Vol. 644 No. 4
65 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the value for money policy review on phase one of the MANs programme; when he will decide on the progression of a further phase of MANs; the status of MANs; the number of towns it has been delivered to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35614/07]
A Value for Money and Policy Review (VFMPR) of Phase I of the MANs Programme will be completed and published in January 2008.
My Department is also preparing a draft policy paper on Next Generation Broadband Networks which will consider the optimum role for Government in facilitating the roll out of high speed broadband networks. I expect to publish the draft policy paper on Next Generation Broadband Networks for consultation early in the New Year.
In the circumstances, I consider it prudent that contracts for the construction of new MANs networks should not be signed until I have had an opportunity to consider and assess the implications of the value for money report and the outcome of the consultation on the Next Generation Broadband policy paper.
In the meantime, MANs that are under construction will proceed as planned. There are sixty six Phase II MANs that are either recently completed or under construction.
Twenty seven MANs have been completed under Phase I of the programme and these are currently being managed by eNEt, the Management Services Entity for Phase I.
66 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on reports that he will give Regtel more powers; the reason for same; his further views on incorporating Regtel into ComReg; the timeline for providing more powers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35611/07]
I am interested in the protection of consumers and have recently expressed my concern about the level of consumer dissatisfaction and number of complaints from members of the public in relation to the operation of premium rate telecommunications services.
In this context, I intend to examine how the regulation of premium rate telecoms services should be best addressed, and how the system could be strengthened to provide better and more targeted consumer protection, especially for children.
As part of this process, I met recently with the Regulator and Chairman of RegTel to share my concerns and to explore how improvements might be made. I also plan to engage with my colleague the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment as the area of consumer protection within which RegTel operates, also falls under his remit.
As this area is fast moving and complex, my consideration of the issue may require input from many stakeholders, including child safety, parent and consumer organisations, mobile network operators, content providers, handset and network manufacturers, and regulators.
Finally, I would like to emphasise the role of parents in decisions concerning the purchase and use of mobile phones by their children. Their supervisory role is key to the protection of children. I am also aware of the work done by the Irish Cellular Industry Association (ICIA) over recent years in encouraging the safe and responsible use of mobile phones including publishing a Parent's Guide, which aims to inform parents of some key safety tips to encourage responsible and secure use of mobile phones by their children.
Notwithstanding this, the level of complaints being received from parents and children with regard to texting charges shows that there is a continuing problem which requires a much tougher regulatory approach. I intend developing and delivering a new tougher regulatory system in the New Year.
67 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the percentage energy saving that has occurred in his Department and in all agencies for which his Department has responsibility in 2007; the way this compares to 2004, 2005 and 2006; the amount he expects to save in energy usage in percentage terms in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35599/07]
The vast majority of energy consumption occurs at my Department's largest accommodation sites:
29/31 Adelaide Road, Dublin 2,
Leeson Lane, Dublin 2,
Tom Johnson House, Beggars Bush, Haddington Road
Elm House Cavan
Electricity is supplied to each of the three Dublin premises by Energia and the heating is powered by natural gas supplied by Bord Gáis.
There has been a cumulative reduction of 29% in the overall amount of natural gas consumed in my Department in these three premises since 2004.
There has also been steady decrease (cumulative almost 6%) in the amount of electricity consumed in the two main buildings occupied by my department in Dublin over the period in question. I have arranged for usage details for both Electricity and Gas for the Dublin buildings to be sent to the Deputy.
Elm House has only been occupied by staff from my Department since October 2006 and the Department's presence there is being built up on a phased basis. There is no comparative data available for that premises.
I have asked to OPW to do a full energy audit of our head office in Adelaide Road and the offices on Leeson Lane with the intention of undertaking a major upgrade of the buildings as demonstration projects for what can be achieved in energy efficiency gains.
68 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the funding and number of applicants for the second phase of the greener homes scheme post budget 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35624/07]
The aim of the Greener Homes Scheme is to stimulate consumer investment in renewable heating solutions and to develop the market for renewable technologies and fuels, thereby reducing CO2 emissions in the domestic sector.
The scheme provides grants for householders for the installation of renewable heating technologies including wood biomass boilers and stoves, solar panels and heat pumps.
€28 million has been provided for the Greener Homes Scheme in 2008. This includes additional funding of €2m announced in Budget 2008 for new technologies which I plan to introduce in the new year. Programmes for these new technologies will be developed by Sustainable Energy Ireland, in consultation with my Department. There have been almost 1900 applications received to date under Phase II of the Greener Homes Scheme.
Phase II of the Greener Homes Scheme was launched on 1st October with several adjustments reflecting the evolution in the market for domestic renewable technologies. The grant levels have been reduced for some technologies where the market has reached a level of maturity to allow it to continue at a lower rate of support. Other grant levels remain unchanged. The products that continue to be grant aided under Phase II are solar panels, wood pellet and woodchip boilers and geothermal pumps.
Phase II aims to further consolidate the market, underpinning it with quality standards and training and providing for a long-term future that is not grant dependent. In this way Phase II will help secure a range of objectives including more competitive offerings, revised product standards, improved training standards and greater stability across the renewable heating industry. The aim is to ensure that the market for these products, services and fuels continues to develop strongly, allowing suppliers and installers to consolidate their market offerings ahead of an unsubsidised market.
The Greener Homes Scheme will continue to be kept under review and will continue to evolve in light of the maturing of technologies and market developments.
69 Deputy Shane McEntee asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the issues on which he will report to the Department of Finance as part of the efficiency review announced in budget 2008; the areas in which he expects to report possible efficiencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35466/07]
I fully support the efficient and effective use of taxpayers money and the continuous achievement of value for money. My Department continuously seeks to deliver programme and administrative expenditure as approved each year by the Dáil in a value for money way whilst meeting the policy objectives underpinning this expenditure.
My Department will reinforce its commitments to value for money in the context of the efficiency review announced in Budget 2008. This will be informed by detailed guidance expected from the Department of Finance on the process and mechanisms to be employed in the efficiency review of administrative spending. It is premature to be specific as regards specific progress under the review which is due for completion by 1 March 2008 but particular scrutiny will be placed on the potential for administrative budget savings in my Department and the agencies under its aegis.
70 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a detailed timetable that indicates when a comprehensive net-metering system will be implemented throughout the country; if this represents the shortest time possible for such roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35478/07]
The introduction of net-metering facilities for micro-scale producers will be enabled by the introduction of smart metering technology.
The Programme for Government and the Government's Energy Policy Framework commit to the introduction of smart meters to every home in the country over the next five years. The smart meter programme is a key component of the Government's Strategy to radically improve demand, management and energy efficiency and to enable the development of micro generation and distributed generation on a wider scale.
The implementation of smart metering is being directed, at my request, by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) with the assistance of a High-level Steering Group comprising my Department, CER, Sustainable Energy Ireland, ESB Networks (ESBN) and an Independent Operators representative. There are a number of high level objectives which underpin the roll out of the natural smart meters programme:
To facilitate and inform demand side management.
To facilitate more efficient use of energy.
To aid in the promotion of competition and improved customer service.
Improved meter management.
Technical Working Groups, with wider industry representation, are being established by the CER, and will address all relevant issues such as tariffing, networks, data management and the optimal geographic distribution for the first phase roll out. ESB Networks has initiated the procurement process for smart meters and anticipates test meters will be available by mid 2008. ESB Networks plans the roll out of meters to begin in summer 2008 with a view to 25,000 meters being installed by year end.
Microgenerators will be included in the assessment of the optimal design of a smart meter and associated processes.
71 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he expects high quality high speed broadband availability in all areas here without exception; the action he has taken or plans to take to achieve this objective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35562/07]
The provision of broadband services is, in the first instance, a matter for the private sector. Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg).
The widespread provision of broadband services continues to be a priority for the Government. There are still some parts of the country where the private sector will be unable to justify the commercial provision of broadband services. In order to address this issue the procurement process for a National Broadband Scheme (NBS) is currently under way. The NBS will provide broadband services to areas that are currently unserved and will ensure that all reasonable requests for broadband in unserved areas are met.
The procurement process is being undertaken pursuant to the European Communities (Award of Public Authorities' Contracts) Regulations 2006 using a competitive dialogue procurement process.
The first phase of the procurement process Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) is now complete and four candidates have pre-qualified to enter the next phase of the procurement process. As my Department indicated on 2 September 2007, the four candidates are, in alphabetical order, BT Communications Ireland Ltd Consortium, eircom Ltd, Hutchinson 3G Ireland Ltd and IFA/Motorola Consortium.
The Department has invited these remaining candidates to participate in the "Competitive Dialogue" phase of the procurement process and to present their proposed solutions to meet the Department's requirements for the delivery of broadband to the unserved areas of the country. It is anticipated that a preferred bidder will be selected and appointed in June 2008.
73 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if a national advisory forum of telecoms experts has been set up; if he will provide an overview of that forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35615/07]
107 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has established a national advisory forum on next generation broadband; if this forum will have provided him with a blueprint for facilitating the development of NGN in Ireland by 31 December 2007 as stated in his introductory brief; the contents of this blueprint; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35483/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 107 together.
In response to recent industry announcements, and developments internationally, my Department is preparing a draft policy paper that will review current communications infrastructure policy and analyse policy options in light of industry developments, in relation to the optimum role for the Government in the planning and rollout of next generation broadband.
I intend to establish a National Advisory Forum of experts early next year to critically evaluate policy options contained in the draft paper. Details relating to the timing for the Forum and the time frame for publication of its recommendations are still to be finalised. Following review by the Forum, I plan to publish the paper in the first part of next year and I will welcome views on it.
74 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views in view of the recent vote for strike action by ESB workers on the issue of the break up of ESB, on concerns that have been expressed across Europe that this policy could fatally weaken electricity companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35626/07]
Management of industrial relations within ESB is, in the first instance, a matter for the Board and management of the company. I am aware of the recent ballot undertaken by a number of the unions within ESB and my Department is continuing to monitor the situation closely. The proposal to transfer the ownership of the transmission assets from ESB to EirGrid is a commitment in both the White Paper on Energy and the Programme for Government 2007-2012. It is in line with the proposal for full ownership unbundling of transmission networks by the European Commission contained in the 3rd Energy Market Liberalisation Package. Most Member States support the proposal which reflects the de facto position in 13 Member States.
As previously stated in this House, combining the ownership and operation of the transmission assets makes sense. It will ensure that the system operates transparently and effectively giving confidence to all market players. The present structure is complex and cumbersome and adds to costs. It creates additional overheads and transaction costs, duplication of skills and activities and the risk of blurred accountability. It also makes for more complex regulation.
The transfer of ownership of the transmission assets will be implemented in a way that ensures the future of both EirGrid and ESB as strong Semi State companies, as well as reflecting the position of the State and the ESOT as shareholders. There is no question of breaking up the ESB.
The ESB Group will remain a strong, commercially viable and integrated entity after completion of this process. The ESB has a vibrant future ahead. Given its prominent role in the Irish energy sector, ESB has a crucial contribution to make in the energy and climate change challenges ahead. It is equally the case that EirGrid has a crucial national role to play in the new energy landscape as the strong independent operator and owner of the transmission system, delivering for all energy stakeholders and for the economy.
75 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the Broadcasting Bill; when it will be published; if he is in favour of maintaining the RTÉ authority; if this is no longer the case, his reasoning for same; the changes the Broadcasting Bill will make to the licence fee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35622/07]
The draft general scheme of the Broadcasting Bill was submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources in September 2006 for the purposes of public consultation under the eConsultation initiative.
The approach adopted in the draft general scheme of the Broadcasting Bill was as follows:
To establish a single content regulator for commercial, community and public service broadcasters to be known as the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) and encompassing the existing regulatory functions of the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, the Broadcasting Complaints Commission and the RTÉ Authority.
To ensure the availability of adequate and proportionate enforcement instruments to the BAI.
To provide that the BAI will be funded primarily by a sectoral levy applicable to all broadcasters.
To provide greater transparency as regards the award of broadcasting contracts.
To establish RTÉ and Teilifís na Gaeilge as companies limited by guarantee.
To amend the existing public service remit of RTÉ and Teilifís na Gaeilge to incorporate the use of new web-based technologies in delivering on their mandates.
To provide a statutory mechanism for the oversight of public funding to RTÉ and Teilifís na Gaeilge.
To establish a basis for the television licence that is separate and distinct from wireless telegraphy legislation.
To provide a developed right of reply to persons whose reputation and good name have been damaged by an assertion of incorrect facts in a television or radio programme.
The Joint Oireachtas Committee published its conclusions on the draft general scheme in April 2007. It is proposed to publish the consequent Broadcasting Bill in the first quarter of 2008 having considered the Joint Oireachtas Committee's conclusions on the outcome of the eConsultation process, with a view to ensuring the appropriate regulatory and organisational structures for the growth and development of public service, commercial and community broadcasting in Ireland.
76 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the CER will launch the competition for design and construction of the east-west electricity interconnector by the end of 2007 as announced; if details of the winning contract for design and construction of the interconnector will be announced by end of quarter three 2008 as announced; if there is progress on the discussions between the CER and Eirgrid in relation to the funding of the interconnector; if he has investigated the possibility of fast-tracking the project in order that commercial operations can start earlier than early 2012 as currently envisaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35473/07]
I am advised by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) that EirGrid is launching the competition for the design and construction of the interconnector in the coming days. I am further advised that the contract for design and construction will be completed by the end of quarter 3, 2008, when the successful bidder will be announced.
As regards funding of the east-west interconnection development, both the CER and EirGrid are working to determine the most cost-effective and efficient arrangement.
In that context as signalled in the National Development Plan 2007-2013 the possibility of an Exchequer funded contribution for the project is being examined. My Department is engaging with the CER and Eirgrid on all technical and financial aspects of a business case for a proportion of Exchequer support for this strategic energy infrastructure project. Such support would of course require Government approval.
The CER and EirGrid are working intensively to expedite the delivery of the interconnector. I would emphasise that interconnection projects are of their nature complex not least because of the planning and related onshore infrastructure needs.
A number of key milestones have already been achieved. EirGrid has secured Woodland in County Meath as the connection point for the interconnector on the Irish transmission system. In recent weeks EirGrid has obtained a formal connection offer from the UK National Grid for Deeside in Wales. EirGrid has also commenced work on a seabed survey to determine the most suitable route for the undersea cable. In the coming year, the CER and EirGrid will continue to work to deliver the project to schedule.
Quarter 3 2011 is targeted for the completion of works with quarter 1 2012 targeted for the completion of commissioning and testing and the start of commercial operations.
The CER and EirGrid have planned the project to ensure that it is delivered in the shortest possible time frame. The programme outlined is time barred and ambitious. Where opportunities exist to undertake work in parallel, these will be taken. For example, the selection of the contractor to design and construct the interconnector is being carried out in parallel with the seeking of planning consents.
The Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure Act) 2006 provides for a streamlined planning process for strategic infrastructure developments and includes special provision for electricity interconnector projects. To oversee and ensure completion to schedule, a High-Level Coordination Group has been established under the Chairmanship of the CER and comprising representatives of EirGrid and my Department.
77 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has plans to introduce a building insulation capital grants scheme in 2008; what the €5 million pilot programme for home insulation entails; the other specific funding that has been allocated in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35451/07]
On top of the €50 million allocated in the pre-budget estimates for renewable energy and energy conservation measures, I secured an additional €13 million for this area in 2008 on Budget Day.
I am allocating €5 million of this funding to the new Home Energy Saving Scheme. My Department is working closely with Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) to fully develop the details of the Pilot Programme, which I intend to launch in the first quarter of 2008. Their work is being informed by considerations relating to value for money, cost of solution, overall energy efficiency and carbon reduction effectiveness.
I envisage that the Pilot Programme in 2008 will support investment by householders participating in the Pilot to improve the energy performance of their homes. In specific terms I would see improved roof and wall insulation as being of pivotal importance, together with other identified measures with the potential to significantly enhance the energy efficiency of the housing sector.
It has been estimated that of the 1.7 million homes in Ireland, up to one million are deficient in one or more significant energy efficiency aspects. This is particularly true of pre-1981 private sector housing, originally built with no energy efficiency features and of which over 300,000 remain of low efficiency standards.
The roll out of the Programme will have clear synergies with preparations for the mandatory home energy rating of existing housing put up for sale or lease after 1 January 2009. Building energy rating is a key measure of energy efficiency improvement before and after remedial action.
I am also providing additional funding to SEI to build on its 2007 energy efficiency programme for industry and Small and Medium Enterprises. A further €2 million is being provided to SEI to administer and oversee the Building Energy Rating Programme.
78 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the proportion of the electricity used in his Department that comes from renewable sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35434/07]
In my reply of 27th November 2007, to a parliamentary question, I indicated that the percentage amount of electricity used in my Department's offices generated by renewables was 4.5%. In the light of subsequent information which my Department has received in the matter, I have asked my Department to clarify the position with the relevant energy suppliers, and I will revert to the Deputy in the matter if necessary.
I have also asked to OPW to do a major assessment of the energy performance of my Department's head office building with a view to improving its energy efficiency. This review has included a review of the heating and power systems in the building and the OPW is now considering the introduction of new more sustainable energy systems. It is expected that contracts for such an upgrade will be issued early next year.
79 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps he is taking to ensure the roll out of broadband in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31970/07]
111 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the action he is taking to support the provision of broadband to rural dwellers in view of the fact that the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is urging farmers to make use of online processes to eliminate registrations and scheme applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30760/07]
118 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when broadband will be fully available in the midlands as economic development is being impeded by lack of roll-out. [35409/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 79, 111 and 118 together.
The provision of broadband services is, in the first instance, a matter for the private sector. Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg).
The widespread provision of broadband services continues to be a priority for the Government. There are still some parts of the country where the private sector will be unable to justify the commercial provision of broadband services. In order to address this issue the procurement process for a National Broadband Scheme (NBS) is currently under way. The NBS will provide broadband services to areas that are currently unserved and will ensure that all reasonable requests for broadband in unserved areas are met.
The procurement process is being undertaken pursuant to the European Communities (Award of Public Authorities' Contracts) Regulations 2006 using a competitive dialogue procurement process.
The first phase of the procurement process (Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ)) is now complete, and four candidates have pre-qualified to enter the next phase of the procurement process. As my Department indicated on 2 September 2007, the four candidates are, in alphabetical order, BT Communications Ireland Ltd Consortium, eircom Ltd, Hutchinson 3G Ireland Ltd and IFA/Motorola Consortium.
The Department has invited these remaining candidates to participate in the "Competitive Dialogue" phase of the procurement process and to present their proposed solutions to meet the Department's requirements for the delivery of broadband to the unserved areas of the country. It is anticipated that a preferred bidder will be selected and appointed in June 2008.
80 Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the timetable for the plans to transfer ownership of the electricity transmission assets from ESB to Eirgrid; when he will be seeking Government approval to draft the necessary legislation; when he will publish the heads of Bill; when he will bring the legislation before Dáil Éireann; when he will begin to meet management and unions of the ESB and the ESB ESOT as part of this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35484/07]
116 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding plans to transfer ownership of the electricity transmission system from ESB to Eirgrid; the timetable for the implementation of the transfer by end 2008 as stated in the programme for Government; if he has had recently or will hold in the near future meetings with ESB unions or the ESB ESOP to discuss issues arising from the transfer; if his attention has been drawn to the reservations that surround this plan; the arrangements made to compensate the ESOP as a result of this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35604/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 116 together.
The Programme for Government reaffirms the commitment in the Energy Policy White Paper to the transfer of ownership of the electricity transmission network assets from ESB to EirGrid by end 2008. The mechanisms to implement the transfer to EirGrid of ownership of the assets comprise a range of legislative, commercial, legal and financial dimensions, which are currently under consideration by my Department.
The drafting and publication of the necessary legislation is a key step in the process. I will be seeking Government approval to draft in the near future. The Bill will include provisions enabling EirGrid to fulfil the requirements of the Transmission Asset Ownership function and undertake any necessary borrowing. The legislation is also likely to include a range of amendments to existing electricity legislation to fully reflect the new arrangement. The advice of the Attorney General on the precise parameters of the legislation will determine the scoping of legislation.
In line with successive Partnership Agreements, there will be a full process of engagement with the management and unions of both ESB and EirGrid on implementation of the transfer of the asset ownership function. The process will also include engagement on legitimate concerns of the ESB's Employee Share Ownership Trust (ESOT).
I met with the ESB Group of Unions on 23rd July in relation to the energy policy objectives set out in the Programme for Government and the Energy Policy White Paper which impact on ESB.
I have made it clear to the Group of Unions that I am willing to discuss constructively any legitimate issues of concern that they may have. I look forward to a positive process of engagement and to further meetings as appropriate with the Group of Unions.
I intend meeting with the ESB's Employee Share Ownership Trust (ESOT) early in 2008 on a range of issues, including the transfer of the transmission assets. As was the case in my meeting with the Group of Unions, I will be listening to any concerns that they might have on the issues and providing a clear outline of my own position and that of the Government.
Government policy is clear in relation to implementation of the transmission assets decision in a way that ensures the strategic future of both EirGrid and ESB as strong viable Semi State entities, as well as reflecting the position of the State and the ESOT as shareholders.
81 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the increased funding for inland fisheries announced in budget 2008; the way he will ensure that value for money is achieved in this spend; the way this allocation will operate in the context of the restructuring of the fisheries boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35472/07]
In the 2008 budget, funding of €51.737m has been allocated to Inland Fisheries. A total of €16 million of this relates to the Salmon Hardship Fund and the associated Community Support Scheme. The balance of €35.737m is provided to the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards and the Loughs Agency to cover their operational expenditure as follows:
Pay: €21.450 million
Non-Pay: €10.987 million
Capital: €3.3 million.
The agencies operate in accordance with agreed performance contracts and business plans, progress on which is monitored on a quarterly basis. This allocation is in place for the management of the inland fisheries sector and applies for the period 2008, whatever the management structures might be and would apply to any successor organisations in the event of restructuring.
82 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position he took at the 1 and 2 October 2007 Telecommunications Council discussions on the provision of a free postal service for blind and partially sighted persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35602/07]
The position of the Telecommunications Council on this issue reflected the balance of the position of Member States in the matter.
In so far as Ireland is concerned, An Post, as universal service provider, provides a free postal service for blind and partially sighted persons. The draft third postal directive proposes that this practice may continue. I intend that our national legislation will continue to contain an obligation to provide this service in a liberalised postal market.
83 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the tendering process for the State’s emergency call service; when it will be implemented; the amount it will cost; if there will be a period when some people may be left without the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35613/07]
My Department launched an open tender process seeking proposals from undertakings in relation to the provision of an emergency call answering centre in September 2007. The closing date for the receipt of tender was on the 7th December 2007 and four tenders were received by that date.
Following the evaluation process, it is planned to enter into contract negotiation with the highest ranked tenderer. The details of the operational rollout and transition to the new service will be agreed at this stage. The transition to the new service will be carefully planned to ensure the continuity of the service.
84 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has reservations regarding Ireland’s commitment to the Biofuels Directive in view of ethical concerns in relation to land use for biofuels, particularly in developing countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35609/07]
The challenge of sustainable global development of Biofuels is coming increasingly into focus. It is expected that the European Commission's forthcoming renewable energy legislative proposals, will contain targets for biofuels market penetration, subject to the introduction of sustainability criteria and the coming on stream of second-generation biofuels.
Ireland's biofuels obligation will take full account of EU sustainability initiatives in relation to biofuels and I intend to work very closely with my EU colleagues in addressing this highly complex challenge for biofuels policy to ensure that all biofuels placed on the European and Irish market are produced in a environmental sustainable manner.
85 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on An Post’s failure to live up to its delivery deadlines as set down by ComReg; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35610/07]
Matters relating to quality and levels of postal service in An Post are a matter, in the first instance for the management and board of the company and one in which I have no statutory function.
Furthermore, in accordance with the European Communities (Postal Services) Regulations, the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, is responsible for the monitoring, measurement and regulation of the postal sector including measuring the levels of service achieved by An Post and ensuring that the company abides by its statutory universal service obligations.
I do however remain in continuing contact with both An Post and ComReg on the issue and monitor the trends in service level delivery which feeds into the general policy analysis my department undertakes in the area.
86 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the applications processed by his Department; the average waiting time to process each application; the steps he is taking to speed up the processing time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25151/07]
The applications processed by my Department, the time taken to process each application and where appropriate the steps being taken to speed up the processes are included in the following table.
|
Applications processed by the Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources |
Average processing time |
Steps being taking to speed up the processing time |
|
Prospecting Licence Applications |
4 months |
The Division is engaged in an ongoing process of business process refinement to identify areas for improvement. This process will be reflected in the Department’s Statement of Strategy 2008-2011. |
|
State Mining Lease/Licence applications |
N/A Each application is dealt within timescale agreed with applicant |
None. The issuance of such leases and licences is an extensive and relatively infrequent occurrence in which timescales are individually agreed with applicants. |
|
Section 14 of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959 Authorisations for exemptions to carry out works for the purposes of artificial propagation. |
1 week |
The applications are processed in the shortest possible time frame given that the Department needs to consult the relevant Fisheries Board and its scientific advisors in the Marine Institute prior to issue. |
|
Petroleum Licences & Licensing Option Applications |
4.5 months |
New computer system and management system in place which will lead to reduced times |
|
Applications for Petroleum Leases |
No application for Petroleum Lease since July 2002 |
87 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his Department’s readiness for the digital terrestrial television switch over; if the south east and east of Ireland will be affected when Wales switches off analogue in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35621/07]
102 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress that has occurred to date in the preparation for the launch of digital terrestrial television; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35475/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 102 together.
The 2007 Broadcasting (Amendment) Act introduces a framework for the licensing of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) in Ireland. Under this legislation, RTÉ is required to carry the current national TV channels of RTE and RTE 2, TV3 and TG4 over a national, free to air DTT multiplex and the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) is required to offer multiplexes for the provision of additional commercial DTT services. It is anticipated that, before 2012, there could be many TV channels available on DTT. The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) is tasked with ensuring that sufficient spectrum is available for DTT services and that spectrum licences are issued to RTÉ and the BCI. I am satisfied that ComReg, BCI and RTÉ are making progress in delivering on their statutory duties.
The EU has proposed a deadline of 2012 for the switching off of analogue television broadcasting. It is expected that the coming year will see the upgrading and development of networks for digital terrestrial broadcasting. It is probable that actual DTT broadcasting will commence in the 2008/2009 period.
Analogue broadcasting is due to be switched off by the UK Government in Wales in 2009. At this time, the south east of Ireland will lose overspill reception of British analogue TV channels. The border area will continue to receive analogue overspill from Northern Ireland until 2012. It is anticipated that, from 2008 to 2012, there will be a steady development of Irish DTT services as a range of services aimed at meeting viewers needs are made available by both public service and commercial broadcasters.
88 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way he envisages TG4 will be financed in the long-term; the timeframe for implementation of appropriate corporate governance arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35620/07]
TG4 will continue to receive public funds to finance its operations, along with the income it receives from advertising. In the recent Estimates process, TG4 has been allocated €36.580m in funding, for the year ending 31 December 2008. As the Deputy is aware, TG4 was established as an independent statutory body from 1 April 2007. The Code of Practice for the Governance of State bodies applies to TG4 from that date. The funding arrangement for the station will continue to be reviewed on an ongoing basis.
The forthcoming Broadcasting Bill will outline the high level corporate governance arrangements in respect of Teilifis na Gaeilge and will propose the introduction of a mechanism for the review on a five year basis of the adequacy or otherwise of public funding for the station.
89 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the statutory bodies for which he has ministerial responsibility, but for which he is not accountable to Dáil Éireann for daily operational activities; the budget for each of these statutory bodies; the level of contact between his Department and that body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35600/07]
The following table shows the bodies for which I have Ministerial responsibility for the information of the Deputy.
In relation to the budget for these bodies, I can advise that these details are available in their Annual Reports and Accounts. This information is a matter of public knowledge and is in the public domain. The Mining Board has no budget allocation and its expenses are paid through the Department's Vote. The National Salmon Commission has no budget allocation. I have no function in the day-to-day operational activities issues for any of the organisations or authorities operating within my Department's policy area. The level of contact between these bodies and my Department is appropriate to the needs of my Department and Body concerned.
The level of contact between these bodies and my Department varies from daily communication to weekly communication, depending on:
The scale of the body.
The nature of its responsibilities.
The legal relationship between the Department and the body in question.
The issues being handled by the body and between the Department and the body at any particular point in time.
|
Board Name |
|
An Post |
|
Commission for Communications Regulation |
|
Digital Hub Development Agency |
|
RTÉ |
|
TG4 |
|
Broadcasting Commission of Ireland |
|
Broadcasting Complaints Commission |
|
ESB |
|
EirGrid |
|
Bord Gáis Éireann |
|
Commission for Energy Regulation |
|
Bord Na Móna |
|
Irish National Petroleum Corporation Ltd |
|
National Oil Reserves Agency |
|
Sustainable Energy Ireland |
|
Loughs Agency |
|
National Salmon Commission |
|
Mining Board |
|
Central Fisheries Board |
|
Eastern Regional Fisheries Board |
|
Northern Regional Fisheries Board |
|
North Western Regional Fisheries Board |
|
Shannon Regional Fisheries Board |
|
Southern Regional Fisheries Board |
|
South Western Regional Fisheries Board |
|
Western Regional Fisheries Board |
90 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will fund further research and a detailed cost benefit analysis into the potential for deep geothermal energy exploitation in here; if he will provide legislation;the budget that will be made available for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35617/07]
Deep geothermal energy exploitation may offer the potential to supply an important part of Ireland's renewable energy mix. In order for this sector to develop to a level that is commercially sustainable, a regulatory and administrative regime would need to be implemented to provide for the orderly development of geothermal energy. Some complex issues in relation to ownership and access will need to be addressed in this context.
I am also conscious of the fact that the deep geothermal sector in Ireland is in a fledgling state and for this reason I am convening an internal informal group within my Department to address this issue. The group will carry out a stakeholder consultation early in the course of their work and, I would expect this to be launched early in the New Year. I have asked that they report to me as early as possible in the first half of 2008. I will then consider how to further progress this issue. Exploitation of earth resources is a private sector activity, which should be facilitated by the State and therefore the budgeting for the development of new geothermal resources will primarily be a matter for the private sector rather than the State.
91 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way he will manage and proceed with the investment required in order for the national grid to allow for more renewable energy; when he expects the 3000 MW of renewable energy in the grid connection application process to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35608/07]
The Investment Programme of at least €770 million by EirGrid in the transmission grid up to 2013 is designed to meet overall electricity demand, enhance security of supply and accommodate the connection of renewable energy sources to the grid in line with our ambitious targets up to 2020.
Decisions in relation to further investment in the grid will be informed by the findings of the All–Island Grid study, which will be published early in 2008. EirGrid is also preparing a Grid Development Strategy 2008–2025. The Strategy will take account of growing transmission demands, grid technology development and the growth of renewable energy as well as spatial strategy and regional development objectives.
There are now more than 1,000 Megawatts of renewable energy connected to the grid. EirGrid is currently completing a connections offer programme to the 1300 megawatts of renewable energy under "Gate 2". In excess of 3,000 megawatts of renewable energy applications is being assessed under the new "Gate 3" round.
92 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the budget allocated to the warmer homes scheme for each year since 2000 to date in 2007; the number of homes affected for each year up to and including 2007; the budget allocated for 2008; the number of homes that have applied for this scheme in 2006 and 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35598/07]
The following table summarises the expenditure and houses remedied through Sustainable Energy Ireland's Low Income Housing programme from 2000 to date. The Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS) was introduced in 2003.
Applications to the Warmer Homes Scheme are managed by the respective Community Based Organisations in their respective areas. They are responsible for identifying the client homes in consultation with a wide variety of community based services and also for managing any ad hoc applications for the services. It is expected that a budget of circa €2.5 million will be available for this scheme in 2008.
|
Year |
Expenditure |
Homes Retro-fitted |
Locations and Measures** |
|
€m |
|||
|
2000 |
0.15 |
1,430 |
Measures: Draught proofing, Attic insulation. Locations: Dublin |
|
2001 |
0.21 |
1,500 |
Measures: Draught proofing, Attic insulation. Locations: Dublin |
|
2002 |
0.34 |
1,600 |
Measures: Draught proofing, Attic insulation. Locations: Dublin |
|
2003 |
0.81 |
1,768 |
Measures: Draught proofing, Attic insulation Locations: Dublin, Limerick, Donegal, Cork and Kerry |
|
2004 |
0.81 |
1,947 |
Measures: Draught proofing, Attic insulation,Cavity wall insulation, Hot water cylinder, Jackets, Low energy light-bulbs, Energy Advice. Locations: Dublin, Limerick, Donegal, Cork, Kerry and Wexford |
|
2005 |
1.41 |
1,813 |
Measures: Draught proofing, Attic insulation, Cavity wall insulation, Hot water cylinder Jackets, Low energy light-bulbs, Energy Advice. Locations: Dublin, Limerick, Donegal, Cork, Kerry, Wexford and Louth. |
|
2006 |
1.98 |
2,124 |
Measures: Draught proofing, Attic insulation, Cavity wall insulation, Hot water cylinder Jackets, Low energy light-bulbs, Energy Advice. Locations: Dublin, Limerick, Donegal, Cork, Kerry, Wexford, Louth, Galway, Mayo and Leitrim |
|
2007* |
2.47 |
3,050 |
Measures: Draught proofing, Attic insulation, Cavity wall insulation, Hot water cylinder Jackets, Low energy light-bulbs, Energy Advice. Locations: Dublin, Limerick, Donegal, Cork, Kerry, Wexford, Louth, Galway, Mayo, Leitrim and Clare |
93 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department have conducted research into the likely revenue that would accrue to the Exchequer if oil and gas exploration companies were subject to the same taxation and royalties as in Norway. [35174/07]
The Deputy will be aware that in August of this year I announced revised licensing terms for oil and gas exploration and production. The Government decision to revise the fiscal licensing terms followed an independent review that included a comparative analysis of eight other exploration areas, including Norway. That review had regard to energy prices, water depths, operating and capital costs, along with the key consideration of Ireland's relative prospectivity as a location for exploration investment. The review recommended that Ireland's fiscal terms should be revised to provide for a higher tax take in the case of more profitable fields while holding the tax take at 25% in the case of more marginal fields. The Government decision provides for a tax take of up to 40% in the case of more profitable fields.
Having regard to the findings of the review that was completed earlier this year, I consider that introducing the Norwegian tax rate of 78% in Ireland in this sector, would result in no future applications for exploration licences, as the risk involved would be considered by the industry to be far too high. This would result in no new discoveries and as a result no tax return to the State. Adopting the other element of the Norwegian model, the rebate on unsuccessful wells, might encourage exploration. This would mean, however, that the Irish taxpayer would in fact pay the majority of the cost of unsuccessful exploration wells. This would, in my view, place an unreasonable burden on the Exchequer as a single deepwater well in the Atlantic can cost in the region of €100 million. I am of the view that it is the industry and not the State that should take the risk associated with investment in exploration for oil and gas.
I am satisfied that Ireland's revised licensing terms strike the right balance given the current record of success from exploration in Irish waters. The revised licensing terms are designed to attract what is mobile international investment, while ensuring a fair return to the State for its natural resources.
94 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way he will address the concerns of people regarding the erection of 400kV power lines in certain parts of the country; his views on installing these power lines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35601/07]
114 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the viability of putting the proposed 400kV north-south electricity interconnector underground; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35470/07]
413 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his preferred options for the transmission of power supplies in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35957/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 94, 114 and 413 together.
The European Union is committed to ensuring secure and competitively priced electricity into the future. Better interconnection between electricity systems and major investment in transmission and distribution networks markets is a key priority for Europe. The Energy Policy Framework and the Programme for Government underlines Ireland's commitment to a more sustainable energy future through a range of measures including electricity interconnection and investment in the electricity networks.
The Single Electricity Market for Ireland came into effect on 1st November this year. As part of this market development, EirGrid is jointly developing the second North South electricity interconnector with its Northern Ireland counterpart. The increased capacity provided by this interconnector will facilitate security of supply, fuel savings, lower emissions and ongoing integration of wind generated energy onto the grid.
EirGrid is also strengthening the transmission network in Counties Meath, Cavan and Monaghan. The Woodland (County Meath) to Kingscourt (County Cavan) 400kV Power Line will reinforce the electricity system in the North East, facilitating competition in generation and ensuring secure power supplies for all customers. The new lines are critically needed because existing transmission in the region will reach full capacity in the near future. The ability of the North East region to attract new enterprise and maintain economic activity requires reliable electricity supply to business and consumers.
The Meath-Cavan Transmission Investment Power is in line with the Government's national and regional economic objectives, the National Spatial Strategy and overall energy policy goals. Strategic energy infrastructure investment is a national priority under the National Development Plan 2007–2013. The European Union Trans-European Network for Energy has funded 50% of the stage 1 planning phase for both the Meath–Cavan Power Line and the Cavan–Tyrone Interconnector.
The planning and development of these 400kV lines is an operational matter for EirGrid and I have no statutory function in this matter. The approval of the Transmission System Development Plan, is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation, (CER). Individual power transmission lines will also require approval from An Bord Pleanála under the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act.
I have, however, received advice from EirGrid on the undergrounding of 400kV power lines. In international and European experience, high voltage electricity lines are only placed underground in heavily built up areas. In areas of dispersed settlement overhead lines are the most technically feasible solution to providing a secure and reliable supply of high voltage electricity. Overhead lines are also the most economic way of transporting power, with underground lines costing between six and 10 times as much as standard overhead lines. Cost is a key consideration given that electricity networks investments are financed by all electricity customers. In addition, finding and repairing a fault on an overhead line can usually be done within hours, whereas the same process for an underground line can take weeks if not months to effect. A prolonged time delay in repairing a fault in a high voltage power line would cause a lengthy and significant loss of supply to a large number of electricity customers including businesses.
The information available to EirGrid is that, there is no 400kV Alternating Current (AC) line of the length required in these two projects placed underground in any part of the world. Some 97% of the onshore high voltage transmission network in Europe is of high voltage alternating current carried by overhead lines.
In routing overhead lines EirGrid's operational approach is to maintain as much distance as possible from communities and houses. A minimum clearance of 50 metres is the EirGrid routing target.
As Deputies are aware, EirGrid is carrying out extensive public consultation and information dissemination at local community level on the proposed routes for the transmission lines in question. Local communities and concerned parties will also have the opportunity to raise concerns in the context of the planning process, once the consultation phase is concluded.
95 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the part he has taken in preparing a sustainable travel and transport action plan; the extent of his role in same to date; the timeframe for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35623/07]
My Department is represented on the Cross-Departmental Group on Sustainable Travel and Transport. The work of the group is informing the finalisation of a Sustainable Travel and Transport Action Plan to be published by my colleague, the Minister for Transport in 2008.
96 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the proportion of the fuel used in electricity generation here that is imported from the UK; the action he proposes to reduce this dependence on one country for this vital function; the contingency plan he has in place to deal with a fuel shortage in the UK and the consequent effect on the electricity generation here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35474/07]
104 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the percentage of Ireland’s overall energy supply which is imported from the UK; his plans to reduce Ireland’s dependence on one country; the position regarding the proposed publication of the all-island gas storage and LNG study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35631/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 104 together.
Currently over 90% of Ireland's energy needs are provided for by imports. In order to ensure the security of our energy supply, the Government's objective is to reduce our reliance on imports and to significantly enhance diversity of energy sources.
Natural gas, coal and oil accounted for 50%, 19% and 9% respectively of electricity generation in Ireland in 2006 while renewable sources provided 11% of overall generation. I am advised by the CER that, with increasing usage, natural gas now accounts for over 60% of electricity generation in Ireland.
With the decline of the Kinsale gas field and, pending the full development of the Corrib field, we now import over 90% of our natural gas from the UK. Natural gas transported through the UK network comes from fields in the North Sea, the Netherlands, Norway and Russia. The Energy Policy Framework points to the need to develop longer term strategies to reduce over-reliance on gas imports from the UK. The actions set out in the Framework include long term strategic planning by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) in relation to security of gas supply and working within the European Union to deliver fully integrated regional gas markets for Northern Europe and diversification of supply.
The CER has granted a gas storage licence to Marathon Oil Ireland Ltd to make the full capability of its depleted Kinsale facility, which has a capacity of 7 billion cubic feet (bcf), available to third parties. This is the first such storage facility in Ireland and BGE has contracted to use over 5 bcf of it. The planned development of a merchant LNG storage facility at Shannon may also have a positive impact on the security of our gas supply and improve our connectivity to the global gas market.
Earlier this year, my Department in conjunction with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for Northern Ireland (DETINI) commissioned a joint study on a common approach on natural gas storage and liquefied natural gas (LNG) on an All-Island basis.
The study has assessed the medium to long-term position with regard to security of natural gas supply on an all-island basis, to consider the scope for a common approach on natural gas storage and LNG with a view to optimising that position, and to make recommendations accordingly. The report has been received in recent weeks and the findings are currently being assessed by both Departments, North and South.
The connection of the Corrib gas field, with its estimated capability to supply some 60% of our annual natural gas requirements over the first 3-4 years of production, will also significantly reduce our dependence on imports during that period.
Existing gas interconnection and planned electricity interconnection between Ireland and Great Britain, is a key plank in our security of energy supply strategy. The current interconnection capacity with the UK Grid (through Northern Ireland) of 300 MW, will be increased by 500 MW with the delivery of the new East West electricity interconnector between Ireland and Wales by 2012. Enhanced interconnection, in both electricity and gas, will assist in promoting the regional energy market, in line with EU security of energy internal market objectives.
To further reduce our dependence on imported fuel, the Government has set ambitious and essential targets for the increased penetration of renewable energy. Connected wind capacity will reach over 900 MW by year end, which will represent a very significant increase of over 25% of installed wind capacity since the start of 2007. It is also a priority to ensure the provision of flexible generation plant to accommodate electricity coming on to the system from wind generation.
As regards imports of oil, in 2005, the latest year for which definitive figures are available, 65% of Ireland's oil imports were sourced from the UK, with crude accounting for 12% and products accounting for 88% of those imports. In the same year Norway accounted for 28% of our oil imports, of which crude consisted of 93% and products 7%. The Irish downstream industry is fully privatised, liberalised and deregulated. My Department is currently undertaking a strategic review of security of oil supplies which will include consideration of security of commercial access to oil supply.
In relation to contingency planning, Bord Gáis Networks, as National Emergency Manager for the gas network, has detailed arrangements in place to maintain supplies in the event of a shortage of gas imports from the UK. BGN also works closely with the ESB and EirGrid, under the direction of the CER, to ensure coordination between the emergency arrangements for both the gas and electricity networks. Furthermore, BGN participates in the UK arrangements for gas emergencies, and are thus able to keep abreast of both the procedures in place in the UK, and the potential impact that any curtailment of gas supply in the UK could have on Ireland.
97 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to further encourage energy research development; the position regarding the grants available under Charles Parsons II; the position in relation to the energy research strategy; the budget available to this area in 2006, 2007 and 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35632/07]
The Energy Policy Framework and the Programme for Government underline the Government's priority commitment to energy research development and innovation in line also with EU priorities. The Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy and the National Development Plan both reflect the vital importance of energy research and innovation to underpin the energy sector and the imperative to deliver sustainable, competitive and secure energy supplies for the economy and society. Our ambitious renewable energy and energy efficiency targets in particular require a significant ramping up of research and innovation.
A comprehensive energy research strategy is currently being finalised by the Irish Energy Research Council, which will advise on the key energy research priorities in the short to medium term. Building national energy research capacity and capability has already been identified as an area for priority attention. The Charles Parsons awards have already committed €20 million for the period 2007 to 2012 to progressively develop energy research capacity in third level institutions.
The Programme for Government also commits to enhancing the remit of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) to include a third research pillar in the area of sustainable energy and energy efficiency technologies, and discussions are underway with SFI accordingly. In the context of taking forward this commitment, I am considering carefully the approach to take in respect of a second round of the Charles Parsons Awards.
At the end of 2006, €7.9m from the Department's Vote was expended on the first tranche of funding under the Charles Parsons Awards covering the period 2007 to 2009. The projected 2007 outturn for the energy RTDI subhead of the Vote is estimated at €515,000. As announced on Budget Day we are providing €13.1 million for energy RTDI in 2008 including new funding of €5 million to underpin Ocean Energy Research and Development.
98 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the up to date position in regard to the future structure and operation of the ESB: the extent to which discussions have taken place with the various interests involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35561/07]
415 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which he has had discussions with the ESB, management and unions in the context of the future structures of the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35959/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 415 together.
Government policy is clear on the retention of the ESB Group as a strong, commercially viable and integrated State-owned entity.
The Programme for Government, together with the White Paper on Delivering a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland, explicitly confirms the Government's position that the electricity network, as a strategic national asset, will remain in State ownership and will never be privatised. The transfer of ownership of the transmission assets from ESB to EirGrid will take place by end 2008, in that context.
In line with successive Partnership Agreements, there will be a full process of engagement with the management and unions of both ESB and EirGrid on implementation of the transfer of the asset ownership function. The process will also include engagement on legitimate concerns of the ESB's Employee Share Ownership Trust (ESOT).
On 29 November 2006, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and ESB agreed a strategy, which includes an agreement for ESB to divest 1,300 MW of its existing capacity, to ensure the progressive reduction in ESB's market share in power generation to around 40% in an all-island market context by 2010. It is in this context that ESB Power Generation will continue to compete in the island of Ireland and, eventually, as the regional energy markets progress, the wider single energy market in the EU.
While ESB continues to develop its renewable energy portfolio on the island, approval has been given to the company to build a new power plant at Aghada, County Cork. Authorisation for the construction of Aghada is intrinsically linked to ESB's delivery on the CER-ESB Asset Strategy to the full satisfaction of the CER.
I expect that the ESB Group will play a leading role in supporting the development of renewable energy and demand side and management strategies. ESB International will be strongly growing its UK, European and international business. ESB Group will continue to compete successfully with Viridian, Airtricity and all other independents in power-generation and electricity supply in the all-island electricity market.
I met the ESB Group of Unions on 23rd July in relation to the energy policy objectives set out in the Programme for Government and the Energy Policy White Paper, which impact on ESB.
I have made it clear to the Group of Unions that I am willing to discuss constructively any legitimate issues of concern that they may have. I look forward to a positive process of engagement and to further meetings as appropriate with the Group of Unions.
I intend meeting the ESB's Employee Share Ownership Trust (ESOT) early in 2008 on a range of issues, including the transfer of the transmission assets. As was the case in my meeting with the Group of Unions, I will be listening to any concerns that they might have on the issues and providing a clear outline of my own position and that of the Government.
I have no doubt that the ESB has a vibrant future ahead. Given its prominence and central role in the Irish energy sector, ESB has a crucial contribution to make in the challenges ahead.
99 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has a cost benefit analysis of the introduction of postcodes here; when he will publish a cost benefit analysis of the proposed postcode system; when a general consultation process will take place; the type of postcode system he favours; the timeframe of implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35612/07]
The National Postcode Project Board (NPPB) has presented its recommendation as to the most appropriate postcode system for Ireland, the costs and benefits arising from its introduction along with a detailed implementation plan. As part of its analysis, the NPPB's advisors carried out an extensive consultation with stakeholders both within the postal sector and outside it with a view to arriving at a postcode model that best meets the needs of the stakeholders and measures the likely costs and benefits of the introduction, promotion and maintenance of such a postcode.
