Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 20 Jan 2010

Vol. 699 No. 2

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 8, inclusive, answered orally.
Questions Nos. 9 to 68, inclusive, resubmitted.
Questions Nos. 69 to 77, inclusive, answered orally.

Departmental Staff.

Michael D'Arcy

Ceist:

78 Deputy Michael D’Arcy asked the Minister for Defence the number of staff, per grade, within his Department; if the number of staff in his Department is comparable with defence ministries in states with similar sized defence forces; the reason that, following the downsizing of numbers in the Defence Force, a proportionate reduction in the numbers in his Department did not take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2127/10]

The Deputy seems to have tabled the latter part of this question on the basis of a mistaken assumption. In fact, as part of the overall modernisation of Defence, the number of civil servants in my Department has reduced significantly and, overall, at a slightly faster rate than the reduction in military personnel. The record in Defence is quite different to the trend elsewhere in the civil service. Both the civil service and military elements of the Defence organisation have now achieved the strength levels recommended by the McCarthy report.

Overall, as I have said before, the modernisation of the Defence organisation is a public service success story. The structure and organisation of my Department and of the Permanent Defence Force has delivered significant reform and productivity gains over time. The civil servants of the Department of Defence continue to make a very significant contribution to this success story.

In its report, the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes, acknowledged the ongoing reform in the Defence Organisation. That report recommended a further reduction in numbers in both the number of civil servants and Defence Forces personnel over a period of two to three years. As I have already said, this reduction has in fact already been achieved.

In 1981 employment in Defence totalled 18,063 comprising 15,201 in the PDF, 2,163 civilians employed in barracks and 699 civil servants in the Department of Defence. In 2009 employment reached 11,300 comprising 10,100 in the PDF, 820 civilians employed in barracks and 380 civil servants employed in the Department of Defence.

There are currently 344 civil servants in my Department and 270 military personnel in Defence Forces Headquarters. The details are in a tabular statement.

The structures currently in place were the subject of extensive review and re-organisation both before and during the drafting of the White Paper. Since then, the Defence Organisation has delivered successfully on a programme of public sector reform.

The significant improvements over recent years have engendered a culture of continuous improvement within the Defence Organisation and I am confident that where change is required, it will be quickly identified and implemented. I would like to reassure the Deputy that I remain committed to ensuring that the delivery of services by the Defence Organisation is as efficient and effective as possible.

Because structures, roles, taskings and legal allocation of responsibilities vary so widely between countries, international comparisons are difficult and potentially misleading. That said, to the extent that comparison can be made, it appears that the Irish Defence organisation employs considerably fewer civil servants than elsewhere. However, this does not necessarily mean that our organisation is inappropriate to our circumstances.

Department of Defence Civil Servants by Grade* (Whole Time Equivalents)

Grade

Nos Serving 1/1/10

Secretary General

1

Assistant Secretary

2

Principal

12.7

Assistant Principal

31.9

HEO/AO

53.13

Executive Officer

70.73

Staff Officer

29.2

Clerical Officer

119.6

Facilities Support (SVOs/Cleaners etc)

24

Total

344.26

*Figures exclude staff of the Civil Defence Board and Staff of the Ombudsman for Defence.

Defence Forces Headquarters by Rank (Current strength)

Lt Gen

Maj Gen

COL

LT COL

Comdt

Capt.

Total Offrs.

SM

BQMS

CS

CQMS

SGTS

CPLS

Total NCOS

PTES

Total

1

2

17

35

52

43

150

2

2

10

6

50

32

102

18

270

Air Accident Investigations.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

79 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on the outcome of the preliminary investigation into the crash of a Pilatus PC-9 in Connemara on 12 October 2009. [1997/10]

The accident on the 12 October, 2009 which led to the loss of the lives of Captain Derek Furniss and Cadet David Jevens in Cornamona, Co. Galway is currently being investigated by the Air Accident Investigation Unit, (AAIU) of the Department of Transport.

The Preliminary Report into the fatal air accident involving the Air Corps Pilatus PC-9 was published by the AAIU on the 17th November, 2009. This report is available to the public on the AAIU website. The cause of the accident is not determined in this report. Only the facts as known by the Investigation at this early stage are set out. The Final Report, which will be completed within one year of the accident, will provide full analysis of the accident and will address causes.

Riot Control.

Charles Flanagan

Ceist:

80 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied that the military police detachment force responsible for the security of Leinster House and Government Buildings is of sufficient strength to adequately police and secure both buildings in the event of serious riots and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2140/10]

There is a long standing arrangement for the presence of a Military Police detachment at Leinster House and Government Buildings for security duties and fire patrols. A duty officer is on site on a twenty-four hour basis. These duties are performed in liaison with the Superintendent of the Houses of the Oireachtas.

Additional Defence Forces personnel were deployed to the Houses of Oireachtas for critical support services on the day of industrial action by public service unions last November.

The Military Police detachment is not tasked with riot control. The primary responsibility for the maintenance of law and order rests with an Garda Síochána. The Defence Forces, pursuant to their role of rendering aid to the civil power, assist the Garda as required in a range of duties, which include the provision of troops for cash escorts, prison escorts and the provision of military guards at a number of vital installations. As part of the Aid to the Civil Power role, the Defence Forces maintain an anti-riot capability in order to meet a contingent and operational capability at home and overseas respectively.

The Defence Forces Annual Training Plan provides for training in a broad spectrum of such Aid to the Civil Power related activities. This training plan also includes riot control training and the maintenance of stand-to parties for the purpose of rendering assistance to the Gardaí, if such assistance is sought.

Departmental Expenditure.

David Stanton

Ceist:

81 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the amount expended in 2009 and the amount planned for 2010 for expenditure on the Reserve Defence Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2066/10]

Subhead D of the Defence Vote includes payments for Reserve Defence Force (RDF) training, gratuities, allowances and also includes grants paid into unit funds. The provisional expenditure figure for 2009 is €6,650,806 out of a provision of €8,900,000. The budget for 2010 as set out in the Abridged Estimates Volume, is €4,900,000. It is anticipated that in the context of the finalisation of the Revised Estimates volume this amount will be adjusted to reflect the pay reductions announced in the Budget.

This reduced level of funding will be reflected in the number of days available for paid training for Reservists in the coming year. Pending the finalisation of the Revised Estimates Volume, it is expected that the number of days available for 2010 will be approximately 50% of what was available for 2009.

Training in the Reserve is comprised of both voluntary and paid training. In light of the reduced paid training day provision, it is anticipated that there will be an increased emphasis on voluntary unpaid training. The allocation of paid training to individual reservists will take account of voluntary unpaid training undertaken. The aim is to ensure that all reservists who complete specified voluntary unpaid training will be afforded the opportunity to avail of a minimum of 7 days paid training.

The Reserve Defence Force Review Implementation Plan has provided the framework for the development of the Reserve over recent years. Revised organisation structures came into effect in October 2005 and the Reserve has been re-organised along similar lines to the PDF. In line with the plan, new equipment, clothing and opportunities for improved training have been delivered. As the Plan is reaching its conclusion, there is a requirement to critically examine the progress that has been made to date and to consider options for the future development of the Reserve. This will be informed by the valuable lessons learned from the implementation process. The RDF was selected for review as part of the 2009 — 2011 phase of the Government's Value for Money and Policy Review initiative and this Review is scheduled to commence in the near future. This review will assist in informing decisions regarding the future development of the Reserve.

Defence Forces Property.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

82 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Defence the amount of money raised by the recent sale of six Air Corps Alouette helicopters; the way this money will be used; if he is satisfied that the sale represents value for money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1999/10]

The six Air Corps Alouette Helicopters, special tools and spare parts were sold in 2009 following an open tender competition to a French company, Mat Aviation, for €1.431 million. The sale of the helicopters followed on from a tender competition which was advertised on the Department of Finance's e-tender website. The tender documents were also available from the Department of Defence website and the details of the tender competition were also advertised in Flight International magazine.

The records show that over 60 sets of tender documents issued from the Department in connection with the competition and that a total of 12 tenders were received. The tender from MAT Aviation was accepted as it presented the best offer from the monetary perspective. The money received from MAT Aviation was received in the Department and lodged to the Appropriations-in-Aid of the Department's Vote. I am satisfied that the tendering procedures used in the sale of the Alouette Helicopters were open and transparent and in line with best practice. The price received for the equipment was a fair price given the age and status of the helicopters.

Defence Forces Recruitment.

James Bannon

Ceist:

83 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Defence when he expects normal recruitment into the Defence Forces to commence again in view of the his statement on 24 November 2009; the steps he will take to ensure the Defence Forces returns to its authorised membership of 10,500; the timeframe he envisages the Defence Forces reaching 10,500; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2073/10]

Darragh O'Brien

Ceist:

105 Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Defence his plans for recruitment into the Permanent Defence Force in 2010; the number of general service personnel he plans to recruit in 2010; when he anticipates commencing this recruitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1910/10]

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

255 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Defence if it is proposed to advertise a cadet competition in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter in view of the commitment to maintain the strength of the force at 10,000. [2314/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 83, 105 and 255 together.

In the context of the Government Decision on the implementation of savings measures on public service numbers and the reduced budgetary provision available for 2010, recruitment to the Permanent Defence Force has been suspended. As I have already stated in the House I have made a submission to my colleague the Minister for Finance regarding the implications of the measures for the Permanent Defence Force. My focus is on the ongoing operational capability of the Defence Forces. The question of limited exceptions to the application of the measures arises in this regard.

Within the available resources, I am committed to maintaining the strength of the Defence Forces at a level of 10,000 all ranks, for which I have secured Government approval in the context of Budget 2010. This reflects the reductions in personnel recommended in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes. I am advised by the Military authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force as at 31 December, 2009 was, 9,933 comprising 8,095 Army, 801 Air Corps and 1,037 Naval Service. As the numbers in the Permanent Defence Force have dropped below 10,000, recruitment will be carried out in 2010 in order to bring the numbers back to this level. Details of the recruitment campaign for 2010 in relation to the numbers of general service recruits to be enlisted, whether there will be a cadet competition, and the commencement of any such recruitment campaigns are not yet available. Planning for this process is under way.

The investment in improved equipment and training made over the past few years means that the Defence Forces are in a healthy state, both in terms of personnel and equipment, to meet the challenges that lie ahead. They have improved in every respect since 2000 and comprehensive reform of structure and human resources has been achieved during the past ten years. I intend, with the support of the Chief of Staff and within the resources available, to retain the capacity of the organisation to operate effectively across all roles while contributing to the necessary public service economies. I am advised that at this time the Defence Forces retain the capacity to undertake the tasks laid down by Government at home and overseas.

Medical Corps.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

84 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Defence if, in view of the stated fact in the defence services review that the medical corps is experiencing difficulties in meeting the health needs of the Defence Forces and the statement that medical corps personnel are increasingly stretched in service management and delivery, the ability of the Defence Forces to undertake missions at home and abroad has been compromised by the structures, staffing and functioning of the medical corps; the actions he will take to correct this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2090/10]

Military medical services and facilities exist to maintain the health of the Defence Forces and to support them in operational and overseas activities. The focus of the military medical service is on primary care, occupational medicine, acute trauma management, preventative medical programmes and field medical training. As I have stated previously in the House the challenges in the medical arena have been recognised for some time and a review of the provision of medical services has been ongoing as part of the Modernisation Agenda for the Defence Forces. The PA Report reviewed the medical services required for the Defence Forces in light of their roles and operations, assessed the current arrangements for the provision of medical services and proposed a model for future delivery of medical services.

In its assessment of current service delivery the report did find that the Medical Corps is experiencing difficulties in meeting the healthcare needs of the Defence Forces from within its own clinical resources and that Medical Corps personnel are increasingly stretched in service management and delivery. However it found that factors other than clinical need, such as current processes and procedures, are driving high levels of demand for health care services. To address this the Consultants have recommended a programme of major change. The intention is that the difficulties within the Medical Corps will be addressed through the implementation of this programme of changes. The high level recommendations include: a Centralised Command Structure for the Medical Corps and the creation of a Medical Services Management and Administrative Function. This structure will provide strategic planning, resource allocation and overall responsibility for the management and delivery of the medical service.

The development of Medical Officer Lead Care Teams together with a re-focussing of medical staff on appropriate clinical tasks. The report also recommends steps leading to a reduction in the number of doctor interventions, medical assessments and better management of health services outsourcing. The Report reaffirms the need for a dedicated Medical Corps and addresses the challenges facing the Defence Forces in recruitment and retention of Medical Officers.

In relation to the actions necessary to implement the report I am pleased to inform the House that the governance structure proposed in the report for the delivery of change in this area has been put in place. It consists of a high level steering group composed of senior military and civilian personnel. The role of the Steering Group is to provide planning guidance, clarify the approach to recommendations where required and ensure that the project is implemented effectively.

A dedicated Programme Group with civilian and military representatives is now co-ordinating a range of projects. It is progressing a number of the PA recommendations including the structure of the Medical Corps, the alignment of Defence Forces and Medical Corps strategies and the development of medical information systems. Work is also progressing on the recommendations on training and education, clinical issues and the centralised command structure, along with financial arrangements and outsourcing. A number of the working groups that are in place dealing with these issues have already made recommendations which are being considered by the Steering Committee.

The development of the Medical Corps forms part of the agreed programme for Government. This includes the expansion of the capacity of the Medical Corps to deliver a range of medical facilities on UN mandated missions. I would expect substantial progress over the coming twelve months in implementing the PA recommendations. I am committed to providing a sustainable medical service to meet the needs of the Defence Forces both at home and abroad. Notwithstanding the current situation I can assure the House that Defence Forces personnel requiring medical treatment are getting the care they need.

Defence Forces Reserve.

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

85 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Defence if the steering committee has been established to oversee and manage the value for money review of the Reserve Defence Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1971/10]

In line with the Government's 2009 — 2011 programme of Value for Money and Policy reviews, The Department of Defence is committed to undertaking a Value for Money Review of the Reserve Defence Force in 2010.

A Steering Committee comprising representatives from the Department of Defence, the Defence Forces and the Department of Finance has been established and will have its inaugural meeting in early February. An independent chair for the Steering Committee, drawn from a panel established for this purpose by the Department of Finance, has been appointed. This is in accordance with revised guidelines for the conduct of Value for Money Reviews.

The terms of reference for the review will be drafted by the Steering Committee in consultation with the Department of Finance. When terms of reference are approved, the Steering Committee will decide on the most appropriate methodology and develop a project plan. It is anticipated that this Review, together with the lessons learned from the Reserve Defence Force Review Implementation Plan, will assist in informing decisions regarding the future development of the Reserve Defence Force and I look forward to receiving the Steering Committee's recommendations in due course.

Questions Nos. 86 and 87 answered with Question No. 75.

Defence Forces Property.

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

88 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the fact that military officers are still residing in containers in Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin, in which for periods in the recent past there has been no electricity, heating or hot water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2145/10]

Twenty self-contained en-suite sleeping units were purchased in December 2007 to provide accommodation for military officers in Cathal Brugha Barracks during term time when they were attending third level education courses. While these units are repeatedly referred to as "containers" — they are in fact purpose built living quarters which, for the purposes of military standardisation and transportation, are designed around the size of a standard International Standards Organisation (ISO) container (commonly called a 20' container).

The units are built to meet required standards in terms of insulation and fire resistance meeting all relevant regulations and all are provided with heat, electricity and hot water. They are designed for single occupation only and are allocated on that basis alone. The military authorities have advised me that no reports were received formally by the Barracks Logistics Officer or the Area Engineer Officer in Cathal Brugha Barracks in relation to the lack of electricity, heating or hot water prior to the exceptionally cold spell of weather experienced recently. During the thaw after the recent cold spell, there were some reports of burst pipes in the heating system which have been attended to. Such incidents are not confined to these units and have occurred in locations throughout the Defence Forces.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

89 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Defence if the Air Corps Beechcraft aircraft has been put out of commission; his plans to replace this aircraft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1998/10]

I am advised that, due to maintenance and certification issues, the Beechcraft Super King Air 200 aircraft is permanently grounded. The question of funding a replacement aircraft has to be considered in tandem with the equipment requirements of the Defence Forces generally and the overall funding available. In the current economic environment and given the pressures on the Defence Budget, a replacement aircraft for the Beechcraft is not regarded as a priority and, as such, there is no provision in this year's Defence Estimate to cover a replacement aircraft.

As the Deputy may be aware, a very significant level of investment in new equipment for the Air Corps has taken place in recent years. The comprehensive investment programme included the delivery of Pilatus training aircraft at a total cost of €60m, the acquisition of two light utility EC 135 helicopters at a cost of €12.8 m, the acquisition of six utility AW 139 helicopters at a cost of €75 m and a major mid life upgrade on the two CASA maritime patrol aircraft at a cost of €16.5 m.

Overseas Missions.

Michael Noonan

Ceist:

90 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for Defence if Irish participation in MINURCAT is scheduled to continue beyond its expiry date in March 2010; the cost involved in the termination of Irish involvement in MINURCAT; the cost involved in extending participation in MINURCAT beyond the scheduled 2010 expiry date for Irish participation; if a decision has been taken; if not, when that decision is scheduled to be taken; if he will inform the Houses of the Oireachtas of his recommendation regarding the expiry or termination of the mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2118/10]

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

92 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence the progress made in improving the numbers of the planned military force to serve with MINURCAT in Chad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1980/10]

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

97 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding the Irish Defence Force participation in MINURCAT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2068/10]

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

102 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied with the level of back up support being provided to Irish troops in Chad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1916/10]

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

112 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Defence if the Irish contingent on peace keeping duties in Chad will be maintained at its current strength throughout 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1984/10]

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

118 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence the number of soldiers sent home from Chad with a sports injury since the Irish contingent became involved in peace keeping there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1987/10]

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

259 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Defence the medical and casevac facilities for Irish personnel serving with the UN mission in Chad; his views of whether the facilities are adequate compared to what was provided when the mission was under the EU flag; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2318/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 90, 92, 97, 102, 112, 118 and 259 together.

A total of 419 Defence Forces personnel is currently deployed to the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT), the mandate of which expires on 14 March 2010. As outlined in the budget in December 2009, it has been decided that the Defence Forces commitments to overseas peace support operations will be scaled back in 2010 as one of the budgetary expenditure reductions. The operations where Ireland will be reducing its commitments will be KFOR in Kosovo and Operation ALTHEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

However, in relation to MINURCAT, the Government is committed to retaining the Defence Forces presence in Chad, at its present level, beyond 14 March 2010, subject to renewal by the UN Security Council of MINURCAT's mandate beyond that date. I will bring proposals to the Government in due course seeking formal approval for the Defence Forces continued participation in this mission beyond 14 March 2010.

Had the Government decided to withdraw from MINURCAT, the costs of repatriation of troops and personnel from the UN led mission would have been met by the UN. Certain additional costs arise to the Defence Vote on an annual basis from participation in overseas missions. The additional annual costs for participation in MINURCAT, net of UN reimbursements, is approximately €8.0m per annum. As such, withdrawal from MINURCAT would have resulted in a net saving to the Defence Vote of a similar amount.

The task of force generation and filling the establishment of the MINURCAT force is the responsibility of the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations. The authorised military strength of MINURCAT is 5,200 personnel. As of 30 November 2009, the military strength of MINURCAT is 2,766 personnel. I understand that the military strength of MINURCAT is likely to further increase over the coming months.

I am satisfied that the required logistical support of Irish troops currently deployed with MINURCAT is being delivered in accordance with national standards. There are no concerns in relation to Real Life Support for Irish troops at this time. Since the Irish contingent was first deployed to Chad in 2008, two members of the Permanent Defence Force have been repatriated as a result of sustaining sports injuries. During the EUFOR Tchad/RCA operation, a dedicated MEDEVAC helicopter and Aero Medical Evacuation Team (AMET) were stationed in Goz Beida. This helicopter was specially fitted, adapted and certified for the transportation of casualties. Currently in MINURCAT, a dedicated Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC) helicopter is located on a 24/7 basis in the MINURCAT Force Headquarters (FHQ) in Abéché, which is approx 200km (70mins flying time) from the Irish Camp in Goz Beida. There are also two United Nations helicopters based in Goz Beida alongside the Irish Camp, which when authorised by FHQ, can be used for CASEVAC purposes which reduces the airlift response times. All helicopter borne CASEVACs have to be authorised by FHQ.

As is the case in all UN-led missions such as MINURCAT, medical treatment is provided for in accordance with UN medical guidelines. These guidelines indicate that a casualty should be seen by a doctor within one hour of sustaining an injury/illness and transferred to a Level 2 Medical facility, similar to that located in Abéché, within four hours of sustaining the injury/illness. All long range patrols conducted by Defence Forces personnel are planned in accordance with this guideline. Standard procedure for Irish troops operating with MINURCAT is that a doctor and medical orderly, complete with armoured ambulance, will accompany all long range patrols. This ensures that a soldier injured or wounded on a long range patrol would receive immediate medical (Level 1) attention.

Departmental Expenditure.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

91 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Defence the bodies or agencies, operating under the aegis of his Department, to which the terms of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009 will apply; the estimated reduction in the annual wage bill of each such body or agency; the average reduction in pay in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1991/10]

The bodies under the aegis of my Department are the Civil Defence Board, the Army Pensions Board and the Board of Coiste an Asgard. The terms of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009 applies to each of these bodies. The estimated reduction in the annual pay costs and the average reduction in pay are set out in the following table:

Civil Defence

Coiste an Asgard

Army Pensions Board

Estimated reduction in pay for 2010 (excluding Employer’s PRSI)

€70,720

€5,252

€4,966

Average reduction in pay for each person

5.9%

5.8%

5.8%

Question No. 92 answered with Question No. 90.

Medical Corps.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

93 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Defence the number of medical staff within the Defence Forces; the number who have a psychiatric qualification; the number in each category serving in a medical role here and overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1917/10]

I am advised by the Military Authorities that the number of Medical staff within the Defence Forces is two hundred and sixty (260), comprising twenty (20) Medical Officers, one (1) Psychiatrist, one (1) Psychologist, five (5) Dentists, three (3) Pharmacists, two hundred and twelve (212) Medics and eighteen (18) members of the Army Nursing Service. Of the 260 medical staff a total of sixteen (16) are currently serving overseas. This is broken down as two (2) Medical Officers and fourteen (14) Medics. The two Medical Officers are serving in Chad and of the 14 medics ten (10) are serving in Chad; three (3) are serving in Kosovo and one (1) is serving in Bosnia.

Following the publication of the Independent Strategic Review of the Defence Forces Medical Service by PA Consulting, I asked that implementation of the recommendations proceed immediately. As you are aware, the PA Report has recommended a programme of major change. The high level recommendations include: A centralized command structure for the Medical Corps; The creation of a Medical Services Management and Administrative function. This structure will provide strategic planning, resource allocation and overall responsibility for the management and delivery of the medical service; The development of medical officer led care teams together with a re-focusing of medical staff on appropriate clinical tasks; Numerous recommendations leading to a reduction in the number of doctor interventions, medical assessments and better management of health services outsourcing. The report reaffirms the need for a dedicated Medical Corps and addresses the challenges facing the Defence Forces in recruitment and retention of Medical Officers.

The structure and systems recommended in the PA Report have been designed to meet the demands and needs of the modern Defence Forces at home and overseas and to provide Medical Officers with a fulfilling and rewarding career. To this end a governance structure for the delivery of change in this area has now been put in place. It consists of a high level Steering Group composed of senior military and civilian personnel. The role of the Steering Group is to provide planning guidance, clarify the approach to recommendations where required and ensure that the project is implemented effectively.

A dedicated Programme Group with civilian and military representatives has also been established and is now co-ordinating a range of projects. It is progressing a number of the PA recommendations including the structure of the Medical Corps, the alignment of Defence Forces and Medical Corps strategies and the development of medical information systems. Work has also commenced on the recommendations on training and education, clinical issues and the centralised command structure, with a number of Working Groups now established to progress these issues.

Ministerial Appointments.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

94 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Defence when he will announce the new chairperson for the Irish Red Cross; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1985/10]

Mr. David Andrews, former Minister for Foreign Affairs, was appointed to be Chairman of the Irish Red Cross Society for a three-year period commencing in May 2009. Mr. Andrews retired from this position with effect from the 31 December 2009 as a gesture of recognition of the reform process now under discussion. I commend him for his time and commitment to the Society at home and abroad.

The President of Ireland, by virtue of her Office, nominates the Chairman on the advice of Government. A name has not yet been put to Government for consideration but I hope that it will be possible to do so in the coming weeks. In the interim, the Vice Chairman of the Society acts in lieu of the Chairman.

Naval Service Vessels.

Sean Sherlock

Ceist:

95 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence his plans for vessel replacement in the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1994/10]

A vessel replacement strategy for the Naval Service is currently in progress and a tender competition for a ship replacement programme commenced in 2007. The competition sought tenders for the purchase of two Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) and one Extended Patrol Vessel (EPV), with an option for up to two additional vessels. The process comprised two stages — Stage 1, a Request for Proposals and Stage 2, an Invitation to Tender.

During 2008, Stage 1 of the tender process was completed and, insofar as the OPVs are concerned, tenders were received in response to Stage 2. Following tender evaluation, a preferred bidder was selected last year and detailed and extensive contract negotiations are now close to conclusion. The decision to proceed with the final award of contract to purchase the OPVs will be subject to Government approval and agreement on funding. Subject to such approval, it is expected that the new vessels will be delivered for acceptance by the Naval Service on a phased basis from 2012. In relation to the larger EPV, Stage 1 of the competition has been completed. Stage 2 will not be initiated until the contract for the OPVs has been concluded.

This strategy combined with a continuous process of refurbishment and repair will ensure that the operational capability of the Naval Service is maintained at a satisfactory level. The acquisition of modern new vessels will ensure that the Service will be fully equipped to carry out its day to day roles in enforcing the State's sovereign rights over our waters and our fisheries and meeting Ireland's obligations in the area of maritime safety and security and fisheries protection.

Defence Forces Equipment.

Joan Burton

Ceist:

96 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding the insurance payment of €3.8 million arising from the loss of Asgard II; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1974/10]

In the context of settling the Estimates for my Department for 2010, the Government decided that the national sail training scheme operated by Coiste an Asgard would be discontinued as recommended in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure. As a result of that decision, the sum of €3.8m representing the insured value of Asgard 11 has been transferred to the Department of Finance as Extra Exchequer Receipts.

Question No. 97 answered with Question No. 90.
Question No. 98 answered with Question No. 77.

Search and Rescue Service.

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

99 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Defence the number of patrolling days undertaken by Naval Service vessels in each year from 2005 to 2009; the planned number for 2010; if he has had discussions with the fishing industry or the customs authority regarding the implications for fishery protection and drug smuggling preventative measures for the planned reduction in patrolling days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1995/10]

The Naval Service achieved the following patrol days in each year from 2005 to 2009:

Year

Patrol Days

2005

1,681

2006

1,658

2007

1,661

2008

1,658

2009

1,588

As part of the Estimates process for 2010, the Department sought to implement measures which would bring about the savings or the equivalent thereof as identified in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programme. As part of this process and to achieve a reduction in current expenditure, I have proposed a cut to the Naval Service patrol days in 2010. The planned number of patrol days for 2010 is 1,480.

The Naval Service has a concurrent multi functional role as the State's primary sea going agency. On any given patrol day the Naval Service can carry out a number of taskings on behalf of other state agencies such as the Sea Fisheries Protection Agency (SFPA), an Garda Síochána and the Customs Service of the Revenue Commissioners. I am therefore fully confident that the Naval Service will continue to meet all taskings assigned to them within the revised patrol pattern for 2010.

