Newspapers

Title

Total

Irish National

Irish Times

91

Irish Independent

43

Irish Examiner

20

British National

British Independent

11

Daily Telegraph

9

Financial Times (provided free with on-line service)

100

Guardian

22

London Times

8

Foreign [International]

Wall Street Journal

5

International Herald Tribune

29

Foreign Language

La Repubblica

1

Dagens Nyheter

1

Istweswtija

1

Die Welt

2

El Pais

5

Frankfurter Allgemeine

2

Les Echos

1

Le Figaro

2

Le Monde

13

Vedomosti

1

Northern Ireland

Irish News

14

Belfast Telegraph

9

Newsletter

2

Tabloid

Daily Express

1

Irish Daily Mail

2

Evening Herald

10

Irish Mirror

5

Star

7

Sun

6

Weekly Newspapers

Total

Saturday Newspapers

Irish National

Irish Times

2

Irish Independent

2

Irish Examiner

2

British National

Guardian

1

British Independent

1

London Times

1

Financial Times

1

Daily Telegraph

1

Northern Ireland

Belfast Telegraph

2

Tabloid

Irish Sun

1

Star

1

Daily Mirror

1

Daily Express

1

Irish Daily Mail

1

Evening Herald

1

Sunday Newspapers

Irish National

Sunday Business Post

12

Sunday Tribune

8

Sunday Independent

6

British National

Sunday Times

5

Independent on Sunday

4

Observer on Sunday

3

Sunday Telegraph

3

Tabloid

Irish Mail on Sunday

3

Sunday World

1

News of the World

1

Sunday Mirror

1

Sunday People

1

Sunday Express

1

Star on Sunday

1

Regional Newspapers

Andersonstown News

2

Anglo Celt

1

Argus

3

Derry Journal

3

Donegal Democrat

1

Drogheda Independent

3

Dundalk Democrat

3

Leitrim Observer

1

Limerick Leader

1

North Belfast News

3

Specialist Newspapers

An Phoblacht

4

Church of Ireland Gazette

1

Die Zeit

2

European Voice

1

Foinse

2

Farmers Journal

1

Finanz Wirtschaft

1

Guardian Weekly

3

Irish Catholic

1

Irish Echo

4

Irish Post

2

Irish Voice

4

Irish World

1

Metro Eireann

5

New York Review of Books

7

Politiken Weekly

1

Times Literary Supplement

6

As a rule four newspapers per day, seven days a week are provided to me as well as three weekly regional papers, once a week. The office of Minister of State for European Affairs, Dick Roche T.D. receives five daily newspapers, Monday to Friday. The Minister of State for Overseas Assistance, Michael Kitt T.D. personally receives three daily newspapers, Monday to Friday. Other personnel in the Ministers Offices receive papers from the above list. The estimated annual cost of the current newspaper order for my Department, as detailed above, is €143,000. The cost of the newspapers provided to the Ministerial offices is estimated to be €16,600 per annum.

Question No. 398 answered with QuestionNo. 396.

Consultancy Contracts.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

399 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number, cost and name of any media consultants employed by his Department; the cost of such advice for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; the nature of the work done; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33555/07]

The Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for two Votes- Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs) and Vote 29 (International Co-operation). The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following tables covering both Votes for the period from 31 December 1997 to date. I am very conscious of the need to achieve value for money on consultancy expenditure. The Department engages media consultants only where there is a very specific need for this expertise and it cannot be provided from the Department's own resources. Under Vote 28 the consultancies in question arose in very specific circumstances where the Department was required to carry out information and awareness-raising campaigns relating to EU matters. The media consultancy undertaken under Vote 29 plays an important role in promoting public awareness and understanding of the work of the expanding Irish Aid programme.

VOTE 28

Year

Name of Consultant

Nature of Work Done

Cost

1998

Drury Communications

Provision of information to the electorate in relation to the referendum on the Amsterdam Treaty (engaged under the terms of the Referendum Act 1998)

2,606,003

2002

Drury Communications

To advise on a comprehensive communications strategy aimed at improving the transmission of information about the EU to the Irish public

62,999

VOTE 29

Year

Name of Consultant

Nature of Work Done

Cost

2005

Ms Brid McGrath

Assistant Communications Officer: To assist in the distribution of information to the public on the work of the Irish Aid Programme.

11,776

2006

Ms Brid McGrath

Assistant Communications Officer: To assist in the distribution of information to the public on the work of the Irish Aid Programme.

41,024

2006

Drury Communications

Planning and design of a public information and communications strategy for Irish Aid

49,131

2007

Ms Brid McGrath

Assistant Communications Officer: To assist in the distribution of information to the public on the work of the Irish Aid Programme.

24,640

2007

Bannon & Bannon

To deal with media matters relating to the Hunger Task Force and to promote its work.

2,262

2007

Mr Danny Rowan

Temporary Communications Specialist: To assist in the distribution of information to the public on the Irish Aid Programme.

36,493

2007

Ms Daire Higgins

Provision of public relations and outreach consultancy services for the Irish Aid Centre

19,800

Question No. 400 answered with QuestionNo. 396.

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

401 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of credit cards held by his Department; the cost of same for each year since 2000 to date in 2007; the persons who hold these cards and for whom they are used; the annual amounts purchased; the cumulative interest on same for each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33585/07]

One official credit card is assigned to me through the Department. The total charges incurred on this credit card are €29 in 2004 and €287 in 2005. No charges were incurred on the card for 2006 and 2007. In my Department, official credit cards are held by senior officials who need credit cards for official purposes and a small number of officials who may need to make sanctioned purchases requiring a credit card, for example subscription to on-line journals. The table details the number of cards held in each of the years 2000-2007 and the costs incurred in each year:

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

Number of credit cards: 9

Number of credit cards: 12

Number of credit cards: 10

Number of credit cards: 10

Number of credit cards: 14

Number of credit cards: 15

Number of credit cards: 13

Number of credit cards: 12

Total purchases €34,997

Total purchases €131,186

Total purchases €38,046

Total purchases €124,927

Total purchases €42,081

Total purchases €19,981

Total purchases €34,802

Total purchases €28,439 (To date)

Annual Charges €127

Annual Charges €190

Annual Charges €196

Annual Charges €464

Annual Charges €502

Annual Charges €594

Annual Charges €639

Annual Charges €780

I draw the Deputy's attention to the amounts incurred in 2001 and 2003. In 2001, a credit card was set up and used solely for the purpose of covering delegation costs incurred in the course of the Taoiseach's visit to Brazil; an amount of €66,320 was incurred. In 2003, a credit card was set up and used solely for the purpose of covering delegation costs incurred in the course of the President's visit to Australia; an amount of €98,733 was incurred. No interest has been incurred on any of these credit cards.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

402 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the cost to his Department of photographers used by all Ministers in his Department on a yearly basis for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33600/07]

The cost of photography in my Department in each year since 1997 is as set out in the tables. Table A covers the total cost of all official photography charged to my Department. Table B relates to photography costs that are directly connected to Ministers in my Department. Since 2004 the costs for all photography connected with State events involving visiting foreign dignitaries have been charged to my Department. This includes all incoming State, official and working visits, as well as international events organised by my Department. As will be seen, there was a significant additional spend in 2004, directly as a result of our EU Presidency commitments, and 2006 saw a higher than average number of inward State and official visits. The figures in table B relate in the main to photographs of Ministers meeting senior figures such as visiting Foreign Ministers and other foreign dignitaries, both at home and abroad.

Table A

Year

1997

4,237.70

1998

3,633.34

1999

5,433.23

2000

7,425.90

2001

11,517.24

2002

18,509.35

2003

9,503.71

2004

44,342.54

2005

29,306.70

2006

84,263.13

2007

53,955.45

Total

272,127.63

Table B

Year

1997

4,237.70

1998

3,633.34

1999

5,433.23

2000

7,425.90

2001

11,517.24

2002

18,509.35

2003

9,503.71

2004

23,256.17

2005

10,399.35

2006

20,015.92

2007

16,461.87

Total

130,393.78

All Departments are obliged to put contracts to tender, by EU rules, if its value is estimated to be over €25,000. The contract for photography was first put out to tender in 2003 and this process was repeated in 2005.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

403 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the cost of make-up for him for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33615/07]

Since my appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs in September 2004, no costs have been incurred in relation to make up services.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

404 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the cost of his Department’s entertainment allowance for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33630/07]

I have presented below, in tabular form, costs incurred by my Department on official entertainment for the past ten years. The purpose of this entertainment is to promote bilateral relations with other States in the context of visits by Heads of State, Heads of Government, Foreign Ministers and other high-level visitors, and also through visits abroad by the President, Taoiseach and Ministers. As will be seen, there was a significant additional spend in 2004 as a result of our EU Presidency commitments.

Year

Expenditure

1997

470,460

1998

457,729

1999

534,754

2000

634,556

2001

983,620

2002

669,407

2003

781,672

2004

3,040,744

2005

888,078

2006

868,615

2007 (to date)

675,939

The Department's 75 Missions, as part of their ongoing work to promote Irish interests, also have access to a representational allowance.

Government Information Services.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

405 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department receives a daily summary of stories relevant to his Department from Government Information Services; if this summary is in written, verbal or electronic format; if these are furnished to a departmental press officer or press adviser; and if the press officer or adviser furnishes this information to him every day or how often it is furnished. [33645/07]

My Department does not receive a daily summary of stories specifically relevant to its work from Government Information Services. Government Information Services do however provide a short summary form of the main stories in the major media outlets. This is provided in electronic form to Ministers, senior members of the Department and the staff of the press office. These summaries are issued in the morning, and after the main lunchtime, evening and nightly news bulletins.

Official Engagements.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

406 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a press adviser travels with him on official visits; and if there were official visits attended by him in the past year at which a press adviser was not present or was not in contact with him. [33660/07]

A member of the press office normally travels with me as part of my official delegation. There have been no occasions in the past year on official visits where a member of the press office has either not been present or has not been in contact with me.

Departmental Transport.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

407 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the cost of providing transport including their official car to Ministers of State in his Department and staff for each year from 1997 to date in 2007. [33675/07]

There is no official car provided to the Ministers of State at my Department. They can claim mileage expenses for official travel and these are detailed in the table that follows this reply. My Department also pays the salaries of four civilian drivers, two for each Minister of State, at an individual annual salary cost of €33,148. Details of the cost of air travel incurred when the Ministers of State are travelling abroad on official business are also provided in the table. The figures in the table cover the period from 2002 to date. It has not been possible, in the time available, to retrieve the detailed information for the period prior to 2002.

Minister of State Expenses — from June 2002-September 2007

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

Minister of State, Conor Lenihan T.D.

Mileage

21,677

16,846

8,177

Airfares

8,521

50,182

26,041

2,410

Minister of State,Tom Kitt T.D.

Mileage

9,605

11,445

25,159

Airfares

30,227

66,946

56,941

Minister of State, Michael Kitt T.D.

Mileage

13,322

Airfares

7,903

Minister of State, Noel Treacy T.D.

Mileage

10,146

21,277

43,173

27,958

Airfares

2,926

33,375

15,221

7,393

Minister of State, Dick Roche T.D.

Mileage*

7,914

Airfares

6,393

23,089

8,905

4,728

* Mileage expenses incurred by MOS Roche from 2002 to 2004 were a charge on the Department of the Taoiseach.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

408 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the cost of him using public transport for every year since 1997 to date in 2007; and the cost of providing similar services to junior Ministers and staff for the same period. [33690/07]

I have outlined below the costs incurred on public transport since 1997 by the private offices of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Ministers of State at this Department.

Year

Minister’s Office

Ministers of State’s Offices

1997

€99

no charge incurred

1998

no charge incurred

no charge incurred

1999

€116

no charge incurred

2000

€43

no charge incurred

2001

no charge incurred

no charge incurred

2002

no charge incurred

no charge incurred

2003

no charge incurred

no charge incurred

2004

€539

€214

2005

no charge incurred

€491

2006

€69

€103

2007

€21

no charge incurred

Departmental Communications.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

409 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department carries news summaries on their internal web; the persons who have access to such information; the way they access same; the person who compiles same; the cost of same; the regularity with which this information is updated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33720/07]

There are a number of different news summaries and services used by my Department. Every weekday, a compilation of morning press highlights is emailed to staff. Press Highlights from the weekend are uploaded to the internal web on Monday mornings. This is, of course, a particularly important service for our 75 Missions overseas. This service is provided by the Irish Times New Media Division, with an annual cost of €49,164.

A summary of News Headlines is also emailed to all staff at 8 a.m., 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. These are complied by the Communications Unit at the Department of An Taoiseach and are provided at no cost to the Department. These daily news summaries are also placed on the Department's Intranet to which all staff with a computer have access. Also, on the Intranet, there are a number of news feeds provided by: RTE News; International Herald Tribune-Europe; MSNBC-US News; BBC News-Europe World Edition; Reuters; AP and International Herald Tribune-Asia Pacific. These news feeds are refreshed every 15 minutes and are provided free of charge.

My Department's library also provides more detailed, customised news and information updates to staff on request, to assist in the performance of their duties. This information is circulated to officers by e-mail. These specialised news services include material from: BBC Global newslines; Lexis Nexis; Intelligence Research publications; FT-online; and Reuters Wealth Manager.

Question No. 410 answered with QuestionNo. 393.

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

411 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if any of the advisers or staff appointed by him directly have mobile phones and other equipment supplied by his Department; the annual cost of same since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33750/07]

My Department provides advisors and staff appointed by me with mobile phones and other appropriate communications equipment necessary to enable them perform their duties. The table sets out the costs of such equipment and services since I took office in September 2004.

2004 (from September)

2005

2006

2007

€1,142

€14,571

€7,404

€5,163.48

Departmental Reports.

John O'Mahony

Ceist:

412 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the value for money review of the support for Irish emigrant groups was completed; the value of savings to the Exchequer generated by the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33764/07]

The Value for Money and Policy Review of the Support for Irish Emigrants Groups Programme, which was undertaken by Goodbody Economic Consultants, was completed in July, 2007. Copies of the Report were lodged with the Houses of the Oireachtas on 1 August 2007 and with the Value for Money and Policy Review Secretariat of the Department of Finance at the same time.

The Review was undertaken against the background of the rapid expansion in the Emigrant Groups Support Programme, in terms of financial allocations, the number of organisations funded and the geographic spread. At €15.165 million, the funding in 2007 represents an increase of 26% on last year, and a fifteen-fold increase over the past ten years. The purpose of the Review was to examine the objectives of the Programme, the economic effectiveness and efficiency with which services are being delivered, and the quality and quantity of the outputs and benefits delivered to our communities abroad. While savings to the Exchequer did not constitute a part of the terms of reference of the Review, the recommendations in it should help to ensure that taxpayers' funds will have an even greater impact in the future.

In its conclusions, the Review stated that the Programme "has made impressive progress towards its objectives of connecting vulnerable Irish emigrants to the statutory and voluntary services that they need and developing and strengthening the Irish voluntary sector and Irish communities abroad. The Programme has also made its first steps towards addressing other aspects of Irish heritage". The Review also found that the monitoring and evaluation processes for the Programme have been relatively informal to date but sufficient to ensure that it has operated well. In this regard, and in line with the growth of the programme, it recommended that a more formalised system of monitoring and evaluation be put in place. Overall, the Review painted a very positive picture of the Department's work in this area, making the point that the approach adopted has been extremely effective and efficient.

John O'Mahony

Ceist:

413 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the value for money review of the evaluation of Development Cooperation Ireland’s emergency humanitarian assistance for a selected disaster was completed; the value of savings to the Exchequer generated by the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33765/07]

John O'Mahony

Ceist:

414 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the value for money review of the automated passport project will be completed; the anticipated value of savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33766/07]

John O'Mahony

Ceist:

415 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the value for money review of the development aid to Mozambique will be completed; the anticipated value of savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33767/07]

John O'Mahony

Ceist:

416 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the value for money review of the HIV budget line will be completed; the anticipated value of savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33768/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 413 to 416, inclusive, together.

The Value for Money Review of Irish Aid's (formerly Development Cooperation Ireland's) emergency humanitarian response to a selected disaster focused on the 2004 Asian Tsunami. The report on this VfM Review, which was an independent assessment of the appropriateness, efficiency, effectiveness and connectedness of Irish Aid's response to the tsunami disaster, was published and laid before the Oireachtas this year.

The Government committed a total of €20 million to the affected countries. The Value for Money Review concluded that Irish Aid's overall response was appropriate and strategic, and that the programme of support was managed in an efficient and effective way, with no wastage of funds. The Review also made some useful recommendations, including that, in supporting future emergencies, consideration should be given to selecting a smaller number of partner agencies with specific expertise to ensure that Irish Aid's support does not become too fragmented.

In its management responses to the recommendations, which are included in the report, Irish Aid noted that it has embarked on a process of enhanced dialogue with NGO, UN and Red Cross partner agencies for the purposes of developing better and more supportive partnerships, which will contribute to more appropriate and strategic funding relationships for future emergency responses. This approach with partner agencies is in line with Irish Aid's commitments under the Good Humanitarian Donorship initiative.

The Value for Money Review of Development Aid to Mozambique is expected to be published and laid before the Oireachtas by the end of December. The Review of the HIV budget line will commence in the New Year, with the end of 2008 as the target date for completion. In agreement with the Department of Finance, the Review of the Automated Passport Project has been re-named the Review of the Passport Service, and will be completed in early 2008.

Human Rights Issues.

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

417 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the reports emanating from, and a recent BBC documentary on, a State run children’s social care home in Mogilino, Bulgaria; if, in view of the fact of Bulgaria’s recent membership of the EU, he is concerned by reports of abuse and neglect; and if action on these matters is proposed at EU level, in order to ensure a uniform high level of child care across the EU. [33784/07]

I share deep concerns regarding the welfare of vulnerable children in institutional care in Bulgaria, such as those who featured in a recent BBC documentary. The need for action to address this disturbing legacy of past policies and attitudes was highlighted during Bulgaria's negotiations for accession to the EU. While some progress was made before accession, the Bulgarian authorities recognise that more needs to be done. The EU continues to support this reform process and some €5 million of EU funding will next year be directed towards the development of alternative care arrangements for people resident in such institutions.

Providing an alternative to large-scale institutional care is a process that requires careful planning and adequate funding. There is a general recognition amongst those dealing with this situation on the ground that the solution must be well thought out, be applicable generally throughout the system, and have the interests of the children as the driving force behind it.

With regard to the Mogilino institution which featured in the documentary, I am advised that the Bulgarian authorities are working closely with a group of Non Governmental Organisations and UNICEF in the implementation of an agreed action plan. As a result, medical evaluations of the children have been carried out and a number of them have received hospital treatment. The children are also being assessed to determine the full extent of their problems with a view to producing detailed plans for their futures. The local authorities have authorised additional funding and supplies to immediately improve the welfare of those living there. A new Director has been appointed to the institution and the rest of the staff are receiving training by a group of specialists in this field. Ultimately, it is planned to close the orphanage and to provide specialist care through the creation of smaller group homes.

In light of the BBC documentary, I have asked our Ambassador to Bulgaria to convey my concerns regarding the welfare of these vulnerable people to the appropriate authorities in Bulgaria. The Ambassador and other officials in the Embassy will also inform the Bulgarian authorities of the strong public interest in Ireland in seeing a dramatic improvement in the standards of care given to people in institutional care in Bulgaria.

Ireland's engagement and concerns are also expressed in other ways. In recent years, the Department of Foreign Affairs has supported NGOs active in Bulgaria on the protection of children at risk and the rehabilitation of people with intellectual disabilities. Organisations supported include the Bulgarian Association for People with Intellectual Disabilities. The Irish Embassy in Sofia maintains close contact with organisations working to improve the living conditions of the children and young adults resident in institutions. A number of Irish citizens and organisations are also involved and the Embassy supports them in their work whenever possible. I can assure the Deputy that we will continue to urge the early implementation of the reforms needed to protect the interests of this particularly vulnerable section of society.

International Agreements.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Ceist:

418 Deputy Paul Gogarty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will use his influence in Europe to ensure that there are no mandatory negotiations on services, intellectual property, investment or other trade related issues as part of any economic partnership agreement negotiation from 1 January 2008. [33815/07]

The negotiations on the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between the European Union and the African Caribbean and Pacific States (ACP) have reached a critical stage. The mandate for the negotiations of Economic Partnership Agreements comes from the legally-binding Cotonou Agreement, the central objective of which is "reducing and eventually eradicating poverty, consistent with the objectives of sustainable development and the gradual integration of the African Caribbean Pacific countries into the world economy". In line with Article 37.1 of the Cotonou Agreement, negotiations began in September 2002 between the European Commission and the ACP countries and the agreements are required to come into force by 1 January 2008 in order to be compatible with World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules. For the purposes of the EPA negotiations, the ACP states are organised into six regional groupings.

The rationale behind the EPAs is that they would be comprehensive instruments which would include trade in services, investment and other trade related areas, as well as trade in goods. However the negotiations have revealed a number of difficulties between the two sides. These include resistance on the part of a number of ACP countries to the inclusion of non-goods items; differences of interests within particular regional groupings; and fears about the impact of opening ACP markets to EU exports.

The current aim is that, where agreement on a full EPA is not possible by the end of the year, a form of "stepping stone" agreement should be signed, based on market access arrangements for goods only. The European Commission envisages that such stepping stone agreements will lead to full EPAs. The Government have consistently maintained that the outcome of the negotiations should result in agreements that are supportive of ACP countries' development needs and their poverty reduction efforts. In this regard the Taoiseach made the point at the recent EU Africa summit in Lisbon that the EU approach should be "one of goodwill, flexibility, understanding". Ireland considers that it is vitally important that whatever arrangements are put in place do not disadvantage the developing countries. That will continue to be the core of our approach, and our position in this regard was reiterated at yesterday's General Affairs and External Relations Council.

Foreign Conflicts.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

419 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in relation to Kosovo following the failure to reach agreement by the 10 December 2007 deadline; and the view of the Government on the declaration of independence expected to emerge. [34077/07]

The difficult and sensitive issue of Kosovo's future status is the legacy of the Balkan wars of the 1990s. The framework for post-conflict Kosovo was set out in UN Security Council Resolution 1244 of 1999, which established an interim United Nations civilian administration (UNMIK), and authorised an international security presence (KFOR). The Resolution also provided for a gradual transfer of competences from the UNMIK mission to provisional institutions of self-government.

Ireland, together with our EU partners, has consistently expressed strong support for the work of the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy, Martti Ahtisaari, on the issue of Kosovo's final status. In March of this year, Special Envoy Ahtisaari submitted a Comprehensive Proposal to the UN Secretary General. He re commended that Kosovo's status should be independence, supervised by the international community. A key element of the proposed settlement would be a continuing international civilian and military presence in Kosovo, with the KFOR military force remaining and a new civilian ESDP Mission.

Ireland welcomed this proposal, as providing the most practical basis for a settlement of the Kosovo issue. However, intensive efforts within the UN Security Council to agree on a new Resolution on the basis of Ahtisaari were not successful, and on 1 August, the Secretary General announced that a further four months of talks between the two sides would be facilitated by an international Troika. The Troika process has now concluded without agreement and the International Contact Group reported to the UN Secretary General on 10 December. Ireland strongly supported the Troika initiative and we regret that the talks have failed.

The matter now returns to the UN and will be discussed further by the UN Security Council on 19 December. I do not believe that it would be helpful for me to speculate at this stage with regard to specific future developments on this sensitive issue. We recognise that difficult choices may need to be made in the near future which deal with the reality of the situation on the ground and which are necessary to safeguard the future security and stability of Kosovo and the Balkan region as a whole. During my recent visit to the Balkans, I met with the political leadership in both Belgrade and Pristina and urged both sides to refrain from any activities or statements which might jeopardise the security situation in the region at this time. I am pleased to note that such a commitment has been given to the Troika by the parties and is reflected in their final report.

At EU level, the latest developments were discussed yesterday by Foreign Ministers and will be considered further at the forthcoming European Council. Ireland, with its partners in the European Union and the international community, is committed to continuing to play its full part in the efforts to resolve this important European issue. While we will face a more complex and uncertain political and legal environment in the absence of agreement, we very much hope to be in a position to maintain our presence in KFOR, to consider contributing members of the Garda to an ESDP Mission and also to support the future economic development of Kosovo.

Departmental Transport.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

420 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the cost on a yearly basis for transport hire of any kind for his transport and that of his staff for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; the reason for such hire; if tenders were sought; the locations brought from and to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34095/07]

I have outlined in tabular form the transport hire costs incurred by my Department since my appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs in September 2004. These charges all relate to the hire of cars on official visits abroad. There have been no transport hire charges incurred by my office for travel in Ireland.

Transport Hire

Sept-Dec 2004

2005

2006

2007 (to date)

Minister’s Office

€12,263

€65,776

€69,803

€18,609

Departmental Communications.

Damien English

Ceist:

421 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of staff in his Department that are provided with a Blackberry device or similar mobile e-mail equipment. [34224/07]

Seven staff in my Department have been provided with Blackberry or Blackberry-style devices. This includes five members of staff in the ICT Unit who are currently testing these devices as part of a feasibility trial.

Damien English

Ceist:

422 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of databases used by his Department; and the number of these that are wholly and partly operated by external organisations or individuals and operated solely within his Department. [34239/07]

There are 95 databases currently used by my Department across a range of systems. All but one database is operated solely by staff in the Department. The ICT Helpdesk database is jointly operated by Departmental staff and on-site external contractors who provide ICT support services.

Damien English

Ceist:

423 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of information technology projects undertaken by or for his Department since 2004 that have been delivered over budget, after their original deadline, on budget, under budget, on their original deadline and ahead of their original deadline; and if he will present the information in tabular readable form. [34254/07]

Five information technology projects have been undertaken by my Department since 2004. One was completed ahead of time and under budget, while the remaining four projects were completed on time and on budget.

Project name

On/Ahead of deadline

On/under budget

Global CommunicationsUpgrade for Embassies

Completed on time

On budget

Outsourced Helpdesk

Completed on time

On budget

Upgrade of ICT infrastructure at HQ, London, and Permanent Representation, Brussels

Completed on time

On budget

Upgrade of ICT infrastructure for Embassies

Completed on time

On budget

Biometrics on Passports

Completed ahead of time

Under budget

Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Damien English

Ceist:

424 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he has taken to offset the carbon dioxide emissions caused by ministerial travel in his Department; and if none to date, the plans he will put in place on the matter. [34269/07]

I fully support the commitment in the current Programme for Government to "require carbon offsetting of all official air travel in support of urban forests". I understand that my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, will shortly announce details of a scheme for use by all Government Departments and bodies under their aegis which will address this commitment. Once the details are announced, the new scheme will be appropriately implemented by my Department.

Data Protection.

Damien English

Ceist:

425 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is satisfied that personal information relating to members of the public held on his departmental databases is safe from hackers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34284/07]

All Departmental databases and systems that store or maintain information relating to members of the public are inaccessible from the Internet and, therefore, from hackers. My Department implements a range of security measures, including multi-layered firewalls, to secure its internal ICT network from the Internet. This ICT security infrastructure is reviewed on a regular basis. I am satisfied that the measures in place provide adequate safeguards to protect all information relating to members of the public held by my Department.

Management Information Framework System.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

426 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the estimate of the money saved to the Exchequer in 2007 by the use of the management information framework system; the way this saving was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34306/07]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

427 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the management information framework system has been fully rolled out in his Department; the use being made of performance indicators, the costing framework and management reports provided by this system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34321/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 426 and 427 together.

The benefits of the Management Information Framework (MIF) are measured in terms of improved efficiency, greater financial controls, enhanced accountability and the promotion f a value for money approach to all financial transactions. It is not possible to attribute a specific financial saving to the introduction of the MIF. However, it has resulted in increased efficiency and the availability of clearer financial information, in real time, to decision-makers, meaning that better decisions can be made on the use of resources.

To date the Management Information Framework has resulted in:

The introduction of a modern, cost effective Financial Management and Reporting System;

Enhanced financial reporting capabilities of the Department;

The roll-out of on-line access to the financial management systems at HQ and over 60 Missions abroad;

The introduction of electronic payments at HQ; and

The deployment of performance indicators.

Budgetary responsibility has been delegated to budget holders and the resulting costing and reporting framework provides the basis for all financial management of the funds allocated to the Department. Senior management reviews financial performance on an ongoing basis.

The Management Information Framework project is near completion. The last remaining part is the upgrade of our travel and subsistence system which I expect will be completed in 2008. This year, for the first time, my Department submitted an Annual Output Statement, dealing with the year 2006. The Output Statement makes use of the Performance Indicators included in my Department's current Statement of Strategy. The comprehensive financial information included in that Output Statement is too detailed for inclusion here but the Deputy will wish to be aware that it is available on my Department's website, www.dfa.ie. A new Statement of Strategy is currently close to completion and will set out new Performance Indicators for the period 2008 to 2010.

Energy Resources.

Simon Coveney

Ceist:

428 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the percentage of energy consumed in his Department and in all agencies for which his Department has responsibility that comes from renewable sources. [33278/07]

The percentage of energy consumed in my Department that comes from renewable sources is nil. The buildings occupied by my Department are managed and maintained by the Office of Public Works (OPW) on behalf of the Department. All matters pertaining to the heating and lighting of the Department's buildings and whether renewable energy sources are used, are decided upon by the OPW in consultation with the Department. My Department would be open to any proposals from the OPW to reduce the Department's dependency on oil and gas usage, by using renewable energy sources where practicable. The information sought by the Deputy in relation to the agencies of my Department is not an area in which I have a function.

Economic Competitiveness.

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

429 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the recommendation made by the National Competitiveness Council in its latest annual report for co-ordinated preparation of responses to Competition Authority reviews from Government on competition matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33308/07]

The National Competitiveness Council's suggestion in relation to coordinated preparation of responses to Competition Authority reviews will be given consideration in the context of the current review of the operation and implementation of the Competition Act 2002.

Community Employment Schemes.

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

430 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of people on community employment schemes on 31 October 2007; the maximum duration of these schemes; the budget allocated to FÁS to operate these schemes; the proportion of same paid in salaries to the participants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33310/07]

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

431 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a State body other than FÁS is authorised to operate community employment schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33311/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 430 and 431 together.

FÁS, as the state's Training and Employment Authority, is charged with sole responsibility for the overall management and delivery of the Community Employment Programme nationally. I am advised by FÁS that at end October 2007, there were 22,271 employed under the Community Employment Programme. The 2007 budget for Community Employment is €356m of which approximately €322m or 90% is funding that is provided to cover salary and associated costs (PRSI, Child/Adult Dependent etc.).

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

The maximum duration that individuals can remain on CE is dependent on the participant's eligibility status. This eligibility criteria are generally based on age and length of time in receipt of various social welfare payments. Typically, participants can avail of periods of between 1 and 6 years.

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

FÁS is continuing to develop the content of the CE programme. The new approach involves the introduction of an "Individual Learner Planning Process" which is focusing on meeting the learning needs of participants. The Individual Learner Plan is providing for the planning, organising and recording of the work experience, training and development that each participant receives while working on CE. It also includes further training and development for supervisors, a new application process and quality assurance procedures.

Under this Individualised Approach FÁS has proposed four new FETAC Awards relevant to both CE and JI learners, including:

Certificate in Personal and Social Employment Skills Level 3

Certificate in Vocational Employment Skills Level 3

Certificate of Applied Employment Skills Level 4

Certificate in Specific Employment Skills Level 5

These new awards will facilitate all the planned learning completed on CE or JI by each participant being rolled up into the achievement of a FETAC award. This will provide added value to the learner and will support their progression onto further training or employment.

The provision of places is managed through a standardised application process between regional FÁS offices and local Sponsor/Community Organisations. FÁS makes every effort to ensure that differing levels of demand between neighbouring schemes are equalised. I should say that this Government will continue to support into the future the positive role of CE in meeting the needs of long-term unemployed persons while at the same time providing essential services to communities.

Departmental Agencies.

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

432 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the proportion of the FÁS budget that is spent on upskilling, apprenticeships and community employment schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33316/07]

The proportion of the total FÁS Programme Budget (which excludes administration and overheads) to be spent on Upskilling, Apprenticeship and Community Employment in 2007 is as follows:

Measure

Proportion

Upskilling

5% (People in Employment excluding Apprenticeships)

Upskilling

26% (People for Employment)

Apprenticeship

15%

Community Employment

42%

Departmental Expenditure.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

433 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of mobile telephone bills paid directly by his Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33337/07]

The cost of mobile telephone bills paid directly by my Department in 2006 and to date in 2007, together with the percentage for data charges and for roaming charges, is as follows:

Year

Cost

Percentage for Data Charges

Percentage for Roaming Charges

%

%

2006

224,054.06

18

11

2007 to date

151,595.40

45*

13

*The significant increase in the percentage for data charges in 2007 arises because of the roll-out of remote access for staff via their mobile phones, Blackberries and laptops, and in particular because of the significant increase in the number of Labour Inspectors this year.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

434 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of mobile telephone bills paid in the form of expenses to staff by his Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33352/07]

Staff of the Department using their own private mobile phones for official purposes are reimbursed by the Department. The amount involved for 2006 was €1,142.16 and to date in 2007 the amount involved is €742.29. It is not possible to provide a breakdown or percentage of the costs which relate to data charges or to roaming charges.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

435 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of mobile telephone bills paid in relation to the departmental mobile telephone assigned to him by his Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33367/07]

The cost of my mobile telephone bills paid by the Department, in relation to mobile phones assigned to me, in 2006 and to date in 2007, together with the percentage for data charges and for roaming charges, is as follows:

Year

Cost

Percentage for Data Charges

Percentage for Roaming Charges

%

%

2006

3,682.97

not available*

not available*

2007 to date

3,002.00

not available*

not available*

*My Department sought this information from the service provider concerned. However, I understand that for data protection reasons the service provider has declined to provide this information.

Departmental Reports.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

436 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the value for money review of science and technology spending was completed; the value of savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33489/07]

My Department scheduled an Expenditure Review of Science & Technology Spending in 2004. The Expenditure Review was based on data and findings from three independent evaluations of individual Science and Technology Programmes, in the period 2002 to 2004, commissioned by the Department and managed by Forfás. The Expenditure Review focussed on the principal Research Technological Development and Innovation in Industry measures under the National Development Plan 2000-2006. The schemes covered by the Expenditure Review were:

The R & D Capability Grants Scheme;

The Research Technology & Innovation Competitive Grants Scheme;

The Enterprise Ireland Collaboration Programme.

The purpose of the Expenditure Review was to provide a systematic analysis of what was actually achieved by expenditure under these schemes and to provide a basis on which informed decisions could be made on priorities in this area, and thus to ensure that the benefits arising from expenditure in this area is maximised.

The Expenditure Review made a strong case for the continuation of State support in the areas of Science and Technological development. The review made significant and comprehensive recommendations on the overall usefulness of the agency supports for research and innovation in the business sector relative to national objectives with a focus on whether they constituted value for money and efficient use of public funds. These recommendations sought to enhance the quality and quantity of research supported by the enterprise agencies.

The Review was completed in 2005. Many of its recommendations were taken into account when drafting the Strategy for Science Technology and Innovation (2006 — 2013). This Strategy provides the opportunity to ensure that maximum economic and social benefits are derived from the Government's commitment of €8.2 billion to this area under the National Development Plan. The Strategy gives breadth and depth to a vision for a knowledge economy and society in Ireland backed by a wide cross section of investments by various departments and agencies, with clear targets and clear outcomes to be achieved. The Strategy is currently in the process of being implemented.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

437 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the value for money review of Science Foundation Ireland will be completed; the anticipated value of the savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33490/07]

The Value for Money review of Science Foundation Ireland programmes is nearing completion, and I expect it will be finalised in early 2008. The purpose of the review is to examine SFI's major funding programmes and make targeted comments and recommendations, where appropriate, on the overall effectiveness of the agency supports in building a world-class research system in Ireland, with a focus on whether the programmes as operated constitute value for money and efficient use of public funds. It is anticipated that the implementation of the review when completed will assist in securing value for money and maximising the economic impact from the SFI investments.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

438 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the value for money review of the FÁS competency development programme will be completed; the anticipated value of the savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33491/07]

An official of the Department, who is currently undertaking the IPA Masters in Policy Analysis, has been charged with conducting the Value for Money Review of the FÁS Competency Development Programme. Work has commenced on the Review and a Steering Committee comprising of representatives of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Department of Finance, Forfás and FÁS has been established to oversee the Value for Money Review.

The Steering Committee has approved the timetable for the completion of the various stages of the Review, with the final report due to be submitted by May 2008. It is too early to state the possible implications, including potential future savings to the Exchequer, the completed Value for Money Review will have. Upon completion the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and FÁS will consider the Review's recommendations.

Departmental Staff.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

439 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number, rank and pay of all civil servants in his Department and ministerial staff, personally appointed by him or otherwise, who are engaged in media monitoring; the nature of the work done; the persons who the information is circulated to or the people who have access to this information; the cost of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33507/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

441 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of press officers and press advisers in his Department; the rank and pay of each; the description of work done; the persons to whom the information is circulated or made accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33537/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 439 and 441 together.

I have appointed one Press Officer who advises me on media matter generally. The remainder of the Staff of the Department's Press Office are civil servants and I have no function whatsoever in their appointment or assignment to that office. The details sought by the Deputy are in the table. The principal officer named below includes the press office as one of a number of Departmental functions in his portfolio.

The functions of the Press Office are to communicate with the media about the public affairs of the Department. This office issues speeches and press releases as well as organising press conferences and photo-calls. As far as media monitoring is concerned this involves a press cutting service which is made available electronically to all staff of my Department. The cost of the press cuttings service is €3,850 per month.

Name

Rank

Salary Scale

Jerry O’Connor

Press Advisor

€82,016–€101,446

John P Kelly

Principal Officer

€82,016–€101,446

Roisin McCann

Higher Executive Officer

€44,314–€56,250

Eric Giguere

Executive Officer

€29,093–€46,167

Jason Kiernan

Clerical Officer

€22.058–€35,773

Philomena Guerin

Clerical Officer

€22.058–€35,773

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

440 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number and name of newspapers purchased by his Department daily and weekly; the number provided to himself and to the Minister of State’s office; the yearly cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33522/07]

My Department purchases on a daily basis (Monday to Friday inclusive) copies of the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Irish Examiner, Financial Times, Star, Sun, Mirror, Daily Mail, Guardian, Evening Herald, Evening Echo and Le Monde for distribution to officials of the Department. My Department also purchases 1/2 copies of the Saturday editions of the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Irish Examiner, Financial Times, Star, Sun, Mirror, Daily Mail, and Evening Herald. The number of daily newspapers purchased by the Department (including the Saturday editions) amounts to 601 per week or approximately 120 per day.

My Department also purchases the following weekly newspapers — Sunday Independent, Sunday Tribune, Sunday World, Sunday Business Post, Sunday Times, Mail on Sunday and News of the World; the number of Sunday newspapers purchased by the Department amounts to 7 per week. The Department provides my Office (on Monday to Friday inclusive) with 2 copies of the Irish Times, 2 copies of the Irish Independent and 1 copy each of the Irish Examiner, Financial Times, Evening Herald and Daily Mail.

The Department provides the Office of Minister of State Ahern (on Monday to Friday inclusive) with a copy of the following daily newspapers: Irish Times, Irish Independent and Irish Examiner. Minister of State Ahern is also provided with a copy of the Saturday Examiner. The Department provides the Office of Minister of State Kelleher (on Monday to Friday inclusive) with a copy of the following daily newspapers: Irish Times, Irish Independent, Irish Examiner, Star and Evening Herald.

The Department provides the Office of Minister of State McGuinness (on Monday to Friday inclusive) with a copy of the following daily newspapers: Irish Times, Irish Independent, Irish Examiner and Financial Times. The annual cost of providing newspapers for officials and Ministers of the Department is approximately €51,600.

Question No. 441 answered with QuestionNo. 439.

Consultancy Contracts.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

442 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number, cost and name of any media consultants employed by his Department; the cost of such advice for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; the nature of the work done; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33552/07]

The media consultants employed by my Department are set out on the tabular statement. I have no function whatsoever in their appointment or assignment to particular agencies or projects. This does not include any information from the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement from whom information could not be obtained in the time available.

Media Consultants 1997-2007

Year

Name of Media Consultant

Purpose of Consultant

Cost

1997

None

1998

None

1999

Caden Communications

Media and communications advisor to ODCA

£10,073.25

2000

Caden Communications

Media and communications advisor to ODCA

£12,584

2000

QMP D’Arcy

Advertising campaign for introduction of National Minimum Wage

£21,698

2001

Caden Communications

Media and communications advisor to ODCA

€39,603

2001

QMP D’Arcy

Advertising increase in National Minimum Wage

£15,608

2002

QMP D’Arcy

Advertising increase in National Minimum Wage

€13,944

2002

Caden Communications

Media and communications advisor to ODCA

€38,192

2003

Caden Communications

Media and communications advisor to ODCA

€44,033

2003

Carr Communications

Effective Communication with Company Registration Office (CRO) clients

€29,108

2003

Mr. John Armstrong

Consultant to the Department’s Press Office for the duration of Ireland’s Presidency of the EU

€9,528.92

2004

Mr. John Armstrong

Consultant to the Department’s Press Office for the duration of Ireland’s Presidency of the EU

€41,545.44

2004

Quinn McDonnell Pattison

Advertising increase in National Minimum Wage

€29,040

2004

Caden Communications

Media and communications advisor to ODCA

€55,539

2004

Carr Communications

Effective Communication with Company Registration Office (CRO) clients

€64,493

2005

QMP Publicis

Advertising increase in National Minimum Wage

€33,387.53

2005

Caden Communications

Media and communications advisor to ODCA

€47,371.50

2005

Q4 Public Relations

Media and communications advisor in respect of Interim NCAFrom October to December 2005

€27,225

2005

Carr Communications

Effective Communication with Company Registration Office (CRO) clients

€38,722

2006

Brindley

Advertising increase in National Minimum Wage

€23,635

2006

Q4 Public Relations

Media and communications advisor in respect of Interim NCA

€108,900

2006

Carr Communications

Effective Communication with Company Registration Office (CRO) clients

€33,123

2007

The Media Group

To devise, implement & manage a national promotion & advertising campaign across a range of media for the ICT Audits Programme for Small Business in Ireland

€135,000 inclusive of VAT

2007

Leo Burnett

Advertising increase in National Minimum Wage

€50,163

2007

Q4 Public Relations

Media and communications advisor in respect of Interim NCA1 January to 30 April 2007

€36,300

Carr Communications

Effective Communication with Company Registration Office (CRO) clients

€45,624

2007

Keating and AssociatesCorporate Communications Consultants

Public Relations and Media Consultants Advice regarding and development of content for the NERA website

€46,734.43

Departmental Staff.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

443 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of press advisers employed by his Department; the cost of such advice for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33567/07]

At any one time during the period concerned there has been one Press Officer/Advisor in my Department. Four separate individuals have filled the post during that time including the present incumbent. The Press Advisor is paid at the salary scale of Principal Officer which ranged from €46,222.00 — €55,943.39 in 1997 to €82,016 — €101,446 in2007.

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

444 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of credit cards held by his Department; the cost of same for each year since 2000 to date in 2007; the persons who hold these cards and for whom they are used; the annual amounts purchased; the cumulative interest on same for each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33582/07]

My Department has arrangements in place with two credit card companies to issue charge cards to officials who travel on official business on a regular basis. This facility is available to staff as an alternative to using their personal credit cards for official business purposes. The charge cards are generally used to cover costs such as hotel accommodation and train fares. At present, 57 staff of my Department hold charge cards under this arrangement, although some staff continue to use their personal credit cards for business related transactions.

Staff who are issued with charge cards under the arrangement outlined above hold individual accounts with the issuing credit card company. They are responsible for clearing the amounts incurred on their accounts, including any interest charged. Therefore, my Department does not directly incur costs in relation to purchases or interest on credit or charge cards. Staff are entitled to reclaim travel, subsistence and other official expenses from my Department in accordance with civil service regulations. Expenses of this nature are paid directly to the officers concerned who may use the refunds to settle their credit card accounts.

My Department pays Government Stamp Duty on credit cards used for official transactions. The total cost of Stamp Duty paid on credit cards from 2000 to the present in 2007 is set out on the table. The amounts on the table include some costs associated with the processing of Stamp Duty payments.

Year

Amount

2000

€1,923.65

2001

€2,418.85

2002

€2,166.00

2003

€3,815.00

2004

€4,761.74

2005

€6,697.74

2006

€4,700.00

2007 to date

€3,896.82

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

445 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the cost to his Department of photographers used by all Ministers in his Department on a yearly basis for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; andif he will make a statement on the matter. [33597/07]

It is estimated that the cost of photography for all the Ministers in my Department on a yearly basis for each year since 1997 was as follows:

Year

Total

2007

5,989.18

2006

2,830.35

2005

6,212.38

2004

4,807.03

2003

4,836.55

2002

9,226.51

2001

13,393.90

2000

8,618.63

1999

13,538.71

1998

36,737.25

1997

21,207.47

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

446 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the cost of make-up for him for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33612/07]

I have had no make-up costs since my appointment as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

447 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the cost of his Department’s entertainment allowance for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33627/07]

I assume that the Deputy is seeking details of the amount spent by my Department on official entertainment for each of the years in question. Official entertainment includes the hosting of official lunches, dinners and receptions and is governed by Department of Finance guidelines.

The amount spent by my Department on official entertainment for each year from 1997 to the present is set out on the table. Expenditure for 2004 includes a sum of €268,357.49 in respect of functions associated with Ireland's Presidency of the EU.

Year

Amount

1997

IR£43,275.01

1998

IR£40,811.73

1999

IR£45,007.41

2000

IR£45,680.63

2001

IR£72,212.03

2002

€75,765.79

2003

€47,953.76

2004

€307,938.78

2005

€46,262.07

2006

€51,912.70

2007

€43,596.45

Departmental Communications.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

448 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department receives a daily summary of stories relevant to his Department from Government Information Services; if this summary is in written, verbal or electronic format; if these are furnished to a departmental press officer or press adviser; and if the press officer or adviser furnishes this information to him every day or how often it is furnished. [33642/07]

The Government Information Service supplies my Department and my Press Office with news headlines each day in electronic format and this information is forwarded to me as necessary.

Official Engagements.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

449 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a press adviser travels with him on official visits; and if there were official visits attended by him in the past year at which a press adviser was not present or was not in contact with him. [33657/07]

As a general rule I am accompanied by my press officer on official visits. On occasions when not so accompanied, I am in contact with him.

Departmental Transport.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

450 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the cost of providing transport including their official car to Ministers of State in his Department and staff for each year from 1997 to date in 2007. [33672/07]

I am assuming the Deputy is referring to the cost of providing transport which is supplied directly by my Department and is not referring to the cost of public or commercial transport such as air travel and taxis. The position is that my Department does not supply official cars or other forms of transport to Ministers of State or their staff. Ministers of State use their private cars and receive mileage allowances based on recorded usage. My Department also pays the salaries of drivers who are engaged by the Ministers of State for the duration of their term of office.

Staff in Ministers of State's Offices are entitled to claim mileage allowances in respect of travel undertaken in their private vehicles in accordance with normal civil service travel guidelines.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

451 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the cost of him using public transport for every year since 1997 to date in 2007; and the cost of providing similar services to Ministers of State and staff for the same period. [33687/07]

I assume that the Deputy's question refers to bus and rail travel. However, in the time available to me, it has not been possible to compile the information sought by the Deputy. I have asked my officials to review the Department's records as quickly as possible and as soon as the information becomes available I will communicate it to the Deputy.

Departmental Communications.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

452 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department carries news summaries on its internal web; the persons who have access to such information; the way they access same; the person who compiles same; the cost of same; the regularity with which this information is updated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33717/07]

My Department does not carry news summaries on its internal web.

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

453 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of mobile phones used by him and supplied by his Department; the annual cost of same for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33732/07]

Since my appointment as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in September 2004, the Department has supplied me with 1 mobile phone, 1 Blackberry phone and 1 in-car phone. The annual cost of those phones since my appointment in September 2004 is as follows:

Year

2004

511.31

2005

4,938.56

2006

3,682.97

2007 to date

3,002.00

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

454 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if any of the advisers or staff appointed by him directly have mobile phones and other equipment supplied by his Department; the annual cost of same since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33747/07]

The advisers appointed by me directly have each been provided with a mobile phone, and one of them with a blackberry also, by the Department. The annual cost to the Department of providing those mobile phones, since my appointment as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in September 2004, was as follows:

Year

2004

1,516.34

2005

12,321.62

2006

17,721.96

2007 to date

12,770.01

Departmental Transport.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

455 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the cost on a yearly basis for transport hire of any kind for his transport and that of his staff for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; the reason for such hire; if tenders were sought; the locations brought from and to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34092/07]

Having regard to the component parts of the Deputy's question I assume that the information sought relates to the hire of private modes of transport and does not include the cost of taxis or scheduled air travel. In the time available, my officials have identified the cost of private car hire charged to my Office from 2001 to date. Details are not readily available prior to 2001. The costs so identified are set out in the table.

These costs relate to the use of cars on official trips abroad. Cars are typically used in these circumstances to transport Ministers and accompanying officials to and from airports, hotels and official engagements. The hire of cars for official visits abroad is organised by the Department of Foreign Affairs. Therefore, I am not aware of the precise arrangements relating to car hire, including tendering procedures, which may have applied. My officials are continuing to review whether any other modes of private transport were hired for my office. I will write to the Deputy shortly, outlining the results of this review.

Year

Cost of Car Hire

2001

25,388.91

2002

26,596.30

2003

6,074.59

2004

17,190.07

2005

17,190.75

2006

8,195.13

2007 to date

3,761.47

Grant Payments.

Pádraic McCormack

Ceist:

456 Deputy Pádraic McCormack asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of grant aid and assistance made available to a company (details supplied) in County Galway since it began operating in 2002; the conditions that applied to such grants; and if the company fulfilled the conditions attached to such grants. [34114/07]

I am informed by IDA Ireland that the amount of grant aid paid to the company in question since 2002 is €7,391,590. I understand that the grants were subject to standard conditions which have been fulfilled by the company to date. I should point out that these are day to day operational matters for IDA Ireland and I do not have any role in the day to day operational matters of the agency.

Decentralisation Programme.

Andrew Doyle

Ceist:

457 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the NSAI is moving to Arklow as intended; the number of staff who have applied to move to Arklow; and when the NSAI move will take place. [34130/07]

Under the Government's decentralisation programme the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) is due to relocate to Arklow, Co. Wicklow. Ten staff within the NSAI have formally indicated a willingness to decentralise to Arklow. The current NSAI implementation plan anticipates a target date of April 2009 as the completion date for its decentralisation programme; however, this is highly dependent on the resolution of matters at central level concerning the transfer of staff within the public service and other staffing related issues. The accommodation requirements for the NSAI in Arklow are being addressed by the OPW but to date there has been no progress in identifying and securing suitable office accommodation in the Arklow area.

Work Permits.

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

458 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position in relation to an application by a person (details supplied) in County Cork for a work permit. [34207/07]

The Employment Permits Section of my Department has informed me that an application was received on behalf of the named individual. I am pleased to advise that a work permit has now issued in this case.

Departmental Communications.

Damien English

Ceist:

459 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of staff in his Department that are provided with a blackberry device or similar mobile e-mail equipment. [34221/07]

There are 89 staff in my Department who are provided with a BlackBerry device. A further 88 laptops have been assigned to staff which provide them with remote access to Departmental systems, including e-mail.

Damien English

Ceist:

460 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of databases used by his Department; and the number of these that are wholly and partly operated by external organisations or individuals and operated solely within his Department. [34236/07]

There are over 200 electronic databases in use throughout my Department. They support a variety of functions which range from small and uncomplicated databases (e.g. internal telephone directory) to large and complex corporate data repositories that support high volume processing (e.g. Patents Office Administration System).

About ten electronic databases contain personal client information such as PPS numbers, date-of-birth, names addresses, etc. With the exception of one database which is operated on our behalf by the Centre for Management and Organisation Development (CMOD) within the Department of Finance, none of these databases are wholly or even partly operated by external organisations or individuals. Instead, all are hosted and operated solely within the secure confines of this Department. In terms of security, it is the Department's policy that such databases continue to be managed internally unless an externally managed service can match or even surpass the Department's security controls.

In common with many organisations, my Department's IT Unit uses highly reputable 3rd party contractors to provide specialist, technical support services. From time to time it is necessary to provide access to these 3rd party contractors in order for them to carry out technical repairs or modifications to databases, but such access is given in a controlled manner and in line with agreed procedures and restrictions.

Damien English

Ceist:

461 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of information technology projects undertaken by or for his Department since 2004 that have been delivered over budget, after their original deadline, on budget, under budget, on their original deadline and ahead of their original deadline; and if he will present the information in tabular readable form. [34251/07]

Under the Department of Finance's circular 16/97, my Department is obliged to report to the IT Vote Control Section of the Department of Finance on all significant ICT Projects it undertakes. This reporting requirement includes the provision of information regarding the projected cost, timescale and identifiable benefits to be achieved as a result of the implementation of any such project. Also, to ensure proper governance, control and prioritisation, where the anticipated budget for any ICT project exceeds €25,000, a formal Project Proposal must be put before my own Department's ICT Steering Group for approval. According to my Department's records, the details of such projects undertaken in my Department since 1st January 2004, are set out in the table below.

Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment ICT Projects

Project Name / Description

Start Date

Estimated Cost

Estimated End Date

Actual Cost

Actual End Date

Comments

Patents Office Redesign of Website

Feb 2006

* 99,000

Dec 2007

* 99,000

Dec 2007

* There were a number of elements to this project — all of which were contracted for individually on a single figure cost basis. The final cost is in line with all work contracted for.

Patents Office. NET

June 06

184,701

Dec 06

* 184,701

Est Q2 2008

* This is a single price contract and as such the final cost will be the original estimated cost. This project is currently undergoing User Acceptance Testing and is expected to go live in Q2 2008. The delay is a result of additional development work, which was carried out by the developers at no cost to the Department, in order to enhance the quality of the system.

Patents Office Online Journal

May 06

42,649

July 06

42,649

Oct 06

The delay was due to additional time required by the external developers to develop the system.

Introduction of Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) in new decentralised office in Carlow.

11/05/07

149,847

02/07/07

149,847

30/07/07

Construction delays resulted in a revised project completion date

Peoplesoft

May 2003

330,000

May 2004

380,289

May 04

Original Peoplesoft was implemented on the Department’s own infrastructure. It is now centrally hosted by CMOD and DETE pays an annual licensing and support fee.

Redundancy Payments System

2003

1,000,000

Q1 2005

910,879

May 05

Includes online claims facility.

E-Mail Archiving System

March 2004

81,520

June 2004

81,523

June 2004

Correspondence Tracking System

May 2005

30,000

Dec 2005

19,245

Est Mar 2008

Application to be deployed through the Department’s re-designed Intranet

Project Name / Description

Start Date

Estimated Cost

Estimated End Date

Actual Cost

Actual End Date

Comments

WEB Services — Import Licensing Application (transferring licence information to Brussels)

Dec 2006

17,134

June 2007

23,917

Sept 2007

Project scope changed by Brussels

Intranet Application

July 2007

238,000

Mar 2008

Est.240,776

Est Mar 2008

Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement — Website Redesign

March 2005

25,000

July 2005

44,700

January 2007

Actual time taken was a result of lack of resources in-house (to perform testing, etc.). Costs rose as the developer took on additional tasks arising from lack of in-house resources.

Companies Registration Office — Electronic companies annual return

1/4/2005

200,000

30/3/2006

190,926

1/7/2006

Companies Registration Office — Registration Services System Version 6

1/4/2004

1,100,000

30/3/2007

1,132,956

ongoing

Contract extended due to additional development needed for partial decentralisation

Companies Registration Office — Online services

1/4/2004

1,295,000

30/3/2007

1,431,448

ongoing

Contract extended due to additional development needed for partial decentralisation

Labour Relation Commission — Case Management System

March 2004

410,000

Nov 2004

263,000

Nov 2004

Less development work required.

Labour Relation Commission — Website Development

July 2005

32,600

Dec 2005

32,600

Dec 2005

Employment Appeals Website Development Phase I

Nov 2005

48,000

March 2006

48,000

April 2006

Employment Appeals Website Development Phase II

Mar 2006

40,000

Sept 2006

46,750

Dec 2007

Additional functionality developed

Upgrade to Wide Area Network

Nov 2006

243,000

Nov 2009

243,000

N/A

ICT Security review

Dec 2006

122,000

N/A

122,000

Sept 2007

Fixed price contract based on an agreed number of days consulting and associated deliverables.

All costs are inclusive of VAT.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Damien English

Ceist:

462 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he has taken to offset the carbon dioxide emissions caused by ministerial travel in his Department; and if none to date, the plans he will put in place on the matter. [34266/07]

The impact of carbon dioxide emissions caused by flights involving Ministers of the Department is not accounted for at present by my Department. However, the Department will take whatever steps are necessary to introduce a carbon offsetting scheme for official air travel when such a scheme has been developed and announced by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Data Protection.

Damien English

Ceist:

463 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is satisfied that personal information relating to members of the public held on his departmental databases is safe from hackers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34281/07]

My Department currently employs a suite of technologies aimed at ensuring that its IT systems and electronic data are protected against external attacks. Furthermore, my Department takes the view that ensuring high levels of information security is a task that requires ongoing and careful vigilance. To this end, my Department has recently completed a comprehensive information security review. The recommendations of this review were agreed by the Management Board and are currently being implemented as a departmental priority.

Furthermore, my Department is appointing an Information Security Officer who will focus on ensuring that best practice information security processes and technologies continue to be adopted. An external information security consultant will shortly be appointed and will provide ongoing expert advice and guidance both to the Information Security Officer and more broadly to my Department to ensure that risks to confidential or sensitive data are identified and managed appropriately.

My Department is taking an integrated approach to ensuring its data remains secure. While this takes into account the risks associated with malicious attacks such as hacks, it also incorporates broader steps to ensure that its IT systems and data are secured in a manner that minimises all risks. This involves raising awareness of data protection and information security throughout the Department and its Offices, the adoption of additional technologies which secure and protect data, and improving work practices and processes in order to take full account of the requirements of securing information and data.

Industrial Development.

John O'Mahony

Ceist:

464 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he is taking to support enterprise development in County Mayo and the western region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34292/07]

In response to this question, I am using the Nuts 111 definition of the Western region i.e. Galway, Mayo and Roscommon. State support for enterprise and job creation is channelled through the industrial development agencies. While I may give general policy directives to the agencies under the Industrial Development Acts, I am precluded from giving directives regarding individual undertakings or from giving preference to one area over others.

I have been assured by the agencies under the remit of my Department that they are actively endeavouring to attract new investment, to encourage the start-up of new businesses, to grow existing businesses and to develop the labour market in County Mayo and the Western Region. A high quality urban environment with a critical mass in population, skills and world-class access infrastructure, are critical to prospective investors when they are deciding where to locate. At the end of 2006, there were over 6,000 Enterprise Agency supported full time jobs in county Mayo. During 2006 the County Enterprise Boards (CEBs) in the Western Region have paid out over €1.28m in grant assistance to 114 clients, which in turn has enabled the creation of 228 jobs in the area.

IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland are working closely with local authorities, utility providers and others to maximise the attractiveness of Mayo and the Western region in terms of meeting the needs of potential investors. In addition, FÁS is contributing in a number of ways to enterprise development, including providing a free recruitment service to employers and facilitating and grant aiding the training of those who are in employment with the Competency Development Programme. To enhance the attractiveness of the County for new and expansion projects IDA Ireland is investing significantly in the provision of planned and focused property solutions in the Western Region and specifically in Mayo. IDA is developing world class Business and Technology Parks in both Westport and Castlebar. The medical technologies and pharmaceutical/ food sectors are the largest sectors in Mayo, representing 42% and 34%, respectively of IDA supported employment in the county.

Enterprise Ireland is focused on the creation of new jobs through supporting entrepreneurs setting up new High Potential Start-Up Companies, the retention and creation of new jobs in existing companies and in enhancing the innovation capability of Ireland at a national and regional level through support of research in companies and third level institutions. The overall aim of Enterprise Ireland's strategy is to transform Irish companies into market focused and innovation driven businesses; and to increase their exports, sales and employment. Enterprise Ireland has approved support for Community owned/led Enterprise Centres in 23 locations in the Western Region, which is helping to provide much needed workspace for new businesses.

Job Creation.

John O'Mahony

Ceist:

465 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the IDA plans for job creation in Castlebar, County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34293/07]

John O'Mahony

Ceist:

466 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the IDA plans for job creation in Ballina, County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34294/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 465 and 466 together.

IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment (FDI) to Ireland and its regions. The marketing of individual areas for new or expansion FDI investments and jobs is a day-to-day operational matter for the Agency. While I may give general policy directives to the Agency, I am precluded under the Industrial Development Acts from giving directives regarding individual undertakings or from giving preference to one area over others.

A central goal for IDA Ireland is the achievement of Balanced Regional Development. The National Spatial Strategy provides a framework for the achievement of this goal through the prioritisation of development and investment in gateway towns and hub locations. On this basis, IDA Ireland seeks to attract foreign direct investment into the gateway and hubs, as well as a small number of additional locations, throughout the West. In relation to Mayo, the Agency is actively promoting the linked hubs of Ballina and Castlebar and Westport for additional overseas investment and jobs. IDA Ireland's sectoral emphasis is on attracting new knowledge intensive projects in the Medical Technologies, Life Sciences, Information Communications Technology and International Services sectors.

IDA Ireland continues to work closely with its existing base of overseas companies in County Mayo to encourage them to grow and expand. In addition the Agency is investing significantly in the provision of planned and focused property solutions, tailored to specific key sectoral targets, to attract inward investments to the county.

At present, there are over 3,000 people employed in IDA supported companies in County Mayo. The recent announcement that Baxter International Inc., a world leading health care company, is to invest more than €75 million over a six year period as part of a strategic programme to introduce new technologies and higher value products to its manufacturing plants in Castlebar and Swinford, is a most welcome development.

I am satisfied that the strategies and policies being pursued by the Industrial Development Agency, together with the roll out of the National Development Plan 2007-2013, will continue to bear fruit in terms of investment and job creation for the people of Mayo.

Management Information Framework System.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

467 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the estimate of the money saved to the Exchequer in 2007 by the use of the management information framework system; the way this saving was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34303/07]

The Management Information Framework (MIF) system was introduced as part of the modernisation process in the public service. The key aim of the MIF is to provide improved financial and non-financial management information to enable better decision making and use of resources by Government Departments. The MIF system has demonstrated its effectiveness in my Department, for example, through the provision of monthly expenditure reports to senior managers, in the retrieval of information for Parliamentary Questions and in the preparation of my Department's Annual Output Statement.

Because the MIF was primarily designed to produce improvements of a qualitative nature, my Department does not maintain an estimate of savings directly attributable to the system's use. However, the quality and timeliness of information which the MIF provides serves as a means of highlighting trends in expenditure and alerts senior managers to corrections which may need to be made in areas of expenditure for which they have responsibility. In this context, I am satisfied that the MIF system has proven to be a worthwhile investment in terms of supporting the monitoring and analysis of public expenditure and in capturing the outcomes of this expenditure through performance indicators.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

468 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the management information framework system has been fully rolled out in his Department; the use being made of performance indicators, the costing framework and management reports provided by this system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34318/07]

The Management Information Framework (MIF) system was introduced as part of the modernisation process in the public service. The key aim of the MIF is to provide improved financial and non-financial information to managers to enable better decision making and use of resources by Government Departments.

The MIF system has been rolled-out in my Department, although refinements will continue to be made to maximise the potential of the system. A suite of performance indicators has been drawn-up as part of the MIF reporting system. These indicators feed into the Department's Strategy Statement, Annual Report and Annual Output Statement, all of which are laid before the Oireachtas. Progress on the achievement of targets set out in the indicators will also feature in reports to my Department's Management Board on a regular basis.

The financial management system introduced by my Department in 2004 as part of the MIF project incorporates a costing framework that captures expenditure by subhead, Business Unit and expenditure heading. It includes an extensive suite of accounting and financial management reports. Access to the main financial management reports on the system is directly available to Business Units throughout my Department. Data from the system is also used to compile more detailed monthly expenditure reports for my Department's Management Board, to extract information for replies to Parliamentary Questions and to prepare my Department's Annual Output Statement.

Work Permits.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

469 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when work permits will issue on behalf of persons (details supplied) in view of the need to employ persons with such experience and having tried unsuccessfully to recruit same here and the need for the company to continue business at its highest level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34363/07]

The Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that it is not in receipt of current applications for the above named. If applications are submitted, they will be treated on their merits and on a case-by-case basis.

Industrial Development.

James Bannon

Ceist:

470 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding investment in research and development which is central to improving management and industry for the continuous growth in industry exports and to improve the quality of business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34405/07]

The current National Development Plan provides for a step-change increase in the investment in technology, innovation and scientific research. It involves a commitment of €8.2 billion which is planned for the period 2007 to 2013 and aimed at building the skills needed for a modern knowledge-based economy and strengthening Ireland's research base.

For 2008, under the Vote of my Department an amount of over €326 million has been provided for the furtherance of these objectives. The Research and Technology Vote allocation for 2008 will build on an investment of almost €290m in 2007, and represents a €37 million (or 13%) increase on 2007.

This level of investment will allow Ireland to continue to build its research base and improve competitiveness through the development of innovative products and at the same time build the knowledge base that will establish our economy as an attractive place in which to do business in the future. The level of investment involved sends a clear signal to business that this Government is supporting their efforts to develop new products, stay competitive and win new markets and thus make a contribution to providing a sustainable long-term basis for future growth in employment and incomes.

The funding of €326m for Science and Technology announced in the 2008 Budget will be used to fund basic research, to increase in-company research and development, to promote the commercialisation of research and to strengthen the collaboration between industry and the education sector. The aim of building a robust research system will be achieved by building effective collaborative between industry and third level research, helping SMEs to innovate, to stay competitive and by supporting the efforts to bring the outputs of Ireland's growing research base to the marketplace. Three State Agencies — the IDA, Enterprise Ireland and Science Foundation Ireland — are responsible for delivering the science and technology strategy to the business and research communities and their 2008 Budgets will reflect the Government's commitment to this area.

In its strategy document "Transforming Irish Industry", launched in October 2007 Enterprise Ireland set its priorities for the period 2008-2012 and among the five key priorities is "driving innovation". In delivering on its Strategy, it is continuing its work with industry, to foster R&D activity both through financial support and advisory assistance. The focus of Enterprise Ireland efforts is to enhance the level of applied research taking place on industrially relevant topics, grow links between enterprise and academia to foster mutually productive relationships and boost the commercialisation of existing and new research. A portion of this support — provided through the Innovation Management Programme — will impact directly on improving management within its client companies.

A number of new initiatives are being prepared or are already under way to encourage an R&D culture in Irish businesses. In particular over the next few months EI and IDA will launch R&D offerings to companies. These new schemes bring together, under a single heading within each agency, financial supports for company-led research projects, providing an integrated and unified approach capable of meeting company needs flexibly and efficiently.

Another new programme that will be delivered by both agencies is the Competence Centre programme. Competence Centres will be collaborative entities established and led by industry in Ireland and resourced by highly qualified researchers associated with research institutions that are empowered to undertake market focussed strategic R&D for the benefit of industry. A Competence Centre is established when a group of companies come together to define their common research interest and can demonstrate the strategic impact of a Competence Centre on their business area. My Department foresees significant expenditure on new Competence Centres, estimated to be in the range of €1m to €2m annually per centre. EI have identified a number of candidate proposals from industry, and will be making a call to third level institutes early in 2008.

A new programme introduced earlier this year was the Innovation Vouchers programme. This initiative provides €5,000 vouchers to firms which may be used to purchase specialist innovation support from a number of research providers, principally third level institutes. It is an encouragement to small and medium sized enterprises to address a current problem which needs to be confronted, and it provides a gradual introduction to the field of research for companies that may be new to this area.

Encouraging results are being achieved by both Enterprise Ireland and the IDA as a result of the R&D programmes in place to date. For example, expenditure in excess of €2m on R&D activity by Enterprise Ireland assisted companies rose from a base of 21 companies in 2003 to 42 companies in 2007. In addition, Enterprise Ireland client companies spending €100,000 or more on R&D rose from 462 in 2003, to 617 in 2007. Separately, 54 Research and Development projects were supported by the IDA in 2006, the figure for 2007 is projected at about 50 and a similar figure is expected in 2008. Also under Enterprise Ireland's Commercialisation Fund, 140 projects were approved in 2005, rising to 155 in 2006, and a similar number will be funded this year to support and develop programmes with commercial potential.

Work Permits.

Mary O'Rourke

Ceist:

471 Deputy Mary O’Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the outcome of the application for a two year green card for a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [34439/07]

The Employment Permit Section of my Department has received an application on behalf of the named individual and a decision on this application will be made within the next week.

Sport and Recreational Development.

John Deasy

Ceist:

472 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the available grants for people who are interested in building leisure facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33836/07]

Under the sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, funding is allocated to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. Through the sports capital programme this Government has invested considerable sums in important sporting infrastructure in every county of Ireland. Since 1998 a total of €568m has been allocated in sports capital funding to 6,716 sports projects across the country. Additionally over €107m in capital funding has been provided towards the redevelopment of Croke Park. In 2007 alone €85m was allocated towards 935 separate projects.

The date of the next round of the Programme has not yet been decided. As in previous years, advertisements announcing the next round of the Programme will be placed in the national press and application forms will be available at that stage.

Energy Resources.

Simon Coveney

Ceist:

473 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the percentage of energy consumed in his Department and in all agencies for which his Department has responsibility that comes from renewable sources. [33274/07]

There are currently three buildings occupied by my Department, two of which are located in Dublin at Kildare Street and South Frederick Street. As my Department is not the main tenant in either of the Dublin buildings I am not in a position to say what percentage of energy supplied is from renewable sources.

The third building occupied by my Department is at Fossa in County Kerry, which accommodates an advance party of 70 staff transferred during the last 18 months in the context of decentralisation of my Department to Killarney. My Department is currently in the process of switching over to Airtricity for this building. This will provide wind-generated electricity to this building. The energy supplies to the agencies under the aegis of my Department are a day-to-day matter for the agencies themselves.

Departmental Expenditure.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

474 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the amount of mobile telephone bills paid directly by his Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33332/07]

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

475 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the amount of mobile telephone bills paid in the form of expenses to staff by his Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33347/07]

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

476 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the amount of mobile telephone bills paid in relation to the departmental mobile telephone assigned to him by his Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33362/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

498 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of mobile phones used by him and supplied by his Department; the annual cost of same for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33727/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

499 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if any of the advisers or staff appointed by him directly have mobile phones and other equipment supplied by his Department; the annual cost of same since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33742/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 474 to 476, inclusive, 498 and 499 together.

The amount of €28,760 was paid directly by my Department in respect of mobile telephone bills for the Department and the National Archives, in 2006. My Department does not retain information which allows it to identify the cost of data charges and roaming charges separately. The amount of €31,420 was paid directly by my Department in respect of mobile telephone bills for my Department and the National Archives to date in 2007. In 2006 and to date in 2007, there have been no payments made in the form of expenses in respect of mobile telephone bills.

The amount of €208 has been paid in respect of two mobile telephones assigned to me by my Department since my appointment as Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism in June 2007. There are 4 members of staff appointed directly by me in the Department all of whom have been assigned mobile telephones and various IT related equipment and the cost to date of these services since my appointment as Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism in June 2007 is €4,600.

Departmental Reports.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

477 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when the value for money review on the swimming pools programme was completed; the value of savings to the Exchequer generated by the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33391/07]

The Value for Money and Policy Review Report of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme is being finalised at present. The Report is examining, among other things, how the programme has worked to date, what has been achieved and what changes, if any, are required to ensure its effective and efficient delivery.

Following consideration of the recommendations, it is my intention to publish the Report and to launch a new round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme. Until such time as the recommendations are assessed and implemented, it is not possible to indicate what savings, if any, might arise in the administration of the programme. There is a provision of €184m in the National Development Plan, 2007-2013 in respect of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

478 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when the value for money review on the Irish Sports Council was completed; the value of savings to the Exchequer generated by the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33392/07]

It is expected that the Value for Money Review on the Irish Sports Council will be completed shortly. The purpose of value for money reviews is to ascertain if value for money is being achieved, having regard to the aims and objectives of the organisation or scheme under review. At this time it is not possible to estimate, what savings, if any may be generated following the review.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

479 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when the value for money review on the Irish Film Board was completed; the value of savings to the Exchequer generated by the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33393/07]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

480 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when the value for money review on the arts and cultural capital enhancement scheme was completed; the value of savings to the Exchequer generated by the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33394/07]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

481 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when the value for money review of the Arts Council will be completed; the anticipated savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33395/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 479 to 481, inclusive, together.

It is expected that the Value for Money Reviews on the Film Board, the Arts and Culture Capital Enhancement Support Scheme (ACCESS) and the Arts Council will be completed in 2008. The purpose of the reviews is to ascertain if value for money is being achieved, having regard to the aims and objectives of the organization or scheme under review. At this stage it would be premature to comment on the outcome of the reviews until they have been completed.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

482 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when the value for money review of the horse and greyhound fund will be completed; the anticipated savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33396/07]

The value for money review of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund is expected to commence in 2008. At this stage no precise date has yet been set for the completion of the review. The purpose of value for money reviews is to ascertain if value for money is being achieved, having regard to the aims and objectives of the organisation or scheme under review. At this time it is not possible to comment on the outcome of the review.

Departmental Estimates.

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

483 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the budgets of the bodies, boards, authorities, committees, commissions, agencies and quangos under his remit between the years of 1997 and 2007 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33500/07]

The budgetary information sought by the Deputy in respect of the Agencies operating under the aegis of my Department is set out in my Department's Estimates, which are published annually as part of the Estimates Volumes. The Estimate Volumes are available on the Department of Finance website www.finance.gov.ie. Subhead D3 of the Department's Vote aggregates the Estimates provision for the Irish Museum of Modern Art, Chester Beatty Library, National Concert Hall and Crawford Gallery. These agencies will be notified before Christmas of their individual allocations for 2008.

Departmental Staff.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

484 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number, rank and pay of all civil servants in his Department and ministerial staff, personally appointed by him or otherwise, who are engaged in media monitoring; the nature of the work done; the persons who the information is circulated to or the people who have access to this information; the cost of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33502/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

486 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of press officers and press advisers in his Department; the rank and pay of each; the description of work done; the persons to whom the information is circulated or made accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33532/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

488 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of press advisers employed by his Department; the cost of such advice for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33562/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 484, 486 and 488 together.

There is currently one Press Adviser at Principal Officer Higher level appointed by me in June 2007 and a Higher Executive Officer who acts as Press Officer in my Department. They are both paid at the civil service rates appropriate for those levels. There are also two executive officers, one on a worksharing basis, employed in my Department's Press Office. Prior to June 2007, my Department engaged PR consultants on a contract basis which terminated in October 2007.

The work of the Press Office includes, inter alia, the promotion of my Department's policies and achievements, handling queries from the media on matters within my remit and acting, as required, as spokesperson for me and my Department. It also involves preparing and editing speeches and press releases and dealing with requests for interviews, articles, messages etc for a range of publications.

All staff in my Department's Press Office receive daily press cuttings, taken from national daily and Sunday newspapers, in electronic format, provided by Media World Limited. The press cuttings, which are monitored by the Press Officer, are circulated to me, to my Special Advisor, to my Private Secretary and to members of the Management Advisory Committee. The daily press cuttings may also be accessed on-line, on the Media World website, by staff who have been provided with a username and password by my Department's Press Office.

My Department's Press Office also intermittently receives press cuttings from regional publications, also provided in electronic format by Media World Ltd. These may be forwarded, at the discretion of the Press Officer, to senior or middle management if an article is judged to be of interest to their area of responsibility. The Press Officer also receives broadcast monitoring email notifications from Media World Ltd of television and radio broadcasts relevant to arts, sport or tourism.

My Department is invoiced monthly by Media World Ltd for these services. The cost for daily press cuttings is €1,452.00 (inc. VAT) per month. The cost for regional press cuttings is €1.60 + 21% VAT per cutting. The cost for broadcast monitoring is €78.65 (inc VAT) per month. In addition my Department requires a licence from Newspaper Licensing Ireland Limited in order to circulate or copy this information. The cost for this licence, covering Irish and British newspapers, is €575.03 from April 2007 to April 2008.

The total cost of the engagement of PR consultants for the Department from June 2002 to October 2007 was €354,137 as set out in the Tabular Statement.

Year

Fleishman Hilliard Bowe

PR Consultants for Department

2002

€18,731

Murray Consultants

PR Consultants for Department

2003-2006

€223,611

O’Herlihy Communications

PR Consultants for Department

2006

€56,595

O’Herlihy Communications

PR Consultants for Department

2007 Contract terminated (Oct 07)

€55,200

Total

354,137

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

485 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number and name of newspapers purchased by his Department daily and weekly; the number provided to himself and to the Minister of State’s office; the yearly cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33517/07]

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the tables.

Daily Newspapers

Newspaper

Daily Quantity

Annual Cost (Approx)

Irish Times

45

19,213

Irish Independent

19

8,163

Financial Times

2

1,000

Racing Post

2

1,325

Evening Herald

1

332

Star

1

393

Daily Mirror

1

302

Daily Mail

1

175

Irish Examiner

9

3,913

London Times

1

238

London Independent

1

275

TOTAL

83

35,329

Weekly Newspapers

Newspaper

Weekly Quantity

Annual Cost (Approx)

Irish Field

1

161

Saturday Sun

1

52

Daily Mail Saturday

1

52

Greyhound Weekly

1

104

Foinse

1

78

Sunday Independent

1

125

Sunday Tribune

1

130

Sunday World

1

114

Sunday Business Post

1

114

Sunday Times

1

130

Sunday Mirror

1

62

Sunday Mail

1

104

Star on Sunday

1

94

News of the World

1

68

TOTAL

14

1,390

There are three daily newspapers and one weekly newspaper provided to me from the list above at a total annual cost of approximately €1,620. There is no Minister of State assigned to my Department.

Question No. 486 answered with QuestionNo. 484.

Consultancy Contracts.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

487 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number, cost and name of any media consultants employed by his Department; the cost of such advice for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; the nature of the work done; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33547/07]

The information sought by the Deputy in relation to my Department since its establishment in June, 2002 is set out in the table.

Press/PR Company

Project/Responsibility

Year

Fees

Mahon O’Neill

Media relations to support launch of “Counties in Time” CD by the National Archives

2003

6,331

Mahon O’Neill

PR work in relation to the launch of the online exhibition entitled “Views of Four Presidencies” by the National Archives

2004

7,792

Mahon O’Neill

National Media campaign across print and broadcast media in relation to 1901/1911 Census Project by the National Archives

2005

6,331

Menyma Public Relations

PR for relaunch of Afterdark Programme and for two specific Afterdark events, National Museum of Ireland

2003

4,276

Brenda O’Hanlon

National Library PR

2002

13,303

Brenda O’Hanlon

National Library PR

2003

23,312

Brenda O’Hanlon

National Library PR

2004

24,046

Brenda O’Hanlon

National Library PR

2005

8,140

Kate Bowe PR Ltd

PR services ReJoyce

2004

4,800

Kate Bowe PR Ltd

Irish Festival in China provision of PR Management Services

2003-2004

72,834

Sheenagh Gillen

Relations Management Services for Irish China Festival

2004

7,000

Audrey Behan

Press Assistant Services

2004

3,200

Gerry Lundberg

Beckett Centenary Festival

2006

31,492

Siobhán Colgan

EU Presidency Cultural Programme PR Management Services

2003-2004

32,778

Fleishman Hilliard Bowe

PR services ReJoyce

2004

127,141

Fleishman Hilliard Bowe

PR Consultants for Department

2002

18,731

Murray Consultants

PR Consultants for Department

2003-2006

223,611

O’Herlihy Communications

PR Consultants for Department

2006

56,595

O’Herlihy Communications

PR Consultants for Department

2007 Contract terminated (Oct 07)

55,200

Total

726,913

The above information includes details of public relations consultants employed by the National Museum of Ireland and the National Library of Ireland up to May 2005. These bodies were part of my Department until they were established on a statutory basis in May 2005.

Question No. 488 answered with QuestionNo. 484.

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

489 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of credit cards held by his Department; the cost of same for each year since 2000 to date in 2007; the persons who hold these cards and for whom they are used; the annual amounts purchased; the cumulative interest on same for each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33577/07]

It is my Department's policy to have in place an official credit card account under which credit cards are issued to the Minister(s), Private Secretary to the Minister and certain senior officials. As of now, eight cards have been issued. However, I do not use an official credit card. One of the cards issued under the account is for Departmental use in the case of exceptional purchases or bookings where a credit card is required by the supplier and can only be used with the prior approval of the Finance Officer.

The total costs incurred on these credit cards between June and December 2006 was €7,965.29, while expenditure to date in 2007 is €28,579.34. No interest charges have been incurred on the Department's credit card account.

Prior to June 2006, the arrangements in place for the provision of credit/charge cards to Ministers and Departmental officials was on the basis of individual cardholders being personally liable for all charges incurred. Where expenditure was incurred for official purposes, such costs could be reclaimed by the cardholder in accordance with Department of Finance rules on travel, subsistence, entertainment etc. As charges incurred on all such cards were the specific responsibility of the cardholder and not the Department, records are not available on the overall usage of these cards prior to June 2006.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

490 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the cost to his Department of photographers used by all Ministers in his Department on a yearly basis for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33592/07]

The cost incurred by my Department to date in 2007 for services provided by photographers is €11,069.56. In previous years it was standard practice for photographers to be sourced indirectly by my Department's PR consultants. It has not been possible to isolate the costs attributable to photography services within the consultancy fees in the time available.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

491 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the cost of make-up for him for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33607/07]

No cost has been incurred in respect of make-up for me at any time.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

492 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the cost of his Department’s entertainment allowance for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33622/07]

The expenditure incurred by my Department, including the National Archives, on official entertainment since its establishment in June 2002 is set out below.

Year

2002

29,940

2003

63,428

2004

89,310

2005

50,576

2006

55,842

2007 to date

49,367

The National Museum and National Library were part of my Department until May 2005 when they were established as separate entities but the expenditure by those bodies in that period is not available in my Department. The figure for 2006 reflects the fact that during that year, Ireland held the Presidency of the European Union.

Government Information Services.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

493 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his Department receives a daily summary of stories relevant to his Department from Government Information Services; if this summary is in written, verbal or electronic format; if these are furnished to a departmental press officer or press adviser; and if the press officer or adviser furnishes this information to him every day or how often it is furnished. [33637/07]

My Department does not receive a daily summary of stories from Government Information Services in either written, verbal or electronic format. Staff in my Department's Press Office are on an email circulation list and receive press releases issued by other state organisations, including Government Information Services, at the same time as they are issued to the media.

Official Engagements.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

494 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if a press adviser travels with him on official visits; and if there were official visits attended by him in the past year at which a press adviser was not present or was not in contact with him. [33652/07]

My press advisor accompanies me to official Departmental events where there is a media interest. He has been present at all official visits since my appointment as Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism.

Departmental Travel.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

495 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the cost of providing transport including their official car to Ministers of State in his Department and staff for each year from 1997 to date in 2007. [33667/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

496 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the cost of him using public transport for every year since 1997 to date in 2007; and the cost of providing similar services to junior Ministers and staff for the same period. [33682/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 495 and 496 together.

Since my appointment as Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism in June 2007 I have incurred no costs in respect of public transport usage. No Minister of State has been appointed to my Department.

Departmental Communications.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

497 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his Department carries news summaries on their internal web; the persons who have access to such information; the way they access same; the person who compiles same; the cost of same; the regularity with which this information is updated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33712/07]

My Department does not carry news summaries on its internal web.

Questions No. 498 and 499 answered with Question No. 474.

Sports Capital Programme.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

500 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when he will seek applications for the 2008 sports capital programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34051/07]

The sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, allocates funding to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The date of the next round of the Programme has not yet been decided. As in previous years, advertisements announcing the next round of the Programme will be placed in the national press and application forms will be available at that stage.

Departmental Transport.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

501 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the cost on a yearly basis for transport hire of any kind for his transport and that of his staff for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; the reason for such hire; if tenders were sought; the locations brought from and to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34087/07]

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to transport hire since the establishment of the Department in June, 2002 is set out below and is in respect of car hire for the Minister and accompanying staff while abroad and in the absence of a State car. There was no car hire for staff of my Department over the period in question. All arrangements in respect of car hire abroad are made by the Department of Foreign Affairs on behalf of my Department and the costs of such car hire are recouped by my Department to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Year

2002

Nil

2003

Location

Cost

San Francisco

1,248

Brussels

187

Manchester

905

London

991

Edinburgh

2,596

London

1,239

Paris

1,077

Total 2003

8,243

2004

Location

Cost

London

521

London

488

Singapore

926

London

454

London

822

Brussels

300

London

1,442

Singapore

58

London

1,143

Brussels

611

Lisbon

1,160

Total 2004

7,925

2005

Location

Cost

London

957

Budapest

432

Brussels

363

London

1277

Copenhagen

3,096

London

388

London

1,383

London

544

New York

2,913

London

2,406

London

6,758

Los Angeles

7,920

London

551

London

392

London

397

Total 2005

29,777

2006

Location

Cost

Paris

2,304

London

1,447

London

472

Athens

2,900

London

7,592

Cardiff

846

London

407

London

1,208

London

2,971

London

204

Berlin

2,436

Cannes

9,616

Newfoundland

1,031

Paris

3,396

Total 2006

36,830

2007 to date

Location

Cost

United Kingdom

6,994

London

1,849

Total 2007

10,115

Sports Capital Programme.

Andrew Doyle

Ceist:

502 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the reason for the anomaly where a sports club that has qualified for a sports grant under the lottery funds for sports facilities but is unable to make the financial commitment to the lease without being able to draw down the lottery grant assistance; and the action being taken to address this anomaly. [34128/07]

Under the sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, grants are allocated to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. Under the terms and conditions of the programme, an applicant (other than those solely seeking sports equipment) must provide evidence of freehold ownership of the property or evidence that they hold a lease of twenty-two years or more with at least fifteen years left to run. These are minimum requirements of the programme. These conditions are in place to ensure that the grantee is in a position to commit to the facility remaining in sporting use for at least fifteen years.

In addition, grantees in receipt of funding over a specified level must enter into a Deed of Covenant and Charge in order to protect the Minister's interest and ensure that the property remains in sporting use. This places a charge on the grantee's property and in this regard, my Department is advised by the Chief State Solicitor's Office (CSSO) that a lease of twenty-one years is required in law to create a legal estate capable of supporting a charge.

The Department, acting on the advice of the CSSO, requires a twenty-two year lease because where a lease is required to be registered in the Property Registration Authority, and a solicitor fails to register the lease in time and part of the twenty-one year term then expires, the Property Registration Authority will not register the lease, and the charge that is required cannot be secured. It is to ensure, therefore, that the lease may be registered within the timeframe required, so that the charge can be secured, that my Department has requested a lease of not less than twenty-two years. In this regard, it provides a safeguard for organisations that apply for capital funding under the Sports Capital Programme. It should be noted that these requirements are not applicable if the application is for a sports equipment grant only.

Departmental Communications.

Damien English

Ceist:

503 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of staff in his Department that are provided with a blackberry device or similar mobile e-mail equipment. [34216/07]

A total of 28 staff in my Department have been provided with mobile email devices. In addition, the National Archives, which is also part of my Department, has provided such devices to 13 members of its staff.

Damien English

Ceist:

504 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of databases used by his Department; and the number of these that are wholly and partly operated by external organisations or individuals and operated solely within his Department. [34231/07]

Damien English

Ceist:

507 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he is satisfied that personal information relating to members of the public held on his departmental databases is safe from hackers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34276/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 504 and 507 together.

A total of 23 databases are currently in operational use in my Department. Of these, 18 databases are operated entirely by my Department and two are operated entirely outside of the Department by the Oireachtas. The three remaining databases are hosted by other civil service organisations, that is to say they are essentially owned by those organisations but my Department can access them in order to perform services and to provide information which is particular to my Department alone. In addition, the National Archives, an institution which is also part of my Department, presently has twelve database systems in use in its office which are all fully operated and managed within the National Archives IT network.

I am satisfied that the best possible preventative and security measures are in place to restrict external access to the information in all of the databases as outlined. These measures include software facilities such as ‘firewall' protection systems and login and password security, both to access the network and then to access the databases available on the network. There is also comprehensive protection against computer viruses and so-called ‘spam' emailing. Access to the databases and to any personal data therein is limited only to those staff authorised to carry out duties in relation to such data.

Damien English

Ceist:

505 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of information technology projects undertaken by or for his Department since 2004 that have been delivered over budget, after their original deadline, on budget, under budget, on their original deadline and ahead of their original deadline; and if he will present the information in tabular readable form. [34246/07]

My Department's IT services assist the other divisions in the Department in meeting their objectives and providing the best possible service to the public. To that end, while no major information technology-only projects have been undertaken in that period, the IT Unit has had a significant role in the various projects undertaken by the Department which have had a far wider context than IT. During the period in question those projects include decentralisation and new financial and human resource management systems.

The National Archives, an institution which is also part of my Department, currently has one major information technology project in progress. This project, which was launched in December 2005, involves the digitisation and making available online (in searchable format) of the 1901 and 1911 Census of Ireland forms and information. The project, which is being carried out in partnership with the Library and Archives Canada (LAC) is due for completion by end June 2009. The first phase of the project, data for Dublin in 1911, was launched on 3rd December 2007. The overall cost, including application development, hardware, hosting and contextual/historical research is estimated at €4,600,000.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Damien English

Ceist:

506 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the steps he has taken to offset the carbon dioxide emissions caused by ministerial travel in his Department; and if none to date, the plans he will put in place on the matter. [34261/07]

On foot of the commitment in the Programme for Government on carbon offsetting official air travel, my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr. Gormley, is developing a scheme for use by all Government Departments and bodies under their aegis.

The proposed scheme, details of which will be announced shortly, will apply retrospectively to air travel since this Government came into office. I intend to co-operate fully with the scheme when it comes into effect.

Question No. 507 answered with QuestionNo. 504.

Management Information Framework System.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

508 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the estimate of the money saved to the Exchequer in 2007 by the use of the management information framework system; the way this saving was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34299/07]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

509 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if the management information framework system has been fully rolled out in his Department; the use being made of performance indicators, the costing framework and management reports provided by this system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34313/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 508 and 509 together.

My Department introduced a new financial management system in support of the Management Information Framework System in March, 2005, procured through the Department of Justice ,Equality and Law Reform Financial Shared Services facility in Killarney, Co. Kerry. It is now an integral part of the Finance function of my Department and provides comprehensive financial information to senior management on the key activities of my Department. The system provides financial information on a series of performance indicators that have been developed as part of the Statement of Strategy, which is revised every 3 years, and for the preparation of the Annual Output Statement which forms part of the Estimates process and which was introduced for the first time in 2007 in the context of the examination by the Dail Select Committee of my Department's Vote.

It is not possible to estimate how much money has been saved to the Exchequer in 2007 by the use of the system. However, its introduction has resulted in a significant improvement in the timeliness and quality of financial information available and a saving of time and effort in producing important financial reports such as the Annual Appropriation Account.

Sports Capital Programme.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

510 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to the fact that serious delays have occurred in the payment of national lottery grants under the sports capital programme due to delays in the general processing of the legal formalities and in particular in drafting, agreeing and completing the priorities agreements as between him and the relevant financial institutions; and if he will take steps to expedite the process. [34415/07]

Under the sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, funding is allocated to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. Since 1998 the Government has allocated a total of €568m in sports capital funding to 6,716 sports projects across the country. Additionally over €107m in capital funding has been provided towards the redevelopment of Croke Park. In 2007 alone €85m was allocated towards 935 separate projects.

The Deputy will appreciate that the scale of these investments warrants protection of the State's interests. Under the terms and conditions of the programme, an applicant (other than those solely seeking sports equipment) must provide evidence of freehold ownership of the property or evidence that they hold a lease of twenty-two years or more with at least fifteen years left to run. These are minimum requirements of the programme. These conditions are in place to ensure that the grantee is in a position to commit to the facility remaining in sporting use for at least fifteen years. Priority agreements are used to ensure that, where the club or organisation has debts to lending institutions, the Minister's investment and any other debts are listed in order of rank or priority.

In relation to expediting this process, I understand that the Chief State Solicitor's Office issues a pack to all solicitors acting on behalf of grantees. This pack includes a sample priority agreement. When the documents are returned they are checked by the Chief State Solicitor's Office and if in order the deeds can be sent to the Department for sealing. A proportionate amount of time is required for legal documents to be checked by the Chief State Solicitor's Office. If the documents are not in order the solicitors will be notified. There can be a number of delays in putting these agreements in place such as delays in the submission of fully completed paper work or difficulties in agreeing the order of priority of the club's debts.

My officials have a very good working relationship with the Chief State Solicitor's Office and together we are constantly trying to make improvements to the operation of the programme to make it more user friendly, while always conscious of the need to protect what are significant Government investments. If there are particular projects of which the Deputy is aware where a serious delay is occurring I would be happy to have the matter investigated and a response provided to the Deputy.

Pension Provisions.

James Bannon

Ceist:

511 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if, in view of the fact that one in five pensioners are at risk of poverty, under the programme for Government undertaking to increase the basic State pension to at least €300 by 2012, he will ensure that this provision is front loaded and not drip fed at the rate of €20 per year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33242/07]

James Bannon

Ceist:

514 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his plans to reduce the discrepancy between the shortfall between the additional cost for older persons, over 70 living alone which result in a weekly shortfall of €47 to €90 as compared to a €9 to €62 shortfall in the same period for couples of a similar age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33245/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 511 and 514 together.

The Programme for Government features a number of commitments in relation to social welfare pensions, including a commitment to increase the basic State pension to €300 per week by 2012. Progress towards this target was announced in last week's Budget, where the State Pension (Contributory) was increased by €14 per week, bringing it up to €223.30 per week. An increase of €12 per week was granted on the State Pension (Non-Contributory), bringing it up to €212 per week.

Over the last number of Budgets, pension increases have been well ahead of inflation ensuring that not only is the real value of pensions maintained but that they are significantly improved in real terms. This is clearly evident in the recently published EU Survey of Income and Living Conditions (SILC) which showed that the position for older people improved significantly from 2005 to 2006, with the ‘at risk of poverty' rate falling from 20.1% to 13.6%. Furthermore, the number of people aged 65 and over at risk of poverty was significantly lower than for the general population, where 17% are considered to be at risk of poverty.

While various studies use different measures of calculating income needs the policy in relation to support for pensioners has been, for many years, to give priority to increasing the rates of pension payable to all pensioners rather than targeting individual groups such as those that are living alone. The most recent SILC figures show that this approach has resulted in a very significant reduction in the poverty risk for older people in general. This approach was continued in Budget 2008 and the position will be kept under review.

James Bannon

Ceist:

512 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his commitment under the programme for Government to increasing the qualified adult allowance rates to the level of the full State pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33243/07]

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to complete the process begun in Budget 2007 to raise the qualified adult increase for the spouses and partners (age 66 or over) of contributory pensioners to the level of the State Pension (Non-Contributory). Spouses and partners of non-contributory pensioners may receive a pension in their own right at age 66. In Budget 2008, I was pleased to provide an increase of up to €27 per week in the qualified adult rate where the qualified adult is aged 66 or over. This brings the maximum rate to €200 per week which represents 94% of the target in the Programme for Government. It is my intention to complete the process of aligning the rates in question within three years.

Social Insurance.

James Bannon

Ceist:

513 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if social insurance credits will be provided to those who have had breaks in their working lives, particularly those who have been absent from the workforce due to caring responsibilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33244/07]

The social welfare pension rights of those who take time out of the workforce for caring duties are protected by the Home-maker's scheme which was introduced in 1994. The scheme allows up to 20 years spent caring for children or incapacitated adults to be disregarded when a person's social insurance record is being averaged for pension purposes. However, the scheme will not of itself qualify a person for a pension. The standard qualifying conditions, which require a person to enter insurance 10 years before pension age, pay a minimum of 260 contributions at the correct rate and achieve a yearly average of at least 10 contributions on their record from the time they enter insurance until they reach pension age, must also be satisfied. The minimum paid contributions required will increase to 520 in 2012. These conditions are designed to ensure that those qualifying for pensions have had an adequate and sustained commitment to the social insurance system as well as to uphold the contributory principle that underpins the qualifying conditions for all social insurance payments.

While there are no plans to alter these arrangements in the immediate term, the operation of this scheme is subject to review in the context of the Green Paper on Pensions, with particular regard being paid to the operative date of the scheme and the use of credits for pension purposes rather than the current system of disregards. A consultation process on the Green Paper is now underway and will remain open until mid 2008. The Government will respond to the views expressed during the consultation process by publishing a framework for future pensions policy. I expect that this will be available towards the end of next year.

It should also be noted that people of working age who are no longer liable for PRSI contributions may opt to protect their pension entitlements by applying to become a voluntary contributor. In order to be admitted to the voluntary contributions scheme, a person must have a minimum of 260 weeks of PRSI paid in either employment or self-employment and apply within 12 months of being insurable. The requirement to have 260 paid contributions to gain access to the scheme is essential in that it ensures that the requisite number of paid contributions required is in place to establish a contributory pension entitlement.

Question No. 514 answered with QuestionNo. 511.

Social Welfare Code.

James Bannon

Ceist:

515 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will increase the aged 80 allowance by €6 to €16 per week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33246/07]

There are about 115,000 people currently in receipt of the allowance, at an annual cost of some €60 million per annum. Increasing the allowance to €16 per week would involve an additional cost of the order of €36 million per annum. The policy in relation to pension rates in the recent budget was to use available resources to improve the position of all pensioners to the fullest extent possible rather than focussing on the position of individual groups, such as those who are over 80 years of age. Accordingly, the over 80 allowance was not increased on this occasion.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

516 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if it was standard practice for the health boards to inspect houses prior to occupation by people in receipt of rent supplement; if so, if this practice was in place in 2002; and if not, the practice there was to determine if a house was suitable to be inhabited by people approved or in receipt of rent supplement. [34078/07]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

517 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if the house formerly occupied by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal was inspected by the North Western Health Board prior to them being approved rent supplement and moving in 2002. [34079/07]

I propose to answer questions Nos. 516 and 517 together.

In order to qualify for a rent supplement a person must satisfy a means test. The Executive must satisfy itself also that the applicant has a genuine accommodation need for which he or she cannot provide, that a bona fide tenancy arrangement exists between the applicant and the landlord and that the property being rented is suitable to his or her needs.

The Health Service Executive has confirmed that while it did not inspect the premises in this case, it was provided with documentary evidence by the applicant and landlord which indicated that the house was suited to meet the accommodation needs of the person concerned. The Executive may consider that a property is not suited to the applicants needs if the accommodation does not comply with Housing Regulations. However, enforcement of housing regulations is a matter for Local Authorities and not the responsibility of the Community Welfare Service. Community Welfare Officers are not qualified to undertake this work.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Simon Coveney

Ceist:

518 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the percentage of energy consumed in his Department and in all agencies for which his Department has responsibility that comes from renewable sources. [33284/07]

The Electricity Supply Board (ESB) and Energia supply the electricity requirements for my Department and agencies. Some 27 offices of my Department, including all headquarter offices, are supplied by Energia with the remaining 108 offices, together with agencies of my Department, being supplied by the Electricity Supply Board.

It is not possible to identify explicitly the generation sources for this electricity. I am advised, however, that for the year ended 2006, ESB owned or contracted in 296 MW of renewable generation capacity which represented 29% of all renewable electricity generation in the State at that time. Likewise Energia has renewable generation capacity. It would be reasonable to conclude that some of this electricity generated from renewable sources was provided to my Department.

Departmental Reports.

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

519 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the response by his Department to the recommendations made to his Department by the Competition Authority in its October 2007 report on competition in the dental profession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33321/07]

The final report on the investigation by the Competition Authority into the dental profession, published in October 2007, made the following recommendations which affect this Department:

1.The Health Service Executive and the Department of Social and Family Affairs should allow clinical dental technicians who are on the Register of Clinical Dental Technicians to be directly reimbursed under the Dental Treatment Services Scheme and the Dental Treatment Benefit Scheme, for the sale of dentures and for denture repairs.

2.The Health Service Executive and the Department of Social and Family Affairs should allow advanced dental hygienists who are on the Register of Advanced Dental Hygienists to be directly reimbursed under the Dental Treatment Services Scheme and the Dental Treatment Benefit Scheme for eligible dental treatments they provide.

Both recommendations can only be brought into force if other recommendations for the Dental Council and the Department of Health & Children are accepted and brought into force i.e. changes in the Dentists Act 1985 to allow for the registration of dental technicians and dental hygienists.

I am informed by the Minister for Health and Children that she is aware of the need to improve the competitive position of dental services in Ireland and in this regard she has welcomed the recent report and recommendations from the Competition Authority. In addition, the Minister for Health and Children recently announced the development of a new National Oral Health Policy and one of the central parts of this policy will be that of regulatory reform. The report by the Competition Authority will provide a solid foundation for the discussions on regulatory reform in the context of the National Oral Health Policy.

Departmental Expenditure.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

520 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the amount of mobile telephone bills paid directly by his Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33343/07]

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

521 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the amount of mobile telephone bills paid in the form of expenses to staff by his Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33358/07]

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

522 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the amount of mobile telephone bills paid in relation to the departmental mobile telephone assigned to him by his Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33373/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 520, 521, 522, together.

The Department supplies some 1,200 members of staff with mobile phones to assist in the performance of their official duties. The costs of official calls and phone rental on these devices are borne by the department. Arrangements are in place for staff to reimburse costs associated with personal calls on Departmental phones. There are no arrangements in place to pay expenses to staff in respect of business calls made on personally owned phones.

The total amount paid in respect of mobile phone charges in 2006 was €393,860 of which 13% applied to data and 7% to roaming. For the year 2007, so far €381,118 has been paid of which 16% represents data charges and 6% represents roaming.

On my appointment as Minister of Social & Family Affairs in June this year, I was assigned a mobile phone by the Department. The amount paid in respect of this phone to date (21 November 2007) is €1306.16, of which 22% % represents data and 78% represents voice. Roaming charges are not available.

Departmental Staff.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

523 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number, rank and pay of all civil servants in his Department and Ministerial staff, personally appointed by him or otherwise, who are engaged in media monitoring; the nature of the work done; the persons who the information is circulated to or the people who have access to this information; the cost of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33513/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

524 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number and name of newspapers purchased by his Department daily and weekly; the number provided to himself and to the Minister of State’s office; the yearly cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33528/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

525 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of press officers and press advisers in his Department; the rank and pay of each; the description of work done; the persons to whom the information is circulated or made accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33543/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

526 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number, cost and name of any media consultants employed by his Department; the cost of such advice for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; the nature of the work done; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33558/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

527 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of press advisers employed by his Department; the cost of such advice for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33573/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

529 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the cost to his Department of photographers used by all Ministers in his Department on a yearly basis for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33603/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

532 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his Department receives a daily summary of stories relevant to his Department from Government Information Services; if this summary is in written, verbal or electronic format; if these are furnished to a departmental press officer or press adviser; and if the press officer or adviser furnishes this information to him every day or how often it is furnished. [33648/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

533 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a press advisor travels with him on official visits; and if there were official visits attended by him in the past year at whcih a press adviser was not present or was not in contact with him. [33663/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

536 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his Department carries news summaries on its internal web; the persons who have access to such information; the way they access same; the person who compiles same; the cost of same; the regularity with which this information is updated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33723/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos: 523, 524, 525, 526, 527, 529, 532, 533, and 536 together.

There are four civil servants in my Department's Press Office. The Press Officer is a Higher Executive Officer on a pay scale of €44,314 to €56,250. There are two Deputy Press Officers at Executive Officer grade. One of these is on a pay scale of €29,093 to €46,167 and the other is on a pay scale of €30,628 to €48,594 (Class A rate of PRSI contribution applies as this person commenced employment after 6 April 1995). The fourth member of staff on a pay scale of €22,058 to €35,773. The role of the Press Office staff is to provide an effective channel of communication between myself, my Department and the media.

There is one Press Adviser in my Department on a Principal Officer scale of €82,016 to €95,363. The duties carried out by the Press Adviser, who has been appointed on a contract basis for my term of office, are as set out in Section 11 of the Public Service Management Act, 1997, that is, to assist the Minister by providing advice, on a wide range of issues, by monitoring, facilitating and securing the achievement of Government objectives that relate to my Department and by performing such other functions as may be directed by me. It is normal practice for the Press Adviser to accompany me on all official engagements.

Prior to July 2002 there were no Press Advisers employed in my Department. The Press Adviser appointed in July 2002 was on a Principal Officer scale of €59,384 to €69,051 together with a private pension contribution of 11% of salary. In September 2004, a new Press Adviser was appointed to my Department was on a Principal Officer Higher scale of €75,955 to €88,040. In February 2006, a personal salary rate of €101,037 was sanctioned in respect of the Press Adviser. The person in question was also entitled to a private pension contribution of 11% of salary. These scales and rates attracted increases as provided for under the various national wage agreements.

My Department has engaged the services of a media monitoring company since 2005. This company provides an electronic media monitoring service covering publications of relevance to my Department, including the Irish national daily and Sunday newspapers. The press clippings from this service, which have cost €21,280.00 to date in 2007, are available to all departmental staff and are updated daily by the media monitoring company engaged by my Department.

In addition, the Press Adviser and Press Office staff receive a summary of news headlines from the Government Information Services, from Monday to Friday each week. These are received via email and text message and where relevant, I am made aware of issues that may impact on my Department.

Information in relation to the Department's use of Media Consultants is being compiled and will be made available to the Deputy as soon as it is available. The names of the daily newspapers purchased by my Department are listed in the table below. The cost to date in 2007 is €15,558.20.