After consideration of the matter in May this year, the Government decided that further analysis and quantification of the wider economic and societal benefits of postcodes would be required. Subsequently, the commitment to introduce a postcode system in Ireland was contained in the Programme for Government 2007-2012 and I am currently considering the issues involved in order to progress the project which I believe will play a vital role in the development of a modern communications network for the country.
100 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the installation of pilot scheme smart electronic meters; when same will be rolled out to every home as per the Programme for Government; the full cost for the pilot scheme and the estimated cost for the roll out to every home; the geographic locations of the pilot scheme; if this will facilitate the introduction of a micro generation strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35616/07]
The Programme for Government commits to having a smart meter in every home as part of demand management and energy efficiency strategies. The provision of smart metering technology will allow customers to manage their own demand for electricity and reduce their bills. In this way, smart metering is a key strategy for promoting efficient use of electricity and reducing the amount of electricity we generate, particularly at peak times. This, in turn, would lead to reductions in both the costs of generating electricity, which is at its most expensive at peak times and in the levels of harmful emissions produced by that generation. Smart metering will also assist in the further development of micro generation, by facilitating the export of micro generated electricity, and the development of distributed generation.
The implementation of smart metering is being led, at my request, by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and overseen by a High level Steering Group comprising My Department, CER, Sustainable Energy Ireland, ESB Networks (ESBN) and an Independent Operators representative.
Technical Working Groups, with wider industry representation, are being established by the CER, and will be operational from January next to address all relevant issues such as tariffing, networks, data management and the optimal geographic distribution for the first phase roll out. ESB Networks has initiated the procurement process for smart meters and anticipates test meters will be available by mid 2008. ESBN plans an ambitious roll out of meters to begin in summer 2008 with a view to meeting the target of 25,000 meters installed by years end.
At this early stage the best estimate available for the cost of the first phase roll out of 25,000 meters is €10m. The initial estimate for the full network roll out is of the order of €600m under the Networks Investment Programme, which is regulated by the CER.
101 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the payment of drift net fishermen through the Lough’s Agency; and if the Government sought a meeting with the EU commissioner in relation to the matter. [35279/07]
I am advised that all applicants under the Salmon Hardship Scheme, operated by the Loughs Agency, who have fulfilled the requisite conditions will receive payments now that State Aid approval has, I understand, been intimated by the European Commission. When lodging the application for approval, a meeting with officials was offered by my Department to the Commission in order to facilitate the adjudication process but, in the event, not taken up.
103 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the background and reason for the major policy shift from the Energy Green Paper to the Energy White Paper in relation to the transfer of ownership of assets from ESB to Eirgrid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35607/07]
There was no major policy shift between the Energy Policy Green Paper and the Energy Policy White Paper in relation to the transfer of the ownership of the transmission assets from ESB to EirGrid. The Green Paper which was launched in October 2006 for a period of public consultation, outlined the options for future energy policy, including the competitiveness of energy supply.
The Green Paper signalled the need for structural change in the electricity Sector. The Green Paper also stated clearly that it was the Government's intention to retain a strong, commercially viable ESB and that the Government did not intend to privatise or atomise the ESB. The policy directions set out in the White Paper are fully consistent with these positions.
The Green Paper also stated that it was the Government's firm view that strategic electricity assets should be retained in State ownership for the long term. The decision to transfer the transmission assets to EirGrid as the State-Owned independent system operator is fully in line with this position.
105 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will comment on his recent decision to decline applications for licenses for exploration of uranium; his views on whether this complements his calls for a debate on nuclear energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35603/07]
My recent decision not to grant Prospecting Licences to two companies which would have allowed them to search for uranium in Donegal was taken after careful consideration. The most likely end use of any uranium extracted here would be for nuclear electricity generation. It would not be consistent, therefore, to permit the extraction of uranium for use in nuclear reactors in other countries, while Ireland is opposed to the use of electricity generated by nuclear power in Ireland.
In granting a Prospecting Licence to search for any mineral, the clear understanding is that if a commercial discovery is identified, the Licence holder will be able to proceed with an application to mine the deposit. It follows then, that it would not be right to allow an exploration company to carry on searching for a mineral when it is our clear policy not to allow extraction of that mineral.
I do not see that this decision conflicts with the idea of a debate on nuclear energy which I hope can take place within the Oireachtas Committee system. The debate should allow deputies or outside parties argue the case for an alternative policy position to the existing statutory ban on electricity generated by nuclear power in Ireland.
106 Deputy Kieran O’Donnell asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when Eirgrid will report to him on cost benefit analysis and feasibility planning for electricity interconnection with north west Europe; the reason they will not report sooner; the reason he has not placed greater priority on the project; if, in his view this failure to place greater priority on the project will not lead to a situation where Ireland is highly dependent on the UK for both fuel to generate electricity and electricity itself; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35476/07]
The Government attaches the highest priority to the development of electricity interconnection between Ireland and other EU Member States. The Energy Policy Framework underlines this commitment, which will contribute to security of supply and competitiveness. Greater interconnection between Member States is also a key priority for the European Union to ensure the effective working of the Internal Market.
I can advise the deputy that EirGrid is currently at an advanced stage in the planning of the second North South electricity interconnector with Northern Ireland, which will more than double the current cross-border power transfer capacity to over 600 megawatts (MW) and of the 500 MW East West electricity interconnector with Great Britain. While the immediate focus is on the delivery of the North South and East West electricity interconnectors, no later than 2012, EirGrid will be undertaking in the short term the necessary cost benefit analysis and feasibility planning for further interconnection with the UK and potentially with Europe.
The work that EirGrid is currently undertaking, together with the Commission for Energy Regulation, in planning and developing the East West interconnector will be clearly relevant to the development of further interconnection options, particularly in terms of appropriate technologies and projected costs.
Enhanced interconnection with the UK in the first instance will improve both the competitiveness and the security of Irish energy supplies through access to one of the most highly developed energy markets in Europe. The UK market is in turn linked to the wider European energy markets by both gas and electricity interconnectors and has recently invested heavily in additional import infrastructure including Liquefied Natural Gas terminals.
Connected wind capacity will reach over 900 MW by year end, which will represent a very significant increase of over 25% of installed wind capacity since the start of 2007. It is also a priority to ensure the provision of flexible generation plant to accommodate electricity coming on to the system from wind generation. The successful establishment of the All Island Single Electricity Market will contribute to ensuring the security, reliability and competitiveness of electricity supplies throughout the island.
108 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way he will make up the shortfall of 50% in Budget 2008 for energy efficient initiatives. [35408/07]
115 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will explain the 50% cut in funding for energy efficiency initiatives announced in Budget 2008; the initiatives that were funded under this programme in 2007; the initiatives that will be funded under this programme in 2008; the funding allocation in each year of each programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35471/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 115 together. Far from there being a shortfall for energy efficiency initiatives in Budget 2008, I announced additional funding for insulation, energy building rating schemes together with the energy efficiency programme for SMEs. This is in line with the Government's commitment to radically enhance energy efficiency in the interests of environmental sustainability and competitiveness. I am making some €63 million in total available in 2008 for energy conservation measures, together with a further €13 million for energy research and development initiatives. The €63 million funding for energy conservation measures, which is more than twice the original 2007 REV allocation for this area, will fund Sustainable Energy Ireland's programmes in the area of energy efficiency and renewable energy. These include the House of Tomorrow Programme, the Public Sector Programme, the Industry Programme, the Low Income Housing Programme, the Greener Homes Scheme and many other smaller programmes.
The separate Subhead entitled "Energy Efficiency Initiatives" exclusively relates to the funding for the National energy efficiency awareness campaign, Power of One. The level of funding of €2.5 million in this subhead will meet the remaining contractual commitment in 2008 for the Power of One campaign, which was launched in 2006. Some €4.9 million has been spent on the campaign in 2007. The overall contractual commitment for 2006–2008 is €10 million.
109 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the all-island grid study; the benefits to having same complete and published; the length of time it has taken to complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35625/07]
The All Island Study is a comprehensive assessment of the ability of the electrical power system and, as part of that, the electricity grid on the island of Ireland to integrate significant levels of electricity produced from renewable energy sources. The study assesses renewable resources potential and the technical feasibility and the relative costs and benefits associated with a number of renewable generation scenarios in 2020.
All five workstreams of the Grid study have been finalised and will be submitted to my Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Industry Northern Ireland in the coming days. It was commissioned in June 2005 and has been delivered on time and on budget. The study is a significant piece of complex cutting edge research in international terms.
Together with my Northern Ireland colleague, Minister Nigel Dodds, I propose to publish the Grid Study early in the New Year. The findings of the study will inform technical, investment and policy decisions in relation to grid development and renewable energy capacity in line with our target of 33% electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2020.
110 Deputy Kieran O’Donnell asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the electricity interconnection projects the ESB has offered to pay for; the reason he has for not accepting these offers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35477/07]
I have not received any formal offers from the ESB in relation to the funding of construction of an electricity interconnector. The Government decided in 2006 that the ownership of the East West Interconnector would be vested in EirGrid, the National Transmission System Operator. EirGrid in conjunction with the Commission for Energy Regulation is proceeding with the competitive procurement and construction of the Interconnector.
112 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the outcome of the consideration of the Exchequer making a contribution towards the Strategic Energy Infrastructure Programme announced in the National Development Plan; the amount of money that has been invested under this programme to date; the outcomes particularly under the two headings of improved gas interconnection and strategic reserve capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35481/07]
The Strategic Energy Infrastructure Programme of the National Development Plan envisages the investment of over €1.25 billion in key strategic energy infrastructure projects. A number of large scale public good energy infrastructure projects have been identified in the Programme. These projects include the construction of the East/West electricity interconnector, the construction of a second North/South interconnector, enhanced security of gas interconnection through strengthening the Ireland/Scotland gas link and strategic oil and gas storage.
Because of the scale, strategic importance and immediacy of national energy needs, the Government will consider the possibility of an Exchequer contribution to fund, where appropriate and on a case by case basis, certain energy infrastructure projects over the period of the National Development Plan. Any decisions in this regard will be a matter for the Government.
The possibility of an Exchequer contribution to the cost of the East West Interconnector project is currently under consideration. The technical and financial details of a business case in this regard are being developed by EirGrid and the Commission for Energy Regulation together with my Department. The question of Exchequer funding to support potential projects on gas interconnection reinforcement and strategic oil and gas storage will be explored as part of the decision making process for such projects at the appropriate time.
113 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the critical comments made by managing directors of companies (details supplied) in relation to Ireland’s broadband connectivity problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35630/07]
The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is primarily a matter for the private sector. Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market that is regulated, where appropriate, by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg.
The role of the Government is to formulate regulatory and infrastructure policies to facilitate the provision of high quality telecommunications services by competing private sector service providers. The widespread provision of broadband services has been a priority for Government.
There has been very significant progress in the broadband market. A recent report from the OECD shows that Ireland has the strongest per capita subscriber growth in the OECD, with Ireland adding 6.6 subscribers per 100 inhabitants during the past year, far ahead of the OECD average of 3.65 per 100 inhabitants. ComReg's report for quarter 3 of 2007, published yesterday, highlighted continuing strong growth in terms of broadband subscribers. There are now almost 800,000 subscribers which is an increase of 13.7% on the previous quarter. In addition my Department has undertaken initiatives to address the gaps in broadband coverage. These include providing grant-aid under the recently concluded Group Broadband Scheme and investment in Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs).
There are still some parts of the country where the private sector will be unable to justify the commercial provision of broadband services. In order to address this issue the procurement process for a National Broadband Scheme (NBS) is currently under way. The NBS will provide broadband services to areas that are currently unserved and will ensure that all reasonable requests for broadband in unserved areas are met. The procurement process is being undertaken pursuant to the European Communities (Award of Public Authorities' Contracts) Regulations 2006 using a competitive dialogue procurement process.
The first phase of the procurement process (Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ)) is now complete, and four candidates have pre-qualified to enter the next phase of the procurement process. As my Department indicated on 2 September 2007, the four candidates are, in alphabetical order, BT Communications Ireland Ltd Consortium, eircom Ltd, Hutchinson 3G Ireland Ltd and IFA/Motorola Consortium.
The Department has invited these remaining candidates to participate in the "Competitive Dialogue" phase of the procurement process and to present their proposed solutions to meet the Department's requirements for the delivery of broadband to the unserved areas of the country. It is anticipated that a preferred bidder will be selected and appointed in June 2008.
The matter of the speed of broadband services is, in the first instance, one for the service providers. Worldwide, the telecommunications sector is focusing its investment plans on what has become known as Next Generation Networks (NGNs), which are likely to see the delivery of higher-bandwidth broadband services over fibre-optic infrastructure. I understand many of the services providers in Ireland are formulating plans for the rollout of NGNs. It is important that service providers understand their customers' positions and I welcome the contributions being made by various commentators in that regard.
My Department is currently considering policy options in relation to the optimum role for Government in encouraging and facilitating the planning and rollout of next generation broadband in Ireland, including how existing Government owned infrastructure, and possible future Government investment, could help achieve national policy objectives in this area. A policy paper is being drafted in this regard. I will shortly be announcing an Advisory Forum of experts to critique the draft policy paper, following which, I will publish for consultation.
117 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the UK’s new offshore wind power policy to power up to 25 million homes in the next 12 years; the lessons to be learned for Ireland; his further views on calls to put in place a framework to allow for a substantial roll out of offshore wind projects; his plans to address the complaints of NOW, the representative body of offshore wind sector here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35605/07]
I have noted with considerable interest the announcement last week by the Secretary of State for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform of his proposals to enable the potential development of up to 33 Gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2020. I share Minister Hutton's belief in the vast potential for renewable energy in these islands, and we also share a clear determination to play our national roles in meeting the EU target of 20% renewable energy by 2020. I will be meeting my UK colleagues in the near future. Our respective ambitious plans to radically develop renewable energy sources will be top of the agenda.
I am committed to accelerated growth of renewable energy sources. The range of measures already in place to incentivise and support that growth will continue to be enhanced and developed. Ocean Energy, Solar Energy and Offshore Wind all have major potential and the Energy Policy Framework and the Programme for Government are committed to their development through incentivisation and systematically addressing the technical challenges. I will be working with all the stakeholders and the renewable energy industry, including the offshore wind sector, in the coming months to put in place the necessary frameworks to meet the challenges and opportunities for renewable technologies in the short to medium term.
119 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will make a statement on the rolling out of broadband for County Kerry. [35171/07]
The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter for the private sector. Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated, where appropriate, by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. The role of the Government is to formulate regulatory and infrastructure policies to facilitate the provision of high quality telecommunications services, by competing private sector service providers.
The widespread provision of broadband services continues to be a priority for the Government. In that regard my Department has undertaken initiatives to address the gaps in broadband coverage. These include providing grant-aid under the recently concluded Group Broadband Scheme and investment in Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs).
Under the current phase of the MANs Programme construction has commenced on four MANs in County Kerry. These MANs are being built in Castleisland, Killarney, Listowel and Tralee. Once completed these four networks will be available to all service providers who may offer high speed broadband services. Under the Group Broadband Scheme, grant aid was paid for the provision of broadband in the North Kerry and Sliabh Luchra areas of Co. Kerry.
There are still some parts of the country where the private sector will be unable to justify the commercial provision of broadband services. Accordingly, the procurement process for a National Broadband Scheme (NBS) is under way. The NBS will provide broadband services to areas that are currently unserved and will ensure that all reasonable requests for broadband in unserved areas are met. The procurement process is being undertaken pursuant to the European Communities (Award of Public Authorities' Contracts) Regulations 2006 using a competitive dialogue procurement process.
The first phase of the procurement process (Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ)) is now complete, and four candidates have pre-qualified to enter the next phase of the procurement process. As my Department indicated on 2 September 2007, the four candidates are, in alphabetical order, BT Communications Ireland Ltd Consortium, eircom Ltd, Hutchinson 3G Ireland Ltd and IFA/Motorola Consortium.
The Department has invited these remaining candidates to participate in the "Competitive Dialogue" phase of the procurement process and to present their proposed solutions to meet the Department's requirements for the delivery of broadband to the unserved areas of the country. It is anticipated that a preferred bidder will be selected and appointed in June 2008.
120 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if all semi-State bodies under the aegis of his Department have met and are maintaining the 3% employment quota of people with disabilities as per the provisions of the Disability Act 2005; the percentage of people with disabilities employed in each semi-State body respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35566/07]
Employment and recruitment of staff is a day-to-day operational matter for the agencies as is fulfilling their obligations under the Disability Act 2005 I have no direct function in these matters. However, the Department's Disability Act Sectoral Plan 2005 requires Agencies under the remit of the Department to report on the levels of employment of persons with disabilities.
The independent Monitoring Committee established, under section 48 of the Act, to oversee the implementation of the sectoral plan reported to me in July 2007 and I attach for the information of the Deputy, an extract from that report. The extract consists of a table outlining the position with regard to the 3% employment target for the employment of persons with a disability under the Act.
|
Name of public body |
An Post |
Com Reg |
RTE |
BCI |
ESB |
EirGrid |
Bord Gais Eireann |
Bord Na Mona |
CER |
NORA |
SEI |
|
|
Type of body |
(Government department — G; Local authority — LA; Commercial — C; Non-commercial — NC) |
|||||||||||
|
C |
C |
C |
C |
C |
NC |
C |
C |
NC |
NC |
C |
||
|
1 |
Data for monitoring target |
|
||||||||||
|
1.1 |
Total employees |
9,451 |
115 |
2,283 |
40 |
7,599 |
169 |
817 |
1,261 |
62 |
4 |
42 |
|
1.2 |
No of employees with a disability |
180 |
5 |
83 |
2 |
461 |
8 |
26 |
31 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
|
1.3 |
Percentage of employees with a disability |
1.90% |
4.35% |
3.64% |
5.00% |
6.07% |
4.73% |
3.18% |
2.46% |
4.84% |
0.00% |
0.00% |
|
Name of public body |
Central Fisheries Board |
Western Regional Fisheries Board |
South Western Regional Fisheries Board |
Eastern Regional Fisheries Board |
Shannon Regional Fisheries Board |
North Western Regional Fisheries Board |
Northern Regional Fisheries Board |
Southern Regional Fisheries Board |
|
|
Type of body |
(Government department — G; Local authority — LA; Commercial — C; Non-commercial — NC) |
||||||||
|
NC |
NC |
NC |
NC |
NC |
NC |
NC |
NC |
||
|
1 |
Data for monitoring target |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.1 |
Total employees |
57 |
55 |
43 |
50 |
51 |
46 |
58 |
34 |
|
1.2 |
No of employees with a disability |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
1.3 |
Percentage of employees with a disability |
1.75% |
1.82% |
0.00% |
0.00% |
0.00% |
2.17% |
0.00% |
0.00% |
121 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will expedite the upgrade of broadband infrastructure in County Donegal in view of the fact that hundreds of households and businesses still can not access any broadband facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35278/07]
The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter for the private sector. Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated, where appropriate, by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. The role of the Government is to formulate regulatory and infrastructure policies to facilitate the provision of high quality telecommunications services, by competing private sector service providers.
The widespread provision of broadband services continues to be a priority for the Government. In that regard my Department has undertaken initiatives to address the gaps in broadband coverage. These include providing grant-aid under the recently concluded Group Broadband Scheme and investment in Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs).
To date, under the MANs Programme, Donegal has received a total of nine MANs. The following towns can now offer high speed, open access fibre optic networks: Letterkenny, Gweedore, Ballyshannon, Buncranna, Bundoran, Cardonagh, Donegal Town, Ballybofey and Stranorlar. Under the Group Broadband Scheme, grant aid was paid for the provision of broadband in North Central Donegal and around the areas of Ardara, Raphoe, Mannorcunningham and Newtowncunningham.
There are still some parts of the country where the private sector will be unable to justify the commercial provision of broadband services. Accordingly, the procurement process for a National Broadband Scheme (NBS) is under way. The NBS will provide broadband services to areas that are currently unserved and will ensure that all reasonable requests for broadband in unserved areas are met. The procurement process is being undertaken pursuant to the European Communities (Award of Public Authorities' Contracts) Regulations 2006 using a competitive dialogue procurement process.
The first phase of the procurement process (Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ)) is now complete, and four candidates have pre-qualified to enter the next phase of the procurement process. As my Department indicated on 2 September 2007, the four candidates are, in alphabetical order, BT Communications Ireland Ltd Consortium, eircom Ltd, Hutchinson 3G Ireland Ltd and IFA/Motorola Consortium.
The Department has invited these remaining candidates to participate in the "Competitive Dialogue" phase of the procurement process and to present their proposed solutions to meet the Department's requirements for the delivery of broadband to the unserved areas of the country. It is anticipated that a preferred bidder will be selected and appointed in June 2008.
122 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the outcome of meetings he has held since 13 July 2007 as part of the whole Government Energy Innovation and Employment Initiative announced that day; the extra investment and jobs in the energy services and green technology sectors as a result of those meetings; if the IDA will have involvement in this initiative; if Exchequer funding will be available to encourage investment in the sector here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35479/07]
On 13 July this year, I hosted a forum for senior representatives from across the Irish energy sector. The purpose of holding the event was to start a dialogue with the key players on innovation and job creation in the energy sector.
Investment in clean and green energy technologies is growing worldwide. Ireland's advantage in renewable natural resources such as wind and ocean energy creates the potential to benefit from such investment. Our ambitious and essential targets for energy efficiency in the built environment and across the economy will also stimulate and support economic activity in the energy technology services and the building sector.
Meeting the challenge of climate change and ensuring secure energy supplies into the future means adopting a radically different approach to our energy services. I believe that these challenges are also tangible opportunities to generate significant economic activity in the energy services and green technology sectors, with clear benefits to the economy.
This forum was the beginning of a process of regular engagement with the energy industry. On 23 November I hosted a high-level discussion for senior members of the Irish and international finance community. This was an opportunity for discussion and an exchange of views with the finance community on the investment climate in Ireland for sustainable energy. I am planning a further energy innovation summit with the sector next March as part of a regular engagement and dialogue. Enterprise Ireland will continue to be involved in the engagement.
Exchequer assistance is currently targeted at promoting the development of the renewable energy sector by stimulating demand for renewable energy goods and services. The Greener Homes scheme which has stimulated significant demand by householders has achieved a dramatic increase in renewable technology suppliers and a ten-fold expansion in the number of renewable energy products available on the market.
123 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps being taken to pursue the option of carbon capture and storage; the legislation, required to advance this method of addressing CO2 emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35628/07]
The assessment of the prospects for geological storage of carbon in Ireland is at a relatively early stage. A study by Sustainable Energy Ireland, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Geological Survey of Northern Ireland and Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) examining the potential for such storage on the island of Ireland is proceeding on schedule. The results of this study is due to be submitted to the Department by end September next year and at that point I will then decide how best to proceed in the matter.
An EPA-GSI project in the next 2 years will evaluate the prospect for potentially favourable sites in the Moneypoint region. This study is due to be submitted to the Department by end 2009. The GSI intends to affiliate to an active European network on geological storage of carbon to ensure we are fully aware of best practice on technical options relevant to Ireland.
My Department is also participating in other EU and international fora where the potential for carbon capture and storage is being progressed. The Commission's Strategic Energy Technology Plan was published on 22 November, setting out a proposed roadmap for energy research for the period to 2020. It sets out a number of key EU technology challenges for the next ten years including a CO2 capture, transport and storage project of industrial scale. I have welcomed, in principle, the overall direction of the plan. The question of legislative underpinning for geological storage of carbon will be kept under review in light of developments.
124 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the measures he proposes to take in order to reduce the level of carbon emissions from electricity generating stations. [34761/07]
All commercial scale fossil fuelled electricity generating stations in Ireland are obliged to participate in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, as part of the national and EU contribution to meeting greenhouse gas emissions obligations under the Kyoto Protocol.
My colleague the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has overall responsibility for the management of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme in Ireland. Furthermore, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for operating and monitoring the scheme here with participants being legally obliged to report their emissions levels on an annual basis to the EPA.
Under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, installations are granted a certain level of allowances and are required to either mitigate their emissions or purchase allowances for any emissions above the level of allowances. Accordingly, it is a matter for the individual electricity generating stations to decide on the most cost effective mix of abatement measures for their business.
The Government has already decided, in the context of the preparation of Ireland's second National Allocation Plan under the scheme, that the emissions trading sector as a whole will be responsible for making approximately 3 million tonnes annual reductions in greenhouse gases out of the approximately 7 million tonnes per annum reductions needed to enable Ireland to meet its Kyoto target over the period 2008 to 2012, after existing abatement measures have been taken into account. Research work being carried out by the GSI and others is also examining the potential future location of underground storage of carbon dioxide from fossil fuel power plants.
125 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Taoiseach the number of posts filled in his Department in each of the past five years; the number and grade of posts in each of the past five years in his Department that were open to existing public or civil servants only, or that were not subject to competition at all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35678/07]
126 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Taoiseach the number of posts filled in the Government agencies under his Department’s remit in each of the past five years; the number and grade of posts in each of the past five years in these agencies that were open to existing public or civil servants only, or which were not subject to competition at all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35693/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 126 together.
The information sought is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
127 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Taoiseach further to a previous parliamentary question, if he will provide details of the incremental costs of all bodies from set up and annual budget with a break down of annual overheads. [35916/07]
The information sought is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
128 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Taoiseach the extent to which the obligation to consider alternatives to regulation as contained in the quality regulation checklist in the Cabinet handbook has resulted in a reduction in the volume and burden of legislation on Irish society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35918/07]
The Cabinet Handbook provides that before Government approval for the drafting of legislation can be sought, Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) must be carried out. RIA is an assessment of the likely effects of a proposed new regulatory change. It involves a detailed analysis to ascertain whether or not the new regulation would have the desired impact. In cases where significant impacts or costs are involved, a full RIA must be carried out and this should include consideration of possible alternatives to regulation such as a tax or information campaign or an alternative form of regulation such as self-regulation or co-regulation.
In line with the commitments contained in Towards 2016, an independent Review of the operation of Regulatory Impact Analysis commenced on 31 October, 2007. The Review, which is expected to be completed early in the new year, will look at the extent to which alternatives to regulation have been considered.
The focus on Better Regulation means that we now have the tools and systems in place to facilitate a much more considered approach to regulation. This provides for a greater emphasis on whether desired policy outcomes can best be achieved through regulatory or alternative means. Where we do regulate, there is now a greater understanding of the impacts involved and the importance of quality regulation. This leads to a more balanced regulatory environment and appropriate regulatory outcomes.
129 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the number and identity of persons, groups, bodies or agencies other than the established civil servants from whom he or Ministers of State in his Department have sought or received advice in connection with policy or administrative matters appertaining to the operation of his Department or other bodies under his aegis in the past 12 months; the extent to which such advice related to capital expenditure projects; the cost of such advice; the extent to which it has been implemented to date or if it is intended to be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35975/07]
My Department has engaged PA Consulting Group to provide expert support to assist the work of the Organisational Review Programme Team. The company is engaged from 1 October, 2007 for a minimum of 20 days over 6 months. To date, payments amounting to €23,958 have been made. The advice provided to date will be used by the Review Team in its work over the period ahead. Boyd Freeman Design to develop a logo. The cost amounted to €598.95.
RA Consulting was engaged on 1 November, 2007 to design and conduct an Employee Opinion Survey for the staff of my Department. The use of consultants helps to assure staff of the confidentiality of the survey and the independence of its findings. A report on these findings is expected shortly, which will help us in developing our new HR Strategy. The project does not relate to capital expenditure. The cost of the contract is €18,101, including VAT.
The Taskforce on Active Citizenship conducted consultations and presented a set of recommendations to Government in March 2007 which included proposals to improve policies that promote a continued sense of community and greater engagement with civic and democratic processes. There was no capital expenditure incurred in this project. A Steering Group, chaired by Mary Davis, is being established to oversee the work of the Active Citizenship Office as it prepares an implementation plan, in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
In December 2006, the Government approved the initiation of a major Review by the OECD of the Irish Public Service. The objectives of this Review are to benchmark the Public Service in Ireland against other comparable countries and secondly, to make recommendations as to future directions for Public Service reform which will support the Government's drive for delivery of world class services to the citizen and contribute to sustainable national competitive advantage. A High Level Steering Group of senior officials, chaired by the Secretary General of my Department, is overseeing the Review.
This is the first comprehensive review of the Public Service — as a system — ever undertaken in this country. Given that this is the first whole of Public Service Review undertaken by the OECD, the work is very extensive and requires developing new approaches and working methods. In order for the OECD to develop a holistic approach to reviewing the Public Service as an entity and to apply it in the first instance to Ireland, the Government agreed to increase its contribution to the OECD on a once-off basis by €490,000, to be paid over two years — 2006 and 2007. This Review will assist us in mapping out a new phase of the change and modernisation programme building on the significant change which has already occurred. It is expected that the Review will be completed and published early in 2008. This advice does not relate to capital expenditure.
Fitzpatrick Associates were employed at the end of 2006 to undertake an evaluation of Customer Charters across the Civil Service. Their brief was to evaluate
the quality of Charters across Government Departments and Offices;
the visibility and accessibility of Charters; and
their effectiveness.
They were also required to recommend actions to improve the process and enhance the delivery of service to Civil Service Customers. The report of the evaluation was presented to Government on 25 July, 2007. On foot of the report, the Government established a Task Force on Customer Service to implement the recommendations of the Report. The work also fed into the revision of Guidelines for the Preparation of Customer Charters and Customer Action Plans. These guidelines are currently being finalised and will be distributed across the Civil and Public Service in the coming weeks. The cost of the consultancy was €57,838. This advice does not relate to capital expenditure.
Ms Isolde Goggin and Ms Gillian Lauder are undertaking a review of the operation of Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA). The cost of this consultancy will be €108,900. The final report is expected early 2008. This advice does not relate to capital expenditure.
Goodbody's Economic Consultants were engaged by my Department in March 2006 to provide economic support to Government Departments and Offices for the application of Regulatory Impact Analysis. This advice was on an ongoing basis and the contract finished in 2007. The cost of this consultancy was €29,040. This advice does not relate to capital expenditure.
The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) comes under the aegis of my Department. It consists of the National Economic and Social Council, (NESC), the National Economic and Social Forum (NESF) and the National Centre for Partnership and Performance (NCPP). NESDO has engaged Anne Brady McQuillan DFK to provide accountancy services following a request for quotations in October 2006.
130 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Taoiseach his views on whether in the interests of practicality and value for money, the focus of the statute law revision project should be shifted from local, personal and private acts and charters to post 1922 Acts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36009/07]
Significant progress has been made in the area of statute law revision and reform in recent years. The ultimate goal is to create a modern and streamlined Irish Statute Book which is more accessible to the citizen and to business. The Statute Law Revision Act, 2007 provided for the repeal of 3,225 obsolete Acts which predated Irish independence. The Act builds on the Statute Law Revision Act, 2005 under which more than 200 obsolete acts were repealed. The current phase of the Statute Law Revision Project, focusing on Local, Personal and Private Acts, will see the completion of analysis of all pre-1922 primary legislation and the availability of a complete list of such legislation which remains in force.
The focus to date of the Statute Law Revision Project on pre-1922 legislation has been a necessary first step in creating a modern Statute Book, but it is not an end in itself. This phase has cleared away the deadwood of thousands of redundant and obsolete Acts that were clogging the Statute Book.
The next phase of the project will allow us to focus on the remaining extant pre-1922 legislation and post-1922 legislation and to see clearly what now needs to be repealed and re-enacted in modern, consolidated form. Good progress has already been made in this regard, with consolidation underway in key policy areas such as Land Law and Conveyancing; Liquor Licensing; Companies Law and Financial Services. In addition, the Law Reform Commission is undertaking a programme of Statute Law Restatement, which will serve to make post-1922 legislation more accessible by providing, in the case of selected Acts, a single up-to-date text including all amendments. This process of Restatement will also facilitate future consolidation and modernisation of legislation.
I agree that the focus of future efforts should be on post-1922 legislation and particularly on the consolidation and modernisation of legislation in key areas. It is a matter for each Minister to bring forward proposals in relation to legislation under his or her aegis and I strongly support further efforts in this regard.
131 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach the number to date of civil servants and employees of State bodies transferred from Dublin to decentralised locations; the number transferred from outside of Dublin to other decentralised locations; and the number transferred in post to decentralising Departments in Dublin pending planned decentralisation to locations outside of Dublin. [36032/07]
The Deputy will be aware that the Department of Finance is responsible for the overall decentralisation programme. There are no proposals to decentralise my Department or any of the bodies under its aegis.
132 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the reason he chose to demolish part of his Department’s premises on Leeson Lane in view of the historical significance of this building; the action he will take in relation to the space after demolition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35727/07]
The building in question is one of a pair of buildings which are surplus to requirements and are therefore being sold. The demolition of part of one of the buildings was done to remove planning risk, which would create greater certainty for the buyer and thus greater value for the exchequer in terms of the purchase price paid. Having consulted with the relevant bodies, we are satisfied that the portion of the building which we retained on site contains the majority of the most architecturally valuable features.
133 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of checks for drugs carried out at private airfields nationwide; if drugs have been located on private flights coming into Ireland; the checks that take place at these private airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35934/07]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the Customs Service has primary responsibility for the implementation of drugs enforcement controls at all airports and private airfields/ aerodromes in the State. I presume that the Deputy is referring to customs controls in place at the airfields and aerodromes outside of our three major international community airports at Dublin, Cork and Shannon.
The Revenue Commissioners have informed me that Customs controls at such airfields/aerodromes are risk-based and are carried out by mobile Customs Enforcement Officers. Attendance by these Officers is selective and targeted and is based on analysis and evaluation of national and international seizure trends, traffic frequency, routes and other risk indicators. Attendance can also be as a result of specific intelligence. Flights with origins and destinations with a high risk-rating would attract particular interest. These attendances cover the full range of flight times and are kept under constant review in particular to take account of emerging smuggling trends and any traffic increases at these airfields.
Since the beginning of 2007 there were 422 visits by Customs Enforcement Officers to such airfields/aerodromes. Drug detector dog teams were also deployed. There were 15 seizures of controlled drugs. All of these were small "own use" quantities and none were for supply.
In addition to drugs enforcement work, other duties are undertaken by officers in attending airfields/aerodromes including controls against the smuggling of excise products, the clearance of aircraft and passengers arriving from third countries, spot checks on EU flights, the verification of fuel drawback claims, the verification of end-use authorisations, clearance of aircraft under transfer of residence, and checks on private aircraft to ensure compliance with import procedures.
It is important to note by way of context that the operating environment for Customs has been shaped to a significant degree by the introduction of the Internal Market and the related principles of freedom of movement within the EU. Of specific relevance are the abolition of routine and systematic Customs checks on goods and passengers moving within any part of the EU and the elimination of Customs controls on the baggage of intra-Community passengers other than for anti-smuggling checks. This is particularly relevant in the case of these airfields/aerodromes where passenger traffic is predominantly intra-Community. In fact some of the smaller ones had no international flights. In this context, Revenue's approach has of necessity been to balance the freedom of movement principle in regard to people and goods with the need to control smuggling and enforce prohibitions and restrictions.
The Revenue Commissioners assure me that having regard to the context set out above, they are satisfied that their risk-based approach remains valid and their operations are on a par with, and may even exceed, those of many other EU Member States. I am also assured by the Revenue Commissioners of their strong commitment to playing their part in combating smuggling and criminal activity without unduly impeding legitimate international travellers or international trade.
134 Deputy John Perry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the reason a person (details supplied) in County Sligo was turned down on their application for VRT rebate on an adapted vehicle in view of the fact that they have a physical disability and their driving licence prohibits them driving anything other than an adapted vehicle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36010/07]
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.
135 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the revenue charges per transaction for laser and credit cards; his views on whether these act as a disincentive to use of electronic payment methods. [35710/07]
There are no Revenue charges on transactions carried out using either debit cards or credit cards. There is, however, a stamp duty on financial cards which is being reduced as announced in my recent Budget speech. The charges are:
A 25 per cent cut in the duty on credit cards reducing the charge from €40 to €30;
A 50 per cent cut in the duty on ATM and debit cards reducing the charge from €10 to €5; and
A 50 per cent cut in the duty on combined ATM and debit cards reducing the charge from €20 to €10.
136 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if works on the historic Swiss Cottage and its adjacent bridge in Cahir, County Tipperary have been completed; when it is proposed to reopen this important tourist attraction; the projected final costs involved in the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35740/07]
Works to the structure of the Swiss Cottage and the adjacent bridge are completed. Landscaping and ancillary works are ongoing. The projected costs are in the order of €0.5 million. A formal re-opening will take place at the Swiss Cottage in March 2008 and the site will be open from mid March to mid October.
137 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 121 of 28 November 2007, if the contracts have been signed and the site is now in State ownership. [35777/07]
Contract documents have not yet be finalised and therefore have not been forwarded to the Department of Education & Science for signing.
138 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will estimate the cost of restructuring stamp duty for non first time residential buyers where there is 0% for transactions of up to €100,000, 5% on the next €350,000 and 9% on the balance; the estimated cost for the same buyers if 0% for transactions of up to €125,000, 7% on the next €875,000 and 9% on the balance; and if he will calculate this on the basis of transaction and price levels for both 2006 and 2007. [35844/07]
It is presumed the Deputy is referring to the costs relative to the old residential stamp duty rules which were in place prior to Budget 2008. These costs are a function of the actual and estimated number of transactions and the price levels at which these transactions take place, and are therefore sensitive to cyclical changes in the housing market.
The estimated cost of restructuring stamp duty for only non-first time residential buyers where there is 0% for transactions of up to €100,000, 5% on the next €350,000 and 9% on the balance would be of the order of €400m and €320m on the basis of transactions in 2006 and 2007, respectively.
The estimated cost of restructuring stamp duty for only non-first time residential buyers where there is 0% for transactions of up to €125,000, 7% on the next €875,000 and 9% on the balance would be of the order of €285m and €240m on the basis of transactions in 2006 and 2007, respectively.
The Deputy should note that the costs of the Stamp Duty changes introduced in Budget 2008 took into account an assumption that there will be lower levels of activity in the housing market next year as compared to the exceptional levels of activity that have been evident in more recent years.
139 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of cars were imported into Ireland in 2005, 2006 and 2007; the level of under-declared VRT on imported cars in 2005, 2006 and 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35860/07]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the available information in respect of the number of cars (new and used) imported into Ireland for the years 2005, 2006 and the period 1 January to 30 November 2007 is as follows:
|
Year |
||
|
2005 |
New |
171,881 |
|
Used |
41,801 |
|
|
Total |
213,682 |
|
|
2006 |
New |
178,265 |
|
Used |
56,327 |
|
|
Total |
234,592 |
|
|
2007 |
New |
186,323 |
|
(Jan to Nov) |
Used |
56,864 |
|
Total |
243,187 |
I am also advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the amount of Vehicle Registration Tax which might be under-declared on cars imported to the State between 2005 and 2007 is fully quantifiable only by reference to the detection of the particular offence in each and every case. Revenue enforcement officers, who are based at numerous locations around the country, carry out regular and ongoing checks to identify and deal with breaches of VRT legislation involving under-declarations. Their officers engage regularly in operations, including multi agency operations, which are targeted at high-risk areas of VRT evasion. These operations can result in warning notices being issued to individuals who appear to have been late in registering their vehicles, or in seizure of the vehicles where significant and intended under-declaration of VRT is encountered. In these latter cases the vehicle may be returned on payment of the under-declared VRT together with a penalty, or in some instances prosecution can result.
As a result of operations in 2005, 1,195 warning notices were issued and this resulted in payments of VRT totalling €3,380,627. In addition, 927 vehicles were seized during 2005 and resulted in payments of VRT and penalties totalling €3,866,375. In 2006, 1,955 warning notices were issued which resulted in €5,309,272 in VRT being collected. In addition 999 vehicles were seized during 2006 with €1,844,609 in VRT and penalties being recovered. In 2007 to date, 1,944 warning notices were issued and resulted in VRT payments of €5,937,497. In addition 1,016 vehicles were seized resulting in €1,223,726 in VRT and penalties being paid. In a special operation in the last few days, 103 vehicles were seized and it is estimated that the revenue at risk is around €500,000. In 2005 there were 23 convictions for VRT related offences. In 2006 there were 8 convictions and 16 convictions in 2007.
140 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the arrangements his Department makes for direct provision or funding of childcare for civil servants in his Department; the average daily and weekly cost per child of such services as subsidised by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35901/07]
There are no childcare facilities specifically for the children of civil servants in my Department. The Office of Public Works acts as agent for my Department in developing crèches around the country for the children of civil servants as part of an initiative by the Government to improve childcare provision and increase the number of childcare places available in Ireland. The Interim Board of the Civil Service Childcare Agency (the Board) manages the Initiative. Operators are appointed by the Board following a tendering process. These operators must manage the crèches on a commercial basis.
At present there are six crèches in operation under this Initiative — providing around 170 full-time childcare places. The crèches are located in Mount Street and Marlborough Street in Dublin and in Ennis, Athlone, Sligo and Backweston, Celbridge.
Building work commenced on 16th April 2007 on a 135 place crèche at Mahon in Cork. It is expected that this crèche will be completed early next year and open for business in September 2008.
As of 1st January 2008, fees in the Dublin area will be babies €189 per week, toddlers €179 per week and Montessori €163 per week. Fees outside Dublin will be babies €160 per week and toddlers €140 per week. Other rates used by the crèches such as a daily rate etc, are calculated on a pro rata basis. The Civil Service Childcare Initiative introduced in 2001 is currently undergoing a Value for Money and Policy Review which is due for completion early 2008.
141 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance further to a previous parliamentary question if he will provide details of the incremental costs of all bodies from set up and annual budget with a break down of annual overheads. [35912/07]
Where appropriate, financial provision is made in the relevant supply services as published in the Estimates for the Public Services and accounted for in the annual Appropriation Accounts. In relation to statutory bodies, financial information is provided in their published accounts.
142 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the use here of trusts with charitable status being used for the purposes of holding complex financial instruments, such as securitised mortgages and loans; his estimate of the number of such trusts in operation here; the contribution such trusts make to charities; if the activities of such trusts are monitored by him and his Department or the Revenue Commissioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35933/07]
I take it that the Deputy is referring to securitisation special purpose vehicles (SPVs). Securitisation SPVs are as a general rule unaffiliated in terms of their ownership structure. It is an essential function of these SPVs that they are not owned by the originating institution; this allows the investor to rely on the asset within the SPV, and protects the investor from any risk of exposure to the originating institution.
As these SPVs are not in the ownership of the originating institution it is a normal feature that they would be held by a charitable trust structure, established for the purpose of holding the equities in the SPV.
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they are aware that in a typical securitisation transaction it is common practice for the shares in the SPV to be owned by a charitable trust. The Revenue Commissioners are not aware of the number of such trusts nor the contribution that such trusts make to charities. These trusts are not within the exempt charity regime, and are chargeable to tax under the normal rules relating to trusts.
The taxation of securitisation companies is governed by section 110 Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. Such companies are charged to corporation tax at 25%. The normal rate of tax for trading companies is 12.5%. There are 1,057 companies which have notified the Revenue Commissioners that they qualify for treatment under Section 110.
Appropriate company law and other provisions apply to these structures, and the institutions arranging and originating the SPVs are generally regulated by the Financial Regulator or its equivalent in other jurisdictions.
143 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the average age of staff in the following grade of principal officer, standard and higher scales assistant principal officer, standard and higher scales and higher executive officer, standard and higher scales in respect of the Revenue Commissioners; the number of retirements and resignations at each of the grades in 2006; the number of staff at these grades from the former taxes grades, opting for relocation in other Departments or offices; the number of staff retiring or resigning in 2007; and the estimate of the number of staff expected to retire and resign in these grades during 2008 and 2009 if available. [35941/07]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the information the Deputy requires is as follows:
1.Average PO age (combined standard and higher scale) = 53
2.Average AP age (combined AP std & AP HS) = 52
3.Average HEO age (combined HEO std & HEO HS) = 49
4.Relocating to other departments/offices from former taxes grades 2006/2007 = 19
5.Retirements/resignations at PO, AP & HEO in 2006
PO10
AP25
HEO35
Grand Total70
6.Retirements/resignations at PO, AP & HEO in 2007
PO9
AP22
HEO35
Grand Total66
7.Estimates of retirements/resignations for 2008 & 2009 not available.
144 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the position of the house at Farmleigh, renovated to head of State and Government status, and suitable as the Taoiseach’s residence; the cost of refurbishment of the house and its grounds to date; the number of days and nights it has been occupied and by whom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35945/07]
The Deputy may be referring to the Steward's House at Farmleigh. The Steward's House was recently refurbished to provide additional guest accommodation as part of the overall Farmleigh complex but separate from the main house. The Steward's House is an integral part of the Farmleigh Estate and it was included as part of the purchase of Farmleigh by the State in 1999. Much of the renovation work was done by the building maintenance service of the Office of Public Works as part of its ongoing programme of works. External contracts directly associated with the renovation work amounted to €568,076 inclusive of VAT. In addition, direct landscaping contracts came to €30,748 inclusive of VAT. Since it became available for use, one group of 3 guests, the EU Commissioner for Agriculture and two others, were accommodated in Steward's House for 2 days and 2 nights.
145 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of nights for each of the past five years that Farmleigh has been used for overnight visitors; the persons who have used it; the cost of such overnight visits per head; the annual cost of running Farmleigh for each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35946/07]
The information sought by the Deputy in relation to overnight usage of Farmleigh and the annual running costs of Farmleigh in each of the 5 years from 2002 to 2006 is given in the following tables. In addition to the cost of running Farmleigh as the premier guest facility for visiting Heads of State, the expenditure in each year supported significant other activity at Farmleigh in relation to its use as a venue for high level meetings and also the very successful public access and event programme. Details of these other activities are given in the attached tables also. In relation to the cost of overnight visits per head, while the OPW which manages Farmleigh, would have incurred costs associated with those visits, those costs would have been small in the context of the overall cost of the visits where most of the expenditure would have been borne by the Department of Foreign Affairs and/or the Department of the Taoiseach in relation to catering and general hospitality costs, and by the Garda Síochána in relation to security costs
|
2006 |
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
2002 |
|
|
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
|
Operating/Running costs |
3.357 |
3.183 |
3.563 |
3.456 |
4.586 |
|
Summary of Residential Visits in recent years: |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Year |
No. of Guests |
No. of Bednights |
Duration of overnight stays |
Main State Visits/Guests (Heads of State)(Overnights) |
|
2002 |
127 |
205 |
1 – 3 |
Ethiopia, Luxembourg, Latvia, Nigeria, Slovenia |
|
2003 |
134 |
258 |
1 – 5 |
Malaysia, Germany, Chile |
|
2004 |
114 |
264 |
1 – 5 |
Secretary General of U.N. |
|
2005 |
164 |
394 |
1 – 3 |
Hungry, Japan, Con of Judges, Serbia, Canada, Bulgaria |
|
2006 |
102 |
269 |
1 – 4 |
Croatia, Australia, Norway, New Zealand, Egypt, |
2004 figures do not include guests for special EU Day of Welcomes ceremony on 1st May.