Defence Forces Strength.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

100 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Defence the level of payroll savings achieved by him in 2009 arising from retirements from the Defence Forces and the enforcement of the embargo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1978/10]

The pay and allowances of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) are provided for in subheads B and C of the Defence Vote. The outturn on those subheads was €539.4m in 2008 and €536.9 in 2009. The 2009 figure includes the carry-over costs of two general pay increases granted under the Towards 2016 agreement during 2008, as well as the full year costs of overseas allowances for the UN mission to Chad (in which the PDF participated for part only of 2008). The 2009 figure does not reflect offsetting receipts of some €21.5m in respect of the pension levy, which was introduced from 1 March 2009.

The strength of the PDF was 10,408 on 1 January 2009 and stood at 9933 on 31 December 2009, a reduction of 475. Based on this reduction and assuming that wastage was spread evenly throughout the year, it is estimated that the resulting savings on pay and allowances in 2009 were of the order of €11m.

Departmental Staff.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

101 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel in his Department to whom the full public service pay cuts provided for by the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009 will not apply by virtue of circular 28/2009 issued by the Department of Finance on 22 December 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1990/10]

The Deputy is referring to paragraphs 9 to 11 of Department of Finance Circular 28/2009. Those provisions apply to the civil service grades of Deputy Secretary and Assistant Secretary and other analogous grades/ranks to which a scheme of performance-related awards previously applied but has been terminated. The pay of two Assistant Secretaries in my Department and of ten military officers holding the ranks of Major-General and Brigadier-General has been reduced under the provisions in question.

Question No. 102 answered with Question No. 90.

Departmental Investigations.

Sean Sherlock

Ceist:

103 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding the investigation being carried out into an allegation that a member of the Naval Service was supplying information on patrol vessel movements to drug smugglers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1996/10]

I am advised by the Military Authorities that a comprehensive investigation into this allegation has been completed. A Report on the matter has recently been forwarded to the Director of Military Prosecutions who will determine what action, if any, is required under the Defence Act. The Military Authorities have further advised that the individual in question, as is standard practice in such instances, has been redeployed elsewhere within the Naval Service. The Deputy will appreciate that it would be inappropriate for me to comment any further on this matter at this point in time.

Defence Forces Operations.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

104 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the precise nature, composition and operational structures of the national emergency plan; the number of times activated in 2009 and to date in 2010; the chain of command and the sequence in the event of a natural emergency or disaster; if a communications centre is set up and staffed; the number of personnel activated; the personnel required to attend meetings at national level since the November 2009 flooding; if all have attended; the decisions taken; the actions arising therefrom; if funding was sought or received; if all relevant Departments were activated and co-ordinated such as Civil Defence, the Defence Forces and other statutory bodies involved; if any changes are proposed in the wake of recent experience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1189/10]

As the Deputy will be aware, emergency planning in this country is based on the ‘lead department' principle. This means that each department is responsible for assessing the risks, making appropriate plans and leading the response to those emergencies that impact on its areas of responsibility. In December 2008, in my capacity of Chairman of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, I brought a document to Government entitled ‘Roles and Responsibilities in Emergency Planning'. This document, for the first time, identified the lead department and the supporting departments and agencies in over 40 emergency scenarios. It was prepared by the Office of Emergency Planning and was agreed by the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning.

The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is designated as the lead department in coordinating the national level response to severe weather emergencies. During the recent severe weather events, that Department chaired meetings of the National Emergency Response Committee, which included senior representatives from Government Departments, the Defence Forces, An Garda Síochána, Met Éireann, the National Roads Authority and other State Agencies that supported the response. The Committee examined all of the issues arising from the severe weather. It provided a forum for sharing of information and helped to bring about a coordinated ‘whole of government' response.

The National Emergency Coordination Centre was activated in support of the National Emergency Response Committee. Staff from the Office of Emergency Planning (civil and military) managed the Centre on an ongoing basis during the period of the emergency. It should be stressed that the principal operational response to severe weather emergencies takes place at the local level and is coordinated by the local authorities in accordance with the arrangements set out in the Framework for Major Emergency Management.

The Defence Forces, in their role as aid to the Civil Power (An Garda Síochána) and aid to the civil authority (i.e. local authorities, HSE, etc.) provided emergency assistance in an effort to alleviate the problems caused by the severe weather. All assets, resources and capabilities of the Defence Forces throughout the country were made available to provide this assistance, as required. The support provided by the Defence Forces included gritting operations carried out on roads, transportation of health care workers and patients, distribution of meals, delivery of water supplies, air ambulance missions and support of flooding relief work.

Civil Defence Units provided assistance to the Principal Response Agencies in the worst affected areas and its support included the transportation of medical personnel to those who were ill and transferring patients to hospitals, as well as the delivery of fuel, food and water to isolated areas. I wish to acknowledge the contribution of all those who worked tirelessly in extremely difficult conditions to help alleviate the suffering of those affected by the almost unprecedented severe weather that we have experienced over recent months.

As in all emergency responses, lessons can be learned and the Department of the Environment Heritage and Local Government will undertake a review of the response to the widespread flooding that took place in November and the outcome of this review will be reported to the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning. I will also be seeking a report for the Task Force on the lessons learned from the recent severe weather response.

Question No. 105 answered with Question No. 83.

Bomb Disposal Unit.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

106 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Defence the discussions he has had with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in regard to the 78 hoax callouts of the explosive ordnance disposal team from the period from 1 January to 15 November 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1977/10]

The primary responsibility for the maintenance of law and order rests with an Garda Síochána. The Defence Forces, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team, pursuant to their role of rendering aid to the civil power (ATCP), respond when a request is made by an Garda Síochána, to the relevant Brigade, for assistance in dealing with a suspect device or for the removal of old ordnance. I have not had formal discussions with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on this matter. Discussions are normally held at an operational level.

There continues to be ongoing cooperation and coordination, through well established channels, between representatives of the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána. These consultations take the form of meetings, discussions, briefings and technical analysis. All EOD operations are discussed at regular meetings of the Defence Forces/Garda Síochána Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Working Group. The Defence Forces also liaise with an Garda Síochána in the technical analysis of evidence recovered from EOD operations.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Joe Costello

Ceist:

107 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Defence if members of the Permanent Defence Force are in receipt of family income supplement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1975/10]

Family Income Supplement (FIS) is a weekly tax-free payment available to married or unmarried employees with at least one child. It gives extra financial support to people on low pay. The circumstances surrounding an application for FIS and the payment of the supplement is a private matter between the applicant and the Department of Social and Family Affairs. My Department would not be aware, therefore, if members of the Permanent Defence Force are in receipt.

Departmental Expenditure.

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

108 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence the proportion of GDP that was spent on the Defence Forces in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1979/10]

The level of expenditure on Defence in any particular country is influenced by a variety of factors, including that country's political and security environment, its history, demography and economy. Gross expenditure under the Defence and Army Pensions Votes in 2009 was €1,019m. This represents 0.6% of estimated GDP for 2009 (as outlined in the Stability Programme Update of December 2009).

Question No. 109 answered with Question No. 74.

Darragh O'Brien

Ceist:

110 Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Defence the cost saving and value for money measures being undertaken in the Defence Forces and in his Department apart from those outlined in budget 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1911/10]

The Defence Organisation is widely recognised as a model of public sector reform. The report of the Special Group on Public Sector Numbers and Expenditure Programmes clearly highlights the fact that the Defence Organisation was unique in the public sector, having downsized over the period from 2001. The downsizing arising from the White Paper on Defence (2000) and previous modernisation initiatives has reduced numbers of civil servants, military personnel and civilian employees across the Defence Organisation. The focus has been on ensuring a fit for purpose Defence Organisation, which maximises value for money.

This modernisation agenda has engendered a culture of continuous improvement in the Defence Organisation. Opportunities to reduce expenditure and enhance value for money are constantly sought. The procurement of goods and services is in line with best practice and where possible, opportunities to aggregate the procurement of goods or services with other Departments are actively pursued. The property portfolio has undergone significant rationalisation over recent years and a value for money review of military training lands is ongoing and due to be completed shortly. A value for money review of the Reserve Defence Force is commencing and is scheduled for completion in 2010.

There is ongoing critical analysis of business processes within my Department and the Defence Forces and I am confident that where a requirement for change is identified, it will be quickly implemented. Maximising value for money remains a key priority for my Department and the Defence Forces.

Question No. 111 answered with Question No. 76.
Question No. 112 answered with Question No. 90.

Defence Forces Strength.

Charlie O'Connor

Ceist:

113 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel currently serving in the Defence Forces; the number in each service, Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1913/10]

Joe Costello

Ceist:

117 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Defence the strength of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1976/10]

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

122 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Defence the strength of the Army, Air Corps and the Naval Service; the way these compare with the establishment level in each case; his plans for recruitment to the Defence Forces during 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1970/10]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

267 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the strength of the Defence Forces at present; if this is sufficient to meet all requirements including overseas deployments; if it is intended or expected to increase the strength of the forces in the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2609/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 113, 117, 122 and 267 together.

The White Paper on Defence of February 2000 sets out a figure of 10,500 personnel for the Permanent Defence Force comprising 930 for the Air Corps, 1,144 for the Naval Service and 8,426 for the Army.

The recent Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes recommended that the number of personnel in the Permanent Defence Force be reduced by 500 over a two to three year period as "operational requirements allow." The reality is that based on current trends, numbers are already reducing within the Permanent Defence Force. The Defence Forces, as do all military organisations, have an unusually high turnover of people on an ongoing basis in order to maintain the age and fitness profile.

I am advised by the Military authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force as at 31 December, 2009 was 9,933, comprising 8,095 Army, 801 Air Corps and 1,037 Naval Service.

I am advised that at this time the Defence Forces retain the capacity to undertake the tasks laid down by Government at home and overseas. Under the UNSAS commitment, we have provided for a total overseas deployment of up to 850 personnel at any one time. Our UNSAS commitment remains unchanged.

I am acutely aware of the impact of the moratorium on the Defence Forces particularly in light of the very high turnover rate that is part of any military organization. I am monitoring the impact on an ongoing basis in conjunction with the Chief of Staff and Department officials. As part of this process specific requirements have been identified and I am in ongoing contact with my colleague the Minister for Finance with regard to these exceptions to the moratorium which are targeted at maintaining the operational capability and command arrangements of the Defence Forces.

To date I have obtained sanction to fill a number of key posts, including Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations), two Brigadier–General posts, and the Director of Military Prosecutions post. I have also received sanction for 100 acting up posts to service operational requirements both at home and overseas. In addition I secured approval for the recruitment of 42 cadets. Furthermore the promotion of 10 Non commissioned Officers whose promotions had been in progress prior to the Moratorium has now been finalized.

In addition to the aforementioned an allocation of 50 promotions has been approved for the Permanent Defence Force by the Minister for Finance. These promotions were approved to address priority operational and command requirements of the Permanent Defence Force.

These promotions therefore must be allocated in a manner that gives protection to the operational capacity of the Defence Forces. The allocation must be balanced across both officer and enlisted ranks having regard to the operational requirements of the Defence Forces. Military management has been reviewing existing vacancies in all ranks across the organisation as a whole, so as to prioritise those to be filled from the approved promotions.

Following on from the Military review a number of priority posts have now been identified and I am pleased to confirm that 9 Officer promotions and 27 enlisted promotions have now been progressed. Some have been completed and the remainder will be completed in the coming days. A number of senior technical officer vacancies also have to be filled and competitions are being organized to fill these posts. The residual approved promotions will be used to fill priority posts arising in the next few months. In addition approximately 30 vacancies will be filled through acting up appointments in the coming weeks.

Within the available resources, I am committed to maintaining the strength of the Defence Forces at a level of 10,000 all ranks, for which I have secured Government approval in the context of Budget 2010. This reflects the reductions in personnel recommended in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes.

My officials are continuing to engage with the Military Authorities in relation to the review of structures and posts required to meet the operational requirements of the Defence Forces in light of the Government decision to maintain a complement of 10,000 personnel.

The Defence Forces have improved in every respect since 2000 through the implementation of the White Paper. This represents a significant public success story. However the economic reality is such that the Defence Organisation must contribute to the correction of the public finances. I intend, with the support of the Chief of Staff and within the resources available, to retain the capacity of the organisation to operate effectively across all roles while contributing to the necessary public service economies.

Naval Service Vessels.

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

114 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Defence the repair work recently carried out to the hulls of the LE Emer and the LE Aoife; the length of time that each vessel was out of commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1993/10]

The Naval Service flotilla comprises of eight vessels — the three oldest of which are the L.E. Emer (commissioned in 1978), the L.E. Aoife (commissioned in 1979) and the L.E. Aisling (commissioned in 1980).

There is a programme of continuous planned and preventative maintenance to ensure that all Naval Service vessels are kept in a seaworthy condition, and the Naval Service will only send ships to sea in a seaworthy condition. The three older ships are monitored through increased inspections and maintenance. These inspections have recently resulted in extensive repairs being carried out to the L.E. Emer and the L.E. Aoife, with holes in the hull plating of both vessels being detected and repaired in the course of dry-docking.

When the L.E. Emer was routinely dry-docked in August 2009, a hole, 4 cm in diameter, was found in the ship's hull shell plating, starboard side. As a result of this, an ultra sound survey of the hull was conducted and two further areas were identified that required repair. As a consequence of these unplanned repairs, the programmed dry-dock period of three weeks had to be extended to six weeks at an estimated additional cost of c. €100,000. The cause of the damage is likely to be salt water erosion and micro-biological contamination propagation.

As a result of the emergence of this problem on the L.E. Emer, it was decided to conduct inspections on board both L.E. Aoife and L.E. Aisling. Problems were discovered with the L.E. Aoife, with extensive localised loss of hull plate detected. As a result, an emergency dry-dock had to be carried out at a cost of c. €150,000, and the ship was out of service for a total of six weeks.

No such problems have been detected with L.E. Aisling, although further inspection and examination work is planned.

A vessel replacement strategy for the Naval Service is currently in progress and a tender competition for a ship replacement programme commenced in 2007. Last year a preferred bidder was selected for the potential purchase of up to three Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) and detailed and extensive contract negotiations are now close to conclusion. The decision to proceed with an award of contract will be subject to Government approval and agreement on funding.

As Minister for Defence, the health and safety of all Defence Forces personnel, and compliance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007, are of utmost importance to me.

Court of Inquiry Report.

Ciaran Lynch

Ceist:

115 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Defence if the report of the court of inquiry into the accident at Kilworth Camp, County Cork, in June 2009 has been forwarded by the commanding officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1982/10]

The General Officer Commanding 1 Southern Brigade received the report of the Court of Inquiry in the latter part of 2009. On consideration of the Report, he sought clarification on some matters from the Court of Inquiry.

He has now received the clarification sought and is currently reconsidering the Report. On completion of his reconsiderations, the report will be forwarded to the Deputy Chief of Staff (Support).

Defence Forces Recruitment.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

116 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Defence the number of appointments that have been filled to date in view of the recent decision to approve 50 promotions at senior level within the Defence Forces; when the outstanding posts will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1992/10]

Resulting from the Government Decision regarding the reduction of public service numbers and the reduced budgetary provision available for 2009, recruitment, promotions and acting up appointments in the Permanent Defence Forces were suspended.

In June 2009, I made a submission to my colleague the Minister for Finance regarding the implications of the measures for the Permanent Defence Force. My focus is on maintaining the ongoing operational capability of the Defence Forces. Therefore the question of limited exceptions to the application of the measures arises in this regard. In my submission to the Minister for Finance I outlined the need for limited recruitment, promotions and acting appointments for the Defence Forces.

As I announced on the 24 November, an allocation of 50 promotions has been approved for the Permanent Defence Force by the Minister for Finance. These promotions were approved to address priority operational and command requirements of the Permanent Defence Force.

These promotions therefore must be allocated in a manner that gives protection to the operational capacity of the Defence Forces. In addition, the allocation must be balanced across both officer and enlisted ranks having regard to the operational requirements of the Defence Forces.

Military management has been reviewing existing vacancies in all ranks across the organisation as a whole, so as to prioritise those to be filled from the approved promotions.

Following on from the Military review a number of priority posts have now been identified and I am pleased to confirm that 9 Officer promotions and 27 enlisted promotions have now been progressed. Some have been completed and the remainder will be completed in the coming days. A number of senior technical officer vacancies also have to be filled and competitions are being organised to fill these posts. The residual approved promotions will be used to fill priority posts arising in the next few months. In addition approximately 30 vacancies will be filled through acting up appointments in the coming weeks. My officials are continuing to engage with the Military Authorities in relation to the review of structures and posts required to meet the operational requirements of the Defence Forces in light of the Government decision to maintain a complement of 10,000 personnel.

I am glad to say that while these are challenging times, the Defence Forces have risen to the challenge and are organised, equipped and staffed in a manner which will ensure that they can continue to deliver the services required of them by Government.

Question No. 117 answered with Question No. 113.
Question No. 118 answered with Question No. 90.
Question No. 119 answered with Question No. 77.

Defence Forces Training.

David Stanton

Ceist:

120 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel in respective ranks who attended training camps in 2009 in the integrated and non-integrated Reserve Defence Forces respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2065/10]

The military authorities have informed me that 2447 Reservists attended training camps in 2009. The number of personnel in each rank who attended training camps is presented in the following table.

Lt Col

Comdt

Capt

Lt

Total Officers

SM

BQ

CS

CQ

Sgt

Cpl

Total NCOs

Pte

Total

2

95

147

165

409

13

17

78

81

408

415

1,012

1,026

2,447

The figures refer to non-integrated personnel. The integrated Reserve was developed on a pilot basis during 2007 and 2008 and some 300 reservists received training. The numbers participating in the Integrated Reserve pilots were disappointing and the military authorities had suspended the integrated training programme for 2009. Options for the further development of the Integrated Reserve will be considered in light of the lessons learned from the pilot programme.

Defence Forces Strength.

Charlie O'Connor

Ceist:

121 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces members who have retired or resigned over the past 18 months; the number of commissioned officers, non-commissioned officers and general service personnel who have left in each of those months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1912/10]

I am advised by the military authorities that a total of 804 personnel have left the Permanent Defence Force in the eighteen month period 1 July 2008 to 31 December 2009. This figure is comprised of 99 Officers, 312 Non-Commissioned Officers and 393 Other Ranks personnel. A breakdown according to rank and per month is provided in the tabular statement.

I am keenly aware of the impact that measures such as the moratorium on recruitment, promotion and acting appointments are having on the Permanent Defence Forces in light of the very high turnover rate that is part of any military organization.

The turnover rate has increased significantly in recent months. I am advised by the military authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 31st December 2009, the last date for which figures are available, is 9,933 broken down as follows:

Army 8,095

Navy 1,037

Air Corps 801

My focus is on retaining the capacity of the organization to operate effectively across all roles. This will represent a significant challenge in the coming months. I am in contact with my colleague the Minister for Finance with regard to targeted exemptions from the moratorium which are aimed at maintaining the operational capability and command arrangements of the Permanent Defence Force.

To date I have obtained sanction to fill a number of key posts, including Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations), two Brigadier-General posts, and the Director of Military Prosecutions post. I have also received sanction for 100 acting up posts to service operational requirements both at home and overseas. In addition I secured approval for the recruitment of 42 cadets. Furthermore the promotion of 10 Non-commissioned Officers whose promotions had been in progress prior to the Moratorium has now been finalised.

In addition to the aforementioned an allocation of 50 promotions has been approved for the Permanent Defence Force by the Minister for Finance. These promotions were approved to address priority operational and command requirements of the Permanent Defence Force.

These promotions therefore must be allocated in a manner that gives protection to the operational capacity of the Defence Forces. The allocation must be balanced across both officer and enlisted ranks having regard to the operational requirements of the Defence Forces. Military management has been reviewing existing vacancies in all ranks across the organisation as a whole, so as to prioritise those to be filled from the approved promotions.

Following on from the Military review a number of priority posts have now been identified and I am pleased to confirm that 9 Officer promotions and 27 enlisted promotions have now been progressed. Some have been completed and the remainder will be completed in the coming days. A number of senior technical officer vacancies also have to be filled and competitions are being organised to fill these posts. The residual approved promotions will be used to fill priority posts arising in the next few months. In addition approximately 30 vacancies will be filled through acting up appointments in the coming weeks.

Within the available resources, I am committed to maintaining the strength of the Defence Forces at a level of 10,000 all ranks, for which I have secured Government approval in the context of Budget 2010. This reflects the reductions in personnel recommended in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes.

My officials are continuing to engage with the Military Authorities in relation to the review of structures and posts required to meet the operational requirements of the Defence Forces in light of the Government decision to maintain a complement of 10,000 personnel.

I am advised that at this time the Defence Forces retain the capacity to undertake the tasks laid down by Government both at home and overseas.

Personnel Discharged from the Permanent Defence Force 01 July-31 December 2008

Year

Month

Lt Gen

Maj Gen

Brig Gen

Col

Lt Col

Comdt

Capt

LT

2/LT

Total Offrs

Sgt Maj

BQMS

CS

CQMS

SGT

CPL

Total NCO

PTE 3 *

PTE 2 *

Apptce1

Recruit

Cadet

Total

2008

July

1

2

1

1

5

1

2

4

3

10

13

3

6

37

August

1

1

2

4

1

9

6

16

15

5

7

47

September

1

2

3

2

1

6

7

16

13

3

21

56

October

1

1

5

6

7

18

14

2

31

66

November

1

1

1

1

6

4

12

15

1

7

36

December

3

3

1

1

1

7

6

16

6

2

18

45

2009

January

1

2

4

1

8

1

1

3

7

2

14

7

1

4

34

February

2

1

3

1

2

1

4

8

14

1

1

27

March

1

2

3

1

2

9

3

4

4

11

7

1

1

29

April

1

1

1

3

3

2

4

9

5

17

May

1

1

2

1

7

7

17

8

2

28

June

1

2

1

4

2

7

4

13

15

2

34

July

1

1

1

2

1

6

1

1

3

9

8

22

17

3

1

49

August

2

1

2

5

2

1

1

6

9

9

28

22

2

57

September

1

1

1

3

3

1

10

3

1

2

9

7

22

29

1

62

October

3

1

4

1

9

3

1

3

2

10

6

25

19

4

2

59

November

2

4

1

7

3

2

3

1

13

9

31

20

1

59

December

5

12

17

1

6

11

6

24

21

62

Total

1

1

4

14

21

42

13

1

2

99

10

12

27

36

132

95

312

260

31

3

97

2

804

1 Apprentice.

Question No. 122 answered with Question No. 113.

Departmental Expenditure.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

123 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Defence the savings that will accrue to his Department arising from the public service pay cuts applied by the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009; the number of personnel whose pay has been cut; the average reduction in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1989/10]

The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009 provides for the reduction of public service salaries of up to €125,000 by:

5% on the first €30,000 of salary;

7.5% on the next €40,000 of salary; and

10% on the next €55,000 of salary.

In addition, the Act provides for a 5% reduction in fixed rate allowances payable to such public servants

While the REV (Revised Estimates Volume) details for the Defence Vote have not yet been finalised with the Department of Finance, it is estimated that gross savings in the order of €34m will accrue in 2010 arising from the reductions in remuneration.

There are three broad categories of employees on my Department's payroll, and the payroll numbers affected in each category on 1 January 2010 were:

9,915 military personnel (including Army Nursing Service);

402 civil servants (including Civil Defence); and

760 civilian employees.

Based on payroll outturn for 2009 and the average numbers in each category during 2009, it is estimated that the average percentage pay reduction for each category will be:

5.8% for military personnel;

5.9% for civil servants; and

5.4% for civilian employees.

I should add that members of the Reserve Defence Force will be paid at the same (reduced) rates when on paid training as their PDF counterparts.

Army Equitation School.

Ciaran Lynch

Ceist:

124 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Defence if the Army equitation school will continue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1981/10]

The mandate of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes was to examine all current Exchequer spending across all Departments and agencies and to identify where expenditure and staff savings might be made.

One of the savings measures identified for the Defence Vote in the Report of the Special Group was the discontinuation of the Army Equitation School. While some of the cost saving measures proposed in the Report will be introduced, I have decided not to accept the suggestion that the Army Equitation School be closed. It is an important and emblematic feature of the Defence Forces and I believe it should continue its good work representing the Defence Forces and Ireland.

Commemorative Events.

Joan Burton

Ceist:

125 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Defence the progress reported in the projects relating to the 2016 commemoration of the 1916 rising at the Oireachtas consultation group report on 2 December 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1973/10]

The All Party Oireachtas Consultation Group on the Centenary of the Rising met in Leinster House on Wednesday, 2 December, 2009. The Group were informed of recent developments and events, including:

(a) Commemorations at:

a. the General Post Office, Dublin on Easter Sunday, 12 April, 2009

b. the War Memorial Park, Islandbridge, 11 July, 2009

c. National Day of Commemoration, Kilmainham, 12 July, 2009.

(b) Arbour Hill renewal works including restoration and extension of the existing church car park, repair and restoration of all existing cemetery graves, repair of cemetery pathways and the planting of new trees.

(c) The future location of the Abbey Theatre and possible redevelopment at the GPO with reference also to the protection of 16 Moore Street.

(d) Recent acquisitions for the national collections of items of interest relating to the independence period, amongst which were the 964 items of the Stanley Collection at a cost of €3.5 million. Other items purchased/donated include a letter from P.H. Pearse to General Maxwell and General Maxwell's brief reply and a copy of the Proclamation.

(e) Assistance towards themed publications i.e. the Royal Irish Academy's recent publication on Seán Lemass, and the SIPTU sponsored publication on James Connolly.

(f) The Military Archives Project envisages that files, being the service records of personnel involved in the struggle for independence, would be released into the public domain on a phased basis in the years leading to the Centenary of the Rising. The Group were informed that an Advisory Board of historians had accepted invitations to assist with this project.

Later that day, the group visited Glasnevin Cemetery and the National Museum of Ireland Collins Barracks to view projects relating to the 2016 commemoration of the 1916 Rising.

At Glasnevin Cemetery, the Group inspected progress on the significant programme of ongoing restoration works underway for which €6.4m of NDP funding has been provided to date. A new interpretative centre is scheduled to be opened in April, 2010.

While at Glasnevin, the Group noted the four headstones recently erected by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission on graves recording the British military service of the deceased. It is envisaged that further such headstones will be erected over coming years.

Following a meeting with the Director of the National Museum of Ireland, the Group visited two exhibitions: Soldiers and Chiefs — The Irish at War at Home and Abroad from 1550 and The Easter Rising: Understanding 1916.

The Group also visited the ongoing restoration work being conducted on Erskine Childers' yacht Asgard. This project is scheduled to be completed by the end of June 2010.

The future use of the GPO including the possible development of cultural and amenity projects is under consideration. The suggested relocation to the GPO complex of the Abbey Theatre is currently being examined by the Office of Public Works. The decision on future use will have regard to all advice and suggestions received.

It was agreed that the Group would meet again early in 2010.

Defence Forces Equipment.

Niall Collins

Ceist:

126 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Defence the main equipment purchases and deliveries of new equipment and vehicles scheduled over the coming six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1915/10]

As the Deputy is aware, there has been very significant investment in equipment and infrastructure in the Defence Forces over the past ten years. The acquisition of new and replacement equipment for the Defence Forces remains a key focus for me as Minister for Defence. It is, however, imperative that my Department and the Defence Forces look to whatever efficiencies we can make, taking into account the current difficult economic environment and the overall financial envelope available for the Department for military equipment over the coming years.

Notwithstanding the current economic environment, several important equipment purchases will be advanced in the first six months of 2010 including the delivery of 17 Light Tactical Armoured Vehicles. A further 10 Light Tactical Armoured Vehicles will be delivered later this year. Other transport related acquisitions scheduled in the first half of 2010 include 22 Minibuses, 2 ambulances, 45 ¾ ton 4 x 4 patrol vehicles and 4 midi-coaches for troop transportation. In addition a contract was placed last year for the provision of 2 Heavy Recovery Vehicles for the Defence Forces, one for delivery in 2010 and the other in 2011. A contract is currently being awarded for the provision of 50 Roll Over Protection Systems for troop carrying vehicles and these systems will be installed in the first six months of this year.