Name of Newspaper

Number purchased by Department weekly

Number supplied to Minister’s Office Weekly (included in overall number)

Irish Times

27

5

Irish Independent

27

5

Irish Examiner

32

5

The Star

17

5

The Irish Mirror

6

The Irish Daily Mail

12

The Irish Sun

6

USA Today

3

3

Financial Times

5

Waterford News & Star

2

1

Dungarvan Leader

1

Munster Express

1

Southern Star

1

Evening Echo

5

Sunday Independent

2

Sunday Tribune

2

Sunday Business Post

2

Sunday World

2

Irish Mail on Sunday

2

Sunday Times

2

News of The World

2

Expenditure on photography by Ministers for Social and Family Affairs during the period 1997 to date in 2007 is listed below:

Year

Amount of Expenditure

1997

IR£11,898.96

1998

IR£4,752.20

1999

IR£5,003.62

2000

€9,764.36

2001

€13,950.97

2002

€9,250.65

2003

€16,177.92

2004

€16,203.47

2005

€16,517.26

2006

€11,236.32

2007 to date

€13,194.05

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

528 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of credit cards held by his Department; the cost of same for each year since 2000 to date in 2007; the persons who hold these cards and for whom they are used; the annual amounts purchased; the cumulative interest on same for each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33588/07]

There are currently five credit/charge cards held by officials of my Department and two held by agencies under the aegis of the Department. The cards are issued on the strict condition that they will be used solely for official purposes and the named card holder is the only person authorized to use the card. Such official usage includes purchase of equipment, air-fares, training courses, fees and official entertainment. Details of the yearly payments, costs of card including annual charges, government levy and interest paid to date are outlined below.

Year

Total Payments

Cost of Card (e.g. Annual Charge/ Government Levy)

Interest Paid

2000

39,984

146

0

2001

48,550

102

0

2002

28,372

82

0

2003

18,971

65

0

2004

15,548

133

0

2005

16,136

385

0

2006

25,253

350

0

2007

11,241

605

0.45

Question No. 529 answered with QuestionNo. 523.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

530 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the cost of make-up for him for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33618/07]

According to Departmental records make up expenses were not incurred for the period requested.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

531 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the cost of his Department’s entertainment allowance for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33633/07]

My Department has spent €41,847 on official entertainment in the 11 months to the end of November 2007, the latest date for which figures are available. Expenditure in the previous ten years is detailed below.

Year

1997

33,121

1998

35,032

1999

41,499

2000

54,744

2001

34,813

2002

76,935

2003

49,976

2004

35,438

2005

27,586

2006

34,135

Questions Nos. 532 and 533 answered with Question No. 523.

Departmental Transport.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

534 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the cost of providing transport including their official car to Ministers of State in his Department and staff for each year from 1997 to date in 2007. [33678/07]

The cost to my Department for 1997 for transport costs incurred by the then Minster was € 13,189. During the period July 1997 to date no Minister of State was formally assigned to my Department. However, Minister of State, Máire Hoctor, who is Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, has special responsibility for older people, areas of which fall within the remit of my Department. There are no costs attached to her office from my Department.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

535 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the cost of his using public transport for every year since 1997 to date in 2007; and the cost of providing similar services to Ministers of State and staff for the same period. [33693/07]

Details of public transport expenditure are not recorded separately but are included in the overall Travel and Subsistence subhead. There is a significant level of travel expenditure in my Department's budget, arising from the dispersed nature of my Department's services and, inter alia, the fact that a considerable level of investigative work must be carried out in the course of delivering the Department's services. I have outlined in the table details of the total travel expenditure which would include bus/train fares, car mileage and other miscellaneous domestic travel costs.

Travel Costs

1997

1,706,085

1998

1,831,200

1999

1,837,984

2000

2,026,548

2001

2,100,323

2002

2,252,727

2003

1,867,230

2004

2,123,624

2005

2,101,747

2006

2,129,568

2007 (to current date)

2,135,802

Question No. 536 answered with QuestionNo. 523.

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

537 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of mobile phones used by him and supplied by his Department; the annual cost of same for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33738/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

538 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if any of the advisers or staff appointed by him directly have mobile phones and other equipment supplied by his Department; the annual cost of same since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33753/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 537 and 538 together.

The details requested by the Deputy are not immediately available but are being collated. I will provide this information in writing to the deputy as soon as it becomes available.

Pension Provisions.

Áine Brady

Ceist:

539 Deputy Áine Brady asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the improvements since 2005 in the contributory and non-contributory pensions; the number of pensioners in County Kildare who benefit per year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33773/07]

Meeting the needs of older people is a priority for this Government. Since 2005, and including the increases announced in the recent Budget, cumulative increases in the state pension (contributory) and the state pension (non contributory) amounted to €56 and €58 per week respectively. During this period the Government reached its commitment for a minimum target of €200 per week for pensions and has set a new target of €300 per week to be achieved by 2012. The allowance paid to pensioners who are over 80 years of age was also increased to €10 per week in 2006.

In 2007 the Government made a commitment to increase the qualified adult allowance for spouses and partners of contributory pensioners, who are aged 66 years and over, to the level of the state pension (non-contributory) over a period of three years. In Budget 2007 an increase of €23.70 per week in the qualified adult payment was given and this was followed by an increase of €27 per week in Budget 2008. These increases bring the weekly rate for the qualified adult payment to €200 per week, which is 94% of the target rate.

From 2002 pensioners could opt to have the qualified adult allowances paid separately to spouses and partners. From September 2007 payment of the qualified adult allowance is automatically paid separately to the spouse or partner, although there is provision for the couple to opt for a joint payment.

In budget 2006 a standard non-contributory pension payment was introduced for those over 66 years. The basic income disregard for the purposes of the means test for non-contributory pensions was increased to €20 per week and the incentives for pensioners on means tested payments, who may wish to continue in employment, were introduced with €100 per week of earnings disregarded. These allowances were increased in 2007 with the basic means disregard rising to €30 per week and the employment earnings disregard to €200 per week. The amount of capital disregarded for means test purposes is €20,000 for a single person doubled in the case of couples.

The number of people in receipt of State Pensions in Kildare in each of the years in questions is as follows:

Scheme

2005

2006

2007

State Pension Contributory

2,859

3,343

6,129

State Pension Transition

2,490

2,476

223*

State Pension Non Con

1,527

1,768

1,806

Total

6,876

7,587

8,158

It should be noted the recipients of State Pension Transition are now transferred to State Pension Contributory when they reach 66 years of age.

Social Welfare Code.

Áine Brady

Ceist:

540 Deputy Áine Brady asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the improvements since 2004 and proposed improvements in the conditions for carers both in terms of allowances and benefits; the number of carers in County Kildare who have benefited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33774/07]

Charles Flanagan

Ceist:

545 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when the value for money review of social welfare payments to carers was completed; the value of the saving to the Exchequer generated by the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33794/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 540 and 545 together.

Supporting and recognising carers in our society is, and has been, a priority of the Government since 1997. Over that period, weekly payment rates to carers have been greatly increased, qualifying conditions for carer's allowance have been significantly eased, coverage of the scheme has been extended and new schemes such as carer's benefit and the respite care grant have been introduced and extended.

My Department conducted an internal review of payments to carers during the period 2004 to 2006. The review was designed to build on the review of the carer's allowance which was published in 1998 and to develop proposals for improvements in the schemes. The review examined all aspects of carer's allowance, carer's benefit and the respite care grant and made a broad range of proposals covering issues such as the definition of full time care and attention, qualifying conditions for the respite care grant and the operation of the means test for carer's allowance. In recent Budgets many of the review's recommendations especially in the area of introducing more flexibility into current arrangements have been implemented.

In June 2005 the respite care grant was extended to all carers providing full-time care and attention to a person in need of such care regardless of their means or social insurance contributions. Since then the grant has also been paid in respect of each care recipient. The rate of the respite care grant has been increased significantly. In Budget 2008 I provided for an increase of €200 in the level of the grant so that from June 2008 the grant will be €1,700 per year in respect of each care recipient.

In 2005 the carer's allowance scheme was extended to accommodate care-sharing situations. Under these arrangements it is possible for week-on week-off care-sharing arrangements to be facilitated. This means that where two carers are providing care to the same person on alternate weeks the carer's allowance and the annual respite care grant can be split between them. Budget 2006 increased the number of hours for which a carer can engage in employment, self employment, education or training outside the home and still be considered to be providing full time care and attention from 10 to 15 hours per week. This improvement came into effect in June 2006 and applies to carer's allowance, carer's benefit and the respite care grant. Budget 2006 also provided for the duration of carer's benefit to be increased from 15 to 24 months. A corresponding increase in the duration of carer's leave came into effect from 24 March 2006.

Budget 2007 provided for significant structural reforms to introduce new arrangements whereby people in receipt of a social welfare payment, other than carer's allowance or benefit, who are providing with full-time care and attention, are able to retain their main welfare payment and receive another payment. Depending on their means, the maximum of this payment will be equivalent to a half rate carer's allowance. Similarly, people currently in receipt of a carer's allowance, who may have an underlying eligibility for another social welfare payment, can transfer to that other payment and continue to receive up to a half rate carer's allowance.

These new arrangements, which came into force in September 2007, apply to almost all weekly social welfare payments including state pension contributory and non-contributory; widower's contributory/non-contributory pension and to people in receipt of qualified adult allowances. The new arrangements do not apply to recipients of jobseeker's allowance or benefit given the nature of these payments. This is in line with the arrangements which already applied to receipt of the respite care grant.

The current rate of carer's allowance and carer's benefit is €200 per week for those aged under 66. The rate of carer's allowance for those aged over 66 is €218 per week. As a result of improvements provided for in Budget 2008 all of these rates will increase by €14 per week from January 2008.

From April 2007 the weekly carer's allowance income disregard increased by €30 to €320 for a single carer and by €60 to €640 for a couple. This surpasses the Towards 2016 commitment to ensure that those on average industrial earnings can qualify for the payment. Budget 2008 provided for the disregard to be increased further to €332.50 per week for a single person and €665 per week for a couple from April 2008.

The number of people in County Kildare in receipt of either carer's allowance or carer's benefit has increased by 60 per cent since 2004, from 633 people at the end of 2004 to 1,014 people at present. I will keep supports for carers available from my Department under review in order to continue to improve the schemes and ensure commitments on income support are delivered.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Michael Noonan

Ceist:

541 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if child benefit will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33790/07]

Under EU regulations 1408/71, an employed person who is working in a Member State is entitled to the family benefits provided by that State even though their family may be residing in another Member State. When both parents are employed in two different States, the country of residence of the children pays the family benefits.

The person concerned is currently employed in Ireland and confirmation of her employment in Ireland from the 15th March 2007 has been received. Her ex-partner is employed and residing in Slovakia but is not maintaining the family, as a result Ireland is the competent country to pay Family Benefits. Child Benefit has been awarded from the 1st April 2007. All arrears due from April to date will be lodged to her bank account on Tuesday the 1st January 2008. Correspondence has issued to the person concerned requesting further information relating to her employment status prior to March 2007. When a reply is received, her entitlement to further arrears will be established and she will be advised accordingly.

Departmental Reports.

Charles Flanagan

Ceist:

542 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when the value for money review of the supplementary welfare allowance phase two was completed; the value of the saving to the Exchequer generated by the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33791/07]

The review of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme was carried out as part of the Government's Expenditure Review Initiative series of Programme Evaluation reviews. Given the extensive and complex nature of the scheme, the review was undertaken in two phases. A report was published at the end of the first phase in December 2004. That report gave a broad appraisal of the scheme and identified issues for particular consideration in the second phase which commenced in February 2005. This second and final phase of the review, which was published in November 2006, is an in-depth examination which considered the issues raised in phase I of the report, examined the validity of the objectives of the scheme and the efficiency and effectiveness of the scheme. The report of phase II of the review also provided a series of recommendations in relation to the future of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme.

Overall the review concluded that the scheme has, over the years, met its objective of guaranteeing that every person in the State has a minimum level of income sufficient to meet their basic day to day needs. However, the review also points out that the scheme has gone beyond its original "safety net" role and now plays a more extensive role than was originally intended. In overall terms the main recommendations arising include:

The creation of a unified system of income support delivered at Social Welfare Local Offices and complemented by a range of activation supports;

Vigorous support of the Rental Assistance Scheme to address housing needs of people in long-term rent supplementation

A continued role for the Community Welfare Service in delivering a flexible and immediate response to those most in need.

A number of measures have been introduced to progress implementation of the recommendations of the review. For example, Budget 2007 provided for improvements in the qualifying conditions for rent supplement which will support the transfer to the rental accommodation scheme of rent supplement tenants who wish to take up full-time employment.

The review also identified a number of issues relating to the incentives under the rent supplement scheme for those wishing to take up an employment opportunity. These issues were addressed in Budget 2007. Since June of this year where a person has additional income in excess of the standard weekly rate of supplementary welfare allowance , the first €75 of such additional income together with 25% of any additional income above €75 is disregarded for means assessment purposes. This ensures that those returning to work or participating in training schemes are better off as a result of taking up such an opportunity.

The review also recommended an easing of the means test for supplementary welfare allowance in the assessment of capital. Budget 2007 provided for an improved capital assessment which presents a less severe approach to the assessment of capital for SWA purposes. The process currently underway to transfer certain functions from the HSE to my Department presents fundamental reform and developmental opportunities for a fully integrated and enhanced income support system, as recommended in the report. This includes a restructuring and integration of income and wider support services within one entity, namely my Department, while facilitating the HSE in concentrating on its core health and personal social services functions. The report provides a working template to support the transfer programme.

In conclusion, the focus of the review was on maximising the achievement of the objectives that have been identified as appropriate to the supplementary welfare scheme in an effective and efficient manner. Over time, the implementation of the recommendations of the review, will result in improvements in the efficiency and cost effectiveness of the scheme.

Charles Flanagan

Ceist:

543 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when the value for money review of the unemployment benefit and assistance for atypical workers was completed; the value of the saving to the Exchequer generated by the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33792/07]

The review of the jobseeker schemes which was undertaken under the expenditure review process, focused on the application of the schemes conditions to workers who are not employed on a full-time basis. The review was completed in November 2006. The review contained a range of recommendations, some of which may result in savings to the Exchequer or to the Social Insurance Fund while others could lead to additional costs to the Fund. The conclusions and recommendations are under consideration within my Department.

Charles Flanagan

Ceist:

544 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when the value for money review of one-parent family payments was completed; the value of the saving to the Exchequer generated by the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33793/07]

The review of the one-parent family payment was one of two strands of work undertaken with regard to lone parents and their families under the auspices of the Senior Officials Group on Social Inclusion, the other being an analysis of obstacles to employment for lone parents. Both of these reports are contained within the ‘Government Discussion Paper: Proposals for Supporting Lone Parents' published in March 2006. The focus of the review of the one-parent family payment was to examine; the effectiveness of income support arrangements with regard to the needs of lone parents and their children; the desire to avoid long term dependency on social welfare income support and the continued appropriateness of the scheme.

One of the main findings of the review was that while the Exchequer is spending significant resources in direct supports for lone parents, €1.48 billion in 2006, it is achieving poor outcomes in terms of tackling poverty and social exclusion. That is why the Government discussion paper put forward proposals for the expanded availability and range of education and training opportunities ; the extension of the National Employment Action Plan; focused provision of childcare; improved information services and the introduction of a new social assistance payment for all low income families, including lone parents with young children.

The development of any new scheme to support low income parents can only be introduced when the necessary co-ordinated supports and services are put in place on the ground by other Departments and Agencies. For this reason, the non-income recommendations contained in the discussion paper are currently being tested in two areas: Coolock and Kilkenny. These tests will identify and address any practical and administrative issues that may arise in advance of a scheme being introduced. The tests are scheduled to run until the end of the year, after which a report will be made to the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion. The tests will allow for operational and logistical co-ordination between the relevant Departments and Agencies to be considered and will facilitate the development of the policy and operational details of the new scheme and accompanying supports.

Question No. 545 answered with QuestionNo. 540.

Charles Flanagan

Ceist:

546 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when the value for money review of the disability allowance scheme will be completed; the anticipated value of the saving to the Exchequer due to the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33795/07]

Disability allowance was one of the payments which formed part of the Expenditure Review of Illness and Disability Payment Schemes that was carried out by my Department in 2003 and subsequently published in 2004.

The review examined and reported on the trend and level of expenditure and found that disability allowance is well targeted in addressing income maintenance requirements of customers and combating social exclusion. The review also highlighted a number of areas where further work can be usefully targeted. The first of these is the reason for the rise in the number of recipients of Disability Allowance since 1996, when my Department initiated the disability allowance scheme to replace the previously existing Disabled Persons Maintenance Allowance scheme.

The second area to be further examined is access for people in receipt of disability allowance to employment and training. This is obviously an area of increased importance to the Department, reflected in the focus on ‘people of working age' in the National Action Plan on Social Inclusion, the latest social partnership agreement Towards 2016 and the Department's Disability Sectoral Plan. The Sectoral Plan is of particular importance in that regard because it builds on the Department's key policy objectives and aims to deliver support to people with disabilities that will reduce their risk of dependence.

It is now proposed to further examine these two particular issues. I am anxious to ensure that this examination is relevant to the needs of people with disabilities and my Department is at present finalising terms of reference for the review. The review will begin early in 2008 and will take between six and nine months to complete.

Central to this work will be the forthcoming publication by the Central Statistics Office of findings from the National Survey on Disability in Ireland carried out in 2006. This survey will allow the Department, for the first time, to ‘match' the incidence of disability in Ireland against the numbers in receipt of disability allowance. It will give valuable information on the profile of recipients, including previous and current employment history, which will allow for more informed policy options to be taken. Publication of this survey by the Central Statistics Office is expected early in 2008 and the availability of this data will affect the timing of the completion of the disability allowance review.

Charles Flanagan

Ceist:

547 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when the value for money review of information services provided to customers will be completed; the anticipated value of the saving to the Exchequer due to the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33796/07]

My department is carrying out a Value for Money Review of its information services together with the relevant agencies under the aegis of the Department that are engaged in information provision, i.e. Citizens Information Board and Reach. The review will cover the period 2005-2007 and will examine direct and indirect expenditure incurred in the provision of information on welfare schemes. Work on the review has commenced and is expected that it will be completed by the end of 2008. Any recommendations arising from the review will be assessed at that time.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

548 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath did not receive supplementary welfare allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33797/07]

The supplementary welfare allowance scheme (SWA) is administered on my behalf by the Community Welfare division of the Health Service Executive (HSE). The person concerned applied for SWA on 18th September 2007. The HSE has advised that payment was awarded from that date and remained in payment until 29 October 2007. Retrospective payments are not made under the terms of the SWA scheme. SWA payments may only be made from the date a claim is made.

An application for Illness Benefit was registered on 20th September 2007 for the person concerned. However, this claim was refused as the qualifying criteria were not satisfied. The person concerned was informed of this decision with an explanation of the reasons why his claim was not allowed. The procedures he should follow in order to have his claim re-examined were also set out. If an applicant for SWA is not satisfied with the decision made in their case, they may lodge an appeal to the Appeals Office of the Health Service Executive.

Departmental Transport.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

549 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the cost on a yearly basis for transport hire of any kind for his transport and that of his staff for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; the reason for such hire; if tenders were sought; the locations brought from and to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34098/07]

My staff require the use of taxis for travelling to various meetings when public transport is not suitable. This service is provided by the taxi firm, selected following a tender process, with whom my Department has an account. The table shows the relevant expenditure from January 1997 to November 2007.

Information in relation to transport costs incurred in the course of Ministerial trips abroad on official business is currently being compiled within my Department and will be made available to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Taxi Expenditure

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007 to date

€2,443

€4,430

€3,399

€4,189

€4,047

€5,950

€5,603

€5,868

€7,923

€7,362

€4,787

Social Welfare Benefits.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

550 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare has only been sanctioned for a reduced supplementary welfare allowance payment in view of the circumstances of the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34137/07]

Under the terms of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on my behalf by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive, an exceptional needs payment (ENP) may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which the applicant is unable to meet out of his/her own resources. There is no automatic entitlement to this payment. Each application is determined by the Executive based on the particular circumstances of the case. Eligible people would normally be in receipt of a social welfare or health service executive payment.

The Executive has advised that the accommodation needs of the person concerned are now being met under the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) which is administered by local housing authorities under the aegis of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

The person concerned has been paid an exceptional needs payment on eight occasions in 2007. Her most recent application was made on 29th November 2007. She was granted a payment by the CWO on the basis of the circumstances of the case she made at the time. It is open to the person concerned to approach the Executive should she wish to make an application for further ENP support.

Pension Provisions.

Tom Hayes

Ceist:

551 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress that has been made by his Department following the recommendations by the Irish Human Rights Commission in relation to special pension for the self employed introduced in 1999; if the committee of experts has completed its review of the matter in the context of its annual report on compliance with the European code of social security recently submitted by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34183/07]

The case reported on by the Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) involves a couple who were over 56 years of age in 1988 when compulsory social insurance for the self-employed was introduced and who could not, therefore, satisfy one of the basic requirements for pension as they did not commence paying insurance 10 years before pension age.

In addition, the couple could not satisfy the qualifying conditions for the special half-rate pension which was introduced in 1999 for self-employed people as they had not paid the 260 contributions required. While one of the couple could have qualified had they paid the necessary contributions, because of advanced age the other person would not have been able to contribute the necessary level of contributions before reaching pension age. A refund of part of the social insurance contributions was available to such people.

The IHRC recommended that a reduced benefit should be paid to people who, because of advanced age, could not satisfy the conditions for the special pension introduced in 1999. The recommendations of the IHRC are based on its assessment of the situation under the European Convention on Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the European Code of Social Security. In relation to the European Code of Social Security, the IHRC places particular emphasis on provisions in relation to the position of people, who by reason of age when provisions are introduced, cannot satisfy contribution or employment conditions.

The Department makes annual reports on compliance with this Code to the Council of Europe, summarising changes to the social welfare system. These reports are then referred to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Committee of Experts for their examination. The Department's 1999 report included details of the self-employed provisions which are now the subject of the Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) investigation. At that time, the ILO Committee confirmed that Ireland met its obligations.

Accordingly, as an initial step in its review of the IHRC report, my Department has asked the ILO Committee of Experts for its views on the way in which the IHRC has interpreted the relevant articles. While the Department has received an informal opinion which is at variance with the conclusions of the IHRC, it has asked the Committee of Experts for a formal review of the situation in the context of our annual report on compliance with the European Code of Social Security which my Department submitted in August this year. The annual report has drawn specific attention to the IHRC report and the manner in which it interprets our obligations under Article 29.5 of the Code. The views of the supervising committees were sought on the conclusions of the IHRC report and the Department is awaiting a response from the Council of Europe. My Department will re-examine its position in relation to the IHRC report when the views of the supervising committees have been received.

Departmental Communications.

Damien English

Ceist:

552 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of staff in his Department that are provided with a blackberry device or similar mobile e-mail equipment. [34227/07]

My Department is currently testing the use of mobile e-mail equipment and has provided Blackberry or similar PDA type devices to 15 staff in a test environment. Further significant development of the underlying Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure is required before general secure deployment of such devices. This work has commenced and will continue over the coming year. When completed mobile communication devices will be deployed to staff whose role require the use of such technology.

Damien English

Ceist:

553 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of databases used by his Department; and the number of these that are wholly and partly operated by external organisations or individuals and operated solely within his Department. [34242/07]

The Department administers some fifty separate Social Welfare schemes and makes payments to one million people each week. The nature and volume of its business means that it has responsibility for a significant amount of personal and other data and it is heavily dependent on secure Information Communications Technology (ICT) facilities to provide its services.

The ICT portfolio within the Department includes systems that:

produce payments across multiple schemes

support customer-centric processing including PRSI consolidation

provide administrative capability across the Department

support e-Govt and inter-departmental processing/data exchange and

support line managers on a countrywide basis.

Each of these systems is typically built to use multiple databases and include additional capabilities such as audit, archive etc. In addition, a large number of database copies, for each of the aforementioned categories of systems, are used to support testing efforts — unit, system, user acceptance, performance testing. There are more than 1,000 databases held on the Department's ICT infrastructure, supporting all of the capabilities listed above. Almost all of these databases are operated wholly within the Department by the Department's own staff. A very small number of systems and their supporting databases are operated externally to support the Department's HRMS system and to support the Public Services Broker.

Damien English

Ceist:

554 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of information technology projects undertaken by or for his Department since 2004 that have been delivered over budget, after their original deadline, on budget, under budget, on their original deadline and ahead of their original deadline; and if he will present the information in tabular readable form. [34257/07]

The information requested is currently being compiled within the Department and will be made available to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Damien English

Ceist:

555 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the steps he has taken to offset the carbon dioxide emissions caused by ministerial travel in his Department; and if none to date, the plans he will put in place on the matter. [34272/07]

My Department has not established records of carbon dioxide emissions from Ministerial transport provided to me for official purposes. However, on foot of the commitment in the Programme for Government on carbon offsetting official air travel, the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government is developing a scheme for use by all Government Departments and bodies under their aegis. My Department will fully partake in the scheme.

Data Protection.

Damien English

Ceist:

556 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he is satisfied that personal information relating to members of the public held on his departmental databases is safe from hackers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34287/07]

The Department administers some fifty separate schemes and makes payments to one million people each week. The nature and volume of its business means that it has responsibility for a significant amount of personal and other data and it is heavily dependent on secure Information Communications Technology (ICT) facilities to provide its services. The Department is fully aware of its obligation to safeguard the security of this data and employs a wide range of measures to protect the confidentiality, availability and integrity of information.

Access to data by departmental staff and agents is strictly controlled and granted in accordance with departmental policies and procedures. Technological safeguards include the use of firewalls, Virtual Private Network technology, password protection and personal accounts.

All electronic data is stored securely in the Department and is replicated in a similarly secure environment for back-up purposes at a back-up site. Both sites have rigorous control procedures and site perimeter protection. Secure network arrangements including the use of data encryption and dedicated link lines are in place to cover the transmission of data to a small number of designated agencies (e.g. An Post, Bank of Ireland). The Department keeps its security and access arrangements under review in light of developments in security technology and approaches. It will continue to improve levels of protection for personal and other data.

Management Information Framework System.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

557 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the estimate of the money saved to the Exchequer in 2007 by the use of the management information framework system; the way this saving was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34309/07]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

558 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if the management information framework system has been fully rolled out in his Department; the use being made of performance indicators, the costing framework and management reports provided by this system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34324/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 557 and 558 together.

My Department's Management Information Framework incorporates a financial module, which is updated on a regular basis, as well as an extensive business activity module. The financial module provides up to date information based on a cost centre and nominal coding structure that reflects the full range of business needs. The system currently provides some 7 million combinations of coding.

The business activity module comprises a system of passive monthly reports as well as an interactive computer based business intelligence system. The latter development has been rolled out to my Department's regional offices. Following the Minister of Finance's announcement of a number of reforms to the budget and estimates process the work undertaken to develop a costing framework became the foundation for the Annual Output Statement (AOS) which is submitted to the Select Committee on Social and Family Affairs.

My Department's business planning process is closely linked to the Statement of Strategy and management reports on business activities include performance indicators that reflect the key business objectives of my Department. While it is not possible to quantify in monetary terms the savings accruing to the Exchequer arising from the Management Information Framework, the system has enabled the development of a comprehensive financial management system, the introduction of both passive and interactive management reporting and the production of the Annual Output Statement.

Social Welfare Code.

John Deasy

Ceist:

559 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will examine the means test applicable to non-contributory social welfare payments which shows a much higher rate of return on shares, investments and bank deposits than is the case in reality; when the present means test was introduced; the basis for the calculation at that time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34407/07]

In assessing means for social assistance purposes account is taken of any cash income the person may have, together with the value of capital and property (except the home). Capital may include the following:

Stocks and shares of every description, which are assessed according to their current market value.

Savings certificates , bonds, national instalment savings, which are assessed according to their current market value.

Money invested in a bank, building society etc.

For the purposes of social assistance schemes, an initial amount of capital has is disregarded for means test purposes. For example, in the case of the State Pension Non-Contributory (formerly the Old Age Pension), this amount was increased from £200 to £2,000 in 1997 and then was substantially increased to £10,000 in October 2000. It was then further increased to €20,000 in June 2005.

The balance of any capital owned is assessed as follows:

The next €10,000 is assessed with a weekly value of €1 per €1,000

The next €10,000 is assessed with a weekly value of €2 per €1,000

The remainder is assessed with a weekly value of €4 per €1,000

The new capital assessment arrangements introduced in 2005, combined with other means disregard improvements introduced in 2006 and 2007 for the State Pension Non-Contributory, mean that a single non-contributory pensioner, with no other means, can have capital of up to €40,000 and still qualify for a pension at the maximum rate. This figure is doubled in the case of a pensioner couple.

These current assessment arrangements were not designed to reflect current or past yields from deposit income, shares or other investments. It should be noted that the current assessment arrangements also apply in relation to the weekly value of other property such a property which is being let or is capable of being let.

The current system continues with the policy of ensuring that those with relatively modest amounts of capital receive the greater share of available support, while the small proportion of people with large amounts of capital should avail of it to contribute, at least partially, towards meeting their needs. There are no plans, at present, to change the current arrangements.

National Drugs Strategy.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

560 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has made progress and the steps he has taken in relation to the recommendation contained in a report (details supplied) that a local focus for intervention should be immediately established for Limerick city due to the findings in that report that the problems of drug abuse in Limerick city are particularly acute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33217/07]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

561 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he is aware that the drugs situation particularly misuse of heroin is worsening in Limerick city; the reason the local focus for intervention has not to date been established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33218/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 560 and 561 together.

The degree to which the misuse of drugs, including heroin, is worsening in Limerick City is difficult to gauge. I am aware that the number of new entrants seeking treatment for opiate use in the mid-western region has increased from 16 who presented in 2001 to 24 presenting in 2005. This type of secondary indicator, while obviously giving cause for concern, can, however, difficult to interpret. The Health Research Board, which is responsible for the National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS), has indicated that overall changes in numbers presenting for treatment can be due to a number of factors, such as an increase in the number of treatment places, an increase in reporting to the NDTRS, as well as an increase in drug use.

Our most comprehensive data on the prevalence of drug usage comes from the Drug Prevalence Survey 2002/2003. A second Prevalence Study covering the 2006/2007 period has recently been carried out by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD). The first report on national prevalence figures and trends is expected in January next and the findings of this study will give an up-to-date picture of overall problem drug use in Ireland.

With regard to heroin, the Deputy should note that the NACD is currently undertaking a study that will give us our most up to date picture with respect to opiate use and its changing patterns of use across the country. This study will update the data from a similar piece of research carried out in 2001. The NACD expect the latest report to be completed by the middle of 2008 and I believe that it will provide useful information about the changing pattern of heroin use in Ireland.

With regard to the need for a local focus to tackle the drug problem in Limerick City, I believe that the time and complexities involved in setting up a local structure are considerable and, consequently, I would support the establishment of a sub-group of the existing Mid West Regional Drugs Task Force with a particular focus on the city. This, in my opinion, would be a more efficient — and quicker — option in terms of getting a number of drugs projects up and running in Limerick City in the short-term. My Department will be progressing this approach in the coming weeks. Finally, the Deputy should note that my Department has received additional funding of €14.3m for 2008. This represents an increase of over 28% on the 2007 allocation and will provide a major funding boost for drugs initiatives next year.

Aquaculture Development.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

562 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress Údarás na Gaeltachta has made, in view of the fact that the Cawley report has recommended that Údarás na Gaeltachta be the lead agency with Bord Iascaigh Mhara in developing aquaculture, since the publication of the strategy report and the recommendations within; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33270/07]

In the first instance, I wish to inform the Deputy that responsibility for matters contained in the Report of the Seafood Industry Strategy Review Group (The Cawley Report) rests with my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Údarás na Gaeltachta has, however, since its inception, taken a lead role in the promotion and development of aquaculture, seafood processing and other marine related projects in the Gaeltacht. In addition to the acknowledgement of Údarás' strategic role in the Cawley Report, it is worth noting that the Marine Institute, in its own report on the development of the marine resource sector, Sea Change — A Marine, Knowledge, Research and Innovation Strategy for Ireland, recognises the role of Údarás as a partner for the implementation of many of the recommendations in that report. I understand also that a key implementation role for Údarás in the Gaeltacht is envisaged in the National Strategic Plan for Fisheries 2007-2013, which was formally submitted to the European Commission in November 2007 by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Against this background, Údarás continues to promote the aquaculture and fish processing sectors through the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance Operational Programme (FIFG) and other funding, and I understand that a number of projects have been approved for funding since the publication of the Cawley Report.

Energy Resources.

Simon Coveney

Ceist:

563 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the percentage of energy consumed in his Department and in all agencies for which his Department has responsibility that comes from renewable sources. [33275/07]

Neither my Department nor any agency under the remit of the Department is aware of the percentage, if any, of energy consumed coming from renewable sources.

Departmental Programmes.

Ned O'Keeffe

Ceist:

564 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will make an application for CLÁR funding available to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [33305/07]

Under the CLÁR Programme, top-up funding is provided to sports clubs, located in CLÁR areas, who are successful under the Sports Capital Grants Scheme run by the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism (D/AST) and recommended for CLÁR support by that Department. The sports club referred to by the Deputy may qualify for funding under the CLÁR Programme, therefore, if they qualify for a grant from D/AST.

The Deputy should also note that the club may be eligible to apply for funding under the ESB Three Phase Measure which is also operated by CLÁR should they wish to install floodlights at their grounds. An application for this scheme may be made directly to the CLÁR section of my Department which is located in Teeling St., Tubbercurry, Co Sligo.

Departmental Expenditure.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

565 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount of mobile telephone bills paid directly by his Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33334/07]

The estimated sum of €148,000 inclusive of VAT and rental was paid by my Department in 2006 and to date in 2007 in respect of mobile phone charges. A breakdown of roaming and data charges is given below.

Roaming

Data

2006

7,349

10,267

2007 to date

4,390

15,048

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

566 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount of mobile telephone bills paid in the form of expenses to staff by his Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33349/07]

No mobile telephone bills are paid by my Department in the form of expenses.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

567 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount of mobile telephone bills paid in relation to the departmental mobile telephone assigned to him by his Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33364/07]

Mobile phone charges in respect of mobile phones assigned to me, by the Department, amounted to €3,124 in 2006 and €2,720 in 2007 to date. The information requested in relation to a breakdown of roaming and data charges is available from November 2006 to date only. In the period since then, data charges amounted to €25.98 and roaming charges amounted to € 356.43.

Departmental Reports.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

568 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when the value for money review on the Scéimeanna Feabhsúcháin sa Gaeltacht was completed; the value of the savings to the Exchequer generated by the implementations of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33401/07]

The review referred to by the Deputy was published in 2006. Implementation of the recommendations is ongoing, as appropriate. Actions taken to date include:

the retention of the Strategic Roads Scheme and its inclusion in the NDP 2007-2013;

emphasising to local authorities the importance of standardised signage; and

the establishment of a standing co-ordinating committee between my Department and Údarás na Gaeltachta.

Arising from implementation of the recommendations, I am confident that there will be ongoing positive outcomes in terms of efficiencies and standards of service. Several of the recommendations affirmed the ongoing benefits of the schemes for the Gaeltacht and proposed that priority be given to the stronger Irish-speaking areas. Progress on these and other recommendations, as appropriate, will be a matter for consideration in the context of the recently published Linguistic Study on the use of Irish in the Gaeltacht and the Government's proposed 20 year strategy for the Irish language.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

569 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when the value for money review on capital expenditure on the offshore islands, 2000 to 2004 was completed; the value of the savings to the Exchequer generated by the implementations of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33402/07]

The VFM review of capital expenditure on the Islands for the period 1998-04, which was undertaken as part of my Department's VFM/Expenditure Review Programme, is currently nearing completion. It is hoped to have the review published and laid before the relevant Oireachtas Committee by end-2007.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

570 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when the value for money review on the Ciste na Gaeilge was completed; the value of the savings to the Exchequer generated by the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33403/07]

The report in question has been subject to external quality assessment and is nearing completion. I expect that the report will be finalised early in the New Year.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

571 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when the value for money review on the drugs initiative was completed; the value of the savings to the Exchequer generated by the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33404/07]

The Expenditure Review of the Local Drugs Task Forces (LDTFs) was completed late 2006 and published on my Department's website in January 2007. The Review found that:

the LDTF Programme has been effective and highly relevant to the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy;

extensive measures have been implemented to address the drug problem at a local level; and

there are indications of high cost benefit ratios of projects such as those delivered through the LDTF programme.

A number of areas were identified in the Review and substantial progress has been made in addressing those issues. These include the development of (i) clearer reporting relationships and monitoring systems between projects, funders and the LDTFs and (ii) stronger evaluation processes in relation to future mainstreaming of projects to statutory agencies. In particular, the Deputy should note that a more rigorous financial feedback system has been developed. In addition, indicators — to gauge the performance and activity of projects — have also been incorporated into the National Drugs Strategy Team's reporting mechanism for the Task Forces.

I am confident that the implementation of these measures has contributed to the overall robustness of the procedures and processes currently in place within the National Drugs Strategy.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

572 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when the value for money review on local development social inclusion programmes will be completed; the anticipated savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33405/07]

I expect that the final draft of the report on the value for money review on the Local Development Social Inclusion Programme will be completed by end of the January 2008 at the latest. Pending receipt of the final report from the consultants engaged to undertake the review, I am not in a position to say what impact the implementation of its recommendations will have.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

573 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when the value for money review on the area based rural development initiative and Leader programme will be completed; the anticipated savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33406/07]

As the Deputy is aware, the EU co-financed 2000-2006 Area Based Rural Development Initiative/LEADER + programmes will be concluding shortly. These programmes were already subject to ex-ante and mid-term reviews and will be the subject of ex-post evaluation following the completion of expenditure in 2008. Accordingly, the proposed value for money review of these programmes was replaced with a review of the CLÁR and RAPID leveraged funding programmes operated by my Department.

Departmental Staff.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

574 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number, rank and pay of all civil servants in his Department and ministerial staff, personally appointed by him or otherwise, who are engaged in media monitoring; the nature of the work done; the persons who the information is circulated to or the people who have access to this information; the cost of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33504/07]

None of the staff of my Department are engaged in providing a media monitoring service. It goes without saying, of course, that many of my Department's staff endeavour to keep themselves informed of media coverage related to their duties and functions. In this regard the Press and Information Office of my Department has a contract with a private company for the provision of a press cuttings service to my Department. This is available to all staff.

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

575 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number and name of newspapers purchased by his Department daily and weekly; the number provided to himself and to the Minister of State’s office; the yearly cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33519/07]

The following publications are purchased by my Department either daily or weekly: The Irish Times × 10, Irish Independent × 7, Irish Examiner × 3, Evening Herald × 2, Irish News × 1, Foinse × 3, Lá × 3, The Star × 2, The Sun × 2, Irish Mirror × 2, Irish Daily Mail × 1, Metro Eireann × 1, Farmer's Journal × 4, Phoenix × 1, Village × 1, Connacht Tribune × 1, Mayo News × 1, Western People × 1, Business & Finance and Management × 1. The total cost to date this year (January to November) is €14,809.94.

The following papers are provided to my office: The Irish Times, Irish Independent, Irish Examiner, Irish News, Lá and the Farmer's Journal. The Minister of State is provided with the following papers: The Irish Times, Irish Independent and the Irish Examiner.

Departmental Staff.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

576 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of press officers and press advisers in his Department; the rank and pay of each; the description of work done; the persons to whom the information is circulated or made accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33534/07]

There is one Press Officer in the Department who is an Administrative Officer and her current salary point is €46,264. The Press Officer provides an information service to the public and the media on behalf of the Department. There is one Media Advisor in my Department at Assistant Principal Officer level and her salary point is €70,062. The Media Advisor advises the Minister on media matters.

Consultancy Contracts.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

577 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number, cost and name of any media consultants employed by his Department; the cost of such advice for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; the nature of the work done; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33549/07]

My Department has made available on its website details regarding consultancies (excepting those of minor value, i.e., less than €5,000, excluding VAT) relating to the period since its establishment in June 2002 up to the end of September 2007. The relevant link, which will take the Deputy directly to these details, including the information sought by him, in relation to expenditure by my Department is: www.pobail.ie/en/CorporateSupport Services/Finance/Consultancies. For the Deputy's convenience, I have arranged for a copy of the material in question to be sent directly to him at his Oireachtas e-mail address.

Departmental Staff.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

578 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of press advisers employed by his Department; the cost of such advice for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33564/07]

My Department was established in June 2002. A Media Advisor was appointed on 24 June that year and served until 14 June 2007. A new Media Advisor was appointed on 10 July 2007. The annual cost in terms of salary and related costs in respect of the post from June 2002 to end-2007 is as follows:

Title

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

Media Advisor

32,806

77,967

94,501

100,492

108,391

*€129,315

*Includes once off severance and redundancy payment of €44,850.

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

579 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of credit cards held by his Department; the cost of same for each year since 2000 to date in 2007; the persons who hold these cards and for whom they are used; the annual amounts purchased; the cumulative interest on same for each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33579/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

585 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the cost of providing transport including their official car to Ministers of State in his Department and staff for each year from 1997 to date in 2007. [33669/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

586 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the cost of him using public transport for every year since 1997 to date in 2007; and the cost of providing similar services to junior Ministers and staff for the same period. [33684/07]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

600 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the estimate of the money saved to the Exchequer in 2007 by the use of the management information framework system; the way this saving was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34301/07]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

601 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the management information framework system has been fully rolled out in his Department; the use being made of performance indicators, the costing framework and management reports provided by this system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34315/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 579, 585, 586, 600 and 601 together.

These questions deal with various aspects of my Department's administration and management of resources. My Department, which was established in June 2002, has provision for administrative expenses in 2008 of the order of €20.6 million — a 2% increase on the 2007 Estimate. There are two credit cards held in my Department — one each held by the Private Secretary to the Minister and the Private Secretary to the Minister of State. The relevant costs are shown in Table 1. The credit card is one of a number of systems of payment used by my Department, including electronic transfer and cheques. All credit card payments are subject to the same checks and verification as other payment systems. The credit card is used only where it is considered the most secure, efficient and appropriate payment method.

It may be noted that to avoid unnecessary reimbursements and to minimise paperwork, the credit card held by the Minister's Private Secretary is now used where the payment has to be made on the provision of the service. I am open to suggestions as to more effective ways of making such payments that would maintain the integrity of the system and cut down further on unnecessary bureaucracy.

Records indicate that payments made in respect of his official car for the Minister of State (including costs associated with the salary and expenses of the civilian drivers) from June 2007 to end-November 2007 amounted to €32,145. No costs of this nature were payable by my Department in the period from June 2002 to June 2007. Costs relating to public transport usage by Ministers of State are, however, included in Table 2. Records in my Department indicate that the amounts paid for public transport (comprising trains, buses, flights and ferries) are as shown in Table 2.

With regard to the Management Information Framework, the system has been fully rolled out in my Department and is an integral part of the finance function. It provides management information on expenditure and costs. It forms the basis of regular finance-related reports to the Management Advisory Committee and is also used in the preparation of the annual Appropriation Account and other external reports; the maintenance of the assets register; the execution of payments; and preparation of responses to many ad hoc queries and requests for reports.

The Management Information Framework requires higher levels of both financial and information & communications technology skills within the Department, as well as external assistance, when required, to support and develop it. However, it has also provided a significant saving of time and a streamlining of effort and it produces more information than would otherwise be available. There is no quantification of any specific saving to the Exchequer in 2007 but the system was introduced to provide overall systemic improvements rather than achieve a particular level of savings.

Finally, can I say that I welcome the interest shown in the management of resources by my Department. I believe that the information provided in this reply demonstrates a practical and consistent approach to good management of public funds. I feel, however, that the optimal opportunity for further consideration of management expenses and related matters is in the context of the estimates debate for the Vote for my Department. I am more than willing, as I have done in 2007, to further debate such issues in the context of the consideration of my Department's 2008 Estimate.

Table 1 — Credit Card costs June 2007-November 2007

Year

Purchases

Charges/ Fees

Interest

2002

1,461

19

17

2003

4,091

118

62

2004

5,245

158

127

2005

1,115

158

9

2006

6,918

78

120

2007 (to end-Nov)

2,699

80

9

Table 2 — Cost of Public Transport June 2002-November 2007

Year

Minister

Minister of State

Staff

2002

Nil

Nil

12,562

2003

21,088

5,576

73,702

2004

11,518

11,757

88,856

2005

17,660

Nil

52,549

2006

13,595

9,712

67,513

2007 (to end-Nov)

16,211

3,947

61,356

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

580 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the cost to his Department of photographers used by all Ministers in his Department on a yearly basis for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33594/07]

As the Deputy is aware, the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs was established in June 2002. Photographer costs since that time are as follows:

Year

Cost

2002

1,283.82

2003

5,117.53

2004

4995.24

2005

10,710.57

2006

6,208.85

2007

13,637.44

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

581 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the cost of make-up for him for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33609/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

582 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the cost of his Department’s entertainment allowance for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33624/07]

It is not practical, within the time available to provide the information sought. I am arranging for the material to be compiled as a priority and provided directly to the Deputy.

Government Information Services.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

583 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his Department receives a daily summary of stories relevant to his Department from Government Information Services; if this summary is in written, verbal or electronic format; if these are furnished to a departmental press officer or press adviser; and if the press officer or adviser furnishes this information to him every day or how often it is furnished. [33639/07]

My Department does not receive a daily summary of relevant stories from Government Information Services.

Official Engagements.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

584 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if a press adviser travels with him on official visits; and if there were official visits attended by him in the past year at which a press adviser was not present or was not in contact with him. [33654/07]

A Press Advisor travels with me on a limited number of official visits of public interest. Yes, there were many official engagements during which a press advisor was not present.

Questions Nos. 585 and 586 answered with Question No. 579.

Departmental Communications.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

587 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his Department carries news summaries on their internal web; the persons who have access to such information; the way they access same; the person who compiles same; the cost of same; the regularity with which this information is updated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33714/07]

The Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs employs a media monitoring company to provide a clippings service covering articles relevant to myself, the Minister of State and the Department in the national and regional print media. The media monitoring company maintains an archive of news clippings on their website, which is accessible to all Departmental staff through a link on the Department's intranet site. Additionally, certain staff in bodies associated with the department, have access to this archive by arrangement.

The pricing arrangements are as follows. Up to 100 articles per week costs €169. Up to 200 articles per week costs €302 and up to 300 articles per week costs €417. Additional articles above the prescribed thresholds cost €1.69. This is usually updated twice a day for daily papers and a few times during the week to cover regional press etc.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

588 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of mobile telephones used by him and supplied by his Department; the annual cost of same for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33729/07]

Three mobile phones are assigned to me by the Department. The information requested is available only from January 2004. The costs incurred for each year since then are shown in tabular form below.

Year

2004

4,045

2005

3,529

2006

3,124

2007 to date

2,720

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

589 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if any of the advisers or staff appointed by him directly have mobile telephones and other equipment supplied by his Department; the annual cost of same since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33744/07]

Since 2002, three blackberrys, two laptops, five PCs and 3 printers were issued by my Department to staff appointed by me. The estimated cost of supplying this equipment was €9,504. Subsequently, one blackberry, one PC and 2 printers were returned for use by the Department. The estimated cost of this equipment would have been €1,665.

Information in relation to monthly rental and call costs is available from January 2004 only. The costs incurred for each year since then are shown in tabular form.

Year

2004

3,193

2005

2,464

2006

1,560

2007 to date

1,152

Voluntary Sector Funding.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

590 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will provide core funding to a society (details supplied) under the scheme to support national organisations in the community and voluntary sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33990/07]

The Funding Scheme to Support the Role of National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector was advertised on 11 May, 2007 and the closing date for receipt of applications was 22 June, 2007. The organisation referred to by the Deputy made no application for funding under this Scheme.

Departmental Transport.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

591 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the cost on a yearly basis for transport hire of any kind for his transport and that of his staff for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; the reason for such hire; if tenders were sought; the locations brought from and to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34089/07]

It is not practical within the time available to provide the information sought. I am arranging for the material to be compiled as a priority and provided directly to the Deputy.

Departmental Programmes.

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

592 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if a town land (details supplied) in County Kilkenny is included in the CLÁR programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34139/07]

The townland referred to by the Deputy is not within the designated CLÁR area for County Kilkenny. The Deputy should note that details of all CLÁR EDs for County Kilkenny are available on my Department's website at www.pobail.ie.

Departmental Communications.

Damien English

Ceist:

593 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of staff in his Department that are provided with a Blackberry device or similar mobile e-mail equipment. [34218/07]

Currently 17 Blackberry devices have been issued in the Department.

Damien English

Ceist:

594 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of databases used by his Department; and the number of these that are wholly and partly operated by external organisations or individuals and operated solely within his Department. [34233/07]

There are 35 electronic databases in use in the Department ranging from simple contact databases supporting low level processing to more high-level databases supporting high volume processing. Some 29 of these databases are operated solely within my Department, while the remaining ones are operated wholly or partly operated by external organisation or individuals.

Damien English

Ceist:

595 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of information technology projects undertaken by or for his Department since 2004 that have been delivered over budget, after their original deadline, on budget, under budget, on their original deadline and ahead of their original deadline; and if he will present the information in tabular readable form. [34248/07]

I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has initiated four information technology projects since 2004. As outlined in the table, two of these projects are ongoing and I would not be in a position to comment at this stage as to whether they will be completed on schedule and on budget. The remaining two projects were completed as outlined in the table.

Consultancy Description

Consultant

Start Date

End Date

Deadline

Budget

Development of the Department’s Intranet

Parallel Intranet Ltd

01-Sep-05

01-Dec-05

over

On

Pilot on-line ferry ticketing project

Directional Data Systems

01-Dec-04

01-Aug-05

On

On

Development of applications database for CLÁR

Study Focus

01-Apr-07

Ongoing

Development of Information system to support administration of the Rural Development Programme for Ireland 2007-2013.

01-Jun-07

Ongoing

Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Damien English

Ceist:

596 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the steps he has taken to offset the carbon dioxide emissions caused by ministerial travel in his Department; and if none to date, the plans he will put in place on the matter. [34263/07]

On foot of the commitment in the Programme for Government on carbon offsetting official air travel, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is developing a scheme for use by all Government Departments and bodies under their aegis. As soon as the scheme is in place I intend to operate it in respect of Ministerial travel in my Department.

Data Protection.

Damien English

Ceist:

597 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he is satisfied that personal information relating to members of the public held on his departmental databases is safe from hackers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34278/07]

Access to information relating to members of the public held on departmental databases is controlled by internal authentication procedures and further protected from external attack by physical firewall devices in accordance with good industry practice.

Ferry Services.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

598 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason his Department does not pay cargo subsidies for the transporting of cargo to and from Sherkin Island, Heir Island and Long Island; and his views on whether this is an inconsistency in view of the cargo subsidies payable in respect of other islands. [34295/07]

My Department currently subsidises the provision of a cargo service to the three Aran Islands, as well a combined cargo and passenger service to Cléire. In addition, subsidies are paid in respect of roll on/roll off ferry services to Bere Island and Árainn Mhór, which also serve the cargo transport requirements of those two islands.

One of the primary objectives of my Department over the past number of years has been to improve the standard and frequency of transport services to the islands. To date, this has been achieved on a phased basis, with the improvement of existing services and the provision of new passenger services being afforded priority. The next phase envisages the provision of subsidised cargo services on a prioritised basis and, in this context, tenders for the provision of three new cargo services to Inishbofin, Clare Island/Inishturk and Toraigh are currently being evaluated by my officials. In deciding to prioritise the provision of services to these four islands, regard was had to criteria such as distance from the mainland, population and the adequacy of existing non-subsidised services.

Having regard to these criteria, it is considered that a case for subsidised cargo services to the three islands referred to by the Deputy could not be justified at this time.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

599 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the agreed cargo price list for the subsidised cargo service to Oileán Chléire; and his views on whether this represents value for money. [34296/07]

The maximum charges for carriage of cargo on the subsidised ferry service for Cléire is set out in the Tables. The prices included in this list compare favourably with cargo prices used on other ferry services subsidised by my Department and it is considered that they represent good value for money.

Tables: Maximum Tariff for Carriage of Cargo to Cléire, Co Cork

Vehicles, Agriculture

MAXIMUM CHARGES FOR CARRIAGE OF GOODS TO CLÉIRE

The following are maximum charges exclusive of V.A.T @ 21% and may be subject to reductions as appropriate depending on quantity.

Description of Merchandise

Single

Return

Car, vanette

33.50

67.00

Jeep or Pick up

47.50

95.00

Hiace type van or people carriers

63.50

127.00

Vans or minibuses (up to 12 seater)

95.00

190.00

Large Vans or minibuses

127.00

254.00

Tractors

47.50

95.00

Motor bikes / scooters

10.00

20.00

Small car trailer

17.50

35.00

Cattle & horse boxes

23.50

47.00

Agriculture trailers (10ft x 6ft)

29.50

59.00

Boat trailers (18ft +)

25.50

51.00

Traps & carts

20.00

40.00

Caravan

98.50

197.00

Mobile homes

158.50

317.00

Bicycles

2.50

5.00

Farming & Animals

MAXIMUM CHARGES FOR CARRIAGE OF GOODS TO CLÉIRE

The following are maximum charges exclusive of V.A.T @ 21% and may be subject to reductions as appropriate depending on quantity.

