John Perry
Ceist:10 Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding planning for the Dublin International Art Exhibition 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32303/09]
Written Answers.
The following are questions tabled by Members for written response and the ministerial replies as received on the day from the Departments [unrevised].
Questions Nos. 1 to 9, inclusive, answered orally.
Art Exhibitions.
Dublin International Art Exhibition was the original working title assigned to a proposal to host an internationally recognised and acclaimed contemporary and modern art event in Dublin, which would showcase excellence in Irish and international art. The appeal of such events elsewhere is evidenced by the success of the Venice and Sydney Biennales, Documenta XII in Germany and Prospect 1 in New Orleans.
This event had originally been considered for 2010 but it is now proposed for the summer of 2011 and is to be known as Dublin Contemporary 2011. The proposal can be broadly described as a major exhibition of leading and emerging Irish and international contemporary art spread across a number of landmark sites in Dublin city centre over a period of up to 12 weeks. It would be the first event of its scale in Ireland and would provide a highlight for cultural tourism in Ireland on a global scale. The project aims to achieve a vibrant recognised international art event and would provide an accessible and tourist friendly route through historical and contemporary Dublin encouraging tourists and residents alike to engage with galleries, museums and cultural spaces. This event is also about monetising our cultural tourism opportunities, especially in the visual arts sphere.
A draft business plan / feasibility study which will include detailed costings is currently being prepared and further consideration will be given to the proposal on completion of this work. Clearly, Government financial support is contingent, inter alia, on the projected state of the Exchequer finances in 2010 and 2011.
Arts Funding.
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:11 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the discussions he has had with officials of other Departments regarding cuts in arts funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32328/09]
As the Deputy is aware, under the Arts Act, 2003, primary responsibility for the support of the arts is devolved to the Arts Council. The Arts Council is a statutorily independent body and autonomous in its day-to-day operations, including its funding decisions.
Decisions regarding funding for the arts whether within my Department's Vote or on the part of other relevant Departments will be taken in the context of the ongoing Estimates and budget preparation process. In that context there are regular discussions between officials of my Department and the Department of Finance.
My policy on the arts reflects Government Policy in this area as set out in the Programme for Government and further elaborated in my Department's Statement of Strategy. This policy is to promote and strengthen the arts in all its forms, increase access to and participation in the arts, and make the arts an integral and valued part of our national life.
It is my aim to continue to implement this policy directly through my own Department and to support the Arts Council in its role, working within the financial and other resources available to me, into the future.
Facilities funded to date include integrated arts centres, theatres, galleries, studios and creative and performance spaces. In this manner the Department provides the bulk of capital funding for building and refurbishing arts facilities around the country, mainly in the not for profit sector, while the Arts Council provides the ongoing revenue support for many of the facilities.
Taken together, the expenditure and facilities outlined stand as testament to the Government's commitment to this vital sector for society.
The cultural and creative sectors are a major sector of the economy, in terms of both output and of employment. Taking into account economic multipliers, the Value Added dependent on the cultural and creative sectors in 2008 was €11.8 billion or 7.6% of total GNP. Employment dependent on the cultural and creative sectors combined in 2008 was 170,000 or 8.7% of total employment in the economy.
Cultural tourism is a key element of Ireland's tourism industry. The list of top visitor attractions is dominated by natural and built heritage, and in addition, festivals, musical and other events attract major numbers of attendees. Some 3.53 million overseas visitors engaged in cultural/historical visits while in Ireland in 2008, 43% of total visitors. These visitors spent €2.3 billion in Ireland, 56% of total overseas visitor spend in Ireland. Thus tourists who engage in cultural pursuits while in Ireland are higher than average spenders. A total of €3.03 billion, or 2% of GNP is at least partly dependent on overseas cultural tourism. Domestic cultural tourism would add significantly to this. A total of 73,000 jobs are dependent on cultural tourism, 3.4% of the total workforce. There is a very significant showcase impact from Irish culture, which raises the profile of the country and has a substantial economic benefit, most directly on tourism.
All of these factors must be taken into account in the context of the future funding of the arts, culture and creative sectors.
Decentralisation Programme.
P. J. Sheehan
Ceist:12 Deputy P. J. Sheehan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his plans in respect of the decentralisation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32309/09]
The Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism was designated for relocation to Killarney, County Kerry, under the Government's Decentralisation Programme, which was announced in the 2004 budget. The Department, excluding the National Archives, was designated an "early mover" by the Decentralisation Implementation Group (DIG).
To date, 79 members of staff (including two service officers who were recruited locally) have relocated to the new purpose built offices which opened last December in Killarney. However, the Government moratorium on recruitment and promotion has impacted on the ability of the Department to proceed with further transfers at present. The Department is currently working towards the completion of the decentralisation process while simultaneously providing an efficient and effective service to the Department's stakeholders.
Under the Government's Decentralisation Programme the Arts Council, Irish Sports Council and Fáilte Ireland were due to decentralise to Kilkenny, Killarney and Mallow respectively. The decentralisation of these agencies has been deferred pending a review in 2011. No accommodation has been purchased to facilitate the decentralisation of the three State agencies.
Horse and Greyhound Racing Industries.
Willie Penrose
Ceist:13 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the expected funding level of the horse and greyhound racing fund; the projected direct Exchequer contribution in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32332/09]
Since 2001, Government support for the horse and greyhound racing industries has been provided under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund, which was established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001.
In 2004, the Government put in place regulations to increase the limit of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund from €254 million to €550 million to continue the fund for a further four years to 2008. By the end of 2008 a total of €545.8 million was paid out of the fund. The remaining balance in the fund at the start of 2009 was €4.2 million. €68.1 million has been allocated to the fund for 2009 and a regulation which increased the level of the fund by €63.907 million has been made.
Funding of both Horse Racing Ireland and Bord na gCon supports two very important productive industries and helps to sustain the important role of horse and greyhound breeding and training enterprises in the development of the rural economy. These industries, together, account for an estimated 27,500 direct jobs, generate very substantial economic activity and make a vital contribution to the rural economy including farm incomes.
The funding given to the greyhound racing sector helps in sustaining a tradition that has existed for hundreds of years and in underpinning the economic activity in what are in many instances less affluent regions of the country. The funding has also contributed significantly to the almost €90 million that has been invested in the improved facilities now available at greyhound tracks around Ireland.
The funding has allowed Horse Racing Ireland to undertake a capital investment programme that has underpinned growth in the sector. The funding has allowed Ireland to develop into a world centre of excellence for horse racing. A review of the fund has been completed and is currently being considered in the context of deciding on the future funding options for these industries. The level of funding to the horse and greyhound racing industries in 2010 will be dependent on overall budgetary conditions taking into account the significant contributions that these industries make to the economy in general and the rural economy in particular.
National Library.
Dan Neville
Ceist:14 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has given approval for the recruitment process in respect of a replacement national literary director to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32298/09]
I take it that the Deputy refers to the future vacancy that will occur when the current Director of the National Library of Ireland retires from that post in 2010, and will answer accordingly.
Firstly, I would like to pay tribute to the Director of the National Library of Ireland, Mr. Aongus Ó hAonghusa who has indicated he will leave the Library and return to his former employment at the end of this year. Mr. Ó hAonghusa has led the Library in its transition from an organisation that was essentially part of my Department to an independent agency under an autonomous board. He has managed very well in this challenging process of change and I thank him for his contribution and leadership.
The National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 places a statutory responsibility on the Board of the National Library of Ireland, subject to my agreement and the agreement of the Minister for Finance, to appoint the Director to manage that important national institution.
The current position in relation to this matter is that I have advised the National Library to commence with the arrangements for holding an open competition for the filling of the post.
Tax Code.
Pat Rabbitte
Ceist:15 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the artists tax exemption scheme; the recommendations he has given to the Department of Finance regarding this programme; if he will support an income averaging of taxation or a reduced tax exemption figure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32329/09]
As I outlined in my reply of 16 June 2009, the operation of the Artists Exemption scheme is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners under the terms of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997.
The original intention of the legislation was, inter alia, to create an environment in which the Arts could flourish and to encourage Irish artists to remain here rather than going abroad to earn their living. I fully support this scheme, which is in operation now for 40 years.
The Report of the Commission of Taxation has recommended the substitution of this scheme by a system of income averaging of taxation for artists. Such matters will be addressed in the context of how to improve the efficiency of the scheme and streamline its operation so as to maintain the legislation's original intentions for the benefit of artists and their work and to maintain equity in the system. This consideration will also be dealt with as part of the review by Government of the Commission's overall taxation proposals.
When the then Minister for Finance introduced the Finance Act 1969, he stated that the proposal for artists exemption from income tax was nothing less noble than to enrich our daily lives. A more immediate and pragmatic objective of the legislation was also to strengthen and expand the existing cultural milieu by attracting major established international artists to Ireland, thereby facilitating a synergy with the local arts culture. This was the defining aim of the legislation and not, as some critics of the scheme would have it, to solely support struggling artists. In any review of this imaginative decision it is worth recalling that these artists would not have come to live in Ireland if the tax relief was not introduced, nor indeed would many of our own artists have remained. Therefore, artists availing of the scheme by taking up residence here did not cost the Exchequer anything but they became additional taxable consumers.
It is generally recognised that the Irish have a unique aptitude for words, written or spoken, but the relatively stagnant economy of the sixties meant that our artists, with just a very few exceptions, had low international profiles and low levels of income. Given the economic climate, most artists were struggling to make a living and few could earn enough to be liable for tax. There was little incentive for potential writers to risk undertaking full time writing.
Section 2 of the Finance Act 1969 and its successor, section 195 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, transformed the artistic environment. The inflow of established artists illustrated what could be achieved. In effect, it created a climate for encouraging and sustaining other artists to enter, in increasing numbers, into full time practice of their art. Thus the legislation's objectives were steadily realised.
As regards the current proposal to review the scheme it is my belief that the 1997 Finance Act and the 2005 review were a comprehensive re-evaluation of the whole scheme and brought in several very worthwhile amendments, without interfering with the basic thrust of the legislation and they addressed the equity issue.
Question No. 16 answered with Question No. 6.
National Cultural Institutions.
Tom Sheahan
Ceist:17 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the response to his call to arts centres to become more commercial; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32308/09]
The suggestion by my Department that the national cultural institutions look to develop and exploit more commercial opportunities for their own financial benefit was well received. It is a matter for the statutorily independent boards to decide on the precise way that such development and exploitation will take place.
There is no doubt in my mind that the performance of all of the national institutions and agencies funded by the Department and their contribution to our national economic, social and cultural well-being and to the cultural tourism strategy merits continued support. However, in the current financial climate stark choices are faced by Government and, difficult choices will have to be made by the Department in relation to the budgets which can be provided for agencies. Clearly the outcome of the annual budgetary process will pose significant challenges in the years ahead for those agencies.
Having reflected on the position of the cultural institutions, we feel that there may be some opportunity to mitigate the impacts of reductions in Exchequer funding by seeking out commercial opportunities for the organisations. In that respect I would acknowledge, of course, that many commercial opportunities and businesses are currently pursued by them.
What my Department asked was that the boards take a focused opportunity to examine afresh whether all commercialisation and commoditization opportunities were being exploited to the maximum by them. Was the most being made of their shops and restaurants? Were publication opportunities being explored? Could exhibitions' policies be more populist? Were there partnership opportunities with high street retailers, with the education community, with the sports community? In a difficult market, can more be made of sponsorship opportunities? I understand that the cultural institutions are currently considering their options in relation to this suggestion and I look forward to hearing from them in due course.
Departmental Expenditure.
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:18 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if funding is available for a conference (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32330/09]
The Government has facilitated the use of the Dublin Castle Conference facilities for this conference. This represents a substantial public support to the organisation. I understand that this conference is also being funded by the Arts Council and by Fáilte Ireland.
Departmental Strategy Statements.
Michael D. Higgins
Ceist:19 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will provide a list of the tasks currently being carried out by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32339/09]
The Department's Statement of Strategy 2008-2010 sets the Department’s high-level goals in the arts, culture and film; sport; tourism; and corporate services organisational sectors; as well as in respect of synergies between these sectors. The objectives, actions and performance indicators in respect of each of these goals are also outlined in the strategy.
The Department's Business Plan 2009, which is a subset of the overall work of the three-year strategy, sets out the detailed plan by which these goals and objectives are to be achieved. In addition, the Department’s Annual Output Statement links its budget to performance targets each year. The Business Plan 2009 which, in effect, constitutes a list of the tasks being carried out by the Department during 2009 — and the Annual Output Statement are being implemented apace.
The Department will report on progress in achieving its business goals for 2009 in its annual report for that year, as it has already done in respect of 2008 in its Annual Report 2008. All the aforementioned documents are available on the Department’s website at www.dast.gov.ie.
Proposed Legislation.
Joe McHugh
Ceist:20 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if consultation has taken place or is planned on the draft legislation to amalgamate the cultural institutions; when draft legislation will be publicly available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32291/09]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 597 [29577/09], on 9 July 2009. The work required to progress to the decisions to combine the National Gallery of Ireland, the Irish Museum of Modern Art and the Crawford Art Gallery, while reinforcing their separate brand identities, and to merge the National Archives, the Irish Manuscripts Commission and the National Library, could include amendment of the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997, the National Archives Act 1986 and the National Gallery Acts 1854 to 1963 and the creation of new legislative or administrative provisions. The Department is working apace on these matters.
Arts Funding.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:21 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the extent of the curtailment of funding for the arts in 2009; the way this is expected to directly affect the various groups, bodies or agencies involved; the action he will take to minimise the negative impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32223/09]
My policy on the arts is to promote and strengthen the arts in all its forms, increase access to and participation in the arts, and make the arts an integral and valued part of our national life.
Responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is primarily devolved to the Arts Council. The Arts Council is the principal agency through which State funding is channelled to the arts. Under the Arts Act 2003, the general functions of the Council include the following: -
to stimulate public interest in the arts;
to promote knowledge, appreciation and practice of the arts;
to assist in improving standards in the arts.
The Arts Council is a statutorily independent body, funded by my Department and independent in its day-to-day operations, including in relation to its funding decisions. Since 2002, funding for the Arts Council has increased by almost 54% from €47.67 million in 2002 to €73.35 million in 2009 — that is a total of over €530 million during the period.
I am confident that the Arts Council continues to manage the resources available to it in a strategic manner so as to minimise disruption to its client groups and to maintain a high level of service.
Paul Connaughton
Ceist:22 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his plans to alter the mechanism of funding for the Abbey Theatre; if he has had discussions with the Department of Finance regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32243/09]
The present arrangements are that the Arts Council provides funding to the Abbey Theatre from the grant allocation provided to them by my Department. No discussions have taken place with the Department of Finance in connection with the funding mechanism.
Question No. 23 answered with Question No. 6.
Liz McManus
Ceist:24 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if an economic impact assessment has been carried out on the value of arts funding to the Exchequer; if so, if he will provide this information; if he supports further cuts to the arts budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32331/09]
My Department commissioned an analysis from DKM Economic Consultants of the economic impact of the arts, culture and creative sectors. Some preliminary results of draft research, to which I alluded at the Global Irish Economic Forum show that the cultural and creative sector is one of the most dynamic areas of the Irish economy, with a total economic impact in 2008 of €11.8 billion.
At that forum in Farmleigh, there was unanimous acknowledgement that creative ideas are the lifeblood of innovation and economic success and it is my intention, in consultation with other Government colleagues, to harness these sectors for economic and social benefits. On the completion of this research project I will be arranging for its publication.
Question No. 25 answered with Question No. 6.
National Conference Centre.
Jimmy Deenihan
Ceist:26 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his Department or any of the agencies within the remit of his Department will have a role in attracting conference business to the National Conference Centre; if efforts are being made to attract tourism related conferences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32259/09]
In accordance with the provisions of section 8(1) of the National Tourism Development Authority Act 2003, it is a day-to-day matter for Fáilte Ireland to encourage, promote and support either inside or outside the State (a) the development of tourism traffic within and to the state and (b) the development and marketing of tourist facilities and services within the State. Accordingly, my Department has no direct role in attracting business to the new National Conference Centre, to be known as the Convention Centre, Dublin (CCD).