The extensive equipment investment programme implemented over the past 10 years has positioned the Defence Forces well to deal with the reductions which have had to be made in defence expenditure given the resources now available. Whilst no major equipment programmes have been cancelled altogether, careful planning and monitoring of all funding will continue to ensure that any possible impact on operations is mitigated and that the procurement of essential replacement equipment is prioritised.

Legislative Programme.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

127 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Defence the legislative programme for his Department for 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1986/10]

My Department, in conjunction with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, has commenced the process of drafting a Defence (Amendment) Bill to amend the provisions of Part V of the Defence Act 1954, primarily relating to offences against military law and extended provisions for arrests and detention. The requirement for the amendment to the Act arises from the recommendations of a Military Law Review Board established to review the adequacy, effectiveness and fairness of the military justice system as laid down in Part V (Discipline) of the Defence Act 1954. I expect that the Bill will be published in the second half of 2010.

No other legislation is envisaged for my Department this year.

Departmental Expenditure.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

128 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on his Department’s Estimate for 2010. [1988/10]

Like all areas of the public service, the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces will contribute towards resolving the current challenges facing the country. The Defence Organisation will be required to operate on a reduced budget for 2010 as outlined in the Budget 2010 documentation.

I am committed to maintaining the strength of the Defence Forces at a level of 10,000 across all ranks. The Defence Forces will continue to operate across all of the roles assigned by Government.

The investment in improved equipment and training made over the past few years means that the Defence Forces are in a healthy state both in terms of personnel and equipment to meet the challenges that lie ahead. They have improved in every respect since 2000 and comprehensive reform of structure and human resources, together with major investment in infrastructure and equipment, has been achieved during the past ten years.

There will be no new, cost-increasing expenditure measures introduced in 2010. The key current expenditure reductions in 2010 will be achieved as follows:

Payroll savings of c. €14m will be achieved by a reduction in Permanent Defence Force personnel numbers, reduced civilian employee numbers and lower levels of paid training days for the Reserve Defence Forces.

Reductions in the number of Permanent Defence Force personnel deployed overseas to Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina will achieve savings of up to €7m.

Reduced Naval Service patrol days and the optimisation of Air Corps flying hours will deliver savings of €2.2m.

The Coiste an Asgard sail training scheme will be discontinued, resulting in a saving of €0.8m.

Additional Appropriations in Aid of up to €13m are anticipated, mainly in respect of UN receipts, property sales, cash escorts and military guards. The scheme of full recovery for security services will be extended to An Post, the Central Bank and other organisations.

The 2010 capital expenditure allocation of €16m will be focused on new building works to improve the accommodation and facilities of the Defence Forces.

I am satisfied that priority programmes of investment in equipment and infrastructure will be maintained.

Departmental Websites.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

129 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Taoiseach the number of websites his Department provides; the annual cost of maintaining each site; the number of unique visits each site received for 2009, or for a part of 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2245/10]

My Department has 6 active (and 1 inactive) websites.

Site

Annual Support & Maintenance Charge

2009 Unique Visits

taoiseach.gov.ie

1,815.00

470,199

onegov.ie (formerly bettergov.ie)

1,815.00

(onegov) 23,470

(bettergov) 97,480

betterregulation.ie

1,815.00

9,287

orp.ie

1,815.00

2,404

activecitizenship.ie

1,815.00

(Aug to Dec only) 6,878

inp.ie

Nil

8,623

forumoneurope.ie*

Nil

(Jan to Sept only) 89,915

*The forumoneurope.ie website is no longer active but will continue to be available as an information resource. The support and maintenance charge for this site in 2009 was €2,587.95.

In addition to the above costs the total cost of hosting all seven sites for 2009 was €22,832.33.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

130 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of websites her Department provides; the annual cost of maintaining each site; the number of unique visits each site received in 2009 or part of 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2238/10]

The information requested by the Deputy in respect of 15 websites provided by my Department is set out in the table.

In a number of instances, Business Units responsible for some sites record the number of "page hits" rather than the number of "unique visits". In these cases, I am supplying the Deputy with the number of "page hits".

Website Address

Annual Maintenance Cost

No. of Unique Visits in 2009

1

www.entemp.ie (The Department’s website)

€5,212.00

599,764

2

www.solvitireland.ie (The website of the problem-solving network created to solve problems that EU citizens or businesses may be experiencing with alleged denial of their Internal Market rights)

€2,174.00

Not recorded

3

www.esf.ie (The website for the European Social Fund in Ireland)

€4,811 (50% ESF co-funded)

6,806

4

www.equal-ci.ie (The website for the ESF co-funded EQUAL Community Initiative in Ireland)

€83 (50% ESF co-funded)

Not recorded

5

www.ideasbank.ie (The website was set up under the Equal Community Initiative to serve as a repository of innovative ideas. Currently, the site is not in operation)

€365 (50% ESF co-funded)

Not recorded

6

www.employmentrights.ie (The website of the National Employment Rights Authority)

€7,000.00

383,300

7

www.eatribunal.ie (The website of the Employment Appeals Tribunal)

€6,123.00

3,112,970

8

www.labourcourt.ie (The website for the Labour Court)

€27,486.00

2,618,156 (page hits between 14 October and 31 December)

9

www.worklifebalance.ie (The website supporting the National Framework Committee for Work Life Balance Policies.)

€2,147.00

41,529

10

www.patentsoffice.ie (The website for the Patents Office)

€16,516.00

294,552

11

www.basis.ie (The website developed to provide business with a single access point to all Government information and services.)

€65,103.00

85,763

12

www.clrg.org (The website of the Company Law Review Group)

€500.00

10,908 (extrapolated based on monthly statistics)

13

www.odce.ie (The website of the Office of the Director if Corporate Enforcement)

€6,966.75

212,863 1 Jan.– 7 Dec. 2009 (inclusive)

14

www.cro.ie (The website of the Companies Registration Office (CRO))

€5,000.00

600,000 (extrapolated from the Jan 2009 number of visits of 48,417 visits)

15

www.core.ie (A document processing environment and communications mechanism of the CRO)

€22,891.00

There are 96,384 unique registered users. This is the only figure available so it is not possible to give a figure for the number of unique visits

Apprentice Work Placements.

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

131 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of apprentices who are within six to 12 months of completion of their apprenticeship but are without a job placement; the types of apprenticeships involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2259/10]

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

132 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her plans for apprentices who have been unable to complete their training due to unavailability of work placements; how they can continue their apprenticeships; the number of apprentices that have had their apprenticeships on hold in the past 18 months due to this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2260/10]

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

133 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will introduce work programmes similar to the teamwork scheme from the 1980s in order to allow newly qualified apprentices to gain practical work experience on building projects; if she will seek a requirement among contractors who take up capital projects funded by her to require a certain percentage of apprentices to be involved in the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2261/10]

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

134 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of unfinished apprenticeships, both county-by-county and based on the type of apprenticeship involved; her plans for those persons who find themselves redundant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2262/10]

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

135 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of persons who have had their professional apprenticeships halted after being let go over the past 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2263/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 to 135, inclusive, together.

The number of apprentices within 6 to 12 months of completion of their apprenticeship without a job placement is currently 3,080. Of these, 495 are currently attending Phase 6 off-the-job training at an Institute of Technology. A total of 5,338 apprenticeships have been notified to FÁS as being halted as a result of redundancy since July 2008. A total of 719 apprentices recorded as redundant in July 2008 remained redundant at January 2010. The disaggregated data on a county-by-county and trade basis is not readily available.

The Teamwork Scheme was a full-time temporary employment programme for the under 25s which ran from the early 1980s until the mid-1990s. This Scheme ran alongside the Social Employment Scheme for the over 25s. Both schemes were then merged, with some changes, to form the Community Employment (CE) scheme in the mid-1990s. Training and education provided under measures other than the CE scheme are considered to be more appropriate to the needs of redundant or newly qualified apprentices.

FÁS has already put in place a number of measures to assist redundant apprentices. An outline of those measures is provided below for the Deputy's information. These measures will support around 4,000 redundant apprentices.

1. FÁS has put in place an interim measure whereby apprentices who are made redundant may progress to the next off-the-job training phase of their apprenticeship, in line with current scheduling criteria. In 2009, over 2,000 redundant apprentices were provided with off-the-job training and 1,041 redundant apprentices commenced off-the-job training in January 2010.

2. In 2009, FÁS introduced a temporary Employer Based Redundant Apprentice Rotation Scheme for apprentices made redundant in the Construction Industry. Over 460 redundant apprentices completed Phase 3, 5 and 7 training and assessments with employers under this Scheme in 2009.

3. ESB Networks has agreed a programme with FÁS to provide on-the-job training with ESB Networks to eligible redundant apprentices at Phases 5 and 7 of their apprenticeship. This programme will provide up to 400 places over a period of 18 months and is funded by ESB Networks. To date, 147 redundant apprentices have completed training, 92 are currently in training, and further placements will take place during 2010.

4. Redundant apprentices may also avail of existing trade-related specific skills training courses to enhance their employable skills. They may also avail of the range of trade-related evening courses available in FÁS Training Centres.

5. FÁS and the Institutes of Technology have agreed the PP5 programme for redundant apprentices who have successfully completed Phases 1-4 of their apprenticeship and where an on or off-the-job training opportunity is not currently available. The programme has both a Construction Stream and an Engineering Stream, with a number of core skills modules related to apprenticeship and a number of electives in specific skills. The programme provides apprentices with a Level 5 FETAC award and allows for access and transfer of credits to other post-apprenticeship programmes. The Institutes of Technology are currently issuing invitations to eligible redundant apprentices to participate in the programme commencing late January 2010.

6. FÁS has also developed Phase 7-equivalent assessments for redundant apprentices at the final phase of their apprenticeship in the trades of Carpentry & Joinery, Electrical, Plumbing, Brick & Stonelaying and Plastering. Eligible redundant apprentices will be scheduled by FÁS to these assessment events which will commence in February 2010.

7. Redundant apprentices registered for 4 years who have successfully completed all Phases 1-7 of their apprenticeship, but have not yet completed the required 4 years in employment as an apprentice in the specified trade, will be contacted by FÁS to submit a portfolio of evidence under Recognition of Prior Learning for consideration by the National Apprenticeship Advisory Sub-committee for the award of the Advanced Craft Certificate.

FÁS continues to closely monitor the situation in relation to redundant apprentices and newly qualified craftspersons. Further proposals to assist redundant apprentices to complete the on-the-job training of their apprenticeship with a FÁS approved employer are under discussions currently between FÁS and my Department.

Community Employment Schemes.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

136 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding community employment schemes; the length of time a person can remain on them; if she has instructed or authorised FÁS to reduce this period in order to increase the number going through retraining; if she will clarify the position regarding the case of persons over 60 years who participate in CE schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2349/10]

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

137 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her policy with regard to schemes involving retraining of married people who are now losing benefits and being deprived of training facilities because they are married and have got 12 months’ unemployment benefit; if she will adjust the rules in view of the fact that persons are now losing jobseeker’s benefit after 12 months; how a married person with a working spouse can get onto a community employment scheme; if he or she must be unemployed for 12 months and in receipt of a payment; if he or she loses his or her payment after 12 months; if she will revise such policies in view of their impact on married persons. [2356/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 137 together.

Community Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a fixed term basis. The purpose of CE is to help unemployed people to re-enter the open labour market by breaking their experience of unemployment through a return to a work routine and to assist them to enhance/develop both their technical and personal skills.

The criteria for participating on the Community Employment programme are based on age and length of time in receipt of various social welfare payments. Eligible persons under 55 years of age may be eligible for a maximum of 3 years overall participation on Community Employment (CE). Eligible persons of 55 or over may be eligible to a maximum of 6 years overall participation on CE. Persons in receipt of any of the 4 disability-linked Social Welfare payments may be eligible for 1 additional year's participation. Only time spent on CE since the 3rd April 2000 counts towards these participation limits.

Participation on Community Employment has an upper age limit of 65 years of age, i.e. a CE participant/Supervisor can remain on CE until the day before their 66th birthday, provided they meet all other eligibility requirements. FÁS cannot make funding available to a Sponsor for any participant or Supervisor aged 66 years or over. To do so would mean that the state would effectively be double-funding both the CE place and the participant’s state pension simultaneously.

Training allowances on full-time day courses are payable to those who are in receipt of Department of Social and Family Affairs payments including Jobseeker's Allowance/Benefit, One Parent Family Allowance, Disability Benefit and Invalidity Pension. If a person qualifies under the criteria but does not wish to take up the option themselves, there are certain conditions under which they can do a spousal swap.

The Government will continue to support into the future the positive role of CE in meeting the needs of long-term unemployed persons while at the same time providing essential services to communities. In this regard, we are keeping the operation of the Scheme under constant review.

Industrial Development.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

138 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of visits by IDA Ireland personnel with potential investors to a town (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she is satisfied that there is a reasonable balance in the promotion of this town by the IDA as compared to the major urban centres in the county. [2393/10]

I have been informed by IDA that during 2009, there has been 1 site visit by potential investors to Ballinasloe.

As part of its strategy to attract inward investment, IDA Ireland introduces a prospective client company to 3 or 4 selected locations, which can meet the company's requirements for skills, labour, site and/or building(s), and infrastructure. In selecting locations to show companies, IDA Ireland seeks to include locations which have been affected by closures/job losses. The Agency also gives priority to the Border, Midlands and West regions. While IDA seeks to influence the selection of location, the final decision on location is taken in all cases by the promoting company.

In the present competitive global market, as Ireland competes for new investments at the highest end of the value chain, the concept of scale is crucial to our economic destiny. Leading corporations require a significant population of highly qualified talent, effective physical and digital infrastructure coupled with availability of sophisticated professional support services. If we are to continue being successful in realising a large proportion of our investments outside of the larger cities, all economic and social stakeholders will need to adhere to the framework on which the National Spatial Strategy is constructed.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

139 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA Ireland-assisted jobs which were provided in County Galway, outside Galway city, for each of the years 2007, 2008 and 2009; the location of these jobs; the years in which they were provided; the number of IDA jobs announced during each of these years that have not yet been put in place or been realised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2394/10]

The Forfás Annual Employment Survey reports on job gains and losses in companies that are supported by the industrial development agencies. Data are compiled on an annualised basis and are aggregated at county level. It is therefore not possible to provide information for individual locations throughout the country. The survey shows that in the three-year period, 2007 to 2009 inclusive, there were a total of 1,448 new jobs created in IDA supported companies in Galway. Details of the number of new jobs created in each of those years are set out in the attached tabular statement.

During that same period a total of 16 announcements with a potential to create in the region of 800 new jobs in IDA Ireland supported companies in Galway were made. There were 6 IDA announcements relating to Galway in 2009 and 5 announcements in each of the years 2007 and 2008.

It is important to point out that there is always a time lag, often stretching over years, between the announcement of new jobs and their creation. That time is required for activities such as locating and acquiring a suitable site for the company's operations, constructing a facility and installing machinery as well as the recruitment and training of staff.

Of course, the numbers of jobs eventually created may turn out to be higher or lower than originally envisaged by the investing company as a result of developments in their product markets, general economic conditions, investment decisions and overall corporate strategy. In addition it must be pointed out that some job creation projects go ahead without an announcement being made.

New jobs created in IDA-supported companies in County Galway in each of the years 2007, 2008 & 2009

Year

2007

2008

2009

New jobs created

409

610

429

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

140 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of grant aid provided by IDA Ireland for job creation and assistance towards site and facilities provision in Galway city and separately in County Galway for each of the years 2007, 2008 and 2009; the country or origin of the beneficiaries of this aid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2401/10]

I am informed by IDA Ireland that an amount of €30,858,739 was paid in grant aid to its client companies in County Galway (both City and County) in the three-year period 2007 to 2009. The companies that availed of such grants were from USA, UK and Japan. Details in respect of each year are set out in the tabular statement.

In the same period the Agency spent a total of €45,910m in site acquisition and development.

In the time available it has not been possible to provide a breakdown of these figures as between city and county, but I have asked the Agency to forward the information to you directly in due course.

Grant Aid paid to IDA client companies in Galway city and county in each of the three years 2007, 2008 & 2009

Year

Amount

2007

8,597,316

2008

12,218,919

2009

10,042,504

Amount spent by IDA in site acquisition and development in Galway city and county in each of the three years 2007, 2008 & 2009

Year

Amount

2007

42,615,050

2008

1,094,822

2009

2,200,220

Employment Action Plan.

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

141 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of unemployed persons interviewed by FÁS under the national employment action plan in 2009 who were invited back for repeat interviews; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2407/10]

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

142 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of unemployed persons interviewed by FÁS under the national employment action plan in 2009 who are still classified as unemployed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2408/10]

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

143 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of persons who failed to attend their national employment action plan interviews by FÁS in 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2409/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 141 to 143, inclusive, together.

The Irish National Employment Action Plan (NEAP), adopted by the Government as its response to the European Employment Guidelines, included a commitment to a more systematic engagement of the Employment Services with the unemployed. Implementation of this commitment commenced in September, 1998.

In 2009, FÁS increased its capacity to 147,000 by re-deploying staff to Employment Services and engaging Local Employment Service in direct NEAP Referral.

The total number of clients interviewed up to end November 2009 was 65,000. Of these, 23,578 had not left the live register as at end November 2009. Data on outcomes for all persons referred in 2009 to end-December will be collected at end-January 2010. The number that failed to attend for interview was 21,600.

An analysis of clients who had their initial interview in May 2009 indicates that approximately 17% of clients are called back for one or more subsequent interviews with their case officer, and 14% actually attend at least one such interview.

Many clients are referred to other programme opportunities at their first NEAP interview; while others are identified as job ready and not in need of additional training or other intensive assistance that would require follow-up interview.

Departmental Agencies.

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

144 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of placement officers working in each FÁS office, on a part-time and full-time basis; the number of days these officers are available to meet with clients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2437/10]

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

145 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of placement officers working in a FÁS office (details supplied); if they are working on a part- or full-time basis; if it is intended to increase the number of placement officers in the FÁS office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2438/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 145 together.

The following table details the number of Employment Services Officers (ESOs), on a whole-time equivalent basis, based in each FÁS Employment Services Office:

FÁS Office Location

Total FTE

Dublin Coolock

5.00

Dublin D’Olier House

12.90

Dún Laoghaire

5.60

Dublin Finglas Shopping Centre

5.50

Dublin Finglas Training Centre

2.60

Dublin Ballyfermot

6.30

Dublin Tallaght

10.50

Dublin Clondalkin

6.00

Dublin Crumlin

4.50

Dublin Blanchardstown

5.70

Dublin Swords

4.00

Dublin Baggott Court

4.80

Loughlinstown

2.30

Dublin Baldoyle

4.60

Dublin Nutgrove

2.50

Balbriggan Enterprise Centre

3.00

Dublin Cabra

3.50

Dublin City Centre

10.00

Edenderry

1.00

Athlone

4.00

Longford

2.50

Mullingar

3.00

Portlaoise

4.44

Tullamore

3.72

Maynooth

2.00

Newbridge

4.72

Limerick

14.80

Ennis

5.00

Nenagh

1.50

Newcastle West

2.00

Shannon

1.00

Thurles

1.00

Dundalk

5.00

Cavan

3.00

Drogheda

4.00

Monaghan

2.00

Navan

6.00

Sligo

7.72

Carrick-on-Shannon

2.00

Ballybofey

3.00

Letterkenny

10.00

Gweedore

2.00

Waterford

7.52

Carlow

4.40

Clonmel

5.00

Kilkenny

4.44

Wexford

3.00

Enniscorthy

2.00

Bray

4.60

Arklow

2.00

Cork Sullivan’s Quay

16.10

Cork Rossa Avenue

1.00

Cork Shandon Street

1.00

Bantry

1.00

Killarney

0.60

Mallow

2.00

Tralee

10.00

Galway

16.30

Ballina

2.80

Castlebar

3.72

Tuam

1.00

Roscommon

2.00

The availability of Employment Services Officers to meet the public varies from office to office and is determined to a great extent by the office staffing level, the demand for the service and certain outreach initiatives covered by the office, e.g. servicing clinics in other locations. However most offices are open to the public from Monday to Friday and provide an interview service to the public on a walk-in basis or by appointment. In addition, each office meets with clients, on an appointment basis, who were referred by the Department of Social and Family Affairs under the National Employment Action Plan (NEAP). ESOs also schedule these clients, among others, for follow up interviews and discussions.

FÁS is prioritising the allocation of resources to its front line services through an internal redeployment of staff to service the needs of a significant increase in the number of jobseekers presenting to FÁS offices and to meet the substantial increase in the number of clients referred to FÁS by the Department of Social and Family Affairs under the NEAP. In relation to the latter, FÁS has arranged for the direct referral of an agreed number of NEAP clients to the network of Local Employment Services (LES) as part of a major increase in interview capacity in the dual-stranded National Employment Service comprised of FÁS Employment Services and the LES.

FÁS interviewed almost 110,000 new registrants from January to November 2009 (December data will be available shortly), including almost 65,000 clients referred by the Department of Social and Family Affairs under the NEAP process. In addition and as a result of the significant increase in company closures and redundancies in 2009, FÁS provided a responsive and customised service to a vast range of companies and employees affected, e.g. Dell, SR Technics, Waterford Crystal, etc. This included the provision of one-to-one guidance support, assistance/advice with CV preparation and interview techniques, tailored individual and group training programmes.

Job Clubs.

Tom Hayes

Ceist:

146 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs clubs here; the amount of funding each club has received for each year since 2007; the number of staff employed in each club; if there are plans to expand the work of the jobs clubs in view of increases in unemployment over the past 18 months; and the plans for south Tipperary with regard to jobs clubs. [2559/10]

There are 56 Job Clubs nationwide providing formal programmes to assist people enter the labour market by helping unemployed job seekers to learn the skills required for job search and exploration of career options.

The normal staffing structure of a Job Club is of a Job Club Leader and a support person. The role of the Job Club Leader is fundamentally to enable participants to take responsibility for their own learning while they are members of the Job Club. The Job Club support person provides secretarial and other administrative support.

The number and role of Job Clubs in the current environment is kept under constant review.

FÁS are working with the Community and Voluntary sector in the South East to ensure that the needs of the area in relation to training and employment support is being met.

Details of budgets and expenditure for the years 2008 and 2009 are contained in the following table, information for 2007 is being compiled and will be provided to the Deputy at a later date.

FÁS & LES Job Clubs 2008 Actual / 2009 Budget

2008 expenditure

2009 Budget

2009 expenditure

JCFBA Jobcare Ltd

181,170

189,997

149,408

JCFBC S.I.C.C.D.A.

57,757

78,002

71,492

JCFBE Larkin Unemployed Ctr

160,762

153,998

142,849

JCFBF Dolebusters Resource

104,959

90,004

95,879

JCFBG Balbriggan Ent Dev Gro

74,234

100,002

105,674

JCFBI Worklink

53,395

69,992

38,167

JCFBJ Joblink Blanchardstown

96,248

80,002

100,191

JCFBK Finglas Cabra Partnership

104,850

105,001

97,954

JCFBL Northside Partnership Ltd

109,568

100,002

96,164

JCFBM Ballymun

100,492

111,995

110,481

JCFBN Canal Communities LES

100,516

88,005

129,998

JCFBO Donnycarney Job Club

117,383

100,002

81,045

JCFCM Quarryvale Jobs Club

(24,463)

JCFDB Southside Local Emp Services

109,317

75,000

110,468

JCFCB D12 Job Club

54,347

68,000

68,098

JCFCF Ballyfermot Jobs Club

77,425

90,000

98,227

JCFCG Tallaght Jobs Club LES

81,968

87,000

88,065

JCFCH Tallaght Kilnamagh LES

89,938

87,000

100,406

JCFCK Clondalkin DBD Job Club

59,940

90,000

141,634

JCFCN JADD Job Club Brookfield

103,406

87,000

97,601

DD328 Jobs Club-Part time

251

JCFAA Navan

125,886

94,389

155,325

JCFAB Cavan

(18,845)

94,389

0

JCFAC Monaghan

81,141

94,389

99,795

JCFAD Drogheda

146,170

94,389

88,749

JCP26 Job Club Drogheda

100,615

94,389

114,814

JCP27 Job Club Dundalk

153,462

94,389

147,358

JCFJA Inishowen Peninsula

140,275

119,000

102,972

JCFJB Letterkenny

91,433

119,000

126,171

JCFJC Gweedore

(1,491)

JCFJD Sligo

93,927

119,000

112,453

JCFJE Carrick on Shannon

85,295

119,000

100,145

JCFEA Ctr Unemploy Wexford

(5,728)

JCFEB Carlow Job Clubs

69,619

102,540

33,196

JCFEC Carrick On Suir

127,368

0

8,516

JCFED Noreside Resource Ctr

104,472

82,068

95,322

JCFEE Waterford Resource Ctr

(29,606)

98,208

0

JCFEF Arklow Job Club

120,714

120,588

119,269

JCP45 Job Club Wexford

20,366

JCFFA Cork Ctr Unemployed

107,241

85,209

119,662

JCFFB Cumann Iosaf Tralee

135,259

121,769

124,063

JCFFE Listowel

123,230

121,769

97,084

JCP29 Job Club Kerry

127,339

126,407

165,664

JCFKA West Offaly Partner

119,972

122,076

120,636

JCFKD Portlaoise Com Action

119,812

112,948

117,414

JCFKE Portarlington Com Dev

121,989

121,148

130,146

JCFKF Congress Ctr Unemploy

8,907

0

(2,294)

JCFKH Longford Employment Dev Info Job Club

117,445

121,148

129,113

JCFKI JOB CLUB

102,429

115,336

98,738

JCFKJ Athy Pre-employment

113,776

104,988

42,278

JCFKK Kildare Town

113,537

116,336

116,891

JCFKM Athlone Community Taskforce

96,486

116,276

101,462

JCFGB Clare Unemploy Resource

105,841

101,364

106,129

JCFGC West Limerick Resource

97,430

112,524

106,792

JCFGD Roscrea 2000 Ltd

61,404

107,868

122,146

JCFGE Moycross Dev Co Ltd

130,597

129,432

125,926

JCFGF Southill Comm Services

105,542

109,212

99,268

JCFGG Ballyhoura Development Ltd

106,301

102,660

112,422

JCFGH LES

114,782

120,336

126,622

JCFGI Thurles Chamber of Commerce

20,620

0

7,426

JCFGJ Nenagh Community Network

118,124

98,316

103,386

JCFHD Ballinasloe community resource J/Club

91,723

108,986

110,643

JCFHE Galway People Resourse Centre

145,729

108,810

88,773

JCFHG Castlerea Job Club

72,965

116,229

111,338

JCFHH Ballina Job Club

85,204

106,008

136,930

Total

5,881,970

6,003,895

5,946,791

Departmental Agencies.

George Lee

Ceist:

147 Deputy George Lee asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the purpose of the FÁS communications unit; the way this unit helps the unemployed; the number of staff employed by this unit; the pay bill of all staff employed by this unit in 1997 and in 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2560/10]

The FÁS Communications Unit was established in 2009. The unit forms part of the Corporate Support function in FÁS, which is also responsible for Legal Services, Freedom of Information, Oireachtas Liaison & Parliamentary Questions, Insurances and secretarial services to the Board of FÁS. It provides a range of services to both FÁS clients and staff. These services include:

Communication of information on all FÁS programmes, services and new initiatives;

Event management, advertising, publicity and marketing;

Production of Labour Market Surveys and other FÁS publications;

Media liaison;

The integration of new technologies to create improved web-based communication channels for clients and staff.

The Communications Unit has a staff of 6. The pay bill of this unit in 2009 is currently being compiled and will be communicated to the Deputy.