Description of Merchandise

price per item

Cattle over 1yr

12.50

Cattle under 1yr

6.50

Calves

2.50

Sheep

2.50

Pigs

2.50

Horses

16.00

Ponies under 14 hh

11.00

Foals

6.50

Donkeys

6.50

Chickens, ducks, etc (in boxes)

2.50

Square bales hay

0.25

Round bales hay

3.00

Farming & household

MAXIMUM CHARGES FOR CARRIAGE OF GOODS TO CLÉIRE

The following are maximum charges exclusive of V.A.T @ 21% and may be subject to reductions as appropriate depending on quantity.

Description of Merchandise

price per item

Per tonne

Fertiliser, lime, moss peat

0.50

10.00

Coal, briquettes, turf

1.50

10.00

Jerry Cans

1.50

Oil

3 cent per litre when pumped off boat

Diesel

3 cent per litre when pumped off boat

Feedstuff, nuts, meal

0.50

10.00

Wheelbarrows

2.50

Gates charged per foot(e.g. 10ft = 6.50)

0.65 p/ft

Ladders

5.00

Lawn mower — push

6.50

Lawn mower / quad ride on

10.00

Fireplace

22.00

Headstone & kerbing

20.00

Garden shed

28.50

Buckets of paint charged per gallon

0.65 per gallon

Wheelie bins

7.50

Skips

31.00 single

62.00 return

Bathroom suite

31.00

Bathroom/kitchen tiles

1.25

22.00 per pallet

Concrete blocks (per thousand)

107.00

Cement/Lime skim coat

1.50

10.00

Slates (per thousand)

29.00

Tiles

2.50

22.00

Timber

1.50

22.00

Plywood

1.25

22.00

Plasterboard/hardboard

1.25

22.00

Flooring

1.25

22.00

Iron hardware

1.25

22.00

Reinforcing Iron bars

1.25

20.00

Reinforcing mesh 8×4 sheets

5.00 (per sheet)

Copper pipes

1.25

Sewer Pipes

1.25

Waste pipe

1.25

Rolls of lead

5.00

Rolls of felt

3.00

Wall insulation/Aero board

1.25

Rolls of fibreglass

1.25

Rolls of polythene

2.50

Doors

Flush

2.50

Panel

3.00

Glass panel

5.00

Fire doors

7.50

Solid exterior door

5.00

Glass exterior door

6.00

Shower door

7.50

Bath

15.00

Sink & pedestal

5.00

Toilet

5.00

Cookers, household appliances etc

6.50

Stanley/solid fuel range

31.50

Rolls of carpet and vinyl

9.50

Double beds

6.00

Double base/mattress

3.00

Single bed

4.00

Single bed/mattress

2.50

Bunk bed set

10.00

Single headboards

2.00

Double headboards

3.00

Continental headboards

4.00

Bedside locker

2.00

3ft combination wardrobe

15.00

Wardrobe double

9.00

Small chest of drawers

4.00

Large chest of drawers

6.00

Coffee table

4.00

Table

7.00

Kitchen chair

1.25

Three piece suite

22.00

Three seater couch

14.00

Arm chair

6.00

Two seater couch

10.00

Bookcase

5.00

Dressing table

12.00

Large kitchen cabinets

20.00

Groceries, hardware etc

2.50 (per box)

Fruit, vegetables & eggs

1.25

Meat (up to 14lbs) fish

2.00

Cases of ice cream

0.50

Cases of beers, minerals

0.50

Cases of wine

1.00

Cases of spirits

2.50

Cases of cigarettes

2.50

Boxes of bread, cakes

1.00

Bags of carrageen, seaweed

1.25

Bags of potatoes

1.25

T beams

Up to 10ft

7.00

Up to 15ft

10.00

Up to 25ft

12.00

Up to 30ft

15.00

industrial size oil tank

90.00

domestic oil tank

10.00

plastic attic tank

4.00

copper cylinder

6.00

radiators (small) 3/4ft

2.50

Radiators (large) 7ft

4.50

televisions

32” widescreen

10.00

other sizes

7.00

Windows

8×5

10.00

7×5

9.50

6×5

9.00

5×5

8.00

5×4

7.50

4×4

7.00

3×4

5.50

2×4

5.00

3×2

4.00

Hollow core slabs

25 per tonne

Refuse trucks

1,000 (return) 800 (each return for two trucks)

JCB

1,000 return

Laden low loader

500 return

Small stones

18 per tonne

Topsoil

18 per tonne

Turf (trailer)

75

Fitted kitchens

150 flat rate

Kitchen worktop

15

Tracking machines — 6 tonne

400

12 tonne

700

20 tonne

1,000

Barrels of tar

20

Seed potatoes

20 per tonne

Office furniture

Based on combination wardrobe — €15

Teleporter

800 return

Cement mixers — Large

30

Small

15

Lintels

50c per /ft

Stairs

50 flat rate

Bales of cardboard

10 per pallet

Generator — Large

50

Small

10

Dumpers

400 one way

Oil tanks (2,400 ltrs)

75

Video/DVD

10

Questions Nos. 600 and 601 answered with Question No. 579.

Departmental Expenditure.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

602 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the breakdown of the funding provided by his Department to the islands within the remit of the local authority of Donegal County Council of a capital funding of €35,167.25 and a current expenditure of €287,947.05 for the year 2007; and ifhe will make a statement on the matter. [34393/07]

The details sought by the Deputy in regard to the capital expenditure payments of €35,167.25 to date in 2007 are as follows:

Playground on Oileán Thoraí

35,000.00

Waste management on Oileán Thoraí

167.25

The details in regard to the current expenditure of €287,947.05 to date in 2007 relate to subsidised ferry services to Toraigh and Árainn Mhór, as follows:

Turasmara Teo (Oileán Thoraí)

130,460.34

Maoin na Farraige Teo (Árainn Mhór)

157,486.71

Jack Wall

Ceist:

603 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will provide a breakdown of the funding provided by his Department to the islands within the remit of the local authority of Mayo County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34420/07]

The details sought by the Deputy in regard to capital expenditure payments in 2007 to date are as follows:

Inis Bigil cablecar

47,250.60

Pier improvement works on Inishturk and Clare Island

26,549.44

In addition, a sum of €318,853.41 in current expenditure has been paid to date in 2007 in respect of subsidised ferry services to Clare Island, Inishturk and Inis Bigil as follows:

O’Malley Ferries (Clare)

60,958.37

Clare Island & Clew Bay Cruises (Inishturk)

242,000.04

Erris Local Development (Inis Bigil)

15,895.00

Jack Wall

Ceist:

604 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will provide a breakdown of the funding provided by his Department to the islands within the remit of the local authority of Galway County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34421/07]

Capital funding of €11,327,124 was paid by my Department in 2007 to date in relation to islands in Co Galway. The relevant details are set out in Table 1. In addition, a sum of €2,649,687 in current expenditure has been paid by my Department in 2007 to date in respect of the provision of subsidised transport services to na hOileáin Árann and Inishboffin. The relevant details are set out in Table 2.

Table 1: Capital funding paid by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in 2007 to date in relation to islands in Co Galway

Inis Mór

Improvements and maintenance at the old Cill Rónáin pier

144,888.00

Upgrade of county council roads and spaces for traffic to pass

20,000.00

Upgrade of non-county council roads

20,000.00

Village renewal at Cill Ronáin

9,574.00

Kerosene/diesel distribution service

53,056.70

Improvements to marine facilities at Cill Ronáin

9,272.70

New surface on road from vocational school to pier/airport

814.00

Improvements to non-county council roads

34,027.00

Improvements to the cemetery at Cill Rónáin

501.00

Inis Meáin

Improvements to Caladh Mór pier

5,118,126.47

Upgrade of roads

49,418.00

Inis Oírr

Upgrade of non-county council roads

1,713.00

Environmental impact statement and licence

112,009.70

Improvements to the main roads

49,684.00

Playground

38,206.40

Inis Bó Finne

Improvements to the road at Cluain Mór

344.00

Purchase of land for Clifden airstrip

474,112.84

New surface on county council road

14,965.00

Strengthen road at Day’s Hotel

12,631.00

Improvements to building on Cleggan pier

784.00

Widening of the Pound Road

14,040.00

Inishboffin Community Centre

61,090.23

New surface on county council road from East to West Quarter

919.00

Inishboffin Airstrip

1,206,836.18

Consultancy — Inishboffin Airstrip

20,328.00

Ecological study at Inishboffin Airstrip

1,028.50

Wall at An Cladach ó Dheas

23,942.00

Ambulance and essential equipment

48,308.00

Costal protection at Chladach ó Dheas, necessary improvements to old pier and building of new slipway

3,752,667.01

General

Temporary engineer to supervise works to piers at Cill Ronáin, Caladh Mór, Inis Oírr and Inishboffin, in addition to Inishboffin Airstrip

20,723.37

Ro-Ro study

13,113.80

Table 2: Current funding paid by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in 2007 to date in relation to transport services to islands in Co Galway

Island Ferries Teo

592,400.08

Lasta Mara Teo

841,000.00

Inishboffin Island Discovery Ltd

203,600.84

Aer Arann

833,154.00

Údarás na Gaeltachta

179,532.37

Departmental Reports.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

605 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the value for money review on the aquaculture programme was completed; the value of the savings to the Exchequer generated by the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33398/07]

The Value for Money and Policy Review of the aquaculture supports programme was finalised in May 2007. The review covered the period 2000 to 2005 of the NDP 2000-2006. The Review found that in general the current support schemes in aquaculture remain valid and the Aquaculture Development Measure and Exchequer funded schemes under the management of an Bord Iaschaigh Mhara and Údaras na Gaeilge represent an integrated and cohesive set of measures designed to support the development of aquaculture from small-scale operations and trials to new technologies through to larger, more efficient, competitive and sustainable operations. The review found that the Marine RTDI programme and aquaculture monitoring activities under the management of the Marine Institute are also compatible with the Department's high level strategy and remain valid.

The Review found that the future success of Irish aquaculture, in common with the development need identified for the Seafood Industry as a whole, lie in a move away from the production of low value added commodity type products to higher value products, sustained by the differentiation of Irish aquaculture products from the international competition as a premium quality offering.

Having regard to the aquaculture sub-measure of the Seafood Development Measure of the NDP 2007-2013 the report considers that in relation to aquaculture the high-level goal of this Measure should be to support competitiveness via the application of technological innovation to further develop environmentally sustainable techniques, including organic farming, and achieve successful diversification into new species, while ensuring the highest international quality standards are met.

These conclusions find parallels with those in the Report of the Seafood Strategy Review Group — Steering A New Course. The Review identifies the new NDP 2007-2013 as providing an opportunity to refocus and re-align schemes and monitoring activities and an ideal opportunity to develop SMART objectives that would greatly facilitate future evaluations.

Specifically, the Review proposes 16 recommendations to be applied in the context of supports during the course of the new NDP for the period 2007-2013. These recommendations are being pursued and implemented, where they are judged appropriate. As it is so early in the context of supports being generated under the European Fisheries Fund and the NDP 2007-2013, it is too early at this stage to give an accurate estimation of Exchequer savings. This picture will only be emerging over the course of the coming years.

Charles Flanagan

Ceist:

606 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the value for money review of the BIM marine support programme will be completed; the anticipated value of the saving to the Exchequer due to the implementation of this report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33812/07]

A Value for Money review on the Fisheries Support Programme has been selected by this Department as part of the 2006-2008 round of reviews for completion by December 2008. Currently consideration is being given to the formation of a representative steering committee. It is the intention to have this committee commence its work in early January.

Question No. 607 withdrawn.

Grant Payments.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

608 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason it is necessary for farmers to have all their payments paid directly into their bank accounts in view of the fact that many farmers do not want to avail of this option and some farmers particularly in isolated rural areas do not currently have a bank account; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33250/07]

Michael Ring

Ceist:

609 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of farmers who currently receive payments from her Department; and the number of same who have already opted to receive their payments paid directly into their bank accounts. [33251/07]

Michael Ring

Ceist:

610 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the action she will take to allay the concerns of farmers who do not want to provide her Department with details of their personal bank accounts due to privacy or security concerns; the way this information is monitored and if access to this information is limited to the accounts section of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33252/07]

Michael Ring

Ceist:

611 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the options available to farmers who do not wish to receive their payments from her Department by direct credit to their bank account but wish to continue receiving their payments by way of a cheque in the post; if farmers have freedom of choice in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33253/07]

Michael Ring

Ceist:

612 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the EU requirements which dictate that all scheme payments to farmers must issue to a bank account; and if there is an opt-out clause available for farmers here who do not wish to avail of this facility. [33254/07]

Michael Ring

Ceist:

614 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the way the requirement for farmers to have all their payments paid directly into the bank accounts and her Department’s administration of this fit in with the Data Protection Act 1988; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33268/07]

Michael Ring

Ceist:

630 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason it is necessary for farmers to be paid under all schemes by direct credit to their bank accounts in view of the fact that many farmers are quite concerned about this proposal and some farmers do not have or want to have bank accounts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33494/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 608 to 612; 614 and 630 together.

In 2006, a total of 139,338 farmers received payments under the various schemes administered by my Department. Over 66,000 farmers have supplied the necessary details to receive their payments through directly into their bank account and are already paid through the electronic funds transfer facility.

My Department is obliged to adhere to the requirements and controls set out by the EU Commission in administering EU funded schemes. The new requirement to pay all scheme payments directly into bank accounts is being implemented in accordance with EU Council Regulation 1290/2005 which lays down the rules on the financing and management of the Common Agricultural Policy for the years 2007 to 2013. The detailed implementing rules for that Regulation, as set out in EU Commission Regulation 885/2006, requires that all EU paying agencies, including my Department, adopt procedures to ensure that payments are made only to bank accounts. Payment by cheque (payable order) may continue to be made for the EU financial years 2007 and 2008. However, as and from the EU 2009 financial year commencing on 16th in October 2008, payments by cheque will no longer be permitted.

My Department will be in contact with farmers to facilitate the smooth transfer to electronic funds transfers. All bank account details supplied are handled to the highest levels of security and confidentiality and the switchover to electronic payments is being administered in compliance with the Data Protection Act.

Michael Creed

Ceist:

613 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has not received their single farm payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33260/07]

The person named submitted a late application for the 2006 Consolidation measure in January, 2007. This case has now been processed. The person named also submitted an application on 25 April 2007 to transfer entitlements to a Milk Production Partnership of which he is a member. It was not possible to process this application until the 2006 Consolidation application was fully processed. This application has now been fully processed and payment will issue shortly.

Question No. 614 answered with QuestionNo. 608.

Energy Resources.

Simon Coveney

Ceist:

615 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the percentage of energy consumed in her Department and in all agencies for which her Department has responsibility that comes from renewable sources. [33273/07]

The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available. However, I wish to inform the Deputy that, earlier this year the heating of my Department's office in Johnstown Castle in Wexford was switched over to a Woodchip boiler. Following a survey carried out by the Office of Public Works it has been decided to install biofuel heating systems in the following Offices of my Department; Ballina AES Office, Cavan Regional Office, Castlebar Office, Ennis Local Office, Enniscorthy Local Office, Longford Local Office, Mullingar Local Office and Nenagh Local Office. It is envisaged that the Office of Public Works will have these heating systems installed early next year.

Building Management Systems have been installed in recent years at all of my Department's Offices (including Agriculture House) with a floor area greater than 1,000 sq meters. These systems are set up to avail of off peak/low rate electricity where possible. They also control use of electricity, gas and oil in all such Offices and centrally control temperature in these Offices.

High efficiency fluorescent lighting is in place in all DAFF Offices. This lighting is considered by the OPW to be five times more energy efficient than conventional lighting. In more recently built and refurbished Department Offices, lighting control systems have been installed which automatically switch off lighting in Office areas that are unoccupied.

During 2007, the Department has continued its desktop computer upgrade programme, which involves the replacement of older models of computer with more environmentally friendly models resulting in reduced demand for electrical power. With regard to agencies under the aegis of my Department, the energy consumed is an operational matter for the bodies themselves.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

616 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the issue with the computerised mapping system in her Department will be resolved to enable REP scheme four applications to be accepted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33297/07]

There is no difficulty with the computerized mapping system (e-REPS) which is hosted by Teagasc on my Department's behalf and is available to all planners. The re-engineering of e-REPS to accommodate the new options and supplementary measures introduced in REPS 4 has been fully available since 8 November 2007. Since 1 September 2007 it has been possible to prepare applications manually, in advance of the re-engineering of e-REPS, and applications prepared in this way have been accepted in my Department's local offices since that date and are being processed.

EU Directives.

Ned O'Keeffe

Ceist:

617 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the European Commission has adopted proposals that aim to streamline and extend the rules pertaining to the registration of regional trade marks; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that Mitchelstown cheese may not be manufactured in Mitchelstown and Galtee bacon named after the local Galtee mountains is not of Irish origin and that this could be in breach of the EU regulations; and if she will take action in this regard as the situation is being abused. [33304/07]

As neither of the products listed by the Deputy is registered as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) or Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) under Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on the Protection of Geographical Indications and Designations of Origin for Agricultural Products and Foodstuffs which is implemented in Ireland under Regulations entitled European Communities (Protection Of Geographical Indications and Designations of Origin For Agricultural Products And Foodstuffs) Regulations (S.1. No 704 of 2007), I have no statutory role in the matter.

I understand however that both names have been registered as trademarks under trademark law, which comes under the jurisdiction of my cabinet colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mr Micheál Martin. I am bringing the matters raised to his attention.

Departmental Expenditure.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

618 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the amount of mobile telephone bills paid directly by her Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33331/07]

The information requested by the Deputy is as follows.

2006

Network

Total Charges

Data Charges

Roaming Charges

Vodafone

263,712.00

63,486.08

27,081.62

O2

451,848.30

1,026.02

36,066.56

Total

715,560.30

64,512.10

63,148.18

2007

Network

Total Charges

Data Charges

Roaming Charges

Vodafone

257,618.13

58,594.05

25,431.33

O2

488,260.00

1,681.60

30,380.82

Total

745,878.13

60,275.65

55,812.15

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

619 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the amount of mobile telephone bills paid in the form of expenses to staff by her Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33346/07]

The information requested by the Deputy is as follows.

2006

Total Charges

Data Charges

Roaming Charges

Mobile Phone Expenses

7,362.14

N/a

N/a

Total

7,362.14

N/a

N/a

2007

Total Charges

Data Charges

Roaming Charges

Mobile Phone Expenses

3,149.48

N/a

N/a

Total

3,149.48

N/a

N/a

A detailed breakdown of data and roaming charges in respect of expenses paid to staff is not readily available.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

620 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the amount of mobile telephone bills paid in relation to the departmental mobile telephone assigned to her by her Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33361/07]

The information requested by the deputy is as follows.

2006

Network

Total Charges

Data Charges

Roaming Charges

Vodafone

0.00

0.00

0.00

O2

6,308.15

0.00

2,865.58

Total

6,308.15

0.00

2,865.58

2007

Network

Total Charges

Data Charges

Roaming Charges

Vodafone

1,813.52

378.94

1,110.90

O2

2,115.06

0.00

1,103.68

Total

3,928.58

378.94

2,214.58

Departmental Reports.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

621 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the value for money review on installation aid was completed; the value of savings to the Exchequer generated by the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33379/07]

The value for money review on the Installation Aid Scheme will be completed by my Department during the course of 2008.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

622 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the value for money review on the farm waste management programme was completed; the value of savings to the Exchequer generated by the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33380/07]

The value for money review on the Farm Waste Management Scheme was completed by my Department in 2007 and is available on my Department's website. Many of its recommendations were taken into account in the introduction of the revised Farm Waste Management Scheme in 2006 which provided increased grants to farmers in order to assist them meet the additional requirements of the Nitrates Directive.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

623 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the value for money review on dairy hygiene was completed; the value of savings to the Exchequer generated by the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33382/07]

The value for money review of the Dairy Hygiene Scheme is currently at the external examiner stage and should be completed during the course of 2008.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

624 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the value for money review of the food research and development grants was completed; the value of the savings to the Exchequer generated by the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33383/07]

My Department carries out Value for Money and Policy Reviews on major spending programmes in line with the strategic management initiative in order to: assess the objectives, efficiency and effectiveness of the programmes and to identify mechanisms to improve the delivery of specific programmes; and identify indicators which will improve monitoring of the performance of the programmes and of the success in meeting their objectives.

A review of the Food Institutional Research Measure, my Department's public good food research measure, has been carried out and the independent evaluation of the draft report, which is required under the expenditure review process, was recently completed. It is expected that the report will be signed off and published in the new year. Consideration will then be given to implementation of any recommendations in the report. It is not appropriate at this stage to comment on potential savings that may result from the review.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

625 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the value for money review of the bovine TB scheme will be completed; the anticipated saving to the Exchequer due to the implementation of this report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33384/07]

The value for money review of the Bovine TB Eradication Scheme is scheduled for completion by the end of the year. After its completion, consideration will be given to implementation of any recommendations that may be contained in the report. Consequently, it is not possible at this stage to quantify the extent of any savings that may result from the review.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

626 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the value for money review of the meat hygiene temporary inspectors scheme will be completed; the anticipated saving to the Exchequer due to the implementation of this report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33385/07]

The Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993, the Strategic Management Initiative and the Public Service Management Act 1997 emphasised the need for increased efficiency and effectiveness in the use of public resources and set the background for the Expenditure Review process. Under this initiative, my Department carries out Value for Money and Policy Reviews on major spending programmes on a periodic basis. Their aim is to: assess the objectives, efficiency and effectiveness of the programmes and to identify mechanisms to improve the delivery of specific programmes; and identify indicators which will improve monitoring of the performance of the programmes and of the success in meeting their objectives.

Under the Temporary Veterinary Inspector (Meat Hygiene) Programme, private veterinary practitioners are engaged on a contract for service basis to conduct official controls in DAFF approved slaughtering establishments. A review of this Programme commenced in early 2007 and is nearing conclusion. It would be inappropriate in advance of completion of the review to speculate on the outcome.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

627 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the value for money review of the cattle movement monitoring systems animal identification scheme will be completed; the anticipated saving to the Exchequer due to the implementation of this report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33386/07]

The value for money review of the cattle movement and monitoring system is scheduled for completion by the end of next year. After its completion, consideration will be given to implementation of any recommendations that may be contained in the report. Consequently, it is not possible at this stage to quantify the extent of any savings that may result from the review.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

628 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the value for money review of the fallen animals scheme will be completed; the anticipated saving to the Exchequer due to the implementation of this report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33387/07]

The Value for Money Review on the Fallen Animals Scheme is scheduled to be carried out next year.

Grant Payments.

John Perry

Ceist:

629 Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will ensure that forestry premium payments are made to a person (details supplied) in County Sligo as soon as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33454/07]

The delay in paying forestry premiums, to the applicant in question, was due to multiple claims being received by my Department for the same area of ground. Revised maps have been submitted and I understand the premiums will be paid before Christmas.

Question No. 630 answered with QuestionNo. 608.

Departmental Staff.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

631 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number, rank and pay of all civil servants in her Department and ministerial staff, personally appointed by her or otherwise, who are engaged in media monitoring; the nature of the work done; the persons who the information is circulated to or the people who have access to this information; the cost of this service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33501/07]

A monitor of news headlines relating to my Department contained in the main Irish daily and provincial newspapers as well as the main agricultural press is prepared by the staff of the Press Office. The monitors are made available to all senior management of the Department. In addition, access to the full content of such items is made available to all staff in the Department through the library site on the Department's intranet (Ezone). It is not possible to provide costs for this service as the work is carried out as part of the standard duties of the staff involved.

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

632 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number and name of newspapers purchased by her Department daily and weekly; the number provided to herself and to the Minister of State’s office; the yearly cost of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33516/07]

The daily and weekly newspapers purchased by my Department are: Irish Times; Irish Independent; Irish Examiner; Irish News; The Star; Evening Herald; Guardian; Sunday Independent; Sunday Tribune; Sunday Business Post; Irish Mail on Sunday; Financial Times; Sunday Times; Anglo Celt; Argus; Avondhu; Carlow People; Carrigdhoun; Clare Champion; Clonmel Nationalist; Connaught Telegraph; Connaught Tribune; Corkman; Donegal Democrat ; Donegal Peoples Press; Donegal Post; Drogheda Independent ; Dundalk Democrat; Dungarvan Leader; Dungarvan Observer; Derry People/Donegal News; Echo (Enniscorthy); Enniscorthy Guardian; Finn Valley Voice; Gorey Guardian; Guardian (Nenagh); Imokilly People; Kerry's Eye; Kerryman; Kildare Nationalist; Kilkenny Voice; Kingdom; Leinster Express; Leinster Leader; Leitrim Observer; Limerick Leader; Longford Leader; Longford News; Mayo News; Meath Chronicle; Midland Tribune; Munster Express; Nationalist (Laois); Nationalist (Carlow); New Ross Standard; Northern Standard; Offaly Express; Offaly Independent; Roscommon Champion; Roscommon Herald; Sligo Champion; Sligo Weekender; Southern Star; Tipperary Star; Tuam Herald; Tullamore Tribune; Waterford News and Star; Western People; Westmeath Examiner; Westmeath Independent; and Wicklow People.

Eleven daily newspaper titles and two weeklies are provided to myself and to my 3 Ministers of State. The total cost of newspapers purchased by my Department in 2007 is €39,766.

Departmental Staff.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

633 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of press officers and press advisers in her Department; the rank and pay of each; the description of work done; the persons to whom the information is circulated or made accessible to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33531/07]

The work of the Press Office which has responsibility for press and media matters is carried out by a unit of the Corporate Affairs Division in my Department. The equivalent of 4.5 staff work full-time on media communications duties in this unit, all of whom are civil servants. This includes one civil servant at Assistant Principal Officer level who works as the Department's Press and Information Officer. His annual salary is €73,784 and the post carries an annual allowance of €8464.

Consultancy Contracts.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

634 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number, cost and name of any media consultants employed by her Department; the cost of such advice for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; the nature of the work done; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33546/07]

The Department has not employed any media consultants since 1997. One media consultancy, McMahon Sheedy Communications, was employed from January to June 1997 at a cost of £19,057.50.

Departmental Staff.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

635 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of press advisers employed by her Department; the cost of such advice for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33561/07]

There have been only two Press Advisors employed in my Department, at different times, since 1997. The salaries of these advisors amounted to €82,066 and €83,815 per annum. There is currently no Press Advisor employed in my Department.

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

636 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of credit cards held by her Department; the cost of same for each year since 2000 to date in 2007; the persons who hold these cards and for whom they are used; the annual amounts purchased; the cumulative interest on same for each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33576/07]

There are currently 50 credit cards held by staff in my Department in connection their official duties. Credit cards are issued to certain officers at the grade of Executive Officer and upwards to pay for official expenses. It is not possible to provide details of the costs requested in the timeframe allowed. This information will be provided in writing directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

637 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the cost to her Department of photographers used by all Ministers in her Department on a yearly basis for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33591/07]

The amount spent by my Department on photographers over a ten-year period from 1997 to 2007 is not readily available for all the years in question. I will arrange to supply the Deputy with the figures shortly.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

638 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the cost of make-up for her for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33606/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

639 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the cost of her Department’s entertainment allowance for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33621/07]

The amount spent by my Department on official entertainment expenses over a ten-year period from 1997 to 2007 is not readily available for all the years in question.

I have to hand the total amounts spent in the years 2005, 2006 and 2007 to-date which are as follows:

2005: €61,575 which represents 0.00005% of my Department's total budget.

2006: €56,380 which represents 0.00004% of my Department's total budget.

2007: €40,134 which represents 0.000027% of my Department's total budget.

I will arrange to supply the Deputy with the figures for the previous years shortly.

Government Information Services.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

640 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if her Department receives a daily summary of stories relevant to her Department from Government Information Services; if this summary is in written, verbal or electronic format; if these are furnished to a departmental press officer or press adviser; and if the press officer or adviser furnishes this information to her every day or how often it is furnished. [33636/07]

The Press Office of my Department receives news headline summaries from the Government Information Service on an hourly basis during the course of the day. A daily newspaper headline listing is also prepared by the GIS. The summaries are circulated in electronic format and are circulated via email on an on-going basis. The Press Officer advises the Minister's office and senior Department officials of matters which are pertinent to the Minister's brief or the Department's area of activity.

Official Engagements.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

641 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if a press adviser travels with her on official visits; and if there were official visits attended by her in the past year at which a press adviser was not present or was not in contact with her. [33651/07]

My Department does not currently employ a press advisor. The Press Officer, who is an official of the Department, would accompany the Minister on official duties where appropriate to undertake press and media duties. The Press Officer and press office staff maintain daily contact with the Minister's office.

Departmental Transport.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

642 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the cost of providing transport including their official car to Ministers of State in her Department and staff for each year from 1997 to date in 2007. [33666/07]

The cost of providing transport to the Ministers of State in my Department and their staff for the period 2002 to date in 2007 is set out in the table. It was not possible to provide the information for the period 1997 to 2001 in the timeframe given and I will forward further details in writing directly to the Deputy as soon as possible. The figures supplied include pay for drivers and travel and subsistence costs incurred by Ministers of State and staff personally appointed by them. This expenditure was paid in accordance with the relevant official guidelines and regulations.

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

€210,375

€257,437

€311,339

€318,645

€306,813

€337,418

Note: expenditure in the period 2002 — 2006 is in respect of 2 Ministers of State; there are currently 3 Ministers of State assigned to the Department.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

643 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the cost of her using public transport for every year since 1997 to date in 2007; and the cost of providing similar services to junior Ministers and staff for the same period. [33681/07]

Public transport costs for the years 2002 to 2007 are set out in the table. My Department is unable to access the information required by the Deputy for previous years in the time available.

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

Minister & staff

21,138.33

31,643.60

25,972.77

43,878.17

7,709.60

36,651.05

Minister of State & staff

33,834.67

29,490.16

36,013.86

20,380.23

21,802.84

16,206.57

Departmental Communications.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

644 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if her Department carries news summaries on its internal web; the persons who have access to such information; the way they access same; the person who compiles same; the cost of same; the regularity with which this information is updated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33711/07]

Access to the content of news items relating to my Department is available to all staff in the Department through the library site on the Department's intranet (Ezone). The information is updated daily by staff in the library. The library subscribes to the newspapers as part of its normal information service and there are no additional costs in making the headlines available.

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

645 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of mobile phones used by her and supplied by her Department; the annual cost of same for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33726/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

646 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if any of the advisers or staff appointed by her directly have mobile phones and other equipment supplied by her Department; the annual cost of same since 1997 to date in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33741/07]

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 645 and 646 together.

The information requested is not readily available but will be collated and referred directly to the Deputy.

Grant Payments.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

647 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of the fact that a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has submitted the further information which was requested by her Department, they will be awarded their DAS. [34011/07]

An application under the 2007 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 29 March 2007. One of the primary provisions of the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is that applicants must maintain a minimum stocking density on their holding of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare for at least three consecutive months. However, where the holding of an applicant is identified as potentially not meeting this minimum stocking density requirement, the applicant is invited to submit evidence of satisfactory stocking i.e. Flock Register, Horse Passports. Alternatively the applicant may submit details of a REPS plan or a Commonage Framework Plan, which provides for a lower stocking level.

The applicant in this case was written to and invited to submit appropriate evidence of the number of sheep maintained on the farm and a copy of the REPS Plan. My Department received a flock register relating to the holding. However, the applicant did not submit a full REPS plan, which provides for a lower stocking level on the holding. The applicant has been contacted directly by an official from my Department and requested to submit the relevant documentation. On receipt of this documentation, the application will be processed with a view to issuing the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme payment at an early date, provided that the applicant is eligible for payment.

Industrial Relations.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

648 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of disputes that are on the records of her Department that involve staff members of her Department or agencies as set up by her Department; the number of disputes that have being transferred from her Department to an agency set up by her Department; when such an agency was set up; if such transfer of responsibility in relation to disputes has been sanctioned by the Attorney General; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34073/07]

There are currently no industrial disputes in my Department. With regard to the Agencies under the aegis of my Department, disputes are a matter for the bodies themselves.

Departmental Transport.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

649 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the cost on a yearly basis for transport hire of any kind for her transport and that of her staff for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; the reason for such hire; if tenders were sought; the locations brought from and to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34086/07]

The cost of providing transport hire for my predecessor and I, Ministers of State assigned to my Department and my staff for the period 2003 to date in 2007 is set out in the table below. It is not possible to provide the information for the period 1997 to 2002 in the timeframe given and further details will be forwarded in writing directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

The transport hire costs were incurred almost exclusively in connection with attendance at the monthly meetings of the EU Council of Agricultural and Fisheries Ministers, other international negotiations, including the World Trade Organisation and other official ministerial visits abroad. Foreign transport hire is arranged by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the cost is recouped by my Department. Transport hire within Ireland, which is confined almost exclusively to the cost of transport hire for official visits by Ministerial delegations, is minimal so tenders are not normally sought.

Year

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

Minister

36,966.80

18,167.23

15,819.18

21,663.74

19,924.24

Ministers of State

9,753.90

2,305.44

14,339.72

6,040.09

8,559.26

Totals

46,720.70

20,472.67

30,158.90

27,703.83

28,483.50

Grant Payments.

Beverley Flynn

Ceist:

650 Deputy Beverley Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if a decision has been made on an application under the farmyard improvement scheme for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [34111/07]

No decision has yet been made by my Department in the case referred to. Applications received under the Farm Improvement Scheme prior to its suspension on 31 October 2007 will be processed by my Department up to the level of funding provided for the Scheme in the 2006 partnership agreement, Towards 2016.

Agriculture Policy.

Andrew Doyle

Ceist:

651 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if there are plans to introduce a structure of share farming or leasing schemes which provide tax incentives to encourage more trained young people into farming; if she proposes an increase in research and development resources into the agri-food sector; and if she proposes to provide additional resources to Teagasc Training and Advisory Services. [34127/07]

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

A rental income tax exemption of up to €20,000 for farmers over 40 years who lease out land for a period of 10 years or more.

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

A rental income tax exemption of up to €12,000 for farmers over 40 years who lease out land for a period of 5 to 7 years.

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

A 90% Agricultural Relief from Capital Acquisitions Tax.

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

Stamp Duty relief for land swaps for the purpose of farm consolidation.

Farmers who are leasing out land can still, subject to certain conditions, qualify for Capital Gains Tax retirement relief.

In addition, increased support for land mobility is provided through a range of enhanced measures included in the Rural Development Plan 2007-2013. The Installation Grant Aid for young farmers is worth €15,000 and a maximum early retirement pension of €15,000 per annum is available for farmers who dispose of their land by gift, sale or lease.

To encourage research and innovation in the agri-food sector, which is an essential requirement for improving profitability and added value, more than €175m has been provided to fund research, training and advice in the 2008 budget. This comprises €42m in my Department's Research and Training Subhead, which includes €26m to fund research in the Food and Farm sectors through the FIRM and Stimulus Research Programmes. This represents an overall 12% increase in the 2007 provisions for those areas.

My Department will provide €133m to Teagasc for capital and non-capital purposes in 2008 to support its research, training and advisory services. This is a 3% increase in the provision for 2007. Teagasc has also been allowed to retain the proceeds of the sale of its lands in Athenry to fund a major programme in its research facilities. By any standards these are substantial resources and are a clear indication of the Government's continuing commitment to supporting Teagasc activities.

It is the responsibility of the Teagasc Authority to prioritise its activities and to allocate its funding accordingly. This it has done over the years in accordance with the needs of clients, EU and Government policy. I am satisfied that in doing so it has provided a first class service to Irish farmers.

Grant Payments.

Michael Creed

Ceist:

652 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the situation regarding a person (details supplied) in County Cork and their single payment entitlements arising from recent correspondence from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34174/07]

The person named successfully applied under the New Entrant measure of the Single Payment Scheme. Subsequently, the person named applied to be considered for an allocation of entitlements under Categories A, B and C of the 2005 National Reserve.

Category A caters for farmers who inherited land or received land free of charge or for a nominal sum from a farmer who had retired or died by 16 May, 2005 and who had leased out his/her holding to a third party during the reference period 2000 to 2002.

Category B caters for farmers who made an investment in production capacity in a farming sector for which a direct payment under Livestock Premia and/or Arable Aid schemes would have been payable during the reference period 2000 — 2002. Investments can include purchase or long term lease of land, purchase of suckler and/or ewe quota or other investments.

Category C caters for farmers who sold their milk quota into the Milk Quota Restructuring Scheme and converted their enterprise to a farming sector for which a direct payment under Livestock Premia and/or Arable Aid Schemes would have been payable during the reference period 2000 to 2002. The person named did not meet the eligibility criteria under Categories A and C but he was deemed successful under category B of the National Reserve and a formal letter to this effect issued on 24th November 2007.

The regulations governing the Single Payment Scheme stipulate that an applicant who is found to be eligible under more than one measure of the Scheme, may only receive an allocation of entitlements under whichever measure is most beneficial to him/her. The person named had already been deemed eligible under the New Entrant measure of the Single Payment Scheme. However his allocation under the National Reserve measure amounted to €2434.74, which was greater than the original allocation of €1894.66 under the New Entrant measure.

As the National Reserve measure is financially more beneficial, the New Entrant allocation is now rescinded in favour of the National Reserve. The person named was informed of this by letter dated 22 November, 2007. The extra monies now due in respect of 2005, 2006 and 2007 will issue to the person named shortly.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme.

Michael Creed

Ceist:

653 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the regions where her Department has requested reduced stocking densities on commonages; the reason for her Department’s request in each case; the progress that has been made in respect of each area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34175/07]

As a result of environmental damage on commonages due to overgrazing by sheep, Ireland was required by the European Commission to put in place comprehensive measures to deliver environmentally sustainable farming practices as a condition of making REPS payments to commonage farmers. Over 4,000 Commonage Framework Plans, covering approximately 430,000 hectares, were prepared by agricultural consultants on behalf of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and of my own Department. When each plan was being prepared, a field assessment was carried out and the level of destocking (if any) that was recommended was directly related to the environmental condition of the commonage. Destocking was recommended to varying degrees on commonages in every county. The European Commission continues to monitor progress with the exercise in the context of the Wild Birds Directive, and it has already been necessary for the National Parks and Wildlife Service to take additional steps in one area to deal with overgrazing problems. Other areas where recovery of vegetation has been unsatisfactory are also being monitored by the NPWS and I understand that it may be necessary to take similar steps in those areas.

Departmental Communications.

Damien English

Ceist:

654 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of staff in her Department that are provided with a blackberry device or similar mobile e-mail equipment. [34215/07]

The number of staff in my Department provided with a Blackberry device or similar mobile e-mail equipment is 94. 87 staff have been provided with Blackberry devices and 7 staff are piloting a ‘push email' solution on mobile-phones.

Damien English

Ceist:

655 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of databases used by her Department; and the number of these that are wholly and partly operated by external organisations or individuals and operated solely within her Department. [34230/07]

My Department has in place twenty one (21) databases to support its work. Twenty (20) databases are operated and hosted within the Department. One (1) database, which is shared with other Departments, is hosted by another public sector organization that provides hosting facilities.

Damien English

Ceist:

656 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of information technology projects undertaken by or for her Department since 2004 that have been delivered over budget, after their original deadline, on budget, under budget, on their original deadline and ahead of their original deadline; and if she will present the information in tabular readable form. [34245/07]

My Department has invested significantly in IT over the past number of years and has successfully delivered many new IT systems to underpin its operations and to provide greater internal efficiencies, controls, and enhanced customer service. At any time there is a large programme of IT initiatives being progressed. The details requested by the Deputy in relation to the IT projects delivered since 2004, are being prepared and will be sent on to him directly.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Damien English

Ceist:

657 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps she has taken to offset the carbon dioxide emissions caused by ministerial travel in her Department; and if none to date, the plans she will put in place on the matter. [34260/07]

The setting of policy in relation to the offsetting of carbon dioxide emissions from Ministerial travel is a matter, in the first instance, for my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. I understand that he, on foot of the commitment in the Programme for Government on carbon offsetting official air travel, is developing a scheme for use by all Government Departments and bodies under their aegis and that he intends to announce details of the scheme shortly.

Data Protection.

Damien English

Ceist:

658 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she is satisfied that personal information relating to members of the public held on her departmental databases is safe from hackers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34275/07]

My Department has put in place a robust Information Technology infrastructure, at both the hardware and software levels, to ensure that all data (including personal data) is safe from hackers. A complex infrastructure consisting of firewalls, routers, and specialized software has been deployed to protect against intrusion by hackers, etc. As a further measure, the Department has put in place a contract for independent testing and verification, on an ongoing basis, of the security control measures that it has put in place. At the computer application level, the Department has a sophisticated data access control system (Single Sign On) that includes user profiles. This provides for tailored access to data, appropriate to the individual user's needs and prevents unauthorised access to data.

Management Information Framework System.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

659 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the estimate of the money saved to the Exchequer in 2007 by the use of the management information framework system; the way this saving was made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34298/07]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

660 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the management information framework system has been fully rolled out in her Department; the use being made of performance indicators, the costing framework and management reports provided by this system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34312/07]

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 659 and 660 together.

The Management Information Framework has been fully operational in my Department. However, evaluation and improvement of the system is on-going and work is currently in hand to integrate into the system the fisheries related responsibilities which have been transferred to my Department. The main component of the Framework is the SAP R3 Accounts system which was introduced into the Department in 2001 and to which additional modules were added in 2003. The system was updated in 2006. When arrangements to include fisheries expenditure are complete, all funds disbursed by my Department will be accounted for on the system.

Apart from facilitating the efficient processing of payments and the production of the Appropriation Account and other statutory accounts, the system includes a management-reporting module which is available to management at all levels. Management reports, including information on administrative and programme expenditure, are examined at every meeting of the Department's Management Advisory Committee in order to monitor progress and manage programme delivery. My Department has a well developed system of business planning, which involves the production of Divisional plans with key performance indicators linked with the higher level goals in the Statement of Strategy for my Department.

It is not possible to identify what savings, if any, have accrued from the operation of the Management Information Framework. However, I believe that it has provided substantial operational improvements, including the automation of manual processes, and that it has improved significantly efficiency in the processing of payments. The Framework is also a useful management tool to senior management in providing accurate, up-to-date data in support of decision making and resource allocation.

Grant Payments.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

661 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the means whereby a resolution can be achieved in the matter of recoupment of moneys in the case of the representatives of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34329/07]

The REPS agreement in question was between the Department and a third party, not the person named. Consequently the debt involved is not a matter for the representatives of the person named but for the third party concerned. I have asked my officials to communicate directly with the third party concerned to progress this matter.

Beef Imports.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

662 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the status and progress towards the implementation of the 25 recommendations contained in the EU Food and Veterinary Office report published in March 2007; the prospect of her issuing, in the interest of the health concerns of the consumer here, a directive to ban the importation of Brazilian beef into Ireland until the measures signalled in the said report apply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34392/07]

The report of the visit in March of the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) to Brazil was published in October. The progress in the implementation of the recommendations of that report will be assessed by the FVO. In this context of a further FVO mission was undertaken in November. At my request the matter was discussed recently by the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCAH).

In response to Ireland, UK, Italy and Denmark who also requested update on the FVO's latest Mission to Brazil in November and the actions the Commission proposed to take, the Commission said that the FVO report on the latest mission was being drafted but details were not available. The Commission did however indicate that all of the assurances previously given were not complied with and it was considering various options. I have remained in contact with Commissioner Kyprianou on this issue. The Commissioner has assured me that the Commission will not hesitate to introduce the appropriate measures if a product imported from a third country or produced in the domestic market represents a risk for the health of EC consumers or livestock.

Registration of Title.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

663 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a vesting order will be completed for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [34440/07]

The vesting order for the person named is completed and is currently being sealed and will be lodged with the Property Registration Authority within a week.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

664 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if a person in (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved and granted the disadvantaged area scheme in view of the fact that the requested information has been submitted. [34441/07]

An application under the 2007 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 1 May 2007. During processing of the application, it was necessary for an official of my Department to request additional information from the person named, which has now been supplied. Accordingly, full payment (€4,456.75) under the 2007 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme will issue to the person named in the coming days.

Harbours and Piers.

David Stanton

Ceist:

665 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food her plans to make funding available to further develop Ballycotton harbour in County Cork under the fishery harbour development programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34444/07]

The harbour at Ballycotton is owned by Cork County Council and responsibility for its development rests with the Local Authority in the first instance. My Department does, however, co-fund approved capital works under the Fishery Harbours and Coastal Infrastructure Programme, subject to the availability of Exchequer funding and overall national priorities. Funding of €900,000 was approved under the Programme in 2007. This represented 75% of the total 2007 estimated spend of €1.2 million submitted by Cork County Council.

I have recently invited applications for funding under the 2008 Fishery Harbours & Coastal Infrastructure Programme. Any application received from Cork County Council will be considered subject to the availability of exchequer funding and overall national priorities.

School Transport.

Andrew Doyle

Ceist:

666 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Science the policy regarding fuel subvention for school buses; if a review is being carried out on the use of biofuels for schools buses; her views on an incentive for the use of biofuels in school buses; the qualifications required to drive a school bus; and the way candidates are reviewed. [33777/07]

I take it that the Deputy is referring in the first part of the Question to the current fuel duty rebate scheme which is a matter for the Minister for Finance and the Revenue Commissioners. I understand that in March of this year the European Commission published its decision to refuse all requests for the retention of the fuel duty rebate scheme.

My Department understands that officials from the Department of Transport are currently engaging with officials from the Department of Finance to explore the possibility of replacing the scheme, if appropriate, by alternative non-tax financial support mechanisms to achieve the same policy objectives, subject to EU State Aid requirements. My Department will liaise with both Departments regarding the outcome of these discussions.

In relation to the use of biofuels, my Department understands that the Minister for Transport, as part of his overall objective for sustainable urban transportation, has requested CIÉ to move to a 30% bio-diesel blend in all new buses as part of their fleet replacement policy. In line with the Programme for Government, CIÉ has also been asked to set out as quickly as possible an action plan to convert the existing fleet to a 5% biofuel blend.

I also understand from the Minister for Transport that the Mineral Oil Tax Relief (MOTR) Scheme II, announced in November 2006 will also support a move to biofuels. This Scheme will place 163 million litres of biofuels on the market at a cost to the Exchequer of €200 million over the period 2006-2010.

In regard to the qualifications of bus drivers within the school transport scheme, Bus Éireann school bus drivers are required to undergo a pre-employment medical examination by a nominated doctor, and may be subject to on-going review. All Bus Éireann school bus drivers must hold a current Driving Licence, appropriate to the size of vehicle that they are required to drive.

In addition, drivers are required to satisfy a background vetting check conducted by the Garda Authorities. Bus Éireann school bus drivers must pass a Driving Assessment conducted by specially trained and qualified Bus Éireann Inspectors. Route training and vehicle familiarity training is provided, along with refresher courses and other training courses such as advanced driving techniques and a disability awareness programme.

Contractors' school bus drivers are required to provide certification of medical fitness to drive a bus from their General Practitioner, and may be subject to on-going medical review by the Chief Medical Officer of CIE. It is a condition of the Contract Agreement that no person shall be allowed to drive a school bus if having been requested, they refuse to submit themselves for medical examination, or if they are certified unfit.

Both the Contractor and the drivers nominated by the Contractor to undertake school bus driving are also subject to Garda vetting. All nominated Contractors' Drivers must hold a driving licence appropriate to the size of vehicle that they are required to drive to fulfil the Contract Agreement. Bus Éireann maintain a record of driving licences on file for all nominated Contractors' school bus drivers.

Contractors, as bus operators in their own right, are primarily responsible for the training of their own drivers, but notwithstanding this are also obliged to ensure that their drivers attend training courses nominated by Bus Éireann.

Schools Building Projects.

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

667 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Education and Science if an architectural team has been appointed for the building works at a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33226/07]

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

668 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of the school building project at a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33227/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 667 and 668 together.

My Department have completed a technical visit of the school referred to by the Deputy with a view to determining the project brief. The future progression of the project will be considered in the context of the School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

669 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding planned refurbishment work and a new building for a school (details supplied) in County Cork. [33257/07]

An extension/refurbishment project proposed for the school referred to by the Deputy is at the early stages of architectural planning. The progression of the project will be considered in the context of the School Building and Modernisation Programme.

School Transport.

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

670 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science, further to Parliamentary Question No. 444 of 16 October 2007, if progress has been made in relation to the school transport inquiry for a child (details supplied) in County Cork. [33258/07]

The Deputy will be aware from my reply to Parliamentary Question 444 that pupils who reside 3.2 kilometres or more from, and are attending, their nearest gaelscoil are eligible for free school transport. The position is that there is no provision in the School Transport Scheme for my Department to sanction either transport or grant-aid for pupils in circumstances outlined by the Deputy in the details supplied.

Grant Payments.

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

671 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will report on a query (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33263/07]

I am pleased to inform the deputy that following the receipt of additional information requested a grant has been sanctioned for the school in question. Arrangements are being put in place to have the grant paid into the school's bank account as soon as possible.

Energy Resources.

Simon Coveney

Ceist:

672 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the percentage of energy consumed in her Department and in all agencies for which her Department has responsibility that comes from renewable sources. [33277/07]

My Department is involved in the collaborative purchase of electricity for use in Government Departments operated by the Government Supplies Agency, OPW, who administer the tendering process. The present contracts for the supply of electricity to my Department do not include electricity from renewable sources. My Department will evaluate the situation when the contract is re-tendered next year. The information in relation to the aegis bodies under my Department is being compiled and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy.

Schools Building Projects.

Tom Hayes

Ceist:

673 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science when the necessary funding will be made available for the commencement of works on the new buildings for a school (details supplied) now that a site has been nominated. [33290/07]

My Department is committed to purchasing a site for Gaelscoil Cluain Meala. For reasons of commercial sensitivities, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on individual sites.

Higher Education Grants.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

674 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on her Department’s refusal to grant a Gaeltacht third level scholarship to a student (details supplied) who otherwise qualified for the scholarship but because their selected course subjects included some university subjects which were not taught through Irish, they were informed that the scholarship was being withdrawn; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33294/07]

Every year the Department of Education & Science awards 50 Third Level Irish Scholarships to students, who have completed their Leaving Certificate through Irish and who have amongst other things, attended an all-Irish school and reached a certain minimum standard in the Leaving Certificate.

Twenty of these scholarships are offered to students who wish to pursue their third level studies entirely through the medium of Irish — An Scéim Scoláireachtaí Gaeilge Tríú Leibhéal Teoranta. Students applying for this particular scholarship are required to submit a list of courses that they have chosen on their Central Applications Office application form. This list must include an approved course that is listed under the Teoranta Scheme.

As soon as possible after the Leaving Certificate results have issued, the Department begins to make preliminary offers to students who have chosen one or more of the approved courses on their CAO list. These offers do not constitute awards as such, as compliance with the conditions of the schemes must be checked to ensure that they meet the eligibility requirements. The full terms and conditions of the Teoranta Scholarship Scheme can be accessed on www.education.ie under Students & Trainees.

School Transport.

James Reilly

Ceist:

675 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will review, resource and fund extra transport services for a school (details supplied) in County Dublin which is under pressure taking pupils in from nearby Balbriggan and where parents and students are having severe difficulty getting to the school which is located in a rural location; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33296/07]

Under the terms of my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme, pupils who reside 3.2 kilometres or more from, and are attending, their nearest suitable national school as determined by my Department, are eligible for free school transport. There is no provision in the Scheme for my Department to sanction either transport or grant-aid for pupils in the circumstances outlined by the Deputy.

Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

676 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals she has to increase the meal allowance for VTOS learners by €4 to €20 per week and to at least double the travel allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33307/07]

Bobby Aylward

Ceist:

724 Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will increase substantially the meal and travel allowance paid to VTOS learners which is currently €4 per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34034/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 676 and 724 together.

The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) is a second — chance education initiative, which is funded by my Department, for unemployed persons who are at least 21 years of age and in receipt of certain social welfare payments for at least six months. It is operated through the Vocational Education Committees. The aim of the Scheme is to give unemployed people education and training opportunities which will develop and prepare them to go into paid employment, or on to further education opportunities leading to paid employment.

A training allowance is paid by the VECs to students who previously drew unemployment benefit or assistance. The student ceases to receive an unemployment payment and, instead, receives a VTOS training allowance at a rate equivalent to the maximum rate of unemployment benefit, plus a payment for an adult or child dependant, if appropriate. VTOS students also retain their social welfare secondary benefits.

The allowances for VTOS students for meals and travel referred to in the question are equivalent to those paid to participants on FÁS training courses. VTOS students are entitled to a meal allowance of €0.80 per day. They may be entitled to a travel allowance if they reside more than 3 miles from a centre. This weekly allowance ranges from €4.60 for a distance of 3 to 5 miles to €32.60 for a distance of 40 to 50 miles from a centre. These allowances are increased in line with increases in FÁS rates. An increase in the FÁS rates will be necessary before VTOS rates can be increased.

Third Level Courses.

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

677 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science her views and the steps she plans to take to act upon the recommendation by the National Competitiveness Council in its 2007 annual report that the Government develop a proactive, consistent and supportive policy framework to attract more foreign students into the Irish higher education system as a means of generating foreign earnings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33326/07]

I have taken note of the Recommendations of the National Competitiveness Council in relation to the development of a policy framework for attracting foreign students to Ireland. In this area, my Department established an interdepartmental group some time ago with the remit of considering the most effective way of promoting Ireland as a centre of educational excellence for international students and for the promotion of Irish education abroad. The group's Report on the Internationalisation of Education Services was published following approval by Government.