However, I understand that, Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and the Dublin Convention Bureau are working closely with the operators in marketing the Centre to secure bookings. The Convention Centre Dublin is well advanced and on schedule to open in September 2010. Already there are 24 confirmed events that are expected to have a significant impact on tourism business.
In the overall context of business tourism, the Business Tourism section of Fáilte Ireland, working with Tourism Ireland and industry partners through the Business Tourism Forum, is implementing co-ordinated marketing strategies to grow high yield conference and incentive business from key overseas source markets.
Fáilte Ireland also provides distinct supports for the business tourism sector, aimed at developing and growing the business tourism visitor market. In this regard, they target conferences of between 100 and 6,000 delegates. Fáilte Ireland also run the Association Conference Programme, a support programme for potential conference ambassadors who may avail of professional help in organising their conference. In 2008, Fáilte Ireland supported 89 conferences through conference support. These conferences brought estimated revenue of €32 million into the Irish economy.
Fáilte Ireland also supports the incentive and corporate meeting segment. The Irish trade, i.e. hotels and destination management companies, receive support to attend international trade shows. These events are forums for the trade to meet with key potential buyers from international markets.
Fáilte Ireland has created a dedicated business tourism brand and website, www.irelandinspires.com. This new brand underpins all Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland's marketing communications, thus ensuring Ireland's competitive advantage is clearly and succinctly communicated to our international audiences.
Sport and Recreational Development.
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:27 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if the development of the national sports campus is still part of his plans in view of the recent granted planning permission to the National Sports Campus Development Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32315/09]
Mary Upton
Ceist:79 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made on the national sports campus development project; the total cost of this development; if the project will be in place to take advantage of the build up to the London Olympics 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32891/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 79 together.
As I have previously stated in response to questions on the overall development of the national sports campus project, I have been engaged in discussions with the NSCDA as to how we might best advance matters in the medium term taking into consideration the current difficult economic constraints. Notwithstanding these constraints, I am pleased to advise that a planning application by the NSCDA for Phase One of the National Sports Campus, has recently been obtained. The planning permission includes provision for
a multi-sport National Indoor Training Centre to provide world-class training facilities for more than 20 sports;
Sports Science and Medical facilities; accommodation for sportsmen and women;
all-weather synthetic pitches for community recreational access; and
a National Field Sports Training Centre catering for Rugby, Soccer, Gaelic Games and Hockey.
The National Sports Campus facilities, when completed, will provide a much needed range of training and competitive facilities for our finest sports persons. Through the National Aquatic Centre an excellent sports facility in the development of swimming, diving, synchronised swimming and water polo has already been provided.
I intend to continue discussions with the Authority to examine options for the delivery of the project in the medium term and with a view to seeing what might be achievable in time to capitalise on the proximity of Ireland to the London Olympics in 2012. In the meantime, the National Aquatic Centre, has been actively promoting the Centre as a venue for pre-Olympic and Paralympic training camps for international teams. The response to date has been encouraging, particularly given the Centre's reputation as one of Europe's foremost 50 metre swimming pool facilities.
From 2004, when the Government decided to approve the phased delivery of a sporting campus at Abbotstown, to the end of 2008, the combined total of both capital and current expenditure on the National Sports Campus was €19.2 million. Of that amount, some €7.3 million capital was spent on the refurbishment of the former State Laboratory as the new headquarters for the FAI, which was completed in 2007.
Since then and up to the present juncture, an amount of €3.93 million capital has been incurred in developing the design for the Phase 1 facilities as provided for in the Development Control Plan prepared for the National Sports Campus and progressing these plans through the planning application stage. Refurbishment work costing €1.76 million capital on the former Central Meat Control Laboratory has recently been completed and will provide a headquarters for the Irish Institute of Sport.
The provision of further funding for the National Sports Campus project will be considered as part of the Estimates and budgetary process for 2010.
Decentralisation Programme.
Joan Burton
Ceist:28 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the amount spent on the plans to decentralise bodies under the aegis of his Department; if any offices were purchased as part of the planned decentralisation of these bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32343/09]
Apart from some minor current expenditure related mainly to travel expenses in respect of visits to the proposed decentralised locations, no other expenditure has been incurred by my Department on plans to decentralise the bodies under its aegis. No sites or offices were acquired as part of the planned decentralisation of the bodies.
National Cultural Institutions.
Willie Penrose
Ceist:29 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the recommendation within the special group on public services numbers and expenditure programme report to introduce small entrance charges at national cultural institutions here; if he will support this idea; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32333/09]
The proposals in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes (McCarthy Report) have not been adopted by the Government as policy but are rather a suite of options which will be considered in the context of the 2010 Estimates.
The generally held view among the cultural institutions here and abroad is that the introduction of admission charges will reduce visitor numbers, will deter repeat visits and will shift the institutions to a more elitist status by creating a barrier to attendance by lower income groups.
In the case of the National Museum of Ireland and the National Library of Ireland, the introduction of admission charges to these Institutions, other than to any special exhibition or event, would require the approval of both Houses of the Oireachtas under the provisions of Section 14. 8 of the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997. In addition, the cost of introducing the required administrative arrangements to collect entrance fees would have to be considered and some bequests received by institutions are conditional on access to them being free of charge.
Full consideration will be given to any likely impact on the National Cultural Institutions which the introduction of such a charge is likely to have.
Sports Capital Programme.
Denis Naughten
Ceist:30 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the allocation of sports capital funding not drawn down in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32740/09]
The table below shows the allocations made in each of the last 5 years and the amounts of these allocation outstanding as at end August 2009.
For a variety of reasons it can take grantees several years to draw down allocations. Some of the more common reasons include: delays in finalising the legalities required to protect the State's investment; delays in the planning process; and difficulties in raising the required own funding.
It is the practice of the Department to allow grantees every opportunity to draw down their grants. Where delays are excessive, or the project has ceased, the Department seeks to withdraw allocations.
|
Year |
Not Drawn Down |
Total Allocation |
|
€ |
€ |
|
|
2008 |
32,812,835 |
50,250,000 |
|
2007 |
39,367,817 |
85,000,000 |
|
2006 |
24,134,861 |
91,835,997 |
|
2005 |
13,117,918 |
66,233,652 |
|
2004 |
11,382,174 |
101,783,014 |
Tourism Promotion.
Joanna Tuffy
Ceist:31 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress on developing the cultural tourism sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32342/09]
In my address to the Fáilte Ireland National Conference in November 2008, I gave an undertaking to put in place an initiative to develop the exciting potential of cultural tourism.
The Cultural Tourism Initiative was subsequently launched on 11 February 2009, when I hosted a meeting with the heads of the State tourism agencies, cultural institutions and arts bodies. I set out the areas in which I wished to see progress, including enhancing the availability of information on cultural attractions and events and establishing a network for State agencies and institutions in the arts, culture and tourism spheres to improve interaction and further develop Ireland as a destination for cultural tourism.
A Steering Group, consisting of representatives of the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, State tourism agencies, cultural institutions and State arts organisations was established to identify and pursue specific actions in line with the goals of the Initiative. Actions taken to date have included: a commitment to invest in improved signage; more cohesive integration of marketing arrangements for cultural attractions; implementation of enhanced booking facilities for theatre and event tickets; development of downloadable audio guides; and a new online event guide.
In addition, a new performing arts event is being used to evaluate best practice for future developments in cultural tourism. The Cultural Tourism Initiative is also working with the Irish Film Board to encourage the use of locations of cultural value in Ireland as venues for film and television production and tomorrow's Culture Night 2009 has been expanded to 11 towns and cities.
Separately, the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism facilitated a recent meeting between the OPW and the Irish Tour Operators Association (ITOA) to assist in the development of the tourism potential of the heritage sites under the care of the OPW.
Finally, the new Discover Ireland Autumn holiday supplement, currently being distributed through the print media and tourist offices, highlights the many cultural attractions available for free or at discounted rates across the country to encourage domestic tourists to explore our rich cultural heritage.
Ministerial Expenses.
Lucinda Creighton
Ceist:32 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the current annual expenditure on flights, hotel stays and similar expenses incurred by him in comparison to his predecessor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32318/09]
The expenditure on flights, hotel stays and similar expenses resulting from seven overseas engagements during my period of office from the 7 May 2008 to date is €45,095. A figure of €10,359 was incurred during the time of my predecessor, by the late Deputy Seamus Brennan as Minister for Arts, Sport & Tourism from 14 June 2007 to 7 May 2008 on one overseas engagement.
Swimming Pool Projects.
Kathleen Lynch
Ceist:33 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will make a statement on the reopening of the local authority swimming pool programme. [32340/09]
Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, (Mr. Martin Cullen) It is not intended to launch a new round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme at this time. The matter will be reviewed again later this year in the context of the 2010 Estimate for the Public Services.
Question No. 34 answered with Question No. 6.
National Lottery Funding.
David Stanton
Ceist:35 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the total amount of National Lottery funding received by his Department over the past six years; the amount allocated for each year; to whom it was allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32322/09]
The elements of the Department's Vote which are part-funded by the proceeds of the National Lottery are as follows: Subhead C.1: Grants for sporting bodies and for the provision of sports and recreational facilities under the Sports Capital Programme; Subhead C.3: Grant-in-Aid provided to the Irish Sports Council in respect of general assistance to sports organisations and expenditure in relation to sports activities; and Subhead D.7: Grant-in-Aid provided to the Arts Council in respect of arts activities.
In relation to the Grants-in-Aid to the Irish Sports Council and the Arts Council, allocation decisions are made by the agencies themselves and the Department has no function in this matter.
In relation to the Sports Capital Programme, which is funded under the C1 subhead details of the numerous allocations and recipients of grants in each of the years in question are available on the Department's website at www.dast.gov.ie.
|
Sports Capital Programme (€’000) |
Irish Sports Council(€’000) |
Arts Council(€’000) |
Total(€’000) |
|||||
|
Year |
Provision |
Outturn |
Provision |
Outturn |
Provision |
Outturn |
Provision |
Outturn |
|
2008 |
58,000* |
60,137* |
57,631 |
57,182 |
82,102 |
81,620 |
197,733 |
198,939 |
|
2007 |
63,092* |
63,724* |
54,025 |
54,025 |
83,000** |
83,000 |
200,117 |
200,749 |
|
2006 |
67,724* |
60,053* |
40,914 |
40,914 |
82,310** |
82,310 |
190,948 |
183,277 |
|
2005 |
61,926 |
56,782 |
34,425 |
34,425 |
66,233** |
66,233 |
162,584 |
157,440 |
|
2004 |
83,597** |
80,704 |
30,753 |
30,753 |
54,500** |
54,500 |
168,850 |
165,957 |
|
2003 |
61,000 |
61,098 |
28,265 |
28,265 |
44,101 |
44,101 |
133,366 |
133,464 |
|
Total |
395,339 |
382,498 |
246,013 |
245,564 |
412,246 |
411,764 |
1,053,598 |
1,039,826 |
*Includes capital carryover from previous year.
**Includes Supplementary Estimate.
Ministerial Expenses.
Mary Upton
Ceist:36 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the controls that are in place to ensure that necessary expenses incurred by him when he is away on official business are kept to a minimum; if he is planning any reform of the procedures for procuring transport and accommodation for him and others away on official business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32327/09]
Lucinda Creighton
Ceist:38 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the measures that have been put in place to control and limit expenditure on flights, hotel stays and similar expenses incurred by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32317/09]
Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Martin Cullen) I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 38 together.
My Department has a travel policy in place which incorporates all the requirements as set out in the various Department of Finance regulations and guidelines on Travelling and Subsistence. This policy is reviewed and updated as required in line with changes issued by the Department of Finance and is implemented by officials of the Department.
Sports Funding.
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:37 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the Gaelic players grant scheme; if the issue has been resolved to the satisfaction of all concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32337/09]
As I have previously indicated to the House, the drastically changed economic circumstances means that the taxpayer cannot continue to fund the entire cost of schemes such as the grants for Gaelic players.
I met representatives of the GPA on 29 June last with a view to agreeing a sustainable new scheme that would recognise the outstanding contribution of Gaelic players to our indigenous sports.
We had a robust exchange of views in an honest and open atmosphere. I explained to the GPA the difficulties facing my Department in the current economic climate. They fully understood and accepted those difficulties. I explained my view that the scheme as originally constituted was no longer viable. However, I outlined that I was anxious to address the main concern of the players, which is recognition of the contribution that they make to the culture and traditions of this country. In that context I wanted to put in place a scheme that is sustainable and provides that recognition.
The proposal that I put to the GPA would have provided for funding of over €1 million, which would benefit 600 Gaelic players. The proposal mirrors the high performance funding in 16 other sports whereby athletes must meet strict performance criteria in order to qualify for funding. The Irish Sports Council has provided just over €2m in 2009 for our top athletes in 16 other sports under its Carding Scheme.
This new funding proposal was rejected by the GPA at the meeting.
Question No. 38 answered with Question No. 36.
Sports Capital Programme.
David Stanton
Ceist:39 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the amount of funding allocated under the sports capital programme each year for the past six years; if he will provide a breakdown of the amount allocated to each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32321/09]
The Sports Capital Programme, which is part-funded from the proceeds of the National Lottery and administered by my Department, is the primary vehicle for Government support for the provision of sports facilities and equipment in this country.
This information sought by the Deputy is available on my Department's website www.dast.gov.ie as are details of the individual grantees in each county.
|
County |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
Carlow |
440,000 |
632,000 |
446,000 |
777,500 |
763,750 |
366,500 |
|
Cavan |
580,000 |
1,075,000 |
785,000 |
1,315,000 |
1,628,500 |
576,000 |
|
Clare |
1,125,000 |
1,727,000 |
1,356,000 |
1,940,000 |
2,160,000 |
1,562,000 |
|
Cork |
5,545,400 |
6,524,000 |
8,374,000 |
9,719,500 |
9,972,300 |
4,485,000 |
|
Donegal |
1,177,500 |
1,802,000 |
1,572,000 |
2,977,500 |
3,216,100 |
1,926,000 |
|
Dublin |
14,605,500 |
14,691,000 |
15,897,652 |
23,699,037 |
19,500,750 |
13,840,865 |
|
Galway |
2,558,000 |
3,435,014 |
6,260,000 |
4,108,500 |
4,470,000 |
1,722,500 |
|
Kerry |
3,748,000 |
4,476,000 |
3,603,000 |
4,087,500 |
3,541,400 |
1,223,000 |
|
Kildare |
3,166,000 |
3,357,000 |
1,750,000 |
1,821,500 |
1,948,500 |
1,336,500 |
|
Kilkenny |
942,500 |
850,000 |
1,384,000 |
1,891,000 |
2,185,500 |
780,000 |
|
Laois |
450,000 |
786,000 |
771,000 |
1,283,000 |
1,561,200 |
799,000 |
|
Leitrim |
454,800 |
479,000 |
660,000 |
953,000 |
691,000 |
260,000 |
|
Limerick |
2,485,500 |
1,925,000 |
3,392,000 |
5,429,000 |
6,501,000 |
4,683,000 |
|
Longford |
576,000 |
745,000 |
703,000 |
726,000 |
1,061,000 |
397,000 |
|
Louth |
1,342,100 |
1,644,000 |
1,377,000 |
2,844,000 |
2,043,500 |
1,433,000 |
|
Mayo |
1,574,600 |
1,594,000 |
1,422,000 |
2,390,000 |
2,525,500 |
1,380,500 |
|
Meath |
2,560,000 |
2,260,000 |
1,576,000 |
2,670,000 |
2,218,500 |
1,938,000 |
|
Monaghan |
485,000 |
996,000 |
944,000 |
2,544,500 |
1,010,500 |
933,635 |
|
Offaly |
1,004,000 |
1,157,000 |
1,260,000 |
2,954,000 |
2,048,000 |
1,265,000 |
|
Roscommon |
777,600 |
1,027,000 |
880,000 |
1,148,000 |
1,395,000 |
409,000 |
|
Sligo |
963,000 |
1,453,000 |
2,020,000 |
1,306,000 |
1,479,000 |
555,000 |
|
Tipperary |
1,657,000 |
2,398,000 |
2,177,000 |
3,631,000 |
4,119,000 |
3,281,000 |
|
Waterford |
2,210,000 |
2,080,000 |
1,925,000 |
1,787,000 |
2,830,500 |
1,544,000 |
|
Westmeath |
707,000 |
1,083,000 |
1,905,000 |
1,447,000 |
1,894,000 |
1,317,000 |
|
Wexford |
1,221,000 |
1,887,000 |
2,267,000 |
2,412,500 |
2,607,500 |
1,133,500 |
|
Wicklow |
1,003,000 |
1,700,000 |
1,527,000 |
2,323,960 |
1,628,000 |
1,103,000 |
|
Total |
53,358,500 |
61,783,014 |
66,233,652 |
88,185,997 |
85,000,000 |
50,250,000 |
Ministerial Travel.