George Lee

Ceist:

148 Deputy George Lee asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of staff employed at each of the FÁS training centres; the pay bill of the staff employed at each training centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2562/10]

The number of staff employed at each of the FÁS Training Centres is set out as follows.

Location

Total Staff

Baldoyle

79.78

Ballyfermot

81.03

Cabra

35.02

Finglas

60.42

Loughlinstown

58.30

Tallaght

49.00

Athlone

69.04

Limerick

90.50

Shannon

24.50

Dundalk

65.10

Gweedore

9.60

Letterkenny

35.44

Sligo

46.90

Waterford

100.26

Wexford

9.58

Carrigaline

3.00

Cork

115.10

Tralee

50.10

Ballina

4.00

Galway

66.60

The pay bills of these centres are currently being compiled and will be communicated to the Deputy.

Flood Relief.

Frank Feighan

Ceist:

149 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the allocation of funding and assistance available to businesses in Carrick-on-Shannon and Leitrim village and in counties Roscommon and Leitrim generally to alleviate the problems caused by recent flooding; and when funding will come available; the way it will be accessed. [2565/10]

No specific funding has been identified for or allocated to my Department to alleviate the problems caused to businesses by the recent flooding.

The enterprise support agencies under the aegis of my Department remain available to offer advice to client businesses and their normal financial supports remain available to eligible clients.

Departmental Websites.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

150 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Finance the number of websites his Department provides; the annual cost of maintaining each site; the number of unique visits each site received for 2009, or for a part of 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2240/10]

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

Website Address

Website name

Users

Maintenance Costs 2009

http://www.finance.gov.ie

Department of Finance Web site

592,0681

€5,800 plus VAT

http://www.budget.gov.ie

Publication of Annual Budget

576,9902

€0 — Hosted and Maintained in-house

http://www.gov.ie

Government of Ireland

143,7983

€0 — Hosted and Maintained in-house

http://www.cmo.gov.ie

Office of the Chief Medical Officer

Not Recorded

€0 — Hosted and Maintained in-house

http://www.personnelcode.gov.ie

Publication of Personal Code & Circulars

Not Recorded

€0 — Hosted and Maintained in-house

http://www.cspensions.gov.ie

Civil Service Pensions Calculator

Not Recorded

€0 — Hosted and Maintained in-house

http://www.benchmarking.gov.ie

Benchmarking Body

Not Recorded

€0 — Hosted and Maintained in-house

http://www.constructionprocurement.gov.ie

Information on Construction Procurement

Not Recorded

€0 — Hosted and Maintained in-house

http://www.cprm.gov.ie

Committee for Public Management Research

Not Recorded

€0 — Hosted and Maintained in-house

http://www.cseas.gov.ie

Civil Service Employee Assistance Service

Not Recorded

€0 — Hosted and Maintained in-house

http://www.cspvg.gov.ie

Civil Service Performance Verification Group

Not Recorded

€0 — Hosted and Maintained in-house

http://www.decentralisation.gov.ie

Decentralisation publications

Not Recorded

€0 — Hosted and Maintained in-house

http://www.disability.gov.ie

Disability Information Website

Not Recorded

€0 — Hosted and Maintained in-house

http://www.eprocnet.gov.ie

eProcurement Network Information

Not Recorded

€0 — Hosted and Maintained in-house

http://www.eusf.gov.ie

Structural Funds

Not Recorded

€0 — Hosted and Maintained in-house

http://www.foi.gov.ie

Information on Freedom of Information

Not Recorded

€0 — Hosted and Maintained in-house

http://www.ictprocurement.gov.ie

ICT Procurement Website

Not Recorded

€0 — Hosted and Maintained in-house

http://www.peerreview.gov.ie

Information website on Peer Review Process

Not Recorded

€0 — Hosted and Maintained in-house

http://www.ppp.gov.ie

Public Private Partnership

Not Recorded

€0 — Hosted and Maintained in-house

http://www.psi.gov.ie

Re-use of Public Sector Information

Not Recorded

€0 — Hosted and Maintained in-house

http://www.reviewbody.gov.ie

Review Body on Higher Remuneration

Not Recorded

€0 — Hosted and Maintained in-house

http://www.taxcommission.ie

Commission on Taxation web site

Not Recorded

€0 — Hosted and Maintained in-house

1. The number of users recorded in the period from 1 September to 31 December 2009. Logs are only maintained for 3 months.
2. The number of users recorded in the period from 1 January to 31 December 2009.
3. The number of users recorded between 13 October 2009 and 18 January 2010. Logs are only maintained for 3 months.

Public Sector Pay.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

151 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Finance the number of public servants earning less than €30,000 who work in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2248/10]

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the latest relevant historical information available on the incomes of employees taxed under the PAYE system is derived from income tax returns filed for the income tax year 2007 representing about 96% of all returns expected at the time the data were complied for analytical purposes.

On this basis the numbers of persons classified as public sector employees in Dublin City and County earning a gross income of less than €30,000 are 47,218 and 10,565 respectively. However, care needs to be exercised in relation to these figures as they include persons in receipt of various payments from public sources who would not normally be regarded as public servants e.g. those in receipt of fees, those on State Boards etc. Furthermore, the data do not distinguish earnings from atypical work patterns, work sharing or short time work.

An estimated breakdown of the figures on a geographical basis is available on the basis of "bailiwick", meaning, in this case, the jurisdiction or boundaries within which Revenue Sheriffs, County Registrars or their officers operate for the purposes of enforcement of tax debt. It equates geographically with "county" while also providing separate breakdowns for "city" and "county" in the case of counties Dublin and Cork. The data relating to the allocation by city or county of PAYE employees should be treated with caution. This is because it has been the practice to associate each employee with the city or county in which his or her employer is registered for PAYE purposes, regardless of the address of the actual workplace or of the individual's home address.

The source of the information provided in relation to numbers and tax is the P35 end year returns filed by employers in respect of their employees but does not include the corresponding figures relating to PAYE taxpayers who are required to return an income tax return form 11 where non-PAYE income is greater than €3,174.

The sector identifier used on the tax records is based on the 4-digit NACE code (Rev. 1), which is an internationally recognised economic activity code system. The information provided in relation to Public Sector employees is based on activities which are classified in the NACE code system as Public Administration and Defence; compulsory Social Security, Education and Health and Social work but excluding the categories of Driving School Activities, Dental Practice Activities and Veterinary Activities as being more appropriate to the Private Sector. A married couple, which has elected or has been deemed to have elected for joint assessment, is counted as one tax unit.

Tax Code.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

152 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Finance the number of commuters who claimed tax relief on annual travel cards in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2249/10]

There is no overall total available in relation to the numbers of commuters who claimed tax relief on annual travel cards in 2009. However, figures supplied by the main public transport providers (Irish Rail, Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann and Luas) show that the number of annual Travel Passes they provided numbered approximately 29,212 in 2009.

Public Sector Pay.

Michael Kennedy

Ceist:

153 Deputy Michael Kennedy asked the Minister for Finance if the combined rates as per the table in circular 145/09 could be used to apply the recent pay cuts for work sharing civil servants’ actual incomes to ensure that they are fair and equal for all staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2258/10]

There is no civil service circular with the reference number given.

It is a well established principle that the pay of work sharers and those on atypical work patterns is calculated by reference to the whole time equivalent pay rate for the grade or post in question and the reduced pay rates are, therefore, calculated in this way. This practice is consistent with the legislation governing the conditions of employment of part-time workers.

Price Inflation.

Seán Power

Ceist:

154 Deputy Seán Power asked the Minister for Finance the reason the cost of many services provided by the public service increased last year, while the cost of services provided by the private sector became cheaper; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2309/10]

Prices set in the public sector make up only about four per cent of the basket of goods and services used in compiling the Consumer Price Index (or CPI). Accordingly, changes in these prices have little impact on the CPI.

Public sector prices make up a much smaller component of the CPI than in the past. This is because following privatisation of services such as telecoms and energy, these prices are now set by independent regulators. Public sector prices are generally set by Ministers or at local authority level. In doing so, due regard is given to the cost of providing the service and the length of time since the last change. Consideration is also given to ensuring that a high level of quality is provided to the public.

Public Sector Pay.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

155 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Finance if the recent public sector pay cut applies to those who are exempt from the public sector pension levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2312/10]

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 48643/09 and 2047/10 which were taken together and answered on Tuesday 19 January 2010. The text of the reply is as follows:

"The definition of a public servant in the legislation governing the pension levy and the pay reductions is the same. Therefore, in general the reductions in pay under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009 will apply to employees who are paying the pension related deduction. However, there are a small number of situations where the pay reductions could apply to a public servant who was not subject to the pensions levy. The pay reductions apply to employees of public service bodies, whether or not the public servant is a member of a public service pension scheme or receives a payment in lieu. Furthermore, the income exemption threshold that applies to the pensions levy does not apply to the pay reductions.

Sections 38 and 39 of the Health Act 2004 apply to HSE service providers and other bodies in receipt of funding assistance from the HSE. Organisations that are directly funded by the HSE under Section 38 of the 2004 Act are public service bodies, as defined in the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act which provided for the pension levy deduction and the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009, which provided for the reduction in public service pay. Employees in these bodies have access to public service pension schemes or, in a small number of cases, the state funds an employer contribution to a private pension scheme. The pension levy and the reduction in salary apply to all these employees. Accordingly, the pay reduction legislation applies to all members of the Nominated Health Agencies Superannuation Scheme.

Under Section 39 of the 2004 Act, the HSE provides a grant towards the overall costs of running certain organisations. Neither the pension levy nor the reduction in salary applies to such employees".

Departmental Staff.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

156 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; if he will continue to be employed; the way he was informed that he was on a fixed-term contract in view of the fact that he has been in continuous employment since 2003; if he will confirm that this person is not being penalised for being out sick with a broken arm; the way this employee was previously given a statement for mortgage purposes stating that he was in permanent pensionable employment; if he will arrange with the Department of Social and Family Affairs that the person concerned will not be discriminated against for mortgage allowance in view of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2343/10]

The person in question completed an apprenticeship with the Office of Public Works in January 2009. He was subsequently engaged on a fixed term contract which expired on the 7 January 2010. In view of the Government moratorium on recruitment, which came into effect in March 2009, the contract of employment could not be considered for renewal or extension, and the person was advised accordingly. I am making further enquiries into the statement referred to concerning pensionable employment and will communicate directly with the Deputy later, when these enquiries have been completed. The question of mortgage allowance is a matter for the Minister for Social and Family Affairs.

Tax Code.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

157 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the issue of the tax treatment of couples on old age pensions in a manner that could be regarded as discriminatory and outline the way in which their PAYE tax credit is implemented when the couple are on separate social welfare pensions when the couple has one person on social welfare and one on qualified adult allowance, when the couple divide their entitlements with each getting their own payment; and the way in which social welfare take this into account when they included pensions as qualified adult allowance when their own entitlement on their own record may be slightly less. [2357/10]

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that, in general, three scenarios may arise.

Scenario A

Only one spouse is entitled to the State pension (contributory) and such spouse receives an increased amount in respect of his/her adult dependant.

In this scenario, there is only one State pension and therefore only one PAYE tax credit is due against such pension (assuming, of course, that such PAYE tax credit is/was not utilised against that spouse's other income).

Scenario B

Only one spouse is entitled to the State pension (contributory) with such spouse entitled to an increased amount in respect of his/her adult dependant. However, the adult dependant has requested that the adult dependant element of the pension be payable by the Department of Social and Family Affairs directly to him/ her.

In this scenario, there is only one State pension and therefore only one PAYE tax credit is due against such pension (assuming, of course, that such PAYE tax credit is/was not utilised against other income). This position remains unaltered even though the adult dependant amount is payable directly to the adult dependant by the Department of Social and Family Affairs.

Scenario C

Each spouse is entitled in his/her own right to a State pension (for example, arising from his/ her own respective relevant social welfare contributions whilst working)

In this scenario

there are two separate and distinct State pensions; and

each spouse is entitled to a PAYE tax credit against his/her respective State pension (assuming, of course, that each spouse's PAYE tax credit is/was not utilised against their other income).

The question of entitlement to these payments is a matter primarily for the Minister for Social and Family Affairs.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

158 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Finance the action he will take in respect of the European Commission’s finding that the imposition of the vehicle registration tax on vehicles, when VRT has already been paid in the country of origin, is contrary to the obligations assumed by section 90 of the Single European Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2369/10]

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

159 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Finance the formula in use by the Revenue Commissioners to calculate vehicle registration tax on imported cars from within the EU, when tax has been previously paid, in view of the fact that this formula bears no relevance to the actual value of the vehicle, the price paid for same or the age of the car; the way this formula is arrived at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2370/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 159 together.

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that under section 132 of Finance Act 1992 vehicle registration tax (VRT) is chargeable, leviable and payable on the registration of vehicles in the State. There is no provision in law for an exemption from, or reduction in, the charge to VRT in relation to vehicles that were previously registered in another jurisdiction.

VRT is charged on the open market selling price (OMSP) of a vehicle in the State. OMSP is defined in section 133 of the Finance Act 1992 and is the price, inclusive of all taxes and duties, which a vehicle may reasonably be expected to fetch on a first arm's length sale in the open market in the State by retail. The OMSP of new vehicles in the State is declared to the Revenue Commissioners by wholesale distributors of new vehicles, while the OMSP of imported second hand vehicles is determined by the Revenue Commissioners based on factors such as age, mileage and vehicle condition.

In order to provide the same base for the application of VRT on vehicles sourced in the State and abroad, VRT is charged on the OMSP of the vehicle and not on the purchase price of vehicles bought in other jurisdictions. The amounts, levels or types of tax charged on a vehicle in another jurisdiction, while they might impact on the purchase price of the vehicle in that jurisdiction, are not taken into account in the calculation of the OMSP in the State.

From a European Union perspective, VRT is a national tax and does not contravene EU law. Article 90 of the EC Treaty allows Member States to charge national taxes provided that there is no discrimination against imported goods in favour of indigenous goods. It provides that:

"No Member State shall impose, directly or indirectly, on the products of other Member States any internal taxation of any kind in excess of that imposed directly or indirectly on similar domestic products".

This principle was further underpinned by a European Court of Justice (ECJ) judgement (Case C-313/05, Maciej Brzezinski v Dyrektor Izby Celnej w Warszawie) of 18 January 2007, where the ECJ ruled in favour of Poland regarding their entitlement to charge an excise duty on the importation of second-hand vehicles into that jurisdiction.

Accordingly, in the case of a vehicle brought into Ireland from another jurisdiction, VRT is payable on the registration of the vehicle in the State, irrespective of whether or not a registration (or similar) tax had been paid previously outside the State.

Flood Relief.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

160 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Finance his plans to prevent the reoccurrence of flooding in south Galway; his views on the need for compromise between State agencies in order that works can be carried out without obstruction from some such agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2388/10]

Following recent flooding in County Galway, a Joint OPW / Galway County Council Working Group was set up that is tasked with arranging for the collection of flood level data, assessing the damage caused by the recent flooding, and identifying interim flood mitigation measures.

At its first meeting in December, the Group identified an initial action programme which includes a review of the final recommendations in the 1997 South Galway Flood Report in the light of the recent flooding with a view to identifying if flood risk in this area has significantly changed from the previous flood event. There will be ongoing examination by the Group of individual areas to identify possible local relief measures.

In carrying out flood mitigation works the OPW, like any other agency or individual, has no alternative but to take account of the wide-ranging environmental constraints on flood mitigation works. In particular, the OPW has to have regard to the EU Habitats Directive and other environmental legislation. Securing the necessary consents and licences for works in environmentally sensitive areas can be time consuming and not without cost.

The OPW liaises continually with the relevant State bodies involved in environmental protection i.e. the Fisheries Boards and, primarily, the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

The OPW is currently in discussion with the NPWS with a view to developing a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at facilitating more efficient and streamlined decision making in relation to environmental issues affecting proposed flood relief works. In developing the Memorandum of Understanding, particular attention will be given to striking an acceptable balance between environmental protection considerations and the need to implement EU and national flood policy which is designed to protect people, property and infrastructure.

While I am sure the different interests and priorities can be reconciled, I am firmly of the opinion that proper weight must be given to flood protection, where people are concerned.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

161 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Finance his plans to prevent reoccurrence of serious flooding in the town of Ballinasloe, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2390/10]

Following the severe flooding in many areas of Galway, a joint OPW and Galway County Council Working Group was set up in December to identify areas where localised minor flood mitigation works might be feasible. The aim will be to progress, as quickly as possible, in the short-term, through the minor flood relief works scheme, for which applications have been invited from Galway County Council that are identified for Ballinasloe, as acceptable on economic and environmental grounds.

In mid-2010, the Office of Public Works will commission the Shannon Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study to identify the level of flood risk throughout the catchment and produce a prioritised plan of measures to address the risks identified in a comprehensive and integrated way. The study will involve all of the main stakeholders who have a role in the management of the Shannon, with a view to ensuring that all flood risk factors are managed in a coordinated way. Ballinasloe and the River Suck catchment will be among the areas the Study will focus on.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

162 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Finance if he intends to establish a single agency for the control and management of the Shannon basin and water levels throughout the river basin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2391/10]

At present, a number of agencies, including the ESB, relevant local authorities and Waterways Ireland have a specific statutory function or a responsibility in relation to the control and management of the Shannon basin and its water levels.

Future management of the Shannon must take account of relevant EU legislation relating to rivers, in particular, the Water Framework Directive and the Floods Directive. The Water Framework Directive, which is primarily concerned with water quality, is the responsibility of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, operating through a network of River Basin District committees containing representatives of major stakeholders.

The Floods Directive requires that the level of flood risk in each catchment in the country, including the Shannon, should be identified and that a prioritised plan of measures be drawn up to address the risk in areas where it is significant. This will be done for each catchment, through a Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study.

The Office of Public Works will take the lead coordinating role in the carrying out of the Shannon FRAM. The study, which is expected to commence in mid-2010, will involve consultation with all of the main stakeholders, including the ESB, Waterways Ireland, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and relevant Local Authorities.

I intend to transpose the EU Floods Directive by Statutory Instrument into Irish law shortly. The effect of this is, rather than creating a single agency as suggested by the Deputy, to give to the OPW in respect of flood risk, the necessary statutory authority to ensure the participation of the stakeholders in the process.

The EU requires that the implementation of the Floods Directive and the Water Framework Directive should be closely coordinated in each Member State. This provides the basis for the development of an integrated, coordinated approach to the management of all matters relating to the River Shannon.

Banking Sector Regulation.

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

163 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will support a matter (details supplied) in Dublin 3. [2567/10]

While I regret the closure of any bank branches the Deputy will no doubt appreciate that the provision of services by banks, including the location of branches, is a commercial decision for the banks. The Deputy might wish to note that there is a provision in the Financial Regulator's Consumer Protection Code which imposes certain obligations on banks who have decided to close or move a branch in a given location. The relevant provision states:

Where a credit institution plans to close or move a branch it must inform affected consumers in writing at least 3 months in advance and advise the Financial Regulator immediately thereof. The wider local community should also be informed, in advance, through notification in the local press.

This advance notification requirement is designed to give existing consumers the necessary time to choose another credit institution.

Departmental Bodies.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

164 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Finance if, any agency, organisation or body in receipt of State funding should be included under the Freedom of Information Act; the range of bodies, organisations and agencies that are in receipt of public funding that are not covered under the FOI Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2574/10]

The Freedom of Information Act (FOI), which covered 67 public bodies when it commenced in April 1998, now applies to over 500 bodies across the public sector. My Department periodically reviews the range of bodies covered by the Act and routinely engages with Government Departments about bodies under their aegis that might be considered for FOI. Work is ongoing at present on an extension of the Act to a number of such bodies. Application of the Freedom of Information Act to a body is considered under a number of criteria, for example whether the body is in receipt of or administering, considerable public funds or is it exercising important statutory functions, funded by the State or otherwise. Other factors looked at are whether the body is in a category or sector where FOI already applies to other public bodies or where work was formerly done by a Government department and is now done by a state agency. Each case is considered on its own particular merits and the range of bodies remaining outside of FOI is kept under review.

Health Service Staff.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

165 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will approve the appointment of a chief medical officer for the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown area, a position which has been vacant since August 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2279/10]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Health Services.

Sean Sherlock

Ceist:

166 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the working relationship between the Health Service Executive and a group (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2696/10]

Sean Sherlock

Ceist:

167 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the working relationship between the Health Service Executive and a group (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2695/10]

Sean Sherlock

Ceist:

168 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the relationship between the Health Service Executive and a group (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2697/10]

Sean Sherlock

Ceist:

172 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the relationship between the Health Service Executive and a group (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2284/10]

Sean Sherlock

Ceist:

175 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the relationship between the Health Service Executive and a group (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2288/10]

Sean Sherlock

Ceist:

176 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the relationship between the Health Service Executive and a group (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2292/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 166 to 168, inclusive, 172, 175 and 176 together.

As these are service matters they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Computerisation Programme.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

169 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of websites her Department provides; the annual cost of maintaining each site; the number of unique visits each site received for 2009, or for a part of 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2242/10]

Information in relation to my Department's websites is set out in the following table.

Website

Description

No. of unique visits

Cost

DoH&C group sites

www.dohc.ie

Department of Health and Children website

430,393

www.cpsqa.ie

Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance website

*Not available

www.healthreform.ie

Health Service Reform Programme website

*

www.mentalhealthpolicy.ie

Expert group on mental health policy website

*

www.blooddirective.ie

Website for the implementation of the EU Blood Quality and Safety Directive 2002/98/EC

*

Total cost for DoH&Cgroup websites

These sites are managed as a single contract.

*

11,138

www.adoptionboard.ie

Adoption Board of Ireland website

*

719

OMCYA group sites

www.omcya.ie

Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs website

108,891

www.comhairlenanog.ie

Provides information on the role and purpose of Comhairle na nÓg and links to all Comhairle na nÓg websites throughout the country

2,704

www.childrensdatabase.ie

Provides access to research and information on children for policy-makers, Government departments, academics, voluntary organisations and the general public

7,254

www.nprrc.ie

The National Play and Recreation Resource Centre provides information, support and advice on a range of issues affecting the development of children’s play in Ireland

2,903

www.ncac.ie

National Children’s Advisory Council website. The mission of the National Children’s Advisory Council is to make a difference to children and young people’s lives, by making childhood and youth a more positive and enjoyable experience for everyone

*

www.studentcouncil.ie (until mid 2009)

Student Council Second Level Support Service website, the aim of the service is to provide ongoing support for all student council liaison teachers. (now transferred to Dept. of Education and Science)

*

Cost for OMCYA group sites

All the OMCYA websites, except www.teenspace.ie are managed as a single contact.

9,598

www.teenspace.ie

Teenspace provides information on events, activities and recreation services for young people from 10 to 18

108,550

12,698

Total cost for all OMCYA sites

All the OMCYA websites including www.teenspace.ie

22,296

Total cost for all sites

34,153

*Not Available. Statistics are not maintained in relation to these sites.

Medical Cards.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

170 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children when a decision will be made on an application for a full medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2254/10]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Health Services.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

171 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay in providing occupational therapy for a child (details supplied) in County Kildare. [2273/10]

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.

Question No. 172 answered with Question No. 166.

Departmental Expenditure.

Sean Sherlock

Ceist:

173 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the relationship between the Health Service Executive and a group (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2286/10]

Sean Sherlock

Ceist:

174 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the relationship between the Health Service Executive and a group (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2287/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 174 together.

The table sets out the level of funding provided by the Department of Health and Children to the organisation in question in the period 2000-2005.

2000

2001*

2002

2003*

2004

2005

€335

€170,814

€5,305

€221,925

€202,909

€297,354

*Includes National Lottery Grants of €38,192 in 2001 and €50,000 in 2003.

Revenue funding provided over the period was in respect of operational costs while the grants approved under the National Lottery were in respect of building and start-up costs. My Department has asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy with regard to the provision of funding since 2005 to the organisation in question. I have no information to hand with regard to the provision of funding by other state bodies.

Questions Nos. 175 and 176 answered with Question No. 166.

Medical Cards.

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

177 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the dedicated hotline for Deputies, queries regarding over 70 years medical card applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2303/10]

My Department has been in discussion with the Health Service Executive about putting in place a dedicated telephone number for Oireachtas members for enquiries about medical card applications being processed by the Primary Care Reimbursement Service in Dublin. A letter issued to all Oireachtas members yesterday in this regard.

Accident and Emergency Services.

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

178 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health and Children when the new accident and emergency department will be completed at a hospital (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2313/10]

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Hospital Staff.

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

179 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Health and Children if a specialist will be in place at a hospital (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2322/10]

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Medical Cards.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

180 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the withdrawal of a medical card by the Health Service Executive in the case of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 9; if this case will be reviewed and new cards issued; if an examination will be carried out regarding the level of service at this unit. [2344/10]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Nursing Home Subventions.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

181 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; if their application for the fair deal will be approved and backdated to the date they went into a nursing home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2348/10]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Health Services.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

182 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the difficulties with the orthodontic services in the Dublin area; if he will explain the reason for the waiting list; the detail of staff numbers compared with three years ago; and if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 will be called for treatment as soon as possible. [2352/10]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Child Care Services.

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

183 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Health and Children the actions she has taken to advertise the early childhood care and education scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2366/10]

I have responsibility for the implementation of the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme which commenced earlier this month.

Following the announcement of the ECCE scheme in the April 2009 Supplementary Budget, information in relation to the scheme has been available from my Office either through direct contact or from the website www.omcya.ie. From May 2009, information in relation to the scheme has also been available from the 33 City and County Childcare Committees which assist my Office in implementing the scheme and are well placed to provide additional information and local details to parents. The City and County Childcare Committees have also been proactive in promoting the scheme at local level including holding information nights for parents and pre-school service providers.

In June of last year, my Office wrote to all pre-school services notified to the Health Service Executive (HSE) and registered with the Irish Montessori Educational Board (IMEB) with further details of the scheme and inviting them to apply. This was followed in July 2009 by the issue of an information leaflet entitled "Guide for Parents to the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE)" and covering letter to all parents of children who would qualify for the scheme in January 2010. The leaflet provided information in relation to the scheme to inform parents and assist them with enrolling their children in their local participating pre-school services. Contact details for the 33 City and County Childcare Committees were also included.

Approximately 4,000 pre-school services are participating in the scheme and many of these have actively advertised that they would be participating in the scheme and providing free pre-school year places. Participating services are currently making a return to my Office giving details of the children enrolled with them for the pre-school year. To ensure that parents of qualifying children are fully aware of the scheme and the deadline for enrolment, advertisements highlighting the fact that the scheme is closing to January 2010 applicants, were recently placed by my Office in 2 Sunday and 42 regional newspapers. In addition, I was interviewed by local, regional and national radio about the scheme in the first two weeks of January. National television and the national print media also carried interviews with me and features on the scheme.

The first full year of the ECCE scheme will commence in September 2010 and I would anticipate that a further information leaflet for parents of qualifying children will be issued by my Office in May of this year.

Medical Cards.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

184 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Health and Children the criteria involved in the decision to remove the issuing of medical cards to older persons from local health board offices to Finglas, Dublin 11; the reason for the implementation of this new scheme; the number of staff that have been put in place to administer this new scheme; the number of additional staff that have been put in place to try and clear the logjam in the system; the reason for the inefficiencies and mismanagement of the scheme in view of the upset and distress that these delays have caused to older persons; if it has been cost effective for the Health Service Executive taking into account that the over 70 years scheme accounts for less than 10% of all medical cards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2368/10]

The Health Service Executive, with my full support, has decided to centralise the processing of all medical card and GP visit card applications and renewals at its Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) in Dublin.

The process commenced in January 2009 when the PCRS took over the processing of all medical card applications for persons aged 70 or over.

The second phase commenced in September 2009 with the transfer of the case load from two local health offices (LHOs) in Dublin to the PCRS.