The Recommendations of the Report include the establishment, on a statutory basis, of a new body to be called ‘Education Ireland' whose main objective will be to promote Ireland as a centre of excellence for international education. Preparations are well advanced to establish Education Ireland in the first instance as a company, with draft legislation also being prepared to establish Education Ireland on a statutory basis in the course of 2008.

Departmental Expenditure.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

678 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount of mobile telephone bills paid directly by her Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33336/07]

As the Deputy will be aware, my Department has a significant number of staff who provide services to schools around the country and are therefore not office based. This includes staff in the Inspectorate and psychologists in the National Educational Psychological Service.

In total, 530 official mobile phones are supplied to staff in my Department and are paid directly by my Department to the mobile phone operator. Each member of staff is provided with an itemised bill on a monthly basis and must refund to the Department the cost of any personal calls where the cumulative value is more than one euro during the billing month. The amount recouped so far in 2007 is €14,548.

The information in relation to the cost of mobile phones (before recouped money is deducted) is contained in the table.

Year

Total

Data

Roaming

2006

326,397

58,813

16,013

Jan-Nov 2007

392,909

66,589

22,048

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

679 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount of mobile telephone bills paid in the form of expenses to staff by her Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33351/07]

My Department does not pay mobile telephone bills in the form of expenses. All staff mobile phone bills are paid directly to the mobile phone provider.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

680 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount of mobile telephone bills paid in relation to the departmental mobile telephone assigned to her by her Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33366/07]

My Department's mobile phone operator is unable to provide the information on data and roaming charges for 2006 as it is protected information under the Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003. The total cost of charges for my mobile phone in 2006 was €3,137.82. The information in relation to 2007 is contained in the table.

Year

Total

Data

Roaming

2007

€3,313.96

€310.28

€1889.60

Schools Building Projects.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

681 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Education and Science when she will sanction the development for a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow in view of the demands on the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33455/07]

As the Deputy will be aware, all applications for large scale capital funding are assessed against published prioritisation criteria. Progress on individual projects, such as the ones in question, will be considered in the context of the multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Departmental Reports.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

682 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science when the value for money review on the supply panel for primary teaching was completed; the value of the savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33456/07]

The review and evaluation of the Supply Teacher Scheme for Primary Schools concluded in June, 2003 that the scheme is generally contributing positively to primary education in the areas in which it operates, although levels of success vary.

The scheme was found to be relatively expensive in terms of cost per day of substitution, although this finding has to be balanced with other educational and policy issues. In balancing these economic and policy issues, the Review concluded that effective provision of quality substitution in the future is likely to require a mixed market approach — i.e. the Supply Teacher Scheme, agency supply and casual substitution.

The Review recommended to continue the Scheme in the short term, with some recommended improvements in processes and management. In addition, it also recommended an investigation of the potential for agency supply and a further review of the scheme in 3-5 years time. The report is currently being considered by the education partners.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

683 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science when the value for money review on youth encounter projects was completed; the value of the savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33457/07]

The report on the value for money review of Youth Encounter Project schools is due for finalisation in the near future and will then be submitted to the Houses of the Oireachtas, in line with standard procedure. The impact of implementing the recommendations contained in the report, including possible savings, will be the subject of periodic review.

I should point out to the Deputy that, while the achievement of savings is an element of the review, in general the review focused on the efficiency and effectiveness with which the YEP schools are using the resources allocated to them by my Department to achieve their stated objectives.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

684 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science when the value for money review on first and second level building programmes, topic 2 devolved initiatives, was completed; the value of savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33458/07]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

692 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science when the value for money review of grants to first and second level schools will be completed; the anticipated value of savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of this report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33466/07]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

693 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science when the value for money review of the summer works scheme primary and post-primary buildings will be completed; the anticipated value of savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of this report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33467/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 684, 692, and 693 together.

The Government's Value for Money and Policy Review Initiative is part of a framework introduced to secure improved value for money from public expenditure. The objectives of the Value for Money and Policy Review Initiative are to analyse Exchequer spending in a systematic manner and to provide a basis on which more informed decisions can be made on priorities within and between programmes. It is one of a range of modernisation initiatives aimed at moving public sector management away from the traditional focus on inputs to concentrate on the achievement of results.

Value for Money Reviews are undertaken under the aegis of steering committees which are representative of the Departments/Offices managing the programmes/areas being reviewed. For the more significant reviews the Department of Finance is generally represented on the steering committees.

In early 2000 my Department's Planning and Building Unit revised the manner in which the School Capital Programme was delivered and concluded that it was necessary to introduce a mechanism that would increase the deliverable infrastructures in a speedy, cost effective and qualitative manner to ensure improved educational facilities nationally. The Small Schools Initiative and the Permanent Accommodation Initiative were introduced on a pilot basis in the School Capital Programme 2003. Both of the initiatives were the subject of an expenditure review based on the 2003 programme. The review concluded that the initiatives' objectives were satisfactorily achieved. These included:

the schools involved have better school facilities and/or additional school accommodation,

the introduction of these initiatives ensured that the Department was in a position to address the higher priority banded projects through the traditional method of architectural design in the knowledge that 40 additional schools were progressing to construction within a timeframe of 12 months with no hands-on requirement from my officials, a higher output was achieved, as none of the schools in the SSI would have progressed to construction in 2003 if the initiatives were not put in place,

a higher level of quality was obtained (permanent build) in relation to the projects progressed through the introduction of the PAI, as the previous method of progressing these applications was to provide temporary prefabricated accommodation,

the majority of the building projects proceeded to site and construction within the 12 months timeframe as dictated in the guidelines of each initiative,

the majority of the building works completed were of good quality and deemed to provide VFM,

School Management Authorities (SMAs), on average, were happy with their own abilities to progress their own building projects. 81% of SMAs would recommend acceptance of the devolved initiatives again 100% were satisfied with the educational impact achieved, 97% were satisfied with the programme of delivery and 93% satisfied with the autonomy Role of SMA,

Compliance with public procurement was achieved in relation to the tendering process for building Contractors.

The devolved Summer Works Scheme was introduced in 2004. The value for money review of the primary and post-primary summer works scheme is not due to be officially completed until late 2008 and consequently any outcomes will not be known for some considerable time.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

685 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science when the value for money review on schools information communication technology programmes was completed; the value of savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33459/07]

The Value for Money Review of the ICT Support Services for Schools is currently being finalised.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

686 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science when the value for money review on information communication technology undergraduate skills programmes was completed; the value of savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33460/07]

The Report to which the Deputy refers to is currently being finalised.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

687 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science when the value for money review on teacher education and development programme was completed; the value of the savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33461/07]

The report to which the Deputy refers to is currently being finalised.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

688 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science when the value for money review on the Youthreach and Traveller education was completed; the value of savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33462/07]

The value for money review of the Youthreach and Senior Traveller Training Centre programmes is not yet finalised.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

689 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science when the value for money review on insurance arrangements for schools was completed; the value of savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33463/07]

The Value for Money Policy review on Insurance Arrangements in primary and post-primary schools is currently under way.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

690 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science when the value for money review of expenditure on the education of persons who do not have English or Irish as a first language will be completed; the anticipated value of savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33464/07]

The value for money review of expenditure on the education of persons who do not have English or Irish as a first language has not commenced. It is intended to undertake this review in 2008.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

691 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science when the value for money review of special needs assistants will be completed; the anticipated value of savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of this report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33465/07]

The Value for Money and Policy Review referred to by the Deputy is due to be completed by end of 2008. The Value for Money and Policy Review Initiative is part of a framework introduced to secure improved value for money from public expenditure. The objectives of the Value for Money and Policy Review Initiative are to analyse Exchequer spending in a systematic manner and to provide a basis on which more informed decisions can be made on priorities within and between programmes. It is one of a range of modernisation initiatives aimed at moving public sector management away from the traditional focus on inputs to concentrate on the achievement of results. It would be premature of me at this point to anticipate the conclusions that will emerge from the review.

Questions Nos. 692 and 693 answered with Question No. 684.

Registration of Title.

Joe McHugh

Ceist:

694 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the delay in the transfer of title for a former school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33468/07]

My Department has no objection to the release of its interest in the Lease dated 9th November 1909. However as there is more than one person claiming title to this property my Department cannot proceed with releasing its interest until the successor of the title has been established. The Chief State Solicitor's Office is currently endeavouring to establish title so that this matter can be satisfactorily concluded.

Schools Building Projects.

Joe McHugh

Ceist:

695 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason the construction of a school (details supplied) in County Donegal has yet to begin; if there is a problem, the reason the board of management have not been notified as such; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33469/07]

The tender report for the school is under examination in my Department at present. The School's Board of Management will be kept advised of developments when the examination is complete.

Departmental Staff.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

696 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science the number, rank and pay of all civil servants in her Department and ministerial staff, personally appointed by her or otherwise, who are engaged in media monitoring; the nature of the work done; the persons who the information is circulated to or the people who have access to this information; the cost of this service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33506/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

698 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of press officers and press advisers in her Department; the rank and pay of each; the description of work done; the persons to whom the information is circulated or made accessible to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33536/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

700 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of press advisers employed by her Department; the cost of such advice for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33566/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 696, 698 and 700 together.

The Press Office in my Department is staffed by the following, all of whom are Civil Servants:

1 Press Officer/Assistant Principal Officer level

2 Higher Executive Officers

2 Executive Officers

1 Clerical Officer

The Press Officer is a full-time civil servant paid at Assistant Principal level. The Press Officer and other staff in the Press Office respond to media queries on behalf of the Minister, Minister of State and my Department generally. They also draft and issue press releases to the media about education initiatives.

There are two Higher Executive Officers and two Executive Officers assigned to the Press Office of my Department. Each of them works from 8am-8pm Monday to Friday on a four week rota basis. Part of the duties of the officer working the 8am shift each morning is to provide a brief one line summary of education related newspaper stories in the national daily papers. This summary is circulated via email to all Senior Management in the Department as well as the Minister, Minister of State and Special Advisor. There is no additional cost of this service as media monitoring is a function of all press offices.

My Department's Press Office is also included in the circulation of material from the Government Information Service Communications Unit on a daily basis. Over the period 1997-2007 a Press Officer has been employed in my Department as follows:

1st January 1997 to 26th June 1997 — Paid at Assistant Principal Officer Level

2nd September 2002 to 29th September 2004 — Paid at Principal Officer Level

8th November 2004 to present — Paid at Assistant Principal Officer Level.

The amount paid in respect of salary for all of the officers in the Press Office is in accordance with the Department of Finance Salary Scales for the relevant grades.

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

697 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science the number and name of newspapers purchased by her Department daily and weekly; the number provided to herself and to the Minister of State’s office; the yearly cost of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33521/07]

The number and name of newspapers purchased daily and weekly by my Department is contained in the table. The cost of all newspapers to my Department in 2006 was €94,967.21.

My Office is provided with six daily and one weekly newspaper. The Minister of State's Office receive six daily newspapers. The cost of newspapers supplied to my Office in 2006 was €2,433.60. The cost of newspapers supplied to the Minister of State's Office in 2006 was €2,345.20.

Newspaper Name

Daily or Weekly

Amount

Irish Times

Daily

169

Independent

Daily

76

Examiner

Daily

21

Star

Daily

6

London Times

Daily

2

Daily Mail

Daily

1

Sun

Daily

1

Evening Herald

Daily

1

Foinse

Weekly

2

Saturday Times

Weekly

4

Saturday Independent

Weekly

5

Saturday Examiner

Weekly

3

Saturday Star

Weekly

3

Sunday Mail

Weekly

2

Sunday Independent

Weekly

2

Sunday Tribune

Weekly

2

Sunday Business Post

Weekly

2

Sunday World

Weekly

1

Sunday Times

Weekly

1

Kerryman

Weekly

2

Bray People

Weekly

1

Corkman

Weekly

1

Tallaght Echo

Weekly

1

Wicklow People

Weekly

1

Leinster Leader

Weekly

1

Westmeath Examiner

Weekly

1

Westmeath Independent

Weekly

1

Longford Leader

Weekly

1

Offaly Independent

Weekly

1

Laois Nationalist

Weekly

1

Limerick Leader

Weekly

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Question No. 698 answered with QuestionNo. 696.

Consultancy Contracts.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

699 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science the number, cost and name of any media consultants employed by her Department; the cost of such advice for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; the nature of the work done; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33551/07]

The information sought by the Deputy is being compiled in my Department and will be sent to him as soon as possible.

Question No. 700 answered with QuestionNo. 696.

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

701 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of credit cards held by her Department; the cost of same for each year since 2000 to date in 2007; the persons who hold these cards and for whom they are used; the annual amounts purchased; the cumulative interest on same for each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33581/07]

There are three credit cards held by my Department. Details as requested in respect of these cards are given in the table.

Cost of Official Credit Cards used in the Department of Education for each year since 2000 to date in 2007

Holder

Year

Total Cost*

Interest

IT Manager

Purpose of use—

Purchase of IT goods & services

2000

1,997.36

0.00

2001

6,413.61

0.00

2002

6,576.26

0.00

2003

2,026.74

16.21

2004

6,529.58

0.00

2005

132.00

10

2006

1,307.64

0.00

2007

741.47

10.57

Minister’s Private Secretary

Purpose of use—

Payment of official expenses incurred by the Minister

2000

940.47**

0.00

2001

2,428.35**

0.00

2002

5,432.50

0.00

2003

2,641.45

0.00

2004

805.39

19.35

2005

1,392.27

0.00

2006

5,698.06

0.00

2007

326.35

0.00

Minister of State’s Private Secretary

Purpose of use—

Payment of official expenses incurred by the Minister of State

2002 (1st Year)

19.33

0.28

2003

3,175.03

7.14

2004

458.9

5.95

2005

1,321.74

0.00

2006

3,150.06

0.00

2007

4,691.00

0.00

*Total Cost includes Purchases, Interest as well as Government Duty and Annual Membership Fees.

**Interest charges if any not available.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

702 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science the cost to her Department of photographers used by all Ministers in her Department on a yearly basis for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33596/07]

The following are the details relating to the costs of photographers used by all Ministers and Ministers of State in the Department of Education and Science, for each year, from 2000 to date. Details for the period 1997 to 1999 were not readily available, given the time constraints.

Year

2000

13,671.93

2001

23,373.37

2002

31,631.56

2003

25,065.16

2004

35,114.32

2005

17,565.99

2006

13,744.06

2007 (to date)

11,498.71

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

703 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science the cost of make-up for her for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33611/07]

There was no cost to the Department incurred in relation to make-up.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

704 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science the cost of her Department’s entertainment allowance for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33626/07]

The information sought by the Deputy is being compiled in my Department and will be sent to him as soon as possible.

Government Information Services.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

705 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science if her Department receives a daily summary of stories relevant to her Department from Government Information Services; if this summary is in written, verbal or electronic format; if these are furnished to a departmental press officer or press adviser; and if the press officer or adviser furnishes this information to her every day or how often it is furnished. [33641/07]

The Minister and the staff of the Press Office receive the general daily news summaries provided by Government Information Services in electronic format.

Official Engagements.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

706 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science if a press adviser travels with her on official visits; and if there were official visits attended by her in the past year at which a press adviser was not present or was not in contact with her. [33656/07]

The Department's Press Officer generally travels with me to official public engagements throughout the country where media are invited or are expected to attend. If the Press Officer is not in attendance, as can happen when I travel abroad for official business, I would remain in regular contact with officials in my office in Marlborough Street, including the Press Officer. It is not possible to itemise particular events during the past year which were not attended by the Press Officer.

Departmental Transport.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

707 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science the cost of providing transport including their official car to Ministers of State in her Department and staff for each year from 1997 to date in 2007. [33671/07]

The information sought will take some time to put together and accordingly I will arrange to have my Department reply directly to the Deputy as soon as possible .

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

708 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science the cost of her using public transport for every year since 1997 to date in 2007; and the cost of providing similar services to Ministers of State and staff for the same period. [33686/07]

Please find the following spreadsheet containing the cost of using public transport by the Minister of Education and Science, Junior Ministers and Staff for 2006 and to date in 2007. Information on the breakdown for previous years is not readily available.

2006

2007

Taxi

234.25

116.50

Trains Luas Dart

108.40

226.00

Bus

0.00

5.30

Total for Public Transport

342.65

347.80

Departmental Communications.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

709 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science if her Department carries news summaries on their internal web; the persons who have access to such information; the way they access same; the person who compiles same; the cost of same; the regularity with which this information is updated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33716/07]

All staff in the Department of Education and Science have access to education related news clippings through the intranet. Relevant newspaper stories are added to the intranet site on a daily basis. This service is provided by a commercial company, under contract to the Department. The cost of this service to the Department in 2006 was €45,383.63

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

710 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of mobile phones used by her and supplied by her Department; the annual cost of same for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33731/07]

I was appointed Minister for Education and Science on 29/9/2004. I use one mobile phone supplied by my Department. The annual cost of same for each year since my appointment is contained in the table.

Year

Cost

2004

291.92

2005

4,282.16

2006

3,137.82

Jan-Nov 2007

3,313.96

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

711 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science if any of the advisers or staff appointed by her directly have mobile phones and other equipment supplied by her Department; the annual cost of same since 1997 to date in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33746/07]

My Department has provided three mobile phones, two Blackberry devices and one fax machine to staff appointed directly by me.

The annual cost of same since my appointment on 29/9/2004 is given in the table.

Year

Cost

2004

274.13

2005

8,211.07

2006

9,308.78

Jan-Nov 2007

8,140.15

Departmental Funding.

Áine Brady

Ceist:

712 Deputy Áine Brady asked the Minister for Education and Science the schools in County Kildare that received funding, either for extensions or new schools for the years 2005, 2006 and allocated for 2007; the extra facilities that were provided with this funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33787/07]

The information is not readily available in the format sought by the Deputy. However, I will arrange to have the information compiled and forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Schools Building Projects.

Shane McEntee

Ceist:

713 Deputy Shane McEntee asked the Minister for Education and Science the anticipated completion date for the new national school in Laytown, County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33824/07]

My Department has already provided a 16-classroom facility to meet the immediate accommodation requirements in Laytown. The new 24-classroom school building will be provided by my Department under a design and build contract. The procurement process for this project is now nearing completion and it is expected that the contract will be awarded very soon. As part of the tender competition, the initial design and layout for the school has already been done and some pre-planning discussions have taken place with Meath County Council in order to help ensure that it meets their requirements.

Following the placing of the design and build contract, the first task for the successful contractor will be to submit the application for planning permission for the new school. Given the preparatory work already done it is expected that the application for planning permission can be done within a matter of weeks following the appointment. I want to assure the Deputy that my Department is committed to providing the new school in Laytown at the earliest possible stage.

State Examinations.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

714 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will reconsider the decision to timetable chemistry after English paper two due to the extra pressure it will place on students studying this subject of considerable national priority; and if she will restore chemistry to its position later in the schedule when it is not accompanying a core universal subject. [33833/07]

The new Leaving Certificate examination schedule for 2008 has been agreed with a working group representing the Partners in Education, and is designed to reduce the demand on students especially during the first week of the examinations. It advances Chemistry, which is sat by some 7,000 students, and Geography, sat by some 25,000 students, to Thursday and Friday respectively of the first week, which, along with Home Economics which is sat by some 12,000 students, ensures that the majority of students get a break of at least one half day during this intensive phase.

The revised timetable ensures that the significant writing pressure that was experienced by all students on day one has now been reduced. Whereas unfortunately chemistry is only taken by 7,000 students it does require a different set of skills and thought processes and so was considered a balance to English.

There are no plans to change the timetable for 2008. However, each year, when drawing up the timetable for the following year, the State Examinations Commission invites the input of the Partners in Education so that their experience can inform the formulation of the next year's schedule. I also plan to engage in a consultation with Leaving Cert students after their exams to get their views on the new mix of papers.

School Enrolments.

Darragh O'Brien

Ceist:

715 Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Education and Science the pupil capacity of a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; and the number of students currently in attendance. [33840/07]

A building project was recently completed at the school referred to by the Deputy to bring the capacity of the school to 1,200 pupils. Enrolment figures for 2007/08 are not yet available but I can confirm that the enrolment at the school in question for 2006/07 was 1,153 pupils.

Special Educational Needs.

Bobby Aylward

Ceist:

716 Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will ask the special educational needs organisers to meet with the parents and teacher of a pupil (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who is in need of increased resource teaching hours in view of the report of the senior speech and language therapist in the Health Service Executive and the recommendations of the school principal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33851/07]

I have made arrangements to have the family's request for a meeting with the SENO transmitted to the NCSE.

Psychological Service.

John O'Mahony

Ceist:

717 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of people currently waiting for assessments by the school psychological services in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33852/07]

I can inform the Deputy that all primary and post primary schools have access to psychological assessments either directly through my Department's National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) or through the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA) that is administered by NEPS and full details of which are available on my Department's website.

NEPS does not keep waiting lists for assessments of children but in common with other psychological services encourages a staged assessment process, whereby each school takes responsibility for initial assessment, educational planning and remedial intervention, in consultation with their assigned NEPS psychologist. Only if there is a failure to make reasonable progress in spite of the school's best efforts, will a child be referred for individual psychological assessment. This system allows the psychologists to give early attention to urgent cases and also to help many more children indirectly than could be seen individually.

The introduction of the General Allocation model for primary schools in 2005/06 means that children with high incidence special needs no longer have to wait for an individual assessment before they can get access to extra support. Children who manifest very special or urgent needs in school and who have not been previously assessed by a psychologist and are brought to the attention of a NEPS psychologist by the Principal teacher will usually be assessed by the psychologist within that school term. Normally, principals of schools prioritise those children in need of psychological assessment in consultation with the assigned psychologist.

Schools that do not currently have NEPS psychologists assigned to them may avail of the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA) under which the school can have an assessment carried out by a member of the panel of private psychologists approved by NEPS and NEPS will pay the psychologist the fees for this assessment directly. The prioritisation of urgent cases for assessment is a matter for the principal of the school in the first instance.

Third Level Courses.

Joe McHugh

Ceist:

718 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a course (details supplied) has not received formal recognition from the Irish Teaching Council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33880/07]

The Teaching Council has had responsibility for the accreditation and recognition of courses for teaching since its establishment on 28 March, 2006. My Department does not have any involvement in this process. I understand that the Council has not yet received an application from this institute in relation to the recognition of this degree for the purposes of teaching physical education.

Higher Education Grants.

Joe McHugh

Ceist:

719 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a VEC have refused to pay fees for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal who is completing their MA as the awarding body is claiming that after completing a postgraduate, a person must undertake a new course to obtain an MA; if she will clarify her Department’s policy in relation to fee payment for MA courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33882/07]

The decision on eligibility for third level grants is a matter for the relevant assessing authority — i.e. the local authority or VEC. These bodies do not refer individual applications to my Department except, in exceptional cases, where, for example, advice or instruction regarding a particular clause in the relevant scheme is required. If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a maintenance grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to the relevant local authority or VEC.

Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down, in writing, by the relevant local authority or VEC, and remains of the view that the body has not interpreted the schemes correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to my Department. Alternatively, as already indicated, the local authority or VEC may, itself, in exceptional circumstances, seek clarification on issues from my Department.

School Accommodation.

John O'Mahony

Ceist:

720 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Science the expenditure by her Department in the provision of or renting of portacabins at secondary level in County Mayo for 2005-06 and 2006-07. [33980/07]

John O'Mahony

Ceist:

721 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Science the expenditure by her Department in the provision of or renting of portacabins at primary level in County Mayo for 2005/06 and 2006/07. [33981/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 720 and 721 together.

The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available.

School Transport.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

722 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of parents who sought transport for their children from the Gort catchment area to a school (details supplied) in County Galway, who can benefit from the decision of the Ombudsman to direct her Department to refund the costs incurred by these parents; the amount involved in each case; when she will refund these transports costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33984/07]

My Department is currently reviewing records to establish the number of children who might benefit from the Ombudsman's recommendation. This review will be completed as quickly as possible.

Grant Payments.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

723 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the applications processed by her Department; the average waiting time to process each application; the steps she is taking to speed up the processing time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33289/07]

The processing of applications for grants/assistance etc. can be a complex and time-consuming operation. The length of time between receipt of an application and a decision issuing to an applicant varies widely on the type of application, accuracy in completing the original application form and the processes that have to be carried out by my staff to assess the application. For instance, with applications for major capital funding consultations may have to be carried out with outside bodies e.g. Local Authorities, local schools, Patron Bodies, Trustees, etc. However, in all cases my Department endeavours to have the various processes required completed and a response issued to applicants as quickly as possible.

Question No. 724 answered with QuestionNo. 676.

Schools Building Projects.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

725 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the details of a particular circumstance applying at a national school (details supplied) in County Limerick; if she has examined the claims therein; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34048/07]

Approval of the Stage 3 (developed sketch scheme) was issued to the Board of Management of the school in a letter dated 14 November 2007. In addition, preparation of Stage 4/5 tender documents has commenced. It is not possible to say at this point when construction will start. However, my Department will be in contact with the school authorities regarding further progress as soon as the tender documents have been completed.

Question No. 726 answered with QuestionNo. 58.

Decentralisation Programme.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

727 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of specialist staff due to decentralise to each identified decentralisation location for her Department and its agencies; the number who have decentralised to each location to date; the number of specialist staff within her Department who have indicated a wish to decentralise to each of the identified locations to date; the number of specialist staff from other Departments who have indicated a wish to decentralise to each location identified for her Department’s decentralisation to date; the way it is intended to deal with any shortfall in specialist staff wishing to decentralise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34059/07]

Two specialist posts in my Department are scheduled to relocate to Athlone. None of the specialist staff in my Department have indicated a wish to decentralise to Athlone and there are no suitably qualified staff in other departments who have expressed a wish to decentralise to Athlone to these posts.

Twenty six (26) specialist posts in my Department are scheduled to relocate to Mullingar. Nine (9) members of the specialist staff of my Department have indicated a wish to decentralise with these posts and one suitably qualified member of the staff of another organisation has indicated a wish to decentralise to Mullingar. It is envisaged that it should be possible to fill these posts through recruitment arising as the result of normal staff turnover throughout the period of the roll out of the programme of decentralisation.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

728 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of the decentralisation programme in each agency under the aegis of her Department to date; the number of staff in each agency due to decentralise to each identified location; the number who have decentralised to each location to date; the number of staff within each agency who have indicated a wish to decentralise to each of the identified locations to date; the number of staff from other Departments or agencies who have indicated a wish to decentralise to each location identified for her Department’s agencies decentralisation to date; the timeline for further decentralisation of agencies under the aegis of her Department. [34060/07]

The agencies under the aegis of my Department that will decentralise under the programme of decentralisation are the National Education Welfare Board (Portarlington), the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (Portarlington), the Higher Education Authority (Athlone), the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (Edenderry), the Higher Education and Training Awards Council (Edenderry) and the Further Education and Training Awards Council (Edenderry). I am arranging for each of these agencies to provide me an update on their current progress towards decentralisation to include the detail requested by the Deputy. I will provide this directly to the deputy as soon as it is available.

Departmental Transport.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

729 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science the cost on a yearly basis for transport hire of any kind for her transport and that of her staff for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; the reason for such hire; if tenders were sought; the locations brought from and to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34091/07]

The information requested by the Deputy is being compiled by my Department and will be forwarded directly to him.

Decentralisation Programme.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

730 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of the decentralisation programme for her Department to date; the number of staff due to decentralise to each identified location; the number who have decentralised to each location to date; the number of staff within her Department who have indicated a wish to decentralise to each of the identified locations to date; the number of staff from other Departments who have indicated a wish to decentralise to each location identified for her Department’s decentralisation to date; the timeline for further decentralisation from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34101/07]

Under the Government's decentralisation programme announced in 2003, one hundred (100) posts from my Department's headquarters were scheduled to decentralise to Athlone. It has been possible to relocate 11 of these posts to Athlone in advance of the main move, which will happen when the new building in Athlone is ready for occupation. On the basis of the information provided by the Office of Public Works I understand the it should be possible to complete the relocation of all of these posts to Athlone by the late spring/early summer of next year.

Sixty (60) members of the staff of my Department have indicated a wish to decentralise to Athlone (this includes those members of staff in the posts that have already been relocated). Thirty seven (37) of the members of staff of other Departments have indicated a wish to decentralise to Athlone.

Under the Government's decentralisation programme, 300 posts from my Department's headquarters were scheduled to decentralise to Mullingar. A site has been acquired for my Department's new headquarters in Mullingar and tenders have been received by the Office of Public Works, for the provision of this accommodation. The accommodation will be procured as a Public Private Partnership project, using the design, build, finance and maintain model. It is currently envisaged that the decentralisation to Mullingar will take place in 2010.

One hundred and forty one (141) members of staff of my Department have indicated a wish to decentralise to Mullingar. One hundred and three (103) of the members of staff of other Departments have indicated a wish to decentralise to Mullingar. It is anticipated that any shortfall of volunteers to decentralise to Mullingar will be made up between now and 2010.

Adult Education.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

731 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason the National Adult Education Learning Council was disbanded in 2003 only a year after it was established without an explanation and the review of the council was never made public; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34104/07]

The National Adult Learning Council was formed in March 2002 on an ad hoc basis with the intention that it would be established as a statutory body under Section 54 of the Education Act 1998. Following the formation of the ad hoc Council, concerns emerged that the functions envisaged for it were too wide-ranging and were not sufficiently focused. Additionally, a number of developments had occurred which would impact on the work of the Council.

A strategic review of the role and functions of the Council was undertaken to address these concerns. The outcome of the review has been under consideration in my Department. I expect to be in a position soon to make a decision on the best way forward. The decision will be based on how best to provide in the most cost-effective manner for the learning needs of young people who leave school early or who may not wish to progress directly into employment or higher education and of adults seeking second-chance education in the adult, further and vocational education sector. It will also be necessary in that context to take account of existing provision and structures.

Special Educational Needs.

Beverley Flynn

Ceist:

732 Deputy Beverley Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Science the provision for education she has made with regard to a child (details supplied) in County Mayo. [34105/07]

An appropriate school placement is available for the child referred to by the Deputy. However I wish to advise the Deputy that, as the matters referred to are the subject of ongoing High Court proceedings against my Department, the Department of Health and Children and the Health Services Executive, it would be inappropriate for me to comment in any detail on the particulars of the situation.

State Examinations.

Beverley Flynn

Ceist:

733 Deputy Beverley Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Science when she will allow senior trade examinations as there are many people who sat senior trade examinations in the past but need to complete a section of their senior trade subject in order to complete all compulsory sections; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34106/07]

The Department of Education and Science announced in 1999 that it would end the operation of the Senior Trade Examinations in 2003, but the State Examinations Commission, established in 2003, actually continued the process for a further and last time in 2004. These examinations are no longer made available. However, an alternative arrangement was agreed in discussions between the Department, the Further Education and Training Awards Council, the Institutes of Technology, the Dublin Institute of Technology and FÁS. Under this arrangement, persons interested in completing their qualification should contact Apprenticeship Services, FÁS, 27-33 Upper Baggot St, Dublin 4. FÁS will then make the appropriate arrangements with an Institute of Technology to facilitate access for eligible applicants to assessment leading to a Level 6 Advanced Certificate from the Further Education and Training Awards Council.

School Curriculum.

Catherine Byrne

Ceist:

734 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will extend a comprehensive drug and alcohol awareness programme within the confines of the present SPHE programme to transition and senior cycle in all second level schools here; if this could be done on the model of the Teaching Advisory Council on Alcohol and Drug Education in England; the teaching resources or packs she will publish for teachers who teach drug and alcohol awareness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34122/07]

Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) forms a mandatory part of curriculum provision in primary schools and in junior cycle. The overall aim is to help develop students' confidence and self esteem, and promote the skills for living, for responsible decision making, and for mental, physical and emotional health and well-being. The junior cycle syllabus for SPHE includes a specific module on Substance Abuse.

The implementation of these programmes in schools is supported by full-time support services at primary and second level which provide professional development for teachers and advice and support to schools. The second level support service is operated jointly with the Health Sector. A range of resources are available to support the programme. These include the Walk Tall Programme at primary level, On My Own Two Feet at post primary level, the Teacher Guidelines for SPHE developed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, a Substance Misuse Prevention Information Booklet for schools and parents, Guidelines for Developing a School Substance Use Policy, and a policy template for this, and links and references to relevant websites.

The SPHE Support Service also provides support and assistance to schools in the development of their Substance Use policies, and offers a resource directory, which includes the materials of the Teaching Advisory Council on Alcohol and Drugs Education in England. Copies of these materials were made available to the network of Education Centres around the country by the support service.

A senior cycle programme in Social Personal and Health Education is being developed by the NCCA. A draft curriculum framework has been published, and consultations have been completed on it. I look forward to receiving the recommendations of the Council on the matter at an early date. Substance Use will be one of the five areas of study planned for the programme.

In addition to this, the Transition Year Programme, which is available to schools on an optional basis provides a flexible menu of options designed to further support pupils' personal and social development, to provide a bridge between junior and senior cycle and to offer a broad educational experience which can aid the maturing process. As part of this, there is scope for schools to offer alcohol and substance misuse programmes.

While education has a role to play in addressing the problem of alcohol misuse, behavioural change will not happen without the support and co-operation of parents, the drinks industry and society as a whole. Parents have a responsibility to help children and young people to adopt sensible and responsible attitudes and behaviours in relation to alcohol. The community as a whole needs to reflect on the general attitude to alcohol use.

Schools Building Projects.

Joe Carey

Ceist:

735 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the provision of a new national school at Ballyea, Darragh, Ennis, County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34126/07]

The tender report for the school in question is under examination in my Department at present. The School's Board of Management will be kept advised of developments when the examination is complete.

Capitation Grants.

Seán Barrett

Ceist:

736 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on the situation whereby local authorities are levying water charges at different rates throughout the country on schools which receive capitation payments from her Department at a uniform rate and where an element of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is imposing these charges on her Department’s schools which have received no funding to provide for these charges; if the Government will provide for schools water charges directly from Exchequer funding in the context of the schools annual capitation grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34167/07]

Schools receive funding by way of per capita grants to meet their day-to-day running costs and enable them to pay for services such as light, heat, water and waste disposal. The value of the capitation grants have improved significantly over the past few years and are set to increase again by €15 per pupil in 2008.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Water Framework Directive requires that the ‘polluter pays' principle be applied to the provision of water and waste services to all non-domestic users. However, I am concerned about the considerable variance in the rates being applied by different councils which have left some schools with huge bills.

As the Deputy may be aware, the Programme for Government contains a commitment to examine the provision of waste and water allowances to schools with charges becoming effective after these are exceeded. The implementation of this commitment is primarily a matter for my colleague — the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. However, my Department will of course input to and support the examination to be conducted by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and I have already discussed the issue with the Minister.

In the meantime, we are anxious to enable schools to conserve water and keep their bills as low as possible. New school buildings are being designed with that goal in mind. Measures such as the use of low-pressure spray taps on wash hand basins, dual flushing units on toilets and push button type shower controls are generally used. While these will be of major benefit to the users of new buildings, resources have also been made available that will assist those in existing facilities in considerably reducing their water bills.

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government launched a ‘Conserve Water in Schools' resource pack last month in association with Dublin City Council. The materials, which are available for download on the council's website, www.dublincity.ie, show children how they can get involved in conserving water and put a stop to water wastage. The campaign is also aimed at school management and lists the kind of things they can do to reduce water consumption in their schools. Steps are, therefore, being taken to help schools to reduce their water bills, to give them extra funding to meet unavoidable costs, and to examine — in the context of the Programme for Government — the introduction of a new system of water allowances.

Site Acquisitions.

Deirdre Clune

Ceist:

737 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Education and Science if it is possible for her Department to acquire a site for educational purposes by compulsory purchase order; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34168/07]

The Department does not have the authority to use compulsory purchase orders in relation to matters arising from site acquisitions. The Property Management Section of the Office of Public Works acts on behalf of the Department in relation to site acquisitions generally. In certain circumstances local authorities also acquire sites on behalf of my Department. The use of compulsory purchase procedures can be quite protracted and it would not necessarily mean the faster acquisition of sites. Neither would compulsory purchase orders mean the acquisition of sites at a price below market value. Where no alternative course of action exists, my Department may ask that CPOs be used.

My Department is working closely with the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government to explore ways of streamlining and improving the process of acquiring school sites.

School Transport.

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

738 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on declaring the village of Clonberne, Ballinasloe, County Galway a common catchment area for buses taking children to schools (details supplied); if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there are all sorts of complications which mitigate against the children of many families who want to go to the school of their choice but because of an outdated system for determining catchment area boundaries cannot do so and that this area has had huge school bus problems in recent years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34170/07]

Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme, a pupil is eligible for transport if s/he resides 4.8 kilometres or more from her/his local post primary education centre, that is, the centre serving the catchment area in which s/he lives. The scheme is not designed to facilitate parents who choose to send their children to a post-primary centre outside of the catchment area in which they reside. However, children who are fully eligible for transport to the post-primary centre in the catchment area in which they reside may apply for transport on a concessionary basis to a post-primary centre outside of their own catchment area — otherwise known as catchment boundary transport. These children can only be facilitated if spare seats are available on the bus after all other eligible children travelling to their ‘own' post-primary centre have been catered for. Such children have to make their own way to the nearest pick up point within that catchment area.

Arts in Education.

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

739 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science if she has received the Arts Council report on the arts in education; when she will make it available to the public; her views on its recommendations; when she will commence the process of its implementation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34181/07]

I have received the draft Arts Council Report on the Arts in Education and my Department is currently considering its recommendations in consultation with the Department of Arts Sport and Tourism. The publication of the Report is a matter for that Department. My Department invests heavily in arts education insofar as programmes in schools, and further and higher education are concerned. My Department will continue to work in collaboration with other agencies to progress this important area to the optimum extent.

Student Support Schemes.

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

740 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science the reasons for the diminution of the millennium fund, a source of funding for third level education for those from impoverished backgrounds; if replacement funds are earmarked to perform a similar task; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34184/07]

I wish to assure the Deputy that there has been no diminution in the level of support made available for the Millennium Partnership Fund.

School Enrolments.

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

741 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on the ongoing difficulties being experienced by those persons living here on student visas with regard to enrolling their children in primary schools in their locality; if her attention has been drawn to the inconsistency of this difficulty when set against the Equal Status Act 2000, Article 42.3.1 of the Constitution underlining the right of every child to a primary education and Article 2 of Protocol One of the European Convention on Human Rights; the action she will take to deal with and alleviate this inequity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34185/07]

Existing education policy is that students up to 18 years of age are admitted to primary and second level schools irrespective of their nationality or status. Indeed, under the Equal Status Act, schools may not discriminate in admission to schools except where this is necessary to maintain the religious values or ethos of the school. While the Act does provide for differential treatment in relation to fees for further and higher education for persons who are not nationals of an EU Member State, there is no such condition specified in regard to second level schools.

The admission of persons to the State from outside the EU is a matter for the immigration authorities. Children of refugees, those with humanitarian leave to remain in the State, and asylum seekers are entitled to access free first and second level education. However, the basic conditions for a student visa require that the student attend a full time programme of education and training, and be financially self supporting.

The Report on the Inter-Departmental Committee on the Internationalisation of Irish Education, published in 2004, set out a strategy with the objective of enhancing the attractiveness of Ireland as a quality venue for international students and increasing the numbers of students coming to Ireland to participate in further and higher education and training and in the language sector. It was envisaged that students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland, other than refugees and those with humanitarian leave to remain in the State, would participate on a fee paying basis.

In the course of the discussions leading to the Report, the position of minors attending school for second level education was discussed, and the existing immigration policy that student visas should be allowed only in respect of attendance at fee-paying schools was confirmed, on the basis that to do otherwise would give rise to additional demands on the State.

Adult Education.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

742 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a course in the adult education centre of a university (details supplied) in County Dublin was cancelled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34188/07]

The position is that the universities are run as autonomous institutions. They are also academically independent and my Department does not have any function in the day to day operational affairs of such colleges. Decisions on staffing arrangements and programme provision are made by the universities themselves. The universities receive a block grant from the Higher Education Authority and it is a matter for each institution to determine how it is allocated internally.

Psychological Service.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

743 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason there are no national educational psychologists assigned to schools in an area (details supplied) in County Dublin; the steps she plans to take to rectify this issue as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34189/07]

The Deputy will, I'm sure, be aware that all primary and post primary schools have access to psychological assessments either directly through the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) or through the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA). Schools that do not currently have NEPS psychologists assigned to them may avail of the SCPA and have an assessment carried out by a member of the panel of private psychologists approved and paid for by NEPS. The prioritisation of urgent cases for assessment is a matter for the school principal in the first instance.

I can inform the Deputy that this Government is committed to expanding the number of NEPS psychologists, so that more schools can receive a direct service and as new recruits are assigned to each region and inducted , the number of schools afforded NEPS service will increase, including the area referred to by the Deputy in his question. To this end I can inform the Deputy that my Department has been working, in conjunction with the Public Appointments Commission to recruit new psychologists from an existing panel to the service. The number of NEPS psychologists has increased from a total of 128 in April to a current level of 136. In all 11 psychologists have been recruited in this period but due to the normal effect of resignations and retirement the net increase is 8. In addition my Department has recently contracted a further 3 psychologists with 2 due to take up duty before years end. A further psychologist will take up duty in early January 2008.

The panel concerned is now exhausted and the Public Appointments Service has recently announced the commencement of a competition from which a new panel will be drawn to continue the recruitment process. The deadline for receipt of applications in this regard has now passed and work is proceeding on the short-listing of candidates for interview. It is envisaged that the process will be completed and panels formed as quickly as possible allowing recruitment to re-commence early in 2008. It is intended that both through completing the process for hiring the additional 31 psychologists approved for 2007 and by hiring another 11 in 2008, the number of NEPS psychologists will increase to 169 next year.

Question No. 744 answered with QuestionNo. 108.

Site Acquisitions.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

745 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if a decision has been made regarding the funding for a new site for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 2 and two other all-Irish schools; if she will provide details of this funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34191/07]

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that agreement has been reached to provide permanent accommodation for the school in question on a V.E.C. owned site. The site is currently being master planned to facilitate both this school and two other all-Irish schools. All of the school authorities will be kept informed of progress in this regard.

Higher Education Grants.

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

746 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the provisions of the higher education grant scheme in relation to the assessment of means for applicants who are over 18 years of age but living at home with parents; and if basis of the means assessment changes if the same applicant has dependent children of their own. [34206/07]

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

Under the terms of the Department's maintenance grants schemes, and in accordance with the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Act 1992, a mature student is defined as a candidate who is at least 23 years of age on the 1st January of the year of entry or re-entry to an approved course.

Under the terms of my Department's 2007 Third Level Student Maintenance Grant Schemes the position is that, students who are entering approved courses for the first time are eligible for grants where they satisfy the prescribed conditions with regard to age, residence, means, nationality and previous academic attainment. A mature student is defined for the purposes of the schemes as a candidate who is at least 23 years of age on the 1st January of the year of entry or re-entry to an approved course.

Mature students are categorised as either independent mature students or mature students dependent on parents or guardians. An independent mature student is defined as meaning a mature student who was not ordinarily resident at home with his/her parents or guardians from the October preceding their entry to an approved course. Independent mature students are assessed without reference to either their parents' or guardians' income or address.

When assessing the means of students other than independent mature students, the means test provision of the scheme specifies that the students' means and those of their parents or guardians must be below a prescribed limit. This provision requires that parental income be taken into account irrespective of the individual circumstances in any case where the student is not an independent mature student.

Generally speaking, candidates continue to be assessed under the terms and conditions of the Scheme appropriate to their year of entry. Accordingly, candidates who where not classified as Independent Mature Students at the time of entry, or re-entry, to an approved course may not generally be assessed as such for the duration of their course.

Departmental Communications.

Damien English

Ceist:

747 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of staff in her Department that are provided with a blackberry device or similar mobile e-mail equipment. [34220/07]

Sixteen staff in my Department have been provided with blackberry devices.

Damien English

Ceist:

748 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of databases used by her Department; and the number of these that are wholly and partly operated by external organisations or individuals and operated solely within her Department. [34235/07]

My Department has fifteen databases. One is wholly managed by an external organisation. The remainder are primarily managed within the Department with some assistance from external organisations.

Damien English

Ceist:

749 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of information technology projects undertaken by or for her Department since 2004 that have been delivered over budget, after their original deadline, on budget, under budget, on their original deadline and ahead of their original deadline; and if she will present the information in tabular readable form. [34250/07]

The information requested by the Deputy in respect of information technology projects (defined as significant new developments) is set out below.

2004: Nil

2005: Nil

2006: 1 project was over budget and delivered on the original deadline.

Additional requirements gave rise to the excess. 1 project was over budget and delivered after the original deadline. In this case, the scale of the task was greater than originally anticipated. In both cases, there was clear output in respect of the additional amounts incurred.2007 1 project was within budget and delivered on the original deadline

Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Damien English

Ceist:

750 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps she has taken to offset the carbon dioxide emissions caused by ministerial travel in her Department; and if none to date, the plans she will put in place on the matter. [34265/07]

The vehicles used for ministerial transportation are supplied by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Government policy in relation to carbon dioxide emissions from Ministerial cars is determined by that Department and therefore the question should be directed to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Data Protection.

Damien English

Ceist:

751 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Education and Science if she is satisfied that personal information relating to members of the public held on her departmental databases is safe from hackers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34280/07]

The Department uses industry standard firewalling mechanisms to protect its information from unauthorised access from sources outside the Department. The Department's own firewall is positioned behind a central Government firewall adding an extra layer of protection. The Department's firewall is regularly health checked to ensure compliance with industry best practice.

Schools Recognition.

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

752 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the way a proposal to develop a new gael coláiste in a particular area should be submitted to her Department; and the way such an application would be assessed. [34297/07]

A new post primary school/gaelcholáiste can be established in either of two ways — either under the Department's normal planning processes or by way of an application by a sponsor/Patron. With regard to the former, it is the function of School Planning Section to assess the educational infrastructural needs of an area at both primary and post primary level and to plan, in that context, for the establishment of new schools/ gaelcholaistí where this is deemed necessary.

The process of assessing the need for new or additional facilities entails consideration of all relevant factors, including enrolment and demographic trends, housing developments and the capacity of existing schools to meet the demand for places. Apart from this, it is open to a prospective sponsor to apply for the establishment of a new post primary school/gaelcholáiste. In this event, among the criteria used to assess an application are:

That the needs of students likely to attend the school cannot reasonably be met by existing schools

The Patron is registered with the Department

The proposed enrolment is sufficient to ensue that the school will be viable in the long term

The enrolment will be sufficient to ensure that the school can operate a broad and balanced curriculum

The availability of suitable accommodation for the school

That the Patron will comply with the rules and regulations governing post primary schools and all relevant Sections of the Education Act, 1998.

The Department is happy to support the establishment of new Gaelcholáistí where a need is demonstrated.

Management Information Framework System.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

753 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the estimate of the money saved to the Exchequer in 2007 by the use of the management information framework system; the way this saving was made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34302/07]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

754 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science if the management information framework system has been fully rolled out in her Department; the use being made of performance indicators, the costing framework and management reports provided by this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34317/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 753 and 754 together.

There is no current analysis available that quantifies the savings that have resulted from the implementation of the Management Information Framework (MIF) in the Department of Education and Science. In general the development of the MIF has contributed, in line with its objectives, to improved financial management, performance measurement and accountability. Overall financial service has been improved with greater efficiency in terms of processing financial transactions and accounts, higher levels of productivity, provision of better quality information to managers and improved customer service.

The work to date on implementing MIF has mainly focused on the installation, maintenance and development of a modern Financial Management System (FMS). The FMS replaced a mostly manual system and has substantially modernised the Financial Management of the Department. Further developments of the FMS were dependent on an upgrade of the system. This upgrade was completed recently and the planned developments will proceed from 2008 onwards.

In drafting a framework for the identification and development of performance indicators the focus has been on a number of categories of indicators that will be applicable across the various sectors of the education system. The categories identified include provision, participation, quality in learning outcomes, inclusion and customer satisfaction. Indicators, such as pupil/teacher ratios, retention rates or levels of funding are in general well developed and in use within the Department. The Department's Statement of Strategy 2008-2010 will set out, at a system wide level, the intended key indices of performance for each of the main elements of the education system over the coming years.

The specification of the Department's FMS provided for a costing framework that classified expenditure on a similar basis to the Department's vote e.g. administrative expenditure and programme expenditure. Programme expenditure is further subdivided per sector: First Level Education, Second Level Education and Third Level Education. Programmes are charged with direct costs but significant work remains to be completed in distributing indirect costs.

There is a management reporting framework within the Department and while a number of reports are available on the system this module of the FMS has not been fully implemented. It is intended that progress will be made on the development of improved management reports on the FMS by identifying, defining and designing reports of significant value as resources allow and expertise develops.

Schools Building Projects.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

755 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science her proposals to meet the site or classroom accommodation requirements in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; her proposed time-scale for the provision of such facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34330/07]

As the Deputy will be aware, all applications for large scale capital funding are assessed against published prioritisation criteria. Progress on individual projects, such as the one in question, will be considered in the context of the multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

756 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans for the provision of permanent accommodation on site for the proposed new school at Kill, County Kildare; when she expects to finalise these matters and identify a possible date for the completion of the necessary works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34331/07]

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the appointment of a Design Team for the above project has been completed. A Planning and briefing meeting was recently held with the successful design team in order to allow this project commence architectural planning. This project will when completed accommodate a 32 classroom school along with ancillary facilities. My Department has requested the Design Team to prepare a Stage 1 Submission (site analysis and sketch scheme). Further progression of the project can be considered when this is received.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

757 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to the provision of the new school at Ardclough, County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34332/07]

The process of appointing a design team to the school building project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage. Progression of all projects will be considered in the context of my Department's Multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

758 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to the meeting in full of the extra accommodation requirements at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34333/07]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

762 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to an application for major capital funding in the case of a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; when this application is expected to progress; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34337/07]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

763 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to an application for major capital funding in the case of a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; when this application is expected to progress; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34338/07]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

764 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of an application for large scale capital funding by a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; when same is expected to progress; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34339/07]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

766 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of an application for large scale capital funding by a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; when same is expected to progress; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34341/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 758, 762, 763, 764 and 766 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, all applications for large scale capital funding are assessed against published prioritisation criteria. Progress on individual projects, such as the ones in question, will be considered in the context of the multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

759 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when works associated with the provision of extra facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34334/07]

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that construction recently commenced on this project and it is envisaged that it will take about 15 months to complete.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

760 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which the facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare are adequate to meet requirements; her plans to provide extra facilities there; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34335/07]

I can confirm to the Deputy that the school to which he refers has applied to my Department for large scale capital funding to meet its long term needs. As the Deputy will be aware, all applications for large scale capital funding are assessed against published prioritisation criteria. Progress on individual projects, such as the one in question, will be considered in the context of the multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

761 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to provision of extra facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if her Department has received a response regarding proceeding by the school to stage three; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34336/07]

The school to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of architectural planning i.e. stage 4/5 (tender documentation). The final grant of planning permission is expected shortly. Progression of all projects to tender and construction will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Questions Nos. 762 to 764, inclusive, answered with Question No. 758.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

765 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if a further response has been received from the board of management at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare following confirmation by her Department of advancement to stage three; her plans to progress this matter in the next six months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34340/07]

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the tenders for the project to which the question refers were recently returned to the school. Their Design Team are examining the submissions and will submit a tender report to my Department as soon as it is complete.

Question No. 766 answered with QuestionNo. 758.

School Accommodation.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

767 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to the provision of classroom facilities and accommodation at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34342/07]

The school referred to by the Deputy applied and was approved funding for four extra classrooms under the devolved Permanent Accommodation Scheme for 2007. The alternative to a school participating in a devolved scheme would be to apply for consideration for inclusion in the mainstream school building programme in line with the project's priority band rating. The Permanent Accommodation Scheme (PAS) was originally introduced in 2003 on a pilot basis and was extended to cover more schools in subsequent years.