Joe Costello
Ceist:40 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the average number of times he travelled to his Department offices in County Kerry each month since he assumed office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32338/09]
I have been to the Department's decentralised headquarters on a total of 3 occasions. Video conference facilities are used on a regular basis for discussion with my officials there for both Departmental business and when meeting with industry delegations and delegations led by Oireachtas members. It has not been possible to travel to Killarney during Dáil sitting days.
Sports Capital Programme.
Jack Wall
Ceist:41 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress on the review of the sports capital programme; when the review will be completed; if he is accepting submissions for the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32336/09]
Since 1998, through the Sports Capital Programme, the Government has invested over €725 million in over 7,400 separate sporting projects. This investment has transformed the Irish sporting landscape with improved facilities in virtually every village, town and city. The facilities funded range from basic sports facilities and new equipment for the smallest clubs, to regional integrated multi-sport centres and national centres of sporting excellence.
This investment is evidence of the importance that this Government places on sport. Sports facilities that are well-planned, built and managed have the ability to act as focal points for a community and allow more people to get involved in healthy activities. Participation in sport is important for many reasons. For individuals, participation has health benefits, builds confidence and gives people a sense of their worth. For society as a whole, sport can reduce anti-social behaviour while sporting success has the ability to lift the spirits of whole counties and even the whole country.
Work on the National Sports Facilities Strategy, which will provide an improved policy platform for any future rounds of the Programme, is at an advanced stage of preparation in my Department. It is my intention to publish the strategy once it has been completed and considered by the Government.
Following a request by the Department of Arts Sport & Tourism for input into the National Sports Facilities Strategy from interested parties, 55 written submissions were received. These submissions varied a great deal in their length, level of representation and perspective.
The largest number of submissions (29) were from public sector groups such as VEC's, Local Sports Partnerships and City and County Councils who put forward their view points regarding the strategy. The second largest number (12) came from National Governing Bodies of Sport. A number came from individuals (9) who either had a stake in the outcome of the strategy or had an interest in a particular aspect of sport in Ireland and sports clubs (5) also made submissions which related to the sport participated by the club.
Question No. 42 answered with Question No. 9.
Work Permits.
Denis Naughten
Ceist:43 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of a work permit application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32854/09]
The Employment Permits Section informs me that a work permit has now issued in this case.
Tax Code.
Richard Bruton
Ceist:44 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the basic principles that will be used in deciding the tax base for the proposed 80% tax on windfall gain from rezoning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32773/09]
The proposed 80% windfall tax to which the Deputy refers is being considered as part of the NAMA legislation and it will be discussed at Committee Stage of the Bill. The analysis of the Commission on Taxation will help inform my consideration of the measure.
However, it is not customary for the Minister of Finance to comment on the possible details of tax changes prior to publication of the legislation.
Departmental Expenditure.
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:45 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Finance the sources of the principal appropriations in aid that recur on an annual basis and which are used to offset current expenditure in each Department; his estimated amount of same in respect of 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32781/09]
Appropriations-in-aid are Departmental receipts which may be retained by a Department or Office to offset expenses instead of being paid into the Exchequer Account of the Central Fund. For the purposes of presentation of the overall public finances, expenditure by the Social Insurance Fund and the National Training Fund are treated in a similar fashion to appropriations-in-aid in that they are deducted from overall gross expenditure.
The type and nature of appropriations-in-aid vary across Departments, and include the health levy, the pension-related deduction on remuneration, pension contributions by public sector employees and receipts from the EU (e.g. from the European Social Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development etc).
Further details are set out in the 2009Revised Estimates Volume, published in April 2009. The estimated amount of appropriations-in-aid, and fund expenditure, for 2009 were also published in the Revised Estimates Volume. Total appropriations-in-aid and fund expenditure, i.e. the difference between gross total and net total Voted expenditure, is estimated to be €16,503 million for 2009.
The table below shows a percentage breakdown of total appropriations-in-aid for 2009.
|
2009 |
|
|
% |
|
|
SIF related expenditure |
61.5 |
|
NTF related expenditure |
2.3 |
|
Health Levy |
11.5 |
|
Pension-Related Deduction* |
5.2 |
|
EU Receipts (received as appropriations-in-aid |
2.4 |
|
Other Appropriations-in-Aid |
17.2 |
|
Total |
100.0 |
*€80 million of the Pension-related deduction impacts on Gross Expenditure through the Local Government Fund.
Tax Yield.
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:46 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Finance his estimate and forecast on a no policy change basis of the total amount of health levies that will be collected for each year in the period 2008 to 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32783/09]
Health Levy estimated yield on a no-policy-change basis is set out in the following table:
|
Year |
€m |
|
2008 |
1,327 |
|
2009 |
1,892 |
|
2010 |
2,489 |
|
2011 |
2,506 |
|
2012 |
2,602 |
|
2013 |
2,737 |
The 2009 and 2010 estimates reflect the doubling of the Health Levy rates in the 2009 Supplementary Budget and these and subsequent years' estimates are based on projected economic activity at that time.
Tax Code.
Paul Nicholas Gogarty
Ceist:47 Deputy Paul Gogarty asked the Minister for Finance his views on removing the high level of VAT from motorcycle safety equipment and other safety equipment, in view of the fact that this encourages the purchase of cheaper, lower quality equipment from abroad and, or discourages the usage of non-obligatory safety equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32791/09]
The VAT rating of goods and services is subject to the requirements of EU VAT law with which Irish VAT law must comply. Under the VAT Directive, Member States may retain the zero rates on goods and services which were in place on 1 January 1991, but cannot extend the zero rate to new goods and services. As safety equipment, including motorcycle safety equipment, was not subject to the zero rate on 1 January 1991 it is not possible to apply the zero rate to the supply of such products. In addition, Member States may only apply the reduced VAT rate to those goods and services which are listed under Annex III of the VAT Directive. As Annex III does not include the supply of safety products in general, the only rate that can apply to such products is the standard VAT rate which in Ireland is 21.5%.
As the Deputy may be aware, Annex III specifically provides that the reduced VAT rate can apply to the supply of children's car seats and in that context, the VAT rate applicable to child car seats was changed from the standard VAT rate to the reduced VAT rate of 13.5% from 1 May 2007.
Flood Relief.
Michael Ring
Ceist:48 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Finance the funding which will be made available to a local authority following an incident (details supplied) in County Donegal in view of the impact on the arterial drainage. [32802/09]
Office of Public Works staff met with Donegal County Council officials in early summer to discuss how OPW might assist in relation to mitigating future flood risk in Gweedore. It was agreed that the Council would prepare and submit a detailed report of their requirements in this regard. The OPW has not received the report from the Council to date.
The OPW recently wrote to all Local Authorities inviting applications for funding for minor mitigation works and studies to address localised flood problems, subject to specific economic and environmental criteria. It would be open to Donegal County Council to submit an application in relation to the problem in Gweedore. If an application is submitted, it will be considered, having regard to total applications received from Local Authorities and the overall resources available.
Funding of repairs to infrastructure damaged by flooding in Gweedore would be a matter for the Department of Transport or the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
Departmental Expenditure.
Richard Bruton
Ceist:49 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost of the Irish stand at the EXPO 2010 in Shanghai, China, including a full breakdown of costs; the expected return; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32805/09]
EXPO 2010 will take place in Shanghai, China, from 1 May to 31 October, 2010. Under the direction of the nominated Commissioner General for the Irish exhibition, the Office of Public Works was requested to design and manage the construction of the Ireland pavilion. OPW is also overseeing the procurement and installation of the exhibit within the pavilion based on an outline provided by the Commissioner General.
The contract for the construction of the pavilion has been placed recently with a local Chinese firm. The estimated construction cost, including related fees and charges is €4.2m. As the contract arrangements for other elements of Ireland's participation and supplied services relating thereto have not yet been settled, it would be prejudicial to indicate anticipated costs at this time. Assessment of the benefits accruing from participation at EXPO 2010 does not come within the remit of the Office of Public Works, but it has been the policy of successive Governments that Ireland should be represented at such events, and not be conspicuous among developed countries by its absence, accepting that a presence there serves to boost trade interests and has a diplomatic and cultural function as well. The Government's Asia Strategy is an important element in our plans for export-led recovery.
Tax Reliefs.
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:50 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the cost to the Exchequer from commercial property tax exemptions in 2006, 2007 and 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32811/09]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the relevant information available relates to the cost to the Exchequer of tax relief in respect of a range of property-based incentives derived from personal income tax returns filed by non-PAYE taxpayers and corporation tax returns filed by companies for 2006 and 2007. The information on estimated costs is set out on an itemised basis in the following table:
|
Scheme |
Tax Cost 2006 |
Tax Cost 2007 |
|
€m |
€m |
|
|
Urban Renewal |
140.5 |
109.3 |
|
Town Renewal |
38.7 |
34.6 |
|
Seaside Resorts |
6.4 |
8.0 |
|
Rural Renewal |
38.0 |
48.5 |
|
Multi-storey car parks |
16.6 |
9.6 |
|
Living over the shop |
2.7 |
3.0 |
|
Enterprise Areas |
3.0 |
2.8 |
|
Park and Ride |
2.8 |
1.4 |
|
Holiday Cottages |
9.5 |
12.4 |
|
Hotels |
106.6 |
118.0 |
|
Nursing Homes |
14.7 |
18.3 |
|
Housing for the Elderly/Infirm |
1.4 |
2.6 |
|
Hostels |
0.82 |
0.72 |
|
Guest houses |
0.08 |
0.02 |
|
Convalescent Homes |
1.7 |
0.5 |
|
Qualifying (Private) Hospitals |
10.6 |
12.0 |
|
Qualifying sports injury clinics |
0.0 |
1.8 |
|
Buildings used for Childcare Purposes |
6.0 |
9.8 |
|
Psychiatric Hospitals* |
0.1 |
|
|
Student Accommodation |
64.3 |
42.0 |
|
Total |
464.4 |
435.4 |
*New addition for 2007.
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they are not in a position to provide data for 2008 as the tax returns for that year are not yet due. The estimated relief claimed has assumed tax foregone at the 42% rate for 2006 and 41% for 2007 in the case of individuals and 12.5% in the case of companies for both years. The figures shown correspond to the maximum Exchequer cost in terms of income tax and corporation tax.
It should be noted that any corresponding data returned by PAYE taxpayers in the income tax return form 12 is not captured in the Revenue computer system. However, any PAYE taxpayer with non-PAYE income greater than €3,174 is required to complete an income tax return form 11.
Internet Betting.
Pat Rabbitte
Ceist:51 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that of the ten largest Internet bookmakers marketing into Ireland only two employ Internet staff here and the other eight are located in low tax regimes; the steps he will take to safeguard the 860 smart economy jobs in this sector as well as the corporation tax, VAT and employee taxes that derive from these Internet operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32834/09]
I am aware of the portability of internet betting operations. It is the prerogative of a company to locate its businesses where it sees fit. In that regard, it should be noted that Ireland's tax regime, for example corporation tax, compares favourably to other countries. In addition, Ireland has a highly skilled and flexible workforce.
The Deputy may wish to note, that my Department is working closely with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform which has initiated a review in order to provide the Government with options for a new and comprehensive legal and organisational framework governing gambling architecture in the State. The review, amongst other things, will consider:
the recommendations contained in the Report Regulating Gaming in Ireland,
the existing law regulating gaming lotteries and other forms of gambling in the jurisdiction,
international developments, in particular the experience of the UK's Gambling Commission,
developments in relation to remote gambling (e.g. via the internet and mobile phones).
As the Deputy may be aware, due to pressure on the betting sector, I decided to defer the introduction of the increase in the betting duty provided for in Finance (No. 2) Act 2008 pending a review. Accordingly, the Finance Act 2009 contains a provision for continuing the existing betting duty rate of 1% unless and until an order is made bringing the 2% rate into effect, or alternative betting taxation arrangements are enacted. This decision is based on the premise that the betting sector will engage in constructive discussions about putting in place a fair and workable tax base for the sector. Such discussions will, inter alia, touch on issues such as online/phone betting, which is largely untaxed, and look at proposals that could potentially bring this area into the tax net, if possible, while also protecting Irish employment in the sector.
Insurance Industry.
Ciaran Lynch
Ceist:52 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Finance the regulations which govern the home insurance industry; the regulations which govern increases in annual premia; theagencies that control the setting of charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32835/09]
The insurance industry as a whole is governed by the Insurance Acts 1909 to 2000 and regulations relating to insurance and reinsurance made under section 3 of the European Communities Act 1972. This body of legislation deals with a range of issues including authorisation provisions, prudential supervision and governance matters. The day to day responsibility for ensuring that the insurance industry complies with this legislation is a matter for the Financial Regulator which is statutorily independent in the exercise of its regulatory functions.
Consumer issues are covered by the Financial Regulator's Consumer Protection Code which amongst other things sets out a series of general principles about how financial services firms (including all insurance companies) should interact with their customers. The Code, however, does not prohibit or restrict an insurance company which conducts home insurance business from increasing its annual premium rates, as this is a commercial decision for the company in question and is generally determined by such issues as higher claims volumes and payments.
The best advice which the Financial Regulator offers to consumers on insurance premiums and other related financial services matters is to shop around in order to get the best price. In this regard, its website provides a very helpful cost comparison table which compares the costs and benefits of home insurance products from the main providers in the Irish market.
Departmental Expenditure.
Niall Collins
Ceist:53 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Finance the final outturn cost of holding the first Lisbon referendum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32860/09]
The total direct cost on the Central Fund for holding the first Lisbon Referendum was €17.193m. In addition, I am informed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs that the Referendum Commission costs were €5.0m and that his Department also spent €0.738m. on an information campaign for the referendum.
Departmental Staff.
Frank Feighan
Ceist:54 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Finance if the Commission for Public Service Appointments would give special concession to a former employee who resigned their permanent post nine years ago and now find themselves in difficult circumstances (details supplied); if the commission would re-employ this person, even on a temporary basis, based on hardship grounds; and if there is any assistance available from the commission for former employees in such circumstances. [32862/09]
Recruitment to the Civil Service is governed by the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act, 2004. The Act provides for the establishment of the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA) and of the Public Appointments Service (PAS). The CPSA establishes the standards of probity, merit, equity and fairness and other principles as they consider appropriate, to be followed, in the selection and recruitment of persons for positions in the Civil Service and other public bodies. The PAS provides a centralised recruitment, assessment and selection body for the Civil Service. The Act also provides for the issuing of recruitment licences to the Secretary General of a Department of State and to other designated officers in the Public Service, enabling a Department or Office to hold a recruitment competition.
Open recruitment competitions are, from time to time, advertised on the Public Appointments Service website at www.publicjobs.ie or as deemed appropriate in the national press. Application forms, together with all relevant details, are available when competitions are announced. Potential candidates can register their interest in a position on the Publicjobs.ie website and will then be automatically notified by e-mail when a competition is announced.