Summary of High Level Events held at Farmleigh:
|
Year |
No. of Events |
Nos Attending |
|
2004 |
250* |
8,141 |
|
2005 |
64 |
3,236 |
|
2006 |
96 |
4,350 |
* EU Presidency.
|
Summary of Public Events Programme |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Year |
Total No. of Visitors |
No. of Guided Tours of House and Library |
Total No. of Public Events |
|
2003 |
120,928 |
359 |
22 |
|
2004 |
98,152 |
120 |
53 |
|
2005 |
180,487 |
161 |
58 |
|
2006 |
277,005 |
134 |
54 |
146 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number to date of civil servants and employees of State bodies transferred from Dublin to decentralised locations; the number transferred from outside of Dublin to other decentralised locations; and the number transferred in post to decentralising Departments in Dublin pending planned decentralisation to locations outside of Dublin. [35947/07]
One Hundred and twenty-two (122) staff of my Department have decentralised to Tullamore and a further four (4) have accepted offers of decentralisation. Of those in Tullamore eighty two (82) staff transferred from Dublin posts to Tullamore, twenty-five (25) were serving in various other locations in the country and fifteen (15) were recruited specifically for Tullamore. About thirty (30) further posts in my Department are scheduled to be decentralised to Kildare of which twenty-six (26) are currently in place in Dublin pending the planned move.
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that two (2) officers transferred from Dublin to temporary accommodation in Limerick in preparation for the move to Newcastle West. Forty-six officers (46) from outside of Dublin are also relocating to Newcastle West. Five (5) officers from Dublin have decentralised to Kilrush. A further fifty two (52) officers from outside of Dublin have relocated to Kilrush. Eight (8) officers from Dublin have decentralised to Listowel. A further forty four (44) officers from outside of Dublin have relocated to Listowel. Forty two (42) officers from Dublin have decentralised to Athy. A further two (2) officers from outside of Dublin have relocated to Athy. Seventy seven (77) officers from Dublin are due to decentralise to Navan in the first quarter of 2008. A further four (4) officers from outside of Dublin have accepted offers to decentralise to Navan.
I am informed by the Office of Public Works that twenty-three (23) staff in that Office have transferred to Claremorris. Of the personnel concerned, five (5) were based in Dublin and eighteen (18) were based outside of Dublin. The OPW has 187 staff in place in Dublin with a view to moving to their decentralised HQ in Trim.
With regard to the other agencies under the aegis of my Department, arrangements for decentralisation are proceeding in accordance with their implementation plans which have been prepared and submitted by each of the agencies to the Implementation Group. To date, no staff have been decentralised by the Public Appointments Service, the Valuation Office or Ordnance Survey Ireland. However ten (10) staff in the PAS and seven (7) staff in the Valuation Office are currently in posts in Dublin awaiting a transfer to Youghal. There are currently eighty-five (85) staff in OSI awaiting a transfer to Dungarvan. However, a certain number of these posts may be affected by the terms of the recent labour court recommendation in relation to the FÁS agency.
147 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the capital cost including land, the leasing and rental commitments and additional commitments for each decentralised location to date as per the Government’s planned programme of decentralisation. [35948/07]
Schedule of locations where sites have been purchased:
|
Location |
Site Cost |
|
€ |
|
|
Carlow |
1,440,000 |
|
Clonakilty |
2,875,000 |
|
Buncrana |
1,105,860 |
|
Killarney |
4,500,000 |
|
Newcastle West |
325,000 |
|
Longford |
576,250 |
|
Trim |
3,600,000 |
|
Thurles |
967,500 |
|
Dungarvan |
2,100,000 |
|
Knock |
390,000 |
|
Cavan |
2,900,000 |
|
Claremorris |
2,500,000 |
|
Tipperary |
1,625,000 |
|
Edenderry |
1,500,000 |
|
Roscommon |
3,000,000 |
|
Drogheda |
10,075,000 |
|
Portlaoise |
1,027,636 |
|
Mullingar |
8,250,000 |
|
Wexford |
3,500,000 |
Schedule of locations where long term lease terms have been agreed (permanent solutions):
|
Location |
Rental Cost (p.a) |
Estimated Fit-out cost |
|
€ |
€ |
|
|
Kilrush |
85,050 |
334,000 |
|
Listowel |
183,000 |
1,513,000 |
|
Carrick on Shannon |
800,000 |
4,721,000 |
|
Loughrea |
139,235 |
572,000 |
|
Navan |
1,015,300 |
6,013,000 |
|
Location |
Price including fit-out |
|
€ |
|
|
Tullamore |
10,034,000 |
148 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he has been advised of the extent of the use of complex financial instruments in finance, banking and investment here; if he has an estimate of the amount involved currently including in the IFSC; the principal complex financial instruments in use here; his views in relation to Irish risk exposure in respect of such instruments and vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35949/07]
The term "complex financial instrument" is not defined in Irish legislation and, as mentioned in the media and elsewhere, embraces a wide range of financial instruments, particularly in the area of derivatives. Accordingly, I have no data on the extent of usage of such instruments. If the Deputy has a concern about a specific instrument, I shall be happy to make further enquiries on the Deputy's behalf. The Deputy's question may relate to concerns arising from the international subprime difficulties and investments in so-called "complex financial instruments" by some financial services entities. A survey of the exposures of Irish banks published in the Financial Stability Report shows that the domestic banking system has no significant direct exposures to US subprime mortgages and essentially negligible exposures through investments and through links with other financial companies or special purpose vehicles. Accordingly, the stability and health of the banking system here remain robust as assessed by the usual indicators of financial health such as asset quality, profitability, solvency, liquidity and credit ratings.
149 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on the losses in value of Irish pension funds and similar investments in the context of falls in share values recently recorded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35950/07]
In my role as the Minister for Finance I have responsibility for the development of the legal framework governing financial regulation. The day-to-day responsibility for the supervision of financial institutions is a matter for the Financial Regulator.
The Pensions Board is responsible for the regulation of occupational pension schemes and Personal Retirement Savings Accounts in Ireland as part of its statutory role to monitor and supervise the operation of the Pensions Act.
150 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of artists who have submitted returns in respect of income tax payable in relation to qualifying artistic work; the average and highest amounts of gross income and tax payable; and the number of artists who have reported income above the taxable amounts and in bands or amounts of €50,000 above the threshold. [35952/07]
I assume that the Deputy is referring to the threshold relating to the restriction on the use of tax reliefs by high income individuals, which I announced in Budget 2006 and which took effect on 1 January 2007.
While preliminary tax payments will have been received for 2007, income tax returns, which will demonstrate the effect of the restriction, are not due to be made until late 2008. It will be some time after that before the statistics the Deputy has asked for will be available.
The restriction on the use of tax reliefs is designed to address the issue of a small number of individuals with high incomes who, mainly by means of the cumulative use of various tax incentive reliefs, have been able to reduce their income tax liability to a very low level or to zero. Such individuals are no longer able to do so. The aim of the restriction is to raise the effective income tax rate of high income individual affected by the measure towards 20 per cent. This is achieved because the total amount of relief an individual can obtain from the specified reliefs is limited to 50 per cent of his or her adjusted income. This means that a minimum of one half of the individual's income will be taxed, mostly at the 41 per cent rate. Allowing for the standard rate band, this is equivalent to a 20 per cent tax charge on the individual's full income.
The method used to increase the tax rates at which these high income individuals pay tax effectively addresses the equity concerns raised over the past number of years while, at the same time, ensuring that the intended incentive effects of tax schemes will continue to deliver.
151 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of returns received in respect of persons operating stud farms and availing of tax reliefs in respect of stallions; the number of returns in respect of individuals, partnership, companies and other entities; the returns in relation to same; the taxable income and tax payable that has been declared in respect of such operations; and the average and the highest of same. [35953/07]
The latest relevant information available is based on tax returns by individuals and companies of tax exempt income arising from stallion stud fees for the tax year 2005.
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the total number of such returns was 185 with the total exempt income reported at €51.8 million, an average of €280,000.
There are 13 returns of stallion stud fees in excess of €1 million. Because of the Revenue Commissioners' obligation to observe confidentiality in relation to the taxation affairs of individual taxpayers, a figure for the highest amount of exempt income returned is not provided in relation to individual amounts exceeding €1 million. This is due to the small numbers of returns with amounts exceeding that level. Data is available only on gross, not net, income in the returns. Such income will now be subject to tax from 31 July 2008.
152 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of Irish domiciled residents who are non-resident for tax purposes here and are high net worth individuals who have been identified by his Department or the Revenue Commissioners; if the Revenue Commissioners are identifying and monitoring the amount of time such individuals spend here per year; if he has an estimate of the tax foregone in respect of such individuals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35954/07]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that its Large Cases Division looks after the tax affairs of high wealth individuals. The 2005 income tax returns show that 19 of these individuals filed returns on which they claimed non-residency for Irish tax purposes.
I am further advised by the Revenue Commissioners that residence is a feature of its risk-based programmes and that the procedures adopted in validating non-resident status depend on the circumstances in each case. The administration of the validation procedures is a matter for the Commissioners and the methods used to verify claims to non-residence include a range of tests and an intelligence-based dimension which, for obvious reasons, is not publicised.
In relation to work carried out as part of its risk-based programmes, Revenue has previously advised me that it has no reason to conclude that there are failures to comply with the rules governing non-resident status. However, Revenue continues to include a cross-section of non-resident cases in its risk-based programmes.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that Irish citizens, who are non-resident for tax purposes, are obliged to file Irish tax returns only in respect of:
income arising in Ireland (e.g. income from directorships, a trade or profession, rented properties etc); and
Gains from the disposals of land, buildings or shares which derive their value from these assets, and certain other assets such as minerals in the State or other assets related to exploitation of such minerals.
There is no statutory obligation on these citizens to return details of income or gains arising anywhere else in the world. Therefore, it is not possible to establish the amount of these incomes or gains, including any associated tax.
153 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number and identity of persons, groups, bodies or agencies other than the established civil servants from whom he or Ministers of State in his Department have sought or received advice in connection with policy or administrative matters appertaining to the operation of his Department or other bodies under his aegis in the past 12 months; the extent to which such advice related to capital expenditure projects; the cost of such advice; the extent to which it has been implemented to date or if it is intended to be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35970/07]
As the Deputy will appreciate, consultation of the nature referred to is undertaken with a wide range of persons, groups, bodies and agencies across the very wide spectrum of budgetary and other policy and administrative matters relating to my Department. If the Deputy has a question about a specific item, I will make appropriate inquiries.
154 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the nature and extent of construction, refurbishment, extension or improvement works carried out in the past five years in respect of or homes or property or properties owned by Ministers, Ministers of State and their families other than their designated constituency offices where such works involved building, plumbing, plastering, electrical fitting out or other such works that resulted in a cost to the State; the purpose of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35985/07]
The only works carried out by the Office of Public Works to the properties so mentioned are of a security nature and I consider it inappropriate to give details of such security measures.
155 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children under the age of six who have been assessed in accordance with the Disability Act 2005; the waiting list for such assessments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35790/07]
The National Disability Strategy, which was launched in September 2004, provides for a framework of new supports for people with disabilities. The Strategy builds on a strong equality framework, which is reflected in several pieces of equality legislation. The main elements of the Strategy are:
The Disability Act 2005;
The Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004;
Six Outline Sectoral Plans published by Government Departments;
The Citizens Information Act 2007
The Disability Act 2005
The Disability Act 2005 is a central element of the National Disability Strategy. The Act is a positive measure designed to advance and underpin participation by people with disabilities in everyday life.
Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005 was commenced on 1st June 2007 for children aged under 5. This gives people with disabilities an entitlement to an independent assessment of health and education needs and a service statement identifying the services to be delivered. A system of complaints and appeals has also been established. An assessment based on the needs of a client, independent of the costs of the provision of service, will be provided. The HSE will prepare a service statement outlining the services to be provided to the person. This is a very welcome significant step towards enhancing the level of support to people with disabilities.
It is the first time that an independent assessment of need, conducted according to standards laid down and monitored by an independent agency, the Health Information and Quality Authority, will be available. The Act will also give us an accurate picture of service provision and of areas for improvement across the system.
The assessment of need process is a matter for the HSE and I have referred this matter to the HSE who will be in a position to provide information in terms of the numbers involved.
156 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children in the care of the Health Service Executive under the age of 16 who are not in receipt of full-time education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35870/07]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and 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 the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
157 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding services (details supplied) in 2008. [35657/07]
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 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.
158 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a claim under the health repayment scheme will not pass to the spouse of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35661/07]
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.
159 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be facilitated. [35662/07]
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.
160 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Health and Children if the lands adjoining St. Bridget’s Hospital, Ballinasloe, have been sold or are in the process of being sold; if the proceeds of such a sale will be ring fenced for the provision of a proper mental health service in the area; if the promised lands to the community will be still made available to these community groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35664/07]
171 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children if there are plans to sell land in a location (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35795/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 160 and 171 together.
The Deputies' questions 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 Deputies.
161 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the Irish Osteoporosis Society is not in receipt of core funding from her Department; if her attention has been drawn to the tremendous help the society gives to osteoporosis sufferers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35695/07]
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.
162 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will review the new EOCP funding regulations in view of the fact that the proposals will ghettoise all community based childcare as working class parents who fall short of the subvention criteria move their children to other schools which will have a negative effect on the remaining pupils who will all be classed as social welfare children (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35721/07]
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 main supports the Government makes available to parents to assist them with their childcare costs are Child Benefit and the Early Childcare Supplement. The latter payment is the responsibility of my Office, and it alone amounts to expenditure of over €400m in a full year. These payments are universal and benefit all parents, regardless of their income, labour market status or the type of childcare they choose. In addition to these universal supports, Government childcare policy has also recognised the need to target additional supports towards disadvantaged families.
Under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006 (EOCP), which is co-funded under the EU Social Fund (ESF), targeted support was provided through the staffing support grant scheme whereby community based not-for-profit childcare providers with a strong focus on disadvantage were awarded grant aid towards their staffing costs to allow them to operate reduced fees to disadvantaged parents. Funding under this scheme was originally awarded for a limited period during which services were expected to move towards sustainability. This funding was subsequently continued to the end of 2007, where it was considered necessary to enable services to continue to make their services accessible to disadvantaged parents. This continuation funding was subject to the condition that tiered fee structures were implemented by the services in question.
With the closure of the EOCP in December 2007, to continue to support community childcare services to provide affordable childcare to disadvantaged parents, the Community Childcare Subvention Scheme (CCSS) is being introduced from January 2008 under the Exchequer funded National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010 (NCIP), the successor programme to the EOCP. The CCSS has been allocated €153 million over the next 3 years, representing a 16% increase in funding over the EOCP staffing scheme, and will continue to support community childcare services to provide reduced childcare fees for disadvantaged parents, complementing the universal supports in place for all parents. Under the new scheme, it will be possible to ensure that the level of grant aid which individual services qualify for will reflect the actual level of service they provide and the profile of the parents benefiting from their service. As part of their application for funding under the new scheme, services are required to ask parents using their services to complete a simple declaration form which is to be included in a return to my Office and on which basis the level of subvention for each service will be determined. The subvention received by services will, in turn, be reflected in the reduced fees for parents who qualify as disadvantaged under the scheme.
In practice, this will mean that parents with children in such services and in receipt of most social welfare payments (or participating in a scheme such as Community Employment which demonstrates an underlying entitlement to same) or parents in receipt of Family Income Supplement (FIS), will have a weekly subvention paid to the service in respect of their child. A higher subvention will be paid where the subvented child is a baby, in recognition of the higher costs associated with the care of children aged under 1 year. Parents who do not qualify for subvention will be charged the cost price for their childcare service. However, as community not-for-profit services will, generally, have availed of capital grant aid under the EOCP or NCIP removing the requirement to cover rent or a mortgage, and as the services are run on a not-for-profit basis, this should still be significantly below the market price.
It is considered that the new scheme will provide an effective framework for the continued targeting of additional resources towards disadvantaged parents and their children while continuing to support community childcare services generally. The scheme has been informed by and takes account of a number of enhancements recommended by the report of the Value for Money Review of the EOCP. These include the fact that the subvention to services will be more responsive to the level of service provided as well as the degree of parental disadvantage supported and the ceiling for funding, which existed under the previous scheme, is being removed. Account will also be taken of all of the operational costs of the service rather than staffing costs alone. Services, including full-time, part-time and sessional ones, which at present are, in some cases, inaccessibly priced for disadvantaged parents, will be available to them at more appropriate rates under the new scheme.
The new scheme has clear advantages over its predecessor. There is an increase in the level of funding available under it, and a majority of services will benefit from the changes it introduces. Existing EOCP staffing grant recipients who enter the new scheme will continue to be funded at their current levels until July 2008. My Office has engaged in a series of meetings with existing grant recipients to outline to them the details of the new scheme and to gather feedback from the services themselves. A meeting with representatives of the City and County Childcare Committees has also taken place.
Transitional arrangements have been made under which existing grant recipients will continue to be funded at their current levels until 1st July 2008. This is to ensure that existing childcare services are facilitated to adjust to the new scheme, including making any adjustments necessary to their fee structures. When I announced the new scheme in July of this year, I signalled my intention to undertake a review of the Scheme on the basis of the more detailed and comprehensive data which was forwarded to my Office in November and December. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the review has been completed and the following adjustments to the scheme have been approved by the Government: the childcare subvention rates, which form the basis for assessing the level of grant funding payable to community childcare services, have been increased from €80 to €100 per week in the case of Band A parents and from €30 to €70 per week in the case of Band B parents; services will also be grant aided to enable them to provide reduced childcare fees for parents in Band C who are marginally above the Family Income Supplement (FIS) threshold and low income parents who qualify under this measure will benefit by €45 per week per full-time place; where a parent moves to a lower Band (e.g. from social welfare into employment), the subvention paid in respect of them will be withdrawn on a tapered basis with the effect that where a parent would no longer qualify for a Band A payment, he or she will be treated as a Band B parent in the following year; special provisions will be provided for in the case of childcare services where, for valid reasons, it is not possible to assess grant funding on the basis of annual parental declarations alone (e.g. women's refuges, special services for children of drug misusers) and, in exceptional cases, where special levels of funding provision may be required; in recognition of the on-going input of the community and voluntary sector, and to provide stability for services which would otherwise receive very low levels of grant subvention (e.g. small rural services) a minimum annual grant level of €20,000 is being introduced.
As a transitional measure during 2008-2010, services which would otherwise face a significant decrease in their existing level of grant support from July 2008, will continue to receive grant aid equal to not less than 90% of their previous grant level during July-December 2008, equal to not less than 85% of that amount in 2009, and equal to not less than 75% of that amount in 2010. The transitional grant funding will be conditional on all requirements of the Scheme being complied with including the return of annual applications together with completed parent declaration forms and the implementation of tiered fees based on the subvention levels for Band A, B and C parents.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the Group in question has been approved for transitional funding under the NCIP Community Childcare Subvention Scheme (CCSS), and a letter of approval has issued from the Childcare Directorate of my Office. This funding will, for the first six months of 2008, be based on the level of funding currently being provided to the Groups under the EOCP staffing support grant scheme and subject to the necessary contractual arrangement with Pobal, who manage the day to day operation of the EOCP and NCIP.
163 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will increase the funding to the Irish Osteoporosis Society (details supplied). [35724/07]
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.
164 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children if she is planning to reassess the early assessment for speech and language in relation to increasing the numbers of such teams in view of the positive overview of school principals to such schemes with the only difficulty being the observation that there is not enough speech and language teams available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35744/07]
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 new residential, respite and day places, therapy services and also for the continuation of the implementation of the transfer of persons with intellectual disability from psychiatric hospitals and other inappropriate placements.
The Government is also honouring its promise in relation to the Multi Annual Investment Programme for people with disabilities, with a further €50m investment which was announced in the 2008 Budget.
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.
165 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of speech and language teams available within the Health Service Executive; the areas that such teams cover; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35745/07]
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 new residential, respite and day places and also for the continuation of the implementation of the transfer of persons with intellectual disability from psychiatric hospitals and other inappropriate placements. The Government is also honouring its promise in relation to the Multi Annual Investment Programme for people with disabilities, with a further €50m investment, which was announced in the 2008 Budget.
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.
166 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the position of the renewal of a medical card for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35764/07]
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 income guidelines for GP visit cards. These are now 50% higher than those in respect of medical cards.
As the Health Service Executive has the operational and funding responsibility for these benefits, it is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has therefore requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to address this matter and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
167 Deputy John Cregan asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Limerick will be admitted to Limerick Regional Hospital for cataract surgery. [35778/07]
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.
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.
168 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress made on the standards for services for people with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35792/07]
197 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will expedite the framing and implementation of national standards and inspection of residential centres and community homes for children and adults with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35900/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 and 197 together.
Draft National Standards were produced by the National Disability Authority (NDA) in association with the Department of Health and Children. These draft Standards were forwarded by the Minister for Health and Children to the interim Health Information and Quality Authority (iHIQA).
Building on this work, HIQA recently established a national committee whose task is to consider the development of service specific standards including residential and community based services for people with disabilities in residential centres. I understand a set of draft standards will be available for public consultation in the second quarter of 2008 and completed by the third quarter. A published set of standards is expected by the end of 2008. In the meantime, HIQA will be recruiting and training inspectors so that inspections of the disability services should commence in 2009.
169 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress made on the national standards for residential care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35793/07]
In January 2007 the Minister for Health & Children published a new set of draft national standards for all nursing homes. The standards were developed by a working group chaired by DoHC and included the Health Service Executive, 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 the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), the draft standards were formally referred to HIQA for consultation and finalisation. The Authority established a wide-ranging Working Group to finalise the draft standards.
The terms of reference of the Group were to:
review and develop the draft standards
establish a process for targeted and public consultation
oversee the public consultation process
consider feedback from the public consultation process
finalise the draft standards for publication and inspection
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 proposed to hold one further meeting of the Working Group to finalise the standards. 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.
170 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children the status of the code of practice for sheltered occupational services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35794/07]
As the Deputy is aware, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has recently established a National Review Group to carry out a Strategic Review of HSE funded Adult Day Services for People with Disabilities including Sheltered work.
This review will identify the range, configuration and objectives of future adult day services that are most appropriate to the needs of people with disabilities and the statutory responsibilities of the Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Executive. The review will include consideration of the draft code of practice for sheltered occupational services.
172 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the Health Service Executive is obstructing implementation of the Civil Registration Act 2004 in so far as it has rendered it impossible for a couple to celebrate a civil marriage ceremony anywhere in Dublin, Kildare or Wicklow other than in a registry office in violation of the provisions contained in the Act which enables such marriages to be celebrated in other locations such as hotels; if an independent enquiry will be conducted into the failure of the HSE to properly carry out its delegated functions under the legislation; and if she will take action to require it to comply with its statutory duties. [35796/07]
As the Deputy will be aware, the provisions of the Civil Registration Act, 2004, governing the giving of notice of intention to marry, solemnisation and registration of marriage were commenced on 5 November 2007. The commencement of the new provisions has the effect of repealing all the old legislation relating to registration of marriages dating back to 1845.
Under the 2004 Act, primary responsibility for the provision of civil registration services locally, including solemnisation of civil marriages at venues other than the registrar's office, rests with the Health Service Executive (HSE). The Act also provides that an tArd Chlaraitheoir (Registrar General) exercises a supervisory role in relation to the provision of services by the HSE. I understand that certain difficulties have arisen in relation to the filling of staff vacancies in the Eastern Registration Area, and that an tArd Chlaraitheoir is seeking a meeting with the HSE to discuss the matter.
173 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of people who are registered with acquired brain injury here; the commitment in developing a comprehensive rehabilitation strategy for people with ABI; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35797/07]
According to the National Physical and Sensory Disability Database Committee Annual Report 2007 there are 613 people registered with "Head Injury" and 1076 people registered as "Stroke Hemiplegia". There is no category on the Database for Acquired Brain Injury. The Deputy should be aware that a collaborative project between the Health Research Board and Headway Ireland is being undertaken in relation to capturing information on people with Acquired Brain Injury. My Department is currently examining the development of a strategy on rehabilitation services.
174 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children when she expects the re-evaluation of the medical card scheme to be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35800/07]
My Department is currently reviewing all legislation relating to eligibility for health and personal social services with a view to making the system as fair and transparent as possible. As part of this general review, a review of the eligibility criteria for medical cards is being undertaken and is expected to be completed by Autumn 2008.
175 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if her Department and the Health Service Executive will give consideration to the development of a dedicated children’s hospital in Cork to serve the southern region. [35806/07]
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.
176 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will defer the introduction of the new fair deal scheme for the funding of nursing home care until there is further debate on the implications of the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35808/07]
The final details of the Bill are being addressed at present. The Minister proposes to publish the Bill as soon as possible, following Government approval. Details of the scheme have been in the public domain since the Minister announced it in December 2006 and there has been consultation and meetings with stakeholders arising from commitments under Towards 2016. The Department will be conferring again with the Social Partners following publication of the Bill.
177 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps which she is taking to resolve the dispute between the Health Service Executive and public dentists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35821/07]
The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides for a range of dental services for adult medical card holders from participating dentists holding contracts with the Health Service Executive (HSE).
The DTSS Review Group was established in May, 2006, to undertake a comprehensive review of Primary Care Oral Health Services provided under the DTSS. Represented on the Review Group are the HSE, the HSE — Employers Agency, the Department of Health and Children, the Department of Social and Family Affairs, the Department of Finance and the Irish Dental Association (IDA). The Group is chaired by Mr Finbar Flood.
During the course of the review, based on legal advice by the HSE, a legal issue arose in relation to the Competition Act, 2002 and the collective negotiation of fees with the IDA. The HSE was advised that the coming together of the DTSS contractors under the auspices of the IDA to negotiate fees would constitute a breach of the Act. The IDA was advised of the legal situation and, in January 2007, discussions on the fee aspects of the review were temporarily put on hold. It is clear now from discussions between officials of my Department and the Attorney General's Office, that there are complex legal difficulties associated with the traditional process for the negotiation of professional fees and that a new approach, in line with Competition Law, must be found. Accordingly, officials in my Department are working with the Attorney General's office to clarify the way forward.
178 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will grant an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death by suicide and have a review of the care and treatment of the person (details supplied) which they received in the course of their illness.. [35822/07]
My Department has sought a full report from the Health Service Executive in relation to this case.
179 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if entitlement to services under the general medical services scheme is valid across all Health Service Executive regions; if a valid medical card is operable in all regions; the procedures in place to ensure that these entitlements are uniformly recognised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35824/07]
Where a person is assessed by the HSE as qualifying for a medical card, he/she is categorised as having full eligibility for health services. This eligibility status is applicable in respect of services in all HSE regions and administrative arrangements are in place to enable a person, for example, to access general practitioner or pharmacy services as necessary in any part of the country.
The HSE has drawn up standard National Medical Card Assessment Guidelines to ensure that all persons applying for a medical card are assessed in a fair and equitable manner. I am also informed by the Executive that national business processes have been developed to enable a model of best practice to be adopted for the processing of medical card applications, including the initial application stage, the assessment stage and the decision making stage.
Before the establishment of the HSE, some variation in practice had developed over time, between the individual health boards, in relation to the provision of certain community services and the range of such services available. These arrangements will be reviewed in the context of the ongoing development of primary care services and the legislative proposals being prepared by my Department to clarify and update existing legislation on eligibility for health and personal social services.
180 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason domiciliary allowance payment has not been granted in respect of a child (details supplied) in County Louth who has been diagnosed as being autistic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35826/07]
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.
181 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on a submission (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35836/07]
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 main supports the Government makes available to parents to assist them with their childcare costs are Child Benefit and the Early Childcare Supplement. The latter payment is the responsibility of my Office, and it alone amounts to expenditure of over €400m in a full year. These payments are universal and benefit all parents, regardless of their income, labour market status or the type of childcare they choose. In addition to these universal supports, Government childcare policy has also recognised the need to target additional supports towards disadvantaged families.
Under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006 (EOCP), which is co-funded under the EU Social Fund (ESF), targeted support was provided through the staffing support grant scheme whereby community based not-for-profit childcare providers with a strong focus on disadvantage were awarded grant aid towards their staffing costs to allow them to operate reduced fees to disadvantaged parents. Funding under this scheme was originally awarded for a limited period during which services were expected to move towards sustainability. This funding was subsequently continued to the end of 2007, where it was considered necessary to enable services to continue to make their services accessible to disadvantaged parents. This continuation funding was subject to the condition that tiered fee structures were implemented by the services in question.
With the closure of the EOCP in December 2007, to continue to support community childcare services to provide affordable childcare to disadvantaged parents, the Community Childcare Subvention Scheme (CCSS) is being introduced from January 2008 under the Exchequer funded National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010 (NCIP), the successor programme to the EOCP. The CCSS has been allocated €153 million over the next 3 years, representing a 16% increase in funding over the EOCP staffing scheme, and will continue to support community childcare services to provide reduced childcare fees for disadvantaged parents, complementing the universal supports in place for all parents. Under the new scheme, it will be possible to ensure that the level of grant aid which individual services qualify for will reflect the actual level of service they provide and the profile of the parents benefiting from their service. As part of their application for funding under the new scheme, services are required to ask parents using their services to complete a simple declaration form which is to be included in a return to my Office and on which basis the level of subvention for each service will be determined. The subvention received by services will, in turn, be reflected in the reduced fees for parents who qualify as disadvantaged under the scheme.
In practice, this will mean that parents with children in such services and in receipt of most social welfare payments (or participating in a scheme such as Community Employment which demonstrates an underlying entitlement to same) or parents in receipt of Family Income Supplement (FIS), will have a weekly subvention paid to the service in respect of their child. A higher subvention will be paid where the subvented child is a baby, in recognition of the higher costs associated with the care of children aged under 1 year. Parents who do not qualify for subvention will be charged the cost price for their childcare service. However, as community not-for-profit services will, generally, have availed of capital grant aid under the EOCP or NCIP removing the requirement to cover rent or a mortgage, and as the services are run on a not-for-profit basis, this should still be significantly below the market price.
It is considered that the new scheme will provide an effective framework for the continued targeting of additional resources towards disadvantaged parents and their children while continuing to support community childcare services generally. The scheme has been informed by and takes account of a number of enhancements recommended by the report of the Value for Money Review of the EOCP. These include the fact that the subvention to services will be more responsive to the level of service provided as well as the degree of parental disadvantage supported and the ceiling for funding, which existed under the previous scheme, is being removed. Account will also be taken of all of the operational costs of the service rather than staffing costs alone. Services, including full-time, part-time and sessional ones, which at present are, in some cases, inaccessibly priced for disadvantaged parents, will be available to them at more appropriate rates under the new scheme.
The new scheme has clear advantages over its predecessor. There is an increase in the level of funding available under it, and a majority of services will benefit from the changes it introduces. Existing EOCP staffing grant recipients who enter the new scheme will continue to be funded at their current levels until July 2008. My Office has engaged in a series of meetings with existing grant recipients to outline to them the details of the new scheme and to gather feedback from the services themselves. A meeting with representatives of the City and County Childcare Committees has also taken place.
Transitional arrangements have been made under which existing grant recipients will continue to be funded at their current levels until 1st July 2008. This is to ensure that existing childcare services are facilitated to adjust to the new scheme, including making any adjustments necessary to their fee structures. When I announced the new scheme in July of this year, I signalled my intention to undertake a review of the Scheme on the basis of the more detailed and comprehensive data which was forwarded to my Office in November and December. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the review has been completed and the following adjustments to the scheme have been approved by the Government:
the childcare subvention rates, which form the basis for assessing the level of grant funding payable to community childcare services, have been increased from €80 to €100 per week in the case of Band A parents and from €30 to €70 per week in the case of Band B parents;
services will also be grant aided to enable them to provide reduced childcare fees for parents in Band C who are marginally above the Family Income Supplement (FIS) threshold and low income parents who qualify under this measure will benefit by €45 per week per full-time place;
where a parent moves to a lower Band (e.g. from social welfare into employment), the subvention paid in respect of them will be withdrawn on a tapered basis with the effect that where a parent would no longer qualify for a Band A payment, he or she will be treated as a Band B parent in the following year;
special provisions will be provided for in the case of childcare services where, for valid reasons, it is not possible to assess grant funding on the basis of annual parental declarations alone (e.g. women's refuges, special services for children of drug misusers) and, in exceptional cases, where special levels of funding provision may be required;
in recognition of the on-going input of the community and voluntary sector, and to provide stability for services which would otherwise receive very low levels of grant subvention (e.g. small rural services) a minimum annual grant level of €20,000 is being introduced.
as a transitional measure during 2008-2010, services which would otherwise face a significant decrease in their existing level of grant support from July 2008, will continue to receive grant aid equal to not less than 90% of their previous grant level during July-December 2008, equal to not less than 85% of that amount in 2009, and equal to not less than 75% of that amount in 2010. The transitional grant funding will be conditional on all requirements of the Scheme being complied with including the return of annual applications together with completed parent declaration forms and the implementation of tiered fees based on the subvention levels for Band A, B and C parents.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the Group in question has applied to enter the new scheme and a letter has issued from the Childcare Directorate of my Office requesting them to forward outstanding information. When this is received a letter of approval for transitional funding under the NCIP Community Childcare Subvention Scheme (CCSS) will issue. This funding will, for the first six months of 2008, be based on the level of funding currently being provided to the Groups under the EOCP staffing support grant scheme and subject to the necessary contractual arrangement with Pobal, who manage the day to day operation of the EOCP and NCIP.
182 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the procedures involved for a town (details supplied) in County Kildare to secure an after hours doctor service considering the expanding population of the town; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35837/07]
Out of hours co-operatives allow general practitioners to put in place arrangements to provide services to their patients, while their surgeries are closed in the evenings, on weekends and bank holidays. The development of GP co-operatives is in line with the overall health service policy of strengthening primary care services and ensuring that to the greatest extent possible, people's care needs are met in the primary care setting.
Out of hours co-operatives are now in place in all Health Service Executive (HSE) areas, providing coverage in all or in part of all counties. In 2007, almost €37 million is available to the HSE to fund the operation of GP out of hours services. This figure does not include the fees of the participating doctors.
As the Health Service Executive has the operational and funding responsibility for this service, it is the appropriate body to provide the information sought by the Deputy. My Department has therefore requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to address this matter and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
183 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the position of an application for mobility aids by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35838/07]
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.
184 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide an updated report on the health repayment scheme which is due to close at the end of December 2007 including the number of applications, the number of cases which have been resolved and where payment has been made; the amount of awards which have been made to date; her Department’s estimates of the total moneys which will be paid; the number of cases under appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35861/07]
The Health Repayment Scheme was launched in August 2006 and the HSE has informed my Department that as of 7th December 2007 over 33,000 claim forms have been received. 5,346 payments totalling over €105.8m have issued and 8,320 offers totalling over €160m have been made.
The HSE has indicated that based on the number of valid applications received to date, the estimated total of the amount of money repaid will be approximately €380m. The costs of administering the repayment scheme will be additional to this amount.
The Health Repayment Scheme Appeals Office has advised my Department that as of the 7th December 2007 the total number of people who have indicated their intention to appeal under the health repayment scheme is 1,959. However, of this figure 895 appeal forms have actually been received.
185 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children the information she has received from the Health Service Executive in relation to the ending of embargoes on staff recruitment throughout the HSE organisation and in particular if she has received reports in relation to the position of HSE workers returning from career breaks who have been prevented from resuming their careers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35862/07]
The current pause on the recruitment of additional staff is a temporary measure initiated as part of the HSE financial break-even plan. 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 assessment of priority need.
Notwithstanding this, it has been recognised that there are some circumstances where appointment of staff may be necessary in frontline services. Accordingly, a process has been put in place by the HSE 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 and this group meets regularly to consider such applications.
Of the applications for derogation received to date, 860 w.t.e.s have been approved where posts have been identified as critical to service delivery.
I have been advised by the HSE 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.
I have also been advised by the HSE that career breaks are granted under the terms of the Career Break Scheme as set out in the HSE Terms and Conditions of Employment. Employees applying for a career break are normally required to sign that they accept these terms and conditions. Under the provisions of the scheme, "if a suitable vacancy does not exist at the date of the termination of the career break, an employee is guaranteed re-employment within twelve months, i.e. an unpaid period of up to twelve months could ensue upon termination of the date of the career break."
186 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the situation in the midlands where patients in need of breast scans have been referred to Portlaoise, Tullamore and Mullingar hospital only to be told the service is no longer available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35872/07]
The review of mammograms at the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise is complete. A report on the review will be published by the Health Service Executive (HSE) after any individual identified in it has been offered the opportunity to comment, as is the normal legal requirement. The suspension of mammography services at Portlaoise continues pending the publication of the report. The HSE has advised my Department that women in the area are currently being referred for mammography to St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin.
Arising from the designation of eight cancer centres nationally and in order to comply with the National Quality Assurance Standards for Symptomatic Breast Disease, the HSE has directed a number of hospitals, including the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore and the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar with very low case volumes to cease breast cancer services. The National Hospitals Office has already planned the redirection of this symptomatic caseload. The HSE has advised my Department that women in these areas are currently being referred to St. Vincent's Hospital and the Mater Hospital, Dublin. The HSE has also advised that the new referral patterns have been advised to all Consultants and GPs in the region.
The decisions of the HSE in relation to four managed cancer control networks and eight cancer centres will be implemented on a managed and phased basis. The HSE has designated St. James's Hospital and St. Vincent's Hospital as the two cancer centres in the Managed Cancer Control Network for the HSE Dublin Mid Leinster region, which includes the Midland Regional Hospitals at Tullamore, Portlaoise and Mullingar.
187 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of patients admitted to psychiatric wards who have a history of abuse of illegal drugs for each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35873/07]
The Health Research Board (HRB) collects data on all admissions to psychiatric in-patient facilities in Ireland. Data on patients history of drug use is not captured. However, the following table outlines the number of admissions to Irish Psychiatric Units and Hospitals with a diagnosis of drug disorders over each of the past five years.
|
Year |
Drug Disorders |
|
2006 |
663 |
|
2005 |
777 |
|
2004 |
724 |
|
2003 |
617 |
|
2002 |
675 |
188 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Health and Children the financial assistance available for families of patients suffering from dementia in the south Dublin City area who must use private nursing homes as there are no public beds available for this purpose; if her attention has been drawn to the serious financial hardship caused for families who find themselves in such a situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35876/07]
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.
189 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount expended on specialist disability services as described in her Department’s sectoral plan in 2006 and 2007 respectively with a breakdown of this expenditure per Health Service Executive area and service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35887/07]
191 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children the support services covered under the term multidisciplinary support services available to people with disabilities as laid out in her Department’s sectoral plan; if the €41 million allocated for same in 2006 was expended; the amount allocated for these support services in 2007 and the amount expended; if the remainder of the additional funding allocated for services for people with disabilities in 2006 was also expended; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35889/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 189 and 191 together.
As part of the Multi Annual Investment Programme 2006 — 2009 under the Disability Strategy, the Government provided the Health Service Executive with an additional €75m in both 2006 and 2007. This funding included monies to provide new and enhanced services for people with disabilities, to implement Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005, which came into effect on June 1st 2007 for the under 5's and also for the continuation of the implementation of the transfer of persons with intellectual disability from psychiatric hospitals and other inappropriate placements.
The Government is also honouring its promise in relation to the Multi Annual Investment Programme for people with disabilities, with a further €50m investment which was announced in the 2008 Budget.
The Deputy's questions relate to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, 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.
190 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children if the target of creating 100 new mental health places per annum in mental health day centres, day hospitals and community residential facilities for the duration of the multi-annual investment programme 2006 to 2009, as outlined in her Department’s sectoral plan was met in 2006 and 2007 respectively; if so, the locations where these places were created; if not, the number of new mental health places created in each of these years respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35888/07]
192 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children if all the service developments planned under the Mental Health Service Developments in 2006, as laid out in her Department’s sectoral plan were carried out; the service developments which were not carried out; if the budget allocation for 2006 was expended; the amount made available for these services in 2007 and amount expended; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35890/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 190 and 192 together.
In 2006, additional revenue funding of €26.2m was made available to the Health Service Executive to develop services in line with the recommendations of "A Vision for Change". This included funding of €7.5m as part of the Government's multi-annual investment programme, for the provision of additional community based mental health facilities, including mental health day centres, day hospitals and community residential facilities.
A further sum of €25 million, including €8.25 from the multi-annual investment programme, was allocated in 2007 to continue this development.
The Deputy's questions relate to the management and delivery of health and personal social services which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, 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.
193 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons with full medical cards as a proportion of the population at the end of 2007; and the comparable figures for 1992, 1997 and 2002. [35896/07]
Details of the numbers of medical card holders are provided to my Department each month by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The figures are provided on a net basis showing the balance after new cards have been issued and other cards, as appropriate, have been deleted from the Executive's database, e.g. following a review of holders' circumstances.
The most recent figure provided to my Department by the HSE is in respect of 1st December, 2007. In 1992 and 1997 medical card figures were supplied on a quarterly basis to my Department. The table below shows the number of persons, according to the health boards' databases, with medical cards as a proportion of the national population on the dates requested by the Deputy.
In interpreting this information, it is necessary to take account of the fact that the HSE (and before 2005 the health boards) has undertaken a substantial programme of work in recent years to improve data quality in the General Medical Services (GMS) client database. For example, in 2003 and 2004, work carried out by the health boards led to a deletion of approximately 104,000 inappropriate entries where, for example, there were duplicate entries for the same person, the expiry date on the card had passed, the person had moved away or was deceased. This exercise did not involve any reduction in the actual number of persons who held medical cards but rather resulted in a more accurate picture of the number of individuals in receipt of GP services under the GMS Scheme.
|
Year |
National Population |
No. of medical card holders |
Proportion of National Population with Medical Cards |
|
1992 (as at 31st December 1992) |
3,547,600 |
1,263,001 |
35.60% |
|
1997 (as at 31st December 1997) |
3,626,087 |
1,219,852 |
33.64% |
|
2002 (as at 31st December 2002) |
3,917,336 |
1,164,453 |
29.73% |
|
2007 (as at 1st December 2007) |
4,339,000 (Central Statistics Office estimate for April 2007 announced on 18th December 2007) |
1,279,026 |
29.48% |
In addition, as at 1 December 2007, 75,542 persons held a GP visit card.
194 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons over 70 who have received the non-means tested medical card for over 70s since its introduction. [35897/07]
Since July 2001, all persons aged 70 and over have a statutory entitlement to a medical card. In all other cases an assessment is undertaken having regard to the applicant's means.
Information provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to my Department indicates that as of 1st December 2007, 131,668 persons aged 70 or over have received a medical card under the provisions of Section 45 (5A) of the Health Act 1970.
195 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if the implementation of the community childcare subvention scheme will be deferred until the end of 2008 and the EOCP accordingly extended until then, in order to allow comprehensive consultation with all stakeholders before the final details of a revised scheme are agreed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35898/07]
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 main supports the Government makes available to parents to assist them with their childcare costs are Child Benefit and the Early Childcare Supplement. The latter payment is the responsibility of my Office, and it alone amounts to expenditure of over €400m in a full year. These payments are universal and benefit all parents, regardless of their income, labour market status or the type of childcare they choose. In addition to these universal supports, Government childcare policy has also recognised the need to target additional supports towards disadvantaged families.
Under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006 (EOCP), which is co-funded under the EU Social Fund (ESF), targeted support was provided through the staffing support grant scheme whereby community based not-for-profit childcare providers with a strong focus on disadvantage were awarded grant aid towards their staffing costs to allow them to operate reduced fees to disadvantaged parents. Funding under this scheme was originally awarded for a limited period during which services were expected to move towards sustainability. This funding was subsequently continued to the end of 2007, where it was considered necessary to enable services to continue to make their services accessible to disadvantaged parents. This continuation funding was subject to the condition that tiered fee structures were implemented by the services in question.
With the closure of the EOCP in December 2007, to continue to support community childcare services to provide affordable childcare to disadvantaged parents, the Community Childcare Subvention Scheme (CCSS) is being introduced from January 2008 under the Exchequer funded National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010 (NCIP), the successor programme to the EOCP. The CCSS has been allocated €153 million over the next 3 years, representing a 16% increase in funding over the EOCP staffing scheme, and will continue to support community childcare services to provide reduced childcare fees for disadvantaged parents, complementing the universal supports in place for all parents. Under the new scheme, it will be possible to ensure that the level of grant aid which individual services qualify for will reflect the actual level of service they provide and the profile of the parents benefiting from their service. As part of their application for funding under the new scheme, services are required to ask parents using their services to complete a simple declaration form which is to be included in a return to my Office and on which basis the level of subvention for each service will be determined. The subvention received by services will, in turn, be reflected in the reduced fees for parents who qualify as disadvantaged under the scheme.
In practice, this will mean that parents with children in such services and in receipt of most social welfare payments (or participating in a scheme such as Community Employment which demonstrates an underlying entitlement to same) or parents in receipt of Family Income Supplement (FIS), will have a weekly subvention paid to the service in respect of their child. A higher subvention will be paid where the subvented child is a baby, in recognition of the higher costs associated with the care of children aged under 1 year. Parents who do not qualify for subvention will be charged the cost price for their childcare service. However, as community not-for-profit services will, generally, have availed of capital grant aid under the EOCP or NCIP removing the requirement to cover rent or a mortgage, and as the services are run on a not-for-profit basis, this should still be significantly below the market price.
It is considered that the new scheme will provide an effective framework for the continued targeting of additional resources towards disadvantaged parents and their children while continuing to support community childcare services generally. The scheme has been informed by and takes account of a number of enhancements recommended by the report of the Value for Money Review of the EOCP. These include the fact that the subvention to services will be more responsive to the level of service provided as well as the degree of parental disadvantage supported and the ceiling for funding, which existed under the previous scheme, is being removed. Account will also be taken of all of the operational costs of the service rather than staffing costs alone. Services, including full-time, part-time and sessional ones, which at present are, in some cases, inaccessibly priced for disadvantaged parents, will be available to them at more appropriate rates under the new scheme.
The new scheme has clear advantages over its predecessor. There is an increase in the level of funding available under it, and a majority of services will benefit from the changes it introduces. Existing EOCP staffing grant recipients who enter the new scheme will continue to be funded at their current levels until July 2008. My Office has engaged in a series of meetings with existing grant recipients to outline to them the details of the new scheme and to gather feedback from the services themselves. A meeting with representatives of the City and County Childcare Committees has also taken place.
Transitional arrangements have been made under which existing grant recipients will continue to be funded at their current levels until 1st July 2008. This is to ensure that existing childcare services are facilitated to adjust to the new scheme, including making any adjustments necessary to their fee structures. When I announced the new scheme in July of this year, I signalled my intention to undertake a review of the Scheme on the basis of the more detailed and comprehensive data which was forwarded to my Office in November and December. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the review has been completed and the following adjustments to the scheme have been approved by the Government:
the childcare subvention rates, which form the basis for assessing the level of grant funding payable to community childcare services, have been increased from €80 to €100 per week in the case of Band A parents and from €30 to €70 per week in the case of Band B parents;
services will also be grant aided to enable them to provide reduced childcare fees for parents in Band C who are marginally above the Family Income Supplement (FIS) threshold and low income parents who qualify under this measure will benefit by €45 per week per full-time place;
where a parent moves to a lower Band (e.g. from social welfare into employment), the subvention paid in respect of them will be withdrawn on a tapered basis with the effect that where a parent would no longer qualify for a Band A payment, he or she will be treated as a Band B parent in the following year;
special provisions will be provided for in the case of childcare services where, for valid reasons, it is not possible to assess grant funding on the basis of annual parental declarations alone (e.g. women's refuges, special services for children of drug misusers) and, in exceptional cases, where special levels of funding provision may be required;
in recognition of the on-going input of the community and voluntary sector, and to provide stability for services which would otherwise receive very low levels of grant subvention (e.g. small rural services) a minimum annual grant level of €20,000 is being introduced.
as a transitional measure during 2008-2010, services which would otherwise face a significant decrease in their existing level of grant support from July 2008, will continue to receive grant aid equal to not less than 90% of their previous grant level during July-December 2008, equal to not less than 85% of that amount in 2009, and equal to not less than 75% of that amount in 2010. The transitional grant funding will be conditional on all requirements of the Scheme being complied with including the return of annual applications together with completed parent declaration forms and the implementation of tiered fees based on the subvention levels for Band A, B and C parents.