The HSE has advised that the transfer of the case load from the two LHOs included a backlog of some 6,500 cases. These are being dealt with as a matter of urgency by the PCRS. As a result, resources which would have been deployed in customer relations and phone answering have been assigned to deal with this backlog. The HSE is providing additional resources to respond to phone queries, the majority of which relate to the outstanding applications.

In 2009, the PCRS processed over 72,000 medical card applications. This included nearly 42,000 reviews. In relation to these reviews, 85% of cases where the required information was supplied were completed within 20 days and 95% within 30 days. The HSE has no control over delays where relevant information is not provided but it has confirmed that when the required information is received, the review is processed without further delay.

The HSE intends to transfer the processing of all new medical/GP visit card applications and new reviews/renewals from the other LHOs to the PCRS in April this year.

Any applications/reviews received before the date of transfer will be dealt with by the relevant LHO. The HSE is currently putting arrangements in place to track the time taken by each local health office to process applications. I have asked for a report on this issue to be submitted to me by the end of this month.

The HSE has recently launched a facility — www.medicalcard.ie — where a person who has applied through the PCRS can view the status of their medical GP visit card application or review online, using a unique reference number that is provided on the acknowledgement sent to them. If a mobile telephone number is supplied with the application/review, an acknowledgement of receipt and the application status/progress of the case will automatically be delivered to the applicant by text message as their case proceeds through the assessment process. The PCRS is also finalising the development of a facility which will allow people to apply on-line if they wish.

The HSE has advised that when fully implemented, the initiative to centralise the processing of all medical card and GP visit card applications and renewals will ensure:

Improved turnaround times for processing of applications: under the new arrangements the HSE will be aiming for a turnaround time of 15 working days or less, with provision for emergency applications to be dealt with immediately; Consistent and equitable application of eligibility and service provision; Clearer governance and accountability, as well as improved management information; and A reduction in the overall number of staff required to process medical/GP visit card applications, thus freeing up staff for other service needs.

My Department has been in discussion with the HSE about putting in place a dedicated telephone number for Oireachtas members for enquiries about applications being processed by the PCRS. A letter has issued to all Oireachtas members yesterday in this regard.

The most recent figures provided to my Department by the HSE show that there were 1,478,560 medical card holders on 31st December 2009, approximately 23% of whom are persons aged 70 or over.

The other issues raised by the Deputy are operational matters. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to address these matters and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

185 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons in County Galway, city and county who are medical cards holders for each of the years 2007, 2008 and 2009; the number of other medical cards holders in the county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2371/10]

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has the operational and funding responsibility for the medical card and GP visit card benefits. It collates medical card and GP visit card data by county, age and gender. Therefore, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to address this matter and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Health Services.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

186 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of home helps provided by the Health Service Executive in Galway city and county; the number of persons benefiting from this service for each of the years 2007, 2008 and 2009; and the cost of each year. [2372/10]

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

187 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of home help packages provided by the Health Service Executive west in County Galway for each of the years 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009; her views on this service. [2373/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 186 and 187 together.

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Departmental Properties.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

188 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Health and Children the time scale for the proposed disposal of property at a hospital (details supplied) in County Galway; if there is a current valuation of the total property; if there are any potential buyers; if the resources from the sale are to be ring fenced for the improvement of mental health services in east Galway as promised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2389/10]

As this is a service matter the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Hospitals Building Programme.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

189 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Health and Children the original contract cost for the provision of the new health centre at a hospital (details supplied) in County Galway; the expenditure to date on its construction; the increased cost, if any; the final cost envisaged for the completion of the work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2395/10]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Hospital Accommodation.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

190 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Health and Children the bed capacity of University College Hospital, Galway, Merlin Park Hospital, Galway and Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, County Galway; the number of bed closures during 2007, 2008 and 2009 at each location; if it was for reconstruction and repairs, over capacity, or as a cutback in funding or staff shortage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2398/10]

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Patient Statistics.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

191 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Health and Children the increased number of patients treated in each speciality following the designation of University College Hospital, Galway as a centre of excellence; the increased bed numbers provided to cater in each specialist area now in place; the increased funding and staff to provide for these increases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2399/10]

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Health Services.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

192 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Health and Children the funds provided by the Health Service Executive to service providers in County Galway for each of the years 2007, 2008 and 2009 for the provision of services to the physical and mentally handicapped persons at centres in both the city and county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2402/10]

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 to the Deputy.

Departmental Properties.

Joe McHugh

Ceist:

193 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health and Children if plans are in place to sell lands at a location (details supplied) in County Donegal; when the land will go on the market; her views on whether it is opportune to sell this land at this time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2432/10]

As this is a service matter the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Water Fluoridation.

Mary White

Ceist:

194 Deputy Mary Alexandra White asked the Minister for Health and Children the cost of the water fluoridation programme in 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2557/10]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Bio-Monitoring Programme.

Mary White

Ceist:

195 Deputy Mary Alexandra White asked the Minister for Health and Children when in 2010 the bio-monitoring programme to measure fluoride levels in the general population, as outlined in the renewed programme for Government, will commence; the changes that are envisaged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2558/10]

In 2007, the Health Service Executive (HSE) joined an EU Human Bio Monitoring programme.

The HSE will use this Human Bio Monitoring programme to collect information regarding the total exposure in the population to fluoride which will satisfy the Programme for Government commitment. I expect results from this programme in 2012.

The programme is due to commence in mid July 2010.

Health Services.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

196 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 105 of 4 November 2009, when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive. [2564/10]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Laboratory Services.

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

197 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will clarify remarks made by her in Dáil Éireann on 8 December 2009 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2569/10]

The external review of laboratory services, which was conducted for the HSE by Teamwork Management Services in 2007, highlighted limitations in the current organisation of laboratories. These limitations had an adverse effect on quality, turnaround time and cost. The review found that "the whole system quality" of laboratories was not of a sufficiently high standard. The review also found that the overall proportion of individual laboratory medicine disciplines that had achieved accreditation status was low, "end-to-end" information systems were unsatisfactory and logistic services were inadequate. It found as well that the general condition of the laboratory estate typically was traditionally designed and outmoded.

In light of the review, the HSE announced plans early last year to modernise laboratory services and to introduce significant efficiencies in the configuration and operation of these services. The HSE has already had significant engagement with stakeholders in progressing this initiative. Groups such as the Faculty of Pathology and the Medical Laboratory Scientists Association will have a continuing input into the process.

I am also pleased to say that some improvements in laboratory service have taken place since the completion of the review. The number of individual laboratory disciplines which have been accredited has increased significantly. In addition, some reconfiguration of laboratory services has been achieved by transferring work undertaken in a number of small laboratories to larger laboratories. This allows for a higher level of throughput. I want to acknowledge the important role of staff and other stakeholders in effecting these changes and to the shared commitment of all to the objective of high quality laboratory services.

Health Services.

Sean Fleming

Ceist:

198 Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in County Laois in order that there is no reduction in home help hours. [2579/10]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Nursing Home Subventions.

Michael Noonan

Ceist:

199 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for Health and Children if payments to nursing homes under the fair deal scheme are made from the date of application for the scheme or from the date of sanction; the provision that is made for payment in respect of patients under the winter initiative who after a two week stay in nursing homes are deemed in need of full-time residential care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2582/10]

The legislation provides that applicants to the scheme who were in nursing home care on the date the scheme commenced (27th October 2009) shall have their State support backdated to that date. The HSE's Guidelines on the Standardised Implementation of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme state that, subject to overall resources, people who enter nursing homes after the commencement of the scheme will have their financial support paid either from the date that the application was made or from date of admission to the nursing home, whichever is the later.

Individuals who enter nursing home care on a short-term basis but are subsequently deemed to require long-term nursing home care may apply for the scheme and will have their State support backdated in accordance with the HSE's Guidelines.

Hospitals Building Programme.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

200 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children if phase 3C of Naas General Hospital in County Kildare has been included in the revised capital programme 2007 to 2013. [2593/10]

A draft capital plan for the period 2010-2014 was submitted to my Department last Friday (15th January) by the Health Service Executive. My Department is reviewing the proposals and following up with the HSE where further details may be required. The proposed plan requires my approval with the consent of the Minister for Finance. Details of the plan will be published by the HSE following its approval.

Health Services .

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

201 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the adult and child psychology service in County Kildare is operating at 25% of the level required in view of the fact that there are nine psychologists employed when the number required to meet existing demands is 36 psychologists; the steps she will take to correct this breakdown in the provision of health services. [2595/10]

As this is a service matter the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

202 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children and adults awaiting assessment for occupational therapy in County Kildare and west County Wicklow. [2596/10]

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.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

203 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of vacant posts in the occupational therapy service in County Kildare and west County Wicklow; and the number of posts presently filled. [2597/10]

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.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

204 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the waiting times for hearing tests for children in County Kildare in Newbridge and Tallaght health centres; and the number of children from County Kildare on the waiting list for each centre for a hearing test. [2598/10]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Hospital Waiting Lists.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

205 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that persons living in County Kildare with arthritis have to wait for up to three years to see a consultant rheumatologist in Tallaght Hospital, Dublin; her views on whether this is acceptable; the steps she will take to rectify this problem. [2600/10]

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

206 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on whether it is acceptable that children with arthritis have to wait 13 months to see the only paediatric rheumatologist here; the steps she will take to address this matter. [2601/10]

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Health Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

207 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if financial assistance or otherwise will be offered to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2612/10]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

208 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if it could be arranged that a district nurse will call to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare on a weekly basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2614/10]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

209 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will reinstate the special needs dentist at Naas General Hospital, County Kildare in order to ensure safe treatment of children suffering from cerebral palsy and epilepsy. [2618/10]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Rural Transport Services.

Tom Hayes

Ceist:

210 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Transport the amount spent on rural transport in south Tipperary every year since 2004 to date in 2010; the number of routes that are funded by his Department; the number of passengers that avail of this service in south Tipperary annually; and if an expansion of routes is planned for 2010. [2441/10]

Pobal administers the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) on behalf of my Department. The provision of services under the Programme is a matter for Pobal and the individual RTP groups who know where the transport needs are in their areas and how best to address them. Rural transport services in the South Tipperary area are provided by Carlow, Kilkenny & Tipperary South Riding Rural Transport Limited, which operates as Ring-a-Link.

The funding allocated to Ring-a-Link in the years 2004-2010 is as follows:

Year

Department of Transport

Free Travel Pass (Department of Social & Family Affairs)

2004

174,854

21,712

2005

201,983

33,972

2006

229,154

36,862

2007

457,900

62,535

2008

377,940

59,900

2009

457,998

57,699

2010

450,000

67,373

Total

2,349,829

340,053

Details of the total services operated by Ring-a-Link across its network in counties Carlow, Kilkenny and Tipperary since 2004 are as follows:

Year

Number of Services

Number of Passengers

2004

757

18,136

2005

1080

22,431

2006

1421

27,548

2007

2180

38,697

2008

2654

46,893

2009

2735

52,425

Total

10,827

206,130

Information concerning services on an individual county basis for Ring-a-Link is not available to my Department.

Departmental Websites.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

211 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Transport the number of websites his Department provides; the annual cost of maintaining each site; the number of unique visits each site received for 2009, or for a part of 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2246/10]

Details of publicly facing websites provided by my Department, approximate annual maintenance costs and statistics on unique site visits can be found in the table.

Website

Site Reference

Number of unique visits in 2009

Annual maintenance cost (inc VAT)

Department of Transport

transport.ie

134,089 (Mar 09-Dec 09)

Road Haulage

roadhaulage.ie

Not Available

Air Accident Investigation Unit

aaiu.ie

Not Available

12,000

Irish Coastguard

irishcoastguard.ie

Not Available

Safety On the Water

safetyonthewater.ie

Not Available

Online motor tax

motortax.ie

4,338,186

motarchain.ie

8,411

523,000

Change of vehicle ownership

motortrans.ie

373,819

Transport 21

transport21.ie

78,780

900

Sustainable transport

smartertravel.ie

1,185 (Nov 09-Jan 10)

3,000

National Bike week

bikeweek.ie

14,861 (May 09-Dec 09)

6,000

In line with the Government's eGovernment Strategy for 2010, my Department will continue to improve the provision of information via its websites, investigate the possibilities of delivering additional online services to the general public and utilise internet technologies to gain efficiencies in the running of the Department. The online motor taxation site, motortax.ie, has proved particularly successful with the general public and during 2009, more than 47% of those transactions eligible to do so, were conducted via the website. Further enhancements are planned for delivery in 2010.

National Transport Authority.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

212 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Transport when the National Transport Authority will be up and running; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2250/10]

I refer to my reply to Question No. 31 on 9 December 2009.

Air Services.

Pat Breen

Ceist:

213 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Transport the efforts that have been made to resolve the breakdown in negotiations between an airline (details supplied) and the Shannon Airport Authority in view of the fact that it could lead to the axing of up to 18 routes from the airport which would have negative consequences for the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2305/10]

Negotiations between the Shannon Airport Authority and airlines are day-to-day operational matters for the authority and I have no statutory function in this regard. I have been informed however by the Shannon Airport Authority that while the current economic climate remains difficult that they will continue to work with all airlines to deliver commercially viable routes to the Shannon region.

Road Network.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

214 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Transport if he has satisfied himself that the works carried out on Portumna Bridge over the River Shannon are adequate for the volume of traffic using this bridge in view of reports prior to these works being carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2397/10]

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme element of Transport 21. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national road and bridge projects, including Portumna Bridge, is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

215 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Transport the status that will be assigned to the old N6 route from Ballinasloe to Galway following the opening of the new M6; if it is his responsibility to alter its designation, or that of the local authority; the consequences of such change if it occurs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2403/10]

Section 10 of the Roads Act 1993 as amended by Roads Act to 2007 provides for the classification of national, regional and local roads. In accordance with the section 10(1)(e) of the Roads Act 1993 (as inserted by section 11 of the Roads Act 2007), the section of an existing national road which remains following the construction of a by-pass or a realignment is deemed to be a local road.

I have statutory responsibility for the classification of public roads. Changes in the classification status of a local road to a national or regional road are made by Ministerial Order, either on my initiative or on consideration of a request from the relevant road authority. I have received no such request in relation to the N6 route from Ballinasloe to Galway. The need to update the classification of roads generally is kept under ongoing review in my Department.

Local Authority Funding.

Deirdre Clune

Ceist:

216 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Transport if extra funding will be allocated to local authorities to repair roads damaged during recent bad weather; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2426/10]

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. The carrying out of works on these roads is a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of projects to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.

When Exchequer grants for regional and local roads are allocated each year, my Department does not hold back a reserve allocation, at central level, to deal with weather contingencies. Holding back such an allocation would mean a reduction in the road grant allocations made to all local authorities at the beginning of each year.

The allocations made to local authorities are inclusive of a weather risk factor. Local authorities are expressly advised in the annual road grants circular letter that they should set aside contingency sums from their overall regional and local roads resources to finance necessary weather related works.

The amount of money provided in the 2010 Estimates for funding regional and local roads is €411.177 million and this year's allocation will be based on that amount.

I have, however, asked local authorities to provide details of exceptional road related costs associated with the November 2009 flooding and recent prolonged severe weather, which fall outside the normal financial provision for winter maintenance. I will have regard to this information when deciding on the allocations. I will announce the 2010 regional and local road grant allocations by mid February 2010 at the latest.

Road Safety.

Deirdre Clune

Ceist:

217 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Transport his plans to address the road safety issues that will now arise as a result of roads damaged during the recent bad weather; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2427/10]

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads, in its area, is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993. Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of projects to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.

Local authorities in areas affected by the recent bad weather are already carrying out immediate repairs to damaged roads. However, some of these roads may require more extensive works, which will be undertaken when weather conditions are more favourable. In the meantime, as my colleagues and I have stressed in all recent press briefings on the severe weather, road users need to be extremely vigilant and to drive responsibly. This message has also been given out via the press and websites by agencies such as the Road Safety Authority and the National Roads Authority. Care also needs to be exercised by pedestrians, in view of the damage suffered to footpaths.

Public Transport.

Deirdre Clune

Ceist:

218 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Transport the current usage of public transport; the targets he has for the future use of public transport; the steps taken to encourage the use of public transport; the impact the reduction of Bus Éireann services is expected to have on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2428/10]

The mode share of public transport as a means of travel to work is approximately 9%. Significant investment continues to be made in the delivery of enhanced public transport infrastructure. Over €600m in Exchequer capital has been provided in 2010 to progress rail, light rail, metro and traffic management projects. The Cork Commuter rail project and the Luas extension to the Docklands were completed in 2009. In 2010 the first phase of the Western Rail Corridor, the Kildare Route Project and phase 1 of the Navan Line will be completed. In addition, Real Time Passenger Information for bus services will be rolled out in Dublin and Cork. Good progress also continues to be made in the delivery of Integrated Ticketing. These developments combined with progress in the planning of projects such as Metro North and DART Underground will continue the process of delivering high quality public transport.

In addition, the Government's sustainable transport policy, SMARTER Travel, envisages a significant increase in public transport usage and in cycling and walking in preference to the private car. However, in the current difficult economic climate, it must be recognized that public services need to be delivered in as cost efficient and effective manner as possible. Bus Éireann and the other CIÉ companies will have to take measures to address reduced revenue and ensure their continued financial stability. These measures, combined with investment in public transport infrastructure, will provide a basis for a high quality and economically sustainable public transport system.

Departmental Websites.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

219 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of websites his Department provides; the annual cost of maintaining each site; the number of unique visits each site received for 2009, or for a part of 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2243/10]

My Department provides centralised support for 23 websites developed under its IT Shared Service model. Figures recorded in 2009 indicate that there were over one quarter of a million unique visits to my Department's main site (www.justice.ie) and over a half a million unique visits to the website of the Irish Naturalisation & Immigration Service (www.inis.gov.ie). Individual visits are not recorded for all sites.

Hosting and related charges for these sites in 2009 came to €38,408. Other costs, such as staff time spent maintaining the site content which forms part of the day to day work of the Department, are not separately accounted for.

Websites are an essential communications tool for any modern organisation in providing essential customer services. As part of the Shared Service model, websites are developed and maintained based on reusable templates. This approach has led to a reduction in the cost and effort of setting up and supporting websites.

Proposed Legislation.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

220 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps taken to deal with the issue of organised begging; if legislation is planned to allow the Garda deal with this growing problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2247/10]

I intend to publish new legislation on begging in due course to take account of the High Court judgment in the Dillon case. The Court ruled that the current law, Section 3 of the Vagrancy (Ireland) Act 1847, was unconstitutional. The Deputy might note that, already, there are provisions in the Children Act 2001 directed at those who use children for begging. Section 247 of that Act provides that it is an offence to cause, procure or allow a child to beg.

Joan Burton

Ceist:

221 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if and when he will table the necessary legislation to allow for the Comptroller and Auditor General to become the auditor of the Office of the Wards of Court; when he expects legislation to be passed which will see the extension of the powers of the Ombudsman to the Office of the Wards of Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2255/10]

As indicated in the Government Legislative Programme, announced by the Chief Whip on 19 January, 2010, the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill is in the course of being drafted with a view to being published in this session. The provisions in the Bill for the establishment of a Court Funds Office will include amendment of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993 to allow the Comptroller and Auditor General to act as auditor of all court funds, including those of wards of court.

There are no proposals to extend the powers of the Ombudsman to the Office of the Wards of Court which functions under court authority. The Office is subject to the direction of the President of the High Court in the exercise of its functions.

Garda Operations.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

222 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the monthly costs, including a detailed explanation of the way the figures are calculated, for policing the Corrib gas project in Bellanoboy, County Mayo from September 2006 to date in 2010. [2275/10]

I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the overall costs of the policing operation to date for the Corrib Gas project, from the commencement of the operation in August 2005 to end-December 2009 is approximately €13.843 million. A detailed breakdown of the figures is set out in the table.

These figures do not include the basic salaries of the members who performed the duty at the Corrib Gas project. These costs and the breakdown of costs by month are not readily available and could only be obtained by the disproportionate expenditure of Garda time and resources relative to the information sought.

Corrib Gas operation

Overtime and allowances

8,583,985

Travel & Subsistence

4,317,104

Employer’s PRSI

692,914

Miscellaneous Expenses

248,754

Total

13,842,757

Garda Investigations.

Joe Costello

Ceist:

223 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the circumstances surrounding the importation of explosives here by a Slovak national; the action he has taken to have this matter investigated here and in Slovakia; the reason he did not summon the Slovakian Ambassador and make a formal protest in view of the cross-border nature of the incident; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2359/10]

The circumstances surrounding the import of an explosive substance to Ireland from the Slovak Republic on 2 January 2010 are a matter of serious concern to me and the Government. The background to this incident is that the Garda Síochána were contacted by the Dublin Airport Authorities on 5 January 2010 informing them that they had received a communication purporting to be from the Slovak Authorities apparently to the effect that, due to an error during an airport security test exercise at Poprad-Tatry Airport on 2 January 2010, a sample package containing explosives was left in the luggage of a passenger who boarded a flight for Dublin. The Gardaí moved swiftly to recover the substance and, with the assistance of the Army, ensured it did not pose any future danger to the public. It emerged that the passenger, who has resided in Ireland for a number of years, was completely unaware when he was travelling to Dublin that the sample had been placed in his luggage.

I spoke directly with the Slovak Interior Minister about this matter and he apologised for the incident. I conveyed to him in no uncertain terms my clear concern about the situation which had arisen. It is utterly unacceptable that explosive material should have been placed on an unsuspecting passenger in this way.

The Garda Commissioner has appointed a Detective Chief Superintendent to inquire into all the circumstances surrounding the incident. That inquiry is ongoing and a report is awaited. Until that report is available, it is not possible to say for definite how the error occurred in Slovakia and what actions were taken by the authorities there when the error was discovered. When the report is completed I will consider what further action, if any, is required on my part.

Garda Deployment.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

224 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí of each rank located at each station in both Galway city and county for each of the years 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009; the number of new recruits and transfers to and from Galway city and county for each of these years; the number of recruitments, retirements or resignations of personnel from stations in both Galway city and county; the number of gardaí employed or stationed in both Galway city and county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2404/10]

I am informed by the Garda authorities, that the personnel strength of each Garda station in Galway, as at 31 December 2006-2009 and the retirement figures for that period, by rank, are as set out in the tables. The personnel strength by rank of each station in Galway for the period 2006-2008 and the number of new recruits, transfers or resignations in those years are not readily available and obtaining them would represent a disproportionate expenditure of resources relative to the information requested. I have however, provided the station strength, by rank, for the 31 December 2009.

Year

Station

AC

CS

SU

IN

SG

GD

Total

2009

Ahascragh

1

1

Ballinasloe

1

1

6

38

46

Ballygar

1

3

4

Kilconnell

1

1

Menlough

1

1

Mount Bellew

3

7

10

Moylough

1

1

Carna

1

1

2

Clifden

1

3

23

27

Lennaun

1

1

Letterfrack

1

1

Maam

2

2

Recess

1

1

Roundstone

1

1

Athenry

1

4

5

Carn Dolla

1

1

Galway

1

1

2

7

26

197

234

Kiltullagh

Lough George

2

2

Monivea

1

1

Oranmore

3

26

29

Ardrahan

1

1

Craughwell

2

2

Gort

1

4

25

30

Kilchreest

1

1

Kinvara

1

1

2

Shanaglish

1

1

Eyrecourt

1

1

Killimor

1

1

Loughrea

1

1

6

33

41

New Inn

1

1

Portumna

2

7

9

Tynagh

1

1

Woodford

1

1

Carraroe

1

3

4

Cill Ronain

1

2

3

Inverin

1

1

Leitir Mor

1

1

Moycullen

3

3

Ros Muc

1

1

Salthill

1

1

6

36

44

Spiddle

2

2

Uachtarard

1

5

6

Ballymoe

1

1

Barnaderg

1

1

Corofin

1

1

Dunmore

1

3

4

Glenamady

1

1

Headford

1

4

5

Kilconly

1

1

Milltown

1

1

Tuam

1

1

8

46

56

Williamstown

1

1

Total

600

Station

31/12/06

31/12/07

31/12/08

Ahascragh

1

1

1

Ballinasloe

39

39

44

Ballygar

3

4

4

Kilconnell

1

1

1

Menlough

1

1

1

Mount Bellew

10

10

9

Moylough

1

1

1

Carna

2

2

2

Clifden

25

24

26

Lennaun

1

1

0

Letterfrack

0

0

1

Maam

1

1

1

Recess

1

1

1

Roundstone

1

1

1

Athenry

5

5

4

Carn Dolla

1

1

1

Galway

199

210

224

Kiltullagh

1

1

1

Lough George

3

3

3

Monivea

2

2

2

Oranmore

6

16

24

Ardrahan

1

1

1

Craughwell

2

2

2

Gort

25

28

27

Kilchreest

1

1

1

Kinvara

2

2

2

Shanaglish

1

1

1

Eyecourt

1

1

1

Killimor

1

1

1

Loughrea

33

36

38

New Inn

1

1

1

Portumna

9

8

8

Tynagh

1

1

1

Woodford

1

1

1

Carraroe

6

6

6

Cill Ronain

3

3

3

Inverin

1

1

1

Leitir Mor

1

1

1

Moycullen

2

2

2

Ros Muc

1

1

1

Salthill

44

43

48

Spiddle

3

3

2

Uachtarard

6

6

6

Ballymoe

1

1

1

Barnaderg

1

1

1

Corofin

2

2

1

Dunmore

3

4

3

Glenamady

2

2

2

Headford

5

5

5

Kilconly

1

1

1

Milltown

1

1

1

Tuam

47

51

54

Williamstown

1

1

1

Total

514

544

577

Retirements 2006-2009

Year

A/Comm

C/Supt

Supt

Insp

Sergt

Garda

Total

2006

0

0

2

0

3

17

22

2007

1

0

1

0

1

8

11

2008

0

0

1

0

3

13

17

2009

0

0

2

0

8

28

38

Road Safety.

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

225 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of road traffic accidents recorded by the Garda Síochána, including the number of persons injured and killed, on a road (details supplied) in County Cork for each of the years 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. [2435/10]

In accordance with the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006, the Road Safety Authority, which is under the aegis of the Department of Transport, has responsibility for carrying out research into road collisions. As part of this work, it publishes an annual report, Road Collision Facts, which contains information on fatal collisions.

Asylum Support Services.

Michael Noonan

Ceist:

226 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department has acquired or is in the process of acquiring a property (details supplied) in County Limerick for use as a residence for asylum seekers; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that such use will be in breach of conditions of the planning approval from An Bord Pleanála; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2583/10]

The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers. At the end of 2009, a total of 54 centres throughout the country accommodating 6,494 persons seeking international protection were under contract to the RIA. As part of the management of this process, the RIA advertises annually in the national press for expressions of interest from persons interested in providing accommodation and ancillary services for asylum seekers.

In fulfilling its responsibilities in respect of the accommodation of asylum seekers, the RIA does not acquire or ‘lease' premises. Rather it engages contractors to provide a comprehensive range of services, which include accommodation, catering, housekeeping, etc., for a fixed period of time. When engaging in the contracting process the RIA is primarily concerned with achieving best value for taxpayers' money and also with achieving as wide a spread as is possible of asylum seekers evenly throughout the State. For these and for other, commercial, reasons, it has not been the practice up to now to divulge whether a particular location is the subject of contractual negotiations, and it is not proposed to depart from this long standing practice on this occasion.

Residency Permits.

Michael Noonan

Ceist:

227 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide a copy of correspondence to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick confirming their permission to remain here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2585/10]

The person in question was granted residency in the State by the Garda National Immigration Bureau on the basis of her marriage to an Irish national. She should send a request in writing to the Spouse of Irish National Unit of the Irish Naturalisation & Immigration Services located at 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2 for a current status letter which will confirm her permission to remain in the State.