There is no provision in the legislation to allow the reinstatement to the Civil Service of a former civil servant other than by way of competition. Such persons wishing to rejoin the Civil Service must compete in the normal recruitment process i.e. they must compete successfully at an open recruitment competition run by the Public Appointments Service or such other competitions that may be run, under licence, by individual Civil Service Departments or Offices.
Flood Relief.
Olwyn Enright
Ceist:55 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Finance his plans to address the hardship caused by the flooding of the Shannon area; his further plans to carry out work on the Shannon river to alleviate this flooding in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32923/09]
The Office of Public Works has no responsibility in relation to the maintenance of the River Shannon. It would be open to the Commissioners, under the provisions of the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945 and the Arterial Drainage (Amendment) Act, 1995 to prepare a scheme to prevent or substantially reduce flooding in the Shannon area. However, the possibility of undertaking an Arterial Drainage Scheme for the Shannon system has been considered on a number of occasions in the past, and has been ruled out on both economic and environmental grounds. Notwithstanding this, I personally have paid two visits to the Shannon Callows area in the company of the President of the IFA, local representatives, farmers and residents to view and discuss the problems in September 2008 and July 2009.
On foot of these visits, the OPW has undertaken minor works to address flood problems in specific locations in the Shannon area. Vegetation removal was carried out in the Callows area to reduce Summer flooding, and the OPW is currently engaged with the National Parks and Wildlife Service regarding the feasibility, from an environmental perspective, of undertaking further works there. The OPW is also, at present, carrying out vegetation and silt removal to reduce the risk of flooding at Clonlara.
The OPW has recently written to Local Authorities inviting applications for funding for minor works or studies aimed at reducing localised flood risk at locations in their administrative areas, subject to specific economic and environmental criteria. It would be open to Local Authorities in the Shannon area to apply for funding for works that meet these criteria.
In 2010, the OPW will commence a Flood Risk Assessment and Management study of the Shannon, in partnership with the Local Authorities involved, in line with the requirements of the EU Floods Directive. This study will produce a framework for dealing with flood risk in the area in a proactive and comprehensive way. It will identify and prioritise mitigating measures, including works, where appropriate, for locations where flood risk is considered significant.
Departmental Properties.
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:56 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Finance the facts in relation to the leasing of premises (details supplied) in County Louth; the lease details; the length of time this building has been unoccupied; the expenditure on caretaking, repairs, insurances and so on since that date; the reason the lease has not been surrendered to date in 2009; if discussions were held with the owners; the date of same; the owner of the property; the works which must be carried out by the State before the property is returned to the owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32927/09]
The Commissioners of Public Works have leased this property since 1975 on a 35 year lease. The Commissioners are responsible for internal maintenance, and the Landlord responsible for external maintenance. The last Revenue staff left in 2004, moving to new Government offices in Alphonsus Road and Coes Road. In 2005/2006, the building was used to accommodate the Central Statistics Office for the 2006 Census.
The Commissioners have attempted several times (at least 6) over the past number of years to terminate the lease with the Landlord's agents (Savills), but the Landlords were not prepared to engage with them, as they were in the process of selling the building. Danske Bank is the current Landlord; the former Landlord was National Irish Bank.
The building has been used continually since then, and continues to be used as a storage facility for Government Departments, primarily the Revenue Commissioners and is currently substantially full. The building will be surrendered in April 2010 on expiry of the Lease. On surrender of the Lease, issues relating to the condition of the building will be assessed.
Health Services.
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:57 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children the checks which are in place to ensure that the children of parents claiming back to school clothing and footwear allowance are all of school going age and are attending school. [32903/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
James Bannon
Ceist:58 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the winter allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath has been withdrawn; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32775/09]
As this is a service issue it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
James Bannon
Ceist:59 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Longford who has been grant aided for the past four years in respect of their third level studies and is now studying for a masters degree has been denied funding by the Health Service Executive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32776/09]
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Health Service Staff.
Olwyn Enright
Ceist:60 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Health and Children if the position of chairperson of the regional planning committees on domestic violence are being advertised; if so, the reason these positions are being advertised in view of the current employment embargo within the Health Service Executive; the anticipated costs involved in same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32796/09]
As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Health Service Allowances.
David Stanton
Ceist:61 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the comments on pages 81, 82 and 83 of the Ombudsman Annual Report 2008 which state that there was a lack of consistency in deciding on domiciliary care allowance claims particularly in relation to granting the allowance to children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; the number of domiciliary care allowance applications received in respect of children with ADHD in 2006, 2007 and 2008; the number of persons who were approved at initial application stage and the number refused; the number for which the decision was overturned at appeal stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32808/09]
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Hospital Staff.
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:62 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 212 of 28 April 2009, when this Deputy will receive a reply from the Health Service Executive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32829/09]
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:63 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will respond to Parliamentary Question No. 248 of 30 June 2009. [32830/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 62 and 63 together.
I understand from the Health Service Executive that a reply to PQ number 212, of the 28th of April, issued to the Deputy on the 30th of April, and a reply to PQ number 248, of the 30th of June, issued to the Deputy on the 6th of August. I am also informed that a further letter of clarification issued to the Deputy on the 4th of September.
Vaccination Programme.
Jan O'Sullivan
Ceist:64 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the options which are available to persons who wish to give their children separate vaccinations for measles, mumps and rubella rather than the 3 in 1; if the single mumps vaccine can be acquired here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32838/09]
The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), which was established by the Royal College of Physicians. The advice of the Committee is informed by sound public health advice and international best practice. The National Immunisation Advisory Committee recommends that children living in Ireland receive two doses of MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine with the first dose at 12 months and the second dose at 4 to 5 years of age.
The MMR vaccine is the only vaccine available in Ireland for measles, mumps and rubella. There are no single antigen rubella, measles or mumps vaccines marketed for use in Ireland at this time. It may be possible to source them from other countries but they would be unlicensed for use here and hence the Irish Medicines Board cannot stand over their quality, safety or efficacy. The IMB's function is to licence medicinal products (including vaccines) where an application has been made. In these circumstances, it would be permissible for a doctor or an individual to import a vaccine even though it may not be licensed by the Irish Medicines Board. However I should stress that as an unlicensed medicine, the safety, quality or efficacy of the product in question will not have been established in accordance with established Irish and European norms. Under European Community law, any such unauthorised medicinal products may only be supplied "in response to a bona fide unsolicited order, formulated in accordance with the specifications of an authorised health — care professional and for use by an individual patient under his direct personal responsibility."
Health Services.
Ned O'Keeffe
Ceist:65 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding an application in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Cork. [32855/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Hospital Waiting Lists.
Frank Feighan
Ceist:66 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will intervene in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Longford who was informed that they have to wait nine months for surgery. [32863/09]
As this is a service issue it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Medical Cards.
Frank Feighan
Ceist:67 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Health and Children if special concessions are available for persons with Crohn’s disease; if persons are entitled to a general medical service card in view of the fact that this disease needs constant monitoring and general practitioner assessment. [32867/09]
At present, medical cards are granted primarily on the basis of means and individual circumstances. Under the Health Act, 2004, determination of eligibility for medical cards is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive. The HSE has discretion, in cases of exceptional need, to provide assistance to individuals where undue hardship would otherwise be caused.
Medical cards are made available to persons and their dependants who would otherwise experience undue hardship in meeting the cost of general practitioner services. In 2005, the GP visit card was introduced as a graduated benefit so that people on lower incomes who do not qualify for a medical card would not be deterred on cost grounds from visiting their GP. In June 2006, I agreed with the HSE to raise the assessment guidelines for GP visit cards and these are now 50% higher than those in respect of medical cards. For medical card and GP visit card applications, the HSE now considers an applicant's income after tax and PRSI are deducted, rather than total income. Allowances are also made for expenses on childcare, rent and mortgage costs and the cost of travel to work. I have no plans to provide for the granting of medical cards to any particular group as a whole.
Hospital Waiting Lists.
Noel Ahern
Ceist:68 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 who has been waiting 16 months for an operation. [32916/09]
As this is a service issue it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Child Care Services.
Olwyn Enright
Ceist:69 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Health and Children the way the required qualifications under the early childhood care and education scheme was arrived at; her plans to recognise any further qualifications as eligible under the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32921/09]
As the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the implementation of the new Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme which provides a free Pre-School year to eligible children and which will be introduced in January 2010.
In setting out the terms and conditions for childcare practitioners to be included in the new Early Childhood Care and Education scheme, a number of factors were taken into account including the Child Care regulations, the Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education and the educational profile of the workforce.
The core obligations of the adult practitioner in a childcare setting are set out in Part II, Section 5 of the Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No 2) Regulations 2006 and state that,
"A person carrying on a pre-school service shall ensure that each child's learning, development and well-being is facilitated within the daily life of the service through the provision of the appropriate opportunities, experiences, activities, interaction, materials and equipment, having regard to the age and stage of development of the child and the child's cultural context".
While these Regulations do not include a formal requirement for adults to be qualified, the guidelines clearly recognise the relationship between qualifications of staff and meeting the requirements of the Regulations:
"It is acknowledged that many childcare staff have a qualification or are working towards achieving one. In centre-based services, it is considered that the person in charge should aim to have at least fifty percent of childcare staff with a qualification appropriate to the care and development of children. The qualified staff should rotate between age groupings".
The de facto standard that exists for childcare practitioners is set out in Síolta, the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education. Síolta is built upon a sound research basis and was developed following extensive consultation with the sector. Standard 11 governs professional practice and states that
‘ Practising in a professional manner requires that individuals have skills, knowledge, values and attitudes appropriate to their role and responsibility within the setting. In addition, it requires regular reflection upon practice and engagement in supported, ongoing professional development’
Within this standard, the recommended minimum educational requirement for adults to be included for the purposes of calculating ratios of adults to children is Level 5 on the National Qualifications Framework (NFQ) in Early Childhood Care and Education, or equivalent. This standard was subjected to extensive consultation as part of a National Consultation Programme, and achieved full endorsement from a wide range of stakeholders in the ECCE sector, including parents, practitioners and providers.
Finally, as part of background research carried out to inform the development of a Workforce Development Plan for the ECCE sector, the educational profile of the existing ECCE workforce was mapped. This analysis draws on data from the National Skills database and from a survey of the workforce. It shows a major shift towards higher levels in tandem with the State's investment in the sector through, first the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006 and its successor programme the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010. In 1999, more than 40% of the workforce had less than secondary level education. By 2006, this had fallen to 23%, which is better than the national average. At the same time, there has been an increase in the number of people in the sector with third level qualifications which rose from 20% to 29% over the same period.
Given that 61% of staff in the ECCE sector had achieved a childcare related qualification at Level 5 or higher on the NFQ, the educational requirements for a pre-school leader to be included in the ECCE scheme was set at a minimum Level 5 or equivalent on the NFQ. This qualifies for the standard rate of capitation, with the higher rate of capitation set where pre-school leaders have acquired level 7 (Bachelors Degree) or above qualifications.
In introducing the ECCE scheme, I have taken a flexible approach for the initial period of implementation. During the first 2 full years of the scheme, the qualification requirement will be considered to be met where a person can demonstrate that he or she has achieved a certification for a recognised award in ECCE that includes significant content covering the core knowledge areas, i.e., child development, early learning, health and welfare and has at least 2 years experience of working in a position of responsibility with children in the 0-6 age range. I have taken this approach in recognition of the diversity of the workforce and the educational profile of the existing workforce.
Olwyn Enright
Ceist:70 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of child care providers who have signed up for the early childhood care and education scheme; the number who have been approved; the number who have preliminary approval; when full approval will be granted; the number of places to date in 2009 that are going to be available on the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32922/09]
As the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the implementation of the new scheme to provide a free Pre-School year of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) which was announced in April by the Minister of Finance.
As part of the preparations for introducing the new scheme, my Office wrote to approximately 4,830 private and voluntary pre-school service providers in the State earlier this year, inviting them to participate in the initiative. To date, applications have been received from 4,182 services. I am informed that some 200 of the services written out to will not be applying to enter the scheme from January 2010 because they are already satisfactorily funded by other schemes funded by the Government, such as the Community Childcare Subvention Scheme (CCSS).
To date, over 4,150 ECCE applicants have received provisional approval, and these services are in the process of submitting supporting documents concerning tax compliance and staff qualifications that will enable them to go to contract. Contracts will issue shortly to these providers and it is expected the contracting process will be completed for most applicants before the end of October 2009. From the applications received, participating pre-school services anticipate making over 95,000 ECCE places available to qualified children from January 2010.
Public Transport.
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:71 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport his plans to fund the provision of 90 extra buses for Dublin Bus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32815/09]
Transport 21 and the current National Development Plan include Exchequer funding for both new and replacement buses for the development of bus services in the Greater Dublin and provincial areas. No Exchequer funding has been provided in 2009 for additional or replacement buses. As I have indicated previously, arising from the Deloitte Report, my priority for the enhancement of bus services is to ensure the efficient and effective utilisation of the existing bus fleet. In this context, Dublin Bus is engaged in implementing an action plan arising from the Deloitte Report. In the light of progress made on the implementation of the Deloitte Report I will review the requirement for Exchequer funding for buses in the period to 2012.
The Deloitte report concluded that the Dublin Bus fleet is adequate to meet current demand, and that fleet expansion was not an immediate issue. Instead the Deloitte report concluded that the focus should be on optimising the existing network and extracting full value from the existing fleet.
Drug Seizures.
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:72 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the dates, quantities and location of drug seizures in Coolock, Dublin 5 and 17 between 1 January and 20 September 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32813/09]
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that to search each individual case for seizure date, location and quantity is not possible without a disproportionate expenditure of Garda time and resources.
Therefore the following table reflects drugs cases received at the Forensic Science Laboratory from Coolock Garda Station between January 1 and September 20 2009. I am advised that the table does not include cases on hand or those where seized items have not yet been submitted to the laboratory and may not include drugs submitted by specialist units such as the Garda National Drugs Unit or National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
|
Drug Type |
Quantity |
Estimated Street Value |
|
€ |
||
|
Cannabis** |
7.992 grams |
95.90 |
|
Cannabis Resin |
1459.763 grams |
8,758.60 |
|
Heroin |
337.164 grams |
50,574.60 |
|
Cocaine |
336.125 grams |
23,528.75 |
|
BZP |
4 tablets |
20.00 |
|
Total Value |
82,977.85 |
Statistics provided for 2009 are operational, provisional and liable to change.
Road Traffic Offences.
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:73 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons arrested for driving while disqualified in the years 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009; the steps gardaí are taking to tackle this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32814/09]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that driving while disqualified from doing so is deemed to be the same as driving without a licence, and consequently both are an offence under section 38 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961 as amended by section 12 of the Road Traffic Act, 2006.
I am further informed that it is not possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy, without a disproportionate expenditure of Garda time and resources.
Enforcement in this area forms part of day to day policing activities. This may occur as part of specific road traffic law enforcement activity or of general policing activity. Details of drivers disqualified are available to all members of An Garda Síochána on the Garda Pulse system.
Citizenship Applications.
Jack Wall
Ceist:74 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32846/09]
Officials in the Citizenship Division 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.
The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, as amended, provides that the Minister may, in his absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation provided certain statutory conditions are fulfilled. The conditions are that the applicant must be of full age, be of good character, have had a period of one year's continuous residency in the State immediately before the date of application and, during the eight years immediately preceding that period, have had a total residence in the State amounting to four years, intend in good faith to continue to reside in the State after naturalisation, have made, either before a Judge of the District Court in open court or in such a manner as the Minister for special reasons allows, a declaration in the prescribed manner, of fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State.
In the context of naturalisation, certain periods of residence in the State are excluded. These include, periods of residence in respect of which an applicant does not have permission to remain in the State, periods granted for the purposes of study, periods granted for the purposes of seeking recognition as a refugee within the meaning of the Refugee Act, 1996. It is open to the person concerned to lodge an application for a certificate of naturalisation with the Citizenship Division of my Department if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory requirements.