196 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the closure of the female surgical ward at Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe; the duration of the closure; the way the public bed places lost will be replaced during the closure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35899/07]
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 question 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.
198 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the support the Health Service Executive west region is giving to a private operator (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35936/07]
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.
199 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount of the additional €50 million Budget 2008 allocation to disability services that will be devoted to mental health services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35937/07]
As part of the Multi Annual Investment Programme under the Disability Strategy, the Government provided the Health Service Executive with an additional €50m investment which was announced in the 2008 Budget. This funding included monies for the continuation of the implementation of the transfer of persons with intellectual disability from psychiatric hospitals and other inappropriate placements.
Development of mental health services will continue in 2008 using the additional investment made in recent years. This will include the further development of services in the area of child and adolescent psychiatry.
200 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide retrospection to 1 January 2008 for the proposed new nursing home payment arrangements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35939/07]
The final details of the Bill are being addressed at present. The Minister proposes to publish the Bill as soon as possible, following Government approval. The Minister is very keen that the benefits are made available to those who have been waiting for the new Scheme as soon as possible and discussions are on-going with all parties in this respect.
201 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number and identity of persons, groups, bodies or agencies other than the established civil servants from whom she or Ministers of State in her Department have sought or received advice in connection with policy or administrative matters appertaining to the operation of her Department or other bodies under her aegis in the past 12 months; the extent to which such advice related to capital expenditure projects; the cost of such advice; the extent to which it has been implemented to date or if it is intended to be implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35972/07]
Having regard to the broad nature of the Deputy's question, I have arranged for inquiries to be made across my Department to determine what advice was sought or received in the period referred to. I will forward this information to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
202 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number to date of civil servants and employees of State bodies transferred from Dublin to decentralised locations; the number transferred from outside of Dublin to other decentralised locations; and the number transferred in post to decentralising Departments in Dublin pending planned decentralisation to locations outside of Dublin. [36029/07]
As the Deputy will be aware my Department is not one of the Departments scheduled for decentralisation under the Government's Decentralisation Programme. However the Deputy may wish to note that to date fifty civil servants have transferred to decentralising Departments from my Department. Further details in respect of the transfer of these officers is available from the decentralising Departments.
The Health Information and Quality Authority which was formally established this year is encompassed by the Decentralisation Programme. Its headquarters is located in Cork.
203 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the number of posts filled in his Department in each of the past five years; the number and grade of posts in each of the past five years in his Department that were open to existing public or civil servants only, or that were not subject to competition at all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35679/07]
The information sought is not readily available in the Department and as it would involve an inordinate amount of staff time to compile it is regretted that the information cannot be provided to the Deputy.
204 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the number of posts filled in the Government agencies under his Department’s remit in each of the past five years; the number and grade of posts in each of the past five years in these agencies that were open to existing public or civil servants only, or which were not subject to competition at all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35694/07]
The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available.
205 Deputy Martin Mansergh asked the Minister for Transport the number of fatalities caused by the LUAS since it came into operation; the number of passenger journeys per year; and the operating subsidy annually. [35751/07]
The data requested by the Deputy is as follows:
|
Year |
No. of passengers |
Subsidy |
|
€ |
||
|
2004 |
6.6m |
*3,842,545 |
|
2005 |
22.2m |
Nil |
|
2006 |
25.8m |
Nil |
|
2007 |
29.0m (estimate) |
Nil |
*€557,545 of this subsidy was paid in 2005.
There have been no fatalities caused by the Luas since it came into operation in 2004.
206 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport when he will bring forward legislation for the graduated driver licence scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35854/07]
One of the actions in the Road Safety Strategy 2007-2012 is to legislate for a graduated driver licensing system in the 3rd quarter of 2008.
The first step towards this has already been taken in the Regulations made in October providing for the introduction of a driver learner permit for all new applicants for driver licences.
207 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on further progress on establishing a Public Service obligation between Shannon and Heathrow; the EU or British officials or Government Ministers he has contacted in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35858/07]
Officials of my Department will shortly be meeting with EU officials to discuss the options, if any, for facilitating the provision of air services to meet the connectivity requirements of the west of Ireland in a liberalised, competitive aviation market. I have had no discussions to date with my UK counterpart on this matter pending the outcome of the discussions with the EU Commission.
208 Deputy Michael Kennedy asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the use of contra-flow bus lanes by taxis; if there are plans to allow same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35871/07]
Taxis are not permitted to use contra-flow bus lanes and I have no plans to introduce any change to this situation.
209 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport if, in accordance with his Department’s sectoral plan, all the measures regarding accessibility, affordability and availability of taxis and hackneys for people with disabilities have been completed and are in place; if not, the amount that remains to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35879/07]
The objectives of the Commission for Taxi Regulation include the promotion of access to small public service vehicles (taxis, hackneys and limousines) by persons with disabilities.
The Commission published new national vehicle standards for small public service vehicles on 26 November 2007 including new requirements in relation to accessibility, involving a new category of wheelchair accessible hackney. The new vehicle standards will be given a statutory basis through revised regulations to be made by the Commission during 2008.
It is proposed that the new requirements for wheelchair accessible taxis and wheelchair accessible hackneys will apply to all newly granted accessible vehicle licences from a date, to be determined, in 2008 and all existing accessible taxi licences from 1 January 2012.
The Commission and my Department are currently in discussion in relation to a proposed subsidy arrangement that would assist taxi and hackney operators in purchasing wheelchair accessible vehicles, which by their nature will cost significantly more than standard saloon cars.
The Commission has also made good progress on other commitments under the Department's Sectoral Plan Transport Access for All:
(1)The Commission has indicated that it is proposed that Dispatch Operators will be licensed during 2008 and will have a number of standards to meet prior to licensing, including accessible booking processes which are reasonable and practicable.
(2)A database of all licensed dispatch operators will be made available with contact details for booking small public service vehicles.
(3)All of the Commission's publications are available in Braille and large print and a consumer information guide is available on the Commission website and can be provided in accessible formats on request.
(4)A national complaints system is now in place and consumers can obtain a complaints form by telephoning the consumer line 1890 606090. When a form has been completed, the complaint is investigated by the Commission enforcement team.
(5)Regulations have also been put in place to ensure guide dogs are carried by vehicle licence holders.
The Commission has commenced an audit of taxi ranks and hopes to develop revised guidelines for ranks following completion of the audit, these guidelines will address the concerns of persons with disabilities.
210 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport if, in accordance with his Department’s sectoral plan, all Bus Éireann bus stations are fully accessible to people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments; if not, the stations that remain to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35880/07]
The upgrading of Bus Éireann bus stations is a matter for the company. However, I am advised by Bus Éireann that it envisages, with the exception of Limerick and Galway, that all bus stations will be upgraded to full accessibility standards by the end of 2008. I am informed by Bus Éireann that planning permission for Limerick bus station was refused and Bus Éireann has lodged an appeal with An Bord Pleanála. I understand that the upgrading of the Galway station forms part of a wider redevelopment plan for Ceannt station.
211 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport if the target, as outlined in his Department’s sectoral plan, of making all suburban trains fully accessible to people with disabilities by the end of 2007 has been met by Iarnród Éireann; if not, when this will be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35881/07]
I understand from Iarnród Éireann that apart from the refurbishment work to some older DART carriages that is expected to be finished in 2008, all DART carriages on the suburban rail network are already accessible. The diesel railcars on suburban rail serving the Dublin and Cork areas are all accessible.
212 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport if accessibility for people with disabilities is one of the principal criteria for assessment of funding applications under the rural transport initiative, as outlined in his Department’s sectoral plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35882/07]
In accordance with Transport Access for All, my Department's Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act 2005, accessibility for people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments is a core consideration for services under the Rural Transport Programme (RTP).
Pobal administers the RTP on behalf of my Department. It requires groups being funded under the Programme to take account of this in developing their schemes and evaluates their applications for funding accordingly.
213 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport further to a previous parliamentary question, if he will provide details of the incremental costs of all bodies from set up and annual budget with a break down of annual overheads. [35917/07]
The information requested by the Deputy is being compiled and will be forwarded as soon as possible.
214 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the number and identity of persons, groups, bodies or agencies other than the established civil servants from whom he or Ministers of State in his Department have sought or received advice in connection with policy or administrative matters appertaining to the operation of his Department or other bodies under his aegis in the past 12 months; the extent to which such advice related to capital expenditure projects; the cost of such advice; the extent to which it has been implemented to date or if it is intended to be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35976/07]
I receive advice, on a daily (and on some days an hourly basis) from all sorts of people . It would be impossible to list everyone concerned.
215 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport the number to date of civil servants and employees of State bodies transferred from Dublin to decentralised locations; the number transferred from outside of Dublin to other decentralised locations; and the number transferred in post to decentralising Departments in Dublin pending planned decentralisation to locations outside of Dublin. [36033/07]
To-date 36 civil servants from the Department of Transport have relocated to new Departments and are due to move out of Dublin under the Government's decentralisation programme. The transfer of these staff to their decentralisation location is a matter for the new parent Department. No employees of State bodies have been relocated by this Department.
In addition, 6 staff from this Department have already relocated to their decentralised location in Loughrea as either Department of Transport staff or Road Safety Authority staff. Of these 6 posts 2 staff members transferred with their posts and are already in place in Loughrea.
All staff that have already relocated or are awaiting relocation are from Dublin.
216 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of posts filled in his Department in each of the past five years; the number and grade of posts in each of the past five years in his Department that were open to existing public or civil servants only, or that were not subject to competition at all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35674/07]
217 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of posts filled in the Government agencies under his Department’s remit in each of the past five years; the number and grade of posts in each of the past five years in these agencies that were open to existing public or civil servants only, or which were not subject to competition at all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35689/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 216 and 217 together.
The number of posts filled in my Department in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 were 124, 66, 88, 125 and 218 respectively. These figures include those recruited to work in the Headquarters of the Department, including Irish Aid, the Government's programme of assistance to developing countries and the Passport offices in Dublin, Balbriggan and Cork.
All posts in my Department have been filled for the past five years either as a result of a competition advertised directly by the Department or on foot of competitions organised by the Public Appointments Service. The Public Appointments Service is the centralised provider of recruitment, assessment and selection services for the Civil Service.
It is not possible in the time available to provide the Deputy with a breakdown of the number of officers appointed from competitions confined to existing civil servants and those open to external candidates. This information will be communicated to the Deputy as soon as possible.
There are no Government agencies under the remit of my Department.
218 D’fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Gnóthaí Eachtracha an raibh aon chruinniú nó comhfhreagras idir é, nó oifigigh a Roinne, le Rialtas Shasana maidir le gealltanais i gComhaontú Chill Rímhinn ar Acht Teanga don Ghaeilge a rith agus an féidir leis ráiteas a dhéanamh ina leith. [35731/07]
Leagann Aguisín B le Comhaontú Chill Rímhinn amach gealltanais Rialtas na Breataine i leith cearta daonna, comhionannais, íobartaigh, agus ábhair eile. I measc na hábhair seo, tá gealltanas ar leith tugtha go dtabharfaí isteach Acht Teanga do Thuaisceart na hÉireann, agus go ndéanfaí comh-oibriú leis an bhFeidhmiúchán nua le forbairt na Gaeilge a chosaint agus a chur chun cinn.
Mar aon leis an ngealltanas seo, cuireann Acht Thuaisceart na hÉireann (Comhaontú Chill Rímhinn) 2006, a achtaíodh i Westminster ar an 22 Samhain 2006, iachall ar an bhFeidhmiúchán nua straitéis a bhunú a dhéanann cur síos ar an slí ina mbeartaíonn sí forbairt na teanga a chur chun cinn agus a chosaint.
D'ardaigh mé an t-ábhar seo leis an Rúnaí Stáit do Thuaisceart Éireann, an tUasal Shaun Woodward MP, nuair a bhuail mé leis i mBaile Átha Cliath ar an 12 Meán Fomhair 2007. Ardaíodh an cheist chomh maith i gcruinnithe idir an tAire Éamon Ó Cuiv TD agus a chomhionann i dTuaisceart Éireann, an tAire Edwin Poots MLA le déanaí. Pléadh an cheist sa Tionól freisin ach, mar tá fhios ag an Teachta, ní raibh na páirtithe ag an am ar aon bharúil fúithi.
Tá sé leagtha amach ag an Rialtas na gealltanais i gComhaontú Aoine an Chéasta agus i gComhaontú Chill Rímhinn a chomhlíonadh, agus ar ndóigh na gealltanais i leith na Gaeilge san áireamh.
219 Deputy Martin Mansergh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if referendums were held prior to accession in each of the 12 member states of the EU; if all those states were represented in the European convention prior to the drawing up of the constitutional treaty; and if in his opinion the people of those member states were in a position to take account of the principal developments and issues now incorporated in the EU reform treaty before deciding on their country’s membership of the EU. [35748/07]
Of the ten Member States that joined the European Union on 1 May 2004, nine held a referendum prior to their accession. Cyprus did not hold a referendum. The Cypriot House of Representatives unanimously approved the Accession Treaty. In Bulgaria and Romania, which joined the European Union on 1 January 2007, the Accession Treaty was approved by parliamentary process in both countries.
Each of the Union's current Member States were represented at, and fully participated in, the work of the European Convention which met from February 2002 and which laid the groundwork for the draft Constitutional Treaty. The Convention comprised of more than 200 representatives from the Member States, national parliaments and the EU institutions.
The essential balance and substance of the draft Constitutional Treaty, which followed from the work of this representative Convention, is preserved in the Reform Treaty signed on 13 December. As a result, and given also of course the debates and reviews in the Parliaments of Member States by their elected representatives on the Reform Treaty, current Member States and their citizens have been facilitated in taking into account the principal developments and issues now incorporated in the Reform Treaty.
220 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans in 2008 to develop Ireland’s relationship with Cuba. [35811/07]
As I informed the Deputy in my responses to Parliamentary Questions Number 517 on 26 September 2007 and Number 197 on 24 October 2007, relations between Ireland and Cuba have developed in recent years, particularly since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1999. Our Ambassador in Mexico City is accredited to Cuba. In 2001, Cuba established a resident Embassy in Dublin, which has been headed by a resident Ambassador since October 2005. Prior to that the Embassy was headed at Chargé d'Affaires level, with the Cuban Ambassador to Ireland resident in London. The Cuban Chargé d'Affaires and, subsequently, the Cuban Ambassador have been very active in seeking to promote links between our two countries based, inter alia, on people-to-people contact and cultural activities.
My Department and our Embassy in Mexico City also support the development of such links. In July 2005, the International Joyce exhibition, commissioned by my Department, was opened for display at the National Library in Havana and a donation of Spanish translations of the plays of Samuel Beckett was also presented on the occasion. And of course, many Irish people have visited Cuba in recent years. I welcome these developments and I would certainly wish to see the bilateral relationship between Ireland and Cuba develop further in 2008.
As the Deputy will be aware, the European Union's 1996 Common Position on Cuba remains the basis of both the European Union's and Ireland's approach to relations with that country. The overriding objective of Ireland and our European Union partners in our relations with Cuba is to encourage, but not to enforce by external coercion, a process of transition to pluralist democracy and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The Common Position was most recently reviewed at the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 18 June 2007, at which I participated. The Council's Conclusions deplored the fact that the human rights situation in Cuba has not fundamentally changed, and noted that the Cuban Government continues to deny its citizens internationally recognised civil, political and economic rights and freedoms. We also recognised the right of Cuban citizens to decide independently about their future.
While the European Union will continue to pursue its dialogue with Cuba's civil society and to offer to all sectors of society practical support towards peaceful change in Cuba, the Council also emphasised the Union's willingness to resume a comprehensive and open political dialogue with the Cuban authorities on all areas of mutual interest. In order to sound out the potential for such a dialogue, which should take place on a reciprocal and non-discriminatory basis, the Council decided to invite a Cuban delegation to Brussels.
The Council Conclusions represent a balanced approach, which is in accordance with the principles of the Common Position. The decision which we took in Council to invite a Cuban delegation to Brussels would provide an opportunity for establishing an open political dialogue with the Cuban authorities. The Cuban authorities have rejected this invitation. However, we remain hopeful that such a dialogue will be established in the future. In this regard, on foot of a further initiative of the European Union, a Ministerial-level meeting between the European Union Troika and Cuba was held en marge of the 62nd United Nations General Assembly in New York on 24 September 2007.
221 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the date that a person (details supplied) was issued with their first Irish passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35817/07]
The person in question was issued with their first Irish passport on 9 August 1994.
222 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions he has taken in relation to the recent case in Saudi Arabia in which a young rape victim was sentenced to 200 lashes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35823/07]
I shared the strong public concern about this appalling case. I was shocked by the sentences and by the context in which they were imposed. I regard any punishment by flogging as abhorrent, no matter where it takes place. Our overriding objective in making our views clearly heard on the issue was to ensure that the sentence was not carried out. I therefore very much welcome the announcement that King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has pardoned the victim, recognising the trauma already suffered.
As soon as I became aware of the case, I directed my officials to consult with our EU partners on the most effective possible intervention in the interests of the victims. We joined with partners in agreeing an immediate approach to the Saudi authorities, expressing our strong concerns. On behalf of the EU, the Portuguese Presidency raised the case with the Saudi Foreign Ministry, stressing our shock at the severity of the sentence, and the imperative need in such cases for physical and psychological support for the victims. The Presidency also emphasised the huge public concern about this case across the EU. Last week, I personally conveyed my concerns about the case to the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia.
It is noteworthy that the verdict of the court in this case was also the subject of widespread discussion and publicly expressed disquiet within Saudi Arabia. This would have been highly unlikely a few years ago and in itself represents something of a positive development in relation to the human rights situation.
223 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, further to a previous parliamentary question, he will provide details of the incremental costs of all bodies from set up and annual budget with a break down of annual overheads. [35913/07]
In my reply to the Deputy's previous Question No. 101 on 22 November 2007, I outlined details of the new boards, agencies, bodies, commissions and offices which were established in the past ten years and the number which were abolished in the same period operating under the remit of my Department.
I have outlined below further details in relation to these bodies, including their budgets and staff numbers where possible. As the previous question asked about the last ten years, I have given details relating to this period.
The Advisory Board for Irish Aid, which replaced the Irish Aid Advisory Committee, was established in August 2002 to provide general oversight and advice to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister of State for Overseas Development on the strategic direction of the Government's programme of assistance to developing countries.
|
Year |
No. of Staff |
Budget |
|
€ |
||
|
2002 |
3 |
65,727 |
|
2003 |
3 |
608,632 |
|
2004 |
4 |
950,257 |
|
2005 |
4 |
1,008,119 |
|
2006 |
4 |
1,062,884 |
|
2007 |
4 |
1,050,000 |
The Development Education Advisory Committee (DEAC) was appointed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs in 2003 following the recommendations of the Ireland Aid Review Committee. Its purpose is to advise the Minister, Minister of State and Irish Aid on policy regarding development education. As an advisory body, it has no independent budget or overheads; the administration of DEAC is serviced by the Department of Foreign Affairs from the Department's overall budget.
The Díon Advisory Committee was set up in response to concern about the situation of Irish emigrants in Britain in 1984. The Committee advises the Government and makes recommendations on Emigrant Services funding to voluntary organisations that work with vulnerable Irish people resident in Britain. In February 2003, these responsibilities were transferred to the Department of Foreign Affairs from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. As an advisory body, the Committee has no independent budget or overheads; the administration of the Committee is provided by our Embassy in London and financed within the Department's overall budget.
The Ireland — United States Commission for Educational Exchange (the Fulbright Commission) The Fulbright Commission finances study, research, teaching and other educational activities between Ireland and the United States of America. The Fulbright Commission has eight members and enjoys autonomy of management and administration in accordance with the Educational Exchange (Ireland and the United States of America) Act, 1991. From 1997 until 2000 the Grant-in-Aid given to the Commission was £100,000 annually. In 2001 the annual Grant-in-Aid figure was increased to €254,000 per annum and has remained at this level since then.
The Hunger Task Force was established in September 2007, in line with the recommendation of the White Paper on Irish Aid, to identify the contributions that Ireland can make to international efforts to reduce hunger. The Task Force has 16 members and had its first meeting in September 2007. As an advisory body, the Committee has no independent budget or overheads; its administration is serviced by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Bodies abolished, replaced or transferred (between 1997-2007)
The Irish Aid Advisory Committee (IAAC) was in existence between 1993 and 2002. Its purpose was to provide advice to the Minister for Foreign Affairs on the strategic direction of the Government's programme of assistance to developing countries. In 2002, as stated above, it was replaced by the Advisory Board for Irish Aid.
|
Year |
Staff |
Budget |
|
1997 |
1 |
£86,872 |
|
1998 |
1 |
£118,938 |
|
1999 |
1 |
£98,618 |
|
2000 |
1 |
£145,764 |
|
2001 |
1 |
€154,952 |
|
2002 |
1 |
€71,583 |
The National Committee for Development Education (NCDE) was established in 1994 to promote development education throughout all sectors. It was abolished at the end of December 2002 following the recommendations of the 2002 Ireland Aid Review Committee and was succeeded by the Development Education Advisory Committee.
|
Year |
Staff |
Budget |
|
1997 |
7 |
IR£1,004,232 |
|
1998 |
7 |
IR£1,011,745 |
|
1999 |
7 |
IR£1,033,268 |
|
2000 |
6 |
€1,638,615 |
|
2001 |
6 |
€2,285,120 |
|
2002 (year of abolition) |
6 |
€2,708,375 |
The Agency for Personal Service Overseas (APSO) was established by the Government in March 1974 to promote and sponsor temporary service in the developing countries of the world. The activities of APSO were formally integrated into the Development Cooperation Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs on 1 January 2004
|
Year |
Staff |
Budget |
|
1997 |
31 |
IR£10,587,454 |
|
1998 |
32 |
IR£11,230,915 |
|
1999 |
30 |
IR£9,891,024 |
|
2000 |
26 |
IR£12,166,451 |
|
2001 |
23 |
€14,308,510 |
|
2002 |
22 |
€17,942,378 |
|
2003 (year of abolition) |
19 |
€22,890,636 |
The Irish Refugee Agency was created in 1991, under the aegis of the Department of Foreign Affairs, to assist with the integration of Vietnamese refugees in Ireland, and it subsequently assisted with Bosnian and Kosovar refugees. In 2001, following the recommendations in the report of the Interdepartmental Group on the Integration of Refugees in Ireland, the Government decided to replace the existing structures for dealing with refugees (including the Refugee Agency) with the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA), under the aegis of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
|
Year |
Staff |
Budget |
|
1997 |
n/a |
€411,418 |
|
1998 |
9 |
€419,037 |
|
1999 |
11 |
€921,882 |
|
2000 |
13 |
€833,000 |
|
2001 (year of abolition) |
6 |
£150,000 (January-April 2001) |
The Cultural Relations Committee (CRC) was established in 1949 under the aegis of the then Department of External Affairs, and was transferred from the Department of Foreign Affairs to the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism in 2002. The role and function of the CRC was to advise the Minister of Foreign Affairs on the administration of the annual Grant-in-Aid voted by the Oireachtas for the development of cultural relations with other countries. Its administration was serviced by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
|
Year |
Grant-In-Aid |
|
1997 |
€584,080 |
|
1998 |
€596,777 |
|
1999 |
€634,869 |
|
2000 |
€1,027,218 |
|
2001 |
€1,493,212 |
|
2002 (year of transfer) |
€672,000 |
224 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number and identity of persons, groups, bodies or agencies other than the established civil servants from whom he or Ministers of State in his Department have sought or received advice in connection with policy or administrative matters appertaining to the operation of his Department or other bodies under his aegis in the past 12 months; the extent to which such advice related to capital expenditure projects; the cost of such advice; the extent to which it has been implemented to date or if it is intended to be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35971/07]
The Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for two Votes — Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs) and Vote 29 (International Cooperation). I have set out in the tables below details of external advisory services engaged in connection with policy and administrative matters relating to the operation of the Department under both Votes and the amounts paid on such services since 1 January 2007.
I am very conscious of the need to achieve value for money on such expenditure. The Department commissions external advisory services only where specialised knowledge and/or skills are not available within the Department and, particularly in the case of Irish Aid (Ireland's official development assistance programme), where ongoing independent evaluation of programmes and projects is required. Given the overall scale of the Irish Aid Programme, I am satisfied that this level of monitoring, review and evaluation is both prudent and proportionate.
With regard to bodies under the aegis of my Department, only the Irish Aid Advisory Board commissioned external consultancies in 2007 and the relevant figures are included in a separate table.
In addition to the foregoing, the Department, the Minister of State for Overseas Development and I had access to advice on policy and administrative matters relating to the operation of the Department from the following sources during 2007:
The Advisory Board for Irish Aid provides general oversight and advice on the strategic direction of the Government's programme of assistance to developing countries;
The Development Education Advisory Committee (DEAC) provides advice on policy regarding development education;
The Díon Advisory Committee advises and makes recommendations on Emigrant Services funding to voluntary organisations that work with vulnerable Irish people resident in Britain;
The Hunger Task Force was established in September 2007, in line with the recommendation of the White Paper on Irish Aid, to identify the contributions that Ireland can make to international efforts to reduce hunger. The Task Force will present a final report to the Minister of State with responsibility for Overseas Development.
The administration of the foregoing bodies is met from the Department's budget.
During 2007, I also received a report from the former Minister of State, Mr. Chris Flood, on a study carried out in relation to Irish people serving prison sentences overseas. This report was provided at no cost to the Department, apart from the travel costs associated with the study.
The capital expenditure projects undertaken by the Department mainly concern the acquisition and maintenance of Mission properties abroad. The Department may from time to time seek advice from the Office of Public Works in relation to such property matters.
I regret that it is not possible for me to give the Deputy an item-by-item breakdown of the advice received and the status of implementation in each case. However, I can confirm that all advice received is carefully considered and that all recommendations that enhance policy and administration will be implemented where practicable and where budgetary considerations permit.
|
Service Provided |
Consultants |
Payments made to date in 2007 |
|
€ |
||
|
Technical advice on the maintenance and development of the Department’s ICT security infrastructure. |
Bianconi Research Limited (trading as RITS) Information Security Centre, 2052 Castle Drive, Citywest Business Campus, Dublin 24 |
151,250 |
|
Development of technical specifications and tender documents for the support and maintenance contract for the Automated Passport System. |
Cornwell Management Consultants Ireland Limited, Alexandra House, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 |
4,537 |
|
Value for Money and Policy Review of the Support for Irish Emigrant Groups Programmes |
Goodbody Economic Consultants, Bankcentre, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 |
25,894 |
|
Quality Assurance Assessment of the Value for Money and Policy Review of the Support for Irish Emigrants Groups Programmes |
Annesley Resource Partnership |
3,751 |
|
Evaluation of the capacity building programmes provided by the Institute of Public Administration in 2006 to the Bulgarian Institute of Public Administration and the Romanian National Institute of Administration. |
BCT Communications Limited |
20,469 |
|
Software Programming for Secure Document Repository |
Version 1 Software Limited |
1,481 |
|
Cultural Events Coordination and Advisory Services for State and Official Visits |
Mr. Eugene Downes |
9,883 |
|
Taxation advice provided to the Irish Embassy, London. |
Mr. Peter Brown |
3,835 |
|
Legal Advice on Contractual matter |
Mason Hayes and Curran Solicitors |
1,355 |
|
Automated Passport System Assessment Project |
Sysnet Ltd. |
28,132 |
|
Advice on technical specifications for procurement of new support and maintenance contract for the Automated Passport System |
Cornwell Consultants |
6,079 |
|
External Advisory Services Engaged in 2007 |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Service Provided |
Consultant |
Amounts Paid to date in 2007 |
|
Provision of advice and expertise on public procurement. |
Achilles Procurement Services Limited |
109,500 |
|
Technical support to the Zambia/Ireland TeacherEducation Initiative |
Reginald Terrence Allsop |
15,910 |
|
Quality Assessment of the Irish Aid Evaluation Tsunami Report |
Annesley Resource Partnership |
2,723 |
|
Independent Consultant for the Partnership Programme for Europe and Central Asia Funding Committee |
Annesley Resource Partnership |
6,579 |
|
Review of the Irish Aid Fellowship Training Programme |
Annesley Resource Partnership |
34,388 |
|
Technical Consultant to the Civil Society Funding Schemes |
Aodh O’Connor |
13,800 |
|
Technical Support to the Civil Society & Micro Projects Fund 9 |
Aodh O’Connor |
2,658 |
|
Advisory input to Irish Aid’s Project Assessment and Evaluation Group (PAEG) |
Andre Barsony |
10,166 |
|
Programme Consultant for the Central America Programme |
Luis Enrique Bran Reyes |
37,864 |
|
Global Fund Strategy Technical Support |
Ruiri Brugha |
8,450 |
|
Provision of Technical Support on Health and HIV/AIDS March 2005 to Dec 2006 |
Catherine A Butcher |
3,893 |
|
Technical Support to the Civil Society Fund and Micro Projects Fund |
Nicholas Chisholm |
1,500 |
|
Monitoring of Irish Aid Recovery Programme, Malawi |
Anne Conroy |
82,773 |
|
Provision of Technical support for HIV/AIDS |
Áine Costigan |
49,836 |
|
External technical advice to the Fellowship Selection Committee |
Bernie Crawford |
3,712 |
|
Assist Irish Aid in appraising and approving proposals under the HIV /Aids Partnership Scheme Supplementary Grant |
Bernie Crawford |
5,384 |
|
Consultancy and Technical Support to the Civil Society Fund and Micro Projects Fund |
Thomas Crowley |
16,066 |
|
Mapping of Irish Aid Approval Processes |
Dalberg Global Development Ad |
25,410 |
|
Provision of Public Health Specialist Support |
Sean Drysdale |
55,527 |
|
Support to the revision of Irish Aids Country Strategy Planning (CSP) Guidelines and Procedures |
Kate Dyer |
28,895 |
|
Evaluation of the Mozambique Country Programmes 2001-2006 |
Ecorys Research & Consulting |
93,191 |
|
Consultant to Development Education Grants Committee |
Deirdre Farrell |
5,000 |
|
Advisory input to Irish Aid’s Project Assessment and Evaluation Group (PAEG) |
Arthur M Fell |
20,261 |
|
Irish Aid Management Review |
Farrell Grant Sparks |
92,767 |
|
Provision of Technical Support on Health and HIV/AIDS, October to December 2006 |
Margaret Fitzgerald |
18,392 |
|
Advisory input to Irish Aid’s Project Appraisal and Evaluation Group (PAEG) |
Margaret Fitzgerald |
8,480 |
|
Mainstreaming; Building Strategy and Practice within Irish Aid, January to December 2006 |
Cathy Gaynor |
4,180 |
|
Technical Consultant for the Multi-Annual Programme Scheme |
Cathy Gaynor |
20,429 |
|
Provision of Technical Support for Education for All June 05- Dec 06 |
Cathy Gaynor |
32,658 |
|
Provision of Technical Support for Emergency and Recovery Section, Rapid Response Initiative, August to November 2006 |
Margaret Gaynor |
13,806 |
|
Provision of Technical Support to the Civil Society Fund and Micro Projects Fund |
Margaret Gaynor |
7,939 |
|
Support Irish Aid in the Areas of Vulnerability and Infrastructure |
Margaret Gaynor |
28,241 |
|
External Evaluator for Irish Aid for Balkans and CIS |
John Grindle |
8,500 |
|
Assist the Review of the Staffing Needs of the Diplomatic Missions in Programme Countries, Sierra Leone and South Africa, March-August 2006 |
John Grindle |
15,426 |
|
Legal Advices regarding the establishment and operation of the Rapid Response Initiative |
Grosso & Maldonado |
2,080 |
|
Support to the Zambia/Ireland Teacher Education Initiative |
Cathal Higgins |
30,521 |
|
Provision of Technical Support for Education for All June 05- Dec 06 |
Cathal Higgins |
24,746 |
|
Irish Aid Centre Public Relations and Outreach Consultant |
Daire Higgins |
13,200 |
|
Technical Consultant on Tsunami Response |
Anne Holmes |
69,579 |
|
Quality Review of Mozambique Country Strategy Programme Evaluation |
Institute of Public Administration |
2,904 |
|
Public Expenditure Review of the Irish Governments Support to Tsunami affected countries |
INTRAC |
31,181 |
|
Review of the Irish Missionary Resource Service (IMRS) |
INTRAC |
23,716 |
|
Mainstreaming: Building Strategy and Practice within Irish Aid, January to December 2006 |
Mary Jennings |
3,020 |
|
Technical Consultant for the Multi-Annual Programme Scheme |
Mary Jennings |
28,125 |
|
Advisory input to Irish Aid’s Project Appraisal and Evaluation Group (PAEG) |
Jim Kinsella |
3,264 |
|
Irish Aid Seminar — Presentation on OECD/DAC Agriculture Task Team |
Jim Kinsella |
300 |
|
Programme of Strategic Co-operation between Irish Aid and Higher Education and Research Institutes |
Maura Leen |
4,396 |
|
Advisory input to Irish Aid’s Project Appraisal and Evaluation Group Jan- Dec 2006 |
Maura Leen |
5, 371 |
|
Programme Consultancy, Central America |
Imelda Torres Lopez |
3,049 |
|
Evaluation of Development and Inter-Cultural Education Project (DICE) |
Maeve Martin |
15,000 |
|
Education for All — Quest 111 |
Mary Immaculate College |
4,868 |
|
Programme Consultancy, Central America |
Mary McCann Sanchez |
46,887 |
|
Programme Consultancy in Central America 2006 — Dissemination of an Irish Aid teaching resource entitled “Our World — Our Future” |
Owen McCarthy |
9,065 |
|
Provision of Technical Support on Health and HIV/AIDS in area of R&D for new drugs, vaccines and micro biocides |
Diarmuid McClean |
106,799 |
|
Civil Society Fund and Micro Projects Fund |
Geraldine McDonald |
14,655 |
|
Technical Consultant for the Multi-Annual Programme Scheme, November 2006 to October 2008 |
McEvoy Peter |
3,933 |
|
Advisory input to Irish Aid’s Project Appraisal and Evaluation Group (PAEG) |
Hunter McGill |
10,471 |
|
Assistant Communications Officer |
Brid McGrath |
46,316 |
|
Provision of Technical Support to the Civil Society Fund and Micro Projects Fund |
Mary McKeown |
3,000 |
|
Technical Consultant for the Multi-Annual Programme Scheme, November 2006 to October 2008 |
Mary McKeown |
4,727 |
|
Advisory input to Irish Aid’s Project Appraisal and Evaluation Group (PAEG) |
Mary McKeon |
5,227 |
|
Provision of Technical Support to the Civil Society Fund and Micro Projects Fund |
Mary McKeown |
17,234 |
|
Advisory input to Irish Aid’s Project Appraisal and Evaluation Group (PAEG) |
Bernard McLoughlin |
5,525 |
|
Provision of technical expertise for private sector development in Africa |
Kevin Moore |
114,494 |
|
Provision of Technical Support for Education for All June 05- Dec 06 |
Patrick D. Murphy |
8,774 |
|
Gender action planning and support to policy implementation. |
Una Murray |
7,519 |
|
Civil Society Fund and Micro Projects Fund |
Una Murray |
3,721 |
|
Irish Aid Centre, Content Consultant |
Jill Nesbitt |
10,000 |
|
Development Education Strategy |
Helen Newman — Newman & Assoc |
18,150 |
|
Provision of Technical Support on HIV/AIDS |
Ann Nolan |
52,432 |
|
Development of Irish Aid’s Governance Strategy for Tanzania for period 2007-2011 |
Dr. Diarmuid O’Donovan |
4,821 |
|
Support to Irish Aid on the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB & Malaria, March ‘06 to February ‘07 |
Jerry O’Dwyer |
37,896 |
|
Consultant to Conflict Resolution Unit March — August 2007 |
Eleanor O Gorman |
65,493 |
|
Advisory input to Irish Aid’s Project Appraisal and Evaluation Group 2006 — 2008 |
Helen O’Neill |
12,350 |
|
Provision of Technical Support to HIV/AIDS Advisers Meeting |
Morina O’Neill |
6,708 |
|
Irish Aid Centre, Content Consultant |
Morina O’Neill |
5,000 |
|
Provision of Audit Management Support to the Evaluation and Audit Unit September 06 — June 07, |
Johnny O’Regan |
75,737 |
|
Provision of Audit Management Support to the Evaluation and Audit Unit, 31 March 2007- 31 Mar 2008 |
Johnny O’Regan |
19,764 |
|
Strategic Review of Irish Aid’s Engagement with the United Nations Funds and Programmes |
Oxford Policy Management |
61,316 |
|
Consultancy Support to the Irish Aid Hunger Task Force |
Oxford Policy Management |
5,283 |
|
Evaluation of the Irish Aid World Bank Education Trust Fund |
Steve Packer |
23,001 |
|
Provision of Services to Irish Aid’s Project Appraisal and Advisory Group 2006 — 2008 |
Aidan Pender |
8,450 |
|
Independent Consultant for the Partnership Programme for Europe and Central Asia Funding Committee. |
Ann Pesic |
2,294 |
|
On-going support to Irish Aid funding of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research Sept 06- December 07 |
Pat McMullin |
11,928 |
|
Consultancy on Good Governance Jan–July 2007 |
James Polhemus |
77,421 |
|
Facilitation of UN Volunteer Internship Programme Aug 06–Mar 08 |
Rothwell Performance Consulting |
81,016 |
|
Piloting of Organisational Assessment Guidelines. |
Rothwell Consultancy Civil Society |
13,141 |
|
Technical Support — Information and Public Awareness |
Daniel Rowan |
28,314 |
|
Support to the AMAR Health Rehabilitation Project for the Marsh Arabs of Southern Iraq |
Dr Jane Salvage |
12,135 |
|
Rapid Response Initiative -Manager of Standby Register |
James Saunderson |
520 |
|
Participation at Mekong Private Sector Development Facility Planning and Review Meeting, and Vietnam Business Forum, December 2006 |
Mike Scott |
6,357 |
|
Civil Society Fund and Micro Projects Fund, March 2007–March 2009. |
James Sheehan |
5,298 |
|
Provision of Technical support for HIV/AIDS June 06–June 07 |
Tara Shine |
118,417 |
|
Country Strategic Planning Backstopping Support |
Tara Shine |
5,072 |
|
Implementation of the Irish Aid Environment Policy |
Tara Shine |
476 |
|
Provision of Technical Support for Emergency and Recovery Section, Rapid Response Initiative, August to November 2006 |
Ben Siddle |
41,393 |
|
Civil Society Fund and Micro Projects Fund |
Marie Smith |
15,162 |
|
Technical Advice on Gender Equality |
Aisling Swaine Consultancy Ltd |
98,112 |
|
Supporting the work of the Emergency Section |
John Telford |
15,633 |
|
Production of publication material for communication about Irish Aid’s health programming |
Debbie Thomas |
10,000 |
|
Report on Staffing needs of Missions in Irish Aid Programme Countries, South Africa and Sierra Leone |
Richard Townsend |
8,556 |
|
MAPS 11 Civil Society Section Funding Schemes April 06 — Mar 07 |
University Of Glasgow |
7,563 |
|
Supporting the work of the Emergency Section |
Barnaby Willits/ John Telford |
21,326 |
|
Advisory Services to Irish Aid’s Project Appraisal and Evaluation Group (PAEG) 2006–2008 |
Bernard Wood + Associates Ltd |
27,137 |
|
Advisory Services to Irish Aid’s Project Appraisal and Evaluation Group (PAEG) 2006–2008 |
Hunter McGill — PAEG Const. |
417 |
|
Advisory Services to Irish Aid’s Project Appraisal and Evaluation Group (PAEG) 2006–2008 |
Andre Barsony — PAEG |
357 |
|
Advisory Services to Irish Aid’s Project Appraisal and Evaluation Group (PAEG) 2007 |
Art Fell |
591 |
|
Support to the revision of Irish Aid’s Country Strategy Planning (CSP) Guidelines and Procedures |
Kate Dyer |
476 |
|
Provision of Technical Support on Health and HIV/AIDS March 2005 to Dec 2006 |
Kate Butcher |
476 |
|
Services to Irish Aid’s Project Appraisal and Evaluation Group (PAEG) |
Art Fell |
234 |
|
Programme Consultants in Central America 2006 |
M Torrez-Lopez M McCann-Sanchez |
3,243 |
|
Private Sector Support Aug–Nov 06 |
Kevin Moore |
3,939 |
|
Primary Teacher Education in Uganda |
Margaret O’Sullivan |
145 |
|
Provision of Technical Support on Health and HIV/AIDS, October to December 2006 |
Margaret Fitzgerald |
10,687 |
|
On-going support to Irish Aid funding of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research Sept 06–December 07 |
Pat McMullin |
4,277 |
|
Services to Irish Aid’s Project Appraisal and Evaluation Group (PAEG) 2006–2008 |
Margaret Fitzgerald |
575 |
|
Consultancy Support to the Irish Aid Hunger Task Force |
Nick Chisholm |
6,408 |
|
Provision of Technical Support on HIV/AIDS, April 2007–31 July 2007. |
Ann Nolan |
22,241 |
|
Independent/External Mid-term Evaluation of the Justice System Programme August 2007 |
Siobhan Mulalley |
5,197 |
|
Provision of Technical Support on Health and HIV/AIDS March 2005 to Dec 2006 |
Diarmuid O’Donnabháin, |
280 |
|
Provision of Technical Support on Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria |
Jeremiah O’Dwyer |
4,328 |
|
Maintenance of DCI Spanish Language website in Central America (January to December 2007) & Promotion of the Website (February 2007) |
Roberto ED. Martinez |
2,186 |
|
Service Provided |
Consultant |
Amount Paid to Date in 2007 |
|
Preparation of a report entitled: Best Practice in the Governance of Aid Programmes |
Theta Eta Advisors Limited |
6,050 |
|
Research study entitled: “Measuring Impact: The Global and Irish Aid Programme Context” |
Oxford Policy Management |
42,258 |
|
(i)Preparation of a report entitled: “Selectivity in Action: Choosing Irish Aid’s Tenth Programme Country” (ii)Editorial Work on Research Findings Volume 1 Governance Trade and Aid Effectiveness. |
Mr Tony Killick |
25,410 |
|
Public Procurement Advice on establishment of Framework Agreements for Research |
Achilles Procurement Services Limited |
1,270 |
225 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to bring forward legislation dealing with the banning of cluster munitions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36013/07]
The Programme for Government states that "This Government will campaign for a complete ban on the use of cluster munitions. In the absence of a full ban we will seek agreement on an immediate freeze on the use of cluster munitions pending the establishment of effective international instruments to address humanitarian concerns regarding their use."
In my speech to the United Nations General Assembly in October I referred to Ireland's role in seeking a comprehensive response to the curse of cluster munitions, the appalling effects of which are all too evident in Lebanon and elsewhere, and stated that, in order to advance the collaborative effort launched in Oslo last February, Ireland would host a Diplomatic Conference in May 2008 which we hoped might finalise the first-ever international agreement on cluster munitions.
At the Oslo Meeting in February 2007, to which I have just referred, 46 States adopted a Declaration which committed them to conclude by 2008 a legally binding international instrument that will "prohibit the use, production, transfer and stockpiling of cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm to civilians." They also committed to cooperation and assistance for survivors and affected communities, clearance of affected areas and destruction of stockpiles and to consider taking steps at national level to address these problems, pending adoption of a treaty.
Ireland has taken a leading role in the Oslo Process and is a member of the Core Group guiding it, together with Austria, the Holy See, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway and Peru. Following the Oslo Declaration, a meeting in Lima in May 2007 saw the number of participating States grow to 68, while the most recent conference in Vienna earlier this month attracted 138 States and saw detailed and substantive discussion of the text of a draft Convention. Further discussions will take place in Wellington in February 2008 and the Dublin Diplomatic Conference will take place in Croke Park from 19-30 May. Given the clear political momentum which exists, I am hopeful that it will be possible to agree an effective prohibition on the use of cluster munitions, with substantial humanitarian provision for victims and affected areas. A hallmark of the Oslo Process is the involvement of NGOs and civil society representatives, with significant attendance from this sector expected in Dublin.
In the course of 2007, a number of countries whose armed forces possess cluster munitions, including Belgium, Austria and Hungary, have adopted legislation or moratoria banning their use. Though Ireland has never possessed these weapons, I am willing to examine the case for a ban in domestic law as a signal of Ireland's leadership role in this area. To that end, I have asked my officials to examine, in conjunction with other Government Departments, what measures would be necessary to achieve a ban in domestic law.
Our main focus remains on securing effective action at the international level. Once an international instrument on cluster munitions is adopted it will be necessary to consider the steps, including possible new legislation, required to enable ratification by Ireland.
226 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the overseas development assistance funding allocated to organisations in the United States of America for the years 2005, 2006 and to date in 2007; if organisations were funded, the purpose of these organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36014/07]
In response to the humanitarian emergency caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and as an expression of solidarity with the people of the United States, Ireland provided €1 million in emergency funding to the disaster effort. Approximately €700,000 was delivered via the Irish Red Cross to the American Red Cross, and a further €300,000 was committed by our Embassy in Washington to support civil society and community based organisations working in the affected region with the recovery effort.
My Department, through Irish Aid, has also provided €490,000 over the period 2005 to 2007 to support field based humanitarian research in emergency environments. This research, carried out by the Feinstein International Centre, in Massachusetts, is designed to assist international humanitarian organisations and NGO's to respond more effectively in crises situations. The work also focuses on protecting the vulnerable in conflict situations and in rebuilding livelihoods in the aftermath of emergencies and is part of Irish Aid's commitment to best humanitarian practice.
The Deputy will also be aware that Ireland makes significant ODA eligible payments to many organisations having their headquarters in the United States of America — the UN and the IMF / World Bank being obvious cases in point. Those, mainly multilateral organisations, have as their main objective the economic and social advancement of developing countries. Contributions to those organisations are published in the Irish Aid Annual Reports.
227 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the discussions, contacts or meetings he has had with his counterparts in Northern Ireland or its party leaders or representatives with respect to the death of a person (details supplied); the contacts he has had with the person’s family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36015/07]
As I said in response to Question No. 328 of 4 December 2007, this was a particularly brutal and shocking murder, widely and rightly condemned. Since then, on 17 December, I met with the parents of the deceased young man, in Dundalk. I conveyed to them the sympathy of the Government on their terrible loss and our determination to see justice done in this matter.
A very active criminal investigation by An Garda Síochána is ongoing and receiving excellent co-operation and assistance from the PSNI. My colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr Brian Lenihan T.D. has discussed this case with Secretary of State Woodward and NIO Security Minister Paul Goggins in the context of the ongoing investigation. I would again urge anyone who has any information on this murder to pass it on to the two police forces. It is only through full co-operation with the law enforcement agencies that the authors of this vicious crime will be brought to justice.
228 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the overseas development assistance channelled through multinational and international organisations for the years 2005, 2006 and to date in 2007; the organisations, multinational and international that received funding; the amount of same; the locations where these organisations are based and their function or remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36016/07]
Ireland's overseas development assistance (ODA) is delivered through a wide range of development and humanitarian organisations, including non governmental organisations (NGOs), multilateral and other international organisations, and directly through our own programmes in our 9 Programme Countries. This mix and balance of delivery mechanisms is designed to maximise the impact of our assistance on the ground, in line with the priorities set out in the White Paper on Irish Aid published in 2006.