Garda Strength.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

228 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí in each Garda division on 31 December 2009; the population covered by each Garda division per census 2006. [2587/10]

I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that, as of 31 December 2009, the personnel strength of each Garda Division was as listed in the 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

776

Tipperary

395

Sligo / Leitrim

313

DMR North Central

719

Cork City

700

Clare

336

DMR North

832

Cork North

303

Mayo

309

DMR East

483

Cork West

305

Galway

600

DMR South

642

Kerry

339

Roscommon /Longford

292

DMR West

789

Limerick

635

Westmeath

258

Kilkenny/Carlow

314

Donegal

468

Meath

315

Wicklow

360

Cavan/Monaghan

406

Kildare

321

Laois/Offaly

327

Louth

306

Waterford

309

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

Legislative Programme.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

229 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the Committee Stage amendments to the Multi-Unit Developments Bill 2009 and the Property Services (Regulation Bill) 2009 will be introduced in the Seanad. [2592/10]

The position is that amendments to the Multi-Unit Developments Bill 2009 and the Property Services (Regulation) Bill 2009 are currently being drafted to respond to issues raised during Second Stage discussions and in submissions subsequently received by my Department from relevant stakeholders.

Departmental Websites.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

230 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of websites his Department provides; the annual cost of maintaining each site; the number of unique visits each site received for 2009, or for a part of 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2241/10]

My Department currently provides six websites, including a number of sites newly established in 2009 for which the total setup costs have been included.

Website

Annual Cost of Maintaining Site

No. of Unique Visits for 2009

Department of Foreign Affairs family of website including 68 Embassy websites and the passport application tracking site

72,120

2,114,675

Irish Aid family of websites

32,435

113,004

Dublin Cluster Munitions Conference website

900

2,563

Africa Day 2009 website (launched May 2009 —includes total set up costs incurred in 2009)

9,072

12,564

Communicating Europe Initiative website (launched 30 June 2009 —includes total set up costs incurred in 2009)

46,937

31,577

Global Irish Economic Forum website (launched 1 September 2009 —includes total set up costs incurred in 2009)

15,992

7,665

Passport Applications.

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

231 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding a passport application in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2281/10]

The Passport Office informs me that to date no application has been received in respect of the passport holder, whose current passport has expired. The applicant should make immediate contact with the Consulate General of Ireland, New York at + 1 212 319 2555 who have been made aware of the matter.

Overseas Development Aid.

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

232 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason he has not sought the deployment of 130 personnel from the rapid response team to provide assistance in Haiti as opposed to waiting to be asked to provide assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2283/10]

The Government's Rapid Response Corps is a roster of skilled and experienced volunteers who make themselves available to deploy at short notice to work in humanitarian emergency situations. The Corps comprises 130 individuals with specialised skills in logistics, engineering, public health, humanitarian coordination and protection. Most will have worked extensively overseas in humanitarian and/or development settings.

Individual members of the Corps are deployed at the request of the UN and other humanitarian organisations in need of their specific skills. Those agencies and organisations have the requisite knowledge and experience to determine where gaps exist and how to use Irish personnel optimally. Immediately following the Haiti earthquake Rapid Response Corps members were requested by my Department to indicate their availability to deploy to the earthquake zone. We have quickly deployed an electrical engineer and an IT expert to the World Food Programme. We expect that further deployments of the Corps will take place over the coming days and weeks. One of the lessons of the international community's response to the 2004 Tsunami was that the mass deployment of volunteers, while well-intentioned, can often hamper relief efforts. Consequently our Rapid Response Corps has been designed to quickly provide highly-specialised skills as and when requested by those leading the relief effort. This model is regarded as best practice in the humanitarian community. Since 2007, there have been 65 deployments of the Corps to more than 20 countries. Members of the Corps are working in Afghanistan, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka and Sudan.

Lost Property.

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

233 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; if he will follow up on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2306/10]

I am informed that the wallet of the person mentioned was lost in France June in 2009. The wallet was subsequently handed in to the French police and forwarded to the Embassy in Paris so that it could be returned to the owner. The Embassy forwarded the wallet to the Department of Foreign Affairs HQ in Dublin but, most regrettably, it would appear that it was mislaid sometime after receipt in Dublin. The owner of the wallet was informed and has been offered the apologies of my Department. I would invite the person in question to contact my Department with a view to following up on this matter.

Diplomatic Representation.

Joe Costello

Ceist:

234 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the circumstances surrounding the importation of explosives here by a Slovak national; the action he has taken to have this matter investigated here and in Slovakia; the reason he did not summon the Slovakian Ambassador and make a formal protest in view of the cross-border nature of the incident; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2358/10]

I share the Deputy's concern at the sequence of events which led to members of the Garda Síochána recovering a quantity of explosive material which had inadvertently been brought into Ireland in the luggage of a passenger who had flown into Dublin from the Slovak Republic on 2 January. My colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, has asked the Garda Commissioner for a full report on the matter. I understand that the Commissioner has appointed a Chief Superintendent to investigate fully the circumstances surrounding the incident. As the investigation remains ongoing, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further on the particulars of the incident and the investigation itself at this stage.

Following the incident, I spoke by phone to my Slovak counterpart. I stressed the seriousness with which the Government viewed the incident and my colleague offered his apologies for what had happened. Earlier, the Slovak Minister for the Interior had spoken to the Minister for Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform to convey his Government's profound regret for this incident. The Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to Ireland had contacted officials from my Department and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform further expressing regret in relation to this matter.

There can be no doubt that the Slovak authorities are fully aware of the seriousness with which we in Ireland view this incident. Notwithstanding this, Ireland retains, and wishes to continue to retain, a positive, friendly and fruitful relationship with the Slovak Republic, which is a fellow member of the European Union.

Departmental Websites.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

235 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of websites his Department provides; the annual cost of maintaining each site; the number of unique visits each site received for 2009, or for a part of 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2233/10]

The Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism provides four websites and the following are the details for each:

1.Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism website

Website address: www.arts-sport-tourism.gov.ie

Annual maintenance cost in 2009: €4,839.25

No. of unique visits in 2009: 131,271

unique visitors and 3,947,058 hits

2.National Archives of Ireland website and 1911 Census Search facility

Website address: www.nationalarchives.ie

Annual maintenance cost in 2009: €49,175

No. of unique visits in 2009: 3,966,337

unique visitors and 187,423,403 hits

3.Irish Genealogy website and the Church Records Search facility

Website address: www.irishgenealogy.ie

Annual maintenance cost in 2009: €3,831.50

No. of unique visits in 2009: 100,957

unique visitors and 4,667,216 hits

4.Culture Ireland website

Website address: www.cultureireland.gov.ie

Annual maintenance cost in 2009: €9,483.50

The number of unique visits in 2009 to the Culture Ireland website is not currently available but will be forwarded to the Deputy in due course.

Local Development Programme.

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

236 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the funding provided to a programme (details supplied) in County Laois in 2010, for the ongoing implementation of the sports inclusion network of local sports partnerships, in view of the impact on the health and wellbeing of a number of persons with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2337/10]

As I have previously informed the House, special funding of €2.5 million was allocated from the dormant accounts fund for the appointment of 20 Sports Inclusion Development Officers (SIDOs) in Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) in 2008. The SIDOs were appointed on two-year contracts to provide opportunities for persons with a disability to participate in sport and physical activity.

A network of 33 LSPs has been set up throughout the country by the Irish Sports Council (ISC) to coordinate and promote sport at local level especially amongst specific target groups such as older people, girls and women, people with disabilities, unemployed people, and those who live in identified disadvantaged communities. The special dormant accounts funding was in addition to the annual funding provided to the LSPs by the ISC for programmes and initiatives aimed at increasing participation in recreational sport.

Of the €2.5 million allocated from the dormant accounts fund for the SIDO scheme, €800,000 was provided through my Department's Vote in 2008 and over €1.3 million in 2009. The final provision of €395,000 from the dormant accounts allocation is included in the 2010 Vote of my Department. The continued funding of the SIDO scheme is being considered by the ISC in the context of the distribution of its budget for 2010.

Arts Funding.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

237 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the annual grant awarded by him or with expenditure from his Department to the Abbey Theatre, Dublin; the reason, in this time of high unemployment, the Abbey is letting staff go and outsourcing work to the UK; if he will prevent same; if these positions have involved constructing sets previously carried out internally in their workshops will be retained; if he will introduce some joined up thinking for the national theatre in order that its attention is drawn to other Departments involved in employment creation and retention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2345/10]

Funding for current expenditure by the Abbey Theatre is provided by the Arts Council. The amount of this funding is a matter for the Arts Council which is statutorily independent and I have no direct day to day role in its funding decisions. Similarly, the day to day operations of the Abbey Theatre, and any decisions made in that regard, are a matter for the Board and management of the Abbey which operate independently of my Department.

Swimming Pool Projects.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

238 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress that has been made in the provision of the new swimming pool in Loughrea, County Galway; the cost of this project; the proposed grant being provided by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2396/10]

On 25 May 2009 my Department informed Galway County Council that a grant capped at €1.7m had been allocated under the Department's Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme towards the construction of a pool at Loughrea. At this stage it is for Galway County Council in consultation with the developer to make progress in moving the project on. In that context I understand that Galway County Council has had further discussions with the Developer in preparation for the commencement of the project. I also understand that the Developer has retained assistance for the completion of the tendering process and has undertaken preliminary work in this regard.

Departmental Websites.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

239 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of websites his Department provides; the annual cost of maintaining each site; the number of unique visits each site received for 2009, or for a part of 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2235/10]

My Department provides two websites directly — one for the Department itself (www.pobail.ie) and one for Dormant Accounts (www.dormantaccounts.ie). The annual cost of maintaining each website is as follows:

Department €9,085;

Dormant Accounts €3,887.

There is also a combined hosting cost of €21,141 per annum for the two websites. The number of unique visits on the www.pobail.ie website for 2009 was 30,201. Data on the number of unique visits on the www.dormantaccounts.ie website for 2009 are not available, but visitor tracking has now been initiated and the relevant information will be available from January 2010 onwards. Finally, I wish to advise the Deputy that a database of Ireland's placenames, Logainm.ie, which was developed by Fiontar (DCU) and the Placenames Branch of my Department, was launched in October 2008. The site is maintained by Fiontar DCU on behalf of the Department. This is a public resource for Irish people at home and abroad, and for all those who appreciate the rich heritage of Irish placenames.

The site received some 1,309,485 hits (or 91,770 unique visitors) throughout 2009. The total cost of work on the site in 2009 was €257,334. It is not at this stage possible to distinguish between routine maintenance costs and further site development costs. While officially launched in 2008, the site continues to be developed with the addition of new features, including historical and research notes and sound files for individual placenames, and new placenames continue to be uploaded.

Community Development.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

240 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the decision to discontinue the greater Blanchardstown development project; if her attention has been drawn to the services provided by this community development project and the effect of its discontinuation on the local community and the persons who availed of or depended on the CDP. [2276/10]

As I outlined previously to the House, my Department has seen the need to redesign its community development/social inclusion programmes, particularly the Local Development Social Inclusion (LDSIP) and Community Development Programmes (CDP), drawing on good international practice and to support the ongoing evaluation of the programmes.Both programmes have a community development element and were delivered through separate local delivery structures. These programmes came to an end on 31 December 2009 and have been superseded by a new programme, the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP).

The aim of the new programme is to tackle poverty and social exclusion through partnership and constructive engagement between Government and its agencies and people in disadvantaged communities. This will be underpinned by four high level goals:

To promote awareness, knowledge and uptake of a wide range of statutory, voluntary and community services

To increase access to formal and informal educational, recreational and cultural development activities and resources

To increase peoples' work readiness and employment prospects

To promote engagement with policy, practice and decision-making processes on matters affecting local communities. The new programme will preserve elements of good practice from the CDP/LDSIP Programmes and will enable groups to objectively demonstrate the positive impacts they are securing for local communities. An implementation strategy, involving the stakeholders, is underway in preparation for LCDP roll-out over the course of 2010.

In advance of proceeding to establish a single programme across CDPs and Partnerships, my Department undertook an evaluation of individual community development projects. Many of these projects span across two decades, with quite diverse activities. The objective of the review was to identify those projects that produce tangible, appropriate benefits for the communities they serve. The vast majority of projects fall into this category and have been offered funding under the new programme in 2010. Where projects were not recommended for continued funding, an appropriate appeals mechanism has been provided. I understand the project referred to by the Deputy has submitted an appeal and that officials from my Department have been in touch with them in this regard. It is intended that the appeals process would be completed before end-January 2010 and during that period temporary funding has been provided in respect of the basic running costs of projects under appeal, i.e., grant towards salaries and appropriate overheads.

Tom Hayes

Ceist:

241 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount that has been allocated to RAPID funding in south Tipperary every year since 2004 to date in 2010; the projects that have received funding; the projects that will receive funding for 2010; the number of full-time staff employed by RAPID in south Tipperary; and if he will make a statement regarding the impact of RAPID funding on south Tipperary as assessed by his Department. [2442/10]

The RAPID Programme aims to ensure that priority attention is given to tackling the spatial concentration of poverty and social exclusion within the designated RAPID areas nationally. As I have indicated to the House on a number of occasions, it is a matter for individual Departments to report on the provision of funding and progress on delivery with respect to projects under their responsibility in the RAPID areas. In support, Pobal collects data from each RAPID area in respect of funding allocations received by projects from Government Departments and local state agencies. The latest data in respect of the Programme is available on Pobal's website under the RAPID section — http://www.pobal.ie/Funding%20Programmes/Rapid/ Pages/Funding.aspx — and the Deputy may find it useful to access this information. I initiated the RAPID leverage schemes in 2004 in order to support small-scale projects identified locally by the Area Implementation Teams in each of the RAPID areas. These schemes are co-funded by the relevant agencies and support projects that focus on estate management, graffiti removal, traffic calming, community closed-circuit television, health and sports facilities, and the provision of playgrounds. The table sets out details of RAPID leverage funding by my Department in south Tipperary from 2004 to date. Ongoing co-funding of projects approved under the schemes will continue in 2010, subject to resources.

I am satisfied that the impact of the programme has facilitated RAPID communities in south Tipperary in taking greater ownership of local development, and has also enabled state organisations to work together to improve the quality of life for local people.

RAPID leverage funding by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in south Tipperary from 2004 to date

Area

Project

Totals 2004-2010 (to date)

Sports Capital

Carrick on Suir

St Molleran's

36,885.00

Carrick UDT AFC

27,000.00

Carrick Swans H&C

10,500.00

Carrick-on-Suir Boxing

900.00

Carrick-on-Suir Rugby

27,000.00

Sean Kelly Sports

4,500.00

St Nicholas Boxing Club

450.00

Clonmel

Clonmel Boxing Club

3,700.00

Clonmel Celtic FC

90,000.00

Clonmel Town FC

30,000.00

Clonmel Rowing

4,500.00

Clonmel Swimming

1,200.00

Tipperary Town

St Michael's AFC

59,400.00

Arravale Rovers GAA Club

36,000.00

Clanwilliam FC

30,000.00

Canon Hayes Recreation Centre

12,000.00

Co Tipperary Lawn Tennis

18,000.00

Traffic

Carrick on Suir

ST CKSR 039 Clonmel Road

22,500.00

ST CKSR 606 Kickham Street

50,000.00

Clonmel

ST CLON 132 Heywood Road, Elm Park, Bianconi Drive

22,500.00

ST CLON 609 Elm Park

25,728.04

ST CLON 610/612 Heywood Road, Elm Park, Bianconi Drive, Carrigeen / Wilderness

23,464.43

Tipperary Town

ST TIPP 052/053/054 Knockanrawley, Pearse Pk, 3 Drives St Michaels Ave./Marian Tce

22,316.25

ST TIPP 609-616 Dundrum Rd Knockanrawley, Mound Area, Canom Hayes Pk, Connolly Park, St Michael’s Ave, Marian Tce. Pearse Park, West End

37,946.66

Playgrounds

Carrick-on-Suir

Seskin Court, Ballylynch, Fairgreen

66,000.00

Ballylynch

40,000.00

Ballylynch Green

66,000.00

Ballylynch, St John's

60,000.00

Clonmel

Elm Park

2,005.00

Elm Park

132,000.00

Elm Park

65,067.00

Heywood & Cooleens

60,000.00

South Tipperary

Tipperary Town, 3 Driver Estate

60,386.46

Dundrum Drive

66,000.00

3 Driver Estate, Mound Area, The Plots, Pearse Park

60,000.00

Cannon Hayes Sports & Recreation Complex

66,000.00

LA Housing Enhancement

Carrick-on-Suir

St Nicholas Park, Collins Park, Marian Avenue, Connolly Park, Mass Road, Treacy Park

24,930.00

St Nicholas Park, Marian Avenue, Mass Road, Treacy Park

17,573.32

Ballylynch, St John's Tce, Marian Ave, Kennedy Tce, Treacy Park, Collins Park

43,862.25

Collins Park. Kennedy Tce, St John's, Ballylynch, Sean Healy Park

20,000.00

Clonmel

Blancant Drive, Heywood Close, Elm Park, Carrigeon

20,000.00

Wilderness, Elm Park

22,081.64

Heywood Close, Cooleens Close

22,845.63

Elm Park, Bianconi Drive,

23,239.06

Elm Park, Bianconi Drive,

15,750.00

Tipperary Town

Pearse Road, The Band Stand, Dundrum Drive Walls, Community Notice Boards, Name Plaques/Signage, The Mound Area, Waste Ground Allotments Project, Community Boundary Fence, Small Capital Works

41,544.01

Connolly Park, Three Drives, Dundrum Drive, Pearse Park, Glenview Square, LA Estates

24,013.54

Three Drives Housing Estate

20,000.00

Total

1,635,788.29

Question No. 242 withdrawn.

Departmental Websites.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

243 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of websites her Department provides; the annual cost of maintaining each site; the number of unique visits each site received for 2009, or for a part of 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2244/10]

The Department currently maintains four websites. The Department's main website, www.welfare.ie, contains information on the range of schemes and services provided by the Department, as well as policy publications and online services. Support and maintenance costs for the website and associated content management system in 2009 were €47,248. In 2009 there were over 2.75m unique visits to www.welfare.ie. Responsibility for the General Register Office, and the www.groireland.ie website, was transferred from the Department of Health and Children to the Department from January 1st, 2008. The maintenance cost for 2009 was €987.52. Statistics for number of unique visits in 2009 is currently being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy when available.

Following the integration of the Combat Poverty Agency and the Office for Social Inclusion in a new Social Inclusion Division within the Department in July 2009, the Department also maintains and updates content on www.socialinclusion.ie and www.combatpoverty.ie. A project has commenced on the custodian and archiving responsibilities arising from the closing down of www.socialinclusion.ie and www.combatpoverty.ie. This will involve the transfer of relevant information to a new area on www.welfare.ie. It is necessary to retain these two sites until this work is complete and it is expected that they will be shut down before the second quarter of 2010.

The costs for 2009 for www.socialinclusion.ie was €232.07. In 2009 the site had 57,309 unique visits. The costs for 2009 for www.combatpoverty.ie was €423.75. In 2009 the site had 93,307 unique visits. I am satisfied that the integration of the Combat Poverty and Social Inclusion websites with the Department's main website will provide customers with a single, highly accessible repository for information on both the Department's range of services and on the social policy research and reports that inform the development of social welfare policy.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Tom Hayes

Ceist:

244 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she has assessed the impact of cutting off children’s allowance at 18 years of age; the impact this has had on child poverty; if there is a corresponding increase in applications for supplementary welfare allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2270/10]

Niall Collins

Ceist:

248 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the assistance available to the parents of an 18 year old still at school, in lieu of the children’s allowance that ceased upon reaching the age of 18. [2302/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 244 and 248 together.

Child benefit (CB) is a tax free non means tested benefit paid monthly in respect of all children up to the age 16 years and in respect of children over 16 years of age up to their 18th birthday who are in full time education or have a disability. Child Benefit assists parents in the cost associated with raising children and it contributes towards alleviating child poverty.

It was decided in Budget 2009 to limit spending on Child Benefit by lowering the upper age limit that currently applies from 19 years to 18 years. The impact of this measure was phased in, with payment for existing and future qualifying children being halved from January 2009 and payment stopping from the 18th birthday from January 2010.

A compensatory payment of €15 was provided during 2009 and will continue in 2010 for any week during which those affected by this measure are receiving a social welfare payment which includes an increase in respect of the 18 year old child or a family income supplement payment which includes payment in respect of that child.

Calculation of child poverty for SILC is measured as the proportion of all children aged 17 years or younger who live in households that have an income below the 60 per cent of median income poverty line and it is not expected that a measure directed at those over 18 years will have an impact on this measure. Results from the most recent survey of Income and Living Conditions in Ireland (IRL-SILC) 2008 survey published in Nov 2009 showed the consistent poverty rate for children, aged 0-17, decreased from 7.4% in 2007 to 6.3% in 2008. The percentage of children ‘at risk of poverty' fell by almost two per cent, from 19.9% in 2007 to 18% in 2008. These are the most recent figures SILC figures available.

The supplementary welfare allowance scheme (SWA) is administered on my behalf by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive (HSE). SWA provides a safety net against poverty in that it gives a statutory entitlement to a minimum weekly income, based on criteria set out in legislation. Statistics in relation to the number of extra claims — if any — arising from the impact of the changes in child benefit scheme are not maintained by the community welfare division of the HSE and accordingly it is not possible to supply statistics in this regard.

In recognition of the need to target limited available resources at persons on low incomes with children in full-time education, a number of provisions have been introduced including:

The extension of entitlement to Increase for Qualified Child, payable to social welfare recipients in respect of qualifying child dependants, to age 22 where the parent of a full-time student (including third level) is in receipt of either:

A long-term social welfare payment, or

A short-term social welfare payment for six months or more (short-term schemes include such payments as Jobseeker's Benefit and Assistance, Illness Benefit and Supplementary Welfare Allowance), and

The provision of a weekly payment to low paid employees with families, through the Family Income Supplement (FIS) scheme. Under this scheme, a qualified child is any child under the age of 18 or aged 18 to 22 in full-time education. This supplement is paid where a family's weekly income is below a specified amount for the family size, and is calculated at 60% of the difference between the net family income (i.e. gross pay less tax, PRSI, health contribution, superannuation) and the relevant income limit.

Low income families may also be entitled to a Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, which is administered by the Health Service Executive and operates from the beginning of June to the end of September each year.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

245 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason for the delay in processing the application for unemployment benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if this will be processed without any further delay. [2278/10]

The claim for Jobseeker's Benefit, by the person concerned, was disallowed by a deciding officer of the Department on the ground that he did not sustain a substantial loss of employment from 21 April 2009 and he appealed against the decision on 4 June 2009. The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that, in accordance with statutory requirements, the relevant Departmental papers and comments on the grounds of appeal in the case were sought. These have now been received and have been referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration.

There has been a 46% increase in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office in 2009 when compared to 2008, which in itself was 27% greater than the numbers received in 2007. This has caused delays in the processing of appeals. 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 Appeals.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

246 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding an appeal against the decision to refuse an application for mortgage relief in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2285/10]

The supplementary welfare allowance scheme provides for a weekly or monthly supplement to be paid in respect of mortgage interest to any person in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs. The supplementary welfare allowance scheme is administered by the community welfare service of the Health Service Executive on behalf of the Department.

Mortgage interest supplement provides short-term income support to eligible people who are unable to meet their mortgage interest repayments in respect of a house which is their sole place of residence. The supplement assists with the interest portion of the mortgage repayments only. Mortgage interest supplement is not payable where a person or his/her spouse or partner is in full-time employment i.e. works more than 30 hours a week. The Executive has advised that the person concerned was refused mortgage interest supplement as his partner is in full time employment. The HSE Appeals Office has advised that the person concerned appealed the decision to refuse mortgage interest supplement on 15 December 2009 but that no decision has been made on his appeal to date. The HSE Appeals Office will contact the person concerned directly when a decision has been made on his appeal.

Social Insurance.

Niall Collins

Ceist:

247 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding the employer job PRSI incentive scheme; the location where and the way to apply; when it will be available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2289/10]

Full details of the Employer Job (PRSI) Incentive Scheme, including the application procedure, will be announced following the promulgation of the Social Welfare Act 2010. It will be administered by the Department of Social and Family Affairs. The scheme will run for the calendar year 2010 only. However, any qualifying employment created in 2010 will be eligible for the scheme, which will be structured so that employments created prior to the launch can participate for 12 months forward from the time of launch and employments created later in the year will participate for 12 months to the corresponding date in 2011.

Question No. 248 answered with Question No. 244.

Tax Code.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

249 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will clarify the issue of the tax treatment of couples on old age pensions in a manner that could be regarded as discriminatory and outline the way in which their PAYE tax credit is implemented when the couple are on separate social welfare pensions; when the couple has one person on social welfare and one on qualified adult allowance, when the couple divide their entitlements with each getting their own payment and the way in which social welfare take this into account when they included pensions as qualified adult allowance when their own entitlement on their own record may be slightly less. [2367/10]

The tax treatment of social welfare pensions is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Finance. However, I can confirm that tax ramifications are not taken into account when calculating the social welfare pension entitlements of a couple.

Flood Relief.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

250 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the cost to date to her Department for the provision of assistance to flood victims in County Galway; the average financial contribution made to the number of persons who received aid from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2374/10]

In recognition of the devastation suffered by people in many areas of the country as a result of the flooding from November 2009 onwards, the Government set up a Humanitarian Assistance Scheme to provide income tested financial support to people who have suffered damages to their homes not covered by insurance. An initial sum of €10 million has been set aside by the Government for this purpose. Community welfare service staff in County Galway have been providing support to families since this flooding occurred. Up to 8 January 2010, they had made over 500 payments to 290 individuals to the value of some €190,000. The average payment per individual in Galway is €655.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Deirdre Clune

Ceist:

251 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if emergency fuel allowance payments will be awarded to fuel allowance recipients in view of the long spell of cold weather; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2429/10]

The Department assists social welfare recipients with heating costs, through their basic payments, the fuel allowance scheme and the household benefits package of electricity and gas allowances. The household benefits package is payable throughout the year to almost 380,000 pensioners, people with disabilities, and carer households to assist them with their heating, light and cooking costs. This scheme cost approximately €200 million in 2009. In addition, the national fuel allowance scheme helps householders on long-term social welfare or health service executive payments to meet the additional cost of their heating needs during the winter season. The allowance represents a contribution towards a person's heating expenses. It is not intended to meet those costs in full and must be seen in the context of the overall level of income available to the family. In budget 2009, the duration of the payment was increased by an extra two weeks to 32 weeks, while the weekly value of the allowance was increased by €2 to €20 a week, or €23.90 in designated smokeless areas. This compares with just €14 and €17.90 respectively in 2006. These are in addition to other improvements made in recent years, including a significant increase in the income threshold for the allowance with effect from 2008. A single person aged under 80, with a household income of less than €330.30 a week can now qualify for the fuel allowance. The income limits for couples are €483.80 a week where the qualified adult is aged under 66 and €536.80 a week where both adults are aged over 66. As a result of these improvements, almost 318,000 people benefited from the fuel allowance in 2009 at an estimated cost of €217 million.