I increased funding for the PAS in 2006 by an average of 20%. This increase follows-on from an increase of up to 25% in 2005. The feedback has in general been very positive, the number of schools participating has increased year on year and many schools are anxious to be included. In order to maintain this momentum I approved over 140 additional schools to participate in this scheme in 2007. The present position of the project in question is that the architectural planning of the project is progressing satisfactorily and the School Management would expect to go on site in the new year.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

768 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science her intentions to respond to the request from the school authorities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare in respect of the provision of permanent classroom accommodation; the precise deadline in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34343/07]

The School Board of Management as client on this project are currently in the process of re-appointing a Consultant Architect for this project. On receipt of the recommendation from the Board of Management, it will be examined by the Department and the Schools Board of Management will be kept informed of developments on completion of this examination. Progression of all projects to tender and construction will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

769 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of school places available through the various primary and second level schools at Celbridge, County Kildare; her plans to enhance or meet these requirements in full in early date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34344/07]

The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available. However, I can confirm that in response to the need for additional primary school places in Celbridge, the Department recognised a new primary school which commenced operation this September. The school's initial intake was 79 pupils. The school is located in temporary accommodation, the refurbishment of which was funded by the Department to ensure that it was suitable for school use. Site identification and acquisition procedures are on-going for a permanent home for the school. It is intended that the site will also facilitate the development of a post primary school. The Deputy will probably be aware that under the Area Development Plan for the N4/M4 corridor published by the Commission on School accommodation, provision of a new post primary school for Celbridge is recommended post 2011.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

770 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans she has in mind to meet the accommodation requirements at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34345/07]

The school to which the Deputy refers to, currently is in the process of preparing a Stage 3 submission (Developed Sketch Scheme). Once a date for receipt of this submission is received, a review meeting will be arranged between the Board of Management along with its Design Team and the Department to evaluate the submission. A pre planning meeting was recently held with Kildare County Council in order to progress the process of being in a position to lodge a full planning application. On completion of this project it is anticipated that the school will contain 16 mainstream classrooms, General Purpose room and ancillary facilities.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

771 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to the provision of permanent site, accommodation and other facilities for a school (details supplied) in Country Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34346/07]

The school to which the Deputy refers to has recently had its Stage 3 submission (Developed Sketch Scheme) approved and a letter to this effect was forwarded to the Project Manager with a number of comments to be addressed in the next Stage. It is envisaged that the school will be accommodated in the new Pipers Hill Campus along with the Post Primary School, which is currently being developed. When complete the school will have 16 mainstream classrooms along with ancillary accommodation.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

772 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when she expects to be in a position to meet in full the projected accommodation and other requirements in respect of primary and second level schools at Kilcock, County Kildare; if it is intended that the necessary funding will be provided in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34347/07]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

773 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if her Department have identified the precise school accommodation requirements for the future both primary and second level, at Leixlip, County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34348/07]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

774 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the discussions she has had with all the relevant school authorities in primary and second level schools in Maynooth, County Kildare with the objective of identifying the precise school place and other facility requirements in the town having regard to current and projected population levels; when she expects these requirements to be met in full; the means by which they will be met; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34349/07]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

777 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if she or her Department have had discussions with all of the school authorities, the local authority and the VEC with the object of determining the precise school accommodation requirements for both primary and second level for the town of Naas, County Kildare; her specific plans to address these issues having particular regard to population expansion in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34352/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 772 to 774, inclusive, and 777 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Commission on School Accommodation published an Area Development Plan for the N4/M4 corridor which includes Leixlip, Maynooth and Kilcock. The document which was published following an extensive consultation process with all interested parties sets out the blueprint for capital investment in the areas concerned for the foreseeable future.

Progress on individual projects will be considered under the School Building and Modernisation Programme. In Naas, the Department has already made significant interventions including the provision of 2 new primary schools and the significant expansion of existing post primary schools. The Department is currently working to ensure that there will be sufficient primary places available in 2008 for all eligible pupils and plans are also progressing for a new 1,000 pupil post primary school and for a 16 classroom school for the Gaelscoil.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

775 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent of the discussions she has had with the relevant primary and second level school authorities at Clane, County Kildare having particular regard to the need to identify the school accommodation and other requirements in view of the current and projected population increases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34350/07]

An application for large scale capital funding has been received from one of the primary schools in Clane and the Department has contacted the other school in relation to its long term requirements. The Department has no application for capital funding at post primary level but it is keeping the situation under review. As the Deputy will be aware, all applications for large scale capital funding are assessed against published prioritisation criteria. Progress on individual projects will be considered in the context of the multi-Annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

776 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which she has had discussions with all the primary and second level school authorities at Celbridge, County Kildare with a view to meeting accommodation and other facilities required arising from the population increase in the area; the timescale for the provision of such facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34351/07]

In response to the need for additional primary school places in Celbridge, the Department recognised a new primary school which commenced operation this September. The school's initial intake was 79 pupils. The school is located in temporary accommodation, the refurbishment of which was funded by the Department to ensure that it was suitable for school use. Site identification and acquisition procedures are on-going for a permanent home for the school. It is intended that the site will also facilitate the development of a post primary school. The Deputy will probably be aware that under the Area Development Plan for the N4/M4 corridor published by the Commission on School accommodation, provision of a new post primary school for Celbridge is recommended post 2011.

Question No. 777 answered with QuestionNo. 772.

Schools Building Projects.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

778 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the funding provided by her Department towards the school building programme in each of the past three years to date in 2007; her expected expenditure under this heading in the 2007/2008 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34353/07]

The annual allocations under the School Building and Modernisation Programme are set out on a financial year basis rather than on the school year. The outturn for the years 2004 to 2006 was as follows:

2004 — €333m.

2005 — €501m.

2006 — €494m.

The outturn for 2007 will be in excess of €540m.

Special Educational Needs.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

779 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the further projected requirements in respect of special needs teachers throughout the country; the full extent to which the shortfall has been identified and is expected to be addressed within a reasonable time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34354/07]

I wish to advise the Deputy that the level of resources being made available by my Department to support students with special educational needs nationally has grown significantly in recent years. At primary level, there are now over 6,000 teachers working directly with children with special educational needs, including those requiring learning support, compared with fewer than 1,500 in 1998. At post-primary level, over 2,450 wholetime equivalent teachers support special needs students compared with 200 in 1998. This includes 566 learning support teachers. Significant progress has been made in relation to increasing the number of SNAs in our schools who specifically cater for children with care needs. There are over 8,800 whole time equivalent SNAs in primary and post-primary schools supporting the care needs of these students compared with approximately 300 in 1998.

Additional teaching supports are allocated as necessary by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) in line with my Department's policy to support children with special educational needs. As a result, there is no current shortfall in the number of teacher posts being allocated for children with special educational needs.

Going forward, the NCSE has produced an Implementation Report regarding the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN Act), which is currently receiving detailed consideration within my Department. As part of this process, my officials have met with the education partners to obtain their views on the report and its recommendations. Arising from this process and taking account of the Council's implementation report, a Working Group in my Department has been developing proposals for the implementation of the Act and this work will be completed shortly. In this context, I am satisfied that effective progress is being made to advance development of the necessary policy and supports to enable formal commencement of the remaining provisions of the Act.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

780 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the school accommodation requirement in terms of school places, teaching or other facilities for children with autism or Aspergers' syndrome; the full extent of the funding provided by her Department to address these issues in each of the past three years; her proposals for the future in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34355/07]

The Deputy will be aware of my commitment to ensuring that all children, including students on the autistic spectrum, receive an education appropriate to their needs. As the Deputy is aware, the National Council for Special Education is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers, for the establishment of special classes for autism and for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to schools to support children with special needs. In excess of 275 autism-specific classes have now been approved around the country, with 75 sanctioned in the last year alone. The NCSE will continue to sanction additional classes for children with autism where the need arises.

As part of my commitment to catering for the accommodation needs of children with special needs, all applications for such accommodation are given priority by my Department's Planning and Building Unit. Where notice of new or additional accommodation needs does not allow sufficient time for the provision of a permanent structure, my Department funds the provision of temporary accommodation. The information regarding the level of funding which my Department makes available for school accommodation for children on the autistic spectrum requested by the Deputy is not readily available.

School Accommodation.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

781 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science her proposals to ensure sufficient advance planning and discussions with existing school authorities with a view to ensuring sufficient school accommodation for the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34356/07]

The process of assessing the need for new or additional educational facilities at primary or post-primary level in any given area entails consideration of all relevant factors, including enrolment and demographic trends, housing developments and the capacity of existing schools to meet the demand for places. Liaison with existing schools is also an important part of the process. In this way, every effort is made to ensure that there is adequate existing provision and that timely arrangements are made to extend capacity or provide new infrastructure where necessary.

In addition, Local Authorities are obliged by statute to refer draft local area development plans to the Department for observation and comment so that lands can be zoned for future education use. There are numerous sites reserved for education purposes, particularly in the rapidly developing areas, under this process so as to ensure that there will be sufficient land set aside and available for the future development of education infrastructure. Over and above the statutory consultation provisions in relation to local authority draft area development plans, my Department has in recent years worked to strengthen contacts with local authorities to enable informed decisions to be made in planning future educational provision.

My Department also makes extensive use of data from the Census of Population for a variety of purposes including long-term projections of enrolment at national and local level and when drafting its own area development plans and planning school provision for likely enrolment at local area level.

The Deputy may be aware that the Programme for Government includes a commitment to establish a Developing Areas Unit in my Department. This Unit has been established and forms part of my Department's planning and building division. The Unit will be solely dedicated to progressing school planning in rapidly developing areas building on improvements that have already been made in school planning in recent years. Staff in the unit will liaise with local authorities etc., identify where new schools are needed and ensure that they are delivered in the fastest possible timeframe.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

782 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of children throughout the country accommodated in prefabricated or other temporary structures in all primary schools including scoileanna lán gaeilge; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34357/07]

The information requested by the Deputy is not available in the Department. However, every effort is made to keep the expenditure on the rental of temporary accommodation, including prefabs low. It should be noted that less than 5% of the almost € 495 million that was invested in school buildings last year, went on the rental of temporary accommodation. Where accommodation is needed at very short notice, however, a temporary solution can be the only option. Such accommodation may also be used where the need is short-term, such as when a school requires a temporary building while it is awaiting the completion of construction of permanent facilities.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

783 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which she expects to approve the provision of extra second level all-Irish colleges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34358/07]

New or additional second level all Irish schools can be established in either of two ways — either under the Department's normal planning processes or by way of an application by a sponsor/Patron. With regard to the former, it is the function of School Planning Section to assess the educational infrastructural needs of an area at both primary and post primary level and to plan, in that context, for the establishment of new schools/ gaelcholáistí where this is deemed necessary.

The process of assessing the need for new or additional facilities entails consideration of all relevant factors, including enrolment and demographic trends, housing developments and the capacity of existing schools to meet the demand for places.

Apart from this, it is open to a prospective sponsor to apply for the establishment of a new post primary school/gaelcholáiste. In this event, among the criteria used to assess an application are: that the needs of students likely to attend the school cannot reasonably be met by existing schools; the Patron is registered with the Department; the proposed enrolment is sufficient to ensue that the school will be viable in the long term; the enrolment will be sufficient to ensure that the school can operate a broad and balanced curriculum; the availability of suitable accommodation for the school. and that the Patron will comply with the rules and regulations governing post primary schools and all relevant Sections of the Education Act, 1998.

The Department is happy to support the establishment of new Gaelcholáistí where a need is demonstrated.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

784 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when she expects to be in a position to provide permanent classroom accommodation for all children currently accommodated in pre-fabricated classroom structures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34359/07]

During the period of the last National Development Plan 2000-2006, record levels of investment and the streamlining of delivery systems allowed a major acceleration of the school building programme with over €2.6 billion invested in upgrading existing school infrastructure and providing new school accommodation at both first and second-level. This delivered over 7,800 building projects involving tens of thousands of extra permanent school places. This investment has helped to increase capacity and transform the standard of accommodation in many schools throughout the country.

The budget for 2007 is the first year of the roll out of the new NDP 2007-2013 which will involve an investment of over €4.5 billion in school buildings. This funding will enable the Department to continue to take a proactive approach to the provision of modern school accommodation particularly in developing areas. This year alone over €540 million will be spent on school building infrastructure with over 1,500 projects which will ultimately deliver over 700 classrooms to provide permanent accommodation for over 17,500 pupils, mainly in developing areas. The Department will target funding, as appropriate, in order to ensure that additional school accommodation is provided in developing areas within the earliest possible timeframes.

Innovations in the delivery of school buildings such as Generic Repeat Designs and the use of the Design and Build model have been introduced to ensure that new school buildings are delivered in the fastest time-frame possible. Much greater authority has also been devolved to local school management boards to manage and deliver smaller building projects, thereby freeing the Department to concentrate on the larger scale projects.

The focus within the Department is also to empower schools to resolve their accommodation needs, wherever possible, by way of permanent accommodation as evidenced by the introduction of two new initiatives, the Permanent Accommodation Initiative and the Small School Initiative. The purpose of these initiatives was to allow primary schools to undertake a permanent solution to their classroom accommodation needs and, where possible, to obviate the need for temporary accommodation. Forward planning has been improved through greater cooperation with Local Authorities and the publication of 10-year Area Development Plans.

With regard to expenditure on the rental of temporary accommodation, including prefabs, every effort is made to keep this expenditure low. It should be noted that less than 5% of the almost € 495 million that was invested in school buildings last year, went on the rental of temporary accommodation. Where accommodation is needed at very short notice, however, a temporary solution can be the only option. Such accommodation may also be used where the need is short-term, such as when a school requires a temporary building while it is awaiting the completion of construction of permanent facilities.

Psychological Service.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

785 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when she expects the availability of psychological services to be increased in line with the best practice internationally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34361/07]

The Deputy will, I'm sure, be aware that all primary and post primary schools have access to psychological assessments either directly through the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) or through the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA). Schools that do not currently have NEPS psychologists assigned to them may avail of the SCPA and have an assessment carried out by a member of the panel of private psychologists approved and paid for by NEPS.

The Deputy will also be aware that since NEPS was established, we have trebled the number of psychologists in the service. Notwithstanding this and as I have previously announced my Department is committed to increasing psychological service staffing further, so that by 2009 there will be 200 NEPS psychologists.

To this end I can inform the Deputy that my Department has been working, in conjunction with the Public Appointments Commission to recruit new psychologists from an existing panel to the service. The number of NEPS psychologists has increased from a total of 128 in April to a current level of 136. In all 11 psychologists have been recruited in this period but due to the normal effect of resignations and retirement the net increase is 8. In addition my Department has recently contracted a further 3 psychologists with 2 due to take up duty before years' end. A further psychologist will take up duty in early January 2008.

The panel concerned is now exhausted and the Public Appointments Service has recently announced the commencement of a competition from which a new panel will be drawn to continue the recruitment process. The deadline for receipt of applications in this regard has now passed and work is proceeding on the short-listing of candidates for interview. It is envisaged that the process will be completed and panels formed as quickly as possible allowing recruitment to re-commence early in 2008. It is intended that both through completing the process for hiring the additional 31 psychologists approved for 2007 and by hiring another 11 in 2008, the number of NEPS psychologists will increase to 169 next year.

My Department remains committed to the development of a strong and robust educational psychological service serving the needs of all primary and post-primary pupils.

Pupil-Teacher Ratio.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

786 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when she expects to achieve the reductions in class sizes proposed in the course of the general election; the number of extra teachers employed since the beginning of the commencement of the 2007/2008 school year; when the desired pupil teacher ratio in the classroom is expected to be achieved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34362/07]

Approximately 1,100 extra primary and post-primary teachers have been put in place this school year. We are also planning for about 1,200 more for the 2008/09 year. As I have said on many occasions in the past, high quality teachers are by far the most important ingredient in our education system. The record increases in teacher numbers in recent years have been absolutely unprecedented. Significant improvements have been made in the pupil teacher ratio at primary and post-primary level in recent years. The ratio at primary level has dropped from 22.2:1 in the 1996/97 school year to 16.41:1 in the 2006/07 school year. The ratio at post-primary level has dropped from 16:1 in the 1996/97 school year to 13.13:1 in the 2006/07 school year.

In the primary sector alone, there are now in the region of 6,000 more teachers on my Department's payroll than there were in 2002. Extra teachers have been provided in the 2006/07 and 2007/08 school years specifically to reduce class sizes in our primary schools. The number of teachers working in the areas of language support and special needs has also increased significantly. The Programme for Government contains a commitment to provide a further 4,000 primary teachers by 2012. With the additional teachers already put in place this year and those provided for in the Budget, we are ahead of target with about 2,000 extra primary teachers to be delivered within just two years.

Departmental Properties.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

787 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans for the future use of the Old Monastery, Kilcock, County Kildare; the extent to which plans have been formulated or progressed for its conversion as a library for educational purposes or other civic use; the extent to which this forms part of the regeneration plans for the town square; the intended timescale for its future development or alternative use; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34371/07]

The building referred to by the Deputy is in the ownership of Kildare County Council. This property was in the ownership of my Department, but was transferred to Kildare County Council earlier this year. The transaction involved an exchange of lands between my Department and Kildare County Council to facilitate the construction of Gaelscoil Uí Riada.

As part of the transaction it was agreed that the Council would lease back to my Department a portion of this property for the continued operation of the Gaelscoil, pending construction of the new school. This lease expired in June 2007. My Department is currently in negotiations with Kildare County Council regarding further short term use of this property to facilitate primary accommodation provision for Kilcock for September 2008.

Schools Building Projects.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

788 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the increased allocation in budget 2008 for the school building programme, she will take steps to ensure that the necessary funding is allocated to enable a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath to proceed to construction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34386/07]

The tender report for the school referred to by the Deputy is under examination in my Department at present. The School's Board of Management will be kept advised of developments when the examination is complete. Progression of all projects will be considered in the context of my Department's Multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

789 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the increased allocation in budget 2008 for the school building programme, she will take steps to ensure that the necessary funding is allocated to enable a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath to proceed to construction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34387/07]

The tender report for the school referred to by the Deputy is under examination in my Department at present. The school's Board of Management will be kept advised of developments when the examination is complete. Progression of all projects will be considered in the context of my Department's Multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

790 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the increased allocation in budget 2008 for the school building programme, she will take steps to ensure that the necessary funding is made available to enable a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath to proceed to construction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34388/07]

The tender report for the school referred to by the Deputy is under examination in my Department at present. The school's Board of Management will be kept advised of developments when the examination is complete.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

791 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the increased allocation in budget 2008 for the school building programme, she will take steps to ensure that the necessary funding is made available to enable a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath to proceed to construction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34389/07]

As the Deputy will be aware, all applications for large scale capital funding are assessed against published prioritisation criteria. Progress on individual projects, such as the one in question, will be considered in the context of the multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

792 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if in view of the increased capital expenditure available in budget 2008 for the school building programme, she will take steps to allocate the necessary funding to allow a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath to proceed to construct the accommodation required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34390/07]

Progression of all projects to tender and construction, including the project in question, will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. I intend to announce in January the first tranche of projects that will be proceeding to construction with further announcements throughout the year as the school building programme is rolled out.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

793 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if in view of the increased capital expenditure available in budget 2008 for the school building programme, she will take steps to allocate the necessary funding to allow a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath to proceed to construction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34391/07]

As the Deputy will be aware, all applications for large scale capital funding are assessed against published prioritisation criteria. Progress on individual projects, such as the one in question, will be considered in the context of the multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

794 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if the tender documentation for a project (details supplied) in County Mayo has been completed; the estimated timing and funding for the stages to completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34397/07]

The tender documentation for the project referred to by the Deputy is nearing completion. Progression of all projects to tender and construction, including this project, will be considered in the context of my Department's Multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. I intend to announce in January the first tranche of projects that will be proceeding to construction with further announcements throughout the year as the school building programme is rolled out.

Special Educational Needs.

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

795 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of legal cases her Department is involved in with parents of children with special needs who have initiated legal proceedings against the State; the estimated legal cost of these actions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34408/07]

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

796 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Science the legal costs and compensation paid per year over the past five years in legal proceedings involving children with special needs who have taken legal actions against the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34409/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 795 and 796 together.

There are 75 cases involving children with special educational needs currently ongoing in which my Department is a named party. The Deputy will be aware of my position on the issues of litigation in special educational needs and can be assured that neither I nor my Department take lightly any decision to defend cases concerning children with special educational needs. Cases are generally only litigated where no potential settlement is acceptable to both sides and the Government's authority to decide issues of policy is in question. The State has an obligation under the Constitution to provide for primary education. In the context of children with special educational needs, that education must be appropriate to their requirements. The State decides on an appropriate form of provision, having regard to the advice available to it from relevant experts in the National Educational Psychological Service, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, the Inspectorate and independent experts. The Department is not complacent in dealing with these cases and attempts, wherever possible, to reduce the potential for litigation and the levels of legal costs where they arise.

I would like to emphasise that legal costs incurred by the State in defending those cases which are brought to court, are not met directly by my Department. In accordance with financial procedures in cases involving damages or compensation against the State, costs are generally charged to the Chief State Solicitor's Office Vote as sanctioned by the Attorney General. With reference to the costs incurred by my Department which are payment of legal costs of solicitors acting on behalf of children with special educational needs the costs for the last five years are as follows:

2003 — €3,766,276.53

2004 — €5,160,555.16

2005 — €1,211,529.68

2006 — €620,880.43

To date 2007 — €421,176.97

Ex-gratia payments made in the settlement of these cases were as follows:

2003 — €662,830.42

2004 — €421,692.11

2005 — €101,655.16

2006 — €152,333.34

To date — 2007 €53,882.00

Finally I wish to assure the Deputy that I am most anxious that all children receive an education appropriate to their needs and I will continue to prioritise the issue of special educational needs and, in co-operation with the National Council for Special Education and the education partners ensure that children with special educational needs are adequately resourced to enable them to meet their potential.

School Planning.

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

797 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if her Department’s school planning and building unit has established a specific task force to address primary school capacity issues in certain areas around the country for September 2008; and if locations (details supplied) in County Cork have been included on a priority list. [34412/07]

As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government includes a commitment to establish a Developing Areas Unit in my Department dedicated solely to progressing school planning in rapidly developing areas. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that this Unit has been established. The unit will be solely dedicated to progressing school planning in rapidly developing areas building on improvements that have already been made in school planning in recent years. Staff in the unit will liaise with local authorities, identify where new schools are needed and ensure that they are delivered in the fastest possible timeframe.

As the Deputy will be aware applications for large scale capital funding are assessed against published prioritisation criteria and assigned a Band rating. Progress on individual projects is then considered in the context of the multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme consistent with the assigned Band rating.

Schools Recognition.

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

798 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if a formal application for a new primary school (details supplied) in County Cork has been received by her Department from an intending patron organisation; and the status of the application. [34413/07]

Two patron bodies have submitted notifications of intention to apply for recognition of a primary school in the area referred to by the Deputy. The deadline for receipt of applications is 31 January, 2008. The New Schools Advisory Committee (NSAC), an independent advisory committee has been charged with the task of assessing these applications to open new primary schools and make recommendations therein. The consultation process is currently under way. Following which the NSAC will submit a report with recommendations on the applications.

School Staffing.

Mary Upton

Ceist:

799 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science when a school (details supplied) will open; the supports that have been put in place for the children who should have been in attendance at this school since September 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34446/07]

As the Deputy may be aware, three teaching vacancies out of a total teaching complement of four teaching posts have arisen in the school in question for the 2007/2008 school year, namely the posts of principal and two teachers. Due to this exceptional number of vacancies, the school was unable to re-open in September 2007.

I am informed that the recruitment process is in hand and the Board of Management has advised that a person has accepted an offer of the principal's post in this school. The individual in question is currently working through a notice period in his present school. Every effort is being made to expedite the recruitment process for the two remaining staff vacancies with a view to re-opening the school as soon as possible.

Arrangements have been made to facilitate some of the children's attendance at other schools as a short-term measure. Where this hasn't been possible home tuition has been offered to the remaining families. My Department is continuing to liaise with the school in the context of re-opening the school at the earliest possible date.

Energy Resources.

Simon Coveney

Ceist:

800 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Defence the percentage of energy consumed in his Department and in all agencies for which his Department has responsibility that comes from renewable sources. [33276/07]

To date the emphasis in my Department and across the Defence Forces has been on energy conservation and increasing energy efficiency. In 2003, an Energy Efficiency Working Group was established in the Defence Forces to examine fuel economy measures throughout the Defence Forces. A number of initiatives to improve efficiency have since been implemented and have resulted in more efficient energy usage.

At present about 0.3% of the energy used by the Department and Defence Forces comes from renewable sources. It is intended to increase the use of such energy sources in the future by introducing a number of pilot schemes across the Defence Forces. This includes the use of Solar Panels for the provision of domestic hot water, Waste Oil burners and the introduction of Biomass boilers in a number of locations.

Departmental Expenditure.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

801 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Defence the amount of mobile telephone bills paid directly by his Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33335/07]

Following is the information required by the Deputy:

Combined totals for the Department and the Defence Forces are as follows:

Year

%

2006

Total Mobile Bills

253,117

Total Data Charges

20,964

8.28

Total Roaming Charges

18,265

7.22

2007

Total Mobile Bills

347,499

Total Data Charges

32,016

9.21

Total Roaming Charges

81,035

23.32

The increase in DF charges in 2007 is due mainly to participation in the Nordic Battle Group and the preparations for the EU mission to Chad/CAR. This is expected to revert to normal levels once local contracts are in place at the overseas locations.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

802 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Defence the amount of mobile telephone bills paid in the form of expenses to staff by his Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33350/07]

There are no payments of mobile telephone bills made, in the form of expenses, to staff of my Department or the Defence Forces.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

803 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Defence the amount of mobile telephone bills paid in relation to the departmental mobile telephone assigned to him by his Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33365/07]

The amount paid in respect of the mobile telephone assigned to me as Minister for the years in question are as follows:

2006: €960.00 (Roaming charges €80.00; data charges €30.00)

2007: €1,046.97 (Roaming charges €110.00; data charges €40.00)

Departmental Reports.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

804 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Defence when the value for money review on maintenance of aircraft was completed; the value of savings to the Exchequer generated by the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33407/07]

The Expenditure Review of maintenance of aircraft in the Air Corps was published in July 2006. The main findings of this review were that the efficiency and effectiveness of aircraft maintenance was being compromised by the age and diversity of the fleet that the Air Corps operated over the period of the review.

The ongoing investment in Defence equipment has resulted in significant modernisation of the Air Corps fleet and has resulted in reduced fleet diversity. Very significant improvements in logistical support for the modern aircraft types were put in place as part of the procurement contractual processes. Power by the Hour contracts are in place with Pilatus, Eurocopter, Agusta Westland, Learjet and McAlpines (for the Garda helicopters). These contracts improve the availability of spare parts for maintenance purposes. In two cases, Pilatus and Agusta Westland, the aircraft manufacturers have placed a consignment stock of spares in a bonded store at Baldonnel to maximise logistic efficiency.

The ongoing infrastructure investment programme has seen improvements to the maintenance infrastructure. Other recommendations which focused on organisational matters, have been considered and implemented where appropriate. It is anticipated that all these changes will significantly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of aircraft maintenance in the Air Corps.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

805 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Defence when the value for money review on the Defence Forces clothing programme was completed; the value of the savings to the Exchequer generated by the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33408/07]

The Value for Money Review of Clothing Procurement in the Defence Forces was published in September 2007. The review has identified potential for increased efficiency and effectiveness in the clothing storage and distribution system. An implementation group, tasked with drawing up a detailed implementation plan has been established. The anticipated improvement in inventory turnover ratios should decrease the volume of clothing stock on hand. However, it is vitally important to ensure that the Defence Forces clothing needs continue to be met. The optimisation of inventory levels and the clothing distribution system are inextricably linked to supplier performance and the implementation group will consider this factor in their deliberations.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

806 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Defence when the value for money review of usage of military training land will be completed; the anticipated value of the savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33409/07]

The Value for Money Review of the usage of military training land is scheduled for completion by end December 2008. As the review group have not completed their deliberations, I cannot comment on any potential value for money improvements that may arise.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

807 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Defence when the value for money review of Naval Service of vessel maintenance will be completed; the anticipated value of the savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33410/07]

I anticipate that the Value for Money Review of Naval Service Vessel Maintenance will be completed by the end of March 2008. As the Review Group have not, as yet, completed their deliberations, I cannot comment on any potential value for money improvements that may arise.

Departmental Staff.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

808 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Defence the number, rank and pay of all civil servants in his Department and ministerial staff, personally appointed by him or otherwise, who are engaged in media monitoring; the nature of the work done; the persons who the information is circulated to or the people who have access to this information; the cost of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33505/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

810 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Defence the number of press officers and press advisers in his Department; the rank and pay of each; the description of work done; the persons to whom the information is circulated or made accessible to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33535/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

812 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Defence the number of press advisers employed by his Department; the cost of such advice for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33565/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 808, 810 and 812 together.

My Department currently employs the services of private media monitoring companies to provide it with copies of articles relating to Defence matters in local and national newspapers. Copies of these articles are circulated by the Press Office to myself and senior officials within my Department and are also available to all members of staff on the Department's intranet. The average annual cost of the service is €29,368.19.

The following are the details of the staff employed in the press office:

Number

Position

Salary Scale

1

Press Officer

€62,990–€78,543

1

Press Advisor

€82,016–€101,446

The role of the Press Adviser and the Press Officer in my Department is to provide, in conjunction with the Defence Forces Press Officer and the Government Information Services, a high quality press and information service to the media and the general public. The Press Officer is also the Information Officer and the Freedom of Information Officer while the Press Adviser advises me on media matters. Information is circulated by both the Press Adviser and the Press Officer to myself, officials within my Department, members of the Defence Forces, other Government Departments, members of the media and the general public as required. No Press Adviser was employed in my Department in the period prior to 1 November 2004 when the current holder of the post was appointed.

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

809 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Defence the number and name of newspapers purchased by his Department daily and weekly; the number provided to himself and to the Minister of State’s office; the yearly cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33520/07]

Details of newspapers purchased by my Department are as follows:

Daily

Irish Times 10

Irish Independent 5

Irish Examiner 3

Star 2

Sun 2

Mirror 2

Financial Times 1

Herald Tribune 2

Daily Mail 1

Evening Herald 2

Weekly

Limerick Leader 1

The number of newspapers provided to my own office is six dailies and one weekly. Two dailies are provided to the Minister of State's office. The cost of providing newspapers in the last twelve months was €10,141.

Question No. 810 answered with QuestionNo. 808.

Consultancy Contracts.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

811 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Defence the number, cost and name of any media consultants employed by his Department; the cost of such advice for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; the nature of the work done; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33550/07]

It has not been possible in the time available to compile all the information requested by the Deputy. Whilst the information will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible, I would draw the Deputy's attention to PQs 303 and 305 on Wednesday November 21st November 2007.

Question No. 812 answered with QuestionNo. 808.

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

813 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Defence the number of credit cards held by his Department; the cost of same for each year since 2000 to date in 2007; the persons who hold these cards and for whom they are used; the annual amounts purchased; the cumulative interest on same for each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33580/07]

A total of five posts in my Department have been authorised for the use of credit cards.

Minister for Defence (This credit card was never used by me and the account was closed on my request.)

Private Secretary to Minister for Defence

Private Secretary for Minister of State at the Department of Defence

Secretary-General of Department of Defence

Human Resources Manager

The total of the annual amounts purchased, including the cumulative interest and the cost per annum on each of the first four of the above-mentioned cards is as follows (figures for 2000 and 2001 were converted to euro):

Year

Annual Amount purchased

Cumulative Interest

Cost per annum includes maintenance charges and Government levy

2000

16,470.57

Nil

107.95

2001

19,670.14

5.41

114.30

2002

32,878.10

Nil

95.10

2003

34,334.86

2.54

158.10

2004

34,884.19

Nil

265.40

2005

5,598.29

Nil

158.10

2006

4,568.67

Nil

132.70

2007

4,022.52

14.10

169.05

Totals

152,427.34

22.05

1,200.70

In relation to the Credit Card held by the Human Resources Manager, the position is that prior to 2005 the information requested was collated in such a manner that it would require a disproportionate amount of resources to provide it. However for the years 2005 to date the value of items purchased is €5,963.35. The standard charges imposed by the Banks and a Government levy applies.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

814 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Defence the cost to his Department of photographers used by all Ministers in his Department on a yearly basis for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33595/07]

The cost to my Department of photographers to date in 2007 is €14,654.19. The cost for 2006 was €14,589.41. The information with regard to the cost of photography to the Department prior to 2006 is not readily available.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

815 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Defence the cost of make-up for him for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33610/07]

Since my appointment as Minister for Defence in September 2004, I have incurred no make-up costs. There is no record of make-up costs having been incurred by previous Ministers for Defence in the period from 1997 to September 2004.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

816 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Defence the cost of his Department’s entertainment allowance for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33625/07]

The provision for official entertainment for my Department is included under Subhead A3.2 of the Defence Vote. The amounts charged against this provision for the years requested are as follows:

Departmental Entertainment

Year

Amount

1997

22,725

1998

17,131

1999

30,917

2000

13,830

2001

23,399

2002

15,928

2003

15,537

2004

21,316

2005

13,363

2006

10,066

2007

11,771

Government Information Services.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

817 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Defence if his Department receives a daily summary of stories relevant to his Department from Government Information Services; if this summary is in written, verbal or electronic format; if these are furnished to a departmental press officer or press adviser; and if the press officer or adviser furnishes this information to him every day or how often it is furnished. [33640/07]

Both my Press Advisor and the Departmental Press Officer receive text messages throughout the day, Monday to Friday inclusive, from the Government Information Services (GIS) which summarise the headlines of the daily national newspapers and the main news bulletins. In addition, throughout the course of the day they also receive regular emails from the GIS outlining the main news headlines. This information is circulated to myself and officials within my Department as often as it is considered necessary.

Official Engagements.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

818 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Defence if a press adviser travels with him on official visits; and if there were official visits attended by him in the past year at which a press adviser was not present or was not in contact with him. [33655/07]

The attendance of my press advisor at official visits and engagements is decided on a case by case basis, depending on the significance and nature of the event, including if the media have been invited to attend. There have been many official engagements and visits in the past year when my press advisor was not present.

Departmental Transport.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

819 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Defence the cost of providing transport including their official car to Ministers of State in his Department and staff for each year from 1997 to date in 2007. [33670/07]

The Minister of State at my Department is also Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach. No transport costs are incurred by my Department in respect of the Minister of State or his staff.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

820 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Defence the cost of him using public transport for every year since 1997 to date in 2007; and the cost of providing similar services to junior Ministers and staff for the same period. [33685/07]

While I do use public transport on occasions, no costs have been incurred for either myself or the Minister of State in my Department for the use of public transport for the period 1997 to date in 2007. The amounts paid in respect of the use of public transport (excluding taxi fares) by staff in my Private Office, my Constituency Office and the Private Office of the Minister for State was: €516.50 in 2006 and €145.50 to date in 2007. Information for the years prior to 2006 is not readily available and compiling it would require a disproportionate amount of resources.

Departmental Communications.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

821 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Defence if his Department carries news summaries on its internal web; the persons who have access to such information; the way they access same; the person who compiles same; the cost of same; the regularity with which this information is updated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33715/07]

News summaries relating to Defence matters are provided on my Department's intranet, which is an in-house network and is accessible by all users of the network. The service is accessed via a standard web browser interface and is updated on a daily basis. The service is provided by Business & Finance Ltd. and average annual cost is €27,600.

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

822 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Defence the number of mobile phones used by him and supplied by his Department; the annual cost of same for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33730/07]

I use one mobile phone supplied by my Department; available costs are as follows:

2006 — €960.00

2007 — €1,046.97

Costs of these items from 1997 are not readily accessible and there may be statutory and other implications relating to disclosure of individual financial records for periods going back a number of years. I will clarify this and will correspond with the Deputy as soon as the position is resolved.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

823 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Defence if any of the advisers or staff appointed by him directly have mobile phones and other equipment supplied by his Department; the annual cost of same since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33745/07]

Staff appointed directly by me have been assigned mobile phones, blackberries and laptop computers. Costs relating to these items are as follows; Mobile phones and blackberries:

2006 — €8,595.34

2007 — €9,550.38

Laptop computers are drawn from a Departmental pool and costs are not attributable on an individual basis. Costs of these items from 1997 are not readily accessible and there may be statutory and other implications relating to disclosure of individual financial records for periods going back a number of years. I will clarify this and will correspond with the Deputy as soon as the position is resolved.

Departmental Travel.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

824 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Defence the cost on a yearly basis for transport hire of any kind for his transport and that of his staff for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; the reason for such hire; if tenders were sought; the locations brought from and to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34090/07]

It has not been possible in the time available to compile the information requested by the Deputy. The information will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Departmental Communications.

Damien English

Ceist:

825 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Defence the number of staff in his Department who are provided with a Blackberry device or similar mobile e-mail equipment. [34219/07]

Blackberries are provided to six staff in my Department.

Damien English

Ceist:

826 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Defence the number of databases used by his Department; and the number of these that are wholly and partly operated by external organisations or individuals and operated solely within his Department. [34234/07]

My Department uses two major databases relating to payroll and management information, including accounts, which are wholly operated within the Department. A third Human Resources Management database is used by Departmental HR staff and is owned and operated by Department of Finance. A number of smaller local databases are owned and operated by staff of the relevant administrative areas within the Department. The Defence Forces also maintain Operations, Personnel and Logistics related databases, which are owned and operated by Defence Forces personnel.

Damien English

Ceist:

827 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Defence the number of information technology projects undertaken by or for his Department since 2004 that have been delivered over budget, after their original deadline, on budget, under budget, on their original deadline and ahead of their original deadline; and if he will present the information in tabular readable form. [34249/07]

Following is the information requested by the Deputy:

Project

On budget

On deadline

Joint Departmental and Defence Forces Management Information Framework*

Yes

No

Defence Forces Server Replacement programme

Yes

Yes

*The Department of Defence engaged Oracle EMEA Ltd on a fixed price contract, which was signed in April 2004. The target go-live date was January 2005, however it was not possible to meet that target date due to the design, build and testing of the new systems (including a complex technical architecture) taking longer than expected to meet the requirements of the Department and the Defence Forces. The system went live in January 2006.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Damien English

Ceist:

828 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Defence the steps he has taken to offset the carbon dioxide emissions caused by ministerial travel in his Department; and if none to date, the plans he will put in place on the matter. [34264/07]

On foot of the commitment in the Programme for Government on carbon offsetting official air travel, I understand that the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is in the process of developing a scheme for use by all Government Departments and the bodies under their aegis. Details of the scheme are expected to be announced shortly.

Data Protection.

Damien English

Ceist:

829 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied that personal information relating to members of the public held on his departmental databases is safe from hackers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34279/07]

All databases in my Department and the Defence Forces are protected by anti-virus software, filters, password authentication and firewalls, which are constantly updated and operate within a closed network. I am satisfied that this affords the highest levels of protection for personal information and all sensitive data.

Hearing Impairment Claims.

James McDaid

Ceist:

830 Deputy James McDaid asked the Minister for Defence the amount of compensation paid to claimants in County Donegal under the victims of Army deafness compensation scheme; the amount of money paid in legal fees to legal representatives of these victims; the breakdown of the fees paid to individual legal representatives in County Donegal; the reason it appears legal representatives of these victims were not adequately reimbursed by the State, for their work on behalf of the victims, as a percentage fee on the overall amount of compensation allocated was charged by some solicitors, prior to the victims receiving their compensation; and if in instances where victims feel they have been overcharged by legal representatives in relation to fees, there is provision for them to seek reimbursement under the scheme. [34290/07]

To avoid any confusion I should clarify that all hearing loss claims were initiated as personal injury actions in the civil courts and there was no statutory Army deafness compensation scheme. The so-called "Early Settlement Scheme" (ESS) was an administrative process used to negotiate early settlements in hearing loss cases where liability was not contested. The ESS process was introduced to dispose of the large volume of claims more cost effectively and speedily than would have been the case had proceedings been allowed to reach finality through the court system.

In all cases, whether settled under the "Early Settlement Scheme" or otherwise, claimants engaged their own legal representation. The solicitor and client relationship is private as are the terms of engagement agreed between the claimant and solicitor. The statutory provisions relating to solicitors' charges to clients are contained in Section 68 of the Solicitors (Amendment) Act, 1994. This Section has been incorporated into guidelines issued by the Law Society of Ireland to practitioners. In simple terms, when taking instruction from clients, the law requires solicitors:

(a)At the outset of a case to provide details in writing of the actual or estimated charges or basis of calculation of charges for the legal services being provided, and

(b)At the conclusion of a case provide the client with a summary of the legal services provided, the amount of expenses incurred in the provision of these legal services and details of the costs that have been recovered by the solicitor form any other party to the proceedings.

Section 68 also precludes solicitors from:

(c)Acting for a client on the basis that any charges to a client are to be calculated as a specified percentage of any damages recovered for the client.

(d)Deducting or appropriating any or all of their charges to a client from any damages or money that may become payable to a client unless there is a prior written agreement between a client and his/her solicitor that this may be done.

I will make arrangements to have the full text of Section 68 placed on my Department's website for information and easy access.

It may not be generally known that there are two main categories of costs that arise in litigation such as personal injury cases. The categories are "party and party" costs and "solicitor and client" costs.

In hearing loss cases, where a Plaintiff received a settlement or court award (other than "all in" settlements which included costs in the settlement amount), the Department generally paid the "party and party" costs only. "Party and party" costs are described as those necessarily and properly incurred for the attainment of justice or for enforcing or defending the rights of the party concerned. The "party and party" costs were generally agreed following negotiation between the Chief State Solicitor and the Plaintiff's solicitor.

In cases settled under the "Early Settlement Scheme" the costs negotiated with solicitors reflected the fact that cases were being settled more rapidly which reduced the cost to the solicitors of bringing cases to conclusion.

In accordance with usual practice in such litigation, the Department did not pay "solicitor and client" costs. Such costs broadly cover any costs over and above those recoverable under the criteria for "party and party" costs. The Department is not responsible for such costs, which are a matter for agreement between client and solicitor.

The issue of claimant legal costs in hearing loss cases should not be confused with the special arrangements in relation to claimant legal costs for applicants under the Residential Institutions Redress Scheme. Under that scheme, legal costs were paid to the legal representatives of applicants at a fixed rate, which was agreed in advance with the State. There was no such arrangement in hearing loss cases.

In responding to queries on the issue of costs, my Department informs claimants of the provisions of Section 68 Subsection 6 of the Solicitors (Amendment) Act, 1994 entitling them to obtain details of the costs from their solicitor. The Department also informs claimants that the Law Society of Ireland is the statutory body entrusted with responsibility to investigate complaints against solicitors by any client and that the Law Society has procedures in place in this regard. Where claimants have been unable to obtain details of costs from their solicitors, the Department has tried to obtain copies from the Chief State Solicitor. This is not always possible given the passage of time.

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to County Donegal is not readily available. The system of recording hearing loss claims does not allow for its retrieval without a considerable use of staff resources. Any details retrieved would not in any event show whether there had been any breach of the law in relation to solicitor and client charges in any particular cases. However I will contact the Deputy with relevant information that may be available. Also, if the Deputy has any particular cases in mind he should write to my Department, which will try to assist as outlined above. I also intend writing to the President of the Law Society on the matter to look at the issue again.

Management Information Framework System.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

831 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Defence if the management information framework system has been fully rolled out in his Department; the use being made of performance indicators, the costing framework and management reports provided by this system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34316/07]

My Department commenced the process of rolling out the Management Information Framework system in the Department and throughout the Defence Forces in January 2006 with the implementation of the financial and inventory management modules. Interfaces to and from human resources and payroll applications were also developed in that context.

The core financial management system is currently being enhanced by the addition of a business intelligence layer, with the capacity to report on key performance indicators. Limited use has been made of performance indicators from the core system over the past two years. Key performance indicators, and the measurement of performance, are being further developed in the context of the new Annual Outset Statements, which were introduced earlier this year.

A number of reports and queries are used for collecting and reviewing costs. The General Ledger module contains data relating to costs attributed to subheads and cost centres. An Enterprise Assets Maintenance application provides maintenance cost management capabilities. The Projects product is currently being reviewed as a mechanism for providing an integrated cost management solution for all projects and activities across the Department and Defence Forces.

The financial and management system contains a wide variety of management reports to inform decision-making regarding the allocation and use of resources. The use of the business intelligence facility referred to above will further enhance management information capabilities as will other initiatives, such as making available periodic management reporting packs, which are currently being developed.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

832 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Defence the estimate of the money saved to the Exchequer in 2007 by the use of the management information framework system; the way this saving was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34447/07]

The Management Information Framework (MIF) project aims at ensuring more efficient processing of financial transactions and accounts; better decision-making about the allocation of resources; more efficient and effective management of resources once allocated; and greater transparency in, and accountability for, the use of resources. While the implementation of the new system has resulted in improved business processes, better availability of timely and accurate management information to support the decision-making process and better resource management based on this information, it is not possible to quantify any financial savings that may have accrued during 2007 as a result of the operation of the new system.

European Arrest Warrants.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

833 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will establish with the office of the Attorney General whether a European arrest warrant has been received from the Italian authorities in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; the status of the warrant; when it will be passed to the Garda Síochána to be executed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33295/07]

Under the provisions of the European Arrest Warrant Act 2003, as amended, where a judicial authority in a Member State of the European Union duly issues a European Arrest Warrant, the European Arrest Warrant shall be transmitted by, or on behalf of, the issuing judicial authority to the Central Authority in the State. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is the Central Authority in the State for the purposes of the 2003 Act.

I wish to inform the Deputy that it is not the practice of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to confirm or deny the receipt of a European Arrest Warrant for the surrender of a person to another Member State of the European Union.

Equal Opportunities Employment.

David Stanton

Ceist:

834 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the definition of disability used in the public service in relation to the 3% employment quota as introduced by the Disability Act 2005; if this target has been met in all areas of the public services; the monitoring and review mechanisms in place to monitor same. [34398/07]

David Stanton

Ceist:

928 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, further to Parliamentary Question No. 183 of 7 November 2006 regarding fulfilment of the 3% employment quota for people with disabilities under the Disability Act 2005, if all public service bodies have reported to their relevant monitoring committees as required under section 48 of the Act; if these reports in relation to 2006 were all furnished to the relevant Minister and the National Disability Authority before 30 June 2007; the findings of same in relation to fulfilling the quota; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34399/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 834 and 928 together.

The Disability Act 2005 provides that "disability in relation to a person, means a substantial restriction in the capacity of the person to carry on a profession, business or occupation in the State or to participate in social or cultural life in the State by reason of an enduring physical, sensory, mental health or intellectual impairment".

Part 5 of the Act provides a framework for monitoring the employment target, which stands at 3%, in all public bodies through monitoring committees under the aegis of relevant Ministers of the Government. Under the Act, public bodies are required by 31 March each year to submit reports to monitoring committees on their compliance with the target; the monitoring committees are required to report on such compliance by 30 June each year to the relevant Minister and the National Disability Authority. The Authority has an overall monitoring and reporting role under the Act.

The National Disability Authority has prepared its first report under Part 5 of the Act on the employment position in 2006. This report was recently submitted to the Minister of State, Dr. Jimmy Devins, T.D. who has arranged for submission of it to the Government. Copies of the report, when published by the Authority, will be forwarded to the Oireachtas library. The National Disability Authority is undertaking a review of the first year of monitoring and reporting on the requirements and will report to the Minister of State in relation to this in due course.

Visa Applications.

Beverley Flynn

Ceist:

835 Deputy Beverley Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason the visa applications for persons (details supplied) were refused when they have already been granted work permits by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. [33229/07]

Beverley Flynn

Ceist:

906 Deputy Beverley Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason the visa applications for persons (details supplied) were refused when they have already been granted work permits by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment. [34112/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 835 and 906 together.

The applications referred to by the Deputy were received in the Visa Office, New Delhi on 6 November 2007. They were refused by the Visa Officer on the ground that there was insufficient documentation submitted in support of the applications — it is a requirement that applicants submit evidence of their qualifications and experience in relation to the position the work permit refers to. The applicants did not do so.

The decision of the Visa Officer may be appealed within two months of the date of decision, in this case before 6 January 2008. The appeal should be lodged in the Visa Office, New Delhi. The applicants have been advised of this both verbally and in writing. Guidelines on making an appeal can be found on the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service at www.inis.gov.ie.

Citizenship Applications.

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

836 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will be made on the application for citizenship for persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33232/07]

An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the first-named person was received in the Citizenship section of my Department in September 2007. The application has not yet been examined in detail. Examination of the residency requirement will take place in the near future and the applicant will be contacted again at that time informing her when her application will be further examined or of any shortfall in her residency.

I am pleased to inform you that I have recently approved the applications of the second and third-named individuals. Officials in the Citizenship section have written to the parents of these persons and requested certain documentation. Certificates of naturalisation will issue on receipt of the documentation.

Asylum Applications.

James Bannon

Ceist:

837 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the circumstance surrounding the arrest and detention in Mountjoy of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; the provision made for their welfare and care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33248/07]

The person concerned arrived in the State on 25 June 2001 and subsequently claimed asylum on that day. Her application was refused following consideration of her case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner. She appealed this decision and was notified by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal that her appeal had been refused and the original recommendation upheld.

The person concerned was informed by letter dated 16 October 2002 that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of her and afforded her three options in accordance with Section 3(3)(b)(ii) of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended) namely to leave the State voluntarily, to consent to the making of a Deportation Order or to submit, within 15 working days, written representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why she should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State i.e why she should not be deported.

Representations were received on her behalf on the 10th of December 2002 setting out the reasons why she ought to be granted leave to remain in the State under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999. Her case was examined under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended), and Section 5 of the Refugee Act, 1996 (as amended) on the Prohibition of Refoulement. Consideration was given to all representations submitted on her behalf for permission to remain temporarily in the State. On the 27th of February 2004 the then Minister refused permission to remain temporarily in the State and signed a Deportation Order in respect of the person concerned. A notice of the order dated 5 March 2004 was served by Hand on the person concerned.

The person concerned was given presentation requirements with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). She failed to comply with the requirements of GNIB and was classed as an evader and arrested and lodged in Dochas Women's prison for the purpose of deportation. The person concerned suffered from medical problems and was released from Dochas. Judicial Review Proceedings were filed in the High Court on the 8th December, 2005 challenging the then Minister's decision to seek to deport her. On the 6th July, 2007, the Judicial Review leave application was heard. The person concerned failed to appear in court therefore breaking her conditional release conditions. The Judge then ordered that she attend court on 11th July 2007. In his judgement of 13th July, 2007 he refused the Applicant's Leave Application. Arrangements were then made to deport the person in question.

On the 22nd August, 2007 the person concerned was sent an arrangements letter affirming the Deportation Order and requiring the person concerned to comply with the reporting arrangements of the Garda National Immigration Bureau. The person concerned complied on a number of occasions until she failed to attend GNIB as requested on the 29th November, 2007 and was subsequently arrested and lodged in Dochas Women's Prison for the purpose of deportation. On the 5th December, 2007 the person concerned was released on medical grounds.

I am satisfied that the applications made by the person concerned for asylum, for temporary leave to remain in the State, together with all refoulement issues, were fairly and comprehensively examined and, as such, the decision to deport her is justified. The enforcement of the Deportation Order remains an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau.

Citizenship Applications.

Tom Hayes

Ceist:

838 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [33255/07]

An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's question was received in the Citizenship section of my Department in July 2006. Officials in that section are currently processing applications received at the beginning of 2005 and have approximately 8,000 applications on hand to be dealt with before that of the person in question. These are generally dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants. It is likely, therefore, that further processing of the application will commence late next year or early 2009. I will inform the Deputy and the person concerned when I have reached a decision on the matter.

Visa Applications.

Michael Creed

Ceist:

839 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will reconsider the application for a visa by a person (details supplied) in view of the content of their appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33262/07]

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the application in question was approved on appeal on 26 November 2007.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Ceist:

840 Deputy Paul Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he would be favourably disposed towards treating with urgency on compassionate grounds the application of a person (details supplied) for entry to Ireland under the family reunification scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33264/07]

I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that the person in question made a Family Reunification application in February 2006. A request for documentation recently issued to the representative of the person concerned. On receipt of the requested documentation, the application will be considered further and a decision will issue in due course.

Energy Resources.

Simon Coveney

Ceist:

841 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the percentage of energy consumed in his Department and in all agencies for which his Department has responsibility that comes from renewable sources. [33283/07]

I can inform the Deputy that the nature of the energy supply arrangements to my Department is such that the information sought is not readily available.

Garda Recruitment.

James Bannon

Ceist:

842 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath can defer their entry to the Garda centre, Templemore until they have completed their degree course at University College Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33287/07]

Recruitment to An Garda Síochána is a matter in the first instance for the Public Appointments Service and then for the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána. I have no function in the process. However, I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that there is a provision for successful candidates in Garda Recruitment Competitions to defer entry under certain circumstances. Each case is judged on its own merit but in any event deferrals are only until the last intake of the competition in which they were successful. The applicant referred to by the Deputy is free to make a new application in any future competition providing he-she meets the statutory conditions pertaining to that competition.

Visa Applications.

Joe McHugh

Ceist:

843 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will reconsider an application by a person (details supplied) for a 12 week holiday visa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33292/07]

The application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Visa Office, Dublin on 8 November 2007. It was refused by the Visa Officer on 13 November 2007 for a number of reasons:

1.There was no clear link to the reference shown.

2.The obligations shown by the applicant that they would return to the home country were not deemed sufficient.

3.The financial evidence provided was deemed to be insufficient or incomplete.

The decision of the Visa Officer may be appealed within two months of the date of decision, in this case before 13 January 2008. Guidelines on making an appeal can be found on the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service at www.inis.gov.ie.The information received from the Honorary Consulate in Bangkok is that it is the policy to return all original documentation and to keep photocopies on file. No original documents for the application referred to have been held, lost or misplaced.

Garda Investigations.

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

844 Deputy Tony Gregory asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will request a report from Garda authorities on progress in the case of a murder (details supplied); if closed circuit television footage in the case was sufficient to identify one of the suspects; the reason this person has not yet been charged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33303/07]

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the investigation into the death of the person referred to by the Deputy is ongoing. As this is an ongoing Garda investigation it would be inappropriate for me to comment further at this time.

Departmental Reports.