The multilateral component of Ireland's ODA is predominantly channelled through the United Nations (based largely in New York, Geneva and Vienna), the World Bank (based in Washington) and the European Development Fund (based in Brussels). A percentage of this multilateral ODA is also paid by other Departments such as the Department of Finance (which makes payments in support of the International Financial Institutions including debt relief); the Department of Agriculture and Food (which supports food relief through the World Food Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organisation) and the Department of Health and Children (which supports the World Health Organisation). Ireland is also credited with substantial amounts of the EU development cooperation budget.
Ireland's core multilateral ODA amounted to over €190 million in 2005 and €312.5 million in 2006. While precise figures are not yet available, a figure in the region of €200 million is expected for 2007.
It should be noted that while Irish Aid makes a number of core contributions to UN development bodies, we also support the UN to carry out aspects of our own bilateral programmes, particularly emergency humanitarian relief. For example in 2006 and 2007 we contributed €10 million and €20 million respectively to the Central Emergency Response Fund. The CERF was established, with Ireland's support, to enable humanitarian organisations to respond much more rapidly to sudden onset emergencies in order to save lives. Ireland also works with international organisations such as the Red Cross family in its humanitarian endeavours. The Red Cross received €5.6 million in 2005, €10.7 million in 2006 and €11.6 million in 2007.
The majority of Ireland's development contributions to the UN are concentrated on a small group of agencies whose policies and development priorities fit best with our own, which have the most robust management arrangements and which have monitoring and evaluation systems considered to be of the highest calibre. These are the UN Development Programme (UNDP), which plays a central role in coordinating the delivery of development aid on the ground, with a special focus on governance; the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). The decision to designate these bodies as Priority Partners within the UN system followed a recommendation by a 2006 external review of Ireland's engagement with the UN Funds and Programmes.
Irish Aid makes smaller contributions to UNAIDS, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the World Health Organisation (WHO), Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), the Environment Programme (UNEP), the Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), UN Volunteers and the Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM). Assessed contributions to the UN Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), International Office for Migration (IOM), and the World Conservation Union are also made.
Irish Aid's support for the World Bank is also directed to a number of large global funds managed by the Bank, notably the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria. This is one of the principal mechanisms for addressing the HIV/AIDS pandemic in a systematic and effective way. Smaller amounts are given in support of the International Finance Corporation, the branch of the World Bank Group devoted to strengthening the private sector in developing countries.
Irish Aid also funds a range of multilateral organisations under the general heading of Aid for Trade. These include the International Trade Centre and the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The total amount of funding provided to assist the various trade capacity building and development projects in 2005 was approximately €1.4 million, with €3 million contributed in 2006 and €6 million in 2007.
A comprehensive list of Ireland's contributions to multilateral and international organisations for each year is outlined in the Irish Aid Annual Report, which is placed in the Dáil Library.
229 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number to date of civil servants and employees of State bodies transferred from Dublin to decentralised locations; the number transferred from outside of Dublin to other decentralised locations; and the number transferred in post to decentralising Departments in Dublin pending planned decentralisation to locations outside of Dublin. [36028/07]
Under the Government's decentralisation programme, the Development Cooperation Directorate of the Department of Foreign Affairs, which is Irish Aid's Headquarters, will decentralise to Limerick. This is scheduled to take place in early 2008 on completion and fit-out of the permanent premises in Henry Street. Good progress has been made and personnel have either been assigned to, or identified for, 103 posts or approximately 83% of the 124 posts scheduled to be decentralised.
An advance party involving 55 staff has already decentralised to interim office premises in Limerick. Forty-nine of these were Dublin-based applicants and the remaining 6 were from provincial locations.
Two officers of this Department, based in the Passport Office Cork, transferred directly to their chosen decentralised location in other Departments.
Twenty three Dublin based-officers of this Department have transferred to other Departments with a view to moving to a provincial location under the Decentralisation Programme. Thirteen of these officers initially transferred to Dublin- based offices of the respective decentralising Departments and ten transferred directly to a provincial location.
230 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA initiated visits of potential investors or companies to Ballinasloe over each of the past four years in an effort to bring jobs to this town following job losses during the past decade; the dates of these visits; the result of discussions which have taken place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35663/07]
235 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA initiated visits of potential investors or companies to Gort over each of the past four years in an effort to bring jobs to this town following job losses during the past decade; the dates of these visits; the result of discussions which have taken place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35761/07]
236 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA initiated visits of potential investors or companies to Tuam over each of the past four years in an effort to bring jobs to this town following job losses during the past decade; the dates of these visits; the result of discussions which have taken place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35762/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 230, 235 and 236 together.
IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment 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 Acts from giving directives regarding individual undertakings or from giving preference to one area over others.
I have been informed by the Agency that in the period 2004 to date in 2007, there has been a combined total of 16 visits by potential investors to the towns of Ballinasloe, Gort and Tuam. Details of these visits are set out in the tabular statement. Discussions with existing or prospective client companies are an operational matter for the Agency and are treated as confidential. However, one of these visits resulted in the establishment of a research, marketing and distribution facility by USCI in Ballinasloe. This facility currently employs in the region of 70 people.
A central goal for Government is the achievement of balanced regional development. The National Spatial Strategy provides a framework for achievement of this goal through the prioritisation of development and investment in gateway and hub locations. Under the NSS, Galway City is designated as a Gateway and Tuam is designated as a hub town. Both locations together with Ballinasloe are priority locations in Galway for the Agency.
Despite increasing competition, Galway County and City continue to be very successful in winning Foreign Direct Investment. There are 50 IDA supported companies in Galway City and County employing almost 10,000 people in permanent jobs with a further 2,000 in temporary and contract jobs. Indeed, over the last three years employment trends show a continuing gradual increase in IDA supported employment.
In addition, IDA Ireland is investing significantly in the provision of planned and focused property solutions in the West region. IDA is developing world class Business and Technology Parks in Oranmore, Tuam, Ballinasloe, and Parkmore.
I am confident that the strategies being pursued by IDA 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 Galway.
|
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
|
|
Ballinasloe |
4 (March, May, September & October) |
6 (February, March & May |
0 |
0 |
|
Gort |
0 |
1 (December) |
0 |
0 |
|
Tuam |
2 (March & December) |
1 (December) |
2 (July & August) |
0 |
231 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of posts filled in his Department in each of the past five years; the number and grade of posts in each of the past five years in his Department that were open to existing public or civil servants only, or that were not subject to competition at all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35671/07]
Table 1 sets out details in respect of the total number of posts filled in my Department at various grades in each of the past five years:
|
Year |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
|
Numbers |
121 |
107 |
128 |
150 |
260 |
The number of posts above include the total number of people assigned to my Department by one of the following avenues:
(a)recruited from open competitions
(b)promoted from Interdepartmental competitions
(c)promoted from internal panels
(d)decentralisation assignments
(e)temporary recruitments e.g. term time
(f)assigned to Dept/Office from outside e.g. Political appointments.
A detailed breakdown of these posts (by grade) is included in Appendix 1 below.
Table 2 sets out details in respect of the number and grade of posts in each of the past five years in my Department that were open to existing public or civil servants only;
|
Year |
Grade |
Internal Seniority (Senior suitable) |
Internal Interview |
PAS Confined |
|
2003 |
Staff Officer |
4 |
3 |
1 |
|
Executive Officer: |
2 |
3 |
6 |
|
|
Higher Executive Officer |
2 |
4 |
4 |
|
|
Assistant Principal |
2 |
2 |
3 |
|
|
Principal Officer |
— |
1 |
— |
|
|
2004 |
Staff Officer |
3 |
3 |
2 |
|
Executive Officer: |
2 |
2 |
6 |
|
|
Higher Executive Officer |
— |
— |
8 |
|
|
Assistant Principal |
— |
— |
— |
|
|
Principal Officer |
2 |
1 |
||
|
2005 |
Staff Officer |
1 |
3 |
2 |
|
Executive Officer: |
2 |
1 + 9 Lab. Insp. |
1 |
|
|
Higher Executive Officer |
— |
3 |
— |
|
|
Assistant Principal |
— |
— |
— |
|
|
Principal Officer |
— |
1 |
— |
|
|
2006 |
Staff Officer |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
1 + 1 Lab. Insp. |
3 |
|
|
Higher Executive Officer |
— |
— |
— |
|
|
Assistant Principal |
— |
5 |
— |
|
|
Principal Officer |
— |
2 |
2 |
|
|
2007 |
Staff Officer |
1 |
1 |
4 |
|
Executive Officer: |
1 |
3 + 7 Lab. Insp. |
5 |
|
|
Higher Executive Officer |
1 |
14 |
4 |
|
|
Assistant Principal |
— |
5 |
— |
|
|
Principal Officer |
— |
2 |
2 |
The number of staff by grade who transferred in from other Government Departments for the purposes of decentralisation (existing civil servants) are as follows:
|
Year |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
|
Numbers |
— |
— |
— |
20 |
45 |
|
Grade |
Numbers |
2007 |
2006 |
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
|
Cleaner |
1 |
1 |
6 |
3 |
5 |
|
|
Service Officer |
1 |
|||||
|
Temp CO |
74 |
67 |
61 |
35 |
16 |
|
|
CO |
71 |
33 |
7 |
14 |
41 |
|
|
SO |
6 |
3 |
5 |
8 |
7 |
|
|
EO |
26 + 15 |
10 + 1 |
7 + 9 |
14 |
14 |
|
|
AO |
2 |
5 |
— |
— |
6 |
|
|
HEO |
19 + 6 |
4 |
3 |
8 |
10 |
|
|
AP |
4 |
7 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
|
|
PO |
1 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
Asst Sec |
1 |
1 |
||||
|
Temp Cleaner: |
4 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
2 |
|
|
Legal Advisor: |
2 |
|||||
|
EO Students: |
14 |
9 |
12 |
11 |
9 |
|
|
Director of NERA: |
1 |
|||||
|
PA to Minister: |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|||
|
PS to Minister: |
2 + 2 Sec. Ass. |
2 |
1 |
1 |
||
|
Press Advisor: |
1 |
|||||
|
Civilian Driver: |
4 |
2 |
||||
|
Accountant Grade 1: |
1 |
1 |
||||
|
Member of Comp Auth: |
2 |
|||||
|
Member of Labour Court: |
1 |
1 |
3 |
|||
|
Special Advisor to Min: |
1 |
2 |
||||
|
Auditor: |
2 |
|||||
|
Counsellor: |
1 |
|||||
|
Legal Advisor: |
1 |
|||||
|
Controller in ESF: |
1 |
232 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of posts filled in the Government agencies under his Department’s remit in each of the past five years; the number and grade of posts in each of the past five years in these agencies that were open to existing public or civil servants only, or which were not subject to competition at all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35686/07]
Subject to approved overall levels of staffing and to overall budgetary constraints, the filling of posts in the Agencies within the remit of my Department is a day-to-day matter for the agencies concerned. My Department has no role or function in this process.
233 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA itineraries that have visited Kildare south constituency in each of the past five years; the results of such visits; the areas of the constituency visited; if the areas that the IDA has sites were visited; if there are outstanding issues in relation to such visits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35706/07]
IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment 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 Acts from giving directives regarding individual undertakings or from giving preference to one area over others.
I have been informed by the Agency that, from 2003 to date in 2007, there have been a total of 5 site visits by prospective investors to towns in County Kildare. During the course of an itinerary all potential sites, including sites owned by IDA Ireland, would be brought to the attention of prospective clients. Details of these visits are set out in the attached tabular statement. To date, no investment has resulted from these visits.
Over the past 5 years, IDA Ireland's focused strategy for Kildare has been to promote the County as part of an integrated East Region with access to a population base of 1.5 million people. The East Region offers foreign direct investors a global gateway and benefits from almost half of all employment in IDA supported companies.
In recent years Kildare has attracted some world class manufacturing companies such as Intel, Wyeth Medica, Braun Oral B and Hewlett Packard. At the end of December 2006, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 24 IDA supported companies in Kildare employing approximately 10,310 people.
In October 2007, Wyeth Medica in Newbridge announced a €24m R&D project which will enhance the quality of products within the plant. Another significant development, announced earlier this year, has been the decision by Tegral to relocate to a Greenfield site. Within the Tegral Group, Athy is seen by the parent company as being efficient, competitive and worthy of new investment. Also the decision by Coca-Cola to increase the job numbers in Athy International Concentrates is most welcome.
I am satisfied that the strategies being pursued by the Agency together with the roll out of the National Development Plan will continue to bear fruit in terms of investment and job creation for the people of Kildare.
|
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
|
2 (Naas & Kildare) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 (Athy 2 & Maynooth 1) |
234 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a number of Irish companies are outsourcing a number of their operations, in particular call centres, to other European and international countries; and the measures his Department is taking to promote job creation here in this particular area. [35709/07]
The Enterprise Development Agencies under the aegis of my Department, Enterprise Ireland, the County Enterprise Boards, and IDA Ireland have remits respectively in the areas of, growing indigenous enterprises, and attracting and growing foreign direct investment. In addition, Shannon Development is the regional economic development agency for the mid-west region, and has specific responsibility for Foreign Direct Investment in the Shannon Free Zone. My Department has put in place a range of strategies, programmes and financial incentives to promote economic and enterprise development that will support sustainable employment throughout the country.
Ireland is building its position as a leading European provider of the next business step up from contact centres — shared services and business process centres, by offering detailed technical support and a wide range of services way beyond giving simple solutions to straightforward customer inquiries. Some are operated by outsourced suppliers, but most in Ireland are managed by the companies they serve.
Ireland has approximately between 60 and 70 shared services centres that are multilingual, pan-European and trans-Atlantic. These include major companies the size and scale of IBM or Dell. Outsourcing is often undertaken as part of a long term strategic business growth plan of Irish companies.
These companies increasingly focus on outsourcing as a strategic option. Outsourcing by indigenous enterprises is a natural stage in the growth and development of internationally trading enterprises as they seek to achieve international scale. In general, companies engage in outsourcing with the objective of enhancing corporate profitability and maintaining the international competitiveness and long run survival of the company by accessing productivity enhancing factors of production such as skilled labour, low cost raw materials and labour.
Outward Direct Investment (ODI) gives rise to a range of costs and benefits which impact on the firm itself, its stakeholders, and the Irish economy as a whole. A 2007 Forfás Commissioned report on the effect of ODI on the Irish economy concludes that ODI by indigenous firms has a positive impact on the domestic employment levels within investing firms, a positive effect on the skills levels within those companies indicating increased numbers of higher skilled employees and a positive impact on the productivity of the investing firm.
Overall the Forfás Commissioned report concludes that ODI by indigenous firms has a net positive impact on the economy. However, the creation of high-value added jobs in the context of ODI is often accompanied by a loss of low skilled jobs in low-value added activities. This may have greater impact where it happens in regional areas of the country, where alternative employment opportunities may be less readily available.
Looking to the future, neither the Government nor my Department is complacent or unaware of the varied challenges facing the country's economy. One of our main tasks is to ensure that Ireland remains an attractive place to do business, and to support the development of economic competencies higher up the value chain. In that regard, we continue to work to maintain and enhance our framework competitive conditions, and promote new areas of competitive advantage by developing our R&D base, investing in critical physical and communications infrastructures, and promoting tertiary education and lifelong learning, in line with the NDP and the Programme for Government.
237 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if, in accordance with his Department’s sectoral plan, all the recommendations of the value for money evaluation have been enacted with an action plan and timeframes developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35893/07]
In accordance with a recommendation contained in the Study of Efficiency and Effectiveness of Vocational Training Services and Rehabilitative Training Services for People with Disabilities provided by Specialist Training Providers, agreement has been reached on the capitation fee payable to FÁS contracted Specialist Training Providers in respect of vocational training services for people with disabilities.
FÁS have established a working group to oversee the implementation of other recommendations emerging from the Study. The group is scheduled to review and report on progress by March, 2008.
The Working Group is made up of representatives of FÁS Community Services/Social Inclusion and Specialist Training Providers, and its Terms of Reference are as follows:
1.To oversee the implementation of the recommendations emerging from the Report.
2.To identify and design appropriate structures, systems and linkages to address each recommendation in the context of exploring best practice modern service delivery models.
3.To ensure active implementation of these structures, systems and/or linkages by appointing appropriate sub groups to initiate and monitor same.
4.To review and report progress by March 2008.
238 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if, as outlined in his Department’s sectoral plan, specific budget training supports such as assistive technology and training supports have been made available by FÁS to people with disabilities; if all training materials and other publications are accessible to people with disabilities as per Section 28 of the Disability Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35894/07]
The provision of assistive technology and training supports to people with disabilities is a requirement under the Employment Equality Act, 1998 and the Equality Act, 2004. This legislation requires that appropriate measures are available to enable a person with a disability to have access to employment, to participate in employment and/or to undertake training.
Within its remit for providing vocational training services for people with disabilities FÁS does everything possible to have in place any supports or assistive technology that a disabled learner may require. This could relate to training itself or in any examination or test that might be part of the certification process for his or her FÁS course in compliance with current legislation.
Assistive technology and training supports are currently funded out of FÁS regional training budgets. However, FÁS plan to establish a central dedicated budget for this in 2008 in accordance with a recommendation in the FÁS Vocational Training Strategy for People with Disabilities.
Accessible training materials are made available by FÁS on the basis of individual need. In regard to publications, the FÁS web site is currently WAI Triple A compliant for publications, and will be "Browse Aloud" compatible in early 2008. These facilities directly address the requirements of Section 28 of the Disability Act.
239 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if targets have been set by his Department and by FÁS in relation to the participation of people with disabilities in work and training options; if so, the details of these targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35895/07]
Since 2006 an annual national target is set in all FÁS regions in the first quarter of the year for all training and employment programmes in respect of a number of target groups, including people with disabilities. For 2007, there is a targeted increase of 1% over the 2006 figures regarding registration, completion and placement. Targets are monitored quarterly. In 2006, 7,385 persons in receipt of disability payments completed employment and training programmes.
The total numbers of persons in receipt of a state disability income who commenced on all FÁS training courses in 2006 was 983. Approximately 50% of these would have commenced training in Specialist Training Providers, such as National Learning Network (NLN), which are specifically for disabled people and are contracted, and monitored by FÁS.
The immediate objective under my Department's Sectoral Plan for People with Disabilities in the medium term is to raise the employment rate of that cohort who do not have a difficulty in holding a job towards the employment rate of their peers who do not have disabilities. The immediate objective over the period of this plan is to aim to have at least half, or 7, 000 of that cohort in employment. The Plan covers the period 2006- 2010 and will be reviewed in 2009.
240 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number and identity of persons, groups, bodies or agencies other than the established civil servants from whom he or Ministers of State in his Department have sought or received advice in connection with policy or administrative matters appertaining to the operation of his Department or other bodies under his aegis in the past 12 months; the extent to which such advice related to capital expenditure projects; the cost of such advice; the extent to which it has been implemented to date or if it is intended to be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35968/07]
The main sources of advice, externally provided to my Department, are the various agencies and bodies under its remit. Of these, Forfás is the main source of advice which inputs into decisions taken by me and my Department in relation to policy matters. Forfás is the national policy and advisory board for enterprise, trade, science, technology and innovation and the body in which the State's legal power for industrial promotion and technological development has been vested. It is also the body through which powers are delegated to Enterprise Ireland for the promotion of indigenous industry and to IDA Ireland for the promotion of inward investment. Science Foundation Ireland was established as a third agency of Forfás in July 2003 to provide strategic support to scientists, engineers and academic researchers working in biotechnology and ICT development.
In carrying out its functions Forfás works with a number of bodies which operate under its aegis or to which Forfás provides an administrative and/or research function. The work of these bodies is an important input into policy formulation at my Department. These bodies include:
The National Competitiveness Council (NCC), which reports to the Taoiseach on issues of National Competitiveness.
The Advisory Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (Advisory Science Council), which advises on medium and long-term policy for science, technology and innovation (STI) and related matters.
The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs
The Enterprise Strategy Group and associated Enterprise Advisory Group
The Business Regulation Forum,
Discover Science and Engineering, the national science awareness programme.
The Small Business Forum, which reported to the Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment in May 2006.
The Interim Board of the National Consumer Agency (established as a statutory entity on 1 May 2007).
The Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB), a committee of Forfás, is the National Body with responsibility for accreditation in accordance with European and international formal standards and guides.
There has been no additional cost to the Department as it is the function of Forfás, which supports the work of the above bodies, to provide such policy advice to the Minister.
As regards Company Law initiatives and legislation, the Department consults a variety of stakeholders including the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority, private sector stakeholders with legal, accounting and fund management expertise and Company Law Review Group. The advice provided by these experts is free of charge to the Department.
In addition, as part of the commitments included under the partnership agreement ‘Towards 2016', a High-Level Manufacturing group was established to review the challenges facing the manufacturing sector and to identify further measures to meet those challenges.
None of the above advice relates to capital expenditure projects.
In respect of externally sourced advice, outside of my Department's agencies, which was sought in the period 1 December 2006-30 November 2007 as an input into policy formulation and administrative matters pertaining to the operations of my Department, the information required by the Deputy is set out in the tabular statement.
|
Name of Consultants |
Purpose |
Total Cost |
Implementation of advice |
|
HELM Corporation Ltd. |
Advice and support on the Optimisation of the ORACLE Financial Management system |
€18,525.07 (none of which is Capital expenditure) |
The advice provided through this consultancy has resulted in greater use being made of the ORACLE Financial Management system. Most notably, access to daily expenditure reports is now directly available to Line Sections throughout the Department. |
|
RITS |
ICT Security Review |
€118,928 (none of which is Capital expenditure |
The review looked at all information and communications systems throughout DETE and its offices including, physical locations, IT infrastructure, applications and online services. The review made a number of recommendations to ensure ongoing continuity, integrity and availability of data, including improved patching, formalised change controls and a more systematic and integrated approach to, and increase awareness of, security work. Already a number of the recommendations of the review have been implemented and the remainder, which require considerable work for the Department’s IT Unit, will be implemented over the next two years. |
|
Indecon Consultants |
The Department requested Forfás to examine the implications for Irish industry of the revision to the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. Forfás engaged Indecon consultants to undertake a study in this regard |
€30,000 (none of which is Capital expenditure. DETE part — funded the project) |
The Study was finalised at the end of October 2007. The Report’s analysis provides an assessment of the competitiveness impact on both enterprises as a whole and the particular industrial sectors directly affected by the proposed revisions to EU Emissions Trading Scheme. It is currently being used to form the basis of Departmental policy decisions on the issue. |
|
Mr Tom Walsh |
To provide advice on the development of occupational health and safety policy and related legislation to the Department. |
€81,493.20. (not related to capital expenditure) |
The advice provided by Mr Walsh is taken into account in the formulation of policy. |
|
ARUP Consulting Engineers |
To provide advice and recommendations in support of the Department’s review of the Dangerous Substances Acts |
€144,072. (not related to capital expenditure) |
Project just commenced recently |
|
Work Research Co-operative Social & Economic Consultants Limited |
Research Study on Acquired Disability and Employment |
€79,896.30 (none of which is Capital expenditure |
Project commenced in October — final report due in March 2008 |
|
Goodbody Economic Consultants Limited |
Review of the FÁS funded Wage Subsidy Scheme for the employment of people with disabilities. |
€47,190 (none of which is Capital expenditure |
Work on the Study commenced on 5th November 2007 and a final report is expected in January 2008. |
|
RPS Consultancy |
Engaged by the interim National Consumer Agency Board to conduct research into energy policy.* |
€19,150 (none of which is Capital expenditure) |
The advice provided is taken into account in the formulation of policy |
|
Deloitte |
Engaged by the interim National Consumer Agency Board to advise on drawing up a corporate plan for the Agency.* |
€80,323 (none of which is Capital expenditure) |
The advice provided is taken into account in the formulation of policy |
*The Interim Board of the NCA and the ODCA ceased to exist on 1st May 2007 when the National Consumer Agency was formally established as a statutory Agency.
I have not included details of representations made to me by individuals or representatives groups, operational circulars and directions from other Government Departments, or any legal advices received or sought. I also have excluded any information which relates to the operational day-to-day matters of my agencies, in which I have no function.
241 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number to date of civil servants and employees of State bodies transferred from Dublin to decentralised locations; the number transferred from outside of Dublin to other decentralised locations; and the number transferred in post to decentralising Departments in Dublin pending planned decentralisation to locations outside of Dublin. [36026/07]
My Department is required to relocate 250 posts to Carlow under the Government's Decentralisation Programme and this is planned to occur by the end of 2009.
In order to accommodate staff who wished to move earlier than the projected building completion date of late 2009, officials of my Department, in consultation with the Department of Finance and the OPW, as well as decentralising staff and Business Units, opened an advance office in Carlow on July 30th 2007. The number of posts in this decentralised advance office is 98. Of the staff in place in this office, 38 were decentralised from locations outside Dublin with the remainder decentralised from Dublin.
Additionally my Department has 48 staff due to decentralise to Carlow in the substantive move scheduled for 2009. The number of staff who have transferred from my Department to other decentralising Departments is 59.
Health and Safety Authority
The Health and Safety Authority is to decentralise 110 staff to Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny. In anticipation of the move to Thomastown, the Health and Safety Authority has established an interim office in Kilkenny city and to date 27 staff of the Authority have decentralised to that office which is now at full capacity. The majority of these staff were either directly recruited or transferred from Dublin. All staff that move to the Kilkenny office will transfer to Thomastown when the premises there are completed.
Enterprise Ireland (EI)
The Government decentralisation programme provides for the transfer of the Enterprise Ireland Headquarters, with 300 posts, to Shannon. Further progress in effecting this move is contingent on a number of factors, including the level of interest in the Shannon location expressed through the Central Applications Facility and the resolution of certain key issues for agency decentralisation in discussions at central level. I understand that there have been 25 applications through the Central Applications Facility from civil and public servants for transfer to Shannon. Enterprise Ireland, working closely with the Office of Public Works, has identified, but not yet acquired, a preferred site for the construction of a new HQ building in Shannon.
Following the transfer of responsibility for indigenous industry development in the Mid-West Region from Shannon Development to Enterprise Ireland (EI) from 1 January 2007, Enterprise Ireland established its new National Regional Development Headquarters, which incorporates the County Enterprise Coordination Unit, in Shannon. This has given Enterprise Ireland a major presence in Shannon. At present, 40 staff, including a number of staff transferred from Shannon Development and over 20 local recruits, are based at recently leased offices in Westpark, Shannon. It is expected that this number will increase to about 65 over the coming months. A senior manager has been appointed as Head of Regions and Entrepreneurship to oversee the establishment of the EI presence in the Mid-West Region. EI managers with responsibility for the County Enterprise Coordination Unit and EI Regional Development strategy as well as the Regional Director with responsibility for the Mid-West Region are now in place in the Shannon office. As part of EI's regional strategy, these posts were assigned from Dublin to the new office in Shannon.
FÁS
Transferred from Dublin to Birr, 12
Transferred from outside of Dublin to Birr, 3
New Entrants to Birr (replacing Head Office
Posts, 6
TOTAL, 21
242 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of posts filled in his Department in each of the past five years; the number and grade of posts in each of the past five years in his Department that were open to existing public or civil servants only, or that were not subject to competition at all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35666/07]
243 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of posts filled in the Government agencies under his Department’s remit in each of the past five years; the number and grade of posts in each of the past five years in these agencies that were open to existing public or civil servants only, or which were not subject to competition at all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35681/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 242 and 243 together.
The information set out as follows refers to all posts filled in my Department during the last five years and include all posts filled by open recruitment, promotion, transfers in respect of decentralisation, staff returning from career breaks, etc.
|
Year |
Total Number of Posts filled in year |
|
2003 |
25 |
|
2004 |
16 |
|
2005 |
23 |
|
2006 |
70 |
|
2007 |
45 |
Details in relation to the number and grade of posts that were open to existing public or civil servants only, which include internal and interdepartmental promotions, staff who joined the Department under decentralisation and staff who resumed duty following career breaks are as follows:
|
Year |
Number and Grades |
|
2003 |
2 Assistant Principal Officers 1 Higher Executive Officer 9 Executive Officers 2 Clerical Officers |
|
2004 |
1 Assistant Principal Officer 3 Higher Executive Officers 4 Executive Officers 1 Clerical Officer |
|
2005 |
1 Assistant Secretary 1 Principal Officer 5 Assistant Principal Officers 2 Staff Officers 2 Clerical Officers |
|
2006 |
1 Principal Officer 10 Assistant Principal Officers 1 Administrative Officer 14 Higher Executive Officers 15 Executive Officers 3 Staff Officers 12 Clerical Officers |
|
2007 |
1 Secretary General 2 Principal Officers Assistant Principal Officers 6 Higher Executive Officers Executive Officers 3 Staff Officers 6 Clerical Officers |
The number of posts to which staff were appointed or promoted which were not subject to competition, are set out as follows:
|
Year |
Total Number of Posts filled in year that were not subject to a competition at all |
|
2003 |
2 |
|
2004 |
Nil |
|
2005 |
2 |
|
2006 |
2 |
|
2007 |
5 |
These appointments include personal appointments made by me and by my predecessor and a small number of junior staff promoted by the seniority/suitability method through centrally agreed procedures.
The filling of posts in agencies under the aegis of my Department is a day-to-day matter for the agencies themselves and my Department does not have the details sought by the Deputy.
244 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when he will publish the Arts Council report on the Arts in Education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35772/07]
The Arts Council has presented me with a copy of this report and I have studied its contents. I am currently considering the proposals further and will be discussing them with my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, and with the Arts Council in due course.
In the meantime, my officials have already had bilateral discussions with the Department of Education and Science and the Arts Council and all three parties are due to meet in the New Year to discuss the report in further detail.
The timing of publication of the report will be considered when this process is complete.
245 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism further to a previous parliamentary question, if he will provide details of the incremental costs of all bodies from set up and annual budget with a break down of annual overheads. [35905/07]
The budgetary information 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.
The costs and overheads of the agencies under the aegis of the Department are a matter for the day to day management of the bodies concerned. Each statutory agency is responsible for complying with normal financial procedures in relation to the disbursement of funds allocated to it.
246 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number and identity of persons, groups, bodies or agencies other than the established civil servants from whom he or Ministers of State in his Department have sought or received advice in connection with policy or administrative matters appertaining to the operation of his Department or other bodies under his aegis in the past 12 months; the extent to which such advice related to capital expenditure projects; the cost of such advice; the extent to which it has been implemented to date or if it is intended to be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35963/07]
As the Deputy is aware I took office at my Department in June 2007. Since then, in addition to the policy and administrative advice I have taken from my Department, I have taken into consideration the advice of my special adviser and press adviser on a broad range of issues including capital expenditure projects.
I also discuss policy and administrative matters with representatives of the agencies under the aegis of my Department as appropriate.
Apart from the salary costs of my advisers, who are paid at civil service Principal Officer Higher and Ordinary levels, no further costs have been incurred by me on advice.
There is no Minister of State in my Department.
247 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number to date of civil servants and employees of State bodies transferred from Dublin to decentralised locations; the number transferred from outside of Dublin to other decentralised locations; and the number transferred in post to decentralising Departments in Dublin pending planned decentralisation to locations outside of Dublin. [36020/07]
Under the Government's Decentralisation Programme, the number of civil servants who have transferred from Dublin to my Department's decentralised office at Fossa, Killarney, Co Kerry currently stands at 24.
The number of civil servants who have transferred from locations outside of Dublin, i.e. provincial locations, to my Department's temporary accommodation at Fossa currently stands at 46. The number of civil servants in my Department in posts in Dublin pending decentralisation to Killarney currently stands at 10.
To date, no employees of State bodies under the aegis of my Department have transferred to their designated decentralisation locations.
248 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of posts filled in his Department in each of the past five years; the number and grade of posts in each of the past five years in his Department that were open to existing public or civil servants only, or that were not subject to competition at all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35677/07]
The following tables detail the number of posts filled in my Department under various categories for the past five years.
|
Year |
Number of Posts |
|
2003 |
193 |
|
2004 |
270 |
|
2005 |
224 |
|
2006 |
369 |
|
2007 (to end Oct) |
381 |
|
Year |
No of posts open to existing public or civil servants only* |
|
2003 |
126 |
|
2004 |
156 |
|
2005 |
142 |
|
2006 |
264 |
|
2007 (to end Oct) |
208 |
*Includes all posts filled (by transfer, promotion, decentralisation) apart from those filled from open competitions.
|
Year |
Posts filled not subject to competition* |
|
2003 |
90 |
|
2004 |
118 |
|
2005 |
90 |
|
2006 |
231 |
|
2007 (to end Oct) |
145 |
* Includes lateral transfers (including decentralisation), non-competitive promotions and secondments.
249 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of posts filled in the Government agencies under his Department’s remit in each of the past five years; the number and grade of posts in each of the past five years in these agencies that were open to existing public or civil servants only, or which were not subject to competition at all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35692/07]
The information requested is currently being compiled within the Department and will be made available to the Deputy as soon as possible.
250 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on whether it is acceptable that the living alone allowance has not increased since 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35801/07]
The living alone increase is an additional payment of €7.70 per week made to people aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments and who are living alone. It is also available to people who are under 66 years of age who are living alone and receiving payments under one of a number of invalidity type schemes. The increase is intended as a contribution towards the additional costs people face when they live alone. The policy in relation to support for pensioners has been, for many years, to give priority to increasing the personal rates of pension rather than supplements like the living alone increase. The objective is to use resources to improve the position of all pensioners to the fullest extent possible rather than focusing on particular groups. This approach was continued in Budget 2008 with increases of up to €12 and €14 per week granted on personal rates.
The results of this policy can be seen in the recently released results from the EU Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) which showed that the position of 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 the figure of 17% for the general population.
251 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on the way the back to school clothing and footwear allowance increase will make a significant difference to many low income families, in view of the fact that the qualifying criteria for this payment remain so onerous; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35802/07]
The back to school clothing and footwear allowance (BSCFA) scheme provides a one-off payment to eligible families to assist with the extra costs when their children start school each autumn. The allowance is not intended to meet the full cost of school clothing and footwear but only to provide assistance towards these costs.
A person may qualify for payment of an allowance if they are in receipt of a social welfare or Health Service Executive (HSE) payment, or are participating in an approved employment scheme or attending a recognised education and training course and have household income at below standard levels.
Family Income Supplement (FIS), which is a weekly tax-free payment for families at work and on low pay, is also one of the qualifying payments for the purposes of the BSCFA scheme. This enables families, not normally in receipt of a social welfare or HSE payment to avail of the BSCFA scheme. Self-employed people on low incomes may qualify for Jobseekers Allowance (JA), depending on the income from their business. As JA is a qualifying payment for BSCFA a self-employed person may then qualify for payment of BSCFA subject to meeting the other qualifying criteria of the scheme. A means test is applied to ensure that limited resources are directed to those in greatest need. Income Limits for 2008 will be €496.10 for a couple with one child and €347.30 for a lone parent with one child. The limit is increased by €24.00 for each additional child. The fact that the income limit is aligned to weekly social welfare payment rates means that it is automatically indexed upward each year with budget increases.
In Budget 2007, the rate of payment of BSCFA was increased by €60 per child for children aged 2 to 11 years old and €95 for children aged 12 to 22 — a 50% increase on the previous allowance. The rates for 2007 are €180 for children aged 2 to 11 years old and €285 for children aged 12 to 22. Budget 2008 has increased BSCFA rates by €20 to €200 and €305, a further increase of 11% and 7%, respectively. Expenditure on the scheme will increase by €3.5m to around €43.5m in 2008. These improvements in BSCFA are very significant when viewed in the context of clothing and footwear price trends. According to the Consumer Price Index for October 2007, the overall cost of clothing and footwear has fallen by 3.5% over the past twelve months. Since December 2001, clothing and footwear costs have decreased by 18.4%.
I consider the back to school clothing and footwear allowance scheme to be an important support for parents at a time of particular financial strain. Any changes to the structure of the scheme, rates of payment, income limits or amendments to the qualifying criteria would have cost implications and would have to be considered in a budgetary context and in the light of resources available to me for improvements in social welfare payments generally.
252 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on the fact that almost four out of five carers are not entitled to the carer’s allowance or carer’s benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35803/07]
The Government has made significant improvements to the carers allowance and Carers Benefit in recent years. The number of hours a person can work and continue to receive payment has increased from 12 to 15 hours per week. The income disregard has been increased in Budget 2008 to €332.50 for a single person and €665 for a couple. The respite care grant was extended to all people providing full time care and Budget 2008 provides for the payment to be increased to €1,700 in respect of each care recipient. Other enhancements include care sharing and the extension of the Carers Benefit scheme duration to 24 months.
At present there are over 34,000 carers in receipt of a weekly payment for caring from my Department. Of these, over 32,400 are in receipt of carer's allowance and over 1,980 are in receipt of carer's benefit. In addition, over 8,000 carers have received a respite care grant from my Department in respect of 2007 and applications continue to be received. One of the fundamental qualifying conditions for all of these payments is that the recipient must be providing full time care and attention to a person who needs it.
According to Census 2006 there are 160,917 people providing at least 1 hour of unpaid help per week for a friend or family member with a long term illness, health problem or disability. Of this number, 93,363 people provide up to 2 hours of unpaid help per day and a further 17,093 people provide unpaid help of between 2 and 4 hours per day. So there are approximately 50,400 people providing care for more than 29 hours per week or just over 4 hours per day. Of these, approximately 19,600 people are classified by principal economic status as being at work and many of these would be engaged in employment for more than 15 hours per week which would make them ineligible for carer's allowance or benefit.
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 also providing someone with full time care and attention, will be able to retain their main welfare payment and receive another payment, depending on their means, the maximum of which 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; widow/er's contributory/non-contributory pension and to people in receipt of qualified adult allowances.
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.
253 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on whether the recent increases announced in Budget 2008 will make a decisive impact on child poverty in view of the fact that the qualified child rate for social insurance and social assistance payments has only been increased by €2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35804/07]
The reduction and eventual elimination of child poverty is a national priority and at the core of the strategic process to combat poverty and social exclusion, as set out in Towards 2016, the National Action Plan for social inclusion (NAPinclusion) and the social inclusion commitments in the NDP.
Children growing up in low income or jobless households are the most vulnerable to poverty. A high proportion of these households are composed of larger families with three or more children, and those headed by lone parents. As national and international evidence shows that employment participation is the main route out of poverty, the policy direction followed by successive Governments from 1995 to 2006 was to dedicate substantial resources to Child Benefit (CB). This process was intensified during the period 2001 to 2006 when an additional €1.27 billion was invested in the scheme, making child income support more neutral vis-à-vis the employment status of the parent and thus ensuring more parental choice in relation to working inside or outside the home in relation to retention of child income supports.
The shift towards CB has been substantial, from a position where Child Benefit represented 27% of the total CB/Qualified Child Increase (QCI) payment, to 63%. In other words, following the CB increases, a family will now lose only 37% of their child income support when moving into full-time employment. The advantage of this change is that, unlike QCIs, it does not contribute to unemployment or poverty traps. In addition, the introduction of the early child care supplement in 2006 in respect of all children up to six years of age has increased the overall level of child income support to all qualifying families, and proportionately more in the case of low-income families.
In the ten years from 1998 to 2007, CB rates have increased by 300% (lower rate) and 266% (higher rate). This compares with a consumer price index rise of 39.2%. In addition, the early child care supplement, which is payable in respect of all children under six years of age, provides a further €83.33 per month (paid quarterly in arrears). Budget 2008 provides for further increases payable in respect of all children. In percentage terms, these represent increases of 3.8% and 3.2% over 2007. When added to the increase of €100 per annum to the Early Childcare Supplement, the overall increases in relation to children under six years are €14.33 (lower) and €16.34 (higher) per month, percentage increases of 5.89% and 5.87% respectively.
While CB rates continue to increase, recent budgets have seen the concentration of additional resources on more targeted payments and specifically to families who are dependent on welfare supports, including family income supplement which is paid to low-earning employees with children. In this context, Budget 2007 provided for the first increases in QCIs since 1994, followed by the further increase which I announced in Budget 2008.
254 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will provide exemption for those female old age pensioners who are denied the qualified adult allowance due to the impact of joint accounts on their entitlement to QAA, where their husbands may have deposited in the account a lump sum received due to redundancy, retirement, severance and so on; if he will take into account the fact that the females concerned are likely to have remained at home to care for and nurture children, and look after their homes while the husband was the sole wage-earner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35809/07]
The state pensions contributory and transitional include, where appropriate, an increase for a dependent spouse or partner. This increase is means-tested and a full increase is payable where a spouse's income is less than €100 per week, and reduced rates are payable until income exceeds €300 per week, up from €280 before the recent Budget. The decision is made on the basis of the income enjoyed by the qualified adult only. However, where capital or property (other than the family home) is jointly owned, then the qualified adult will be assessed with 50% of any actual/notional income or capital value deriving from that asset. The effect is that the qualified adult of a couple with capital of just under €116,000 will qualify for a qualified adult increase at the maximum rate of €200 per week provided the principal pensioner is also in receipt of state pension (contributory) at the maximum rate. Social Welfare legislation provides for the tapered withdrawal of the qualified adult increase until it is withdrawn where a couple has capital of €216,000 or more.
As set out in the Programme for Government, the policy in relation to the means-testing of qualified adult payments is to increase the income limits that apply in the means-test so that more people will qualify for the allowance. These limits are kept under review in a budgetary context. The issue of means-testing qualified adult payments for pensions is discussed in the Green Paper on Pensions, published on 17 October. Although this is an issue which cannot be looked at exclusively in a pensions context, as it applies to all social welfare payments, the consultation process on pensions will include discussion on the future status of qualified adults.
255 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the plans his Department have to introduce a grant to enable a person in receipt of the State pension to install a land line phone in view of the substantial cost of such an installation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35842/07]
Budget 2007 provided for the telephone allowance to be extended to cover mobile phones. Under this new arrangement, customers have the choice to opt either for a direct credit to a telephone company for their landline as before or for a cash payment in respect of their mobile phone. This means that it is no longer necessary for a person to have a landline installed in order to benefit from the telephone allowance. The Programme for Government includes a commitment to further extend the telephone allowance to include broadband services. A range of proposals have been made to extend the coverage of the household benefits package of free schemes. These proposals are kept under review in the context of the objectives of the scheme and budgetary resources.
256 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if, in accordance with his Department’s sectoral plan, his Department’s disability awareness training programme has been completed; if all senior managers have completed this programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35883/07]
The Disability Awareness training programme, in accordance with my Department's Disability Sectoral Plan, is currently underway. To date, training has been provided to staff in my Department's decentralised headquarters office in Longford which has responsibility for the administration of the main disability-related schemes. All Access Officers, who are at senior management levels, have also received training. In addition, the Code of Practice for the Employment of People with Disabilities in the Irish Civil Service has been circulated to all staff in the Department. The provision of Disability Awareness training to the rest of the staff of the Department will continue in 2008. All senior managers will participate in this programme.
257 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if, in accordance with his Department’s sectoral plan, a strategic review, including upgrading and promoting usage, of his Department’s website has been carried out; if all the recommendations have been implemented in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35884/07]
A strategic review of the website was completed in June 2006 which recommended a full redesign and redevelopment of the website. Work is currently underway on the development of the new website which is scheduled for implementation in the second half of 2008. A promotional campaign to encourage greater use of the website will be undertaken thereafter.
258 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his Department’s progress in relation to ensuring that their schemes and services which support mainstreaming and full participation of people with disabilities in employment as per his Department’s sectoral plan; if the expansion and consolidation of projects to increase labour market participation of certain illness benefit customers has been completed and evaluated; if the publicity initiatives in relation to the automatic restoration of benefits and allowances for persons engaged in employment and activation were undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35885/07]
In July 2006 my Department launched its Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act 2005. The plan is aimed at developing services that not only give people with disabilities financial security but encourage maximum participation in society. One of the objectives of the plan is to engage meaningfully with persons of working age, particularly marginalised groups and provide services directly and in co-operation with other relevant agencies to encourage and support these people in taking up relevant work, training and education or development opportunities.
My Department is committed to the development of a systematic programme of engagement for all people of working age, including people with disabilities. The Social & Economic Participation Programme under the NDP 2007-2013 will develop an active case management service for all people of working age including people with disabilities. This service will be complemented by my department's existing back to education and back to work schemes. Senior officials representing relevant departments and agencies have met to progress activation commitments under the Social Partnership Agreement, Towards 2016 and the National Development Plan. A review of existing social and family support services resources within my Department has been undertaken to identify gaps in service provision.
In addition, a project proposal entitled "Supporting Economic Participation by People with Disabilities" has been approved for funding under the European Social Fund, Human Capital Investment Operational Programme 2007-2013. The high level objective of the proposal is to develop and test a comprehensive employment strategy based on individual case management of people on illness and disability welfare payments, that will have the capacity to increase their rate of employment. Planning for the project has commenced in the Border Midland and Western region where the project will be piloted. Nominations for the project board have been sought from relevant departments and agencies.
An amendment to existing legislation, effective from 1st January, 2007, provides that where a person who has been in receipt of illness benefit for a period of two years and engages in employment for less than 26 weeks, payment of the benefit will be re-instated without the requirement to serve waiting days if that person finds that s/he is unable to continue to work. A similar exemption applies with disability allowance, except that the person may engage in employment for up to 52 weeks and still qualify for immediate re-instatement of the payment, should the need arise.
These provisions ensure that people with an illness or disability can return to the labour market without fear of losing entitlement to the benefit or allowance should they find that they are unable to continue in employment. Information regarding restoration of benefits is provided by the relevant scheme areas and individual customers are advised of the arrangement where applicable.
259 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs further to a previous parliamentary question, if he will provide details of the incremental costs of all bodies from set up and annual budget with a break down of annual overheads. [35915/07]
The information requested is currently being compiled within the Department and will be made available to the Deputy as soon as possible.
260 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position in relation to qualification for a combined Irish and UK pension for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35960/07]
The person concerned is in receipt of maximum rate Widow's (Contributory) Pension of €191.30 plus € 21.90 fuel allowance, per week. As her spouse had worked in England, the relevant information was referred to the Department of Social Security in Newcastle upon Tyne (DHSS) to assess her eligibility for a widow's pension. It is a matter for that Department to advise the person concerned of her entitlement. A reminder has been sent to DHSS in this case.
261 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number and identity of persons, groups, bodies or agencies other than the established civil servants from whom he or Ministers of State in his Department have sought or received advice in connection with policy or administrative matters appertaining to the operation of his Department or other bodies under his aegis in the past 12 months; the extent to which such advice related to capital expenditure projects; the cost of such advice; the extent to which it has been implemented to date or if it is intended to be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35974/07]
The information requested is currently being compiled within the Department and will be made available to the Deputy as soon as possible.
262 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number to date of civil servants and employees of State bodies transferred from Dublin to decentralised locations; the number transferred from outside of Dublin to other decentralised locations; and the number transferred in post to decentralising Departments in Dublin pending planned decentralisation to locations outside of Dublin. [36031/07]
To date, 177 posts have relocated from the Department's Dublin Offices to Carrick-on-Shannon and Sligo, of whom 65 were Dublin based and 112 were provincially based. In addition, a further 136 employees, of whom 104 are Dublin based and 32 are provincially based, have transferred to this Department's existing decentralised offices in Dundalk, Letterkenny, Longford, Sligo and Waterford to fill vacancies created by the current decentralisation programme. A further 188 Dublin based employees have transferred into posts in preparation for decentralisation. In addition to the above, 195 employees of the Department have transferred to other Government Departments under the programme of decentralisation, of whom 89 were Dublin based employees.