In addition to the basic welfare payments, household benefits and fuel allowance payments highlighted above, the Department also provides funding to the Community Welfare Service to assist people with special heating needs. Community welfare officers can pay a heating supplement to people in certain circumstances with specific heating needs due to infirmity or a particular medical condition. They can also make exceptional needs payments to people who do not have enough money to meet their heating costs. Since the onset of the adverse weather conditions, community welfare officers have provided assistance to people to purchase additional fuel, heaters and clothing. They have also given funding towards the payment of heating bills and for repairs arising from burst pipes. Over €170,000 has been paid out since 1 January 2010 in respect of such claims. Assistance will continue to be provided towards the payment of heating bills for those in need. Paying a special increase in response to the bad weather would not necessarily represent a good targeting of limited resources. Rather, it is considered desirable to continue to give the CWOs the discretion and the funding to assist people who need extra financial support.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

252 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position in relation to a domiciliary care grant for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2563/10]

In order to qualify for Domiciliary Care Allowance, a child must have a disability so severe that it requires the child needing care and attention and/or supervision substantially in excess of another child of the same age. This care and attention must be given by another person, effectively full-time so that the child can deal with the activities of daily living. The child must be likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 months. An application for Domiciliary Care Allowance was received by the Department on 4 June 2009. This application was referred to one of the Department's Medical Assessors who found that the child in question did not meet the medical criteria to be eligible for Domiciliary Care Allowance. A letter issued to the person in question on 21 July 2009 where she was advised of the decision to refuse Domiciliary Care Allowance for not satisfying the medical criteria. 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. If a person is not satisfied with the decision of a Deciding Officer, they may appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. There has been no appeal of the decision or request for a review received in the Department to date.

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

253 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry was refused domiciliary care allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2581/10]

In order to qualify for Domiciliary Care Allowance, a child must have a disability so severe that it requires the child needing care and attention and/or supervision substantially in excess of another child of the same age. This care and attention must be given by another person, effectively full-time so that the child can deal with the activities of daily living. The child must be likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 months. An application for Domiciliary Care Allowance was received by the Department on 23 November 2009. This application was referred to one of the Department's Medical Assessors who found that the child in question did not meet the medical criteria to be eligible for Domiciliary Care Allowance. A letter issued to the person in question on 13 January 2010 where she was advised of the decision to refuse Domiciliary Care Allowance for not satisfying the medical criteria. 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. If a person is not satisfied with the decision of a Deciding Officer they may appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

Departmental Websites.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

254 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Defence the number of websites his Department provides; the annual cost of maintaining each site; the number of unique visits each site received for 2009, or for a part of 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2236/10]

My Department provides five websites. The following table provides the information requested in relation to each of these websites:

Site Name

Unique Hits (2009)

Cost (2009)

Department of Defence

defence.ie

Unavailable

27,340

Civil Defence

civildefence.ie

Unavailable

Unavailable

Office of Emergency Planning

emergencyplanning.ie

55,817

14,220

Permanent Defence Forces

military.ie

17,122

36,146

Reserve Defence Forces

rdf.ie

17,384

Unavailable

Question No. 255 answered with Question No. 83.

Defence Forces Property.

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

256 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Defence the impact of the abandonment of the plan to decentralise Defence Force Headquarters staff to the Defence Forces Training Centre at the Curragh, County Kildare. [2315/10]

The Deputy will be aware that the Government decision on decentralisation provides for the transfer of my Department's Dublin-based civil service staff, together with a number of military personnel, to Newbridge, County Kildare, and for the decentralisation of the Defence Forces Headquarters (DFHQ) to the Curragh. The new building at Newbridge is progressing well and is expected to be completed and ready for occupation in the summer.In light of budgetary constraints at this time, the Government has decided to defer proceeding with the new building for DFHQ at the Curragh. This location, along with a number of other deferred locations, will be considered as part of the overall review of the programme in 2011. The implications of the deferment of the Curragh project are being considered by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Finance and the Office of Public Works.

Defence Forces Staff.

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

257 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Defence the number of military dental hygienists employed in the Defence Forces; his views on whether this number is adequate; if consideration has been given to the employment of civilian hygienists on a temporary basis until the shortfall can be eliminated via the training of more military dental hygienists. [2316/10]

I am advised by the Military Authorities that no dental hygienist is currently employed in the Defence Forces. However, it is intended to appoint a dental hygienist in the coming weeks. The overall structure of the dental service and the requirement for dental hygienists is being considered in the context of the restructuring of the Medical Service.

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

258 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Defence the number of former military medical officers providing medical services up to the end of 2009; the cost of such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2317/10]

The services of civilian medical practitioners, including on occasion retired Defence Force medical officers, are used in the delivery of medical services to the Defence Forces. I am advised by the Military Authorities that 12 former military medical officers — ten doctors and two dentists — provided medical services in 2009 at a cost of €538,532.

Question No. 259 answered with Question No. 90.

National Emergency Plan.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

260 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the definition of a natural disaster or emergency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2602/10]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

262 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the role he will play and the contribution he intends to make in the context of the operation of the national emergency plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2604/10]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

263 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the procedure whereby the national emergency plan is activated; from whom the order or request comes and the minimum time from initial request to activation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2605/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 260, 262 and 263 together.

Emergency planning in this country is developed on the "lead Department" principle. This means that each Department is responsible for planning for and responding to those emergencies that fall within its area of responsibility. In my capacity of Chairman of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, I brought a document, Roles and Responsibilities in Emergency Planning, to the Government in December 2008. This document, for the first time, identified the lead Department and the supporting Departments and agencies in over 40 emergency scenarios. It was prepared by the Office of Emergency Planning and was agreed by the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning. The Framework for Major Emergency Management is the document that sets out a structure enabling the principal response agencies (the Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive and the Local Authorities) to prepare for, and make a co-ordinated response to, major emergencies resulting from events such as fires, transport accidents, hazardous substance incidents and severe weather. The framework states that a major emergency is any event which, with little or no warning, causes or threatens death or injury, serious disruption of essential services or damage to property, the environment or infrastructure beyond the normal capabilities of the principal emergency services in the area in which the event occurs, and requires the activation of specific additional procedures and the mobilisation of additional resources to ensure an effective, co-ordinated response. The Government Task Force on Emergency Planning supports co-ordination of emergency planning across Departments and key agencies. It provides a forum for sharing information and keeping emergency planning high on the agenda of all Government Departments. As the chairman of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, I receive regular updates from the national steering group on progress made in the implementation of the framework.

Question No. 261 answered with Question No. 74.
Questions Nos. 262 and 263 answered with Question No. 260.
Question No. 264 answered with Question No. 77.

Search and Rescue Service.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

265 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps have access to adequate rescue personnel, craft and equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2607/10]

The Irish Coast Guard has overall responsibility for the provision of maritime search and rescue services within the Irish Search and Rescue region. In accordance with the roles assigned to them by the Government in the White Paper on Defence, the Defence Forces are committed to providing support to the civil authorities including in relation to search and rescue. In this regard, the Naval Service and Air Corps provide support to the Coast Guard as the need arises and within their available capability. As in all cases of services that the Defence Forces can provide in support to the civil authorities, the services are demand-led and provided on an "as available basis", having regard to current and contingent Defence Forces operational commitments. It should be noted that the Defence Forces had adequate resources to deal with requests for assistance in the rescue of civilian personnel during the recent periods of flooding and severe weather across the country. This included the transportation of civilian personnel from flood-affected areas in Defence Forces vehicles. I am satisfied that the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are fully equipped to meet the roles assigned to them by Government.

Overseas Assistance.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

266 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if unilaterally or in conjunction with his EU colleagues, consideration has been given to the setting up of a Europe wide disaster response force capable of dealing with major catastrophes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2608/10]

The Deputy will appreciate that in the context of the current disaster in Haiti there are a number of responses that can be made by Ireland, the EU, and other international organisations.

The immediate EU response to the earthquake in Haiti and its terrible consequences was dealt with at an emergency meeting of EU Development Ministers on Monday of this week attended by my colleague the Minister of State for Overseas Development, Peter Power. The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton has undertaken to co-ordinate the response with the US and UN authorities. The EU has pledged €122 million in immediate humanitarian assistance in response to the Haiti disaster.

The EU has a wide range of instruments, both civilian and military, which it can use to come to the aid of people in difficulties. The EU is constantly increasing its various capabilities, including its ability to response quickly to catastrophes. After the meeting in Brussels on Monday Minister of State Power emphasised the importance for the EU as a whole to learn from the experience of the response to this disaster. This will include addressing the rapid response capability of the EU.

Minister of State Power is co-ordinating the Irish pledges of assistance to Haiti. Ireland is contributing €20 million to the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund. Also, Ireland is providing €2 million which is being channelled directly through Irish NGOs and UN humanitarian agencies. Earlier this week, a consignment of over 80 tons of essential humanitarian supplies was freighted to Haiti, this is one of the largest consignments of humanitarian supplies ever provided directly by Ireland.

Ireland is also deploying two highly-skilled members of Ireland's Rapid Response Corps to assist the World Food Programme, others are on standby and are expected to be called upon over the coming days and weeks.

In addition, a three-person Irish Aid technical assessment team, which includes an officer of the Defence Forces and two officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs will conduct a week-long mission in Haiti.

Question No. 267 answered with Question No. 113.

Defence Forces Training.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

268 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding the training of apprenticeships for the Defence Forces; the number of such apprentices trained on an annual basis in the past 12 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2610/10]

Following the closure of the Army Apprentice School in 1998, and in order to ensure the availability of the requisite levels of technical skills in the Defence Forces, a Trainee Technician Scheme and an Apprentice Scheme were introduced.

Personnel already serving in the Defence Forces enter the Trainee Technician Scheme while civilian personnel who join the Defence Forces to begin their technical training enter the Apprentice Scheme. Training under the Schemes consists of an integrated package of military training and technical training in the appropriate trade, the latter of which is provided in association with FÁS.

The duration of both Schemes is four years and, on successful completion, personnel graduate in line with the National Framework of Qualifications.

In the time available it has not been possible to collate figures to provide an annual breakdown of those trained in the years from 1998. The military authorities advise me, however, that they are currently preparing this information and as soon as it available it will be provided directly to the Deputy.

Defence Forces Equipment.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

269 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which vehicles, crafts, technology, equipment and training are updated on an annual basis in respect of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2611/10]

The acquisition of new equipment for the Defence Forces continues to be a key focus for me as Minister for Defence. Significant investment has taken place in recent years across all facets and elements of the Defence Forces. This investment has been facilitated by the re-investment both of pay savings arising from the reduction in the strength of the Permanent Defence Force in the context of the White Paper of 2000 and proceeds from the sale of surplus properties. The level of investment has ensured that Defence Forces personnel have the most modern and effective range of equipment to carry our their day-to-day roles at home and overseas. I will ensure that this investment will continue as much as possible, taking the changed economic circumstances into account.

On the issue of training, I am very satisfied that military training techniques are up to date in all respects. Defence Forces training plans are structured to provide the capabilities needed to execute the roles assigned to them by Government. The challenges of preparing military units for participation in international peace support operations constitute the major dimension of Defence Forces collective training. The primary focus of this training is the attainment of a capability for military interoperability in order to conduct peace support operations to international standards.

Question No. 270 answered with Question No. 77.

Departmental Websites.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

271 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of websites his Department provides; the annual cost of maintaining each site; the number of unique visits each site received for 2009, or for a part of 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2239/10]

The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

272 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is entitled to compensation for the designation of their lands as a special area of conservation or a national heritage area in view of the fact that their REP scheme three participation has finished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2252/10]

The principal source of funding available to farmers to assist them in meeting the demands of farming within a designated area or commonage is the Rural Development Fund. This fund is administered by my colleague, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. I understand that his Department is currently finalising arrangements for a new agri-environmental scheme that will be available to farmers who are nearing completion of their existing REPS plans.

Within my own Department, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has more limited funding available to operate a scheme to pay farmers and landowners for losses incurred through restrictions caused by the designation of lands as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs), or Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs). This scheme is available as an alternative to participating in REPS or the new agri-environmental scheme.

Housing Aid for the Elderly.

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

273 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding grants for central heating and insulation in view of the fact that a council (details supplied) has no funding for grants where persons can apply for funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2265/10]

Under the terms of the Housing Aid for Older People scheme, which is administered by the local authorities, grants of up to €10,500 are available to assist older people to have necessary repairs or improvement works carried out, including drylining and the provision of central heating, in order to facilitate the continued independent occupancy of their homes.

My Department requested local authorities to submit details of their funding requirements under the suite of Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability for 2010 by 22 January, with a view to determining the allocations for this year as soon as possible afterwards. In order to provide for continuity in the processing applications and the payment of grants under the various measures, local authorities were advised that they could anticipate an allocation for 2010 which would not be substantially below their overall allocation for 2009.

It should be noted also that the Home Energy Saving scheme, which is administered by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI), provides grants to homeowners for improving the energy efficiency of their homes in order to reduce energy use and costs. The scheme, which falls within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, is open to all owners of existing homes built before 2006 and eligible works include the provision of roof and wall insulation.

Environmental Policy.

Frank Feighan

Ceist:

274 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding turf cutting in bogs located in special areas of conservation in counties Roscommon and Leitrim; if, due to the huge demand for fuel during the worst winter for 40 years and high unemployment in rural areas farmers will be allowed to cut turf in SAC areas commencing in February and March 2010. [2338/10]

The derogation allowing a continuation of turf cutting on 32 Raised Bog SACs that were notified for designation in 1999 has now expired and a further extension is not possible.

I am aware of the difficulties that may be faced by individuals in these areas. In the coming weeks, I expect to receive a report from the Working Group on the Cessation of Turf Cutting in Designated Areas. This will include recommendations, which I will consider as quickly as possible, for managing the cessation.

Emergency Management Framework.

Joe Costello

Ceist:

275 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to deal with weather conditions similar to those experienced over Christmas 2009 and early new year throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2361/10]

Joe Costello

Ceist:

286 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will sign the order allowing for the provision of a facility (details supplied) in Dublin 1 following a positive environmental assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2436/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 275 and 286 together.

As part of an ongoing focus on major emergency preparedness and response, the Government, in 2006, published a Framework for Major Emergency Management. The purpose of the new Framework is to put in place arrangements that will enable the three principal response agencies, namely, An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive and the local authorities to coordinate their efforts in the event of a major emergency. The Government put in place a Major Emergency Development Programme to implement these new arrangements which led to the three principal response agencies adopting new major emergency plans in September, 2008. My Department chairs a National Steering Group to oversee and drive this Programme and to maintain the Framework into the future. I am satisfied that sufficient resources are deployed in the relevant areas in my Department to perform its emergency planning and management role. The level of resources to be deployed locally is a matter for local authorities.

In relation to the recent severe weather event, there was no delay in monitoring the event as it developed. Local authorities were engaged in keeping the main national roads open to traffic from the latter part of December. When the position deteriorated after Christmas I arranged for the convening of the National Emergency Co-ordination Committee to provide a forum for the various Departments and agencies to exchange information on dealing with the event, ensure co-operation between the Departments and agencies, the Defence Forces and voluntary bodies and to enable decisions required at national level on various matters to be made where necessary. At all times, the co-ordination and inter- agency arrangements set out in the Framework document were implemented at local level by the principal response agencies working with other statutory and voluntary bodies.

Waste Management.

Joe Costello

Ceist:

276 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 280 of 17 December 2009, the reason he did not address the issue raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2362/10]

The reply to Question No. 280 of 17 December 2009 clearly outlined both the duty of care on waste holders imposed by the Waste Management Acts 1996-2008 and the obligations arising from the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, as amended, and the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008. Given the comprehensiveness of these provisions, there are no plans for further legislation in this regard.

Private Rented Accommodation.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

277 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of house owners registered with Galway County Council and Galway City Council on the private rental register; the number of inspections on such properties in 2008 and 2009 in each local authority; the consequence of these inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2382/10]

The Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) was established as an independent statutory body in September 2004 and has as one of its principal functions the registration of private rental tenancies.

While I have no function in the operational matters of the PRTB, I understand that at 31 December 2009, the PRTB had 234,582 active tenancies on its register, representing 399,283 tenants and 116,577 landlords. It should be noted, however, that these tenancy data are compiled on a rolling, aggregate basis, according as valid tenancy registration forms are submitted to the PRTB, and more than one tenancy may be registered in respect of a rented accommodation unit in any year. Furthermore the Act provides for a four year tenancy cycle and the re-registration of the tenancy at the end of each cycle. In addition the number of tenancies registered each year cannot be taken as a definitive proxy indicator of annualised lettings as there are certain classes of dwellings that do not fall within the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004.

Further information from the PRTB's published register, including a breakdown by county, is available on the Board's website at www.prtb.ie/pubregister.htm.

My Department provides significant resources, from part of the proceeds of tenancy registration fees collected by the Private Residential Tenancies Board, to assist local authorities in discharging their enforcement functions under the Housing Acts in relation to rented accommodation. Over €4 million was allocated in respect of 2009, linked largely to enforcement performance, bringing total funding allocations since 2004 to €15m. Details of the number of inspections carried out by each local authority in 2008 are published in my Department's 2008 Annual Housing Statistics Bulletin, which is available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie and in the Oireachtas Library. I expect inspection data for 2009 to be available by mid-2010.

In recent years, there have been considerable achievements by almost all housing authorities in increasing the number of inspections of rented accommodation carried out each year and enforcement remains key to the success of the Regulations and to eliminating sub-standard accommodation from the rental sector.

I recently announced the coming into effect on 1 December 2009 of the final elements of the package of measures approved by the Government last year to update and effectively enforce the minimum standards regulations for the private rented sector. The newly-strengthened sanctions regime provides for the issue by housing authorities of Improvement Notices and Prohibition Notices on foot of breaches by landlords of the minimum standards regulations. Housing authorities are aware of all the options available to them when enforcing the regulations and where necessary, they may pursue offenders through the Courts.

Water and Sewerage Schemes.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

278 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when progress and funding will be made available to commence work on a scheme (details supplied); the provisional completion date for work; the position regarding the implementation of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2415/10]

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

280 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when progress and funding will be made available to commence work on a scheme (details supplied); the provisional completion date for work; the position regarding the implementation of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2416/10]

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

282 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when progress and funding will be made available to commence work on a scheme (details supplied); the provisional completion date for work; the position regarding the implementation of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2419/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 278, 280 and 282 together.

The Kinvara and Athenry Sewerage Schemes, and the Portumna Regional Water Supply Scheme were included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009. All three schemes are in the planning phase. My Department awaits Galway County Council's revised Preliminary Report for the Kinvara and Athenry Schemes. In the case of the Portumna Regional Water Supply Scheme, my Department is currently examining the Council's revised Brief for the appointment of consultants to prepare the Preliminary Report for the scheme. A decision on this brief will be conveyed to the Council as soon as possible in the light of the finalisation of the Water Services Investment Programme for 2010 to 2012.

Last July, local authorities were asked to submit an assessment of needs for water and sewerage services to my Department by 23 October 2009. My Department is currently examining these assessments, which form a key input to the development of the 2010 to 2012 Water Services Investment Programme. In conducting their assessments, local authorities were asked to prioritise schemes and contracts for progression over the coming years based on key environmental and economic criteria. I expect to publish the Water Services Investment Programme 2010 to 2012 early this year.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

279 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when funding will be made available to commence work on a scheme (details supplied); the provisional completion date for work; the position regarding the implementation of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2414/10]

The Gort Regional Water Supply Scheme was included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009, and this scheme is at the planning stage.

Last November, my Department approved Galway County Council's tender proposals to carry out remedial works at the existing treatment plant under the EPA Remedial Action List programme to deal with water quality issues in the supply, in advance of proposals for a new plant under the Regional scheme.

Local authorities were asked in July 2009 to submit an assessment of needs for water and sewerage services to my Department by 23 October 2009. My Department is currently examining these assessments, which form a key input to the development of the 2010 to 2012 Water Services Investment Programme. In conducting their assessments, local authorities were asked to prioritise schemes and contracts for progression over the coming years based on key environmental and economic criteria. Further proposals for the proposed Gort Regional Water Supply Scheme will be considered in that context. I expect to publish the Water Services Investment Programme 2010 to 2012 early this year, based on key environmental and economic criteria.

Question No. 280 answered with Question No. 278.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

281 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when progress and funding will be made available to commence work on a scheme (details supplied); the provisional completion date for work; the position regarding the implementation of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2418/10]

The Craughwell Sewerage Scheme was included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009. Galway County Council originally proposed to advance the Craughwell scheme as part of a four-scheme bundle, which also included the Carraroe, Claregalway and Milltown Sewerage schemes.

My Department has received the Council's contract documents for the bundle. However, outstanding planning issues in relation to the Craughwell and Carraroe schemes preclude the Council from issuing a certificate of completion of planning which is necessary to enable the Department fully to assess the contract documents for those schemes. The Council now propose to advance the Claregalway and Milltown schemes as a separate bundle. Further progress on the Craughwell scheme must await clarification of the planning dimension and the finalisation of the Water Services Investment Programme 2010 to 2012.

Local authorities were asked in July 2009 to submit an assessment of needs for water and sewerage services to my Department by 23 October 2009. My Department is currently examining these assessments, which form a key input to the development of the 2010 to 2012 Water Services Investment Programme. In conducting their assessments, local authorities were asked to prioritise schemes and contracts for progression over the coming years based on key environmental and economic criteria. I expect to publish the Water Services Investment Programme 2010 to 2012 early this year.

Question No. 282 answered with Question No. 278.

Departmental Investigations.

Deirdre Clune

Ceist:

283 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps that have been taken to establish an investigation into the flooding of Cork City in November 2009; the form this investigation will take; the person to whom it will report to; if it will have to report within a set timeframe; when it will be established; if the Electricity Supply Board and Cork City Council will be involved in this investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2419/10]

I have initiated a review of the emergency response to the November 2009 flooding. The review will consider available information on the response to the flooding, consider if there are any improvements to be made to the response and make recommendations as to future action on the wider emergency management arising from the events.

In relation to the flooding in Cork City, the Office of Public Works (OPW), as lead Government agency for implementing the National Flood Policy in the matters of flood risk and mitigation, has commissioned the Lee Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study. The objective of the study is to identify and map existing and potential future flood risk areas in the Lee catchment, through detailed hydrological/hydraulic modelling and flood mapping. This flood risk assessment also accounts for the likely impacts of land-use change, urban development and climate change on flood risk. Once the flood risk has been quantified and mapped throughout the catchment (with particular focus on developed areas or areas under potential development pressure) a Catchment Flood Risk Management Plan will be developed , which will include a prioritised set of actions, measures and works to manage the flood risk in the catchment. In light of the recent flood events of November 2009 and the subsequent need to study the new data, the timeframe for completion has been extended to allow for a review of the risks and proposed options. Once the review is completed, the Flood Risk Management Plan will be published by the OPW, along with flood maps, for formal public consultation.

Deirdre Clune

Ceist:

284 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps that have been taken to establish an investigation into the flooding of Cork city in November 2009; the form this investigation will take; the person to whom it will report; if it will have to report within a set timeframe; when it will be established; if the Electricity Supply Board and Cork City Council will be involved in this investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2421/10]

I have initiated a review of the emergency response to the November 2009 flooding. The review will consider available information on the response to the flooding, consider if there are any improvements to be made to the response and make recommendations as to future action on the wider emergency management arising from the events.

In relation to the flooding in Cork City, the Office of Public Works (OPW), as lead Government agency for implementing the National Flood Policy in the matters of flood risk and mitigation, has commissioned the Lee Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study. The objective of the Study is to identify and map existing and potential future flood risk areas in the Lee catchment, through detailed hydrological/hydraulic modelling and flood mapping. This flood risk assessment also accounts for the likely impacts of land-use change, urban development and climate change on flood risk. Once the flood risk has been quantified and mapped throughout the catchment (with particular focus on developed areas or areas under potential development pressure) a Catchment Flood Risk Management Plan will be developed , which will include a prioritized set of actions, measures and works to manage the flood risk in the catchment.

In light of the recent flood events of November 2009 and the subsequent need to study the new data, the timeframe for completion has been extended to allow for a review of the risks and proposed options. Once the review is completed, the Flood Risk Management Plan will be published by the OPW, along with flood maps, for formal public consultation.

Water Services.

Deirdre Clune

Ceist:

285 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide details in tabular form of the amount spent each year for the past ten years on the upgrading of water mains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2423/10]

The Water Services Investment Programme has focused over the past ten years on improving the quality and capacity of water services infrastructure to meet the needs of the growing population and economic demand, and to address environmental compliance. The upgrading of existing water mains and the provision of new mains have arisen both in the context of new or upgraded infrastructure in water supply projects financed under the general Water Services Investment Programme as well as projects undertaken under the Water Conservation Sub-Programme. Total Exchequer expenditure over the past 10 years on the provision of water supply infrastructure, including water mains rehabilitation, is set out in the following table.

Year

Expenditure

€m

2000

125

2001

125

2002

135

2003

156

2004

160

2005

197

2006

213

2007

229

2008

246

2009

247

The €1.8 billion Exchequer spending on water supply infrastructure, includes some €168 m on water conservation measures. Most local authorities have completed or are close to completing the initial phases of their water conservation programmes, which involved putting water management systems in place to monitor water use and losses throughout the supply networks. This provides the platform for intensive investment in mains rehabilitation which will be a key priority under the next phase of the Water Services Investment Programme for the period 2010-2012, which will be published early this year.

Question No. 286 answered with Question No. 275.

Special Protection Areas.

Joe Costello

Ceist:

287 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will sign the order allowing for the provision of a facility (details supplied) in Dublin 1 following a positive environmental assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2436/10]

Dublin City Council has prepared an ecological report on the possible impacts of locating a facility for scrambler motorcycling at a site adjacent to South Dublin Bay and River Tolka Estuary Special Protection Area. This report has been referred to my Department as part of an application for consent, and the report, including suggested mitigation measures to avoid disturbance to birds using the SPA, is currently under examination. I expect to be in a position to make a determination on the consent application shortly.

Emergency Planning.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

288 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his role in the co-ordination of efforts to address the severe weather conditions; if a Cabinet sub-committee was tasked to address this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1238/10]

In relation to the recent severe weather event, I arranged for the convening of the National Emergency Co-ordination Committee and ensured that it provided an appropriate forum so that national co-ordination between various Government Departments and statutory agencies operated in an efficient manner to respond to any measure which required a decision or direction at national level. Although the Committee briefed the Taoiseach and relevant Ministers on the position as it developed, a cabinet committee was not formally established.

Departmental Programmes.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

289 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the details of the new grant scheme to improve energy compliance for old houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2384/10]

The new National Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme administered by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) which was announced in Budget 2010 has the objective of radically improving the energy efficiency of both domestic and non-domestic building stock nationwide, with a particular emphasis on low-income households. The detailed design of the new programme will be finalised and subject to public consultation in the coming months.

In the interim, both the Home Energy Saving Scheme and the Warmer Homes Scheme, which are also administered by SEI, continue to provide support for the retrofitting of older privately owned homes across the country. 2009 was a very positive year for both schemes and the new programme will build upon and integrate their respective successes.

Departmental Websites.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

290 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of websites his Department provides; the annual cost of maintaining each site; the number of unique visits each site received for 2009, or for a part of 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2234/10]

My Department manages a number of websites that are focused on delivering information and mapping services to the wide range of stakeholders that have an interest in the Communications, Energy, and Natural Resources areas for which my Department is responsible. As the unique visitor numbers illustrate, the websites vary between those of general interest, and specialised websites which supply information and services of a technical nature to specialised stakeholder groups.

The cost of the websites cannot be easily broken out to individual costs, as most of them are hosted on the same hardware and share features such as mapping services across all the websites. The total cost of hosting and software maintenance for websites hosted in the Local Government Computer Services Board (LGCSB) was €79,914, and in HEAnet it was €15,600. The numbers of unique visits to the websites are detailed in the following table.

Websites

Unique Visits

Cost

www.dcenr.gov.ie

116,286

79,914

www.egovernance.ie

1,022

www.minex.ie

4,558

www.broadband.gov.ie

67,694

www.digitaltelevision.ie

23,082

www.explorationandmining.com

91

www.makeitsecure.ie

27,889

www.gsi.ie

44,538

www.gsishop.ie

5,530

wwwgsiseabed.ie

4,415

www.planetearth.ie

7,817

www.jetstream.gsi.ie

409

15,600

Alternative Energy Projects.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

291 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views in the context of the preparation of an offshore renewable energy development plan and the commissioning of a strategic environment assessment of that plan, the way in which offshore wind projects with valid applications for foreshore leases pending determination will be affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2272/10]

At the request of my Department, Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) has commissioned a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) on Wave, Tidal and Offshore Wind Development in Irish waters. The Ocean Energy Development Unit in SEI is progressing the SEA with the assistance of expert technical advice. The process is being overseen by a Steering Group which comprises my Department, SEI, the Marine Institute and the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

The SEA will underpin the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan, which will inform the development consent framework for future offshore renewable energy projects. The SEA will provide an environmental assessment at a strategic high level. Under the relevant EU Directive individual projects are still required to carry out specific environmental impact assessments (EIAs.) Environmental Impact Statements already submitted with the current applications for foreshore leases, may be taken into account in the SEA.