Crime Prevention.
Finian McGrath
Ceist:75 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will support the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [32858/09]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the area referred to is in the Raheny Garda Sub-District. Local Garda management has no record of any complaints received in respect of specific incidents at the location referred to by the Deputy. However, any such complaints received will be investigated and acted upon.
Current policing policy in the area is predicated on the prevention of crime, including crimes of violence against persons and crimes against property, the prevention of public order offences and the maintenance of an environment conducive to the improvement of the quality of life of the residents. This strategy is, and will continue to be, central to the delivery of the policing service in this area.
Garda Strength.
Emmet Stagg
Ceist:76 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí in each garda division here on 1 September 2009; and the population covered by each garda division per Census 2006. [32892/09]
I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that, as of 31 August 2009, the personnel strength of each Garda Division was as listed in the following table. The population of each County as per the 2006 Census drawn from the website of the Central Statistics Office (www.cso.ie) is also shown in a separate table.
The Commissioner is in the process of re-aligning Garda Divisional boundaries to make them coterminous with local authority boundaries. As a consequence of this work, the geographical areas of Garda Divisions, districts and sub-district stations were also realigned while at the same time ensuring that service delivery to the community was maintained to the highest possible standard.
Any comparison between the 2006 Census population figures and the 2009 figures for the personnel strength of Garda Divisions would not be an accurate reflection of the current situation.
|
Division |
Strength |
Division |
Strength |
Division |
Strength |
|
DMR South Central |
774 |
Tipperary |
390 |
Sligo / Leitrim |
313 |
|
DMR North Central |
708 |
Cork City |
685 |
Clare |
336 |
|
DMR North |
816 |
Cork North |
304 |
Mayo |
320 |
|
DMR East |
474 |
Cork West |
309 |
Galway |
595 |
|
DMR South |
636 |
Kerry |
342 |
Roscommon /Longford |
298 |
|
DMR West |
772 |
Limerick |
643 |
Westmeath |
251 |
|
Kilkenny/Carlow |
300 |
Donegal |
476 |
Meath |
310 |
|
Wicklow |
351 |
Cavan / Monaghan |
418 |
Kildare |
321 |
|
Laois / Offaly |
332 |
Louth |
313 |
Waterford |
299 |
|
Wexford |
286 |
|
County |
Population as per 2006 Census |
County |
Population as per 2006 Census |
County |
Population as per 2006 Census |
|
Dublin |
1,187,176 |
Carlow |
50,349 |
Galway |
231,670 |
|
Kildare |
186,335 |
Wexford |
131,749 |
Leitrim |
28,950 |
|
Kilkenny |
87,558 |
Wicklow |
126,194 |
Mayo |
123,839 |
|
Laois |
67,059 |
Clare |
110,950 |
Roscommon |
58,768 |
|
Longford |
34,391 |
Cork |
481,295 |
Sligo |
60,894 |
|
Louth |
111,267 |
Kerry |
139,835 |
Cavan |
64,003 |
|
Meath |
162,831 |
Limerick |
184,055 |
Donegal |
147,264 |
|
Offaly |
70,868 |
Tipperary |
149,244 |
Monaghan |
55,997 |
|
Westmeath |
79,346 |
Waterford |
107,961 |
Asylum Applications.
Jan O'Sullivan
Ceist:77 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his policy regarding persons who have been refused asylum but who have no State to which they can be deported; the options which are available for a person (details supplied) in County Clare who has been refused entry to the only country for which he has travel documents and who does not wish to be considered for leave to remain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32896/09]
The person concerned arrived in the State in September 2008 and applied for asylum. In accordance with Section 9 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended), the person concerned was entitled to remain in the State until his application for asylum was decided. His asylum application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner. The person concerned was advised of his entitlement to appeal this determination to the Refugee Appeals Tribunal but he chose not to do so.
In accordance with current policy and the law as it relates to persons refused asylum, the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 15 June 2009, that, under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), 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 leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. In addition, he was notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006).
The person concerned has indicated a willingness to return to a country of origin with which he has had a past association and indeed holds a travel document issued by the authorities of that country and claims to have direct family members living in that country. Against this background, officials from my Department have endeavoured, through the International Organisation for Migration, to facilitate the return of the person concerned to that country but to date these efforts have been unsuccessful. Continued efforts are being made in this regard and it is hoped that a favourable conclusion can be achieved. Should these efforts fail, the position in the State of the person concerned will then fall to be considered by reference to the other options notified to him in my Department's letter dated 15 June, 2009.
Human Rights Issues.
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:78 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the measures being taken at EU and UN level to assist the release of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32816/09]
As Deputies will be aware, and as stated previously in this House on many occasions, most recently on 23 September, the Government is deeply concerned about the situation in Burma and plays an active role in international efforts to bring about positive change there.
As I indicated in a statement on 11 August, the arrest, trial and conviction of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on the most spurious of charges further compounds the already bleak situation in that country, where repression against members of the opposition, the ethnic groups and the population at large continues unabated and human rights and fundamental freedoms are systematically denied.
The sentence provides clear evidence of the regime's intent to silence Aung San Suu Kyi in the lead-up to the elections it plans to hold next year. These elections will be held on the basis of a discredited new Constitution, which excludes her from running in them. The treatment meted out to Aung San Suu Kyi suggests that the Burmese regime is determined to continue its illegal rule without regard for the will of the Burmese people, in blatant disregard of the demands of the international community, including the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, and in breach of international law and its own laws.
I very much welcome the efforts being made in this regard by the Secretary-General and his team, and by ASEAN leaders, to secure an early release for Aung San Suu Kyi. Despite the fact that the military junta released a small number of political prisoners on Friday last as part of an amnesty it has announced for over 7,000 prisoners, Aung San Suu Kyi was not among them. At present, more than 2,200 political prisoners are serving sentences in deplorable conditions, many on questionable charges. The elections which the Burmese authorities are planning to hold next year will have no credibility or legitimacy if they are not opened up fully to the opposition and to all ethnic groups.
Efforts by the international community — including those by the UN Secretary-General himself during his visit to Burma in July and by his Good Offices Mission — to secure the release of political prisoners (including Aung San Suu Kyi) and the launching of a process of national dialogue and reconciliation have, unfortunately, been rejected by the regime to date. In the circumstances, Ireland favours strong international action against the Burmese regime, including sanctions and an arms embargo. We have been among those who urged a strengthening of EU sanctions in response to the developments anticipated following the recent arrest and trial of Aung San Suu Kyi. After her conviction, I am happy to note, the EU took immediate action to extend its sanctions against the regime and the judges involved in her trial and sentencing. These additional restrictive measures came into force on 13 August.
Ireland will continue to work in the EU and UN frameworks, and with the countries of the region, to do all possible to advance our objectives in relation to Burma and to press for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners there. The current session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva from 14 September to 2 October offers another such opportunity.
Question No. 79 answered with Question No. 27.
Arts Plan.
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:80 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made on the new Abbey Theatre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32812/09]
The development of a new national theatre project is a complex undertaking. There are a myriad of technical, procedural and legal factors to address in making progress on it. The successful delivery of this project is a priority for the Department and Government in the Programme for Government and the National Development Plan.
Arising from the original Government decision, an interagency steering committee was set up to oversee the project. The committee is chaired by my Department and comprises representatives of the National Development Finance Agency, the Office of Public Works, the Abbey Theatre and Dublin Docklands Development Authority.
A project team, chaired by the Office of Public Works and comprising representatives of the same agencies as the steering group, has also been established and has met on over 21 occasions. Under its aegis the executive, technical and procedural arrangements for advancing the PPP process, are moving ahead. A considerable amount of technical, legal and financial due diligence is being undertaken to ensure that this project is progressed efficiently and so that the best solution possible is put in place.
A significant amount of detailed work has also been completed in relation to the accommodation brief for the Theatre itself and that has now been agreed.
Local Authority Staff.
Olwyn Enright
Ceist:81 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his policy in ensuring that there is an arts officer in every local authority area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32919/09]
The development of the arts by local authorities is covered by the Local Government Act, 2001 and therefore comes under the remit of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Meanwhile, I am informed that there is an Arts Officer in each local authority area.
Departmental Expenditure.
Michael Ring
Ceist:82 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the funding which was provided by his Department following an incident in an area (details supplied) in County Donegal; if he has reviewed the costs of the estimates involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32798/09]
Michael Ring
Ceist:83 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the discussions of a meeting (details supplied) that took place on 26 June 2009; and the outcome of that meeting. [32799/09]
Michael Ring
Ceist:84 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if funding or additional allocations have been made to an area (details supplied) in County Donegal; if so, the amount; when same was paid; if persons were helped; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32800/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 to 84, inclusive, together.
Following the incident to which the Deputy refers, I visited the area in question and met with senior officials of Donegal County Council in order to discuss the extent of the damage that had been caused. The Council estimated that the total cost of repairs to local and regional roads would amount to approximately €640,000.
Arising from this, my Department undertook to consider the feasibility of providing grant-aid in respect of damaged roads that would meet the eligibility criteria of Scéim na mBóithre Áise sa Ghaeltacht (Gaeltacht Accommodation Roads Scheme). In excess of 100 applications were subsequently received by my Department.
The present position is that Donegal County Council has been asked to provide estimated costs in respect of a number of the applications received that fulfil the criteria applicable to the scheme. The provision of grant-aid in respect of those cases will be considered further on receipt of the estimated costs, having regard to my Department's overall budgetary position.
Community Development.
Terence Flanagan
Ceist:85 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will deal with a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32803/09]
I understand that funding of €121,000 has been allocated in 2009 to the organisation in question to refurbish, equip and operate a family respite support facility by the Mid Western Regional Drugs Task Force. This funding will be subject to the usual accountability and control processes of the public bodies concerned. Given the recent nature of the decision to fund, no reports are available at this time.
I understand that Partnership Trá Lí provided €2,000 in 2008 for prisoner training. Pobal, which manages the LDSIP on behalf of my Department, exercises a financial control and audit function on partnership companies as part of its role. No issues have been brought to my Department's attention by Pobal regarding this element of the funding.
Michael Ring
Ceist:86 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if full funding will be continued for both the wages of the staff and the overheads involved in projects (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32885/09]
The majority of CSP contracts are due to expire at the end of 2009. Renewal of these contracts will fall for consideration in the context of the annual Estimates process for my Department for 2010. Contracts will be renewed subject to the availability of sufficient funding and the satisfactory performance of projects in contract. In general, the Community Services Programme does not provide full funding to meet the costs of wages and overheads incurred by the supported projects. The onus is on individual projects to generate sufficient funds from non-public sources to pay the going pay rates to their employees, to cover overheads and to provide for future development needs.
The contribution from the Programme is pitched in such a way that projects will not become over-reliant on public funds for their long-term sustainability. It is considered good practice for projects to build solid non-public sources of income to supplement the financial support provided by my Department. My Department will be contacting projects in the coming months in this regard.
Social Insurance.
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:87 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her estimate and forecast, on a no policy change basis, of the total amount of PRSI that will be collected for each year in the period 2008 to 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32782/09]
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:88 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her estimate and forecast on a no policy change basis, of the likely surplus or deficit in the social insurance fund for each year in the period 2008 to 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32784/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 88 together.
The position in relation to 2008 and 2009 is set out in the following table:
|
2008 Provisional Outturn |
2009 Estimated Outturn |
|
|
€m |
€m |
|
|
Income from PRSI |
7,983.5 |
7,400.0 |
|
Surplus (+) in the Social Insurance Fund |
+3,377.0 |
+1,000.0 |
The data for 2008 is provisional, pending completion of the audit of the Social Insurance Fund by the Comptroller and Auditor General. The estimated outturn for 2009 is based on provisional PRSI income and expenditure data to end July 2009 and predictions of likely trends to the end of year.
Estimates as to the likely level of PRSI income in the period 2010 to 2013 and the likely impact on the Social Insurance Fund of both income and expenditure demands during this period is dependent on macro-economic data which will be updated by the Department of Finance in the run-up to the forthcoming Budget.
Social Welfare Appeals.
David Stanton
Ceist:89 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will reassess a rent allowance application for a person (details supplied) in County Cork in view of the fact that they are living independently of the other person who is sharing the property; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32797/09]
The Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme (SWA), which includes rent supplement, is administered on behalf of the department by the community welfare service of the Health Service Executive. Payment of the basic rate of SWA is designed to provide immediate and flexible assistance for those in need who do not qualify for payment under other State schemes and have no other income available to them.
The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation, whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from another source.
The Executive has advised that an application for a payment of SWA from the person concerned was refused as the total household income was deemed to be in excess of the relevant SWA rate for a couple. Under social welfare legislation, the means of a couple i.e. a husband and wife or a couple cohabiting as husband and wife, are aggregated and regarded as the means of the applicant. The applicant was deemed to be one of a couple for the purposes of her SWA claim. Her application for rent supplement was refused as her partner is in full time employment. Under the relevant legislative provisions, rent supplement is not payable where the claimant or their spouse/partner is engaged in full-time employment, defined as more than 29 hours a week.
Both decisions were appealed to a Health Service Executive Appeals Officer but the appeal was unsuccessful. The Executive has further advised that the person concerned has appealed to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. No decision has been made on this appeal to date.
Social Welfare Code.
David Stanton
Ceist:90 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her views on the comments contained in pages 81, 82 and 83 of the Ombudsman annual report of 2008 regarding the lack of consistency in relation to making decisions on the domiciliary care allowance scheme; if she has specific guidelines in relation to the granting of the domiciliary care allowance to children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32809/09]
David Stanton
Ceist:91 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if there are disabilities or medical conditions which automatically entitle children to domiciliary care allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32810/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 91 together.
The transfer of the Domiciliary Care Allowance scheme from the Health Service Executive to this Department arises from a Government decision on 28th February 2006 to reallocate certain functions between Departments and Agencies as part of the health service reform programme. The Department of Social and Family Affairs took over responsibility for new claims in April 2009, with existing recipients of the allowance transferring to the Department from the HSE in September 2009.
The Domiciliary Care Allowance scheme is now a statutory scheme with the primary legislation provided for in the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2008. As there were no agreed national medical guidelines for the scheme while it was administered in the Health Service Executive, an Expert Medical Group was established in advance of the transfer of functions. This Group was chaired by the Department's Chief Medical Advisor and comprised of senior medical personnel from the HSE as well as eminent professionals in the areas of physical disabilities which affect children, and child psychiatry/psychology. This report was reviewed independently by external medical experts. The primary purpose of this Group was to agree a set of consistent and objective guidelines for use in determining eligibility of children for Domiciliary Care Allowance.
To qualify for Domiciliary Care Allowance a child must have a disability so severe that he or she requires care and attention and / or supervision substantially in excess of another child of the same age. The level of care and attention required to allow the child to deal with the activities of daily living must essentially require the fulltime attention of the applicant. The child must be likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 months.
The Group considered that the most appropriate way for the Department to conduct assessments for medical eligibility was by assessing evidence submitted by the claimant rather than by way of individual examination by the Department's Medical Assessors as they are not involved in advice or treatment of the child. The process in operation in the department involves the submission of a detailed statement by the parent or guardian of the child; a detailed statement by the child's General practitioner; and any other relevant evidence from qualified experts who have examined the child.
The evidence is assessed by designated departmental Medical Assessors who have received special training in Human Disability Evaluation. Eligibility for Domiciliary Care Allowance is not based primarily on the disability or medical condition, but on the resulting lack of function of body or mind necessitating the degree of extra care and attention required. Each application is assessed on an individual basis taking account of the evidence submitted. As such it is not possible to predict in any general sense whether children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or any other disability would qualify for a payment under the scheme.
In the case of an application which is refused on medical grounds, the applicant may submit additional information and/or ask for the case to be reviewed by a different Medical Assessor specially designated for this task. Where a person is not satisfied with the decision of a Deciding Officer they may appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. The cases mentioned in the Ombudsman report relate to a period when the scheme was administered by the HSE, and it would not therefore, be appropriate for me to comment. I am satisfied that the current arrangements in place for the processing of Domiciliary Care Allowance cases provide for a high level of consistency in the decision process.