263 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of posts filled in his Department in each of the past five years; the number and grade of posts in each of the past five years in his Department that were open to existing public or civil servants only, or that were not subject to competition at all. [35668/07]
Apart from appointments made under the decentralisation programme, most of which were the result of bilateral staff transfers between my Department and other Departments, the following posts were filled in my Department in each of the grades listed in the last five years
|
GRADE |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
Totals |
|
Assistant Secretary |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1* |
2 |
|
Principal Officer |
0 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
6 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
2 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
10 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
7 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
20 |
|
Executive Officer |
5 |
7 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
20 |
|
Staff Officer |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
|
Clerical Officer |
9 |
4 |
3 |
5 |
10 |
31 |
|
Services Officer |
1 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
8 |
|
Accountant |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
|
Translator |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
|
Engineer |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
|
Personal Secretary to Minister* |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Personal Assistant to Minister* |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Special Adviser* |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
|
Media Adviser* |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Personal Secretary to Minister of State* |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Personal Assistant to Minister of State* |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Totals |
27 |
17 |
14 |
20 |
35 |
113 |
All of the appointments from Assistant Secretary to Staff Officer (inclusive) (except for 1 Assistant Secretary post in 2007 and 3 Executive Officers in 2003, 2 in 2004 and 1 in 2007) were open to civil servants only and were filled by competition. The posts mentioned in brackets were filled by open, public, competition. The posts asterisked were posts filled in accordance with Instructions relating to the appointment of Ministerial Private Office staff published by the Department of Finance in 2007. Two of these appointments were the re-engagement of the same officers.
264 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of posts filled in the Government agencies under his Department’s remit in each of the past five years; the number and grade of posts in each of the past five years in these agencies that were open to existing public or civil servants only, or which were not subject to competition at all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35683/07]
My Department is in contact with the relevant bodies and agencies regarding the information requested by the Deputy, which will be forwarded as soon as it has been collated.
265 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the actions proposed or the changes already agreed, to proposals in relation to highlighting the problems attached to the misuse of illicit substances as a result of recent events involving such use of such substances over the holiday period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35699/07]
268 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he or his Department has had meetings with the Minister for Justice Equality and Law Reform or his Department as a result of recent events due to the use of illicit substances as to the way the dangers of the misuse of the substances can be highlighted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35742/07]
269 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has given directives to agencies within his remit seeking the highlighting of the effects of the use of illicit substances and their dangers during the holiday period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35743/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 265, 268 and 269 together.
Last week, I chaired the regular quarterly meeting of the Inter-Departmental Group on Drugs. This Group comprises representatives of all the key Departments — including the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform — and Agencies involved in delivering the National Drugs Strategy 2001-08, as well as representatives of the community and voluntary sectors. At the meeting, a presentation was made by the Health Promotion Unit of the Health Service Executive outlining the forthcoming National Drugs Awareness Campaign, the initial phase of which was launched last Monday. The aim of the campaign is to dispel the myths surrounding cocaine and cocaine use and it is targeted at recreational users aged 15-34 years.
While the Health Promotion Unit has lead responsibility for the development of this campaign, an Advisory Group, including representatives of my Department along with the Drug Task Forces and the National Drugs Strategy Team, was established earlier this year to consider the most effective way forward with the campaign. The campaign will be primarily digital based. It is expected that the second phase of the campaign, which will include radio, outdoor, ambient and press coverage, will be rolled out in February 2008. I have not given directives to agencies within the remit of my Department regarding the effects of drug misuse over the holiday period.
266 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of applications for funding received from Donegal County Council for refurbishment or new works on islands within the remit of the council for each of the past three years; the position of the applications; the amount of funding allocated; the number of applications still under consideration or refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35700/07]
267 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of applications for funding that his Department has received from Mayo County Council for improvements to facilities within the local authority remit for islands within its control for each of the past three years; the number that have been successful; the amount of funding involved; the number refused or still being investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35701/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 266 and 267 together.
Firstly, I should explain to the Deputy that the normal procedure in relation to the matters raised by him is that proposals for island work programmes are discussed between my officials and officials of the relevant local authority in advance of a formal application for grant assistance being made. Accordingly, agreement is reached by consensus on annual programmes of island works on the basis of prioritisation and in the context of the overall budgetary provisions. Any projects that cannot be processed at a given time are kept under review. Total capital expenditure under the Islands subhead of my Department's Vote for the Donegal islands over the last 3 years was in excess of €1.1m, as shown in the following table:
|
2005 |
2006 |
2007* |
|
€202,085 |
€479,849 |
€449,900 |
*Final end-year figure outstanding.
The works in question comprised a wide range of infrastructural works, including piers, helipad, coastal protection and roads, in addition to the provision of smoke alarms and safety equipment. In the case of the Mayo islands, the total capital expenditure over the last 3 years was in excess of €4.4m, as shown in the following table:
|
2005 |
2006 |
2007* |
|
€2,948,832 |
€1,397,557 |
€73,800 |
*Final end-year figure outstanding.
The works in question comprised major pier developments on Inishturk and Clare Island, in addition to other infrastructural works, such as roads and slipways. The Deputy may wish to note that my Department also provides funding for islands under various other subheads and programmes, including, for example, CLÁR, the Local Development Social Inclusion Programme, as well as a range of Gaeltacht schemes in the case of islands located in the Gaeltacht. If the Deputy requires further information in relation to any specific island or project, I will, of course, be happy to assist.
270 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35753/07]
Larkwood Blueberry Farm is a subsidiary of Allenwood Enterprise Park. This project was funded by FÁS, under the Social Economy Programme on the basis that it would become commercially viable and self-sustaining. The Social Economy Programme transferred to my Department in 2006 and has been re-named the Community Services Programme, to reflect a change of emphasis towards the provision of community services. After 8 years of operation the blueberry farm at Allenwood had failed to become commercially viable and could no longer meet the eligibility criteria for funding under the Programme. By agreement with the project my Department's funding is transferring to the parent organisation, Allenwood Enterprise Park. Accordingly, the funding will continue to be used for the benefit of the Allenwood community.
271 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the grants and assistance available to a community for them to establish a community alert scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35831/07]
The funding of Development Officers to assist community alert schemes is a matter for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
272 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs further to a previous parliamentary question, if he will provide details of the incremental costs of all bodies from set up and annual budget with a break down of annual overheads. [35906/07]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 299 of 17 Deireadh Fómhair 2007, which includes information regarding the annual budgets, since the establishment of my Department in 2002, of bodies referred to in my previous reply to the Deputy's Question No 119 of 22 Samhain 2007. The Deputy will appreciate that details relating to the breakdown of annual overheads of the bodies in question are made available in a format agreed with the Comptroller and Auditor General in the annual accounts of such bodies, which are laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. If, however, the Deputy requires particular information in relation to any specific body, I will be glad to assist in any way possible.
273 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo who has applied for an appliance has not been given one. [35935/07]
My Department has received no application for funding for or on behalf of the named individual under the Scheme of Community Support for Older People. I am informed that a local Active Retirement Group have been in contact with the individual and are likely to make an application on his behalf in due course.
274 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number and identity of persons, groups, bodies or agencies other than the established civil servants from whom he or Ministers of State in his Department have sought or received advice in connection with policy or administrative matters appertaining to the operation of his Department or other bodies under his aegis in the past 12 months; the extent to which such advice related to capital expenditure projects; the cost of such advice; the extent to which it has been implemented to date or if it is intended to be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35965/07]
The Deputy will appreciate that, given the wide range of programmes operated by my Department, external advice relating to policy or administrative matters, including in relation to capital projects, may be required from time to time. The table below sets out the main instances (excepting those of minor value) in which such advice has been sought formally over the past 12 months, together with associated information along the lines sought by the Deputy. I do not consider it realistic to provide details relating to informal or unsolicited advice, or to advice provided by bodies or agencies in fulfilment of their everyday functions, in a reply of this nature.
|
Name |
Subject |
Capital expenditure project? |
Estimated cost |
Stage of implementation |
|
€ |
||||
|
Fitzpatrick Associates |
VFM Review of Local Development Social Inclusion Programme |
N/A |
96,135 |
Final report due by year end |
|
Fitzpatrick Associates |
Strategic Outline Case for restoration of Ulster Canal |
Yes |
48,958 (to be shared with the NI Department of Culture Arts and Leisure) |
Project commenced |
|
Fitzpatrick Associates |
Evaluation process in relation to Local Action Groups in context of new Rural Development Programme 2007-13 |
N/A |
102,525 |
Ongoing |
|
Irish Charities Tax Research Ltd |
Development of Agreed Codes of Practice for charitable fundraising |
N/A |
300,000 |
Final report due shortly. |
|
Irish Charities Tax Research Ltd |
Feasibility study re Irish ‘GuideStar’ for the not-for-profit sector |
N/A |
70,000 |
Project ongoing |
|
Combat Poverty Agency |
Evaluation of IT system used for Community Development Programme |
N/A |
20,000 |
Review ongoing |
|
Arthur Cox |
Corporate Governance Guidelines relating to Local and Community Development Structures |
N/A |
86,683 |
Implemented |
|
Goodbody Economic Consultants |
Employment Aspects of Community Programmes reorganisation |
N/A |
14,513 |
Implemented |
|
Dr Oonagh Breen |
Review of Corporate Governance in Local and Community Development Structures |
N/A |
24,500 |
Implemented |
|
Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta, Gaillimh |
Linguistic Study of Use of Irish in Gaeltacht |
N/A |
550,223 |
Report published. Consideration ongoing |
|
Saltire Management Ltd |
Feasibility study relating to RO/RO service to Aran Islands |
Possible impact on future development of piers/marine facilities |
72,552 |
Under consideration |
|
Cranfield University |
Update of report on air services to certain islands |
Possible impact on future development of air facilities |
15,519 |
In progress |
|
Ethos Ltd |
Evaluation of tenders for cargo service to certain islands |
Possible impact on future development of piers/marine facilities |
8,232 |
Being implemented |
|
Saltire Management Ltd |
Evaluation of tenders for passenger/cargo services to certain islands |
Possible impact on future development of piers/marine facilities |
6,239 |
Being implemented |
|
Petrus Consulting Ltd |
VFM review of Capital Expenditure on the Islands 1998-2004 |
Yes |
56,034 |
Implementation, as appropriate, under consideration |
|
Thomas Garland & Partners Ltd. |
Evaluation of tenders in relation to the construction of Clifden airstrip |
Yes |
120,707 |
Ongoing |
|
Goodbody Economic Consultants |
Review relating to Dormant Accounts Fund |
38% relating to capital projects |
70,664 |
Implemented |
|
Goodbody Economic Consultants |
Evaluation of Funding Schemes under White Paper on Supporting Voluntary Activity |
N/A |
77,924 |
Implemented |
275 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number to date of civil servants and employees of State bodies transferred from Dublin to decentralised locations; the number transferred from outside of Dublin to other decentralised locations; and the number transferred in post to decentralising Departments in Dublin pending planned decentralisation to locations outside of Dublin. [36023/07]
To date, 47 officers of this Department have transferred in post from Dublin to decentralised locations — 43 to an interim location in Tubbercurry and 4 to Na Forbacha. 31 officers transferred from outside Dublin to those destinations — 29 to Tubbercurry and 2 to Na Forbacha. 8 officers transferred from other Dublin locations to this Department's Dublin office and will relocate in post in due course.
Of the 25 posts filled in Clifden by Pobal only 1 staff member relocated from Dublin, the remaining posts being filled by way of local recruitment. The decentralisation of 30 posts by Foras na Gaeilge to Gaoth Dobhair is still at the planning stage and no staff have decentralised as yet.
276 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps she will take to ensure the continued viability of the shellfish industry in an area (details supplied); and if a contingency arrangement has been approved by her Department officials to ensure that due process will take place and that there is no threat to this industry as a result. [35828/07]
My Department currently has overall responsibility for the implementation of the Shellfish Waters Directive (79/923/EEC), pending its onward transfer to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in accordance with the government decision taken on the 9 October. This directive has been enacted through SI 268/2006 and Clew Bay is designated as a Shellfish Water under these regulations. As a designated water, an ongoing action plan has been implemented to protect and improve these waters, consisting of a testing regime and ongoing analysis of the pressures on the bay.
Local Authorities and the EPA are listed in the regulations (SI 268/2006) as relevant Public Authorities. Mayo County Council and the EPA were advised of their responsibilities under the Directive in June 2006. The Council and the EPA are therefore aware of their duty to protect the shellfish waters in Clew Bay from contaminants set out in schedule 2 of the regulations.My Department has been in regular contact with Mayo County Council throughout the year and the Council is fully aware of its obligation to protect these waters, in accordance with the provisions of the Shellfish Waters Directive.
277 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of posts filled in her Department in each of the past five years; the number and grade of posts in each of the past five years in her Department that were open to existing public or civil servants only, or that were not subject to competition at all; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35665/07]
The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the table below.
|
Posts Filled |
Of which posts confined to Civil Servants |
|
|
2007 |
367 |
108 |
|
2006 |
308 |
80 |
|
2005 |
245 |
81 |
|
2004 |
257 |
67 |
|
2003 |
353 |
117 |
The posts confined to Civil Servants included positions at Assistant Secretary, Principal Officer, Assistant Principal, Higher Executive Officer, Executive Officer, Staff Officer, Supervisory Agricultural Officer, District Superintendent, Area Superintendent, Forestry Inspector Grade 1, Agricultural Inspector, Service Officer, Senior Superintending Veterinary Inspector, Superintending Veterinary Inspector, Senior Research Officer and Senior Superintending Research Officer.
278 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of posts filled in the Government agencies under her Department’s remit in each of the past five years; the number and grade of posts in each of the past five years in these agencies that were open to existing public or civil servants only, or which were not subject to competition at all; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35680/07]
The recruitment of staff by the agencies under the aegis of my Department within their overall approved numbers is an operational matter for the bodies themselves.
279 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the cut-off point for the receipt of applications for the now closed farm improvement scheme is 31 October 2007, the date she made the announcement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35722/07]
On 31 October 2007, I announced the closure of the Farm Improvement Scheme as applications received under the Scheme had reached the level of funding provided for the Scheme in the 2006 partnership agreement, Towards 2016. The applications received under the Scheme up to 31 October 2007 will be processed by my Department up to the level of funding available.
280 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will ensure that the full single farm payment will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [35728/07]
An application under the Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 25 April 2007. Also an application to consolidate entitlements was received on 26 April 2007. An advance payment in the amount of €5422.10 issued on 16 October 2007. Payment of the balance was slightly delayed while the application for consolidation was being processed. This application was rejected, as under the rules of the consolidation measure a person must declare a number of eligible hectares which must be at least 50% of the number of entitlements originally granted to him. The balancing payment in the amount of €5422.09 has been cleared for issue, and will be lodged to the account of the person named in the next 2 to 3 days.
281 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will sanction a grant for farmyard improvements for a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35759/07]
The person concerned is an applicant under the Farm Improvement Scheme. Approval to commence work was issued by my Department to the applicant on 22 October 2007. My Department has no record of having received any notification of completion of works and the related documents from the applicant since that date. The matter cannot be further progressed until this documentation is received.
282 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason for the delay in the issuing of a single farm payment to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare in 2006 and in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35760/07]
The delay in making payment under the 2006 Single Payment Scheme arose from the fact that the person named did not declare land parcels during the 2000-2002 reference period. Under the regulations governing the old coupled schemes, the person concerned was not obliged to declare his land. Under the Single Payment Scheme it was necessary for my Department to establish what land was owned by such applicants in order that a number of payment entitlements could be determined. Under EU regulations, the number of entitlements could be determined based on either the land declared during the reference period or, alternatively, on owned land declared in either 2004 or 2005. This case was complicated due to the fact that the applicant also leased out some land and entitlements in 2006 that he acquired from another farmer.
Insofar as the 2007 Single Payment Scheme is concerned, an application was received on the 15 May 2007 requesting a transfer of 5.77 entitlements from the person named to a third party by way of one-year lease. As essential elements of the application form were not completed, it was necessary to return it to the herd owners for completion. In addition it was also necessary to query the number of hectares being transferred.
It transpired that the net area of land being transferred was 5.6 hectares and, as each leased entitlement must be accompanied by one hectare of eligible land, it was necessary, in consultation with the herd owners, to reduce the number of entitlements being transferred to 5.6. The transfer has now been fully processed and payment will issue as soon as possible.
283 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will take steps to ensure that an application received on 25 October 2007 from persons (details supplied) in County Westmeath for grant aid under the farm improvement scheme will be dealt with, as this grant is important in aiding the provision of necessary infrastructural facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35782/07]
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.
284 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan will be paid their single farm payment for 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35815/07]
The person named submitted a Single Payment application to my Department on 9 May 2007, declaring 6.40 hectares. However, as he does not hold any Single Payment entitlements, payment cannot issue to him. He has received full payment under the Disadvantaged Area Scheme in respect of these lands.
285 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number and identity of persons, groups, bodies or agencies other than the established civil servants from whom she or Ministers of State in her Department have sought or received advice in connection with policy or administrative matters appertaining to the operation of her Department or other bodies under her aegis in the past 12 months; the extent to which such advice related to capital expenditure projects; the cost of such advice; the extent to which it has been implemented to date or if it is intended to be implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35962/07]
The only persons other than established civil servants from whom advice has been sought or received on a personal basis by me, or the Ministers of State in my Department are two personal advisors. Mr Michael Shovlin was employed by me as press advisor until earlier this year, with a salary of €83,815 per annum. Mr Stiofán Nutty is currently employed by Minister of State Sargent. His salary since appointment amounts to €15,106. Advice on capital projects was not provided by either of the advisors.
Apart from this, as a matter of course, I regularly meet with farming and other representative groups as well as State agencies under my Department's remit in connection with matters appertaining to the operation of the Department. In addition there is frequent engagement with the food industry under the Agri-Vision Action Plan. A research group, chaired by industry, was established by me to advise on high level research priorities. The group includes representatives of third level food research institutions, the food industry and consumers. No fees are paid in any of these cases.
There are many other areas where my Department receives advice. For example, my Department receives advice, in relation to potential disease outbreaks, from BirdWatch Ireland, the Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis (CVERA) in UCD and the Avian ‘Flu Expert Advisory Group and, in relation to animal welfare issues, from the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council (FAWAC).
The Department's Audit Committee which comprises non-public service members, officials from other Departments and officials of my Department, also offers advice on an on-going basis on administrative systems and procedures. A per diem rate is payable to non-public service members. A total of €2,800 has been paid in respect of 2007. In the past twelve months, my Department has also engaged the consultants detailed on the following list, who have provided advice on the specific matters indicated.
|
Consultant |
Project |
Payment in 2007 |
Implementation |
|
€ |
|||
|
Institute of Forest Ecosystem Research |
National Forest Inventory for 2007 |
47,284 |
Implemented |
|
UCD Forestry Department |
National Forest Inventory for 2007 |
3,200 |
Implemented |
|
Dr. Gerhardt Gallagher (Consultant) |
National Forest Inventory for 2007 |
3,086 |
Implemented |
|
John McCarthy (Ag. Consultant) |
Milk Quota Exchange (Trading Scheme) |
3,194 |
Implemented |
|
John Malone Consulting Ltd |
Sheep Strategy Implementation Group |
25,000 (Est.) |
Being Implemented |
|
Vantage Resources |
Forestry on-line applications |
20,421 |
Implemented |
|
Resources Global Consultancy |
Integrated Forestry System (IFORIS) |
9,196 |
Implemented |
|
Achilles Procurement Services |
Single Payment Scheme |
2,240 |
Implemented |
|
Indecon International Economic Consultants |
Implementation of EU Re-structuring of Irish Sugar Industry |
154,670 |
Implemented |
|
Farrell Grant Sparks |
Review of Organisational Structure of the Department |
108,900 |
Not yet finalised |
|
Surepath Solutions |
Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor |
2,986 |
Implemented |
|
Wright Environmental |
Quality of Lighting |
726 |
Completed |
|
Elmah Sweetman |
Ergonomic Assessment |
300 |
Implemented |
|
Occupational Physiotherapy Solutions |
Ergonomic Assessment |
303 |
Implemented |
|
Achilles Procurement Services |
Preparation of the Request for Tender for the Provision of Equality and Diversity Training in the Department |
1,072 |
Implemented |
|
Poseidon Aquatic Resource Management Ltd |
Review of Fishery Control Regime in Ireland (Cawley Report) |
144,000 |
Being Implemented |
|
Noel Cawley |
Cawley Implementation Group |
27,000 |
See entry above |
|
John Malone Consulting Ltd |
Study on Forestry Planting Levels |
NIL |
Recently commenced |
286 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number to date of civil servants and employees of State bodies transferred from Dublin to decentralised locations; the number transferred from outside of Dublin to other decentralised locations; and the number transferred in post to decentralising Departments in Dublin pending planned decentralisation to locations outside of Dublin. [36021/07]
To the end of November, 183 civil servants have transferred from Dublin to my Department's offices in Portlaoise. An additional 70 civil servants were assigned to Portlaoise from outside of Dublin. There are 82 civil servants in my Department's offices in Dublin assigned for decentralisation to Portlaoise.
287 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to plans to decentralise 300 personnel from her Department to Mullingar; if a decision has been made to facilitate an advance number of approximately 100 who wish to decentralise immediately once temporary accommodation is provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35659/07]
This month Office of Public Works has announced further progress towards the provision of permanent accommodation in Mullingar for my Department in that it has just invited a consortium to become the successful tenderer for a decentralisation accommodation project to include Mullingar.
To date no decision has been taken as to whether a number of posts will be located into temporary accommodation in Mullingar in advance of the full decentralisation of 300 posts into the new permanent accommodation. As I have previously indicated, the issue is re-examined from time to time.
The relocation of posts in my Department from Dublin to Athlone will take place next year, so my Department will be relocating 400 posts from Dublin into new permanent accommodation in Athlone and Mullingar over a period of approximately 2 years. The capacity of my Department to manage its business if this process is accelerated by sending an advance number of posts to temporary accommodation in Mullingar is a major consideration in deciding whether it is appropriate to relocate a number of posts into temporary accommodation in Mullingar in advance of the full move of 300 posts into the new permanent accommodation.
288 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of posts filled in her Department in each of the past five years; the number and grade of posts in each of the past five years in her Department that were open to existing public or civil servants only, or that were not subject to competition at all; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35670/07]
The information sought is being compiled in my Department and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
289 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of posts filled in the Government agencies under her Department’s remit in each of the past five years; the number and grade of posts in each of the past five years in these agencies that were open to existing public or civil servants only, or which were not subject to competition at all; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35685/07]
The information sought is being compiled in my Department and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
290 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Education and Science the name and number of schools in County Galway that have applied to her Department for support application under the summer works scheme in 2008; when the applications were made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35707/07]
The details sought by the Deputy are not readily available. As the Deputy may be aware, the Summer Works Scheme was introduced in 2004. Since then, over 3,000 projects costing in excess of €300 million have been completed. Considerable extra investment has been provided in the Budget to increase funding for school buildings to almost €600 million next year. With so many small projects having been completed over the past few years, I intend to focus on delivering as many large projects as possible in 2008. There will not, therefore, be a new Summer Works Scheme as part of our building programme next year.
291 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science the schools that have been supplied with laptop computers through her Department’s funding; the basis on which schools selected for such provision are selected; the number of second level students that have been supplied with laptop computers to assist them in preparing for and doing State examinations; if an application for such computers is made via the school; if applications made via a parent or guardian are acceptable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35714/07]
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating special educational needs resources, including assistive technology supports to schools to support students with special needs. On receipt of an application for assistive technology from a school, the SENO will examine the application in the light of the needs of the student, the school facilities and the qualifying criteria. The SENO then makes recommendations to my Department in relation to assistive technology which may be required by students with certain special educational needs and my Department will advise schools on the level of grant approved. The equipment will be the property of the school and the school's management authority will have responsibility for maintenance, repair, insurance etc. of the equipment.
All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO and it is open to schools to contact the SENO in this regard. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie. My Department has grant-aided the provision of 247 laptops in 2007 and 240 in 2006 for second-level special needs pupils.
The Department funded the Laptops Initiative from December 2000 to May 2005. This nationwide ICT in education initiative co-ordinated by the National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE) was aimed at identifying how laptop computers could best be used to support second-level students with dyslexia or other reading and writing difficulties. Thirty one schools participated in the initiative one of which was St Dominic's Secondary School, Ballyfermot, Co Dublin. Various methods of software use in Irish second-level teaching and learning were successfully explored and the project established the feasibility of using integrated mobile ICT in busy school environments. Much practical knowledge was gained about the management of mobile ICT in schools.
In relation to grants available for the purchase of laptops the grant scheme for Minor Works to National School Properties includes ICT equipment within the range of approved school expenditure. At Post Primary level recent developments include the introduction of the new Technology syllabus and the revised Design and Communication Graphics syllabus at Leaving Certificate level which were introduced this year with an associated investment of some €14 million to schools to upgrade their facilities. The schools could buy laptops with the funding given, up to the end of September this year 1666 laptops were purchased. Disadvantaged schools are also benefiting from the €3.4m ICT Grant scheme for DEIS Schools from the Dormant Accounts (Educational Disadvantage) Fund from which laptops can be purchased.
There are some schools which have received funding from sources other than my Department for the supply of laptops. One example of this is St Aidan's Community School which is funded by South Dublin County Council which has provided latops to all teachers and first year students.
With regards to funding for ICT in schools the Government has set out an investment of €252 million under the National Development Plan. I appointed a Strategy Planning Group to advise me on the prioritisation of measures under the planned investment over the period of the NDP. Among the issues which the new strategy will address are the upgrading and renewal of hardware along with the provision of software and digital content for learning, teacher professional development, curriculum development, the maintenance of the national broadband network for schools and technical maintenance and support requirements. I expect to be in a position to publish the new Schools ICT Strategy shortly.
292 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Science the published prioritisation criteria for large scale capital funding projects for schools; the reason a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow has not been assigned band one rating in view of the fact that the school had an approval for an extension six years ago which has never happened and the fact that the classroom requirement has doubled from eight to 16. [35725/07]
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.
293 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to a school (details supplied); her intentions in relation to the future development of the school; if she will develop a primary multi-denomination school under the patronage of the County Dublin VEC; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35733/07]
Scoil Choilm, Diswellstown, Dublin 15 was opened last September under the temporary patronage of the Catholic Church. It was opened to provide for children who it had emerged could not be accommodated in the two established schools in the area, both under Catholic Patronage.
I recently announced that it is my intention to roll out a new model of primary school patronage which will be introduced on a pilot basis under the patronage of County Dublin VEC, in September 2008. The pilot will operate in more than one location, in Phibblestown (Dublin 15) and the Phoenix Park, subject to securing the identified sites, planning permission etc. As in the primary school system generally, the schools will operate under the management of an independent Board of Management. County Dublin VEC will be represented on the Board of Management, as patron, and will provide practical management supports to the school.
It is my intention that Scoil Choilm will become part of the pilot model following a two year transition period. Practical arrangements for achieving a smooth transition to the patronage of County Dublin VEC will be agreed with the interim Patron.
294 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science her position in relation to the reserved site for the primary school at Anfield in Castleknock, Dublin 15; the size of the reserved site; if the site has been acquired by her Department; the primary school for which the site will be used; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35734/07]
As the Deputy will be aware, the Department is working closely with Fingal County Council in relation to a number of sites to be acquired under the Fingal School Model Agreement for educational provision in the Dublin 15 area for 2008 and onwards.
Site acquisitions, including the one to which the Deputy refers, can be commercially sensitive and for this reason, my Department does not as a general rule provide specific details in advance of contracts been signed. Of course, once the contracts have been signed, this information can be released in the normal way.
295 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the reserved school site at Tyrellstown in Mulhuddart, Dublin 15; if the site has been acquired by her Department or by the county council on behalf of her Department; when the development of two permanent primary schools at this site will take place (details supplied). [35735/07]
Acquisition of a 6 acre site for primary school provision in Tyrellstown is well advanced at contract stage.
The site is such that it should provide accommodation for up to two 24 classroom schools, each of which would have a 3 stream junior infant intake. This equates to a pupil intake of 162 junior infants per year.
The Department will be discussing the configuration and size of the schools with the two patron bodies concerned, Educate Together and the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin.
296 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to reports of the closure of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15; if she has been advised that the current school site in the village is vacated; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this small school is much valued by parents and children and that they are anxious to see it remain open and that the nearest alternative school suggested is two and a half miles away; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35736/07]
297 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of the school building and site of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15; the person who owns the site; if the site is subject to leasing arrangement between her Department and the patron or their representatives and in the event of attempts to sell the site, the person to whom the sale proceeds will accrue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35737/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 296 and 297 together.
The school to which the Deputy refers extended its provision of educational facilities in September 2007 on foot of an extension of the parish boundaries to take in the new housing developments in Tyrellstown.
Due to the restricted nature of the existing school site, the Department agreed that the school could operate on a split campus basis and in that context temporary accommodation was provided. Educational provision will continue in both locations pending delivery of a permanent school.
A decision regarding the closure or phasing out of the school referred to by the Deputy is a matter ultimately for the Patron and the Board of Management. Any decision regarding the future use of the school property will also be a matter for the Patron. The Department is in the process of acquiring a site in the Tyrellstown area to provide a new 24 classroom building for this school.
298 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science if it is her intention to meet a delegation of parents from the Ardfinnan/Goatenbridge area of County Tipperary to discuss their concerns in respect of their local school bus catchment boundaries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35738/07]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I recently met with a representative from the parents committee and local public representatives to discuss the transport issues referred to.
The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government includes a commitment to review the school transport scheme, including catchment boundaries. My Department is currently considering how best to progress this task.
299 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science if she has commenced her policy review of existing school bus catchment boundaries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35739/07]
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to review the school transport scheme, including catchment boundaries. My Department is currently considering how best to progress this task.
300 Deputy Martin Mansergh asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress that has been made on the building of a sports hall at a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary which she announced in 2006. [35746/07]
Officials from my Department are currently examining the revised Stage 3 documentation that had previously been requested from the project's Design Team. The Schools board of Management will be kept informed of developments on completion of this examination.
301 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the granting of planning permission for the proposed new community school at Kildare Town, she will outline the progress that will now be made towards delivery of this vital project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35754/07]
Pre-procurement work is ongoing on the 2nd bundle of primary/post-primary projects consisting of Bantry Community College and Gaelscoil Bheanntrai, Co. Cork, Kildare Town Community School, Abbeyfeale Community College, Athboy Community School and Wicklow Town Community College.
The preparation of Output Specifications and the Public Service Benchmark (PSB) are at an advanced stage. Outline planning permission applications have been submitted in respect of all six schools and to date outline permission has been secured for three of the six. Initial stakeholder consultations have been completed.
It is envisaged that this bundle will be handed over to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for procurement in early 2008, subject to the finalisation of the outline planning applications in respect of each of the schools.
302 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Science if the site acquisition process has been concluded for the proposed new second level school at Monasterevin; the consideration being given by her Department to accommodate future primary level accommodation in the town; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35755/07]
My Department has identified a suitable site for the school in question. The acquisition of this site is at the negotiation stage at present.
When the site is secured, the proposed building project for the school will be considered for progression in the context of my Department's Multi-Annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.
The question of the future provision of primary school facilities in the town is under review at present in the light of existing provision and projected future requirements.
303 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of the building project for a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; when construction will commence on this new school; if her Department has given consideration to the school's request for an additional two classrooms to be included in the development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35756/07]
The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy involves the construction of a new single-storey school building of 1345 sq. m containing eight classrooms, library, G.P. Room and ancillary accommodation.
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.
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.
I am not aware of a recent request from the school for two additional classrooms to be included in the brief for the project.
304 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Science when construction will commence on a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35757/07]
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the project to which he refers is due to commence construction shortly.
305 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Science when construction will commence at the new community college at Athy, County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35758/07]
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.
306 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will provide funding in 2008 to allow small primary schools to undertake building and modernisation works and building of additional small scale permanent accommodation on a devolved basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35767/07]
The allocation of funding in respect of the devolved scheme referred to by the Deputy is under consideration in the context of the overall 2008 school building budget.
307 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science when her Department will be in a position to determine the long-term projected staffing figure for a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; her Department’s source of information with regard to the figures for demographic trends and housing developments in the area; if her Department has contacted Kerry County Council or Tralee Town Council regarding areas zoned educational in the development plans; if her Department’s attention has been drawn to the fact the there are lands zoned educational in Farranstephen, The Kerries, Tralee on the Kerry County Council Development Plan; if her Department has contacted the landowner there; if her Department is aware that Tralee Town Council was taking submissions up to 12 December 2007 with regard to the new development plan being prepared by the local authority and that the draft plan is being finalised before May 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35770/07]
An application for capital funding towards the provision of new school building has been received from the school authority referred to by the Deputy. An assessment of projected enrolment trends, demographic trends and housing developments in the area will be required in order to determine the long term projected staffing figure on which the school's accommodation needs will be based. Once the long term projection has been determined and agreed with the school authorities the required building project will be considered in the context of the multi-annual School Building and Modernisation programme.
Generally my Department will use a variety of information sources when examining demographic trends and housing developments, these would include, inter alia, the Census, County Development Plans / Town Development Plans, Local Area Plans as well as current and projected enrolment patterns.
The Office of Public Works, which acts on behalf of the Department in relation to site acquisitions generally, has been requested to investigate the acquisition of a suitable site. Due to the commercial sensitivities involved, I do not propose to comment any further in relation to a specific site as referred to by the Deputy.
The Deputy should note that my Department is included among the prescribed authorities to whom local authorities are statutorily obliged to send draft development plans or proposed variations to development plans for comment. From the documentation received in my Department, I am advised that the local authority in question have issued an "Issues Paper" leading to the review of the existing development plan and that the deadline for receipt of observations set by the authority is today. My Department have submitted observations to the town council in relation to the matter. My Department is also examining the ‘Issues Document' published by Kerry County Council with a view to seeking further engagement and discussions with the planning authority as their review of the current Development Plan progresses.
308 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will approve the tender document for the proposed amalgamation of a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; when it is expected that work will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35773/07]
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 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.
309 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if the contracts for the appointment of the design team for a new school (details supplied) in County Kildare are signed and the design team in place. [35774/07]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that a Design Team has now been appointed and the process of architectural planning has commenced.
310 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science when she will begin implementing the Education for Persons with Special Education Needs Act 2004; if she will provide a timeframe for the full implementation of this Act; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35787/07]
311 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if she has received an implementation plan from the National Council for Special Education; if so, if she will provide details of such a plan with reference to the Education for Persons with Special Education Needs Act 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35788/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 310 and 311 together.
The National Council for Special Education was required by the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act 2004 to make a report on the implementation of the Act. This report is essentially advice to the Minister on the steps the Council considers should be taken to implement the Act. The report sets out an action plan, where the Council envisages implementation of the provisions of the Act over a four year period. However, the Council report also acknowledged that further work, analysis and discussion, especially with the key stakeholders involved, needed to take place given the extensive and fundamental developments required to implement the Act. The Council further acknowledged that it would not be appropriate for it to be prescriptive nor definitive in many areas, and it has put forward its views and recommendations in order to stimulate the necessary discussions and debate.
As the Deputy will know, the legislature in passing the Act, also recognised that implementation would require a considerable change agenda, to develop and support inclusive schools to deliver on the provisions of the Act. For this reason, the EPSEN Act, 2004 specifically refers to a five year implementation period. I would like to inform the Deputy that I do accept the core thrust of the principles and recommendations set out by the Council in its Implementation Report, and I am anxious to implement the Act in full in the quickest time possible. However, following consideration of the issues raised in the Council's implementation plan, and the consultations to date with the Education Partners, I consider that the five year timeframe acknowledged in the legislation is the appropriate period in which to implement the provisions of the Act.
A number of sections of the Act have been commenced, principally those establishing the National Council for Special Education and those promoting an inclusive approach to the education of children with special needs. Specifically, the following sections have been commenced — 1, 2, 14(1)(a), 14(1)(c), 14(2) to 14(4), 19 to 37, 40 to 53.
The remaining sections have not yet been commenced. As the EPSEN Act does not provide for phased commencement by age cohort the education sector must be in a position to provide the required services to all children before the relevant provisions are commenced. My Department's priority, therefore, has been to put in place the resources required for children with special educational needs, and to ensure that the necessary supports are in place to facilitate the commencement of the remaining sections of the Act. As I indicated in the Dáil last week it is my intention to implement the remaining sections of the Act within the five year timeframe as outlined in the legislation by October 2010.
312 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will review the cap on the number of psychological assessments available to schools, currently at three per year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35789/07]
As the Deputy will be aware 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, whereby 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.
Under the SCPA an allocation of assessments is made annually to schools commensurate with 2% of its pupil enrolment and it is in the first instance the responsibility of the school Principal to identify and prioritise pupils for assessment under the process.
It should be noted that since the Government provided for a guaranteed allocation of resource teaching hours to all primary schools in 2005, the majority of primary school children do not now need psychological assessments in order to get extra support. Notwithstanding this benefit the level of assessments allowed to each school has not changed, allowing school Principals extra flexibility in the range of pupils that can be assessed.
In common with other psychological services NEPS 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.
It has always been the policy of NEPS, within the normal boundaries of finance and process, to endeavour to respond positively and flexibly to extraordinary need and circumstance as presented by school authorities on occasion and it is open to school Principals who have urgent needs for pupil assessment in excess of allocation to discuss the matter with the local NEPS Regional Director.
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. Current numbers stand at 138 and it is my intention to expand NEPS psychologist numbers to some 169 during 2008.
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.
313 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of the application for capital funding for major capital works for a school (details supplied) in County Wexford; when a decision will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35812/07]
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.
314 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science if her Department has concluded an assessment on the projected staffing level required for a proposed amalgamation of schools (details supplied) in County Cork; if the necessary information in this regard has been forwarded by the schools concerned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35816/07]
Officials in my Department are carrying out an assessment of the long term projected staffing for the amalgamated school to which the Deputy refers to and this will be notified to the school authorities as soon as it is completed. The Management Authority of the School have submitted all the necessary information to my Department in this regard.
315 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to an application for an extension to a secondary school (details supplied) in County Cork. [35818/07]
An application has been received for an extension at the school to which the Deputy refers. My Department has recently meet with the school authorities in relation to the application and following on from this meeting has determined that the school's long term projected enrolment will be 1200 students. This has been notified to the school authorities. The required building project will be considered further in the context of the school building programme in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria.
316 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to an application to the summer works scheme 2008 for a school (details supplied) in County Cork. [35819/07]
An application has been received from the school referred to by the Deputy. However, as the Deputy will be aware the Summer Works Scheme was introduced in 2004. Since then, over 3,000 projects costing in excess of €300 million have been completed. Considerable extra investment has been provided in the Budget to increase funding for school buildings to almost €600 million next year. With so many small projects having been completed over the past few years, I intend to focus on delivering as many large projects as possible in 2008. There will not, therefore, be a new Summer Works Scheme as part of our building programme next year.
317 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science if assistance will be given to a child (details supplied) in County Louth who has been diagnosed as being autistic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35825/07]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my officials are currently considering the case of the child in question and a decision will be conveyed to the family as quickly as possible.
318 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the average primary school class size in County Kildare for the past five years; the way this compares to the average size in the rest of the country for that period of time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35832/07]
The information requested by the Deputy is provided in the table. The average class size 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.
|
School Year |
Nationally |
Kildare |
|
2006/07 |
24.09 |
26.5 |
|
2005/06 |
24.1 |
26.7 |
|
2004/05 |
23.9 |
26.8 |
|
2003/04 |
23.9 |
26.8 |
|
2002/03 |
24.0 |
27.2 |
319 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare qualifies for school transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35833/07]
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.
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 local 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.
The Transport Liaison Officer for Co. Kildare and Bus Éireann have advised that the transport service under the school transport scheme is operating to capacity. The family in question should continue to liaise with Bus Éireann regarding the availability of catchment boundary seats in the future.
320 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the funding options that will be available to schools who would have applied under the summer works scheme which are not going ahead; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35852/07]
As the Deputy may be aware, the Summer Works Scheme was introduced in 2004. Since then, over 3,000 projects costing in excess of €300 million have been completed. Considerable extra investment has been provided in the Budget to increase funding for school buildings to almost €600 million next year. With so many small projects having been completed over the past few years, I intend to focus on delivering as many large projects as possible in 2008. There will not, therefore, be a new Summer Works Scheme as part of our building programme next year.
Individual school authorities are responsible in the first instance for health and safety issues relating to schools. Primary school authorities may use their annual minor works grant to deal with such issues. In November 2006 I increased funding for the minor works grant by 44% on the previous year and around €27m was paid out to primary schools throughout the country to enable thousands of small scale works to be completed without the need to interact with my Department.
Another avenue to claim grant-aid from my Department is the Emergency Works Fund. Grants from this fund are available for very urgent unforeseen works, primarily of a significant health and safety nature, to schools that are in most need of resources for capital works.
321 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of children under the age of 16 who are currently not in receipt of full-time education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35865/07]
The first national data on school attendance was collected for the 2003/2004 school year. Attendance data relating to the 2005/06 school year is currently being analysed by the NEWB. The findings from the 2004/05 analysis, which are consistent with the findings for the previous year, indicate that approximately 84,000 children under the age of 16 miss more than 20 days each year. The explanation for the absences are for a variety of reasons ranging from unexplained absence to explained absence such as ill health.
On average the Board estimates that it works with 10,000 cases per annum involving students with reported school attendance difficulties. The findings from the analysis of the Annual Attendance Reports continues to inform the work of the Board. It is encouraging to note that in relation to the effectiveness of the service, research findings show that attendance at school in the areas where EWOs are working intensively improved by 4% in 2004/05 compared with the previous year.
I have been informed that since January 2007, the Board has worked on 8381 cases involving children who are experiencing difficulty with school attendance. 4358 of these cases are now closed and 4023 are still ongoing.
My Department has adopted a broad-based approach to tackling early school leaving. We established the National Educational Welfare Board to monitor attendance and help to get young people back to school. The Board runs promotional campaigns on the importance of attendance and finishing school and provides a service locally through its Education Welfare Officers to parents, children and schools. It is encouraging to note research findings that attendance at school in the areas where EWOs are working intensively improved by 4% in 2004/05 compared with the previous year.
My Department is also currently implementing DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) an action plan for educational inclusion. DEIS is an integrated educational inclusion strategy developed for 3-18 year olds and represents a shift in emphasis away from individual initiatives, each addressing particular problems to a multifaceted and more integrated approach.
In addition to the NEWB there are some 620 staff, within the education sector, deployed in education disadvantage programmes of which over 130 are additional posts allocated under DEIS. The School Completion Programme and the Home School Community Liaison Scheme (HSCL) are preventative measures designed to combat issues of poor attendance and early school leaving. Children at risk of early school leaving are targeted under the School Completion Programme for a variety of extra supports aimed at encouraging them to stay in school. The supports cover both educational and non-educational interventions and are provided during and outside of school time. The Home School Community Liaison Scheme works to involve parents in their children's education which is a crucial component in convincing young people of the value of education.
Other measures facilitated through the DEIS action plan include extending access to Schools' Business Partnerships, school meals, guidance counselling and student councils. Increased integration is also being promoted between the work of second-level schools and centres catering for young early school leavers, particularly Youthreach centres and Senior Traveller Training centres.
The range of curricula available to students has also been extended to include the Junior Certificate Schools Programme, the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme and the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme. These options provide an alternative for many children who might otherwise opt out of formal education at an early stage.
This Government has shown a sustained commitment to providing greater opportunities in the further education sector by supporting second chance educational opportunities for young people who leave school. Many of these young people take up places in Youthreach centres, while others pursue options such as FÁS apprenticeships. In line with the commitment in Towards 2016 we have already created 400 of the additional 1000 Youthreach places to be put in place by 2009.
Through increased investment and improved services this government is determined to optimise access, participation and educational outcomes at every level of the system and will continue to do all that is possible to ensure that every child gets all the opportunities and support they need to enable them to achieve their potential and participate fully in education.
322 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the protocols that exist between her Department and the Health Service Executive in relation to children who have behavioural difficulties who require the support of a multidisciplinary team, child psychiatrist psychologist or speech therapist; the co-operation that exists between her Department and the HSE to provide a service to these children who are at risk of being put out of school due to behavioural difficulties and who urgently require services in a school setting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35866/07]
323 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans in relation to providing support to school principals for children who have behavioural difficulties and for ensuring supports are in place to keep them within the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35867/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 322 and 323 together.
The services the Deputy refers to are therapy services provided by the Health Service Executive. Responsibility for the delivery of therapy services lies with the relevant health authorities who are allocated funding for this purpose.
As the Deputy will be aware, my Department provides a range of teaching and care supports for children with special educational needs, including children with behavioural difficulties.
The special educational needs of such children can be addressed in special schools, in special dedicated classes attached to ordinary schools, or on an integrated basis in ordinary schools. Decisions regarding the most appropriate model of response in each particular case are based on the professionally assessed needs of the individual pupil.
In this regard psychologists from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) work in close collaboration with health professionals in relation to the needs of individual children and interface with the relevant elements of the HSE at local, regional and national level.
In addition to the above, my Department's Teacher Education Section has developed a strategy designed to meet the continuing professional development needs of personnel working with children with special educational needs. This involves a major expansion of the range of post-graduate professional training programmes available to teachers in the special needs area and the ongoing development of the Special Education Support Service (SESS) to support schools staff locally. Significant levels of provision of training for Challenging Behaviour exist as part of post-graduate Special Education Needs (SEN) programmes in the seven colleges of further education. In addition, the Institute of Child Education & Psychology (ICEP) are involved in the provision of courses in this area in conjunction with St Patrick's College.
The Special Education Support Service (SESS) have adopted a dual approach to the provision of training in the area of Challenging Behaviour. The SESS has a "Local Initiative Scheme" in place in which the training provided is identified by teachers and schools. This dynamic approach in the area of Special Education offers the relevant support and training to suit the requirements of the individual teachers and schools. A Core Strategy of Managing Challenging Behaviour is also adopted by SESS. In this strategy they approach training on the basis of the level of behavioural difficulties encountered. Teachers working with students with a moderate general learning disability are offered training in the form of day long seminars with follow-up visits to schools if necessary. Teachers working with students with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) were offered an Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) on-line course and three day workshop. A Summer Schools Programme at Primary level was offered for teachers who deal with serious and persistent challenging behaviour on a day-to-day basis, and was also offered to the teachers dealing with students with severe challenging behaviour.
As part of its work at whole school, customised and Behaviour Support Classroom levels, the National Behaviour Support Service (NBSS) conducts in-school and out-of-school continuous professional development (CPD) courses which focus on systemic behaviour improvement in schools at post-primary level. To date, in-school CPD has mainly concentrated on upskilling staff in the areas of low level disruption and prevention and de-escalation techniques for high level disruption. Out of school CPD has been organised for Behaviour Support Classroom staff only and has concentrated on all aspects of the prevention and addressing of challenging behaviour in the classroom and around the school.
324 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the further funding that will be provided to the National Education and Welfare Board and to the National Council for Special Education to ensure that they can fulfil their role properly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35868/07]
My Department has adopted a broad-based approach to tackling the issue of school attendance. The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) was established to monitor attendance and help to get young people back to school. The Board runs promotional campaigns on the importance of attendance and finishing school and provides a service locally through its Education Welfare Officers (EWOs) to parents, children and schools.