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

845 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the response by his Department to the recommendations made to his Department by the Competition Authority in its December 2006 report on competition among solicitors and barristers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33322/07]

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 504 of 31 October 2007. I have nothing further to add to the details of that reply other than the following by way of some updating. Following Government approval I am moving amendments at Committee Stage of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006 to delete Part 2 which provides for the establishment of a Legal Services Ombudsman. I am arranging to publish in its place a Legal Services Ombudsman Bill. The Bill is currently being drafted. The Government also agreed my proposals to replace the Irish language requirements for barristers and solicitors. I presented the Legal Practitioners (Irish Language) Bill 2007 to the House on 28 November 2007. Second stage is scheduled for 13 December 2007.

Road Traffic Offences.

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

846 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of successful prosecutions made in each of the past five years with regard to failure to comply with the vehicle registration plate laws; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33323/07]

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table provides the number of convictions recorded for vehicle registration/identification offences for each year from 2002 to 6 December, 2007.

Year

Convictions

2002

568

2003

524

2004

684

2005

1,006

2006

939

Up to 6 December, 2007

218

*Figures provided for 2007 are provisional, operational and liable to change.

Departmental Expenditure.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

847 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount of mobile telephone bills paid directly by his Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33342/07]

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

848 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount of mobile telephone bills paid in the form of expenses to staff by his Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33357/07]

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

849 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount of mobile telephone bills paid in relation to the departmental mobile telephone assigned to him by his Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33372/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

873 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of mobile phones used by him and supplied by his Department; the annual cost of same for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33737/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

874 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if any of the advisers or staff appointed by him directly have mobile phones and other equipment supplied by his Department; the annual cost of same since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33752/07]

Damien English

Ceist:

919 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of staff in his Department that are provided with a Blackberry device or similar mobile e-mail equipment. [34226/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 847, 848, 849, 873, 874 and 919 together.

I can inform the Deputies that mobile communications devices have become essential business tools without which the Department could not adequately deliver the services expected from it. They add enormously to productivity, flexibility and speed of response. My Department's total expenditure on mobile phone accounts, including accounts supporting various other mobile communications and data devices, amounted to €335,000 in 2006. Expenditure for 2007 to date is €290,189. Figures for expenditure in previous years is not readily available. Analysis of the Department's bills indicate that data charges are estimated to comprise approximately 20% and roaming charges 15% of the overall bill. However, it should be noted that the data charges include those incurred in respect of devices primarily designed for the transfer of data. The number of mobile phone accounts at any point in time varies in accordance with operational needs. At the present there are 669 mobile accounts, including accounts to support other communications devices. 118 of these accounts relate to Blackberry devices.

Total expenditure on mobile phones and other mobile communications devices in respect of staff appointed directly by myself, as well as my own mobile phone, amounts to €4236.67 since my appointment as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Residency Permits.

John Perry

Ceist:

850 Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will ensure that a residency application for a person (details supplied) in County Sligo is processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33376/07]

John Perry

Ceist:

853 Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will ensure that a residency application for a person (details supplied) in County Sligo is processed immediately as their current work permit is about to expire and they have been recently made redundant and are now job seeking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33389/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 850 and 853 together.

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

The dependants of the aforementioned, who have been legally resident in the State for over five years may also apply for long term residency. This particular long term permission does not grant an exemption from employment permit requirements to any such dependants. Time spent in the State on student conditions cannot be counted towards long term residency. While applications for long term residency are under consideration, the person concerned should ensure that their permission to remain in the State is kept up to date.

Applications for long term residency are dealt with in chronological order as this method is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants. An application for long term residency from the person referred to by the Deputy was received on 2 June 2006. A refusal letter was issued in July 2006 as she did not meet the criteria. A second application was received in December 2007. I understand that applications received in July 2006 are currently being dealt with. The Immigration Division of my Department will be in contact with the person concerned outlining the options available to her.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

851 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when an application for a stamp four will be approved for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if this matter will be expedited to enable the applicant to complete the purchase of a house. [33377/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 850 and 853 together. The position in relation to granting long term residency is as follows: Persons who have been legally resident in the State for over five years on the basis of work permit/work authorisation/work visa conditions may apply to the Immigration Division of my Department for a five year residency extension. In that context they may also apply to be exempt from employment permit requirements.

The dependants of the aforementioned, who have been legally resident in the State for over five years may also apply for long term residency. This particular long term permission does not grant an exemption from employment permit requirements to any such dependants. Time spent in the State on student conditions cannot be counted towards long term residency. While applications for long term residency are under consideration, the person concerned should ensure that their permission to remain in the State is kept up to date.

An application for long term residency from the person referred to by the Deputy was received in March 2007. I understand that applications received in July 2006 are currently being dealt with. As soon as a decision is made on the case, the person concerned will be notified.

Citizenship Applications.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

852 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when an application for a certificate of naturalisation will be finalised for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [33378/07]

An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's question was received in the Citizenship section of my Department in September 2005. On examination of the application it was determined that the person concerned did not meet the statutory residency criteria as set out in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. A letter informing him of this was issued on 29 September 2005. It is open to the person in question to lodge a new application if and when he is in a position to meet the statutory requirements applicable at that time.

Question No. 853 answered with QuestionNo. 850.

Departmental Bodies.

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

854 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the budgets of all the boards, bodies, authorities, agencies, committees, commissions and quangos within his remit for the years 1997 to 2006 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33416/07]

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 471 and 472 of 2 October, 2007. The position regarding the budget information sought remains as outlined in my earlier reply.

Garda Deployment.

Tom Hayes

Ceist:

855 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of community gardaí in Ireland; and the number of same in Tipperary south. [33451/07]

I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that as of 30 September last, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the total number of Community Gardaí was 598. The total number of Community Gardaí in the Tipperary Division is 9. It is the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner to allocate personnel throughout the Force taking everything into account. The situation will be kept under review and when additional personnel next become available the needs of Tipperary Division will be fully considered by him within the overall context of the needs of Garda Divisions throughout the country.

Liquor Licensing Laws.

Joe McHugh

Ceist:

856 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans in place to prevent below cost selling of drinks in night clubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33470/07]

The position is that section 20 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003 contains provisions which are intended to prohibit the supply of intoxicating liquor at a reduced price during a limited period on any day. For the purposes of the section, "reduced price" is defined as a price less than that regularly being charged for the intoxicating liquor during an earlier period on the day concerned. The penalty on conviction for an offence under this section is a fine not exceeding €1,500 for a first offence or €2,000 for a second or any subsequent offence.

I should also say that section 22 of the 2003 Act provides for the making, should the need arise, of regulations prohibiting or restricting a licensee from doing or permitting, for the purposes of promoting the licensee's business or any event or activity taking place on the licensed premises, anything that is intended or likely to encourage persons on those premises to consume intoxicating liquor to an excessive extent.

Citizenship Applications.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

857 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when an application for naturalisation will be finalised for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [33496/07]

An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship section of my Department in September 2006.

Officials in that section are currently processing applications received at the beginning of 2005 and have approximately 8,300 applications on hand to be dealt with before that of the person in question. These are generally dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants.

However, I understand that the person concerned is a refugee. In accordance with the Government's obligations under the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees of 28 July 1951, every effort is made to ensure that applications from persons with refugee status are dealt with as quickly as possible, having regard to the general volume of applications on hand. It is likely, therefore, that further processing of the application will commence in early 2008. I will inform the Deputy and the applicant when I have reached a decision on the matter.

Residency Permits.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

858 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when an application for residency will be completed for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and when the passport of the applicant will be returned to them for renewal purposes. [33497/07]

I wish to inform the Deputy that the passport concerned has been located and is being returned to the person concerned by registered post. The person made an incomplete application for permission to remain in the State under the IBC/05 Scheme. Despite two reminders, the applicant failed to submit the documentation needed to complete the process and her application was formally refused on 18 November 2005. My Department is currently awaiting the outcome of an appeal to the Supreme Court regarding matters related to the IBC/05 Scheme. No further consideration can be given to the person's application until the Judgement of the Court has been received.

Departmental Staff.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

859 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number, rank and pay of all civil servants in his Department and ministerial staff, personally appointed by him or otherwise, who are engaged in media monitoring; the nature of the work done; the persons who the information is circulated to or the people who have access to this information; the cost of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33512/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

861 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of press officers and press advisers in his Department; the rank and pay of each; the description of work done; the persons to whom the information is circulated or made accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33542/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

862 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number, cost and name of any media consultants employed by his Department; the cost of such advice for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; the nature of the work done; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33557/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

863 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of press advisers employed by his Department; the cost of such advice for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33572/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 859, 861, 862 and 863 together.

There is one Press Officer in my Department. The Press Officer is an Assistant Principal Officer on a salary scale of €66,302 — €82,679. The Press Officer is responsible for all matters relating to press and media for my Department. There are no Press Advisers or Media Consultants and nor have there been for some time. In relation to the situation as it obtained pre-2002, my Department is checking its records and I will communicate directly with the Deputy when this process is completed. In relation to media monitoring, while no staff have specific responsibility for this activity, the Deputy will appreciate that monitoring of the media is part and parcel of the day-to-day activity of all Press Offices.

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

860 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number and name of newspapers purchased by his Department daily and weekly; the number provided to himself and to the Minister of State’s office; the yearly cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33527/07]

I wish to inform the Deputy that the number of newspapers purchased by my Department on a daily and weekly basis are as follows:

Newspapers

Daily

Weekly

Irish Times

103

2 (Saturday edition)

Financial Times

1

0

Irish Independent

52

2 (Saturday edition)

Irish Examiner

34

2 (Saturday edition)

The Guardian

8

0

Daily Star

8

2 (Saturday edition)

London Times

6

1 (Saturday edition)

London Independent

1

0

Daily Telegraph

1

0

Daily Sun

1

0

Daily Mirror

1

0

Daily Mail

3

0

Belfast Telegraph

2

0

Evening Herald

14

5 (Saturday edition)

Sunday Tribune

0

3

Ireland on Sunday

0

2

Sunday Independent

0

3

Sunday World

0

2

Sunday Business Post

0

4

Sunday Telegraph

0

2

Sunday Times

0

3

Independent on Sunday

0

1

Mail on Sunday

0

1

The total cost of the above newspapers to date in 2007 is €70,218.00.

I can also inform the Deputy that amongst the above figures are the newspapers which are supplied daily to my Office and to the Offices of the Minister of State at my Department.

Questions Nos. 861 to 863, inclusive, answered with Question No. 859.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

864 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of credit cards held by his Department; the cost of same for each year since 2000 to date in 2007; the persons who hold these cards and for whom they are used; the annual amounts purchased; the cumulative interest on same for each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33587/07]

Eight officials of my Department are issued with credit cards of the type where outstanding balances are paid directly by the Department to the issuing credit card company. The total amount incurred on expenditure on these cards for the period 2005 to 2007 (to date) is €105,127. In addition, a further three similar type cards are currently on issue by my Department to senior officials of bodies associated with the Department. The expenditure incurred in respect of these cards for the period 2005 to 2007 (to date) was €100,639. A total of €49 was incurred in interest over the period 2005 to 2007.

I should also point out for the information of the Deputy that due to the nature of the duties of officials of my Department and its associated bodies, it is not possible to procure some goods and services other than by credit card. I am referring here to airline tickets and hotels where in some instances the suppliers insist on advance payment for the service or goods provided.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

865 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the cost to his Department of photographers used by all Ministers in his Department on a yearly basis for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33602/07]

I can inform the Deputy that the information requested for the years 2005, 2006 and for 2007 to date is set out in tabular form. All of the photography costs in question were in relation to official business.

Year

Cost

2005

4,934.49

2006

5,120.88

2007 to date

9,530.75

Information in relation to the period prior to 2005 is not readily available.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

866 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the cost of make-up for him for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33617/07]

I can inform the Deputy that my Department has incurred no costs on my behalf in this regard.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

867 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the cost of his Department’s entertainment allowance for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33632/07]

The cost of my Department's official entertainment for the years 2005-2007 (the period for which records are readily available) is €171,940. These costs were incurred in hosting visiting dignitaries, official functions and so forth for my Department.

Government Information Services.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

868 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department receives a daily summary of stories relevant to his Department from Government Information Services; if this summary is in written, verbal or electronic format; if these are furnished to a departmental press officer or press adviser; and if the press officer or adviser furnishes this information to him every day or how often it is furnished. [33647/07]

My Department does not receive from Government Information Services a daily summary of stories relevant to my Department. However, the Communications Unit of the Department of the Taoiseach does provide my Department with generic summaries of news headlines and programmes in electronic format throughout the day. These bulletins are brought to my attention as appropriate.

Official Engagements.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

869 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a press adviser travels with him on official visits; and if there were official visits attended by him in the past year at which a press adviser was not present or was not in contact with him. [33662/07]

My Press Officer, or a representative from my Press Office, accompanies me on official business as required. As the Deputy will appreciate my Press Officer is in regular contact with me concerning official matters.

Departmental Transport.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

870 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the cost of using departmental transport including ministerial cars for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and the cost of providing similar services to Ministers of State and staff in his Department for the same period. [33677/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

871 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the cost of him using public transport for every year since 1997 to date in 2007; and the cost of providing similar services to Ministers of State and staff for the same period. [33692/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

903 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the cost on a yearly basis for transport hire of any kind for his transport and that of his staff for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; the reason for such hire; if tenders were sought; the locations brought from and to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34097/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 870, 871 and 903 together.

I wish to refer the Deputy to my responses to questions 27694/07 and 29049/07 of 7 and 15 November respectively, in which I provided information regarding certain aspects of my transport arrangements and those of Ministers of State at my Department.

Insofar as my official car is concerned, the position is that cars are made available for use by Members of the Government and certain other officeholders and these cars are operated and maintained as part of the Garda fleet. I am informed by the Garda authorities that information on the cost of providing this service for the ten year period referred to by the Deputy is being compiled. However, in the time available it has not been possible to finalise this exercise. I will communicate the information to the Deputy as soon as it is to hand.

The position with respect to Ministers of State is that they are entitled to utilise their own personal vehicles and to claim mileage at the rates set centrally for that purpose. The Department also funds the employment of civilian drivers for this purpose. The Department incurs transport related costs under a wide range of headings, including by means of travel claims submitted in the normal fashion. It is not feasible to extract this data in the time available. I can, however, inform the Deputy that total expenditure by my Department under the subhead items for taxi and transport costs in 2006 and 2007 was €193,148 and €109,870 respectively, with taxi costs representing the majority of the expenditure.

Departmental Communications.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

872 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department carries news summaries on its internal web; the persons who have access to such information; the way they access same; the person who compiles same; the cost of same; the regularity with which this information is updated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33722/07]

My Department does not carry news summaries on its internal web, however it does subscribe to a commercial press clippings service updated daily. All staff have access to this service via the Department's internal website. It costs, on average, €20,000 per annum.

Question Nos. 873 and 874 answered with Question No. 847.

Residency Permits.

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

875 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position of the application for long term residency by a person (details supplied). [33757/07]

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

The dependants of the aforementioned, who have been legally resident in the State for over five years may also apply for long term residency. This particular long term permission does not grant an exemption from employment permit requirements to any such dependants. Time spent in the State on student conditions cannot be counted towards long term residency. While applications for long term residency are under consideration, the person concerned should ensure that their permission to remain in the State is kept up to date.

An application for long term residency from the person referred to by the Deputy was received in June 2007. I understand that applications received in July 2006 are currently being dealt with. As soon as a decision is made on the case, the person concerned will be notified.

Departmental Reports.

John O'Mahony

Ceist:

876 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the value for money review of the maintenance of Garda premises was completed; the value of savings to the Exchequer generated by the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33758/07]

An expenditure review of the maintenance of Garda premises is being carried out at present. The purpose of the review is to examine spending from the Garda Vote on maintenance of Garda premises, which is carried out by the Office of Public Works at the request of the Garda authorities. I expect the review to be completed early in 2008. Its findings are unlikely to be implemented on a stand-alone basis but will feed into a broader Garda accommodation strategy which is being developed at present by An Garda Síochána and the OPW.

John O'Mahony

Ceist:

877 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the value for money review of asylum and immigration schemes was completed; the value of savings to the Exchequer generated by the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33759/07]

The value for money (VFM) review of Asylum and Immigration commenced in late 2004 and was completed in early 2006. An external quality assessment of the report was completed in July 2006 and the report was published on my Department's website in November 2006.

The VFM review of asylum and immigration was carried out during a period of significant change, a key feature of which was falling numbers of asylum applications in the State and very significant increases for other immigration services. The review involved a combination of, inter alia, financial and business analysis, resource mapping and allocation modelling and performance management. The outcome of the review was a comprehensive series of recommendations clustered around nine key areas.

A unique feature of the review was that it was a dynamic constantly evolving process. As recommendations were agreed, the implementation cycle also began. This meant that by the end of the Review, all of the recommendations had been accepted and implemented or were at early stages of implementation. A key recommendation in the Report which has been implemented was the establishment in March 2005 of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) to provide a "one stop shop" for immigration, asylum, visa and citizenship services. The visa office of the Department of Foreign Affairs also transferred to INIS in January 2006.

While it is not possible to put a figure on the value of savings to the Exchequer generated from implementation of the Report's recommendations, I can say that greater overall value for money has been achieved in the delivery of services across all asylum and immigration areas in recent years, through improved use of resources and improved efficiencies in the processing of applications. For instance there are now much faster processing timescales for asylum determinations and the backlog which existed a number of years ago has been essentially eliminated. Visa processing times have also been significantly speeded up. Savings have also been achieved through various operational and enforcement strategies and other initiatives undertaken in the asylum and immigration areas in recent years.

Further improvements in service delivery and value for money will be achieved arising from the implementation of a suite of IT systems, including a new case management system for INIS. The implementation of the new Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill will also give rise to greater efficiency in how services are provided. In the area of protection, the Bill provides for the introduction of a single procedure for determining all asylum, subsidiary protection and humanitarian leave to remain issues. This will replace the current three stage process under which each of these matters is determined sequentially.

John O'Mahony

Ceist:

878 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the value for money review of the prison capital projects was completed; the value of savings to the Exchequer generated by the implementation of the conclusions from the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33760/07]

I am advised by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that a review of certain aspects of its capital expenditure programme was commissioned in June 2006 under the framework of the Expenditure Review Initiative of the Department of Finance. The report of the independent review group was published in August 2007. The review concluded that the response made by the Irish authorities, in terms of capital investment, has at a general level been strategic in terms of its aims, appropriate in terms of the projects undertaken, and reasonably effectively delivered within the budgetary, operational and policy context and constraints in which it has occurred.

The review group also made recommendations in relation to forward planning, capital programming and project appraisal and review. The Prison Service has accepted all of the recommendations and a Capital Programme Monitoring Committee has been established to oversee the recommendations set out in the report. These recommendations are largely of a procedural nature and it is not possible to quantify the potential savings to the Exchequer as they relate to future projects.

John O'Mahony

Ceist:

879 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the value for money review of the probation and welfare service, assistance to voluntary bodies will be completed; the anticipated value of savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33762/07]

The Report referred to by the Deputy is nearing completion and will, early in the new year, be forwarded to the Central Steering Committee on Programme Evaluation in the Department of Finance, for consideration. As the findings of the review are still awaited it would be premature to comment on the anticipated value of savings to the Exchequer due the implementation of this report. However, I can assure the Deputy that in line with Government policy I am committed to implementing all appropriate measures which will achieve better value for money and provide greater accountability on what is being achieved for public expenditure.

Compensation Payments.

Ciaran Lynch

Ceist:

880 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount An Garda Síochána has paid out in claims for injured officers between 2000 and 2007 broken down by year and by Garda division. [33798/07]

Awards to members of the Garda Síochána fall into two categories. The Garda Síochána (Compensation) Acts 1941 and 1945 deal with injuries (including death) maliciously inflicted. Awards (including costs) made under those Acts between the years 2000 and 2006 amount to €54.1 million. A breakdown by year is available on my Department's website atwww.justice.ie/en/jelr/pages/compensationstatistics. For the first eleven months of 2007 awards (including costs) made under those Acts amounted to €11.4 million.

Payments made to members who initiated court proceedings regarding non malicious injuries occurring while on duty are set out in the table.

Year

Amount

2000

£534,000

2001

€715,342

2002

€191,374

2003

€306,034

2004

€334,321

2005

€196,902

2006

€297,110

2007 (to end November)

€290,000

Total

€2,865,083

Computerised records are not maintained in a manner that facilitates a breakdown by Garda Division and such information could only be obtained by the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of staff time and resources.

Ciaran Lynch

Ceist:

881 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the highest compensation payment for injuries received to a member of An Garda Síochána since 2000 to date in 2007; and the extent and nature of the injury. [33799/07]

The highest compensation award issued under the Garda Síochána (Compensation) Acts 1941 and 1945 concerned a member who sustained fatal burns following an arson attack on the station where he was on duty. The payment awarded to the member's family by the High Court came to £859,900 (€1,091,848).

Ciaran Lynch

Ceist:

882 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the highest compensation payment for injuries received to a prison officer since 2000 to date in 2007; and the extent and nature of the injury. [33800/07]

I am informed by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that during this period the highest compensation payment to a prison officer was €530,000.00. The person in question suffered from post traumatic stress to such a degree that it resulted in early retirement. The amount reflects the loss of potential earnings due to that early retirement.

Forensic Drugs Analysis.

Ciaran Lynch

Ceist:

883 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the substances detected by the Forensic State Laboratory to cut down cocaine and heroin since 2000 to date in 2007. [33801/07]

I am informed by the Forensic Science Laboratory that the following list of substances have been detected in cocaine and heroin respectively; Cocaine: Lignocaine, benzocaine, procaine, phenacetin, caffeine, mannitol, inositol, sorbitol, creatine, sucrose and lactose. Heroin: Paracetamol, caffeine and glucose.

Prison Drug Treatment Services.

Ciaran Lynch

Ceist:

884 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of inmates treated for drug overdoses in jail between 2000 and 2006 broken down by year and by prison. [33802/07]

I am advised by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that the collation of the information requested has not been possible in the time available. I will transmit the information to the Deputy as soon as is possible.

Prisoner Releases.

Ciaran Lynch

Ceist:

885 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of convicted rapists released from jails here on licence since 2000 broken down by year. [33803/07]

I am advised by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that the numbers of offenders serving sentences for rape who were released on completion of sentence between 2001, which is the earliest year for which computerised records are available, and 2006 are set out in the table.

Year

Number of Releases

2001

26

2002

40

2003

40

2004

33

2005

37

2006

35

The vast majority of persons convicted of such offences would have remained in custody right up to their remission date. However, a small number would have been released a single day before their remission date in order to facilitate accommodation and social welfare arrangements.

Prison Staff.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Ceist:

886 Deputy Paul Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason or if he will investigate the reason members of the Irish Prison Service who were supposed to be paid moneys under an agreement on new pay and working conditions did not receive such moneys during the third week in November 2007 as promised, and were instead informed that this money was required to pay for other services; if such moneys will definitely be paid on 20 December 2007 as per the latest information being given to prison officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33813/07]

I am informed by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that it was planned to make the lump sum payment to eligible officers on 22 November 2007. It is appreciated that the delay in making payment is causing difficulties for staff and this is very much regretted, however, a deferral of the payment was unavoidable. The main requirement was to meet commitments under the prison building and security enhancement programme.

I do not need to reiterate the challenges presented by an aging prison infrastructure and the need to keep pace with the numbers sentenced to imprisonment. In addition the Deputy will appreciate the ongoing security challenges faced by the Irish Prison Service, particularly in the context of combating drugs in prisons, keeping contraband out of prisons and the management of serious criminals in our prison system. This investment in the additional prison places and enhanced security measures is addressing these key issues.

In that context, additional funding was required for the Prisons Vote and certain procedures needed to be followed. A Supplementary Estimate was passed by the Dail on 6 December 2007 and the Irish Prison Services will make this lump sum payment on officers' next pay date of 20 December 2007.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Ceist:

887 Deputy Paul Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason prison officers are being asked to use the current ten minute period, originally agreed years back on the introduction of clocks, for security screening in view of the fact that this is a new procedure and that queues may cause them to be delayed leading to the potential loss of incremental review money; if he will review the time allocated for security clearance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33814/07]

Earlier this year the Irish Prison Service received Government approval to introduce a package of enhanced security measures in our prisons to prevent trafficking of contraband such as mobile phones, drugs and weapons. These measures are being introduced in the best interests of the safety and security of staff, prisoners and the general public. The Prison Officers' Association have publicly acknowledged their support for these measures.

The measures relate to the establishment of Canine Units, Operational Support Units and Security Screening Units. The Security Screening Units will involve all visitors and staff passing through screening areas where x-ray machines and detectors will be in use.

The Irish Prison Service engaged in extensive consultation with the Prison Officers' Association regarding the introduction of these measures. During these negotiations an issue arose in relation to the placing of the staff attendance clocks. The Prison Officers' Association are insisting that these clocks must be placed before the screening areas on the basis that their members should not have to pass through security procedures on their own time. However, the Irish Prison Service are firmly of the view that staff are not ready for duty and in a position to clock in until they have cleared the security procedures. This in fact is the historical position in Portlaoise Prison where such searching has been ongoing for many years.

Prison Officers already benefit from a 10 minute grace period at clocking-in time, which studies by management indicate would more than adequately cover the screening process. However, in an effort to resolve the impasse, the Irish Prison Service made an offer to the Prison Officers' Association on 3 December 2007, to extend the existing grace period by 50% to allow staff to transit through the proposed new security screening procedures. This offer was rejected. Instead the Prison Officers' Association have opted to pursue a course of further industrial action rather than availing of the relevant industrial relations machinery in contravention of the current National Agreement, Towards 2016 and the Civil Service Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme.

Visa Applications.

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

888 Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, in relation to a person (details supplied) in County Cork who has been residing here for eight years and is the parent of an Irish born child, his attention has been drawn to the fact that having had to return to Ukraine in order to obtain a replacement for their lost passport, they have been informed by the Irish Embassy that it will be three months before they can obtain a visa to enable them to return to Ireland; if he will take steps to ensure that a visa is issued in this case without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33817/07]

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that a visa for the person concerned was approved by the Visa Officer in Moscow on 7 December, 2007.

Asylum Applications.

Chris Andrews

Ceist:

889 Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of an application for asylum for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33835/07]

The person concerned arrived in the State on 9 June, 2002 and applied for asylum. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, he was informed by letter dated 30 June, 2003, that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State; leaving the State before an order is made or consenting to the making of a deportation order. Representations have been received on behalf of the person concerned.

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

Garda Deployment.

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

890 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí in Raheny, Coolock, Howth and Malahide Garda stations; the shifts that they work; the number that work the night shift in view of the fact that this Deputy was recently advised that there was only one Garda car available for patrolling areas (details supplied) at night time; if this is correct; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33837/07]

As of 30 November 2007, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the strength of each of the Garda Stations referred to by the Deputy is as set out below:

Station

Strength

Raheny

69

Coolock

119

Howth

42

Malahide

48

I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that for security and operational reasons, it is Garda policy not to disclose the number or percentage of personnel on duty at any specific area or over any given period of time.

The detailed allocation of Garda resources, including transport, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner to decide in accordance with his identified operational requirements and priorities. Responsibility for the efficient deployment of all official transport in a Division is assigned to the Divisional Officer who may allocate vehicles between stations as required by operational circumstances. The allocation of Garda resources is monitored and reviewed on a continual basis and the policing needs of the areas referred to by the Deputy will be fully considered in the context of overall policing requirements.

Citizenship Applications.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

891 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if an application for naturalisation by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is being dealt with. [33850/07]

An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the individual concerned was received in the Citizenship section of my Department in August 2007. The application has not yet been examined in detail. Examination of the residency requirement will take place in the near future and the applicant will be contacted again at that time informing her when her application will be further examined or of any shortfall in her residency.

Deportation Orders.

Joe McHugh

Ceist:

892 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will reconsider a decision to deport a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33883/07]

The person concerned arrived in the State on 17 October, 2006 and applied for asylum. The application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

In accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, the person concerned was informed by letter dated 26 November, 2007, that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State; leaving the State before a deportation order is made; or consenting to the making of a deportation order. In addition, he was notified that he was eligible to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with regulations known as the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations, S.I. 518 of 2006 which came into force on 10 October, 2006. To date no response has been received in my Department to this letter.

The 15 day period referred to in my Department's letter of 26 November 2007, expires on the 17 December 2007. It is open to the person concerned to make representations and/or apply for subsidiary protection within that period. In any event, a final decision on this case will not be made prior to the expiry date above.

Residency Permits.

John Curran

Ceist:

893 Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will be made regarding an application for long-term residency made by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 20. [33995/07]

The position in relation to granting long term residency is as follows: Persons who have been legally resident in the State for over five years on the basis of work permit/work authorisation/work visa conditions may apply to the Immigration Division of my Department for a five year residency extension. In that context they may also apply to be exempt from employment permit requirements. The dependants of the aforementioned, who have been legally resident in the State for over five years may also apply for long term residency. This particular long term permission does not grant an exemption from employment permit requirements to any such dependants. Time spent in the State on student conditions cannot be counted towards long term residency. While applications for long term residency are under consideration, the person concerned should ensure that their permission to remain in the State is kept up to date.

An application for long term residency from the person referred to by the Deputy was received in June 2007. I understand that applications received in July 2006 are currently being dealt with. As soon as a decision is made on the case, the person concerned will be notified.

Garda Vetting Services.

Mary Upton

Ceist:

894 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will address the issues described in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to a Garda vetting request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34014/07]

Until December 2005, the Garda Síochána operated reciprocal vetting arrangements between Ireland and Britain, whereby vetting requests on behalf of registered recruiting organisations in the two jurisdictions were channelled through the Dublin and London Interpol Offices. However, in December 2005, the London Interpol Office, operated by the London Metropolitan Police, introduced significant processing changes in its dealing with all other countries which, unfortunately, had the practical effect of ending the reciprocal vetting arrangements.

Since 2006, my Department, in conjunction with the Garda Síochána, has been actively seeking to enter into reciprocal vetting agreements with the organisations responsible for criminal history vetting in Britain, namely, the Criminal Records Bureau in respect of England and Wales and Disclosure Scotland in respect of Scotland. In particular, draft agreements have been submitted to these organisations for their consideration. Subject to the consent of these organisations, it is hoped that these vetting agreements would allow registered recruiting organisations in both jurisdictions to vet persons who are nationals of or who have lived in the other's jurisdiction, via the established vetting organisations of both jurisdictions.

Road Safety.

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

895 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the preferred tenderer for the speed safety cameras will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34015/07]

In accordance with EU Directives, relevant legislation and national public procurement procedures, a Request for Information (RFI) for the provision and operation of safety cameras on behalf of An Garda Síochána was published on the Government's procurement website on 24 November, 2006. Following the evaluation of the submissions received in respect of the RFI a total of six companies/consortia were short-listed in February, 2007 to participate in the next stage of the process. A detailed Request for Tender (RFT) was issued to the six short-listed candidates, with a closing date of 23 August, 2007 set for receipt of tenders. The process of selecting a preferred bidder is at an advanced stage. Following the completion of that process, I intend to submit proposals regarding the project to Government in the near future.

Citizenship Applications.

Chris Andrews

Ceist:

896 Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of an application for naturalisation made by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34033/07]

An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's question was received in the Citizenship section of my Department in December 2005. Officials in that section inform me that processing of the application has commenced and that the file will be forwarded to me for a decision in the near future. I will inform the Deputy and the applicant when I have reached a decision on the matter.

Criminal Prosecutions.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

897 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of cases brought to court in relation to the operation of unlicensed bus operators for each year since 2000; the result of such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34056/07]

I am informed by the Garda authorities tha tthe following table shows the number of proceedings commenced and convictions recorded for 2000 to 2007 for offences relating to the operation of unlicensed bus operators.

Year

Proceedings Commenced

Convictions

2007*

4

0

2006

21

4

2005

46

16

2004

20

10

2003

28

12

2002

30

11

2001**

12

7

2000**

2

2

*Figures provided for 2007 are provisional, operational and liable to change.

**Proceedings commenced appear lower in the years 2000 and 2001 due to the phased implementation of a new computer crime recording system. The first full year captured on the new system is in 2002.

It will be appreciated that proceedings are not necessarily commenced and concluded in the same year.

Visa Applications.

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

898 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if this will be re-examined with a view to allowing them to visit at Christmas, 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34063/07]

The applications referred to by the Deputy were received in the Visa Office, Dublin on 21 November 2007. They were refused by the Visa Officer on 29 November 2007 for a number of reasons:

1.The immigration history of the applicants

2.Obligations to return to home country were not deemed sufficient

3.It was the opinion of the Visa Officer that the applicants may not observe the conditions of the visa.

The decision of the Visa Officer may be appealed within two months of the date of decision, in this case before 29 January 2008. Guidelines on making an appeal can be found of the website of the Irish naturalisation and Immigration Service at www.inis.gov.ie

Prison Discipline.

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

899 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount of prisoners in the prison system here who have been caught in the possession of mobile phones in the past five years; the number of prosecutions this resulted in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34081/07]

The confiscation of mobile phones has until recent times been recorded by our prisons under the generic description of "prohibited articles". An accurate breakdown of statistics as requested by the Deputy is not therefore available without the manual examination of records going back over a considerable time period.

Section 36 of the Prisons Act 2007, which was brought into operation from 1 May, 2007 makes it an offence for prisoners to have unauthorised possession of or use mobile telecommunications devices. Under the Act it is also an offence to supply such a device to a prisoner. The penalty for such an offence, on summary conviction, is a fine not exceeding €5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both, and on conviction on indictment, a fine not exceeding €10,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or both.

It is Irish Prison Service policy to report seizures of mobile phones to the Garda authorities. It is important to note that prosecutions will not arise in respect of all instances of mobile phone seizure, owing to the number of mobile phones found in double cells, toilet areas or in the prison yards. It would be impossible to determine in such instances what prisoner was the owner or intended recipient of such devices.

Statistics in relation to the number of mobile phones seized during the course of 2007 to date are recorded in the table.

Prison

Number of Mobile Phones Seized

Arbour Hill

5

Training Unit

49

Shelton Abbey

25

Portlaoise

60

Castlerea

94

Midlands

143

Cloverhill

120

Limerick

241

Mountjoy

687

Dóchas

67

St. Patrick’s Institution

132

Wheatfield

188

Loughan House

85

PSEC

6

Cork

108

Total

2,010

There are thirty proceedings commenced recorded on PULSE relating to possession of a telecommunications device without the permission of the Governor of a prison, with twelve convictions recorded.

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

900 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of prisoners in the prison system here who have been caught in the possession of drugs in the past five years; the number of prosecutions this resulted in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34082/07]

The confiscation of drugs (or suspected drugs) is recorded by our prisons under the generic description of "prohibited articles/substances". An accurate breakdown of statistics as requested by the Deputy is not therefore available without the manual examination of records going back over a considerable time period. The Gardaí are contacted once suspected drug seizures are made. Issues of investigation and prosecution fall within the remit of the Garda authorities.

The table shows the number of proceedings commenced for possession or sale / supply of drugs offences for years 2002 to 2007 where the location of the offence has been recorded as a prison.

Proceedings commenced for possession or sale/supply of drugs offences in a prison for years 2002 to 2007

Year

Number of Proceedings Commenced

2002

31

2003

44

2004

44

2005

97

2006

67

2007

45*

*Please note that these figures are provisional and may be liable to change.

It would necessitate a disproportionate expenditure of Garda time and resources to identify the number of persons who were prosecuted for these offences while prisoners in the prison system, as this information could only be ascertained from a manual trawl of station records.

Garda Deployment.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

901 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí who have retired or transferred from the Limerick city area since April 2007; if they have all been replaced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34083/07]

I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that 12 members who were assigned to the Limerick Division have resigned, retired or otherwise left An Garda Síochána since 30 April 2007. The personnel strength of Limerick Division as at 30 April 2007 was 552 and on 30 November 2007, the latest date for which figures are readily available, it was 592. This increase reflects the Government's ongoing commitment to meet the specific demands for increased Gardaí in the Limerick area as identified by the Fitzgerald report.

The Deputy will appreciate that, as with any large organisation, on any given day the overall strength of the organisation may fluctuate due, for example, to retirements, resignations etc. The Deputy should also be aware that Garda Divisional/District boundaries do not necessarily correspond to county or city boundaries.

It is the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner to allocate personnel throughout the Force taking everything into account. The situation will be kept under review and when additional personnel next become available the needs of Limerick Division will be fully considered by him within the overall context of the needs of Garda Divisions throughout the country and the contents of the Fitzgerald Report.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

902 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí currently deployed in the Limerick city area; the number of gardaí assigned to patrol duty on any given day; the corresponding number of gardaí deployed and on patrol duty in Limerick city in April of 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34085/07]

The total personnel strength of the Limerick Division on 30 November 2007 and 31 April 2007 was 592 and 552 respectively. I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that for security and operational reasons, it is Garda policy not to disclose the number or percentage of personnel on duty at any specific area or over any given period of time.

Question No. 903 answered with QuestionNo. 870.

Court Procedures.

John Curran

Ceist:

904 Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of bench warrants over three months old that have not been executed and are being actively pursued by the Garda. [34108/07]

John Curran

Ceist:

905 Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of committal warrants over three months old that have not been executed and are being actively pursued by the Garda. [34109/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 904 and 905 together.

In the time available it has not been possible for the Garda authorities to supply the details requested by the Deputy. I will be in contact with the Deputy when the information is to hand.

Question No. 906 answered with QuestionNo. 835.

Visa Applications.

Joe McHugh

Ceist:

907 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason a person (details supplied) was refused a visa; if he will reconsider the refusal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34118/07]

The application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Visa Office, Dublin on 16 August 2007. It was refused by the Visa Officer on 30 August 2007 for a number of reasons:

1.There was insufficient documentation submitted in support of the application

2.No evidence of finances shown

3.No clear link to the reference was shown

4.No letter of invitation was submitted

5.Obligations to return home were not deemed sufficient

6.It was the opinion of the Visa Officer that the applicant may not observe the conditions of the visa

An appeal was received on 1 October 2007. The decision of the Visa Appeals Officer was to uphold the original decision. As each applicant is entitled to one appeal only, no further review of this matter can be facilitated. It is however open to the applicant to make a fresh application. Comprehensive information on making a visa application is available on the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service at www.inis.gov.ie

Catherine Byrne

Ceist:

908 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of an application for family reunification by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34123/07]

The person in question made a Family Reunification application in respect of his wife in February 2007. The application was forwarded to the Refugee Applications Commissioner for investigation as required under Section 18 of the Refugee Act 1996. This investigation is completed and the Commissioner has forwarded a report to my Department. This application will be considered by my Department and a decision will issue in due course. At the present time Family Reunification applications are taking up to 24 months to process.

Registration of Title.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

909 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the drafting error contained in section 55 of the Registration of Deeds and Title Act 2006; his plans to rectify that error; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34124/07]

Section 55 of the Registration of Deeds and Title Act 2006, referred to by the Deputy, is contained in Part 4 of the Act that is specified as dealing with amendments of the Registration of Title Act 1964. While the section as it stands omits reference to the Act of 1964 it could have no possible application to any Act other than the Act of 1964. In any event I shall consider making such express reference in the section to the Act of 1964 at the next legislative opportunity.

Visa Applications.

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

910 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a holiday visa will be issued to persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34138/07]

The applications referred to by the Deputy were received in the Visa Office, Dublin on 29 November 2007. They were refused by the Visa Officer on 6 December 2007 for a number of reasons:

1.The Visa Officer considered that there was no clear link shown to the reference

2.There was insufficient documentation submitted in support of the application; such documentation should give full details of the reason for visit

3.Financial evidence provided was deemed insufficient or incomplete

4.The granting of the visas may result in a cost to public funds and public resources

5.The Visa Officer was not satisfied that the conditions of the visas would be observed and considered that the applicants may overstay following their proposed visit

6.The Visa Officer deemed that the applicants do not have sufficient obligations to return to their home country

The decision of the Visa Officer may be appealed within two months of the date of decision, in this case before 6 February 2008. Guidelines on making an appeal can be found on the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service at www.inis.gov.ie

Joe Costello

Ceist:

911 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1 who is married to an EU national; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34173/07]

The person concerned arrived in the State on 14 September, 2002 on foot of a student visa. Her permission to remain in the State expired on 30 September, 2005 and was not renewed. On 29 December, 2006 an application for residence in the State under the provisions of the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) (No. 2) Regulations, 2006 was received in my Department on behalf of the person in question. The application was refused and this was notified to the person in question by letter dated 13 August, 2007. This letter also informed her that she had no current permission to remain in the State and was therefore unlawfully present in the State.

Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3(4) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, she was informed by letter dated 28 August, 2007 that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why she should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State; leaving the State before an order is made or consenting to the making of a deportation order. Representations have been received on behalf of the person concerned.

This person's case file, 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), as amended. I expect the file to be passed to me for decision in due course.

Prisoner Releases.

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

912 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of prisoners released from prisons in the past five years who did not benefit from remission or early release and therefore had fulfilled their full sentence which was originally handed down by a court of justice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34180/07]

Prior to the coming into operation of the Prison Rules, 2007, the legal basis for remission of sentence was Rule 38(1) of the Rules for the Government of Prisons that had been part of Irish law since 1947. The courts were aware, when passing sentence in any case, of this statutory entitlement to remission of sentence. The granting of sentence remission is a feature of prison systems worldwide. Under the 1947 Rules, sentenced prisoners were entitled, by law, to remission of one quarter of sentence provided they were of good behaviour during their time in custody. Where a prisoner does suffer loss of remission for a disciplinary offence, the amount of remission taken away would not normally be the full amount of remission that the prisoner would potentially earn.

There were a number of categories of prisoner who were excluded from remission of sentence under the 1947 Rules and these were as follows:

Life sentence prisoners

Persons convicted of debtor offences

Persons convicted of contempt of court

Persons being held on remand warrants

Persons serving a sentence of less than one month

Prison records are not maintained in such a way as to allow the detailed information sought by the Deputy to be readily compiled. I can inform the Deputy that approximately 40% to 50% of the persons committed to prison each year would be in a category not eligible to earn remission. These would be mainly remand prisoners. It is worth noting that the numbers in prison custody for debtor offences or for contempt of court at any given time amount to less than 1% of the total prison population.

Almost every sentenced prisoner eligible to earn remission would receive remission. It is also important to note that a life sentence is indeterminate and there is no guaranteed release date. All prisoners who are serving life sentences are eligible to have their cases reviewed by the Parole Board when they have served seven years in custody. The Board, which was established in 2001, makes recommendations to myself in relation to the management of offenders serving long sentences. While it is open to the Parole Board to make any recommendation, the experience of recent years with both the Parole Board and the Sentence Review Group (the predecessor to the Parole Board) is that life sentenced prisoners are normally reviewed on a number of occasions over a number of years before any substantial concessions are recommended.

Residency Permits.

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

913 Deputy Tony Gregory asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7 can expect a decision on their application for long-term residency which they made in July 2006; and the reason there has been such a delay in processing their application. [34182/07]

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

The dependants of the aforementioned, who have been legally resident in the State for over five years may also apply for long term residency. This particular long term permission does not grant an exemption from employment permit requirements to any such dependants. Time spent in the State on student conditions cannot be counted towards long term residency. While applications for long term residency are under consideration, the person concerned should ensure that their permission to remain in the State is kept up to date. I understand the Immigration Division of my Department is currently considering an interdepartmental report in relation to the application. They will be in touch with the applicant in due course.

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

914 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position of an application for residency in Ireland by a person (details supplied); the specific issues pertaining to this application in view of its apparent slowness through the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34187/07]

I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that an application by the person concerned for residence in the State based on EU Treaty Rights was received on 15th November 2007. Applications based on EU Treaty Rights are currently being processed within the six month statutory time frame allowed. A decision will issue to the applicant in due course.

Crime Prevention.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

915 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the provision of anti-social behaviour teams as outlined in the programme for Government; the areas in which these teams are in place; the time-frame for the rolling out of these teams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34196/07]

I attach a high priority to the combating of anti-social behaviour. One of the priorities I have set for An Garda Síochána for 2008 under section 20 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 is to combat, particularly in cooperation with other agencies and the community generally, the problems of public disorder with particular emphasis on alcohol related behaviour (including underage drinking) and socially disadvantaged communities especially through utilisation of the legal mechanisms being made available.

To this end An Garda Síochána are driving forward the establishment of interagency activities against anti-social behaviour, including the deployment of CCTV in urban areas. In addition, they are identifying local public order and anti-social behaviour hot spots and developing responsive actions and plans.

The Agreed Programme for Government contains a wide range of commitments to combat anti-social behaviour. One of these commitments is the creation of Anti-social Behaviour Action Teams in each local authority area. My Department, in consultation with the relevant agencies, is examining the experience of such teams in other jurisdictions, with a view to drawing up proposals to implement this measure.

Garda Transport.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

916 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he will provide a Garda patrol car for Palmerstown, Dublin 20 in order to enhance policing in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34197/07]

The detailed allocation of Garda resources, including transport, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner to decide in accordance with his identified operational requirements and priorities. Responsibility for the efficient deployment of all official transport in a Division is assigned to the Divisional Officer who may allocate vehicles between stations as required by operational circumstances. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Palmerstown area is policed by both Ronanstown and Ballyfermot sub-Districts, and the transport and other resources available from those Districts are deployed as needed to the Palmerstown area. The allocation of Garda resources is monitored and reviewed on a continual basis and the policing needs of Palmerstown and the surrounding areas will be fully considered in the context of overall policing requirements.

Garda Deployment.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

917 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí stationed in Garda stations (details supplied) in 2007 and in every year between 2002 and 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34198/07]

The information requested by the Deputy is contained in the table. The 2007 figures are as of 30 November 2007 which is the latest date for which Garda numbers are readily available.

Station

31/12/02

31/12/03

31/12/04

31/12/05

31/12/06

30/11/07

Clondalkin

82

78

76

81

92

105

Ronanstown

72

81

82

88

92

90

Ballyfermot

73

78

81

80

88

88

Lucan

73

65

74

68

70

86

The Deputy will appreciate that, as with any large organisation, on any given day the overall strength of the organisation may fluctuate due, for example, to retirements, resignations etc. It is the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner to allocate personnel throughout the force taking everything into account. The situation will be kept under review and when additional personnel next become available the needs of the Garda Stations referred to by the Deputy will be fully considered by him within the overall context of the needs of Garda Divisions throughout the country.

Visa Applications.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

918 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, further to Parliamentary Question No. 510 of 20 November 2007, if it is possible for a non-visa required national to obtain a D visa or its equivalent prior to their entry to the State as the spouse of an Irish citizen in order that they can avail of the same one-year permission to reside in the State that would be given to a visa-required national in the same circumstances. [34210/07]

A visa cannot be issued to a non-visa required national. The granting of an Irish visa is only a form of pre-entry clearance enabling a visa required national to travel to the State for the specific purpose stated. A visa does not grant permission to enter the State and visa holders are subject to normal immigration control at the port of entry, as are non-visa required nationals. The actual permission to enter the State is given by the Immigration Officer at the port of entry who has discretion whether to grant entry and who can also indicate the duration of stay permitted.

Question No. 919 answered with QuestionNo. 847.

Departmental Communications.

Damien English

Ceist:

920 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of databases used by his Department; and the number of these that are wholly and partly operated by external organisations or individuals and operated solely within his Department. [34241/07]

All databases and other electronic file storage and retrieval systems used by my Department are operated by Departmental staff or by contractors working directly with the Department on its IT network.

Damien English

Ceist:

921 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of information technology projects undertaken by or for his Department since 2004 that have been delivered over budget, after their original deadline, on budget, under budget, on their original deadline and ahead of their original deadline; and if he will present the information in tabular readable form. [34256/07]

My Department has undertaken a number of internal information technology projects since 2004. They include routine upgrades of software and hardware to ensure the Department's capability to meet performance and security requirements. Moreover, the addition of agencies to my Department's shared IT service, and the movement of staff and agencies between locations as decentralisation progresses, have also identified a need to ensure that their IT systems are appropriately maintained and, in some instances, enhanced to meet business needs. These projects are individually short term but, due to the rapidly expanding nature of the Department's remit, can vary in scope from year to year, in part depending on the budget available.

Projects designed to deliver services to the public are:

AISIP (integrated asylum and immigration project) which is within acceptable time parameters and within budget

AVATS (Automated visa system) which went live in November within an acceptable timeframe and within budget. Both of these projects are fixed price.

New websites for the Department and INIS which went live on time and slightly over budget.

The Department is also participating with An Garda Síochána and the Courts Service on a Pilot Project on Criminal Justice Integration which, because of its inherent complexity, is taking longer than anticipated but is broadly in line with the budget set aside for it.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Damien English

Ceist:

922 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps he has taken to offset the carbon dioxide emissions caused by ministerial travel in his Department; and if none to date, the plans he will put in place on the matter. [34271/07]

I can inform the Deputy that my Department has not incurred any expenditure in respect of carbon offsetting. I understand that, on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government on carbon offsetting official air travel, the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government is developing a scheme for use by all Government Departments and bodies under their aegis and that he hopes to announce details of this scheme shortly.

Data Protection.

Damien English

Ceist:

923 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he is satisfied that personal information relating to members of the public held on his Departmental databases is safe from hackers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34286/07]

I am satisfied that my Department has sufficient perimeter and internal access controls in place to ensure reasonable protection of any personal information it holds relating to members of the public.

Management Information Framework System.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

924 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the estimate of the money saved to the Exchequer in 2007 by the use of the management information framework system; the way this saving was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34308/07]

A Management Information Framework system has been in use by my Department since 2004. The regular monitoring and scrutiny of expenditure within my Department has resulted in more effective and efficient use of resources under my control.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

925 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the management information framework system has been fully rolled out in his Department; the use being made of performance indicators, the costing framework and management reports provided by this system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34323/07]

The management information system has been fully rolled out in my Department since 2004. Full functionality is provided by the system and this functionality is fully utilised within my Department. My Department places a strong focus on the outcomes caused by its actions. Performance indicators have been developed to monitor and where appropriate to improve performance. A Departmental costing framework has been established as an aid to managerial decision making and a range of relevant management reports are produced on a regular basis.

National Drugs Strategy.

James Reilly

Ceist:

926 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether a zero tolerance testing regime using drug testing systems already available and used here in places of detention should be immediately put in place taking into account the recent tragic cases in the media; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34384/07]

I assume the Deputy's question to be in respect of testing drivers for the presence of illegal drugs. Currently, the Road Traffic Acts provides that a member of the Garda Síochána may, where he or she is of the opinion that a person in charge of a mechanically propelled vehicle in a public place is under the influence of a drug or drugs to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of that vehicle, require that person to go to a Garda station and further require that person submit to a blood test or to provide a urine sample.

The Medical Bureau of Road Safety analyses blood and urine specimens received under the Road Traffic Acts for the presence of a drug or drugs. Urine analysis is the principal method used in testing for drugs in places of detention. Enforcement of the law on drug driving is a matter for An Garda Síochána. When a member of the Gardaí suspects that a motorist is driving under the influence of any intoxicant the Garda may arrest the suspect under Section 49 of the Road Traffic Act 1961.

As the Deputy will appreciate, road traffic legislation is a matter for the Department of Transport and I am informed by my colleague, the Minister for Transport, that at present there is no reliable equipment available for the purpose of roadside testing for drugs.

I am further informed that the Department of Transport will keep under review the development of technology internationally for such testing and that when suitable technology becomes available, any further legislative measures, if required, to facilitate its use will be introduced.

Garda Stations.

Tom Hayes

Ceist:

927 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a new Garda station will be provided at Clonmel, County Tipperary. [34385/07]

The programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation around the country is based on agreed priorities established by An Garda Síochána in consultation with the Garda representative associations. The programme is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close co-operation with the Office of Public Works, which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation.

I am informed that the Office of Public Works is currently seeking a site for the development of a new Garda District Headquarters in Clonmel. Responses to a recent advertisement placed by it seeking a suitable site are currently being assessed. I assure the Deputy that there will be no avoidable delay in progressing this project.

Question No. 928 answered with QuestionNo. 834.

Asylum Applications.

James Bannon

Ceist:

929 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans he has to update legislation and provision for long-term asylum seekers to allow them to work or continue in funded education after completion of second level, until their residency status has been determined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34404/07]

In relation to access to the labour market, it is not proposed to allow asylum applicants to take up paid employment pending a final decision being made on their applications. Section 9(4)(b) of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) provides that an applicant for asylum shall not seek or enter employment. It must also be borne in mind that under the 1996 Act asylum seekers only have temporary permission to remain in the State pending the determination of their applications. However, we must face the fact that, despite its humanitarian purpose, people seek protection under the 1996 Act (which gives effect to the State's obligations under the 1951 Geneva Convention) for the purpose of avoiding legitimate immigration controls in order to gain a foothold in the State for economic reasons. Similar trends have been experienced by other EU Member States.

I believe that extending the right to work would have a very negative impact on the number of asylum applications, as was experienced in the aftermath of the July 1999 decision to do so. The immediate effect of that measure was a threefold increase in the average number of applications per month leading to a figure of 1,217 applications in December 1999 compared with an average of 364 per month for the period January to July 1999. Any proposal to grant asylum seekers access to the labour market would also undermine the current and effective work permit system which provides a comprehensive channel for legal migration to the State. It would further widen the gap in a negative manner in terms of reward between those who access the labour market legally through the work permit and visa channels and those who simply abuse the asylum process to gain entry.