Social Welfare Benefits.
Jack Wall
Ceist:92 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding a scheme for digital hearing aids for older people; when the scheme will be announced; the qualifying conditions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32844/09]
The Medical Appliance Benefit Scheme offers assistance towards the cost of the purchase of a hearing aid, either analogue or digital. The Department pays up to half the cost of a hearing aid or repairs to a hearing aid, subject to a fixed maximum contribution of €760 per aid.
To qualify for Medical Appliance Benefit you must satisfy certain PRSI conditions. A person aged 66 or over must have a total of 260 paid PRSI contributions since first starting work and either (i) 39 paid or credited PRSI contributions in either of the two relevant tax years on which the claim is based or (ii) 26 paid PRSI contributions in both the relevant tax year and the tax year immediately before the relevant tax year.
However if you satisfy the PRSI conditions when you reach age 60, you will remain qualified for life. The supply of hearing aids under the medical card scheme is administered by the Department of Health and Children.
Social Welfare Appeals.
Dan Neville
Ceist:93 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will make a statement on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [32849/09]
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the person concerned furnished her grounds of appeal and in accordance with statutory requirements the relevant Departmental papers and comments of the Department were sought. These are now to hand and will be referred to an Appeals Officer for early consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
Social Welfare Benefits.
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:94 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the treatment of refugees under the new regulations for rent supplement as set out in correspondence and a case example (details supplied); if the handling of this case by the community welfare officer represents an accurate interpretation of the intention of circular 10/09 and the new regulations; if the outcome is the intended effect of the new regulations; if she will review the impact of the circular and regulations on refugees and people with permission to reside here. [32859/09]
The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation, whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from another source.
The 2009 Supplementary Budget introduced new arrangements for access to rent supplement. In order to qualify for a rent supplement, from the 27 July 2009, a person must have been residing in private rented accommodation or accommodation for homeless persons (or any combination of these) for a period of 183 days within the preceding 12 months of the date of claim for rent supplement. A person may also qualify for rent supplement where an assessment of housing need has been carried out within the 12 months preceding the date of claim and the person is deemed by the relevant local authority to be eligible for and in need of social housing support.
In all other cases, a person who wishes to apply for rent supplement is referred, in the first instance, for an assessment of eligibility for social housing support by the local housing authority in the area where claim to rent supplement is made (and the person intends to reside). Only when the person has been assessed as being eligible for and in need of social housing support, does the person become eligible for consideration for rent supplement.
The aim of this restriction on entitlement to rent supplement and the new working arrangements is to ensure that the housing authorities remain the principal agents both for assessing housing needs and for meeting the long-term housing needs of persons. Detailed guidelines on the operation of the restrictions on access to rent supplement were issued simultaneously by the Department of Social and Family Affairs and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to community welfare staff and local housing authority staff respectively. The Guidelines which issued to local housing authorities advised that they should deal with those presenting with an immediate housing need, by way of social housing accommodation or, where none is available, emergency accommodation until such time as a housing needs assessment is completed. Where emergency accommodation is deemed not appropriate by the relevant local authority, the authority can prioritise the housing needs assessment for this household so that rent support can be provided sooner, where applicable. These procedures, where operated by local housing authorities, should ensure that those with an urgent housing need, including those with refugee status, have their needs met in the most appropriate manner. The Department intends to meet shortly with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Reception and Integration Agency to discuss and verify operational and accommodation arrangements for those leaving the Direct Provision system where refugee status has been granted.
Inquiries are being made in relation to the specific query raised regarding a person granted refugee status and who was recently refused rent supplement on the basis that he had not been assessed by a housing authority as having a housing need. The Deputy will be advised of the outcome of these inquiries.
Social Welfare Appeals.
Dan Neville
Ceist:95 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an oral hearing will be given to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick for their jobseeker’s allowance claim appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32881/09]
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the appeal from the person concerned has been referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing. The person concerned will be informed when arrangements have been made. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
P. J. Sheehan
Ceist:96 Deputy P. J. Sheehan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive a decision on their appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32897/09]
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in accordance with statutory requirements, the relevant Departmental papers and comments of the Department have been sought in this case. On receipt of its response the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer for early consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
Social Welfare Benefits.
Frank Feighan
Ceist:97 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a means test will be carried out in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon. [32900/09]
The person concerned submitted an application for Jobseeker's Allowance on 24 August 2009. Payment of Jobseeker's Allowance is subject to a means test and in this regard the file has been referred to a Social Welfare Inspector. An appointment has been scheduled with the Inspector for 24 September 2009.
Social Welfare Appeals.
Tom Hayes
Ceist:98 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary who has appealed a decision on their claim for jobseeker’s allowance. [32901/09]
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the appeal from the person concerned has been referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing. The person concerned will be informed when arrangements have been made. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
John McGuinness
Ceist:99 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a one-parent family benefit will be approved for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if a decision will be expedited. [32909/09]
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an oral hearing of this case took place on 30 June 2009. The person concerned undertook to forward further documentation in support of her appeal and has since been in touch to say that she is having some difficulty in obtaining some of this documentation. When this documentation is received a decision will be made by the Appeals Officer and the Chief Appeals Officer will write to the Deputy regarding the outcome of the appeal. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
Local Authority Housing.
Terence Flanagan
Ceist:100 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will deal with a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32804/09]
Since 2003, my Department has recouped almost €7 million under Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988 to local authorities in respect of 90% of revenue expenditure incurred by the organisation concerned on homeless accommodation and related services. A further 10% has been provided by the local authorities concerned.
It is a matter for each local authority, in the first instance, to ensure that monitoring and evaluation arrangements are in place to ensure accountability for expenditure of funds on homeless services, both in terms of value for money and effectiveness of the services provided. In addition, the question of a detailed review of particular homeless services is a matter for individual local authorities and in this regard I understand that the evaluation of homeless services carried out in Dublin in 2008 encompassed services provided by the organisation concerned.
My Department's involvement with the voluntary and co-operative housing schemes relates primarily to the provision of funds for individual projects. Under the Capital Assistance Scheme, my Department has approved capital funding of over €16.4 million for the provision of 102 units of accommodation by the organisation concerned. Funding of €27,550 was also provided towards the provision of associated communal facilities.
The administration of the schemes, including the detailed appraisal of new applications, the management of planning and procurement stages of projects and the certification that projects comply with the terms and conditions of the funding schemes, is the responsibility of the relevant local authority.
Funding of €38,000 in the period 2003 to 2005 was also provided to the body towards its administrative and general expenses.
Local Authority Charges.
Phil Hogan
Ceist:101 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the new property tax applies to someone whose first home is in England and who owns a derelict uninhabitable house here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32822/09]
The Government decided to broaden the revenue base of local authorities by introducing a charge on all non-principal private residences. The charge is set at €200 per dwelling and payment must be made by 30 September 2009.
The most important exemption under the Local Government (Charges) Act 2009 is for principal private residences. If a person owns a property other than one that they reside in as their principal private residence, then it may be liable for the charge.
The definition of a ‘dwelling' in the legislation is relevant when considering whether a residential property that is not used or lived in is liable to the charge. My Department has issued guidelines to local authorities which include suggested indicators as to what makes a house suitable for use as a dwelling for the purposes of determining any liability to the charge. These indicators include the structure of the house, whether or not it has a roof, whether or not it is so affected by dampness as to render it unsuitable for habitation, and whether or not it has sanitary facilities including a water closet and water supply. A property that is not suitable for use as a dwelling should not be regarded as a dwelling within the meaning of the Act.
Departmental Correspondence.
Ciaran Lynch
Ceist:102 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when Part 3 of the Building Control Act 2007 will be implemented; the provision which is being made to take account of the concerns raised by practising architects who are not members of the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland in regard to the registration process; if consideration has been given to the grandfather rule, as implemented in other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32833/09]
I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 968, 998, 1024 and 1057 of 16 September 2009. The position is unchanged.
Local Authority Charges.
Martin Ferris
Ceist:103 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the total paid to date on the non-principal private residence charge on a county basis to date in 2009. [32836/09]
The amount collected by 23 September is set out in the following table.
|
€ |
|
|
Dublin City Council |
1,764,600 |
|
Cork County Council |
716,200 |
|
Fingal County Council |
645,400 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council |
568,600 |
|
Wexford County Council |
552,000 |
|
Kerry County Council |
436,000 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
417,800 |
|
Donegal County Council |
377,000 |
|
Galway City Council |
327,200 |
|
Clare County Council |
321,400 |
|
Kildare County Council |
313,200 |
|
Mayo County Council |
311,800 |
|
Galway County Council |
301,600 |
|
Cork City Council |
277,000 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
244,200 |
|
Limerick County Council |
199,000 |
|
Meath County Council |
196,400 |
|
Louth County Council |
167,600 |
|
Sligo County Council |
157,000 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
148,800 |
|
Limerick City Council |
148,400 |
|
Waterford City Council |
133,600 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
132,400 |
|
Waterford County Council |
126,000 |
|
South Tipperary County Council |
110,000 |
|
Carlow County Council |
106,000 |
|
Cavan County Council |
97,000 |
|
North Tipperary County Council |
96,600 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
93,000 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
86,800 |
|
Laois County Council |
84,800 |
|
Offaly County Council |
79,000 |
|
Longford County Council |
64,000 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
50,000 |
|
Total |
9,850,400 |
Social and Affordable Housing.
Ciaran Lynch
Ceist:104 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the local authorities that have participated in the leasing initiative to date in 2009; the amount of the €20 million provision which has been allocated to each of the participating local authorities; the number of properties acquired by each local authority under the scheme to date in 2009; the average cost and duration of the lease; the way market value was established; if leasing costs of at least 20% below market value were secured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32847/09]
Proposals under the Social Housing leasing Initiative have been received from Dublin and Waterford City Councils, Templemore Town Council, Sligo Borough Council, and Cork, Donegal, Fingal, Leitrim, Limerick, Laois, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Sligo, South Dublin, Wexford and Westmeath County Councils.
In addition to the above, a number of other authorities have been in contact with my Department and are preparing proposals.
The funding of the leasing initiative is in addition to the allocations notified to each housing authority under the Social Housing Investment Programme. The initiative is project driven and no specific amount has been set aside for particular authorities.
The leasing initiative encompasses a number of different strands. Dwellings are acquired by housing authorities on long term leases from private owners, approved housing bodies provide units to the State under long-term availability agreements and vacant and unsold affordable units are leased to approved housing bodies for periods of up to 10 years. Accommodation provided is made available to persons on local authority waiting lists, persons with long term housing needs in receipt of rent supplement (i.e. households eligible under the Rental Accommodation Scheme) or persons who are homeless.
Funding approval for 842 properties has been given by my Department. Details of the housing authority areas concerned are set out in the following table:
|
Housing authority area |
No of approved units for leasing |
|
Cork County Council |
28 |
|
Dublin City Council |
365 |
|
Fingal County Council |
97 |
|
Laois County Council |
56 |
|
Louth County Council |
20 |
|
Meath County Council |
74 |
|
Offaly County Council |
21 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
103 |
|
Templemore Town Council |
20 |
|
Wexford County Council |
18 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
40 |
|
Total |
842 |
Provisional approval has also issued for a further 367 units, where work on aspects of the proposals is still ongoing.
As part of the application for funding, housing authorities and where applicable, approved housing bodies must submit documentary evidence verifying rent levels for properties in the area and setting out the basis for the discount. The level of discount in a particular case may vary depending on the level of risk transferred and who assumes responsibility for issues such as service charges in apartment complexes. In standard leasing arrangements, in respect of the proposals examined by the Department, an average discount of 20% below market rent is being achieved.
Excluding the unsold affordable units, the duration of the lease/availability agreements in the proposals received has been between 10 and 20 years.
Animal Breeding Regulations.
Deirdre Clune
Ceist:105 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the way hunt clubs affiliated to an association (details supplied) will be affected by new legislation on puppy farming; the impact such legislation will have on such clubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32907/09]
Deirdre Clune
Ceist:106 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if hunt clubs affiliated to an association (details supplied) will be exempt from legislation on puppy farming; if he gave the association such an exemption; if such an exemption was given in writing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32908/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 106 together.
Work is underway in drafting an amendment to the Control of Dogs Acts and I hope to publish my proposals in the near future. The draft Bill proposes to give statutory effect to the recommendations of the Working Group that had been established to review the management of dog breeding establishments. The Working Group recommended that a dog breeding establishment be defined as ‘a premises containing more than 5 female dogs, aged over 4 months, with breeding potential'.
The draft Bill proposes that dog breeding establishments be required to register with the relevant local authority, that they pay a registration fee and that they meet a minimum set of veterinary, welfare and other standards, together with some associated requirements. The Hunting Association of Ireland (HAI) made submissions to me in relation to its activities and the nature of these. As a consequence and in recognition of the "not for profit" basis of these, and as communicated to the HAI directly and in response to representations on its behalf, I decided to provide exemption in the legislation in respect of the payment of registration fees. The HAI has made clear that its premises operate comprehensive and appropriate standards. Accordingly, I do not consider that this aspect of the legislative regime should cause difficulty.
Local Authority Housing.
John McGuinness
Ceist:107 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the timeframe for completion of phase two of a project (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if the contractor has been selected; the cost of the works; the number and type of housing units involved; when work will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32911/09]
My Department gave approval to Kilkenny Borough Council on 13 November, 2008 to seek tenders for the final phase of works on this project. The approval to go to tender was for 31 new build units, one community centre and remedial works to 16 dwellings. The works are to be carried out as a single contract. The tender report was received from Kilkenny Borough Council on 21 September, 2009 and is currently being considered by my Department.
Local Authority Charges.
Noel Ahern
Ceist:108 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the situation in relation to the €200 second home tax; if it applies when a couple have two homes and they are used by family with no rent paid such as the second home used by children attending college and an informal separation of parents, one living in each, both houses jointly owned, separation not legally processed. [32912/09]
Noel Ahern
Ceist:109 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the situation in relation to the recently introduced €200 second home tax; if it applies to a house owned by parents, who already have a main residence, but occupied by an adult son or daughter; if a house which is 50% owned by parents and adult son but occupied by son, if full or half home tax is due; if it applies when a property is jointly owned by parents and adult son or daughter as demanded by financial institutions as parents guaranteed mortgage. [32913/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 109 together.
The Government decided to broaden the revenue base of local authorities by introducing a charge on all non-principal private residences. The charge is set at €200 per dwelling and payment must be made by 30 September 2009. The most important exemption under the Local Government (Charges) Act 2009 is for principal private residences. If a person owns a property other than one that they reside in as their principal private residence, then it may be liable for the charge.
The question refers to cases where parents own a second property and their children occupy that second property as their sole or main residence. Firstly there is a specific exemption in the Act in the case of a property owned by an individual which is less than two kilometres from the principal private residence of that individual, and is occupied rent free by a relative. Secondly, if an individual has a formal exclusive right of residence (free of rent) in a dwelling, then the owner does not meet the definition of ‘owner' in the Act, and the property is exempt until such time as the right of residence is extinguished, or the beneficiary of the right dies. If neither of these exemptions apply, the property would, in the example given, be liable to the charge.
Where a residential property is owned by two or more co-owners and any one or more of the co-owners resides in the property as their principal place of residence, then no liability arises in respect of the residential property concerned for any of its co-owners. The co-owner definition includes parents and children, unrelated co-owners and separated couples where a decree of divorce or a decree of judicial separation has been granted in respect of a marriage, as well as separated couples where no judicial recognition has been accorded to the separation agreement.
Urban Renewal Schemes.