This Government is determined to do all that is possible to ensure that every child gets all the opportunities and support they need to enable them to achieve their potential and participate fully in education. The funding to the Board for 2007 amounted to €9.808 million, which represents an increase of 20% on the 2006 allocation and of 50% on the 2004 level. This substantial increase in funding is a clear indication of this Government's commitment to prioritise investment in favour of those most at risk. Sanction for 15 additional staff was given in 2007 and this brings the current authorised staffing of the Board to 109 posts of which 90 are allocated to working directly in the service delivery area. The staffing complement is comprised of 19 Head Office and support staff, 5 regional managers, 13 Senior EWOs and 72 EWOs. The allocation to the NEWB will increase to €10.119 million in 2008.
In addition to the NEWB there are some 620 staff, within the education sector, deployed in education disadvantage programmes of which over 130 are additional posts allocated under DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) the action plan for educational inclusion which provides for a standardised system for identifying levels of disadvantage and a new integrated School Support Programme (SSP). The School Completion Programme and the Home School Community Liaison Scheme (HSCL) are preventative measures designed to combat issues of poor attendance and early school leaving. Children at risk of early school leaving are targeted under the School Completion Programme for a variety of extra supports aimed at encouraging them to stay in school. The supports cover both educational and non-educational interventions and are provided during and outside of school time. The Home School Community Liaison Scheme works to involve parents in their children's education which is a crucial component in convincing young people of the value of education. Consequently work is ongoing to develop appropriate protocols for all agencies and services to work together in collaboration and to ensure that optimum use is made of the resources deployed.
Through increased investment and improved services we are determined to optimise access, participation and educational outcomes at every level of the system for disadvantaged groups.
I will be keeping the issue of resources for the NEWB under review in light of the rollout of services, the scope for integrated working and any proposals that the Board may put to me in relation to clearly identified priority needs.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), which has been in operation since 1 January 2005 with over 90 members of staff, works exclusively in supporting students with special educational needs. The NCSE was established under the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act (EPSEN) 2004 to improve the delivery of education services to persons with special educational needs arising from disabilities with particular emphasis on children. Since it was established in 2005, the NCSE has been responsible for allocating resources for children with special educational needs. The NCSE has a key role in the delivery of services and operates through a network of special educational needs organisers (SENOs) who act as a focal point of contact for schools and parents. SENOs are responsible for processing applications from schools for special needs supports and they convey decisions on the applications directly to the schools. These supports include resource teaching hours, special needs assistant (SNA) support and assistive technology and equipment. The budgetary allocation for the National Council for Special Education for 2008 is €10.832m and I am satisfied that the NCSE will be able to manage within the 2008 budgetary allocation.
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.
325 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the protocols that exist between her Department and the Health Service Executive in relation to children who are in the care of the HSE who have fallen out of school to ensure they receive a basic minimum education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35869/07]
The Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 established the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) as the single statutory body with responsibility for school attendance. The Act provides a comprehensive framework promoting regular school attendance and tackling the problems of absenteeism and early school leaving. The general functions of the Board are to ensure that each child attends a recognised school or otherwise receives a certain minimum education.
The Board operates through 5 regional teams, with bases in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford. A service is provided from 26 locations nationwide. Staff are deployed in areas of greatest disadvantage and in areas designated under the Government's RAPID programme. In addition, the Board follows up on urgent cases nationally where children are not currently receiving an education. Educational Welfare Officers (EWOs) have been appointed and deployed throughout the country to provide a welfare-focused service to support regular school attendance and discharge the Board's functions locally. EWOs play a pivotal role in implementing the service provided by the NEWB through monitoring school attendance and working to improve it. The EWOs help parents and guardians who are experiencing a difficulty with getting a school place for their child and work with local agencies in prioritising children's needs.
The NEWB has informed me that it prioritises its service to address the educational welfare needs of the most vulnerable children and young people who are out of school and /or have no school place and that children in care receive priority attention as a vulnerable group. I am advised that the Educational Welfare Staff of the Board work closely with the HSE Social work staff addressing the educational welfare needs of individual children in care.
In addition many children who are excluded from school benefit from the Home Tuition Scheme which is sanctioned by my department. This initiative makes funding available to parents to provide education at home for children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend school. The scheme was extended in recent years to facilitate tuition for children awaiting a suitable educational placement and also to provide early educational intervention for pre-school children with autism. A total of 628 children have been sanctioned for Home Tuition in the 2007/08 school year.
This government is committed to supporting the work of the Board and my Department has sanctioned an additional 15 staff to the NEWB in 2007. This brings the current authorised staffing of the Board to 109 posts of which 90 are allocated to working directly in the service delivery area. The staffing complement is comprised of 19 HQ and support staff, 5 regional managers, 13 Senior EWOs and 72 EWOs.
It should, however, be remembered that the service provided by the Board is just one aspect of the comprehensive framework that this Government has put in place to improve school attendance and encourage more young people to finish school. In this regard, extra supports targeted at young people in disadvantaged areas include both educational initiatives such as intensive literacy programmes and the provision of breakfast and homework clubs. In fact, in addition to the NEWB, there are currently in excess of 620 staff within the education sector with a role in school attendance. Home School Community Liaison Coordinators, in working with parents, promote school attendance and its importance for success in school. School attendance is a central objective of the School Completion Programme with attendance tracking a core feature and one of its preventative strategies. Access to these services is being increased with the continued rollout of services under DEIS the Action Plan for tackling educational disadvantage.
326 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science if physical education hall facilities will be approved for a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [35874/07]
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.
327 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the decision that schools may not use their discretionary days to close for Christmas holidays before 24 December 2008. [35878/07]
In line with the requirements of Sustaining Progress, agreement has been reached between the parties to the Teachers' Conciliation Council in relation to the standardisation of the breaks at Christmas, Easter and mid-term in the first and second terms for the school year.
Once schools adhere to the agreed standardisation, they have local flexibility in determining how they make up the required number of teaching days, 183 days in respect of Primary and 167 days in respect of Post Primary Schools. My Department does not centrally determine whether or not a school opts to have a closure for any particular event, once, the overall number of teaching days is delivered by the school over the course of the year. This approach aims to strike a balance between allowing schools some local discretion while at the same time ensuring that pupils get their full entitlement to education. It is of course essential that there be the greatest possible consultation with parents and that sufficient notice is given in relation to any school closure.
Schools may use their discretionary days, where available, to determine the precise start and end of the school year. However, it is recognised that the commencement of Certificate examinations will mean that post primary schools will not be open for tuition beyond the Friday preceding the June bank holiday in any year. The expectation is that in order to meet the overall requirement of a minimum of 183 days at primary level or 167 at post primary level the school year will normally commence in the week that 1 September falls.
In reality most post primary schools would not have any discretionary days, but where they do, the arrangements provide some limited flexibility to schools on certain other days outside of the defined periods at Christmas, Easter and mid-term.
328 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Education and Science if she has received an application from an organisation (details supplied) in County Cork to establish a school; if she is in a position to advance this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35902/07]
My Department has received a notification of intention to apply for recognition for a new Educate Together Primary School in the town specified by the Deputy. The New Schools Advisory Committee (NSAC), an independent advisory committee has been charged with the task of assessing, using a given set of criteria, applications to open new primary schools and make recommendations. The consultation process is currently underway. The NSAC will furnish me with a report which I will consider upon receipt.
329 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will allocate increased funding to a school (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35903/07]
As part of the expansion of the devolved scheme for primary school building works, a grant of €484,000 was sanctioned to enable the management authorities of the school in question to provide additional accommodation.
The scheme allows Boards of Management to address their accommodation and building priorities with a guaranteed amount of funding and gives Boards of Management control of the building project. The scheme is not intended to leave schools with significant fundraising needs but for schools to tailor the scope of capital works commissioned to the available funding.
An appeal was recently received from the school referred to by the Deputy requesting an increased grant. The appeal was examined and additional funding was approved for the school.
330 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science further to a previous parliamentary question, if she will provide details of the incremental costs of all bodies from set up and annual budget with a break down of annual overheads. [35909/07]
The information sought by the Deputy is being compiled in my Department and will be sent to him as soon as possible.
331 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount to be allocated for the provision of youth cafes in view of the budget 2008 allocation of €43,733,000; the percentage of these funds to be allocated to the north and east Cork regions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35919/07]
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.
The budget of €43,733m to the main funding line for youth work will allow for the continued consolidation of existing provision which will in turn positively impact on local services, and will support the further roll-out of the Youth Work Act, 2001 and the National Youth Work Development Plan on a phased and prioritised basis.
My Department has no direct involvement in Youth Cafés.
332 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on whether the reported acquisition of an additional acre of land at Littlepace for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15 for a reported €3 million plus from a person is good value; the cost of all of the land purchased for the school by her Department from the person; the acreage of all land acquired; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35926/07]
This site is being acquired under the Fingal School Model Agreement and is required to extend an existing school site. My Department is currently liaising with Fingal County Council on its transfer. The Deputy will appreciate however that due to the commercial sensitivities of land acquisitions, that it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the detail in relation to specific land purchases until the acquisition is fully complete.
333 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science her proposals to provide for integrated education in an area like Dublin 15 in view of the growing numbers of children seeking school places and the fact that many of these children or their parents come from different countries; her views on whether it is satisfactory that there are a number of schools in the Dublin 15 area and other areas where the majority of pupils are international in origin and background; her proposals to provide for the integration of children of diverse background, ethnicity and nationality at both primary and secondary level; if she has review mechanisms in place to examine the sensitive issue of integration and ethos; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35927/07]
In order to provide greater choice and to cater for the requirements of an increasingly pluralist society, my Department is developing a new model of primary school patronage which will cater for the diversity of religious faiths represented in growing urban areas. It is also intended to cater for the wishes of parents who do not wish to have their children follow a programme of religious instruction. This new model of community primary school will be piloted next year in Dublin under the patronage of Co. Dublin VEC. Consultations have taken place with all of the education partners in the context of the development of this new model of patronage and many of the issues mentioned by the Deputy have arisen in the course of these consultations.
I accept that providing sufficient pupil places in all rapidly developing areas, including those with large immigrant communities, is absolutely vital to ensuring that enrolment policies do not lead to the exclusion of any child on religious or ethnic grounds and to this end, the Government is committed to substantially increasing the level of school accommodation in rapidly developing areas under the €4.5 billion school building programme included in the National Development Plan.
The Government is also committed to integration as set out in the National Action Plan against Racism and it is the policy of my Department to ensure there is no discrimination in the provision of education in this country.
334 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science the latest enrolment, and comparative figures from 2000 to date in 2007 in respect of schools (details supplied) in the Dublin 15 area; the number of classes in each of the schools that have in excess of 28 pupils; the number of classes in each of the schools that have in excess of 30 pupils; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35928/07]
The data requested by the Deputy are not readily available and would take an inordinate amount of administrative time to compile. However, more general 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.
335 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science if her Department has made progress in relation to the acquisition of a site for an additional second level school in Castleknock Dublin 15; if her attention has been drawn to the shortage of second level places in the Castleknock area; when she proposes to develop an additional second level school for Castleknock; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35929/07]
As the Deputy will be aware, the Department is working closely with Fingal County Council in relation to a number of sites to be acquired under the Fingal School Model Agreement for educational provision in the Dublin 15 area for 2008 and onwards.
A site is being actively pursued under this Model to provide additional post primary places in the Castleknock area. A time line for the delivery of a new school can be set once a site has been acquired.
336 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of children currently enrolled in each of the second level schools in the Dublin 15 area. [35930/07]
The information requested by the Deputy is not yet available with respect of the current school year. The information in respect of the school year 2006-07 is contained in my Department's published "List of Post-Primary Schools", a copy of which is provided to each member of Dáil Éireann annually. I have asked that another copy be forwarded to the Deputy through the post.
337 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science the schools in Dublin 15 that have made an application to her for works under the summer works programme which are outstanding; the value of the requested works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35931/07]
The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available.
338 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science the numbers of children graduating from all of the national primary schools in Dublin 15 in 2007; and the number of places available in all second level schools within the Dublin 15 area. [35932/07]
The number of children who will leave primary schools, i.e. children currently enrolled in sixth class, in June 2008 in the Dublin 15 is not currently available. However, based on the number of children enrolled in fifth classes in 2006/07, the expected number of children leaving primary schools will be 970.
There are six post primary schools currently serving the Dublin 15 area and in September 2008 a new Community College under the patronage of Co. Dublin VEC will open in Phibblestown. These schools will between them have capacity for first year enrolment in the region of 1,050.
339 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the circumstances in the matter of her recent altercation with the authorities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if her attention has been drawn to the degree of hurt, anxiety and distress caused to the principal and the school authorities; if she will extend an unqualified apology for her remarks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35961/07]
As the Deputy may be aware I have made a particular point of visiting as many schools as possible as well as attending school openings. This practice affords the opportunity of engaging with principals, teachers, pupils and parents and allows me and them to raise issues of interest and concern. In the course of a visit to another school I met with the principal of the school referred to by the Deputy. I took the opportunity that our meeting presented to raise an issue which I considered to be of serious concern. I know you shared this concern as some of your previous parliamentary questions raised this particular issue, which was the failure of the school to open a special unit which had been provided for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. The Unit in question had been built at the taxpayers' expense and my Department was willing to provide the appropriate staffing resources. Despite this the Unit had not opened some four years after the school opened its mainstream classes.
My Department's Officials have been in regular contact since 2004 with the School Authorities in an effort to progress the early opening of the autism classes. My Department's Officials also contacted the Educate Together Patron Body to seek its assistance in opening the classes and the National Council for Special Education also met and was in regular contact with the School on this issue. I am sure the Deputy will agree that the children with autism who could benefit from these facilities have to be accorded priority and it was in this context I raised the issue of the delayed opening with the principal.
The Unit in question is now open and I am sure that the pupils and staff will enjoy a positive enriching education system.
340 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the number and identity of persons, groups, bodies or agencies other than the established civil servants from whom she or Ministers of State in her Department have sought or received advice in connection with policy or administrative matters appertaining to the operation of her Department or other bodies under her aegis in the past 12 months; the extent to which such advice related to capital expenditure projects; the cost of such advice; the extent to which it has been implemented to date or if it is intended to be implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35967/07]
The information sought by the Deputy in respect of advice that has been formally commissioned on a consultancy basis is being compiled in my Department and will be sent to him as soon as possible.
341 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount of capital funding, revenue funding or other funding provided by her Department to each of the universities and institutes of technology in 2007 and in each of the previous four years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36017/07]
The information requested by the Deputy is being compiled and will be issued to the Deputy by my Department shortly.
342 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science if it is public policy that there be no institutional transfers into the university system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36018/07]
In 2004, the Government commissioned a major OECD review of higher education to support Ireland's strategic ambition of placing our higher education system at the front rank of the OECD in the context of the wider national objective of developing as a world leading knowledge economy and society. A key recommendation of the OECD report was that Ireland should retain the differentiation in mission of the university and institute of technology sectors, which it identified as a key strength of our system, and that there should be no institutional transfers into the university system for the foreseeable future. The report also recommended that the universities and institutes of technology should be brought together under the remit of a single authority for the purpose of achieving a unified higher education strategy.
The Institutes of Technology Act 2006 addresses significant elements of these recommendations and marks a major milestone for the sector and for the development of higher education in Ireland.
In February 2006 the Governing Body of Waterford Institute of Technology wrote to the Department of Education and Science requesting a review of its status under Section 9 of the Universities Act 1997. To assist in the assessment of Waterford IT's application, I appointed Dr. Jim Port in February 2007 to provide preliminary advice on the merits of the submission by WIT, having regard to; (i) the national strategy for the development of Irish higher education, (ii) implications for regional development in the South-East in the context of the National Spatial Strategy and (iii) any likely implications for the overall structure of higher education in Ireland. Dr Port's report has been received and is currently under consideration.
There are significant wider policy issues that need to be considered in advance of any possible statutory review and I am currently considering these in the light of Dr Port's report.
343 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the level in her Department a report (details supplied) on the submission of Waterford Institute of Technology for university status is being considered; the number of official meetings that have taken place in relation to same; the dates of these meetings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36019/07]
I am currently considering the report referred to by the Deputy in conjunction with my officials. As I have already informed the Deputy, the application from Waterford Institute of Technology for university status must be considered in the context of overall Government policy towards higher education.
344 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number to date of civil servants and employees of State bodies transferred from Dublin to decentralised locations; the number transferred from outside of Dublin to other decentralised locations; and the number transferred in post to decentralising Departments in Dublin pending planned decentralisation to locations outside of Dublin. [36025/07]
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to civil servants employed by my Department is provided on the following table.
|
Officers transferred to posts based outside Dublin |
Officers transferred to posts based in Dublin in the interim before decentralisation |
||||
|
Department of Education & Science (DES) |
Other organisations |
Department of Education & Science (DES) |
Other organisations |
||
|
Dublin based officers transferred to DES post based outside Dublin |
Provincially based officers transferred to DES post based outside Dublin |
Dublin based officers transferred out of DES to post outside Dublin |
Provincially based officers transferred out of DES to post outside Dublin |
No of officers transferred to posts in DES Dublin awaiting decentralisation |
No of officers transferred from DES to Dublin based posts in another organisation awaiting decentralisation |
|
29 |
31 |
18 |
42 |
57 |
7 |
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 with the information requested. I will provide this directly to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
345 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Defence the number of posts filled in his Department in each of the past five years; the number and grade of posts in each of the past five years in his Department that were open to existing public or civil servants only, or that were not subject to competition at all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35669/07]
I have outlined the information requested by the Deputy as follows.
|
Year |
No. |
|
2003 |
|
|
Posts filled through competitions |
2 Assistant Principal 1 Higher Executive Officer 1 Executive Officer |
|
Posts which were not subject to competition: |
NIL |
|
2004 |
|
|
Posts filled through competitions |
1 Secretary General 4 Assistant Principals 2 Higher Executive Officer 1 Executive Officer 3 Staff Officers |
|
Posts which were not subject to competition |
2 Executive Officers 1 Staff Officer |
|
2005 |
|
|
Posts filled through competitions |
1 Assistant Secretary 1 Principal Higher 2 Principals 3 Assistant Principals 4 Higher Executive Officers 2 Executive Officers 3 Staff Officers |
|
Posts which were not subject to competition |
1 Executive Officer |
|
2006 |
|
|
Posts filled through competition |
1 Principal Higher 1 Assistant Principal 2 Higher Executive Officers 4 Executive Officers 1 Staff Officers |
|
Posts which were not subject to competition |
NIL |
|
2007 |
|
|
Posts filled through competition |
1 Assistant Secretary 4 Assistant Principals 3 Higher Executive Officers 8 Executive Officers 4 Staff Officers |
|
Posts which were not subject to competition |
NIL |
346 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Defence the number of posts filled in the Government agencies under his Department’s remit in each of the past five years; the number and grade of posts in each of the past five years in these agencies that were open to existing public or civil servants only, or which were not subject to competition at all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35684/07]
I have set out in the tables the information requested by the Deputy.
|
Year (as of 31 Dec) |
Posts filled |
Grade |
Open to existing public or civil servants |
|
2003 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
|
2004 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
|
2005 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
|
2006 |
1 |
1 Staff Officer |
Yes |
|
2007(to date) |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Year |
Posts filled |
Grade |
Open to existing public or civil servants |
|
2003 |
1 |
1 Higher Executive Officer |
Yes |
|
2004 |
1 |
1 Assistant Principal |
Yes |
|
2005 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
|
2006 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
|
2007 (to date) |
4 |
1 Principal Officer 1 Assistant Principal 2 Storekeepers |
Yes Yes Recruited from outside the public/civil service |
|
Year |
Posts filled |
Grade |
Open to existing public or civil servants |
|
2002 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
|
2003 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
|
2004 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
|
2005 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
|
2006 |
Nil |
Nil |
347 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Defence the number of meetings he or his Department has had with Kildare County Council in relation to the detail of Parliamentary Question No. 164 of 12 December 2007 in each of the past three years; the results of such meetings; the funding that has been provided or has been spent on the upgrading of the roads paths and lighting in the estate in each of the past three years by his Department; if the remaining seven houses in the estate that are not purchased, are occupied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35702/07]
Informal meetings involving my officials, and County Council and military personnel in relation to the upgrading of services covering the entire Curragh take place on a regular basis. The matter is kept under constant review. €3,473 was spent on improvements of the roads in 2005 and arrangements are in place for a contractor to commence works on road improvements in the estate in early January. The remaining seven quarters in the estate are currently occupied.
348 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Defence the number of schools using the Curragh swimming pool; the number of instructors of the Defence Forces attached to the pool; the opening hours of the pool; the position of the use of the pool by the families of the Defence Forces members residing within the camp; the position of the use of the pool by members of the Defence Forces and their families resident outside the camp; the number of swimming clubs using the facility; if there is a waiting list for swimming clubs seeking to use the pool; if so, when a decision will be made in relation to such applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35703/07]
Currently 19 schools use the swimming pool in the Defence Forces Training Centre in the Curragh. There are 7 military instructors attached to the pool. The swimming pool opening hours are generally Monday to Friday 09.30-12.30 for schools, 12.30-16.30 for Defence Forces including military courses and 17.00-21.00 for the Military Swimming Club and 09.00-13.00 Saturday for the Military Swimming Club. The Curragh Military Swimming Club, established in July 2007, facilitates use of the pool by all military personnel and their families. Since its establishment the membership of the Club has been opened up to include Department of Defence personnel and their families, local traders in the Camp and their families, civilian personnel working in the camp and retired PDF members and their families. The Curragh Military Swimming Club is the only club using the facility and there is no waiting list for other swimming clubs seeking to use the pool.
349 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Defence the proposals he or his Department has to protect or upgrade the historic site known as Donnelly’s Hollow, Curragh, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35704/07]
Donnelly's Hollow is a large and historical area within the Curragh of Kildare. My Department has taken expert advice in relation to the protection and preservation of certain aspects of the area and has also had some discussions with Kildare County Council in this regard. I can assure the Deputy that my Department is committed to the ongoing protection and preservation of this unique feature of the Curragh.
350 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Defence the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 10 was allowed to pass out, was obliged to pay for the cost of the ceremony, was not informed sooner of the decision and was allocated duties even though they were not being accepted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35805/07]
Under the provisions of paragraph 22 of Defence Force Regulations A 10, a recruit is on probation until the end of his / her training, when each recruit's final suitability to become a soldier is assessed. A recruit may not be finally approved unless he/she is considered suitable in all respects for service in the Permanent Defence Force. This person participated in the training process and undertook Regimental Duties as part of his recruit training. He had been made aware on several occasions during his training that his performance was not meeting the required standards. At the completion of his probationary period he was not finally approved and, accordingly, was not passed out.
I am advised that the person concerned, as a member of No 15 Recruit Platoon, was asked by his fellow recruits to contribute to a Platoon Fund to help finance an unofficial function organised by the recruits in a local hotel after the official passing out ceremony. I am further advised that he has been reimbursed all the monies he contributed to this fund and has furnished a receipt to confirm same.
351 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Defence further to a previous parliamentary question, if he will provide details of the incremental costs of all bodies from set up and annual budget with a break down of annual overheads. [35908/07]
I refer to my reply to the Deputy's previous parliamentary question of 22 November last in which I stated that the Civil Defence Board was established on 7 May 2003 and the Office of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces was established on 1 December 2005 and I now provide details of the incremental costs of the bodies from set up and annual budget with a break down of annual overheads.
|
2003 Rev Provision |
2004 Rev Provision |
2005 Rev Provision |
2006 Rev Provision |
2007 Rev Provision |
|
|
TOTAL GRANT-IN-AID BREAKDOWN |
5,579,000 |
5,593,000 |
5,767,000 |
5,928,000 |
6,099,000 |
|
Grants to Local Authorities (Code 1) |
2,668,000 |
2,903,000 |
2,975,000 |
3,043,000 |
3,118,000 |
|
Central Purchases & Expenses (Code 2) |
1,509,000 |
1,200,000 |
965,000 |
990,000 |
1,015,000 |
|
Central Training (Code 3) |
335,000 |
390,000 |
502,000 |
520,000 |
524,000 |
|
Pay Administration Costs (Code 4) |
1,015,000 |
980,000 |
1,128,000 |
1,173,000 |
1,235,000 |
|
Non-Pay Administration Costs* (Code 4) |
52,000 |
120,000 |
197,000 |
202,000 |
207,000 |
*Certain administration costs are met directly by the Department of Defence.
Ombudsman for the Defence Forces
The Ombudsman for the Defence Forces (OFD) was formally appointed to office on 19 September 2005. The payments made by the Department in respect of this office are as follows:
2005 — €13,139.00
2006 — €275,156.11
2007 to date — €572,802.03.
352 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the number and identity of persons, groups, bodies or agencies other than the established civil servants from whom he or Ministers of State in his Department have sought or received advice in connection with policy or administrative matters appertaining to the operation of his Department or other bodies under his aegis in the past 12 months; the extent to which such advice related to capital expenditure projects; the cost of such advice; the extent to which it has been implemented to date or if it is intended to be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35966/07]
I have set out in the tables the information requested by the Deputy.
|
Name |
Purpose |
If advice related to capital expenditure projects |
Cost |
If advice has been implemented |
|
€ |
||||
|
TNS MRBI |
Survey in relation to the recruitment and retention of women into the Defence Forces. |
Not related |
€47,746 |
Areas where issues were identified are being progressed on an ongoing basis. |
|
McCann, Fitzgerald, Solicitors |
To provide legal drafting, research and advice services in relation to the drafting of new Rules of Procedure and Court Martial Rules. |
Not related |
€44,500 |
The project is ongoing and will be completed in early 2008. |
|
Independent Review Panel |
Review in relation to file marking in a promotion competition. |
Not related |
€5,000 |
The Report of the Review Panel is currently being considered. |
|
Col. E. V. Campion (Retired) |
Member of the Horse Purchase Board who inspects and assesses potential horses for purchase by the Army Equitation School |
Not related |
€5,000 |
Expert advice is crucial to the selection of high quality horses. |
|
Murray Consultants |
To provide services in relation to a public information and awareness campaign on emergency planning. |
Not related |
€253,000 |
The campaign will get underway in early 2008. |
353 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Defence the number to date of civil servants and employees of State bodies transferred from Dublin to decentralised locations; the number transferred from outside of Dublin to other decentralised locations; and the number transferred in post to decentralising Departments in Dublin pending planned decentralisation to locations outside of Dublin. [36024/07]
A total of 21 staff currently serving in my Department have transferred from Dublin posts to the Civil Defence Board in Roscrea, Co. Tipperary and my Department's offices in Renmore, Co. Galway under the Government's Decentralisation Programme. A further 9 staff members have transferred to the Roscrea location and 6 staff members to the Galway location from other provincial locations. It is expected that by the end of 2007 a total of 40 staff will have transferred to my offices outside of Dublin under the Government's Decentralisation Programme.
The Government Decision on decentralisation, also provides for the transfer of all of my Department's Dublin based Civil Service staff to Newbridge, Co. Kildare. To date, 141 Newbridge bound staff are currently serving in my Department. None of these staff will have relocated to Newbridge by the end of 2007, as the construction of the Department's new headquarters is not expected to be completed until the first quarter of 2009.
354 Deputy Martin Mansergh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason Ireland has joined with the UK Government in opposing the case brought by persons (details supplied) for parity of treatment with full civil partnerships before the European Court of Human Rights. [35750/07]
The case concerns the difference between the tax treatment of civil partners under the United Kingdom's Civil Partnership Act 2004, and that of other cohabitants. Ireland's intervention was made, on the advice of the Attorney General, to defend the retention of national sovereignty in the area of taxation and social policy.
355 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of community alert schemes in Kildare; if the number has increased over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35830/07]
I am informed by the Garda Authorities that there are presently 49 Community Alert Schemes in operation in Kildare, which represents an increase of 10 Schemes in the past five years.
The Community Alert Programme is a community-based initiative in rural communities, set up in 1985 by Muintir na Tíre in association with the Garda authorities. There are around 1,300 Community Alert groups nationwide dedicated in particular to improving the quality of life of vulnerable people in rural communities, especially the elderly, by
crime prevention
neighbourliness and self-reliance
general community safety and well-being
accident prevention
promotion of personal safety, and
awareness of social inclusion.
The relationship between Muintir na Tíre and An Garda Síochána is formalised in a Memorandum of Understanding between the two organisations on the development and operation of the Programme. A review of the Programme resulted in the publication recently of a strategy which sets out the priorities for the organisation over the coming years. The success of the Programme is due primarily to the fact that it is community driven and serves the needs of the local community. Issues of local importance are identified by local volunteers and they are addressed collectively in partnership with the Garda Síochána.
My Department has provided funding of €150,000 in 2004, €120,000 in 2005, €175,000 in 2006 and €200,000 in 2007 to the Programme. The funding supports the coordinator and three of the five Development Officers employed by the Programme, while a further two development officers are supported by the Department of Health and Children through the HSE.
356 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the extent to which modern technology is capable of providing an early warning or alarm system to prevent internet child pornography; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35995/07]
As I have outlined in response to previous Questions on this issue the internet, by its very nature and despite its many advantages, lends itself to being used for a wide range of criminal activities. These can include illegal pornography, racist or hate materials, financial fraud, intimidation or any other criminal activity carried out via the internet. Combatting such illegal, harmful and predatory use of the internet requires a response at national, EU and wider international levels. The internet is an international and world-wide phenomenon with no borders and no single organisation controlling it. Measures to combat illegal materials and activities on the internet are, therefore, influenced by a multiplicity of jurisdictions, differing legal systems, and differing societal norms. Furthermore, new developments in communications technologies allowing for internet access by new means are a regular occurrence. These are largely positive developments but also bring particular challenges for those charged with protecting against the downsides of the internet.
A combination of responses and the co-operation of all the stakeholders, at both national and international level — legislators, law enforcement, schools, child protection practitioners, parents and guardians — is essential. My Department is fully committed to playing its part in a pro-active way.
One of my first steps as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform was to provide for the establishment of the Office for Internet Safety (OIS) as an executive office within my Department. As I outlined previously, arrangements for the staffing and headquartering of this new Office are well advanced. The new Office will continue to build on the work of the Internet Advisory Board which was set up in February, 2002 following the Report of the Working Group on the Illegal and Harmful use of the Internet. It will oversee and further develop the self-regulatory regime for the Irish internet service providers, encourage best practice procedures; promote awareness of the internet downside issues and provide advice and facilitate research on internet related issues regarding child safety. The overall objective of the Office will be to make the internet a safer place for users, and particularly for children.
In terms of using technology to counter the most harmful effects of the internet, the Office will be tasked with investigating, in conjunction with An Garda Síochána, the issue of applying blocking technology to the internet. The Office will also consider the possibility of operating some form of symbol assignment to content as a method of rating such content as age appropriate within Ireland. The OIS will continue to oversee the operation of the Hotline (www.hotline.ie — the system for dealing with reports of illegal content on the internet). The Hotline is funded by the Internet Service Providers' Association of Ireland with support from the EU Safer Internet Action Plan. It accepts and investigates reports from the public in relation to child pornography and other illegal material on the internet.
I launched two new booklets in the GET with IT! Series on behalf of the Internet Advisory Board (IAB) earlier this year. The first booklet "Get with IT" A Parents Guide to new media technologies is an update on the Board's first "Get with IT" booklet which was originally published in September, 2005 and was a major success. That booklet gave an overview of new technologies for parents in an effort to address their potential worries about the dangers of the new media for their children. The second booklet "Get with IT" A Parents' Guide to filtering technologies helps parents navigate the processes of how to use filtering technology. This latter booklet offers practical advice to parents and others on how best to use readily available tools to filter out unacceptable material. The booklets are available free of charge from my Department, and are also available on my Department's website, and on the website of the IAB.
In terms of legislation, in the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998, Ireland has one of the most robust pieces of legislation anywhere. Under the Act, the possession, distribution, importation and exportation or sale of all forms of child pornography — films, video or material in written or auditory form including material produced or transmitted via the internet — are offences with penalties of up to 14 years' imprisonment. Mere possession of child pornography can be punishable by imprisonment for up to 5 years. Using a child or allowing a child to be used for the production of child pornography is also punishable by up to 14 years' imprisonment.
I am informed by the Garda Authorities that they monitor child pornography on the internet and where evidence is available action is taken in accordance with legislation. I understand that An Garda Síochána, in conjunction with its EU colleagues, is currently examining new methods of preventing the production and distribution of child pornography on the internet.
International co-operation is a vital part of the fight against child pornography on the internet, and Ireland is fully committed to playing its part. The Deputy may be aware that the European Union has taken a strong line on combating child pornography and other illegal and harmful uses of the internet. Since 1999, under the Safer Internet Action Plan, the EU has provided financial and other supports for measures in the member states to combat illegal and harmful uses of the internet, with particular emphasis on protecting children. A new EU action plan — Safer Internet Plus — covering the period 2005 to 2008, and with a budget of €45m, was agreed under the Irish Presidency in June 2004 and is now in operation. My Department is represented on the management committee for the Safer Internet Plus programme.
My Department is fully committed to co-operating with and promoting internet safety measures nationally, at EU level and on the wider international level.
357 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering) Bill. [35656/07]
Work is continuing in my Department on the preparation of a General Scheme of a Criminal Justice (Money Laundering) Bill which will update our current legislation in this area and strengthen Ireland's existing anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing legal framework. The Scheme will give effect in Irish law to Directive 2005/60/EC known as the Third EU Money Laundering Directive. It will also take into account relevant recommendations arising from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) third mutual evaluation report (2006) on Ireland's measures to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism (which have largely been embodied in the Third EU Money Laundering Directive), as well as relevant Council of Europe requirements.
I expect to be in a position to submit the General Scheme to Government for approval early in the new year.
358 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will be made in relation to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo who wishes to remain here; and if they will be given permission to remain temporarily in the State. [35660/07]
I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 228 of Thursday, 28th June, 2007 and the written reply to that question. The position remains unchanged.
359 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of arrests of persons for the use or sale of illicit substances in Kildare for each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35705/07]
Following the submission in 2004 of a report and recommendations by an expert group on crime statistics, it was decided that the compilation and publication of crime statistics should be taken over from the Garda Síochána by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency. The Garda Síochána Act 2005 consequently makes provision for this and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. Following the setting up of the necessary technical systems and auditing of the data from which the statistics are compiled, the CSO is now compiling and publishing criminal statistics and has published provisional headline crime statistics since the third quarter of 2006. In addition, it has compiled and published a series of quarterly and annual statistics for the period starting with the first quarter of 2003. I understand that the CSO is examining how the crime statistics published might be expanded and made more comprehensive.
I have requested the CSO to provide the statistics sought by the Deputy directly to him.
360 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of members assigned to Ardfinnan and Clogheen Garda Stations, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35741/07]
I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of Ardfinnan and Clogheen Garda Stations on 30 November, 2007 ( the latest date for which figures are readily available) was 2 and 1 respectively. Ardfinnan and Clogheen Garda Stations form part of the Tipperary Garda Division. The personnel strength of the Tipperary Garda Division on 30 November, 2007 ( the latest date for which figures are readily available ) was 362.
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 the Commissioner within the overall context of the needs of Garda Divisions throughout the country.
361 Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) residing in New Ross, County Wexford is threatened with deportation from Ireland despite the fact that they have no family, and that both their parents and sister have been shot; if this case will be reconsidered on humanitarian grounds in view of the youth and unfortunate position of the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35771/07]
The person concerned arrived in the State on 20 January, 2007 as an unaccompanied minor 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.
Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999, as amended, he was informed by letter dated 22 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 an 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.
No representations have been received on behalf of the person concerned to date. The case 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.
362 Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when an application for citizenship by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22 will be processed. [35783/07]
Officials in the Citizenship section of my Department inform me that there is no record of an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's question.
363 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the staffing levels of the Cork City Divisional Drug Unit in 1998 and on latest date for which figures are available; his views on the reason no increase in personnel has taken place despite the indication of increasing illegal drug activity and abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35798/07]
I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that in 1998, the personnel strength of the Cork City Drug Unit was 20. At that time, this Unit would have taken a lead role in Regional drug initiatives and operations in conjunction with the Garda National Drugs Unit.
Between 1998 and the present day, under the commitment of An Garda Síochána to the National Drug Strategy, Divisional and District Drug Units have been established nationwide, including additional Divisional Drug Units in the Southern Region. The current strength of the Cork City Divisional Drug Unit is 17. The combined strength of all Divisional Drug Units in Cork City and County is now 31.
The Cork City Divisional Drugs Unit is focused on Divisional operations. It leads intelligence driven and targeted operations and is supported in this Divisional responsibility by significant other resources, including specialist and plain-clothes personnel to combat organised and drug-related crime in the Division.
Expertise has also been developed in the Division by secondment of other divisional members to the Divisional Drug Unit, thereby enabling an increased level of activity on the street and cohesive operations across the Division. In addition to this of course, every member of An Garda Síochána is tasked with the enforcement of legislation, including drug-related legislation.
Garda personnel assigned throughout the country, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy, are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources, and the best possible Garda service is provided to the general public.
364 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if extra Garda resources can be allocated to a Garda station (details supplied) in County Cork. [35820/07]
I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of Passage West Garda Station on 30 November, 2007 ( the latest date for which figures are readily available) was 4. Passage West Garda Station forms part of the Cork City Division. The personnel strength of Cork City Division on 30 November, 2007 (the latest date for which figures are readily available) was 658. Local Garda Management report that they reallocated personnel within the Togher Garda District, which Passage West forms part of, to enhance the Garda service provided across the District.
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 Station referred to by the Deputy will be fully considered by the Commissioner within the overall context of the needs of Garda Divisions throughout the country.
365 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of reported incidents of ATM skimming in Kildare over the past three years; if this type of crime is on the increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35839/07]
The practice of ‘card-skimming' involves the unauthorised copying of information from a customer's ATM card. This facilitates the criminal in stealing by using illegally obtained data.
An Garda Síochána has noted a recent increase in this type of criminality and a Working Group chaired by the Assistant Commissioner with responsibility for the Dublin Metropolitan Region has been established to target this type of crime. The increase is also being addressed by security measures introduced by the financial institutions together with increased Garda attention to ATM machines nationwide. Incidents of so-called ‘skimming' are reported to the Irish Payment Card Services Organisation (IPSO) by the relevant financial institutions as soon as fraud is established. This in turn is reported to and circulated by An Garda Síochána. A nationwide roll-out of a Garda initiative targeting these crimes is planned for 2008.
An Garda Síochána is in constant liaison with the financial institutions with a view to tackling ATM fraud. This is being targeted through various fora, including bi-monthly meetings of the ATM Fraud Forum comprising representatives from the various financial institutions and An Garda Síochána, and is chaired by the Irish Payment Card Services Organisation (IPSO).
This type of criminal activity is also addressed through the Hi-Tech Crime Forum which comprises representatives of the banking institutions, the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation, the Internet Service Providers, IPSO and other stakeholders as deemed appropriate. This forum meets every two months.
Any perceived weaknesses or new attack methods identified are discussed at these meetings so that counter-measures can be identified to prevent further occurrences.
The following table shows the number of such incidents recorded as having occurred in Carlow/ Kildare Division:
|
Year |
No of incidents (Carlow/Kildare Division) |
|
2007* |
212 |
|
2006 |
32 |
|
2005 |
4 |
*Statistics provided for 2007 are operational, provisional and liable to change.
366 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the growth of reported crimes at ATM banking machines; if the various financial institutions have a bigger part to play in the protection of account holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35840/07]
I have been informed by An Garda Síochána that a recent increase has been noted in this type of criminality. A Working Group chaired by the Assistant Commissioner with responsibility for the Dublin Metropolitan Region has been established to target this type of crime. The increase is also being addressed with security measures by the financial institutions in conjunction with increased Garda attention to ATM machines nationwide. Incidents of so-called ‘skimming' are reported to the Irish Payment Card Services Organisation (IPSO) by the relevant financial institutions as soon as fraud is established. This in turn is reported to and circulated by An Garda Síochána. A nationwide roll-out of a Garda initiative targeting these crimes is planned for 2008.
An Garda Síochána is in constant liaison with the financial institutions with a view to tackling ATM fraud. This is being targeted through various fora including bi-monthly meetings of the ATM Fraud Forum comprising representatives of the various financial institutions and An Garda Síochána, and is chaired by the Irish Payment Card Services Organisation (IPSO).
This type of criminal activity is also addressed through the Hi-Tech Crime Forum which comprises representatives of the banking institutions, the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation, the Internet Service Providers, IPSO and other stakeholders as deemed appropriate. This forum meets every two months.
Any perceived weaknesses or new attack methods identified are discussed at these meetings so that counter-measures can be identified in order to prevent further occurrences.
367 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of drug finds in Kildare involving cocaine in the past five years; the estimated street value of these finds; if the finds resulted in a prosecution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35841/07]
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the information being sought is being compiled by An Garda Síochána and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
368 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason a person (details supplied) was not repatriated to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35846/07]
I can inform the Deputy that my officials had the necessary transfer arrangements in place in order to effect this transfer. On the date in question, the United Kingdom Authorities advised that the transfer could not take place. Arrangements are again being made and it is envisaged that the transfer will be effected in the near future. Details regarding transfers are not disclosed for security reasons.
369 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if an evaluation of the effectiveness of closed circuit television schemes funded by Pobal has been undertaken. [35847/07]
370 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the changes that have been introduced to subsequent closed circuit television schemes funded by Pobal since the programme was first introduced. [35848/07]
372 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of closed circuit television schemes funded by Pobal that are subject to live monitoring. [35850/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 369, 370 and 372 together.
The Community-based CCTV Scheme is funded by my Department and joint funding is also available from the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs for successful applications from RAPID areas. The purpose of the scheme is to engage local communities in enhancing community safety by supporting the Gardaí to tackle criminal and antisocial behaviour and also in helping to counteract the fear of crime. The scheme is administered on behalf of my Department by Pobal which carries out thorough evaluations of each application under the scheme and also provides advice and assistance to applicants. Pobal has not evaluated the Community-based CCTV Scheme as yet. Projects funded under the scheme began to come on stream gradually throughout 2007 and it is considered too early to undertake an evaluation at this stage. However, planning for such an initial evaluation is currently underway. The only significant changes which have been introduced to the Community-based CCTV Scheme since it was introduced in 2005 are those arising from the Garda Síochána Act 2005, which came into effect in 2006. These relate to the requirement for all proposals to be authorised by the Garda Commissioner and the role of the relevant local Joint Policing Committee. All of the projects which are up and running are subject to monitoring. However, the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate to indicate precise monitoring arrangements at each location. In addition to monitoring of images, images are recorded and can be reviewed at short notice when required.
371 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of arrests in which closed circuit television schemes funded by Pobal played an enabling role. [35849/07]
373 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of occasions that closed circuit television schemes funded by Pobal have resulted in a call out to gardaí to intervene in a live public order or criminal situation. [35851/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 371 and 373 together.
The Community-Based CCTV Scheme is designed to support local communities who wish to install CCTV systems in their area, with the aim of increasing public safety and reducing the risk of criminal and anti-social activity. The day-to-day administration of the Scheme is carried out by Pobal on behalf of my Department. Under the Scheme grant funding is provided by my Department to local groups to assist with the capital costs of installing a CCTV system. Matching funding is available to successful applications from RAPID areas from the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. Public and private CCTV systems are an invaluable source of information and intelligence to An Garda Síochána in the prevention and detection of criminal activity. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the specific information requested by the Deputy relating to CCTV systems is not readily available and would require a disproportionate expenditure of Garda time and resources to collate.
374 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons detected, prosecuted and convicted for anti-social or criminal activity on public transport in 2005, 2006 and 2007 with a breakdown for these cases by bus, LUAS, DART and train; if he will provide a breakdown on the number of such incidents on Dublin Bus by route number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35855/07]
Following the submission in 2004 of a report and recommendations by an expert group on crime statistics, it was decided that the compilation and publication of crime statistics should be taken over by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, from the Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Act 2005 consequently makes provision for this and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. Following the setting up of the necessary technical systems and auditing of the data from which the statistics are compiled, the CSO is now compiling and publishing criminal statistics and has published provisional headline crime statistics since the third quarter of 2006. In addition, it has compiled and published a series of quarterly and annual statistics for the period starting with the first quarter of 2003. I understand that the CSO are examining how the crime statistics published might be expanded and made more comprehensive. I have requested the CSO to provide the statistics sought by the Deputy directly to him.
375 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of the residency application of a person (details supplied); and if same will be expedited as their current work permit is nearing expiration. [35877/07]
As outlined to the Deputy in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 223 put down for answer on 10 October 2006 there is no provision for the granting of permanent residency in Irish Immigration legislation. However, the proposed Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill will, for the first time, make statutory provision for a status of long term resident. The most recent application for long term residency from the person referred to by the Deputy was received on 14 September 2006. The position in relation to granting long term residency is as follows: Persons who have been legally resident in the State for over five years on the basis of work permit/work authorisation/work visa conditions may apply to the Immigration Division of my Department for a five year residency extension. In that context they may also apply to be exempt from employment permit requirements. The dependants of the aforementioned, who have been legally resident in the State for over five years may also apply for long term residency. This particular long term permission does not exempt the person from employment permit requirements. Time spent in the State on student conditions cannot be counted towards long term residency. I understand that applications for long term residency 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.
376 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to a previous parliamentary question, if he will provide details of the incremental costs of all bodies from set up and annual budget with a breakdown of annual overheads. [35914/07]
I refer the Deputy to my response to Parliamentary Questions 471 and 472 on 2 October, 2007 (Ref: 21742/07) which sets out such information as is readily available on this subject.
377 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí serving in each Dublin Garda station in the Dublin metropolitan area; the comparative figures for 2005 and 2006; and the number of serving gardaí assigned to community policing duties and drugs taskforces and similar assignments dealing with drug abuse and criminality in respect of each of the stations. [35923/07]
379 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí currently assigned to Blanchardstown Garda station and to specific policing duties in the Dublin 15 area; the number of gardaí in Dublin 15 assigned to community policing duties combating drugs and combating organised crimes; and the comparative figures in respect of each for 2005 and 2006. [35925/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 377 and 379 together.