It is a well established fact that those engaged in trafficking and those seeking to access the labour market without going through the appropriate legal channels are very quick to identify any perceived attractiveness of a country as a preferred or easily accessed destination. It is clear from the profile of applicants, and the results of the determination process, that a significant number of people have sought asylum in Ireland with a view to seeking work. Many people are already working illegally. It is my very strong belief that any extension of the right to work along the lines proposed by the Deputy would be portrayed abroad by people traffickers to potential victims as a guarantee of a right to work.

Schemes and measures available to assist students in third level education are, in the first instance, a matter for the Minister for Education and Science. However, under the Free Fees Initiative asylum seekers are not eligible for the payment by the Exchequer of tuition fees in respect of approved third level courses. For similar reasons to those outlined above, in relation to access to the labour market, I am not in favour of any extension of the Free Fees Initiative to asylum seekers.

Planning Issues.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

930 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that under section 160 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 any other person may make an application to the High Court where unauthorised development is being or is likely to be carried out (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33223/07]

As Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, I am precluded, under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, from exercising any power or control in relation to any individual planning application with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned.

It is the responsibility of the planning authorities, who have wide enforcement powers under planning legislation, to halt and rectify unauthorised development. Anyone who feels that land is being developed or used without planning permission may contact the relevant planning authority who will investigate the matter. In addition any person may apply, in either the Circuit or the High Court, for an order restraining unauthorised development or use of land.

Section 160 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provides that where an unauthorised development is being, or is about to be, undertaken, a planning authority or any other person can apply to the Circuit or the High Court for an injunction preventing it. This is significant as it allows any person to seek an injunction against an unauthorised development, without reference to the planning authority.

Local Authority Staff.

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

931 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the ethics officers for each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33235/07]

Under the Local Government Act 2001, responsibility for the nomination of a person to perform the duties of ethics registrar rests with each local authority manager. My Department does not have the details sought.

Energy Resources.

Simon Coveney

Ceist:

932 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the percentage of energy consumed in his Department and in all agencies for which his Department has responsibility that comes from renewable sources. [33279/07]

My Department is fully committed to obtaining its electricity from renewable sources, following a tender process under the auspices of the Office of Public Works a contract is in place with Energia for the supply of electricity from renewable sources to the Department's main offices. This accounts for electricity supply to some 70% of the staff of the Department. My Department also uses gas and oil for heating purposes. Energy consumption by Agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for the Agencies themselves.

Departmental Reports.

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

933 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the response by his Department to the recommendations made to his Department by the Competition Authority in its March 2006 report on competition in the architecture profession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33318/07]

The Report of the Competition Authority entitled Competition in Professional Services — Architects was published in March 2006. The Report contained a number of recommendations in regard to the legislative proposals in the Building Control Bill 2005, which was then before the Oireachtas, for registration of the titles of building professionals, including that of "Architect". The Report received detailed consideration in my Department, and a number of its recommendations were subsequently incorporated in the Bill, which was enacted in April 2007.

Departmental Expenditure.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

934 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of mobile telephone bills paid directly by his Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33338/07]

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

936 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of mobile telephone bills paid in relation to the departmental mobile telephone assigned to him by his Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33369/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 934 and 936 together.

The amount of mobile telephone bills paid directly by my Department in the years in question is as follows:

2006 — €288,056.68, of which €33,515.00 related to data charges

2007 (year to date) — €259,812.60, of which €54,893.45 related to data charges

Details in relation to roaming charges are not recorded in the payments system.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

935 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of mobile telephone bills paid in the form of expenses to staff by his Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33353/07]

The following amounts were paid as expenses to staff in my Department in respect of phone calls in the years in question.

2006 — €824.92

2007 — (to date) €1,137.36

However, the payments system does not record whether these relate to mobile or other types of communication.

Question No. 936 answered with QuestionNo. 934.

Local Authority Regulations.

Pat Breen

Ceist:

937 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will give local authorities the power to introduce regulations and control of graveyards (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33452/07]

The management and maintenance of a local authority burial ground is entirely a matter for the local authority concerned and one in which I have no direct function. Local authorities have a general power to make bye-laws. The making of such bye-laws is a matter for decision by individual local authorities and is a reserved function of the elected members. I understand that several local authorities have already made bye-laws in relation to graveyards in which they have an interest.

Tax Clearance Certificates.

Pat Breen

Ceist:

938 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when an application will be completed for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33453/07]

I understand that the office of the Chief State Solicitor has been in contact with the vendor's solicitor seeking a tax clearance certificate in this case.

Departmental Reports.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

939 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the value for money review of the motor tax on-line initiative was completed; the value of savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33471/07]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

940 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the value for money review of the preliminary review of the rental accommodation scheme was completed; the value of the savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33472/07]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

941 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the value for money review of the rural water programme will be completed; the anticipated value of the savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33474/07]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

942 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the value for money review of the ex-post review of the ERDF element of the water services infrastructure provision of the economic and social infrastructure OP will be completed; the anticipated value of the savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33475/07]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

943 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the value for money review of the rental accommodation scheme will be completed; the anticipated value of the savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33476/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 939 to 943, inclusive, together.

The review of the motor tax on-line system was completed in February 2007, and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas and presented to the Select committee. The report concluded that the system has improved customer service through improved convenience/access and reduced transaction times/costs for citizens using the service. The report also found that the on-line system is the most administratively efficient licence renewal channel both in terms of productivity and cost per transaction.

The review of the rural water programme will be completed this month. The review of the Rental Accommodation Scheme will be completed in March 2008 and will cover the period from commencement up to the end of 2007. The review of the ex-post ERDF element of the Water Services Infrastructure Provision of the Economic and Social Infrastructure Operational Programme will be undertaken and completed in 2008 as scheduled.

Departmental Staff.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

944 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number, rank and pay of all civil servants in his Department and ministerial staff, personally appointed by him or otherwise, who are engaged in media monitoring; the nature of the work done; the persons who the information is circulated to or the people who have access to this information; the cost of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33508/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

946 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of press officers and press advisers in his Department; the rank and pay of each; the description of work done; the persons to whom the information is circulated or made accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33538/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

948 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of press advisers employed by his Department; the cost of such advice for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33568/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

953 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his Department receives a daily summary of stories relevant to his Department from Government Information Services; if this summary is in written, verbal or electronic format; if these are furnished to a departmental press officer or press adviser; and if the press officer or adviser furnishes this information to him every day or how often it is furnished. [33643/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

954 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a press adviser travels with him on official visits; and if there were official visits attended by him in the past year at which a press adviser was not present or was not in contact with him. [33658/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

957 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his Department carries news summaries on its internal web; the persons who have access to such information; the way they access same; the person who compiles same; the cost of same; the regularity with which this information is updated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33718/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 944, 946, 948, 953, 954 and 957 together.

In line with Section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997 governing the appointment and role of Special Advisers, I have appointed an Adviser as Press and Information Officer in my Department. The Officer is employed at Principal Officer level and receives a salary of €93,363 gross per annum. The role of the Officer includes:

Departmental Press and Information Officer, including provision and oversight of press information and liaison for Minister and Ministers of State;

liaison, on Ministers' behalf, with Government Press Office;

liaison, on Ministers' behalf, with the Deputy Government Press Secretary;

adviser on external communications and publicity on behalf of the Ministers and the Department.

The Press and Information Officer is supported in his role by three civil servants — one Higher Executive Officer, one Executive Officer and one Clerical Officer.

Summaries of breaking news stories are provided to the Department's Press Office electronically throughout the day by the Government Information Service. I am alerted, as necessary, in relation to any items of relevance to my Department.

As part of the work undertaken in the Press Office, a daily news cuttings service is made available to all staff. This service is provided by the Press Office and is accessible to all staff via the Department's intranet. The cost of the licence to provide the service is just under €1300 (incl. VAT) per annum. In addition, regional cuttings are provided on a weekly basis by News Access Ltd. These are circulated to the Department's senior management team, the Minister's and the Ministers of State's Offices. The cost of the service is €175/week (excl. VAT).

The Press and Information Officer or one of the civil servants supporting the Officer usually accompanies the Minister on official visits. It is normal practice for a member of the Press Office to maintain contact with the Minister as necessary throughout the day.

A Press and Information Officer has been appointed as Special Adviser within the Department since June 2002 at Principal Officer level. Between 1997 and 2002 the Press and Information Officer function was undertaken by a civil servant employed at Assistant Principal Officer level within the Department. In addition, a Communications Coordinator was appointed as Special Adviser to the Minister from October 1999 to June 2002 at Assistant Principal Officer level.

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

945 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number and name of newspapers purchased by his Department daily and weekly; the number provided to himself and to the Minister of State’s office; the yearly cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33523/07]

The following table sets out the information in relation to the name and number of newspapers purchased daily and weekly in my Department.

Title

Monday–Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Weekly

The Irish Times

65

1

The Irish Independent

15

1

The Irish Examiner

8

2

Evening Herald

16

1

Irish Daily Star

5

Cork Evening Echo

1

1

Daily Mirror

1

Daily Mail

3

London Independent

4

The Guardian

3

London Times

2

Sun

1

1

Sunday Independent

3

Sunday Business Post

3

Sunday Tribune

2

Sunday Times

2

Sunday World

2

Mail on Sunday

2

The Observer

1

Independent on Sunday

1

Star on Sunday

1

News of the World

1

The Corkman

1

The Southern Star

1

The Clare People

1

The Clare Champion

1

Foinse

1

Total

125

6

18

5

Five newspapers are provided to my Office each day (Monday-Friday) and 2 papers are provided to my Constituency Office (Monday-Friday).

Six newspapers are provided to Minister of State O'Keeffe's Office each day (Monday-Friday) and 2 weekly newspapers are provided. Four newspapers are provided to Minister of State Killeen's Office each day (Monday-Friday) and 2 weekly newspapers are provided. The annual expenditure for the purchase of newspapers amounts to approximately €46,000.

Question No. 946 answered with QuestionNo. 944.

Consultancy Contracts.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

947 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number, cost and name of any media consultants employed by his Department; the cost of such advice for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; the nature of the work done; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33553/07]

The information requested in the Question is set out in the table. The firms were generally employed to promote awareness of important issues relating to my Department's functions and in these cases the greater portion of the costs were incurred in buying media time.

Work Done

Consultant

Cost

Date

Advertising associated with the Register of Electors including the Publicity campaign for Draft Register of Electors — 1998/1999

Saatchi & Saatchi

78,441

1997

Cohesion Fund Publicity Project: monitoring and management of activities by local authorities in relation to fulfilment of publicity and information requirements under Cohesion Fund Regulations

Bill O’Herlihy Communications Group

53,645

1997

Cohesion Fund Publicity Project

Boyle Design Group

21,620

1997

Cohesion Fund Publicity Project

O’Herlihy Group

44,492

1998

Provision of advice and assistance in the arrangements relating to the publication of the new Local Government Funding System

Drury Communications

8,799

1998

Christmas Recycling Campaign 1998

Brindley Advertising Ltd.

60,159

1999

Cohesion Fund Publicity Project

Carr Communications

175,833

1999-2000

Environment Awareness Campaign

Drury Communications

1,147,370

1999-2000

Continuation of Environment Awareness Campaign (new contract)

Drury Communications

359,777

2000

Communications campaign for the National Spatial Strategy

Drury Communications

13,326

2000

Consultancy services: environment awareness campaign

Irish International OMD/ Drury Communications

1,236,583

2001

Development of anti-litter cinema advertisement

Drury Communications

44,100

2001

Anti-litter awareness advertisement

Irish International OMD

81,262

2001

Publicity campaign for draft register of electors — 2002/2003

Irish International OMD

151,369

2001

Communications consultancy in relation to the national spatial strategy

Drury Communications

383,557

2001

Cohesion fund publicity project

Carr Communications Ltd.

83,737

2001

Anti-litter awareness advertisement

Irish International/OMD

135,249

2002

Advertising campaign for plastic bag levy

Irish International OMD

153,728

2002

Advertising campaign to publicise the supplementary register used for referendum on the Protection of Human Life in Pregnancy, general election 2002 and referendum on the Treaty of Nice

Brindley Advertising Ltd.

117,885

2002

Cohesion fund publicity project

Carr Communications Ltd

5,337

2002

Communication consultancy

Monica Leech Communications

47,197

2002

Communications consultancy in relation to the National spatial strategy

Drury Communications

115,128

2002

Environment awareness campaign

Drury Communications

648,460

2002

Production of advertisements instructing the public on how to use electronic voting machine

Brindley Advertising Ltd.

20,173

2002

Publicity campaign for introduction of plastic bags levy

Drury Communications

61,525

2002

Publicity campaign for the draft Register of Electors- 2003/2004

Brindley Advertising Ltd.

99,999

2002

Publicity work on promotion of electronic voting including road show.

Carr Communications Ltd.

133,044

2002

Communication consultancy

Monica Leech Communications

135,036

2003

Communications consultancy in relation to the National Spatial Strategy

Drury Communications

97,635

2003

Electronic voting awareness campaign

McConnells Advertising service Ltd/q4 public relations

3,315,049

2003

Management of National Inventory of Architectural Heritage Awareness campaign

Hunter Red Cell

301,895

2003-2005

Publicity campaign for the draft Register of Electors — 2004/2005

Cawley NEA Ltd.

159,607

2003

Race against Waste — PR Element

Lyle Bailey (Mary Murphy Associates)

145,200

2003-2004

Communication consultancy

Monica Leech Communications

139,392

2004

Production of advertisements regarding the Register of Electors

Brindley Advertising Ltd.

38,017

2004

Publicity campaign for the draft Register of Electors- 2005/2006

McConnells Advertising Service Ltd

158,758

2004

Race against Waste — PR Element

Lyle Bailey (Mary Murphy Associates)

320,166

2004 –2005

Media support for the launch of the Burren LIFE Project

Ann Jones

423

2005

Publicity campaign for the draft Register of Electors– 2006/2007

Bloom

155,696

2005

Race against Waste — PR Element

Lyle Bailey (Mary Murphy Associates)

344,850

2005-2006

Short term communications consultancy regarding emergency planning

Grayling Ltd

4,840

2006

Draft Register of Electors 2008/2009 Awareness Campaign

Brindley Advertising, 17 Upper Mount St,Dublin 2

136,983

2007

Communications and public awareness campaign for National Climate Change Strategy

Cawley NEA/TBWA

12,500,000

2007

Question No. 948 answered with QuestionNo. 944.

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

949 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of credit cards held by his Department; the cost of same for each year since 2000 to date in 2007; the persons who hold these cards and for whom they are used; the annual amounts purchased; the cumulative interest on same for each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33583/07]

Six credit cards are currently in official use in my Department. These are held by two Private Secretaries, Minister of State O'Keeffe, two Principal Officers and one by the Assistant Director of Met Eireann. These credit cards are for official business use only, for example in circumstances where it may be necessary to facilitate the immediate delivery of goods or services. Transactions on these credit cards must be certified by the holders as pertaining to official business and are checked by the Department's Personnel and Accounts Sections.

Taking account also of seven other Departmental credit cards which are no longer extant, the amounts incurred including charges totalling €3,334.17, for each year is set out in the table. There was no interest incurred on these cards.

Year

Amount

2000

9,645

2001

18,427

2002

23,159

2003

32,797

2004

24,876

2005

37,954

2006

60,293

Up to October 2007

23,506

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

950 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the cost to his Department of photographers used by all Ministers in his Department on a yearly basis for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33598/07]

The cost of photographic services to the Department in respect of official functions for all Ministers in each year since 1997 to date are as follows:

Year

Cost

1997

15,765.60

1998

11,808.15

1999

12,404.07

2000

8,645.65

2001

11,845.39

2002

20,119.91

2003

13,419

2004

17,073

2005

10,835

2006

10,554

2007

11.068

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

951 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the cost of make-up for him for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33613/07]

My Department has incurred no costs on make-up on my behalf or on behalf of any of my predecessors in the period in question.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

952 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the cost of his Department’s entertainment allowance for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33628/07]

Details of my Department's expenditure on entertainment, incurred under my Department's Administrative Budget, are set out in the table for the period concerned. Some other such expenditure, charged to individual projects/programmes, has not been included in the figures as the extraction of this information would involve a disproportionate allocation of staff time and resources.

Year

1997

€79,000

1998

80,000

1999

69,000

2000

93,000

2001

98,000

2002

133,000

2003

116,000

2004

124,000

2005

131,000

2006

127,000

2007

110,000

Question Nos. 953 and 954 answered with Question No. 944.

Departmental Transport.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

955 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the cost of providing transport including their official car to Ministers of State in his Department and staff for each year from 1997 to date in 2007. [33673/07]

The cost of providing transport to Ministers of State and staff in my Department amounted to €1.3m for the period in question. A breakdown of this expenditure is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

956 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the cost of him using public transport for every year since 1997 to date in 2007; and the cost of providing similar services to Ministers of State and staff for the same period. [33688/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

984 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the cost on a yearly basis for transport hire of any kind for his transport and that of his staff for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; the reason for such hire; if tenders were sought; the locations brought from and to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34093/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 956 and 984 together.

I refer to the reply to question No. 186 of 15 November 2007 in relation to public transport costs for myself and Ministers of State in my Department since I came into office. A breakdown of public transport costs for my predecessors and for Ministers of State since 1997 is not readily available and would take an inordinate amount of time and staff resources to compile.

The bulk of expenditure in relation to my transport is incurred by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform which provides me with a Ministerial car and driver. The need to hire transport does not generally arise, therefore, apart from when on official business abroad. In this regard such costs are incurred by the Department of Foreign Affairs in the first instance.

Question No. 957 answered with QuestionNo. 944.

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

958 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of mobile phones used by him and supplied by his Department; the annual cost of same for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33733/07]

The information requested in the question, in relation to those years for which details are readily available, is set out in the table.

Minister

Noel Dempsey

Martin Cullen

Dick Roche

John Gormley

Number of Mobile Phones

1

1

2 (Phone and Blackberry)

2 (Phone and Blackberry)

Year

Annual Cost

Annual Cost

Annual Cost

Annual Cost

1998

4,142.90

1999

4,448.84

2000

5,072.16

2001

2,732.09

2002

1,806.44

3,215.41

2003

6,021.22

2004

5,257.34

2005

2,837.86

2006

3,933.46

2007

2,117.51

456.84

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

959 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if any of the advisers or staff appointed by him directly have mobile phones and other equipment supplied by his Department; the annual cost of same since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33748/07]

The information requested in the question, in relation to those years for which details are readily available, is set out in the table. The number of advisers or staff appointed directly by the Minister varied between 3 and 6.

Year

Annual Cost

1998

2,441.08

1999

4,390.58

2000

9130.63

2001

8556.32

2002

10,687.21

2003

10,135.54

2004

13,529.82

2005

10,166.35

2006

11,370.92

2007

13,460.59

Planning Issues.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

960 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether the decision of An Bord Pleanála to allow Dublin Port to apply for land reclamation to facilitate 600,000 TEU capacity per annum as a strategic infrastructure will pre-empt finalisation by Dublin City Council of best future options for the bay, the preferred option recommended to the council having been the total relocation of port activities; his role to date in this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33781/07]

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

961 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether the decision of An Bord Pleanála to allow Dublin Port to apply for land reclamation to facilitate 600,000 TEU capacity per annum as a strategic infrastructure will pre-empt the work of the task force on Dublin Bay which he proposes to establish which has the mandate to recommend new legislation to maximise the potential of the bay. [33782/07]

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

962 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether the decision of An Bord Pleanála to allow Dublin Port to apply for land reclamation to facilitate 600,000 TEU capacity per annum as a strategic infrastructure will pre-empt the planned SPA designation to include this part of the bay to meet the requirement of EU directives on protection of the natural environment. [33783/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 960 to 962, inclusive, together.

As Minister, I am precluded, under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, from exercising any power or control in relation to any individual planning application or appeal with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned. However, in the event that an application is received in respect of the project referred to, the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006 requires the Board to notify Dublin City Council, as the planning authority within which the proposed project would be situate, that an application for strategic infrastructure development has been received. The Act requires the Manager of the relevant planning authority to prepare a report on the likely effects of the proposed development on the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. The views of the elected members of the planning authority must also be sought and attached to the Manager's report. In making a determination on such application, the Board is required to consider this report.

I have been informed by Dublin City Council that public consultation on the Study on Dublin Bay: An Integrated Economic, Cultural and Social Vision for Sustainable Development has been underway over the last number of months. A large number of comments have been received and are currently being summarised by the City Council. The study has not been formally adopted by the Council.

The decision of An Bord Pleanála on the Dublin Port proposal will not pre-empt the planned Special Protection Area (SPA) redesignation of Dublin Bay. The unambiguous legal requirement under the EU Birds (79/409/EEC) and Habitats (92/42/EEC) Directives is that SPA designations are to be put in place solely on the basis of ornithological evidence.

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to establish a Dublin Bay Area Task Force to maximise the potential of the Bay for the people of the capital city. As I indicated in reply to question no. 493 of 13 November 2007, I am currently considering the scope, terms of reference, structure and composition of the Task Force. Any relevant decisions of An Bord Pleanala in relation to Dublin Bay will be taken into account by the Task force in due course.

Water and Sewerage Schemes.

James Bannon

Ceist:

963 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the Athlone, County Westmeath water treatment plant upgrade will be completed, in the interest of public health. [33854/07]

James Bannon

Ceist:

964 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the Rochfordbridge, County Westmeath sewerage scheme, treatment plant and network will be completed, in the interest of public health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33855/07]

James Bannon

Ceist:

965 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the upgrading treatment plant of the Clonmellon sewerage scheme, County Westmeath will be completed, in the interest of public health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33856/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 963 to 965, inclusive, together.

These schemes are being funded under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 and I understand that construction will be completed during the first half of 2008.

James Bannon

Ceist:

966 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the non-domestic water metering project, County Westmeath will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33857/07]

This is primarily a matter for Westmeath County Council. However, I understand from informal enquiries with the Council that some delay has occurred due to the liquidation of the firm sub-contracted to install the meters and that the main contractors hope to engage new sub-contractors shortly.

James Bannon

Ceist:

967 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the Lough Owel, County Westmeath water treatment plant will be completed, in the interest of public health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33858/07]

The construction of the Lough Owel Water Treatment Plant Scheme was funded under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme and has been completed.

James Bannon

Ceist:

968 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the water conservation project, 70 district metering areas, County Westmeath will be completed, in the interest of water conservation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33859/07]

An allocation of €4.7 million has been made to Westmeath County Council under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 for water conservation works, including the establishment of 70 district metering areas which I understand have now been completed.

James Bannon

Ceist:

969 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the Glasson/Ballykeeran/Coosan, County Westmeath sewerage scheme will be completed, in the interest of public health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33861/07]

Phase 1 of the Glasson/Ballykeeran/Coosan Sewerage Scheme Phase is approved for funding under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 as part of the Rural Towns and Villages Initiative. My Department has approved the Preliminary Report for this scheme and it is now a matter for Westmeath County Council to advance the scheme through the tender and construction stages.

James Bannon

Ceist:

970 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the Mullingar, County Westmeath sewerage scheme, including sludge management, will be completed in the interest of public health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33862/07]

The Mullingar Sewerage Scheme is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 as a scheme to begin construction in 2008. Westmeath County Council's Tender Report for the wastewater treatment plant element of the scheme (including sludge management) is being examined in my Department and is being dealt with as quickly as possible. Under devolved procedures, the tender process and the appointment of a contractor for the collection network is a matter for the Council itself.

James Bannon

Ceist:

971 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the Delvin, County Westmeath sewerage scheme will be completed in the interest of public health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33863/07]

James Bannon

Ceist:

972 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the Rathowen, County Westmeath sewerage scheme will be completed in the interest of public health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33864/07]

James Bannon

Ceist:

975 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the Athlone, County Westmeath main drainage scheme will be completed in the interest of public health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33867/07]

James Bannon

Ceist:

977 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the Finnea, County Westmeath sewerage scheme will be completed in the interest of public health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33869/07]

James Bannon

Ceist:

978 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the Kilbeggan, County Westmeath, sewerage scheme will be completed in the interest of public health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33870/07]

James Bannon

Ceist:

979 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the Moate, County Westmeath, sewerage scheme upgrade will be completed, in the interest of public health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33871/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 971, 972, 975, 977, 978 and 979 together.

I refer to the replies to Questions Nos. 219 to 224, inclusive, of 14 November 2007.

James Bannon

Ceist:

973 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the County Westmeath sewerage scheme will be completed, in the interest of public health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33865/07]

Details of approved sewerage schemes in County Westmeath are published in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 which is available in the Oireachtas Library. No proposal identified as the County Westmeath sewerage scheme was contained in the Council's most recent assessment of needs which informed the selection of new schemes for inclusion in the Investment Programme.

James Bannon

Ceist:

974 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the south Westmeath regional water supply scheme will be completed, in the interest of public health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33866/07]

The South Westmeath Regional Water Supply Scheme is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 as a scheme to begin construction in 2009. My Department has approved Westmeath County Council's Preliminary Report for this scheme. It is now a matter for the Council to secure a Water Abstraction Order and to prepare Contract Documents.

Question No. 975 answered with QuestionNo. 971

James Bannon

Ceist:

976 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the Coole, County Westmeath sewerage scheme will be completed, in the interest of public health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33868/07]

The Coole Sewerage Scheme is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 as a scheme to advance through planning. Westmeath County Council's Preliminary Report and Water Services Pricing Policy Report for the scheme are being examined in my Department and are being dealt with as quickly as possible.

Questions Nos. 977 to 979, inclusive, answered with Question No. 971.

James Bannon

Ceist:

980 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the Lough Lene, County Westmeath, water supply scheme including sludge management will be completed, in the interest of public health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33872/07]

The Lough Lene Water Supply Scheme is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 as a scheme to advance through planning. My Department is awaiting submission by Westmeath County Council of a Brief for the appointment of consultants to prepare a Preliminary Report for the scheme.

James Bannon

Ceist:

981 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the Royal Canal feed and Lough Ennell abstraction, County Westmeath will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33873/07]

The Mullingar Regional Water Supply Scheme Improvement (incorporating Lough Ennell Abstraction) is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 –2009 as a scheme to begin construction in 2008. My Department is awaiting submission by Westmeath County Council of a Brief for the appointment of consultants to prepare a Preliminary Report for the scheme, which also incorporates proposals to meet the Council's obligation to supply water for the Royal Canal.

Library Projects.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

982 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will arrange for his Department to liaise with South Dublin County Council to provide a library for Palmerstown, Dublin 20; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34049/07]

Provision of a public library service is a matter for the local authority concerned. The Department liaises regularly with local authorities as a matter of course in relation to a wide variety of library matters and provides capital assistance in respect of projects included in the public library capital programme. No firm proposals have been submitted to the Department by South Dublin County Council in respect of a library in Palmerstown.

Local Authority Housing.

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

983 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will reverse the decision of South Dublin County Council to build houses on land at two locations on Taylor’s Lane, Rathfarnham, understood locally to have been provided as public open space; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34070/07]

My Department has not received a proposal from South Dublin County Council on this matter.

Question No. 984 answered with QuestionNo. 955.

Animal Welfare.

Andrew Doyle

Ceist:

985 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the data regarding the dog pounds which are normally released in September for the previous year; and the reason for the delay. [34131/07]

Annual returns for 2006 under the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 and 1992 have recently been collated by my Department based on data supplied by local authorities. The information is available on my Department's website. The publication of these figures depends on the receipt of returns from every local authority, and this process has only recently been completed.

Planning Issues.

Andrew Doyle

Ceist:

986 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the right of a group (details supplied) to have at least one member on the board of An Bord Pleanála, in view of the fact that 33% of the population is rural and that this group is entitled to proportionate representation on an Bord Pleanála. [34132/07]

The procedures for the appointment of ordinary members of An Bord Pleanála are set out in the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended by Sections 14-16 of the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006. In addition, Article 11 of the Planning and Development Regulations, 2006 amended the list of prescribed bodies for the purposes of making nominations to the Board and the Irish Rural Dwellers Association are now included on the list. I am satisfied that the current nomination and appointment processes are fair and transparent. Furthermore, as the legislative provisions underpinning these processes have only recently been endorsed by the Oireachtas, I have no proposals to make any further amendments at this time.

Departmental Communications.

Damien English

Ceist:

987 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of staff in his Department that are provided with a blackberry device or similar mobile e-mail equipment. [34222/07]

37 members of staff in my Department are provided with a blackberry device and 2 members are provided with a mobile phone configured to receive e-mail.

Damien English

Ceist:

988 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of databases used by his Department; and the number of these that are wholly and partly operated by external organisations or individuals and operated solely within his Department. [34237/07]

Some 1400 staff of my Department use a large number of electronic and non-electronic databases in the course of their work. The more complex electronic databases operated within the Department are subject to maintenance and support contracts with outside organisations. The information sought on the numbers in each category is not readily available and its compilation would involve a disproportionate amount of time and work.

Damien English

Ceist:

989 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of information technology projects undertaken by or for his Department since 2004 that have been delivered over budget, after their original deadline, on budget, under budget, on their original deadline and ahead of their original deadline; and if he will present the information in tabular readable form. [34252/07]

My Department has completed 9 information technology projects since 2004 and details are outlined below. Information technology projects are, as a matter of policy, subject to fixed price contracts and where projects have gone over budget it is as a result of a change in the scope of the project.

Projects delivered over budget

2

Projects delivered on budget

7

Projects delivered after deadline

4

Projects delivered on time

5

Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Damien English

Ceist:

990 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he has taken to offset the carbon dioxide emissions caused by ministerial travel in his Department; and if none to date, the plans he will put in place on the matter. [34267/07]

On foot of the commitment in the Programme for Government on carbon offsetting official air travel, I am developing a scheme for use by all Government Departments and bodies under their aegis. I hope to announce details of the scheme shortly. Notwithstanding the fact that the proposed scheme will apply retrospectively to air travel since this Government came into office, I have in the meantime made separate arrangements to offset the air travel related to my attendance at the Ministerial segment of the ongoing meetings of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol.

Data Protection.

Damien English

Ceist:

991 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is satisfied that personal information relating to members of the public held on his Departmental databases is safe from hackers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34282/07]

My Department ensures that all relevant security measures, including the use of hardware firewalls, are in place to protect its network against potential intrusion by hackers via the internet. Access from within the Department to all services over the network is password protected. Staff members are authorised to access only that data which is relevant to the carrying out of their day to day business. All of my Department's computer security systems are subjected to ongoing independent security audits to ensure all systems are updated as required.

Management Information Framework System.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

992 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the estimate of the money saved to the Exchequer in 2007 by the use of the management information framework system; the way this saving was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34304/07]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

993 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the management information framework system has been fully rolled out in his Department; the use being made of performance indicators, the costing framework and management reports provided by this system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34319/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 992 and 993 together.

The implementation of the financial management system under the overall management information framework has provided the Department with efficient modern accounting systems and processes. These allow the financial management and accountancy functions to be undertaken and operated in line with best practice in financial management and modern accounting standards. My Department is satisfied that these functions are being carried out in the most cost effective manner. Benefits are being achieved through a reduction in transaction processing times and a switch from labour intensive manual activities to more value added activities. It is intended to update these systems on an ongoing basis to maintain optimum performance and efficiency.

The key elements of the management information framework have been rolled out by my Department in accordance with the criteria of the project plan. This provides management with management information to support decision-making about the allocation and management of resources, and to ensure accountability for the use of such resources. The financial system is currently also being used to provide management reports on financial performance. A costing framework is being used to capture costs against the Departments business units, which are included in management reports. Performance indicators are being used to manage performance across the Department's range of activities. In particular, indicators are included in the Department's Statement of Strategy, Business Plans and Annual Output Statement, and they are used in monitoring outputs under Towards 2016 and the National Development Plan.

Housing Management Companies.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

994 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in the matter of the status of estate management companies at an estate (details supplied) in County Kildare; if management companies are at liberty to impose levies or fees on residents where the development has not been completed and the services taken in charge by the local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34364/07]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

995 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if and when he might instruct Kildare County Council to take in charge an estate (details supplied) in County Kildare in view of ongoing difficulties with the developer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34365/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 994 and 995 together.

As Minister, I have overall responsibility for the legislative and policy framework governing the taking in charge of estates. I have no function in relation to the taking in charge of particular estates as this is a matter for the relevant planning authority concerned. Legislation governing management companies is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Planning Issues.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

996 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans for the future use of the Old Monastery, Kilcock, County Kildare; the extent to which plans have been formulated or progressed for its conversion as a library for educational purposes or other civic use; the extent to which this forms part of the regeneration plans for the town square; the intended timescale for its future development or alternative use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34372/07]

I understand that the library authority in Kildare has made no final decision in respect of Kilcock. Further information regarding the other issues raised in the question may more appropriately be sought directly from the local authority.

Departmental Correspondence.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

997 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his letter of 5 November 2007 to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo refers to a particular quarry rather than the quarry stated in his reply. [34442/07]

The letter from my Office dated 5 November 2007 incorrectly refers to a quarry at Creevagh, Cong, Co. Mayo. The information in the reply, however, refers to a quarry at Cahernicole, The Neale, Co. Mayo, which was the subject of the correspondence referred to in the question.

Fisheries Protection.

Michael Creed

Ceist:

998 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will extend the deadline for the draft net hardship scheme beyond 31 December 2007; the tax implications of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33261/07]

As stated in replies to previous Parliamentary Questions, the closing date for receipt of applications under the Salmon Hardship Scheme was 27 April 2007. Applicants have, however, until the 31 December 2007 to accept any offer under the scheme. This deadline, I believe, provides ample time for those concerned to give the scheme due consideration and accordingly, there are no plans to extend the application deadline. The treatment of payments made from the Salmon Hardship Fund for tax purposes is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners in their assessment of each individual's liabilities.

I am advised, however, that the Revenue Commissioners have indicated that payments from the Hardship Fund will be taxable on recipients as income in the year of receipt. Commercial fishermen will have to include any payment received under the scheme as a receipt in their accounts. That part of the payment which relates to payment of six times the value of the 2006 licence fee will not be liable to tax.

I understand that, when making payments from the fund, Bord Iascaigh Mhara, which is administering the scheme, will identify that part which is specified as a multiple of the 2006 licence fee so that recipients can exclude that amount from their income tax returns. Eligible applicants may receive any payment due under the scheme as a single payment or they may opt to spread any payment due over a three-year period.

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

999 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will review the salmon hardship scheme with a view to offering reasonable buy out rates to fishermen, some of whom have fished seasonally for several generations; when such a review will commence and conclude; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33983/07]

As previously stated, most recently in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 219 of 8 November 2007, the approach to determining the hardship payments under the Salmon Hardship Scheme is fair and reasonable and there are no plans to review the scheme.

Departmental Expenditure.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

1000 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount of mobile telephone bills paid directly by his Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33333/07]

The following is a breakdown of costs paid by my Department for 2006 and 2007 respectively. Breakdown also shows costs incurred in respect of roaming and data charges.

Year

Total Amt

Data

%

Roaming

%

Data Roaming

%

%

%

%

2006

164,967.57

16,800

10.18

33,635.45

20.39

1,615.04

0.98

2007

134,645.22

11,016

8.18

16,751.97

12.44

2,764.78

2.05

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

1001 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount of mobile telephone bills paid in the form of expenses to staff by his Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33348/07]

It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to refunds paid to staff in respect of mobile phone charges. The total amount spent on refunds to staff for 2006 and 2007 in respect of mobile phone charges incurred by them is outlined below. It is not possible to isolate costs in respect of roaming and data downloads for these costs.

Year

Total Amount spent

Refunds to Staff

Percentage

Data/Roaming

%

2006

164,967.57

1,865.84

1.13

Figures not available

2007

134,645.22

00.00

0

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

1002 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount of mobile telephone bills paid in relation to the departmental mobile telephone assigned to him by his Department in 2006 and to date in 2007; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to data charges; the percentage or amount of this for each year that applies to roaming charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33363/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

1020 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of mobile phones used by him and supplied by his Department; the annual cost of same for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33728/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1002 and 1020 together.

This material relates only to the period since my appointment as Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources on 14th June 2007. The breakdown of costs for my official issue mobile phone and Blackberry, since my appointment, is set out in the table.

Year

Cost

Roaming

Percentage

Data

Percentage

2007

€517.67

€24.16

4.66%

€108.90

21%

Departmental Reports.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

1003 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the value for money review on energy, conservation and alternative was completed; the value of the savings to the Exchequer generated by the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33397/07]

The value for money review on the Sustainable Energy Priority of the ESIOP was published and laid before the Oireachtas in July 2006. Recommendations assisted in the establishment of the ‘Greener Homes Scheme', which has a total value of €57m and is estimated to contribute to substantial CO2 savings of 40,000 tonnes per annum. Further recommendations from this report, which will yield an increased return on State investment, are in the process of being implemented by the agency concerned.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

1004 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the value for money review on broadband infrastructure will be completed; the anticipated savings to the Exchequer due to the implementations of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33399/07]

It is anticipated that the value for money review carried out on broadband infrastructure will be published in Quarter 1 2008. Value for money savings are anticipated but cannot be quantified in advance of a range of policy decisions which will be made in the years following the publication of the report.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

1005 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the value for money review on the group broadband scheme will be completed; the anticipated savings to the Exchequer due to the implementations of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33400/07]

The group broadband scheme operated from March 2004 to December 2006. The value for money review carried out on the group broadband scheme will be published prior to the current year end. As the scheme was closed prior to the completion of the review no specific savings will occur in relation to the scheme. However, the recommendations made are expected to substantially contribute to greater efficiency and effectiveness in expenditure on the proposed National Broadband Scheme which aims to deliver broadband services to consumers and businesses located within those parts of the country that have no form of broadband available at present.

Departmental Staff.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

1006 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number, rank and pay of all civil servants in his Department and Ministerial staff, personally appointed by him or otherwise, who are engaged in media monitoring; the nature of the work done; the persons who the information is circulated to or the people who have access to this information; the cost of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33503/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

1008 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of press officers and press advisers in his Department; the rank and pay of each; the description of work done; the persons to whom the information is circulated or made accessible to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33533/07]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

1010 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of press advisors employed by his Department; the cost of such advice for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33563/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1006, 1008 and 1010 together.

The number, rank and annual salaries of the civil servants currently assigned to the Press Office and Ministerial staff, personally appointed by me, who are engaged in media monitoring are as follows:

Name

Title

Duties

Salary

Ms Bríd McGrath

Press Advisor

Advisor on Press/Policy issues with specific concentration on media relations, public events/ statements/speeches and managing the Press Office.

Principal Officer (standard) salary scale (modified PRSI) €82,016 (min) to €95,363 (max)

Ms Grace Milton

Personal Secretary

Providing secretarial support to the Minister concentrating on media relations.

Secretarial Assistant salary scale €22,064 (min) to €41,019 (max)

Higher Executive Officer

Press Officer

Providing advice to the Minister and the Department relating to the provision of information to the public on the activities of the Department.

Higher Executive Officer salary scale €46,646 (min) to €59,213 (2nd LSI)

Clerical Officer

Clerical Officer

To provide clerical support in the Press Office

Clerical Officer salary scale €445.02 p.w (min) to €721.57 p.w (2nd LSI)

The Press Office communicates with the Department, the wider civil service, the media and the public. Information on the areas under my remit is widely available on the Department's website, through press releases and also through the service provided by the staff in the Press Office.

The following press advisors were employed by the former Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources which was established in 2002:

Name

Title

Date of Appointment

Salary Level

Ms. Olive Stephens

Press Advisor

09 October 2006 to 14 June 2007

Principal Officer salary scale (Modified PRSI) €78,066 (min) to €90, 770 (max)

Ms. Grace Cappock

Press Advisor

30 September 2004 to 20 September 2006

Principal Officer salary scale (Modified PRSI) €70,578 (min) to €82,066 (max)

Mr. Richard Moore

Press Advisor

18 June 2002 to 29 September 2004

Principal Officer (standard) salary scale (modified PRSI) €61,121 (min) to €75,603 (2nd LSI)

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

1007 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number and name of newspapers purchased by his Department daily and weekly; the number provided to himself and to the Minister of State’s office; the yearly cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33518/07]

A summary of the current number of newspapers and magazines ordered per month is set out in table A and a more detailed breakdown in table B. The delivery to my office consists of the Irish Times daily, and a number of magazines monthly, at an overall annual cost of €2,211.12.

The Minister of State's newspaper order consists of six papers; Irish Times, Irish Independent, Irish Examiner, Irish Star, Evening Herald and Farmers Journal. The Minister of State's office also receives a number of magazines each month. The total cost per annum for these newspapers and magazines is €2,751.12. The overall cost/spend on papers and magazines for this Department from December 2006 to November 2007 was €44,639.03.

Table A

Daily Papers

Weekly Papers

Total Papers

Magazines

Grand Total

1,822

64

1,886

133

2,019

Table B

Name of Paper

Total

Irish Times

889

Irish Independent

324

Financial Times

165

Examiner

187

Guardian

22

Irish Star

70

Irish Sun

29

Irish Mirror

22

Daily Irish Mail

33

Evening Echo

33

Evening Herald

48

Anglo Celt

5

Sunday Times

9

Sunday Independent

9

Sunday Tribune

5

Sunday Business

5

Sunday World

5

Irish Mail on Sunday

5

News of the World

4

Sunday People

4

Sunday Mirror

5

Dundrum Gazette

8

Total

1,886

Name of Magazine

Total

Economist

32

Economist The World in

8

Farmers Journal

14

Phoenix

14

Phoenix Annual

5

New Yorker

10

New Scientist

15

Time

20

Business & Finance

8

National Geographic

2

Construction Ireland

1

Newsweek

4

Total

133

Totals

Daily papers ordered per month

1,822

Weekly papers ordered per month

64

Total Papers ordered per month

1886

Magazines ordered per month

133

Question No. 1008 answered with QuestionNo. 1006.

Consultancy Contracts.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

1009 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number, cost and name of any media consultants employed by his Department; the cost of such advice for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; the nature of the work done; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33548/07]

In the time available, it has not been possible to identify and assemble all of the information requested. I am arranging for the compilation of data and a detailed reply will issue to the Deputy shortly.

Question No. 1010 answered with QuestionNo. 1006.

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

1011 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of credit cards held by his Department; the cost of same for each year since 2000 to date in 2007; the persons who hold these cards and for whom they are used; the annual amounts purchased; the cumulative interest on same for each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33578/07]

In the time available it has not been possible to assemble the information requested by the Deputy. It will be forwarded to him as soon as possible.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

1012 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the cost to his Department of photographers used by all Ministers in his Department on a yearly basis for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33593/07]

My Department was created in 2002 from a merger between the Department of Marine and Natural Resources and the Department of Public Enterprise. As such figures from 2002 to date are provided. The table herewith provides the amount spent by the Department's Press Office on photography from 2002 to date in 2007. The figures are inclusive of VAT.

Photography Costs Incurred by Press Office

Year

Cost

2002

10,955.72

2003

18,825.40

2004

25,314.45

2005

13,014.15

2006

9,439.78

2007

12,097.23

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

1013 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the cost of make-up for him for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33608/07]

My Department incurred no expenditure on make-up over the period in question.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

1014 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the cost of his Department’s entertainment allowance for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33623/07]

In the time available, it has not been possible to identify and assemble all of the information requested. I am arranging for the compilation of data and a detailed reply will issue to the Deputy shortly.

Government Information Services.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

1015 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department receives a daily summary of stories relevant to his Department from Government Information Services; if this summary is in written, verbal or electronic format; if these are furnished to a departmental press officer or press adviser; and if the press officer or adviser furnishes this information to him every day or how often it is furnished. [33638/07]

My Department's Press Office receives a summary of the main headlines from broadcast media, from the Government Information Service via e-mail. The summaries are received several times a day. My Press Office may draw my attention to particular topics that are of relevance to my Department but I do not, in general, receive copies of the material supplied by Government Information Services.

Official Engagements.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

1016 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if a press adviser travels with him on official visits; and if there were official visits attended by him in the past year at which a press adviser was not present or was not in contact with him. [33653/07]

My press advisor accompanies me on some official visits, though not all. There is no formal policy or criteria for which official visits my press advisor attends. There is no record of which official visits my press advisor did not accompany me to, though there were certainly many events my press advisor did not attend.

Departmental Transport.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

1017 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the cost of providing transport including their official car to Ministers of State in his Department and staff for each year from 1997 to date in 2007. [33668/07]

In the time available, it has not been possible to identify and assemble all of the information requested. I am arranging for the compilation of data and a detailed reply will issue to the Deputy shortly.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

1018 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the cost of him using public transport for every year since 1997 to date in 2007; and the cost of providing similar services to junior Ministers and staff for the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33683/07]

In the time available, it has not been possible to identify and assemble all of the information requested. I am arranging for the compilation of data and a detailed reply will issue to the Deputy shortly.

Departmental Communications.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

1019 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department carries news summaries on its internal web; the persons who have access to such information; the way they access same; the person who compiles same; the cost of same; the regularity with which this information is updated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33713/07]

My Department's Press Office operates a press clippings service that is available to all staff in the Department. The press clippings are provided by an outside agency, which was contracted by the Department following an open tender competition. Each morning the agency e-mails the Department with any clippings from the print media that relate to areas of the Department's responsibility. The press clippings are then e-mailed to all staff that have signed up for the service and are made available on the Department's Intranet. The contract carries a fixed cost of €2,032.80 including VAT, every month.

Questions No. 1020 answered with QuestionNo. 1002.

Departmental Expenditure.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

1021 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if any of the advisers or staff appointed by him directly have mobile phones and other equipment supplied by his Department; the annual cost of same since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33743/07]

The following material relates to the period since my appointment as Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on 14 June 2007. A number of my advisors have been assigned mobile phones or Blackberries for use in the course of carrying out their official duties. The total cost incurred for this is €1,213.96 since their appointment.

I set out in the table the relevant details:

Equipment

Quantity

Cost

Mobile phone

1

207.84

Blackberries

5

1,006.12

Total costs incurred

1,213.96

Departmental Transport.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

1022 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the cost on a yearly basis for transport hire of any kind for his transport and that of his staff for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; the reason for such hire; if tenders were sought; the locations brought from and to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34088/07]

It has not been possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy in the time provided. The information will be forwarded to him as soon as possible.

Fisheries Protection.

Joe McHugh

Ceist:

1023 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 605 of 4 December 2007, when details of the hardship scheme were sent to Brussels; the reason for the delay in payment of the hardship scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34117/07]

The Salmon Hardship Scheme, being administered by the Loughs Agency, is intended to provide a measure of relief to individuals in line with the degree of hardship likely to be experienced on foot of the cessation of fishing for salmon arising from the closure of the interceptory fishery seaward of Lough Foyle and the reduction of the number of commercial licences operating within the Lough.

The scheme is joint-funded by the Irish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive. Both sponsoring Departments simultaneously lodged a State Aid Notification with the Commission on 12 September 2007, pursuant to Article 88 (3) of the EC Treaty. The necessary State Aid approval by the European Commission of the Hardship Scheme is still awaited and it has not been possible for payments to be made by the Loughs Agency to date. The European Commission is being pursued for an urgent decision. I am advised that as soon as approval is received, applicants will be invited to complete their applications and payments will commence.

Telecommunications Services.

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

1024 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway is not able to avail of broadband from the Shrule exchange; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34169/07]

The provision of broadband services is primarily a matter for private sector service providers. Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). There are a number of platforms for delivery of broadband, and service providers are now offering broadband by wireless, satellite, fibre or standard telephone cable and more recently by mobile in all areas of the country. The enabling of exchanges to provide Digital Subscribers Line broadband services is a matter for the service providers. I have no function in this matter.

Departmental Communications.

Damien English

Ceist:

1025 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of staff in his Department who are provided with a Blackberry device or similar mobile e-mail equipment. [34217/07]

My Department has issued forty staff members with Blackberry devices.

Damien English

Ceist:

1026 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of databases used by his Department; and the number of these that are wholly and partly operated by external organisations or individuals and operated solely within his Department. [34232/07]

The information sought by the Deputy is as follows.

Wholly operated by external organisations or individuals

Partly operated by external organisations or individuals

Operated Solely within Department

Total

0

6

24

30

Damien English

Ceist:

1027 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of information technology projects undertaken by or for his Department since 2004 that have been delivered over budget, after their original deadline, on budget, under budget, on their original deadline and ahead of their original deadline; and if he will present the information in tabular readable form. [34247/07]

Budgets are allocated on an annual basis so some projects may be included in multiple years.

Year

Type of Project (Infrastructure, E-Government, Internal Business systems)

Total no. of projects [min cost €50k]

Delivered Over Budget

Delivered On Budget

Delivered Under Budget

On Original Deadline

After Original Deadline

Ahead of Original Deadline

2004

Infrastructure

3

0

3

0

1

2

0

2004

E-Government

6

0

6

0

0

6

0

2004

Internal Business Systems

3

0

3

0

1

2

0

2004

Totals

12

0

12

0

2

10

0

2005

Infrastructure

2

0

2

0

1

1

0

2005

E-Government

6

0

6

0

2

4

0

2005

Internal Business Systems

3

0

3

0

1

2

0

2005

Totals

11

0

11

0

4

7

0

2006

Infrastructure

3

0

3

0

1

1

1

2006

E-Government

8

0

8

0

0

7

1

2006

Internal Business Systems

5

0

5

0

2

3

0

2006

Totals

16

0

16

0

3

11

2

2007

Infrastructure

3

1

1

1

1

1

1

2007

E-Government

6

0

6

0

3

3

0

2007

Internal Business Systems

3

0

3

0

0

2

1

2007

Totals

12

1

10

1

4

6

2

Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Damien English

Ceist:

1028 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps he has taken to offset the carbon dioxide emissions caused by ministerial travel in his Department; and if none to date, the plans he will put in place on the matter. [34262/07]

On foot of the commitment in the Programme for Government on carbon offsetting official air travel, the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government is developing a scheme for use by all Government Departments and bodies under their aegis. He will be announcing details of the scheme shortly. Notwithstanding the fact that the proposed scheme will apply retrospectively to air travel since this Government came into office, I have, in the meantime, made separate arrangements to offset the air travel undertaken to date as part of my Ministerial functions.

Data Protection.

Damien English

Ceist:

1029 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is satisfied that personal information relating to members of the public held on his Departmental databases is safe from hackers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34277/07]

My Department is very aware of the risks such as identity theft to individuals should their personal information be made available to criminal elements. Despite the fact that my Department holds very limited personal records relating to members of the public, it has invested heavily over a number of years in ensuring that every effort is made to maintain the security of those records.

Hackers generally gain access to networks through exploiting server vulnerabilities or through Trojan malware inadvertently installed by users. My Department has installed multi-layer electronic firewall defences backed up with electronic intrusion detection systems which actively monitor network traffic. These are tuned to identify network traffic which would indicate an attack. All internet traffic is scanned by three different technologies before being passed to a PC. Connections between my Department and other Departments or the Naval Service are across the private government network.

My Department's e-government website is subject to an annual audit by external security consultants who are charged with attempting to hack into the applications both from the public internet and the internal trusted networks. Any changes to that infrastructure will also be tested by external experts. My Department carries out some electronic sales via our websites. The credit card transaction is processed by a third party, and the card details are not recorded on any of our systems.

Management Information Framework System.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

1030 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the estimate of the money saved to the Exchequer in 2007 by the use of the management information framework system; the way this saving was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34300/07]

Through the use of the management information framework system, the overall financial service in my Department has improved with a much quicker throughput of transactions, higher levels of productivity and better quality information for managers to support the overall decision-making process generally.

Since installation of the new financial management system at end 2004, staffing levels in the core financial areas have undergone some reduction. In the interests of efficient and effective embedding of the system throughout the Department, it has been necessary to retain sufficient staffing levels to support roll-out of the system, improve the control and compliance environment and the overall effectiveness of financial management services.

Following completion by year end of the transfer of the operation of the Accounts and Finance functions to the Department's decentralised offices in Cavan, coupled with the recent reduction in the breadth of functions of the Department, staffing levels in the core financial areas will see a reduction of the order of 30-40% with effect from early 2008.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

1031 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the management information framework system has been fully rolled out in his Department; the use being made of performance indicators, the costing framework and management reports provided by this system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34314/07]

My Department has fully rolled out the management information framework system, with the new financial management information system, AGRESSO, having been installed in November 2004 in the core financial areas. By November 2006, the essential functions of the system had been rolled out to all Divisions of the Department for the purposes of Departmental financial control, processing, management and reporting.

The Department systematically monitors financial performance information on a monthly basis with a view to ensuring high standards of internal financial control, management and reporting, high quality customer service, enhanced efficiency and productivity in financial matters. A costing framework is in place to support the capture and apportionment of all Departmental costs. It delivers quality, timely and telling performance information in relation to resource affiliation. Both direct and indirect Programme costs, as well as key non-financial performance indicator information is available in the context of the new Annual Output Statement process.

In overall terms, better accountability for resource use and more informed decision-making in my Department has been made possible as a result of implementation of the management information framework system. Decisions by the Management Committee in relation to allocation and reallocation of resources are informed by timely and accurate monthly management reports. Furthermore, financial and non-financial performance information is reviewed at the regular meetings which I hold with the Management Committee.

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