Noel Ahern
Ceist:110 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when approval was last given to a company (details supplied) to accept a tender and commence construction; the approval given in 2009; the number of projects from the company or Dublin City Council relating to Ballymun currently awaiting approval from his Department; if same will be summarised and listed; and the tenders which will be approved before the end of 2009 for financing from the 2010 allocation. [32914/09]
The Government has demonstrated strong commitment to the Ballymun Regeneration Project with almost €630 million in Exchequer funding devoted to the project to date. While an allocation of €45 million was provided in 2009, it has been possible, on foot of significant progress made on the project and the reallocation of funds between programmes, to recoup some €52.4 million in respect of Ballymun Regeneration Limited (BRL) projects to date this year. It is anticipated that further recoupment will be made over the remainder of the year. In addition, further specific funding of €20 million was identified in Dublin City Council's main Social Housing allocation for 2009 to fund detenanting associated with its various regeneration projects including Ballymun.
The Ballymun Regeneration Project was the subject of a special examination by the Comptroller and Auditor General. The Report prepared on foot of this examination, which was published in March 2008, recommended inter alia that consideration should be given to achieving a workable consensus on how risks to the long-term sustainability of the regeneration can best be managed. BRL has completed a strategic review of the project and, in July 2009, submitted a revised Housing Strategy setting out a programme of prioritisation of developments considered essential to the completion of the Ballymun project from 2009 to 2014. The Strategy identifies 24 public housing projects comprising 1431 units completed to date, 5 projects comprising 312 units currently under construction and a further 10 projects comprising 347 units proposed for phased construction from 2009 to 2014. The latter 10 projects are located across the Balcurris, Coultry, Shangan and Sillogue areas of Ballymun. My Department is currently finalising its consideration of the Housing Strategy, and associated documentation, with a view to ensuring the successful delivery of the programme in terms of prioritisation, scheduling and maximising value for money from proposed public and private investments in its component parts.
The documents now with my Department include proposals for advancing a number of individual BRL housing projects and these are the subject of further technical review by my Department in consultation with BRL. The current stage and future phasing of the individual priority projects are due to be reviewed as part of the upcoming October Housing Action Plan meetings between my Department, Dublin City Council and BRL. 2010 funding allocations for BRL projects will be determined in light of inter alia the forthcoming meetings and the 2010 estimates process.
Legislative Programme.
Noel Ahern
Ceist:111 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the commencement order will be signed in respect of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008 passed by the House of the Oireachtas during 2009 in relation to local authorities having approval for a tenant purchase scheme for flats and duplex units and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32915/09]
A commencement order will be made shortly under the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, the first in a series bringing the various provisions of the Act into operation. However, a considerable amount of preparatory work is required before the necessary commencement order can be made for Part 4, relating to tenant purchase of apartments. This work, which is being undertaken by my Department as a priority, includes consultations with housing authorities and drafting the necessary regulations and detailed guidance relating to, among other things, the three complex transfers of property ownership involved and the establishment of management companies.
Local Authority Staff.
Olwyn Enright
Ceist:112 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a derogation will be given to a local authority (details supplied) regarding the position of an arts officer which is on a contract basis and is subject for renewal at the end of 2009; if he will sanction such renewal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32920/09]
The Department of Finance has recently approved a delegated sanction to my Department for implementation of the general moratorium on the filling of public sector posts in the Local Authority Sector, on the condition that the overall staffing levels in the local authority sector are to be reduced significantly by the end of 2010 in adherence with the Government's Policy on Staffing and Numbers in the Public Sector.
Under the new arrangements which issued to the local authority sector on 20 August 2009, Local Authorities are expected, where vacancies arise, to consider options for reorganisation and reallocation of work to meet requirements. Any exceptions to this principle, which will arise in very limited circumstances, require sanction from my Department.
My Department is considering the staffing request made by Offaly County Council and has requested further information from the Council before making a decision.
Telecommunications Services.
Frank Feighan
Ceist:113 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding broadband in an area (details supplied) in County Leitrim. [32899/09]
My Department has entered into a contract with "3", a Hutchison Whampoa company, for the delivery of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS). 3 is required to provide services to all residences and businesses that are within the NBS area and who seek a service.
The Company is progressing its network roll-out and services have gone live in a number of areas. The entire NBS area must be covered by September 2010.
The general area of Newtown Gore, County Leitrim will be covered by the NBS. The current service status of each NBS area is available at www.three.ie/nbs.
Electricity Generation.
Olwyn Enright
Ceist:114 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the Commission for Energy Regulation will make a decision on which prospective power plants will be allowed to proceed; the criteria that it is considering in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32924/09]
The Commission for Energy Regulation is statutorily responsible for the licensing and authorisation of power generation plants under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999. I have no direct function in the matter.
EU Directives.
Denis Naughten
Ceist:115 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the funding provided by the European Commission to Ireland to deal with the impact of special areas of conservation and special protection area designations and under the habitats directive; the way this funding has been allocated and drawn down to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32879/09]
In the first instance, the designation and protection of Natura 2000 sites is the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
EU funding is provided under the rural development Regulations for the overall improvement of the environment and the countryside. This funding is channelled through the Rural Development Programmes of each Member State and may cover a number of environmental measures, including payments in respect of designated Natura 2000 sites. It must be co-funded by national funds at the rate of 45%. In Ireland compensatory payments in respect of these sites are incorporated in the Rural Environment Protection Scheme. Out of a total allocation of €1.1bn for agri-environmental measures over the lifetime of the rural development programme from 2007 to 2013, an indicative amount of €220 has been designated for Natura payments.
Actual spending depends on take up of this measure by farmers and close to €8m was spent on Natura measures in 2008 while it is estimated that a further €10m will be paid in respect of 2009 applications. It is anticipated that over the lifetime of the programme all EU funds will be drawn down.
Grant Payments.
Paul Connaughton
Ceist:116 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will receive their 2009 single farm payment in view of the fact that they were subjected to an aerial audit and the results of same have not been sent back to his Department; if he will expedite this process to ensure that they will receive payment on the same day as everybody else; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32851/09]
The Single Payment Scheme application for the person named was selected for eligibility inspection by Remote Sensing (satellite) in 2009. The inspection has been completed. Following the exclusion of ineligible area, an area over-claim has been found in respect of one of the land parcels declared by the applicant. A letter, along with a map of the land parcel in question, has issued to the person named. My Department will make arrangements for a ground inspection of this land parcel if so requested by the person named.
An advance payment of 70% of the Single Farm Payment will begin to issue on 16 October 2009. Arrangements are being made to include payment to the person concerned to be included in this advance payment.
Frank Feighan
Ceist:117 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a family income support scheme payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied). [32864/09]
I presume the Deputy is referring to an application for grant-aid by the person concerned under the Farm Improvement Scheme. Grant-aid was paid by my Department under that Scheme to the person concerned on 22 September 2009.
Agrifood Sector.
Arthur Morgan
Ceist:118 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of companies involved in the agrifood sector; the number of companies in the agrifood sector for each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32872/09]
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food publishes detailed data on the agri-food sector based on CSO Census of Industrial Production (CIP) data. These data are published in the Compendium of Agriculture Statistics on an annual basis. The Compendium is available under the Publications section of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's website at www.agriculture.gov.ie. The table gives details, in terms of the number of companies in the agri-food sector for the ten year period between 1997 and 2006, the most recent year for which data are available:
|
Sector/Year |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
|
Manufacture of Food Products, Beverages and Tobacco |
842 |
810 |
806 |
790 |
810 |
|
Sector/Year |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
|
Manufacture of Food Products, Beverages and Tobacco |
826 |
782 |
696 |
643 |
665* |
Source: CSO, Census of Industrial Production.
*Includes Manufacture of Food Products and Beverages only.
Arthur Morgan
Ceist:119 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of companies involved in food processing; the breakdown between large companies and smaller micro enterprises involved in food processing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32873/09]
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) publishes detailed data on the food-manufacturing sector in its Census of Industrial Production (CIP), which is an annual publication. The CIP is available under the Industry publications section of the CSO website at http://www.cso.ie/ The table gives details, in terms of the breakdown between larger and smaller companies involved in food processing for 2006, the most recent year for which data are available:
|
Nos. Employed |
Number of Local Units |
Persons Engaged |
|
Under 10 |
194 |
938 |
|
10-19 |
110 |
1,502 |
|
20-49 |
170 |
5,397 |
|
50-99 |
77 |
5,790 |
|
100-199 |
62 |
8,822 |
|
200-249 |
15 |
3,329 |
|
250+ |
37 |
16,188 |
|
Total |
665 |
41,966 |
Source: CSO, Census of Industrial Production 2006 (Local Units).
Arthur Morgan
Ceist:120 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of agrifood businesses that have been created over the past five years; the average size of new agrifood businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32874/09]
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food publishes detailed data on the agrifood sector based on CSO Census of Industrial Production (CIP) data. These data are published in the Compendium of Agriculture Statistics on an annual basis. The Compendium is available under the Publications section of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's website at www.agriculture.gov.ie .
The data in the CIP do not enumerate the number of businesses created in any given sector; rather they present the level in terms of the number of businesses in the sector. The following table gives details, in terms of the number of companies in the agrifood sector for the 5-year period between 2002 and 2006, the most recent year for which data are available:
|
Sector/Year |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
|
Manufacture of Food Products |
757 |
722 |
645 |
608 |
622 |
|
Manufacture of Food Products, Beverages and Tobacco |
826 |
782 |
696 |
643 |
665* |
Source: CSO, Census of Industrial Production.
*Includes Manufacture of Food Products and Beverages only.
Arthur Morgan
Ceist:121 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of jobs created in the agrifood sector in the past five years; the number of job losses in the agrifood sector in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32875/09]
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food publishes detailed data on employment in the agrifood sector based on two sources, the CSO Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) and the CSO Census of Industrial Production (CIP). These data are published in the Compendium of Agriculture Statistics on an annual basis. The Compendium is available under the Publications section of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's website at www.agriculture.gov.ie. Because of methodological differences these datasets will not be identical nor will either enumerate the number of jobs created or lost in any given sector, rather they present the level in terms of the numbers employed or number of people engaged in the sector. The table below gives details, in terms of these variables for the most recent 5-year periods available under the given surveys:
|
Sector/Year |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
|
Employment in Food, Beverages and Tobacco |
54,900 |
54,800 |
56,700 |
52,300 |
50,400 |
Source: CSO, Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS).
|
Sector/Year |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
|
Manufacture of Food Products, Beverages and Tobacco |
50,113 |
49,710 |
45,668 |
44,063 |
41,996* |
Source: CSO, Census of Industrial Production.
*Includes Manufacture of Food Products and Beverages only.
Arthur Morgan
Ceist:122 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of food production companies that are involved in organic production; the number of companies that are involved in organic production in each of the past five years; the number of organic companies as a percentage of total companies involved in the agrifood sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32876/09]
At present, there is a total of 213 companies involved in organic food production in this country. The number of companies involved in organic food production over the past 5 years is as follows:
|
Year |
Number |
|
2004 |
107 |
|
2005 |
112 |
|
2006 |
142 |
|
2007 |
200 |
|
2008 |
210 |
The figure of 213 companies involved in organic food production includes farm based food processing units and is therefore not comparable with Central Statistics Office data available in relation to companies involved in the agrifood sector.
Arthur Morgan
Ceist:123 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of agrifood companies as a percentage of total companies and businesses here; the number of export orientated agrifood companies as a percentage of export orientated companies here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32877/09]
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) publishes detailed data on the overall Industry sector, including the food-manufacturing sector in its Census of Industrial Production (CIP), which is an annual publication. The CIP is available under the Industry publications section of the CSO website at http://www.cso.ie/ The CIP indicates that in 2006 (most recent data available) a little over 14% of local units in the manufacturing industry sector were engaged in food and beverage production. The CIP does not include a definition or measurement for export orientated companies. The CIP does show that in 2006, the sector accounted for approximately half of exports (circa €3.7bn) by indigenous manufacturing industries (total circa €7.3Bn).
Milk Quota.
John McGuinness
Ceist:124 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a decision will be made regarding a milk quota application in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will expedite a response. [32910/09]
The person named submitted an application for additional milk quota to the Milk Quota Appeals Tribunal under the Hardship category in respect of the 2009/2010 quota year. The application was acknowledged on 10 July last.
The Tribunal is currently working through all of the Hardship applications. When a recommendation has been made in this case, a letter will issue to the person named and his Co-Operative informing them of the result.
Higher Education Grants.
James Bannon
Ceist:125 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Science if a person (details supplied) in County Longford will be entitled to a third level grant in view of the fact that he has been grant aided for the past four years in respect of his third level studies and is now studying for a masters degree, having been denied funding by the Health Service Executive, although this has been guaranteed due to his ongoing medical history. [32777/09]
My Department funds three maintenance grant schemes for third level students which are administered by the Local Authorities and the Vocational Education Committees. These are the Higher Education Grants Scheme, the Vocational Education committees' Scholarship Scheme, the Third Level Maintenance Grants Scheme for Trainees and the Maintenance Grants Scheme for Students attending Post Leaving Certificate Courses.
The Higher Education Grants Scheme is administered by the Local Authorities. The other three schemes are administered by the Vocational Education Committees. Under the terms of the maintenance grants schemes grant assistance is awarded to students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those which relate to age, residence, means, nationality and previous academic attainment.
As the decision on eligibility for a higher education grant is a matter for the relevant local authority or VEC to determine it will be necessary for the candidate referred to by the Deputy to contact Longford VEC directly to have his eligibility assessed.
James Bannon
Ceist:126 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding a third level grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford who is in the second year of his undergraduate course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32779/09]
On 21 September 2009 a reply issued to the candidate referred to by the Deputy in respect of his appeal.
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:127 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the lack of facilities for professional dance education here and the high tuition fees faced by Irish students wishing to pursue a qualification in dance abroad; the assistance, grants or bursaries available to Irish students in such circumstances who are forced to pursue their studies abroad; and if he will assist a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [32806/09]
Universities and Institutes of Technology are autonomous institutions and my Department does not have any function in their day to day operational affairs or in relation to decisions concerning course provision. However, I understand that the University of Limerick offers programmes in Dance at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. There are also a number of VECs which offer various PLC programmes in Performing Arts.
In relation to support available for students studying abroad, my Department's student maintenance grant schemes provide maintenance grants to undergraduate students pursuing approved third level courses in other E.U. Member States.
An approved undergraduate course in this context is defined as a full-time undergraduate course of not less than two years duration pursued in a university or third level institution, which is maintained or assisted by recurrent grants from public funds in another EU Member State, with the exception of the following:
(i) courses in Colleges of Further and Higher Education (other than courses which are at Higher National Diploma level or higher);
(ii) courses provided in a college which are offered in private commercial third level colleges in the State and which are validated by that College;
(iii) courses in colleges akin to private commercial colleges in Ireland.
Where a grant application is made in respect of a course being pursued in a third-level institution abroad, such as dance studies, it is a matter for the awarding body (Local Authority or VEC) to satisfy itself regarding the status of the institution and as to whether the course and institution meet the terms of the relevant scheme. In relation to tuition fees, there is provision for tax relief, at the standard rate in respect of approved courses at approved colleges of higher education including approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses in other E.U. Member States. Further details and conditions in relation to this relief are available from the Revenue Commissioners. I understand from my colleague, the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, that grants and bursaries for persons studying dance are allocated through the Arts Council and that details of the funding schemes are available on the Council's website: www.artscouncil.ie.
Schools Building Projects.
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:128 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science when a school (details supplied) in County Dublin will receive a final decision from his Department to proceed with the proposed construction of a new school, that this school submitted its sketch design and answered all relevant queries in June 2009 but has yet to receive a response more than four months later; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32819/09]
The project for the school referred to by the Deputy has been approved to progress towards tender and construction and is currently at an early stage of architectural planning. My Department has received additional information which it requested from the design team relating to the stage 3 submission (developed sketch design) for this project. This information has been considered and my Department will shortly issue detailed comments to the school and it's design team in relation to the stage submission.
Schools Recognition.