The information requested by the Deputy is contained in the table below. It should be noted that the latest figures available for Community Gardaí are as of 30 September 2007. The figures for the total strength and the divisional drug units are as of 30 November 2007, the latest date for which figures are readily available. In addition to the following table, the personnel strength of the Divisional Drugs Units in Dublin as of 31 December 2005 and 31 December 2006 was 119 and 126 respectively. The total number of Community Policing Officers in Dublin at the end of 2005 and 2006 was 338 and 348 respectively. Blanchardstown Garda Station had 17 Community Gardaí attached to it in 2005 and 19 in 2006. All Gardaí have a responsibility, inter alia, to be involved in Community Policing issues as they arise. 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 Dublin Divisions will be fully considered by him within the overall context of the needs of Garda Divisions throughout the country.
|
Division |
Station |
31/12/05 |
31/12/06 |
30/11/07 |
Community |
Drugs |
|
DMR SC |
Kevin Street |
122 |
127 |
142 |
17 |
28 |
|
Kilmainham |
81 |
87 |
90 |
9 |
||
|
Pearse St |
253 |
260 |
269 |
34 |
||
|
Harcourt Tce |
74 |
85 |
86 |
4 |
||
|
Donnybrook |
121 |
125 |
137 |
4 |
||
|
Irishtown |
56 |
54 |
58 |
2 |
||
|
DMR NC |
Store St. |
271 |
281 |
299 |
26 |
26 |
|
Bridewell |
162 |
165 |
185 |
17 |
||
|
Fitzgibbon St |
119 |
118 |
122 |
15 |
||
|
Mountjoy |
90 |
92 |
99 |
12 |
||
|
DMR S |
Crumlin |
87 |
98 |
108 |
5 |
22 |
|
Sundrive Rd |
65 |
73 |
79 |
6 |
||
|
Rathfarnham |
70 |
72 |
80 |
6 |
||
|
Tallaght |
167 |
178 |
182 |
24 |
||
|
Rathmines |
70 |
76 |
75 |
3 |
||
|
Terenure |
97 |
98 |
103 |
6 |
||
|
DMR N |
Santry |
119 |
130 |
121 |
4 |
15 |
|
Whitehall |
34 |
40 |
48 |
5 |
||
|
Ballymun |
62 |
56 |
76 |
10 |
||
|
Dublin Airport |
21 |
21 |
21 |
— |
||
|
Coolock |
88 |
98 |
119 |
10 |
||
|
Malahide |
40 |
45 |
48 |
4 |
||
|
Swords |
65 |
68 |
81 |
9 |
||
|
Raheny |
59 |
69 |
69 |
6 |
||
|
Clontarf |
63 |
71 |
71 |
6 |
||
|
Skerries* |
10 |
11 |
11 |
— |
||
|
Balbriggan* |
32 |
32 |
50 |
2 |
||
|
Lusk* |
4 |
4 |
3 |
— |
||
|
Howth |
49 |
42 |
42 |
— |
||
|
Rush* |
6 |
7 |
6 |
— |
||
|
Garristown* |
3 |
3 |
3 |
— |
||
|
DMR W |
Blanchardstown |
167 |
174 |
180 |
19 |
22 |
|
Cabra |
69 |
68 |
71 |
7 |
||
|
Finglas |
76 |
87 |
98 |
10 |
||
|
Lucan |
68 |
70 |
86 |
7 |
||
|
Leixlip |
25 |
25 |
24 |
3 |
||
|
Ronanstown |
88 |
92 |
90 |
10 |
||
|
Ballyfermot |
80 |
88 |
88 |
7 |
||
|
Clondalkin |
81 |
92 |
108 |
11 |
||
|
Rathcoole |
25 |
23 |
24 |
1 |
||
|
DMR E |
Dun Laoghaire |
99 |
96 |
111 |
4 |
22 |
|
Dalkey |
26 |
26 |
33 |
2 |
||
|
Kill-O-Grange |
33 |
35 |
33 |
3 |
||
|
Cabinteeley |
39 |
38 |
36 |
5 |
||
|
Bray |
88 |
103 |
103 |
11 |
||
|
Enniskerry |
5 |
5 |
7 |
— |
||
|
Shankhill |
60 |
63 |
63 |
8 |
||
|
Greystones |
29 |
35 |
42 |
8 |
||
|
Blackrock |
75 |
79 |
89 |
7 |
||
|
Dundrum |
75 |
76 |
76 |
5 |
||
|
Stepaside |
29 |
35 |
32 |
2 |
||
|
TOTAL |
3,797 |
3,996 |
4,277 |
376 |
135 |
*The Deputy should be aware that the stations marked with an asterix are not part of the DMR North.
378 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí who have retired from duty to date in 2007; the comparative figures for 2005 and 2006; the number of gardaí anticipated to resign or retire in 2008; his views in view of the age profile of the force regarding the number of serving gardaí retiring and resigning and the number who are retiring early; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35924/07]
I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the number of retirements from An Garda Síochána for the years 2005, 2006, as at 17 December 2007 and the estimated retirements for 2008 was as set out as follows:
|
Year |
Retirements |
|
2005 |
462 |
|
2006 |
403 |
|
2007 (17/12/07) |
280 |
|
2008 (estimate) |
471 |
It is anticipated that approximately 1100 Gardaí will be recruited annually in the forthcoming years to raise the strength of the Force to 15,000 in 2010. The recruitment campaign takes account of anticipated retirements.
380 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number and identity of persons, groups, bodies or agencies other than the established civil servants from whom he or Ministers of State in his Department have sought or received advice in connection with policy or administrative matters appertaining to the operation of his Department or other bodies under his aegis in the past 12 months; the extent to which such advice related to capital expenditure projects; the cost of such advice; the extent to which it has been implemented to date or if it is intended to be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35973/07]
As I am sure the Deputy will appreciate, in the course of performing my functions as Minister and as an elected representative, I receive a wide range of representations, submissions and other advice from various persons, groups and other bodies on differing subjects, including of course matters pertaining to the operation of my Department and the bodies under its aegis. Research and expert advice is also commissioned from time to time by my Department and the bodies under its aegis. It would not be feasible, however, to document and categorise the instances of this advice in the manner suggested by the Deputy.
381 Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans being discussed in relation to Sligo Garda station’s status as a regional centre; the discussions that have taken place with regard to relocating the new regional centre to Galway city; if he will confirm that the services and status of Sligo Garda station are secure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36012/07]
In accordance with the provisions of the Garda Síochána Acts 2005 to 2007, proposals to alter the boundaries of a regional or divisional geographical area, or to establish or relocate a divisional or district headquarters are matters in the first instance for the Garda Commissioner in the context of the Annual Policing Plan. I have recently approved the Commissioner's Policing Plan for 2008 and, in accordance with the provisions of the Garda Síochána Acts 2005 to 2007, I will lay it before both Houses of the Oireachtas very shortly. In advance of it being laid before the Houses it would not be appropriate to comment on the details of the plan.
382 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number to date of civil servants and employees of State bodies transferred from Dublin to decentralised locations; the number transferred from outside of Dublin to other decentralised locations; and the number transferred in post to decentralising Departments in Dublin pending planned decentralisation to locations outside of Dublin. [36030/07]
I can inform the Deputy that by early January 2008, under my Department's Decentralisation programme, three hundred and sixty-eight posts from seven bodies under the aegis of my Department will have transferred to seven different locations around the country. Within that number, two hundred and twenty-three officers will have transferred from Dublin and one hundred and forty-five from provincial locations. I am also informed that there have been one hundred and ninety-three transfers of staff from my own Department to other decentralising Departments.
383 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to a local survey (details supplied) that found that 93% of people felt they were not receiving enough information on the proposed developments for St. Mary’s Park area of Limerick City; if, in view of the survey findings, he will consider extending the remit of the Limerick Northside Regeneration Agency to enable it to assume responsibility for the regeneration of the St. Mary’s Park area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35726/07]
The survey to which the question refers has not been brought to my attention. Limerick City Council recently submitted a report on the regeneration strategy for St. Mary's Park, which involved extensive consultation with residents of the area. This report, and the appropriate arrangements for taking forward the regeneration of St. Mary's Park within the overall framework of the Limerick regeneration agencies, are currently under examination in my Department.
384 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the proposals to run an additional sewer alongside and at the Tolka River in Dublin 15 to provide for additional storm water drainage and so on and concerns regarding the environmental impact of such development on the flora and fauna of the River Tolka and particularly fishing; if his attention has further been drawn to the use of the river in Dublin 15 at Blanchardstown by hundreds of young people in youth and fishing clubs; his proposals to protect the river; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35951/07]
The Blanchardstown Sewerage Scheme (Network) is included in my Department's Water Services Programme 2007 — 2009 as a scheme to advance through planning at an estimated cost of €21 million. I understand that Fingal County Council has appointed consultants to prepare a Preliminary Report for the scheme, and information relating to the proposals being considered in the context of the Preliminary Report and the measures to protect flora and fauna etc. may be sought from the Council.
385 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of posts filled in his Department in each of the past five years; the number and grade of posts in each of the past five years in his Department that were open to existing public or civil servants only, or that were not subject to competition at all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35672/07]
The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
386 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of posts filled in the Government agencies under his Department’s remit in each of the past five years; the number and grade of posts in each of the past five years in these agencies that were open to existing public or civil servants only, or which were not subject to competition at all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35687/07]
The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
387 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, regarding the proposed exemptions for certain renewable energy technologies from the obligations under the Planning and Development Act 2001, he will ensure that there is a legal responsibility on a developer to seek a declaration from the relevant planning authority that the proposed development is in accordance with the specific exemptions to the Planning and Development Act 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35715/07]
388 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, further to his response to Parliamentary Question No. 650 of 27 November 2007, the way he proposes to determine if a wind turbine will interfere with the landscape; if this will only apply to already designated areas or if there is some other method to determine if a wind turbine interferes with the landscape; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35716/07]
389 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the ways his Department advertised the public consultation period in regards to the proposed planning exemptions of certain renewable technologies; his views on extending the timeline for reply to the public consultation process beyond its current limit together with a more visible information campaign to inform people of this consultation period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35717/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 387 to 389, inclusive, together.
Section 4(2) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provides that I, as Minister, may, by reason of size, nature or limited effect upon its surroundings, by Regulation, provide exemptions for a particular class of development provided that development is not contrary to the principles of proper planning and sustainable development.
In presenting the proposed exemptions referred to for public consultation, I am seeking to achieve this as a means of encouraging uptake of renewable energy and remove from planning permission requirements classes of development which would have limited effect upon their surroundings. The introduction of a mandatory referral process would undo the impact of the proposed exemption by replacing one determinative process with another.
In relation to the application of restrictions on exemptions set out under article 9 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, it is a matter for planning authorities to identify, through the development plan, any landscape, or a view or prospect of special amenity area value or special interest. Where a planning authority includes the preservation of any such area as an objective of the development plan or of the draft variation or draft development plan, exemptions from planning permission requirements do not apply.
Advertisements announcing the commencement of a public consultation on the proposed exemptions were placed in the following newspapers on 25 October:
The Examiner;
The Irish Times;
The Irish Independent;
The Star.
I also issued a press release to the local and national media on the same day and my Department directly circulated the consultation paper to a wide range of organisations inviting their views, including all planning authorities, a number of Government Departments, the National Consumer Agency, the Irish Farmers Association, Sustainable Energy Ireland and various renewable energy industry groups.
I am satisfied that 3 months is an appropriate consultation period and have no plans to extend it. It should be noted that this is a relatively lengthy consultation process, well beyond, for example, the normal 8-week period allowed by the European Commission, for completion of written consultations.
The consultation process is ongoing and it is, of course, open to any person to make a submission to my Department on any aspect of the proposed exemptions set out in the consultation document, including the proposed conditions relating to scale and siting of technologies, before 18 January 2008. As outlined previously, the final draft amendments must also then be laid before the Oireachtas for approval.
390 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the Government will transpose the Environmental Liability Directive; if he has replied to the letter of formal notice issued by the European Commission in June 2007; and if he has received a reasoned opinion from the Commission on this matter. [35718/07]
My Department has prepared a Screening Regulatory Impact Analysis of the options for transposing the Environmental Liability Directive. This document is available on my Department's website (www.environ.ie), and the views of interested parties have been sought on it. Preparatory work on drafting the legal instrument for transposing the Directive is underway and will be informed, inter alia, by the outcome of the consultation process.
A response to the letter of formal notice issued to the European Commission on 26 July 2007. There has been no further correspondence from the Commission.
391 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views regarding the introduction of appropriate sound levels for entertainment and social venues; if he has received reports on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35719/07]
Section 107 of the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 provides local authorities with powers to require measures to be taken to prevent or limit noise from commercial premises. This provision was enacted in an environmental protection context and was not, therefore, intended to apply to internal sound levels in any premises. Issues in relation to the impact of internal sound are, I understand, a matter for the Health and Safety Authority.
Under the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 (Noise) Regulations 1994, a person may also seek an order in the District Court to have noise giving reasonable cause for annoyance abated, including noise from discos, pubs and other social venues. The procedures involved have been simplified to allow action to be taken without legal representation.
In addition to the above, I understand that under Section 4 of the Courts (No. 2) Act 1986, any person is entitled to object to the renewal of an intoxicating liquor licence at the annual Licensing Court.
In accordance with the Programme for Government, I am currently examining options to strengthen legislation on noise pollution.
392 Deputy Martin Mansergh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if existing planning legislation contains any explicit social criteria to guide planning authorities in respect of decisions on applications by retail organisations for planning permission. [35747/07]
In making a determination on any planning application, Section 34 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 requires planning authorities to be bound by the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, having regard, inter alia, to:
The provisions of the development plan;
The provisions of any special area order relating to the area;
Any submissions or observations received; and
Relevant Ministerial or Government policies.
While the Act does not set out specific criteria to be considered by planning authorities in determining applications for particular classes of development, the Retail Planning: Guidelines for Planning Authorities, published by my Department in January 2001 and reviewed in February 2005, issued as Ministerial guidelines under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, provide a comprehensive framework to guide local authorities in preparing development plans and assessing applications for planning permission, and to assist retailers and developers in formulating development proposals. A copy of the guidelines is available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie.
393 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has provided funding in 2008 for the implementation of noise action plans as required under the Environmental Noise Regulations 2006, with particular reference to identifying capital works to adapt the noise nuisance. [35775/07]
The Environmental Noise Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 140 of 2006) give effect in Ireland to EU Directive 2002/49/EC relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise. The Environmental Protection Agency is the national authority with overall responsibility for implementing the Regulations.
At local level, implementation of strategic mapping requirements is a matter for the relevant noise-mapping bodies designated in Article 6 of the Regulations and any action required on foot of the noise mapping process, including the determination of responsibility for funding such action, is a matter for the action planning authorities designated in Article 7.
394 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of testing carried out on the Irish domestic water supply; if this testing differs from one local authority to another; if there is a central laboratory for testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35834/07]
Under Article 7(2) of the European Union (Drinking Water) (No. 2) Regulations, 2007, local authorities are responsible for monitoring and testing drinking water supplies and authorities make their own arrangements in that regard. Article 7(12) of the Regulations assigns responsibility to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for oversight of local authorities' functions in relation to the monitoring and testing of drinking water.
395 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the quality of domestic water here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35835/07]
Recent annual reports by the Environmental Protection Agency on the quality of drinking water in Ireland indicate a sustained increase in the overall rate of compliance with all prescribed standards, from 96.1% in 2003 to 96.4% in 2004, and to 96.7% in the most recently published report for 2005. Notwithstanding these high overall compliance rates, the reports, nevertheless, have drawn attention to water quality problems in certain private group water schemes in particular, and to the shortfall in the levels of monitoring by local authorities of water supplies, particularly in these group schemes.
Statutory controls were, therefore, strengthened under the European Communities (Drinking Water) (No. 2) Regulations 2007 to underpin comprehensive supervision and monitoring regimes for both local authority and group water scheme supplies. The Regulations provide for supervision of local authority water supplies by the Environmental Protection Agency, and for the supervision of group water supplies by local authorities. In each case, the relevant supervisory authority has new powers of direct intervention, if required, to ensure that measures are taken to achieve compliance with prescribed water quality standards.
The Water Services Act 2007 provides for the introduction of a licensing system for group water scheme supplies, under local authority supervision.
I envisage that these provisions will strengthen considerably the level of monitoring and enforcement in relation to drinking water supplies, and will ensure adequacy and consistency in monitoring performance in drinking water supplies throughout the State.
The Government continues to invest very considerable resources in water services infrastructure, with some €4.7 billion provided under the new National Development Plan (2007 to 2013), in addition to the unprecedented investment of €3.7 billion under the previous Plan. Significant increases in water treatment capacity and improvements in distribution systems are being achieved as a result. Water supply schemes completed in the period 1997 to 2006 have already produced additional drinking water treatment capacity equivalent to the needs of a population of some 1.2 million.
Substantially increased sums have been invested in resolving group scheme difficulties in meeting drinking water standards. Some €130 million was invested in the Rural Water Programme in 2006 — twice what was spent in 2002, and three times more than the corresponding expenditure in 2000.
A comprehensive overhaul of sewage collection and treatment infrastructure has also been undertaken nationally to tackle pollution of surface and ground water from which water supplies are abstracted, and the capacity of Ireland's wastewater treatment infrastructure was increased by a population equivalent of 3.1m under the last National Development Plan.
396 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason for not providing the proposed motor taxation concessions for fuel efficient cars to owners of such cars who purchased them prior to the commencement date of the new vehicle registration tax regime. [35845/07]
Budget 2007 announced proposals for new motor tax and vehicle registration tax (VRT) systems to reward low CO2 emitting and penalise high CO2 emitting cars. It was made clear at the time that the new system would apply to new cars and newly imported cars. A public consultation process was held from December 2006 to March 2007 following press notices inviting public submissions. Both the public consultation process and subsequent press comment pointed to the desirability of members of the public being given reasonable notice of any tax changes being introduced and the need for an acceptable lead-in period for the motor trade.
It was against this background that 1 July 2008 was chosen as the starting date for both the new motor tax and VRT systems. The aim of the new system is to influence the purchasing decisions of consumers in the future. It would be unfair to penalise car owners for a purchasing decision made in the past.
Finally, I would add that the proposal for an EU Directive on passenger car-related taxes applies to cars registered for the first time in a Member State.
397 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will introduce legislation to end the self certification of quality standards in the housing construction industry and to take concerted joint action with the Fingal County Manager and Dublin City Manager to address the issues of traceability of pyrite contaminated infill; the quality standards of new homes and the reconstruction standards of pyrite damaged homes and infrastructure in the continuing pyrite infill scandal in north and west Dublin and Leinster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35863/07]
The certification of products is the responsibility of the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI). When the issue of pyrite arose, and following an intervention from my Department, the NSAI moved quickly to reconvene their Aggregates Panel in order to give urgent consideration to publication of additional guidance in relation to appropriate protocols for testing underfloor infill material. My Department is represented on this Panel, together with representatives of the construction industry.
Following a public consultation process, the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) has now published a new Standard Recommendation, which is a definitive amendment to SR 21 — Guidance on the use of (Irish Standard) I.S. EN 13242:2002 — Aggregates for unbound and hydraulically bound materials for use in civil engineering work and road construction, and incorporating amendment 1:2007. The Standard Recommendation came into effect on 7 December 2007 and the intention is that it will address the quality standards of new homes insofar as problems relating to pyrite are concerned. It is now my intention to adopt this NSAI Standard Recommendation in the relevant Technical Guidance Document to the Building Regulations.
The national Building Regulations set out the legal requirements for the construction of houses. The related Technical Guidance Documents (TGD) provide technical guidance on how to comply with the Regulations. Responsibility for compliance with the Building Regulations rests with the builder and the owner of the building.
Enforcement is a matter for the 37 local Building Control Authorities, which are empowered to carry out inspections and initiate enforcement proceedings, when considered necessary. I understand that Fingal County Council has been in direct contact with the developers and the quarry concerned in relation to problems encountered following the use of pyrite as an underfloor infill material in certain developments.
Having consulted the statutory Building Regulations Advisory Body, my Department issued a circular letter, BC 6/2007, to each County Manager and local Building Control Authority, on 16 August 2007, to bring the issue to their notice and to request their co-operation in the enforcement of the relevant requirements. The Circular letter also brought to their attention a Notice Issued by Fingal County Council on 26 July 2007 on this matter.
The resolution of any problems arising between home owners and their builders are ultimately matters for resolution between the parties concerned — the homeowner, the relevant developer and the builder's insurer. Where the construction of a house is the subject of a contract between the client and the builder, enforcement of this contract is a civil matter.
.
398 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his Department has a specific policy in relation to local authority social housing provision for adults with disabilities, in particular with regard to promotion of independent living, sheltered housing and housing waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35891/07]
A range of measures are available to local authorities through their social housing investment programmes to meet the housing needs of people with a disability who are on their waiting lists. These range from standard local authority rented housing to loans for improvements and grants for adaptation of existing houses. In assessing applications for accommodation, authorities have been asked to ensure that applicants are made aware of the full range of options available and to establish the most suitable response to an individual's need. In addition, local authorities enable the voluntary and cooperative housing sector, through their housing schemes, particularly the Capital Assistance Scheme which is funded by my Department, to provide accommodation for people with a disability.
My Department's housing policy statement, Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities, published earlier this year, reflects the commitment in Towards 2016 to develop a national housing strategy for people with a disability, by end 2009. Work has commenced on the development of this strategy which is being progressed by a National Advisory Group under the aegis of the Housing Forum, headed by my Department and involving the Department of Health and Children, the Health Services Executive, social partners and other relevant stakeholders including the National Disability Authority. The strategy, which will give a broad framework to inform the future development of local authority Housing Action Plans, will support the provision of tailored housing and housing supports for people with a disability and have particular regard to adults with significant disabilities and people who experience mental health issues.
399 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the discussions his Department has had with local transport operators to improve accessibility for people with disabilities, as outlined in his Department’s sectoral plan; the progress in relation to same; if co-ordination arrangements have been developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35892/07]
My Department's Sectoral Plan, prepared under the Disability Act 2005, provides that local authorities develop co-ordination arrangements with local transport operators to improve the accessibility of public roads, footpaths, streets and crossings leading to ground, air and sea transport facilities and accessible routes to and from public transport. The Sectoral Plan also provides that progress in the various matters in the Plan will be included in local authorities' annual reports.
400 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, further to a previous parliamentary question, if he will provide details of the incremental costs of all bodies from set up and annual budget with a breakdown of annual overheads. [35911/07]
The previous question referred to is No. 196 of 22 November 2007. In response, I indicated that ten state bodies and boards under the aegis of my Department were established in the period since 1997 and that one of the bodies concerned evolved from the restructuring of an existing body.
I refer to the reply to Question no. 364 of 19 October 2007 which provided information regarding the annual budget of the state bodies and boards under the aegis of my Department. The information is also set out in the table in respect of the ten bodies and boards concerned. The annual overheads element of the budget is not available in my Department as day to day operational matters are entirely a matter for the body or board concerned.
|
Name of body/board |
Date of establishment |
Budget |
Year applicable |
|
€ |
|||
|
Affordable Homes Partnership |
2005 |
1,100,000 |
2005 |
|
26,835,263 |
2006 |
||
|
26,960,737 |
2007 |
||
|
Building Regulations Advisory Body |
1998 |
19,000 |
1998 |
|
19,000 |
1999 |
||
|
19,000 |
2000 |
||
|
19,000 |
2001 |
||
|
19,000 |
2002 |
||
|
18,000 |
2003 |
||
|
19,000 |
2004 |
||
|
19,000 |
2005 |
||
|
20,000 |
2006 |
||
|
20,000 |
2007 |
||
|
Comhar Sustainable Development Council |
1999 |
228,000 |
1999 |
|
232,000 |
2000 |
||
|
238,000 |
2001 |
||
|
248,000 |
2002 |
||
|
250,000 |
2003 |
||
|
227,800 |
2004 |
||
|
156,500 |
2005 |
||
|
320,000 |
2006 |
||
|
320,000 |
2007 |
||
|
Designated Areas Appeals Advisory Board |
1998 |
42,303 |
1999(2) |
|
54,658 |
2000 |
||
|
12,977 |
2001 |
||
|
56,713 |
2002 |
||
|
33,868 |
2003 |
||
|
72,559 |
2004 |
||
|
64,102 |
2005 |
||
|
89,886 |
2006 |
||
|
100,000 |
2007 |
||
|
Dublin Docklands Development Authority Board (3) |
1997 |
N/A |
1998 |
|
N/A |
1999 |
||
|
N/A |
2000 |
||
|
N/A |
2001 |
||
|
N/A |
2002 |
||
|
N/A |
2003 |
||
|
N/A |
2004 |
||
|
N/A |
2005 |
||
|
N/A |
2006 |
||
|
Dublin Docklands Development Council (3) |
1997 |
N/A |
1998 |
|
N/A |
1999 |
||
|
N/A |
2000 |
||
|
N/A |
2001 |
||
|
N/A |
2002 |
||
|
N/A |
2003 |
||
|
N/A |
2004 |
||
|
N/A |
2005 |
||
|
N/A |
2006 |
||
|
N/A |
2007 |
||
|
Irish Water Safety (4) |
1999 |
505,441 |
2000 |
|
553,274 |
2001 |
||
|
827,662 |
2002 |
||
|
702,513 |
2003 |
||
|
772,977 |
2004 |
||
|
866,078 |
2005 |
||
|
963,556 |
2006 |
||
|
1,000,000(1) |
2007 |
||
|
Limerick Northside Regeneration Agency |
June 2007 |
Expenditure of €1,130,000 between the Limerick Northside and the Limerick Southside Regeneration Agencies has been sanctioned in respect of projected salary and start up costs 2007 |
2007 |
|
Limerick Southside Regeneration Agency |
June 2007 |
Expenditure of €1,130,000 between the Limerick Northside and the Limerick Southside Regeneration Agencies has been sanctioned in respect of projected salary and start up costs 2007 |
2007 |
|
Local Government Management Services Board |
1997 |
936,056 |
1998 |
|
1,911,062 |
1999 |
||
|
5,037,114 |
2000 |
||
|
5,105,097 |
2001 |
||
|
5,177,046 |
2002 |
||
|
6,221,420 |
2003 |
||
|
7,109,595 |
2004 |
||
|
7,695,132 |
2005 |
||
|
8,998,541 |
2006 |
||
|
9,500,000(1) |
2007 |
||
|
Private Residential Tenancies Board |
2004 |
267,259 |
2004 |
|
2,176,992 |
2005 |
||
|
3,480,435 |
2006 |
||
|
5,343,000(5) |
2007 |
Notes:
(1)The budget listed for Irish Water Safety and the Local Government Management Services Board in respect of 2007 is provisional.
(2)In the case of the Designated Areas Appeals Advisory Board, 1999 was the first year in respect of which expenditure arose.
(3)As the Dublin Docklands Development Authority is not publicly funded, details relating to its budget are not included.
(4)The budget listed for Irish Water Safety includes Oireachtas grants, local authority contributions and own resource income.
(5)This figure includes a one off VAT payment of 800,000
401 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason Ireland has been referred to the European Court of Justice by the European Commission in relation to EU Directive 2003/35/EC which provides for public participation in respect of the drawing up of certain plans and programmes relating to the environment; and the reason given by the European Commission for referring Ireland to the ECJ in this case. [35920/07]
The process to transpose Directive 2003/35/EC is well advanced with legislation completed to amend the majority of the relevant consent systems pertaining to that Directive within the Irish legislative framework. While work is continuing on the outstanding issues, and will be finalised by the Departments concerned at the earliest possible date, the European Commission has initiated Article 226 proceedings against Ireland for incomplete transposition of the Directive. It is envisaged that the amendments to those consent systems that remain outstanding will be completed as quickly as possible.
402 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reply he sent to the European Commission in response to the letter of formal notice sent by the Commission in June 2007 with regard to Ireland’s compliance with the European Court of Justice ruling in case C-494/01 of April 2005 regarding breaches of the waste framework directive; and the situation with regard to his correspondence with the Commission on this matter. [35921/07]
My Department replied to the Letter of Formal Notice on 19 November 2007 and a bilateral meeting will be held with the European Commission in early 2008 to address any remaining concerns which the Commission may have in relation to the case.
403 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number and identity of persons, groups, bodies or agencies other than the established civil servants from whom he or Ministers of State in his Department have sought or received advice in connection with policy or administrative matters appertaining to the operation of his Department or other bodies under his aegis in the past 12 months; the extent to which such advice related to capital expenditure projects; the cost of such advice; the extent to which it has been implemented to date or if it is intended to be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35969/07]
There is ongoing liaison between my Department and authorities, bodies and agencies under the aegis of my Department, during the course of normal day to day business. Advice received in this context is not costed. In regard to advice obtained though consultants, the information requested is set out in the table. The first two items in the table would relate to capital expenditure.
In addition, I have appointed as Special Advisers in my Department Mr. Ryan Meade, Mr. David Healy and Mr. Liam Reid, at salaries of €82,016, €82,016 and €95,363 per annum respectively. The role of Special Advisers is set out in section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997. All advice received is considered and as appropriate factored into the development and implementation of policies and programmes by my Department.
|
Consultant |
Purpose of Consultancy |
Contract Amount |
|
€ |
||
|
Tom Considine, Dublin 5 |
To undertake a high-level review of the Department’s supervisory and management role of a civil works contract undertaken by Limerick City Council |
24,000 |
|
Fitzpatricks Associates |
Report on Local Authority Capital Expenditure |
58,503 |
|
Lee McCullough, Consulting Engineers |
Consultancy study, Eurocode 6 — Design of Masonry Structures |
65,004 |
|
Kavanagh Mansfield & Partners |
Consultancy study, Eurocode 2 — Design of Concrete Structures |
81,675 |
|
UCD Energy Research Group |
Consultancy study of energy efficiency regulation for new dwellings and options for improvement |
89,900 |
|
Indecon International Economic Consultants |
Carry out socio-economic review of the proposed revised terms of the tenant purchase scheme |
48,400 |
|
Indecon International Economic Consultants |
To review County/City Development Board strategic reviews and to bring forward proposals to strengthen and develop the Boards |
77,000 |
|
Mazars Harcourt Centre Dublin 2 |
Financial review of Trustees of Muckross House (Killarney) Ltd. |
23,675 |
|
Ms. Sheila Friel Image Media Productions 6221 Lisburn Road Belfast BT9 7GT |
To evaluate a contract for the production of 5 DVDs on Glenveagh |
4,800 |
|
William Fry Solicitors |
Drafting forms of contract for the Rental Accommodation Scheme |
15,000 |
|
Indecon International Economic Consultants |
Indecon assessment of the Fota House Business Plan |
14,520 |
|
Mary Higgins, Dublin 8 |
Examination, assessment and modification of the draft Revised Government Strategy on Adult Homelessness |
4,114 |
|
O’Mahony Pike Planning Consultants |
Consultancy on Urban Design Guide |
200,000 |
|
National Institute for Regional and Spatial Analysis (NIRSA), NUI Maynooth |
Evaluation of European Spatial Network Research to Ireland |
40,000 |
|
AEA — 329 Harwell, Didcot, Oxon, OX11 0QJ, UK |
Analysis of the national emissions of pollutants (NOX particulates, SOX and VCO’s) from the powergen sector, for the propose of Directive 2001/81/EC and the European Communities (National Emission Ceilings) Regulations 2004 |
29,950 |
|
QTS |
Advice on Health and Safety Matters |
36,509 |
|
Goodbody Economic Consultants (in assoc. with Barnes Consulting), Ballsbridge Park, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 |
To undertake a study of the potential for the use of tax incentives to encourage the provision of “living over the shop” accommodation in the urban centres of the gateways identified under the National Spatial Strategy |
53,200 |
404 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in the wake of the abolition of the dual mandate, his attention has been drawn to the reluctance on the part of some local authority officials to adequately respond to issues and queries raised by Members of the Oireachtas; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that this is in stark contrast to the solemn commitment (details supplied); if he will commit himself to meeting the growing information and accountability deficit by way of reply to parliamentary questions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35992/07]
It is a matter for each local authority to deal with requests for access to information by a parliamentary representative as expeditiously as possible and in accordance with a proper level of customer service. In this regard local authorities are required to put in place arrangements to ensure that systems, procedures and time frames equivalent to those used by them in relation to correspondence from local authority members also apply in respect of parliamentary representatives.
My Department has gathered information from local authorities on the practical application of the arrangements for the supply of specified information to Oireachtas members under the Local Government Act 2001 (Section 237A) Regulations 2003. Based on the information received, I understand that local authorities are, for the most part, complying with these arrangements. I am, however, reviewing this matter and, if necessary, will issue supplementary guidance to local authorities reminding them of the need to provide a reasonable level of service for Oireachtas members and facilitate them in carrying out their work on behalf of local communities.
405 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number to date of civil servants and employees of State bodies transferred from Dublin to decentralised locations; the number transferred from outside of Dublin to other decentralised locations; and the number transferred in post to decentralising Departments in Dublin pending planned decentralisation to locations outside of Dublin. [36027/07]
Under the decentralisation programme, all Dublin based operations of my Department are being decentralised, with the exception of Met Éireann, ENFO, the Private Rented Tenancies Board and a small co-ordination section which it is proposed to retain in Dublin to assist with the Department's Dáil and other business. A total of 682 Dublin based posts will be transferred to four locations in the South East: Wexford (270 posts); Waterford (225 posts); New Ross (125 posts) and Kilkenny (62 posts).
As outlined in the updated Progress Report from the Decentralisation Implementation Group published on 8 October, 2007, the indicative timescales for the completion of the Department's offices in Wexford, Kilkenny, New Ross and Waterford are Quarter 3 2008, Quarter 4 2009, Quarter 2 2010 and Quarter 3 2010 respectively. My Department established an advance office in Wexford staffed by 39 people which has been operational since 25 June 2007. Of the 39 staff, one staff member transferred from an original location outside of Dublin and one staff member was recruited locally. The remainder of the staff transferred from an original Dublin based location. To date 47 staff have transferred from this Department to other Departments in order to decentralise to other locations outside Dublin.
406 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of posts filled in his Department in each of the past five years; the number and grade of posts in each of the past five years in his Department that were open to existing public or civil servants only, or that were not subject to competition at all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35667/07]
My Department is compiling the data sought by the Deputy in this regard and I shall forward it to her as soon as possible.
407 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of posts filled in the Government agencies under his Department’s remit in each of the past five years; the number and grade of posts in each of the past five years in these agencies that were open to existing public or civil servants only, or which were not subject to competition at all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35682/07]
Employment of staff within the agencies under the aegis of my Department is a day-to-day operational issue for these agencies. There is an upper authorised number for each of the non-commercial bodies operating under the aegis of my Department from time to time which is generally agreed after consultation between the Agency, my Department and the Department of Finance. Within that framework, I have no role in the filling of vacancies in these bodies.
408 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to extend and develop broadband services to the rural towns and villages in east Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35708/07]
The provision of broadband services is, in the first instance, a matter for the private sector. Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). Details of broadband services available throughout the country are available on my Department's website (www.dcenr.ie).
The widespread provision of broadband services continues to be a priority for the Government. There are still some parts of the country where the private sector will be unable to justify the commercial provision of broadband services. In order to address this issue the procurement process for a National Broadband Scheme (NBS) is currently under way. The NBS will provide broadband services to areas that are currently unserved and will ensure that all reasonable requests for broadband in unserved areas are met. The procurement process is being undertaken pursuant to the European Communities (Award of Public Authorities' Contracts) Regulations 2006 using a competitive dialogue procurement process.
The first phase of the procurement process (Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ)) is now complete, and four candidates have pre-qualified to enter the next phase of the procurement process. As my Department indicated on 2 September 2007, the four candidates are, in alphabetical order, BT Communications Ireland Ltd Consortium, Eircom Ltd, Hutchinson 3G Ireland Ltd and IFA/Motorola Consortium. The Department has invited these remaining candidates to participate in the "Competitive Dialogue" phase of the procurement process and to present their proposed solutions to meet the Department's requirements for the delivery of broadband to the unserved areas of the country. It is anticipated that a preferred bidder will be selected and appointed in June 2008.
409 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if, in accordance with his Department’s sectoral plan, all the buildings where Department offices are located with the exception of listed buildings are fully accessible to people with disabilities; if the items noted as requiring attention in the National Disability Authority audit have all been dealt with; if a health and safety audit has been carried out and the necessary improvements recommended by same in conjunction with requirements under the Disability Act 2005 have been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35886/07]
I can confirm that all buildings where Department offices are located are fully accessible to people with disabilities. Health and safety audits have been conducted in all buildings and any issues identified those from those audits are being dealt on an ongoing basis, as are any items arising from audits carried out by the National Disability Authority. The Office of Public Works is currently assessing meeting rooms in my Department for suitability for the installation of audio loop systems and it is expected that this work will be completed early in 2008.
410 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, further to a previous parliamentary question, if he will provide details of the incremental costs of all bodies from set up and annual budget with a breakdown of annual overheads. [35907/07]
Financial allocations for each body, which is funded from my Department's Vote, are agreed each year as part of the Annual Financial Estimates/Budget process and are based on available resources and an evaluation of individual agency needs in line with both its existing level of service requirements and any new or additional services that are to be introduced. The global amounts for 2007 and 2008 Estimates for the various bodies are included in the details of my Department's Vote, which are set out at page 1.66 and 1.67 of the 2008 Budget document.
I can advise that more details on the annual budgets for the agencies, with the exception of the agency referred to below, are available in their respective Annual Reports and Accounts, which should be available in the library of the Houses.
The National Salmon Commission has no budget allocation.
411 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position in regard to the provision of North-South and east-west interconnectors; when these are expected to come on stream; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35955/07]
As part of the Single Electricity Market development, EirGrid is developing the second North South electricity interconnector jointly with its Northern Ireland counterpart. The increased capacity provided by this interconnector will also facilitate fuel savings, lower emissions and increased integration of wind generated energy. EirGrid and NIE are currently engaged in respective public consultations on a number of proposed routes for the North South interconnector. When this consultation process has been completed, a preferred route will be chosen and planning permission sought. The North South interconnector is scheduled to be delivered by 2011 and will more than double the existing cross border electricity transfer capacity to over 680MW.
EirGrid and the Commission for Energy Regulation are working to schedule on the delivery of the East West electricity interconnector by 2012. The interconnector will provide 500MW of capacity and which will remain in State ownership vested in EirGrid.
412 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his preferred options or proposals for generation, transmission and distribution of electricity in the future; the degree to which he expects agencies including the ESB and similar bodies to undertake responsibilities in these areas in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35956/07]
414 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which he proposes to rely on the ESB and other producers for the generation of electricity in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35958/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 412 and 414 together.
The Energy Policy Framework and the Programme for Government set the overall strategic directions for energy security of supply, sustainability and competitiveness. The Single Wholesale Electricity Market came into operation on 1 November 2007 and will contribute to the reliability and security of supply of electricity on the island of Ireland and which will overtime deliver more competitive energy prices for business and consumers on the island.
The Energy Policy Framework sets out a range of actions for the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity including:
ensuring the progressive reduction in ESB's market share in power generation to around 40% in an all-island market context by 2010 through the CER-ESB Asset Strategy Agreement of November 2006;
the development of a land bank of ESB owned sites by 2008 to facilitate independent power generation investment up to 2020;
the retention of the electricity network infrastructures as strategic national assets in State ownership;
the establishment of EirGrid as the National Transmission Grid Company by end 2008, transferring to EirGrid ownership of the transmission assets;
ensuring the full operational independence of the Distribution System Operator as an ESB subsidiary by completing its legal unbundling.
Immediate priority is being given to creating the right environment for delivering sufficient generation capacity and ensuring sustained investment in electricity networks while delivering enhanced levels of interconnection within the next five years. The reduction in ESB's market share in power generation and the implementation of the CER-ESB Asset Strategy will improve the investment potential of the Irish market. Ensuring Ireland's generation adequacy position between 2007 and 2011 and planning for adequacy beyond 2012 is an immediate and critical priority which will require close cooperation between EirGrid, CER and my Department as well as existing and potential new players in the power generation sector.
We have also set ambitious and essential targets for the increased penetration of renewable energy. Connected wind capacity will reach over 900 MW by year end, which will represent a very significant increase of over 25% of installed wind capacity since the start of 2007. It is also a priority to ensure the provision of sufficient flexible generation plant to accommodate electricity coming on to the system from wind generation.
In relation to the transmission system, the decision to transfer the transmission assets to EirGrid, establishing it as both the owner and the operator of the national transmission system will reduce the amount of heavy regulation and duplication on both EirGrid and ESB and will deliver efficiencies and significantly reduced overheads for EirGrid. Above all, combining the ownership and operation of the transmission system in EirGrid will deliver confidence to all market players that the system is run in a non-discriminatory way.
The unbundling of the distribution system operator as a legally independent subsidiary of ESB will ensure efficient and non-discriminatory access to the distribution system and encourage effective competition in the electricity market.
416 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number and identity of persons, groups, bodies or agencies other than the established civil servants from whom he or Ministers of State in his Department have sought or received advice in connection with policy or administrative matters appertaining to the operation of his Department or other bodies under his aegis in the past 12 months; the extent to which such advice related to capital expenditure projects; the cost of such advice; the extent to which it has been implemented to date or if it is intended to be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35964/07]
In my capacity as Minister I have occasion to consult with State bodies under the aegis of the Department, with my special advisors and party colleagues on all relevant policy issues. This consultation acts a compliment to the regular policy advice received from established civil servants.
Advice received covers the full remit of my Departmental responsibilities and there are no specific costs related to the aforementioned consultations.
The same applies to Minster of State, Tony Killeen T.D. in this Department, who has met with various groups and some of the third levels institutions where research in the energy area is undertaken.
417 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of applications for approval in respect of bio-fuels such as ethanol, bio-diesel or other fuel oils before his Department or awaiting approval; his proposals for the future in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35993/07]
There are no applications awaiting approval in my Department in relation to Biofuels. Biofuels Mineral Oil Tax Relief Schemes were launched by my Department in 2005 and 2006 resulting in 18 projects being awarded excise relief between 2005 and 2010.
The planned introduction of a Biofuels Obligation by 2009, will require all fuel suppliers to ensure that biofuels represent a certain percentage of their annual fuel sales. The biofuels obligation will provide a long-term market based framework for the development of a biofuels sector and delivery of biofuels targets to 2020.
418 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of applications for approval for wind generated electricity before his Department; when he expects approval to issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35994/07]
My Department has, to date, received 76 applications in the wind category of the Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff (REFIT) support scheme, all of which have been processed and approved.
419 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which he has satisfied himself regarding the adequacy of the oil and gas exploration licensing regime, having particular regard to the increased exploration activity and at the same time protecting the interests of the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35996/07]
The Deputy will be aware that in August of this year I announced revised licensing terms for oil and gas exploration and production. The decision to revise the fiscal licensing terms followed an independent review that included a comparative analysis of eight other exploration areas. That review had regard to energy prices, water depths, operating and capital costs, along with the key consideration of Ireland's relative prospects as a location for exploration investment. The review recommended that Ireland's fiscal terms should be revised to provide for a higher tax take in the case of more profitable fields while holding the tax take at 25% in the case of more marginal fields. The decision provides for a tax take of up to 40% in the case of more profitable fields. I also revised the non-fiscal licensing terms with a view to ensuring that exploration is conducted in both a timely and effective manner.
I am satisfied that Ireland's revised licensing terms strike the right balance. They are designed to attract what is mobile international investment, while ensuring a fair return to the State for its natural resources.
420 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent of gas, oil or other mineral finds on or offshore in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35997/07]
During 2007, two finds were made in the North Celtic Sea Basin off the south coast. Island Oil and Gas Limited encountered gas at the Schull prospect in block 57/2, while Providence Resources Limited identified an oil accumulation at the Hook Head prospect in block 50/11. In addition, Island Oil and Gas Limited successfully appraised its 2006 Old Head gas discovery in block 49/23. There were no other mineral finds.
In all three cases further studies are being undertaken to determine whether these accumulations can be progressed to commercial developments.
421 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of occasions on which he has met or discussed issues of mutual interest with the authorities at RTÉ or their representatives in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35998/07]
In the context of the development of broadcasting policy my officials and I have cause, on a regular basis, to meet with the various interests, including RTÉ, that comprise the broadcasting sector including but not limited to commercial broadcasters, public service broadcasters and independent producers.
422 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which he expects the Corrib gas field to supply the market here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36001/07]
425 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which he has met with the various interests with a view to resolving outstanding matters at the Corrib gas project; his preferred options in regard to distribution of supply; when he expects this to happen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36006/07]
426 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position in regard to the production of gas from the Corrib gas field; the extent to which the various requirements have been complied with in order to facilitate the early release of product; when he expects supply to become available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36007/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 422, 425 and 426 together.
I understand from the developers, Shell E&P Ireland Ltd, that they expect that first gas will be available in late 2009. I would add, however, that completion of development works by the developer is clearly the principal factor that will determine the date for first gas. At peak production the Corrib Gas Field has the potential to provide up to 60% of Ireland's gas requirements.
Since my appointment as Minister I have met the developers of the project and have also had discussions with parties who are interested in the project.
Consultants engaged by the developers of the Corrib Gas Field are continuing to focus on identifying a modified onshore pipeline route as recommended by the independent mediator Mr Peter Cassells, within the core area around the three indicative route corridor options presented to the public on 19th September 2007. The process of consultation continues and consultants for the developers have carried out further environmental and technical studies, which I understand have led to variations of two of the three indicative corridor options. Consultation around the three indicative corridor options and their variations are due to continue until mid January 2008. After that date the developers will move towards selecting a final preferred route.
Once a preferred route is selected it will be necessary for the developers to make application to me under the Gas Act, 1976 for consent to construct the pipeline. In addition, consent from An Bord Pleanála will also be required under the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act, 2006.
It would not be appropriate for me, having regard to my regulatory role, to express a preference for any particular pipeline route for the Corrib Gas Project.
423 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is satisfied regarding the availability of adequate supply of electricity during peak periods throughout the winter months and particularly throughout the festive season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36003/07]
The 2007 Winter Outlook Report was published by EirGrid in August last. Based on their analysis and on detailed engagement with each of the power generators, EirGrid forecast that electricity generating capacity will be sufficient to meet demand this winter. This is in line with EirGrid's previous medium-term generation adequacy forecasts.
Since August, EirGrid has provided regular updates on the outlook for generation adequacy this winter. In light of a number of forced outages at ESB plants EirGrid now calculates that generating capacity of 5,700 megawatts will be available this winter to meet demand.
424 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the action he has taken or proposes to take to expedite the provision of high speed state of the art broadband throughout the entire country with particular reference to the needs of industry, the health services, education and the import/export sectors; if his attention has been drawn to the serious deficiencies in the quality and efficiency of services here as compared with those available internationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36005/07]
The provision of broadband services is, in the first instance, a matter for the private sector. Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, (ComReg).
The widespread provision of broadband services continues to be a priority for the Government. In that regard my Department has undertaken initiatives to address the gaps in broadband coverage. These include investment in Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs).
These Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) are allowing the private sector service providers to offer world-class broadband services at competitive costs. The networks offer towns opportunities to attract inward investment in advanced technology and knowledge based enterprises.
Twenty-seven MANs have been completed under Phase One and are currently being managed by ENet, the Management Services Entity.
Phase Two of the MANs Programme is currently underway. Networks have been completed in 21 towns to date and are under construction in a further 45 towns.
The National Broadband Scheme which will be implemented next year will provide broadband coverage to those areas of the country that are currently unserved and will ensure that all reasonable requests for broadband in unserved areas are met.
My Department is also preparing a draft policy paper on Next Generation Broadband Networks which will consider the optimum role for Government in facilitating the roll out of high speed broadband networks. I expect to publish the draft policy paper on Next Generation Broadband Networks for consultation early in the New Year.
427 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number to date of civil servants and employees of State bodies transferred from Dublin to decentralised locations; the number transferred from outside of Dublin to other decentralised locations; and the number transferred in post to decentralising Departments in Dublin pending planned decentralisation to locations outside of Dublin. [36022/07]
The Government's decentralisation programme provides for the relocation of my Department's headquarters to Cavan and the relocation of two bodies under its aegis, namely Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) to Dundalk and the Central Fisheries Board (CFB) to Carrick-on-Shannon.
43 staff members from my Department have relocated as an advance party to Cavan and of these, 38 were originally based in Dublin. A further 20 staff members are ‘in post' in Dublin, pending planned decentralisation to Cavan, which is currently scheduled for end 2009.
As regards SEI, temporary accommodation has very recently been acquired in Dundalk pending a permanent move and thus far two persons have located in the decentralised location. Neither has transferred from a location outside Dublin or in post.
In relation to the CFB no person has transferred to the proposed decentralised location as yet.