Tom Hayes
Ceist:129 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the position of Educate Together’s application to become a second level education patron. [32820/09]
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:139 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Science if a decision has been reached with regard to Educate Together patronage of post-primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32843/09]
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:144 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding Educate Together’s registration as a second level patron; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32868/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 129, 139 and 144 together.
My Department is currently considering a number of broad policy issues relating to the recognition process for second level schools. The application from Educate Together to be recognised as a patron body at second level will be fully examined within the context of legal, financial and other factors that I must consider.
School Evaluations.
Brian Hayes
Ceist:130 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of whole school evaluations and subject inspections carried out at primary and second level each year since the introduction of such inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32823/09]
In the 2004–2008 period, whole-school evaluations were conducted in 933 primary schools as follows:
|
Year |
|
|
2004 |
53 WSE |
|
2005 |
163 WSE |
|
2006 |
228 WSE |
|
2007 |
244 WSE |
|
2008 |
245 WSE |
In the 2004–2008 period, whole-school evaluations were conducted in 241 post-primary schools as follows:
|
Year |
|
|
2004 |
12 WSE |
|
2005 |
53 WSE |
|
2006 |
57 WSE |
|
2007 |
59 WSE |
|
2008 |
60 WSE |
In the 2004–2008 period, subject inspections (post-primary) were conducted as follows:
|
Year |
|
|
2004 |
431 subject inspections |
|
2005 |
676 subject inspections |
|
2006 |
730 subject inspections |
|
2007 |
758 subject inspections |
|
2008 |
668 subject inspections |
With regard to the current year, 131 WSEs at primary level, and 32 WSEs and 296 subject inspections at post-primary level were conducted in the first half of 2009.
Departmental Expenditure.
Brian Hayes
Ceist:131 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the level of expenditure which has been allocated by him to whole school evaluations and subject inspections at primary and second level each year since the introduction of such inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32824/09]
Whole-school evaluations (WSE) and subject inspections form just part of the Inspectorate's business plan in any given year. It should be noted that subject inspections are conducted in post-primary schools only. Inspectors are involved in a wide range of other work such as programme evaluations, the preparation of composite and thematic evaluation reports on aspects of educational provision in schools, inspection of primary teachers on probation and participation in appeal boards established under Section 29 of the Education Act. Inspectors also provide advice on an on-going basis to various sections within the Department on policy issues including teacher education, special education, and qualifications, curriculum and assessment policy.
As the Inspectorate is part of the Department of Education and Science, all costs associated with its work are paid from the administrative budget of the Department. Costs exclusively associated with whole-school evaluations and subject inspections are not recorded separately from the cost of the wide range of other evaluative and policy advisory work done by the Inspectorate outlined above.
The costs associated with the complete work programme of the Inspectorate division of my Department, for each year since the introduction of whole-school evaluations in 2004, are provided below.
The gross travel and subsistence expenses for the Inspectorate, paid in accordance with Civil Service rates in the years 2004 to 2008, were as follows:
|
Year |
€ |
|
2004 |
1,429,696.90 |
|
2005 |
1,378,130.38 |
|
2006 |
1,576,419.31 |
|
2007 |
1,693,653.27 |
|
2008 |
1,558,952.27 |
The gross salaries for the Inspectorate, paid in the years 2004 to 2008, were as follows:
|
Year |
€ |
|
2004 |
10,033,069.35 |
|
2005 |
11,359,291.62 |
|
2006 |
14,448,758.64 |
|
2007 |
13,326,958.45 |
|
2008 |
14,342,506.65 |
Departmental Staff.
Brian Hayes
Ceist:132 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of staff employed in the inspectorate section of his Department; the changes in the staffing allocation to that Department since the introduction of the whole school evaluation system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32825/09]
Whole-school evaluation (WSE) is a model of external evaluation for primary and post-primary schools that was formally introduced during the school year 2003/2004.
The number of inspectors employed within the Inspectorate of the Department of Education and Science on the 31 December for each of the past five years since the introduction of whole-school evaluation is shown below. The current staffing level as of 24 September 2009 is also included.
|
Year |
Number |
|
31/12/04 |
148 |
|
31/12/05 |
144 |
|
31/12/06 |
151 |
|
31/12/07 |
166 |
|
31/12/08 |
154 |
|
24/09/09 |
149 |
School Evaluations.
Brian Hayes
Ceist:133 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has issued guidelines to schools with regard to self-evaluation and providing communities with increased levels of information regarding individual schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32826/09]
To facilitate self-evaluation as a central component of the continuous planning process the Inspectorate of my Department in 2003 published "Looking at Our School: An Aid to Self-Evaluation in Second-Level Schools" and "Looking at Our School: An Aid to Self-Evaluation in Primary Schools". These publications provide schools with a clear framework to inform internal quality assurance initiatives by schools themselves in the broad areas of management, planning, learning and teaching, and supports for students. In addition, my Department publishes all inspection reports arising from whole-school evaluations, subject inspections, programme evaluations and thematic inspections in schools and centres for education. These reports provide valuable information on the work of schools and centres for education. The publication of these inspection reports takes place in accordance with the provisions in "Publication of School Inspection Reports: Guidelines" which were published by my Department in 2006.
Departmental Staff.
Brian Hayes
Ceist:134 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of people who will be entitled to salary arrears from his Department as a result of the failure to implement the Protection of Employees (Part-Time) Work Act 2001; the estimated cost of paying such arrears; when he plans to pay this sum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32827/09]
Until 31st August this year, a grant system operated which allowed the managerial authorities of primary schools to claim from my Department the funding required to pay part-time teachers employed in their schools. The teachers were paid by the managerial authorities.
With effect from the 1st September this year, part-time resource, learning support and language support teachers are being paid on a payroll operated by my Department.
Under the terms of the Protection of Employees (Part-time Work) Act, 2001, qualified eligible part-time teachers are entitled to be paid salary appropriate to their qualifications and to receive incremental credit in respect of relevant teaching service.
Arrangements are now being made to pay any arrears owed to these teachers and they shall be paid by November this year. It is expected that approximately one thousand part-time teachers will be paid arrears on the payroll. It is not possible to estimate the amount of the arrears at present as each teacher has to be looked at individually with regard to their qualifications and service.
Schools Building Projects.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:135 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of an application for capital works by a school (details supplied) in County Donegal. [32839/09]
A major capital project at the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. Information in respect of the current school building programme, including the project referred to by the Deputy, is now available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.
The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction is dependent on the prioritisation of competing demands on the funding available under the Department's capital budget. This project will continue to be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation programme
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:136 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of an application for capital works by a school (details supplied) in County Donegal. [32840/09]
I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has made an application to my Department for large scale capital funding. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned an appropriate band rating.
Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including the project referred to by the Deputy, are now available on my Departments website at www.education.ie.
The priority attaching to individual projects is determined by published prioritisation criteria, which were formulated following consultation with the Education Partners. There are four band ratings under these criteria, each of which describes the extent of accommodation required and the urgency attaching to it. Band 1 is the highest priority rating and Band 4 is the lowest. Documents explaining the band rating system are also available on my Department's website.
The Department is currently engaged in acquiring a suitable site for the schools Major Capital Project and as the Deputy will appreciate, due to commercial sensitivity attaching to site acquisition, I cannot comment any further on the matter at this time.
The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:137 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of an application for capital works by a school (details supplied) in County Donegal. [32841/09]
I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has made an application to my Department for large scale capital funding. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned an appropriate band rating.
Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including the project referred to by the Deputy, are now available on my Departments website at www.education.ie.
The priority attaching to individual projects is determined by published prioritisation criteria, which were formulated following consultation with the Education Partners. There are four band ratings under these criteria, each of which describes the extent of accommodation required and the urgency attaching to it. Band 1 is the highest priority rating and Band 4 is the lowest. Documents explaining the band rating system are also available on my Department's website.
The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.
Physical Education Facilities.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:138 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the construction of a gymnasium at a school (details supplied) in County Donegal. [32842/09]
A major capital project at the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. Information in respect of the current school building programme, including the project referred to by the Deputy, is now available on my Departments website at www.education.ie.
Stage 2b documentation was very recently received by my Department and is currently under consideration. My Department will revert to the school on the next steps towards tender and construction when the stage 2(b) submission has been reviewed.
Question No. 139 answered with Question No. 129.
School Transport.
John Perry
Ceist:140 Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will intervene to change a bus schedule servicing a school (details supplied) in County Sligo in the interests of health and safety and the security of the students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32845/09]
Coola Post Primary School, Co. Sligo. School finishes at 3.45 p.m. Pupils have to wait at the school until 4.25 p.m for their bus service. This is causing much anxiety for parents especially as the Winter months approach. In the interests of health and safety and the security of the children involved this situation must be rectified as soon as possible.
Schools Building Projects.
Darragh O'Brien
Ceist:141 Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress to date regarding the building of a permanent school (details supplied) in County Dublin, which is due to open in September 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32848/09]
The project to which the Deputy refers is being delivered under a "design and build" model and has been tendered. The award process has commenced. It is anticipated that the Letter of Acceptance (i.e. the award of the contract) will be issued in the coming days and that planning permission will be lodged in October.
Until the award process is finalised and subsequent statutory approvals are received it is not possible to confirm when this project will be completed. My Department is liaising closely with County Dublin VEC on the delivery of this project and the accommodation requirements for Donabate.
School Transport.
Denis Naughten
Ceist:142 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science if changes have been agreed with Bus Éireann relating to the tendering of school routes for the 2009-2010 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32853/09]
Bus Éireann operates the school transport scheme on behalf of my Department. This involves a range of activities in relation to school bus routes including planning of routes, tendering arrangements, and negotiation of contracts with private operators.
Each year, including this year, Bus Éireann placed general advertisements in the press inviting private operators who were interested in providing services under the school transport scheme to make application to their local Bus Eireann office. Following evaluation of the applications and an assessment of potential operators taking into account for example proximity to routes, size of bus, standard of vehicle documentation, a proportion of existing routes including taxi services and new work were opened to tender.
In view of the level of interest expressed by potential candidates and in the prevailing market conditions it was possible for Bus Éireann to renegotiate a significant number of contracts in addition to employing new operators in respect of the 2009/2010 school year.
Higher Education Grants.
Frank Feighan
Ceist:143 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Education and Science if a grant assistance is available to a student (details supplied) in County Roscommon who is undertaking a master’s; and if funding is available for mature Irish students studying abroad through the international fund for Ireland or the European Social Fund in Education. [32866/09]
The statutory framework for the maintenance grants scheme, as set out in the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts, 1968 to 1992, provides for means-tested higher education grants in order to assist students to attend full-time third level education. The position is that the Third Level Student Support Schemes operated under my Department do not extend to postgraduate study outside of Ireland.
The student support schemes were extended to provide maintenance grants to eligible students pursuing certain full-time undergraduate courses of at least two years duration in another EU Member State, with effect from the 1996/97 academic year. The extension of the schemes at that time did not include courses at postgraduate level.
There are no plans at present to extend the current arrangements to provide for students pursuing post-graduate courses outside Ireland. Any such extension could only be considered in the light of available resources and other competing demands within the education sector.
However, Section 21 of the Finance Act 2000 provides for the introduction of tax relief for postgraduate fees paid in publicly funded colleges here and in other EU Member States as well as in private colleges in this state. This relief, which applies at the standard rate of tax, is available to full time and part time postgraduate students and includes distance education courses offered by publicly funded colleges in other EU Member States. Further details on claiming this relief are available from local tax offices or on Revenue's internet site at http://www.revenue.ie.
I am not aware of any specific funding measures for mature Irish students studying abroad under the funds mentioned by the Deputy.
Question No. 144 answered with Question No. 129.
School Accommodation.
Brian Hayes
Ceist:145 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the savings he will make in respect of the total amount spent on renting temporary school accommodation in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32869/09]
Brian Hayes
Ceist:146 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of meetings which took place in 2009 between his representatives and the suppliers of temporary accommodation to negotiate reductions in rental costs; the persons who attended these meetings; the dates for all such meetings; the reduction in rent that has come about since the negotiation took place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32870/09]
Brian Hayes
Ceist:147 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools which have been targeted by his Department to replace older rental accommodation with new structures; if his new pilot scheme in this area has been successful since its introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32871/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 145 to 147, inclusive, together.
It is currently anticipated that there will be a saving of at least €14m in expenditure on rental temporary accommodation in 2009, compared to 2008. This clearly demonstrates the efforts being made by my Department to reduce spending in this area.
The saving arises from a combination of the reduction in the number of new rental contracts being entered into and negotiations with prefab suppliers to buy out existing rental contracts.
My Department has engaged a specialist firm to develop new procedures and systems for the provision of temporary accommodation with a view to achieving best value for money. Work is well underway and the firm of specialists is working closely with officials in the Planning and Building Unit of my Department. The review incorporates the development of standard specifications for temporary accommodation, the development of new contractual terms to incorporate buy-out and relocation options to cater for individual local circumstances and appropriately protect the interests of the Department and school authorities. The work also involves negotiations with prefab suppliers to buy out existing rental contracts or reductions in annual rent, as appropriate. Progress has been made in all areas of the review.
I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that I am precluded from providing detailed information in relation to negotiations that are currently underway with providers due to commercial sensitivities involved. I would however like to assure the Deputy that it is intended to further reduce the rental costs associated with temporary school accommodation and the arrangements to achieve these reductions are well underway.
An initial group of 46 schools with rented prefabricated accommodation has been identified for priority negotiations with suppliers to buy out existing rental contracts. A considerable number of meetings have taken place between the firm of specialists engaged by my Department for this task and the prefabricated accommodation suppliers. It is expected that negotiations will be concluded shortly on a number of these. My officials in the Planning & Building Unit meet with the firm of specialists on a regular basis to review progress with five such meetings having been held this year to date.
A pilot programme to replace prefabricated accommodation with permanent modular units is also under development. To date 10 schools have been visited to determine suitability and, from those, a short list of 4 schools is being drawn up. When the short-list of suitable schools has been finalised, the schools will be contacted with the offer of a permanent modular unit replacement of their prefabs. Once the schools have indicated their agreement to the proposal, detailed plans and timeframes will be developed for the delivery of the projects. This replacement programme will be extended to further schools as resources permit.
Departmental Programmes.
Jimmy Deenihan
Ceist:148 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress that has been made with the development of a new primary pupils database, a further education management system and the continuing development of the existing post-primary pupils database and student databases in higher education institutions, all using the PPS number; the status of same; the main logistic and financial considerations with respect to the databases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32895/09]
The development of a database for learners at all levels of education remains an important goal for my Department. It has not been possible to progress the development of the Learner Databases for students at Primary or Further Education levels at this time due to funding and staffing constraints. However, in recent years there have been a number of improvements to the Post-Primary Pupil Database (PPPDB). In 2008/09 all post-primary schools were enabled to submit information on student enrolments known as the October Returns, using the secure electronic network, esinet, which links schools with the Department. The esinet facility supports the On Line Claim System (OLCS) and allows each Primary, Voluntary Secondary, Community and Comprehensive school to record absences and submit claims online to the Department for the payment of substitute teachers and Special Needs Assistants. It also enables schools, including VEC schools, to submit their October Returns in an electronic format online.
The Higher Education Authority holds a Student Record System which applies to all students in aided colleges of higher education. The data held on this database enables analysis of detailed trends and population characteristics of the third level student population.
My Department is committed to the full application of the PPSN as a universal and unique pupil/student identifier subject to appropriate data protection procedures. Currently, the PPSN is used for almost all post-primary pupils. In the case of the Higher Education Authority's Student Record System, over 90% of new entrants to most publicly-funded third level institutions present with a PPSN at the point of registration.
Computerisation Programme.
Brian Hayes
Ceist:149 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science when information technology funds will become available for primary schools who built mainstream classrooms under the devolved grant during 2008 and have not received funds to date in 2009; the amount of money involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32905/09]
It is my intention that funding for the purchase of information technology will be provided to schools in respect of permanent mainstream classrooms completed under devolved schemes in 2008 and to-date in 2009. I anticipate that the funding in respect of eligible projects will issue to schools next month.