Under the Foreshore and Dumping at Sea (Amendment) Act 2009, responsibility for certain foreshore functions transferred to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government with effect from 15 January 2010. This includes all energy related developments (including oil, gas, wind, wave and tidal energy) on the foreshore. Both the Offshore Renewable Energy Plan and the Strategic Environmental Assessment will encompass and recognise existing offshore wind projects and those projects with foreshore lease applications at an advanced stage and in the GATE 3 process. The requisite permissions for those projects will continue to be progressed while the SEA process is completed.

Broadcasting Legislation.

Michael Kennedy

Ceist:

292 Deputy Michael Kennedy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland will allow complaints to be made by ordinary members of the public, that is, third parties, regarding the recent TV3 coverage of the Minister of Finance and his private health matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2280/10]

This issue is a matter for the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. The Broadcasting Act 2009 provides for the Compliance Committee of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland to accept complaints from the general public in relation to a range of issues. The grounds and procedures for making complaints are set out in Section 48 of the Act.

The Compliance Committee of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland is an independent statutory body. I have no role in this regard.

Telecommunications Services.

Frank Feighan

Ceist:

293 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the provision of broadband facilities in Kilglass, County Roscommon. [2321/10]

Broadband services are provided by private service providers over various platforms including DSL (i.e. over the telephone lines), fixed wireless, mobile, cable, satellite and fibre. Details of the availability of broadband services in County Roscommon, are available at www.broadband.gov.ie. I would add that the information contained in this website is provided by service providers.

Additionally, the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) will bring broadband services to some areas of County Roscommon. Details of the areas to be covered by the NBS can be found at www.three.ie/nbs. These areas are shown on an Electoral Division (ED) basis. The Kilglass South, County Roscommon ED Reference Number 197072, can now avail of the NBS service.

Alternative Energy Projects.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

294 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of wind farm projects nationally currently at gate three status; the number of these projects in County Galway; the potential capacity of these projects; the number likely to proceed in 2010; the number which have proceeded to construction and connection in each of the years 2007, 2008 and 2009; the steps he will take to encourage greater acceptance and clearance by the agency responsible; his plans to upgrade the national network to be capable of accepting the potential generation capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2385/10]

There are currently 153 wind farm projects proceeding through the Gate 3 process. The list of Renewable Projects in Gate 3 has been published by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and available on its website (http://www.cer.ie).

There are 10 Wind Farm projects in Gate 3 located in the Galway area. The total capacity applied for is 407.59 MW. 8 of these projects are due to receive offers under the Gate programme before the end of October 2010 and the remaining two are scheduled to receive offers before the end of June 2011. Following the execution of the offer, details of the next steps in consents and construction are discussed with the applicant. The decision document, referred to above, was issued by the CER (CER-09077). It sets out standard lead times and charges as guidance for applicants as to the time involved in the development of their connection to the system.

EirGrid has published two further documents ‘Connected Wind Farms' 12/1/2010 and ‘Contracted Wind Farms' 25/11/09), which list those wind farms that are contracted, have signed offers and are now connected to the system. The documents also detail the month and year in which offers are signed and the connection date of each wind farm. Connections and contracts for 2007, 2008 and 2009 are set out in the following table.

Connected Wind Farms

2009

2008

2007

Transmission Systems Operator

7

3

1

Distribution Systems Operator

6

10

3

Total

13

13

4

Contracted (Signed Offer) Wind Farms

2009

2008

2007

Transmission Systems Operator

0

11

2

Distribution Systems Operator

9

58

23

Total

9

69

25

To ensure the Gate 3 process operates efficiently and transparently, and to keep the industry stakeholders informed of developments, the CER has established a Gate 3 Liaison Group involving all stakeholders, including the renewable industry associations. The objective is to ensure the connection offer process is completed as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Both EirGrid and ESB are to invest significantly in the distribution and transmission networks in support of renewable energy. EirGrid's grid strategy ‘GRID25' sets out the overall strategic approach to grid development over the next decade and beyond. The strategy will see an investment of over €4 billion in the transmission system, with both new lines and upgrading of old lines. ESB Networks is similarly investing in the distribution network under its capital programme to 2020.

Energy Regulation.

Ciaran Lynch

Ceist:

295 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the case of retailers designated DG6 who fall into the category of low voltage maximum demand users and who have suffered increases of 20% to 30% in the cost of electricity as a consequence of the decision by the Commission for Energy Regulation; if he will consider taking action to redress this imbalance in view of the current economic climate and the underlying reduction in the cost of gas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2431/10]

The regulation of electricity network charges is the statutory responsibility of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999. I have no function in setting these tariffs.

The CER reduced the network charges for all domestic and business customers from May 1st 2009 which resulted in an average decrease of electricity bills of 10.3%. This brought forward from the autumn an anticipated reduction in energy prices. At the time, the CER stated that the network charges would have to be increased from October. As a result distribution and transmission charges for all domestic and business customers rose from 1st October 2009.

For the majority of customers, including those on regulated ESB tariffs, the increased network charges have been more than offset by the overall reductions in energy charges arising from the decline in fossil fuel prices, with a result that low voltage maximum demand users (who tend to be small and medium size enterprises), who had remained on regulated ESB tariffs experienced an average price decrease of a further 5.5% from 1st October 2009.

Most SMEs in the LVMD category are with the independent electricity suppliers. The CER advises that some of these customers signed contracts with their suppliers that fixed their energy costs for a period but remained subject to changes in network charges. It is this category of customers that are experiencing a rise in their electricity bills. Although all electricity suppliers were fully aware that network charges were increasing in October, the CER advises that it has received complaints from some SME customers who consider that they had not been put on notice by their suppliers of the forthcoming change in network charges.

On foot of the complaints, the CER has launched an investigation into how these recent network charge increases were communicated to these customers by their electricity suppliers. It must be emphasised that the CER has no role in the terms of the contracts entered into by business customers with independent suppliers. I welcome CER's decision to investigate the matter.

According to the latest statistics on European energy cost competitiveness, published by Eurostat, Ireland's competitive position on electricity prices is improving considerably. Ireland registered the third largest price drop in electricity prices to industry over the 12 month period ending 30 June 2009. At the same time, 22 of the 27 EU countries experienced price increases. It is also the case that some of the larger industrial customers in Ireland paid less for electricity in Ireland than equivalent customers in Britain in the first half of 2009. Given Ireland's dependence upon imported fossil fuels, widely dispersed population and need for considerable catch up investment in the networks, this is positive news for these industrial customers from a competitiveness perspective.

Competition among the suppliers is a critical means of exerting downward pressure on electricity prices. For competition to be fully effective, business customers should be informed of all the options open to them. My Department, the CER and Sustainable Energy Ireland are working with IBEC to ensure that business is better equipped to understand and manage their energy bills. Business customers can now choose among a number of suppliers and the advice to them is ensure that they negotiate the best offer available.

Departmental Websites.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

296 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of websites his Department provides; the annual cost of maintaining each site; the number of unique visits each site received for 2009, or for a part of 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2232/10]

The details requested by Deputy Hayes in relation to the Department's websites are provided in the following table.

Website Name

Annual maintenance cost (ex vat) for each site in 2009

The number of unique visits each site received in 2009

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie

7,306.69

851,308

http://www.fawac.ie

62.99

21,256

http://www.fishingnet.ie

69.99

13,003

http://www.killybegsharbour.ie

69.99

9,715

http://www.pcs.agriculture.gov.ie

Nil

42,906

http://www.pots.agriculture.gov.ie

Nil

11,101

http://www.agriappeals.gov.ie

Nil

21,162 (April 09-Dec. 09)

http://www.agrifood2010.ie

62.00

1,200 (Circa)

http://www.agri-vision2015.ie

62.99

1,500 (Circa)

http://www.coastalhelicopterview.ie

69.99

1,245*

http://www.efabis.ie

62.00

4,000 (Circa)

http://www.prism.ie

69.99

1,250*

* Responsibility for these sites was transferred to the Office of Public Works during 2009.

Special Protection Areas.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

297 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is entitled to compensation for the designation of their lands as a special area of conservation or a national heritage area in view of the fact that their REP scheme three participation has finished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2253/10]

The designation of lands as Special Protection Areas or National Heritage Areas is a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in the first instance. Any farmer with designated land who is not in REPS can apply to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for compensation.

Grant Payments.

Michael Creed

Ceist:

298 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason for the delay in issuing payment to a person (details supplied) in County Cork under the installation aid scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2271/10]

The person concerned is an applicant under the Young Farmers' Installation Scheme. Under the terms of the Scheme, payment of the grant concerned is made once it has been established that the requirements of the Scheme have been met, including the conditions in relation to property, education and income. The outcome of my Department's examination of the application will be made known to the applicant shortly.

Proposed Legislation.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

299 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding the proposed new animal health and welfare Bill; the stage it is at; if the heads of the Bill have previously been published; and when the Bill will be issued. [2350/10]

Drafting of the Animal Health and Welfare Bill, which gives effect to commitments in the Programme for Government and the Renewed Programme for Government is ongoing in my Department. The legislation will amend and consolidate legislation in the area of animal health, particularly to reflect the changed disease status of our animals and will update existing legislation, to ensure that the welfare of all animals, including non-farm animals, is properly protected and that the penalties for offenders are increased significantly. The proposed legislation will also provide for the consolidation of responsibility for the welfare of all animals within my Department. I intend to submit the proposed heads of this Bill to the Government at an early date this year.

Grant Payments.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

300 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of farmers in County Galway that were participants in the REP scheme in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009; the number that transferred to REP scheme four; the number of farmers in County Galway that have lost out due to his decision to prevent transfer to REP scheme four; the financial loss as a consequence of this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2375/10]

The number of farmers in County Galway who received payments in REPS 2 and REPS 3 in the years in question were as follows:

2006

2007

2008

2009

6,571

6,098

5,200

4,052

In 2008 and 2009, 2,726 applications for REPS 4 were received from farmers in County Galway.

The decision to close REPS 4 to new applicants was taken against the background of the situation in the public finance, the budgetary resources available to my Department and the level of expenditure arising from commitments, particularly in future years, from the increase, between 2008 and 2009, from 46,694 to approx 63,000 in the number of REPS participants. All participants already in the scheme will continue to receive payment until their current contracts run their course. In addition, all applications received before the closing date of 15 May 2009 for the 2009 scheme year and those received up to the date of closure of the scheme will be considered for entry into the scheme in accordance with the eligibility requirements.

Departmental Schemes.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

301 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the names of pork processors in County Galway that received compensation through his Department from the contamination of pig feed by dioxin in 2008 and 2009; the amount in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2376/10]

To date payments amounting to a total of €1.4m have been paid to applicants from County Galway under the Pigmeat Recall Scheme. A listing of the beneficiaries concerned is being supplied separately to the Deputy. Some claims are still being processed and therefore it is not yet possible to provide a final list of the individual sums involved.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

302 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the loss to County Galway farmers as a result of his decision in 2008 and 2009 to reduce and cut farm income support schemes and farm development schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2377/10]

In view of the prevailing economic situation cuts had to be made in all sectors in the 2008 Budget and my Department was not immune from these cuts. However, these cutbacks were kept to a minimum in so far as my Department was concerned and every effort has been made to minimize their impact on farmers since. The Deputy will be aware of the reasons for the reduction in the budget for the 2009 Disadvantaged Areas and Suckler Welfare Schemes, notwithstanding which total expenditure in 2009 by my Department amounted to over €3.2 billion.

In relation to the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme the necessary savings were achieved by reducing the maximum area limit to 34 hectares. However, almost two-thirds of Disadvantaged Areas Scheme beneficiaries were not affected by this reduction. The total value of payments made under this Scheme to Galway herd owners in 2008 was €29.35 million, while payments made, to date, in respect of the 2009 Scheme amount to €25.77 million. Payments are ongoing in respect of the 2009 Scheme as outstanding applications are processed to conclusion.

In excess of €6m has been paid to Galway herd-owners for animals registered during 2008 under the Suckler Welfare Scheme. Almost 100,000 animals were registered under this scheme during that year. No payments have been made to date in respect of animals registered in 2009. However, despite the reduction in the amount paid per animal under the Scheme, in excess of 90,000 animals born during 2009 have been registered to date, which demonstrates that the Scheme is still considered by the applicants to be very worthwhile.

Furthermore, the Deputy will also recall my decision to introduce the Uplands Sheep Payment in 2009, in recognition of the need for specific support for this sector; payments under the UPS to Galway herd owners amount to €0.295 million, with payments continuing to issue on an ongoing basis.

In the case of farm development schemes, no reductions in aid took place in either 2008 or 2009. The Sow Housing (Animal Welfare) Scheme was closed for new applications in April 2008 as the applications received had reached the level of funding allocated to the Scheme by the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme. In addition, a decision was taken in February 2009 to defer the remaining grant payments under the Farm Waste Management Scheme on the basis of 40 per cent in 2009 as claims are approved, with the remaining instalments of 40 per cent and 20 per cent being paid in 2010 and 2011 respectively. I also announced at that time that an ex gratia payment not exceeding 3.5 per cent of the value of the deferred amount would be made to farmers whose Farm Waste Management grants were partially deferred. This payment will be made in January 2011 along with the final instalment.

Grant Payments.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

303 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of farmers in County Galway who were participants in REP schemes in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009; the numbers who subsequently transferred to REP scheme four; the number of farmers in County Galway who have lost out due to his decision to prevent transfer to REP scheme four; and the financial loss as a consequence of this. [2378/10]

The number of farmers in County Galway who received payments in REPS 2 and REPS 3 in the years in question were as follows:

2006

2007

2008

2009

6,571

6,098

5,200

4,052

In 2008 and 2009, 2,726 applications for REPS 4 were received from farmers in County Galway.

The decision to close REPS 4 to new applicants was taken against the background of the situation in the public finance, the budgetary resources available to my Department and the level of expenditure arising from the commitments, particularly in future years, from the increase, between 2008 and 2009, from 46,694 to approx. 63,000 in the number or REPS participants. All participants already in the scheme will continue to receive payment until their current contracts run their course. In addition, all applications received before the closing date of 15 May 2009 for the 2009 scheme year and those received up to the date of closure of the scheme will be considered for entry into the scheme in accordance with the eligibility requirements.

Flood Relief.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

304 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of farmers in County Galway that have received assistance or financial support from his Department following the flooding in December 2009; the amount already allocated by his Department; the average value of each allocation; his estimate of the final allocation from his Department to assist these farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2400/10]

Mindful of the hardship and distress caused by the recent widespread flooding, on 27 November 2007 I announced the introduction of the Fodder Aid Scheme, targeted directly at those farmers who encountered damage to fodder in the affected areas, for which I assigned a budget of €2 million. While I was very anxious that the funding reach the affected farmers as quickly as possible, it was essential that farmers demonstrate that their fodder was damaged and to what extent. To this end, therefore, it was necessary that each claim be verified by an on-the-spot inspection. I had initially set the closing date for receipt of applications as 11 December, but subsequently extended it by one week. Immediately applications began to be received by my Department, the necessary inspections were begun, following which the applications were further processed for payment. I am pleased to say that payments commenced issuing on 18 December and, to date, payments worth €464,468 have issued to 215 applicants nationally, of which, payments worth €213,135 have been made to 89 Galway herd-owners. Nationally, the payments made are worth an average of €2,160, while in Galway the average, to date, is €2,395. Further payments continue to issue as individual cases are confirmed eligible.

Grant Payments.

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

305 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the REP scheme four payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2412/10]

REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007–13 and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before the first payments issue. Payments in 2009 to those whose applications required no further examination following the administrative checks. However, queries arose on a significant number of applications, including that of the person named, in the course of the administrative checks. My Department is continuing to process the application to payment stage, including the application from the person named, with a view to payment as soon as possible and, in this context, will be in touch with the applicants where necessary, to resolve outstanding issues.

Farm Waste Management.

Joe McHugh

Ceist:

306 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the first instalment of payments under the farm waste management scheme due to be paid in the beginning of 2009 has been paid in full; the number of second round payments that have yet to be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2430/10]

Joe McHugh

Ceist:

307 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the first round of payments of 40% under the farm waste management scheme, due to be paid at the beginning of 2009, was paid in full; the number of second round 40% farm waste management payments that have not been paid to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2439/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 306 and 307 together.

The first and second instalments of 40 per cent under the Farm Waste Management Scheme have been paid or authorized for payment to all farmers who have been approved for payment under the Scheme, to date. In a small number of cases, grant payment has not yet been approved to applicants under the Scheme (i) as applicants have either not yet submitted the necessary tax clearance documentation or have not provided the required documentary proof of payment of the contractors concerned, or (ii) due to technical issues having arisen in relation to the standard of the completed buildings.

Grant Payments.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

308 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of persons who received payments under all REP scheme categories in County Mayo for 2007, 2008 and 2009; the amount paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2571/10]

The number of farmers in County Mayo who received REPS payments in the years in question, and the total amounts paid, were as follows:

2007

2008

2009

Participants

5,620

5,208

5,818

Amount paid

€33.6m

€31.7m

€31.9m

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

309 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the numbers of persons eligible for REP scheme payment in County Mayo for 2010; the projected spend under REP scheme three and REP scheme four for 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2572/10]

There are 5,675 farmers in Mayo participating in REPS. The value of REPS payments to these farmers in 2010 is approximately €18 million in REPS 3 and €17 million in REPS 4.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

310 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason he denied access to REP scheme four for farmers for 2010; the numbers of farmers who were denied in County Mayo for 2010; his projected spend on an alternative to REP scheme four; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2573/10]

The decision to close REPS 4 to new applicants was taken against the background of the situation in the public finance, the budgetary resources available to my Department and the level of expenditure arising from commitments, particularly in future years, from the increase, between 2008 and 2009, from 46,694 to approx. 63,000 in the number of REPS participants. All participants already in the scheme will continue to receive payment until their current contracts run their course. In addition, all applications received before the closing date of 15 May 2009 for the 2009 scheme year and those received up to the date of closure of the scheme will be considered for entry into the scheme in accordance with the eligibility requirements. There are currently 2,923 participants in REPS 4 in County Mayo.

I hope to secure formal approval of the European Commission for a new agri-environment scheme very shortly. It is not possible, at this stage, to forecast the level of expenditure under the new scheme. The scheme will operate on the basis of a five year contract period for participants and expenditure will depend on the number of applicants, the nature of the environmental measures which they undertake and, ultimately, the resources provided to the Department for the scheme in the annual Estimates process.

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

311 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a REP scheme four payment will be awarded in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2576/10]

An issue has arisen during the processing of the REPS 4 application from the person named. Processing of the application cannot be completed until this has been resolved. My officials will be in contact with him shortly.

Tom Sheahan

Ceist:

312 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will receive their full REP scheme four payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2578/10]

An issue has arisen during the processing of the REPS 4 application from the person named. Processing of the application cannot be completed until this has been resolved. My officials will be in contact with him shortly.

Departmental Websites.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

313 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of websites his Department provides; the annual cost of maintaining each site; the number of unique visits each site received for 2009, or for a part of 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2237/10]

My Department has one website. The annual cost of maintaining the website is approximately €21,000. This figure includes a contribution of €6,929 to the Local Government Computer Services Board (LGCSB) for hosting the website. In 2009 the website attracted 568,429 unique visitors.

Schools Building Programme.

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

314 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Education and Science the allocation for primary and post primary school building in 2010; if he will provide an overview of the 2009 schools building programme including all projects currently progressing through architectural planning, projects on site or progressing to tender and construction in 2009/2010 and projects in architectural planning in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2264/10]

The proposed allocation for the primary and post primary school building programme for 2010 is €578.8 million.

Details providing an overview of the 2009 schools building programme, including the information requested by the Deputy, along with a listing of all projects currently in architectural planning are available on my Departments web-site. Copies of the relevant tables are as follows.

I am currently in the process of reviewing my Department's school building and modernisation programme with my officials in the context of the allocation for 2010. I intend making a further announcement on the school building programme when that review has been completed.

Major projects progressing to construction, on-site or completed in 2009

County

Roll No.

School

Band Rating

Project Description

Status

Cavan

61060M

St Patrick’s College, Cavan, Co. Cavan

2.3

New School

Progressing to Tender

Cork

18786R

Sc Íosagáin, Farranree

2.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Progressing to Tender

Cork

20105C

Star of the Sea Primary School, Passage West

1.4

New School

Progressing to Tender

Cork

20106E

Scoil Niocláis, Frankfield, Grange

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Progressing to Tender

Dublin (Fingal)

60010P

Loreto Secondary School, Balbriggan

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Progressing to Tender

Dún Laoghaire Rathdown

70030E

Senior College, Dún Laoghaire

1.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Progressing to Tender

Dún Laoghaire Rathdown

81001L

Newpark Comprehensive School, Blackrock

2.2

New School

Progressing to Tender

Kerry

20196I

Ballybunion NS

1.4

New School

Progressing to Tender

Kildare

17674B

SN Áine Naofa, Ard Cloc, Straffan

1.1

New School

Progressing to Tender

Kildare

20114D

Scoil Bhríde, Naas

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Progressing to Tender

Laois

07442U

Convent of Mercy NS, Borris in Ossory

2.1

New School

Progressing to Tender

Louth

20205G

St Mary's Parish School, Drogheda

1.1

New School

Progressing to Tender

Louth

63870L

Drogheda Grammar School

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Progressing to Tender

Meath

17821L

Scoil Nais Mhuire Naofa, Enfield, Co Meath

1.1

New School

Progressing to Tender

Meath

20180Q

Scoil Eoin National School, Navan

1.1

New School

Progressing to Tender

Offaly

65610S

Coláiste Choilm, O’Moore Street, Tullamore, Co Offaly

1.1

New School

Progressing to Tender

Carlow

18363M

SN Mhuire gan Smál, Green Lane

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Tender Stage — Progressing to Construction

Major projects progressing to construction, on-site or completed in 2009 —continued

County

Roll No.

School

Band Rating

Project Description

Status

Cavan

06998Q

SN Tulach a Mhíle, Corlough

2.2

New School

Tender Stage — Progressing to Construction

Donegal

71240U

Stranorlar Vocational School (Finn Valley College)

2.2

New School

Tender Stage — Progressing to Construction

Dublin (City)

16964F

Scoil Mhuire Ogh 1, Loreto College, Crumlin Rd, Dublin 12

2.5

Extension/Refurbishment

Tender Stage — Progressing to Construction

Dublin (City)

20139T

Inchicore NS, Sarsfield Road, Dublin 10

1.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Tender Stage — Progressing to Construction

Dublin (Fingal)

19898K

Gaelscoil an Duinnigh, Feltrim, Swords

1.1

New School

Tender Stage — Progressing to Construction

Dublin (Fingal)

76104O

Donabate Community College

1.1

New School

Tender Stage — Progressing to Construction

Galway

62970K

Coláiste Iognáid SJ Bothar na Mara

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Tender Stage — Progressing to Construction

Kildare

11976K

Scoil Choca Naofa, Kilcock, Co. Kildare

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Tender Stage — Progressing to Construction

Kildare

20058T

Sc Uí Fhiach, Maynooth

1.1

New School

Tender Stage — Progressing to Construction

Kilkenny

15160G

Marymount N.S., The Rower, Inistioge

2.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Tender Stage — Progressing to Construction

Limerick

13026P

Kilfinane National School

2.2

New School

Tender Stage — Progressing to Construction

Longford

71690F

Ballymahon Vocational School

2.3

Extension/Refurbishment

Tender Stage — Progressing to Construction

Louth

18069M

Naomh Seosamh, Mell, Drogheda

1.1

New School

Tender Stage — Progressing to Construction

Mayo

20046M

Gaelscoil Na Cruaiche, Cathair na Mart, Co. Mayo

1.1

New School

Tender Stage — Progressing to Construction

Meath

19253K

Wilkinstown NS, Wilkinstown

2.3

Extension/Refurbishment

Tender Stage — Progressing to Construction

Major projects progressing to construction, on-site or completed in 2009 —continued

County

Roll No.

School

Band Rating

Project Description

Status

Meath

76103M

Coláiste Na hInse, Laytown

1.1

New School

Tender Stage — Progressing to Construction

Monaghan

18028V

Corr a Chrainn NS, Corr a Chrainn

2.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Tender Stage — Progressing to Construction

Roscommon

65100S

Scoil Mhuire, Strokestown, Co Roscommon

2.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Tender Stage — Progressing to Construction

Tipperary

15696B

Silvermines National School

2.1

New School

Tender Stage — Progressing to Construction

Waterford

19629G

Holy Cross School, Ballycarnane, Tramore

1.1

New School

Tender Stage — Progressing to Construction

Waterford

20050D

Gaelscoil na Déise, Grace Dieu Road, Waterford

1.1

New School

Tender Stage — Progressing to Construction

Waterford

20076V

Bunscoil Bhóthar na Naomh, Lismore

2.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Tender Stage — Progressing to Construction

Waterford

20160K

Waterford Educate Together NS

1.1

New School

Tender Stage — Progressing to Construction

Clare

14830U

Barefield N.S., Ennis

2.1

Extension/Refurbishment

In Construction

Donegal

17268N

SN An Br M Ó Cléirigh, Creevy, Ballyshannon

2.3

Extension/Refurbishment

In Construction

Dublin (Belgard)

18324C

Scoil Bríde C, Palmerstown

2.3

Extension/Refurbishment

In Construction

Dublin (City)

18646B

Springdale NS, Lough Derg Rd., Raheny

2.1

New School

In Construction

Dublin (Fingal)

20202A

Balbriggan ET

1.1

New School

In Construction

Dublin (Fingal)

20231H

St. Benedict's Ongar NS, Littlepace

1.1

New School

In Construction

Dublin (Fingal)

20247W

Community National School Scoil Grainne, Phibblestown

1.1

New School

In Construction

Dublin (Fingal)

76098W

Pobail Scoil Setanta, Phibblestown

1.1

New School

In Construction

Major projects progressing to construction, on-site or completed in 2009 —continued

County

Roll No.

School

Band Rating

Project Description

Status

Galway

91514U

Glenamaddy Community School

1.4

New School

In Construction

Kildare

00779U

Presentation Convent, Maynooth

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

In Construction

Kildare

13350B

Scoil Bhride, Athgarvan

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

In Construction

Kildare

16345A

Scoil Bhride, Nurney, Co. Kildare

2.2

New School

In Construction

Kildare

17662R

Scoil Bhride Kill NS

1.1

New School

In Construction

Kildare

18654A

Caragh NS, Naas

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

In Construction

Kildare

20271T

Scoil na Naomh Uilig, Rickardstown, Newbridge

1.1

New School

In Construction

Kildare

61710C

Meánscoil Iognáid Ris, Naas

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

In Construction

Kildare

70650L

Athy Community College (St. Bridgets Post Primary School)

1.3

New School

In Construction

Limerick

16237U

Dromtrasna NS Abbeyfeale

1.3

New School

In Construction

Limerick

64201T

Ardscoil Ris, Nrth Circular Rd, Limerick

2.4

Extension/Refurbishment

In Construction

Louth

19598V

Muire na nGael NS, Bay Estate, Dundalk

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

In Construction

Mayo

76060U

Davitt College, Castlebar

4.1

Extension/Refurbishment

In Construction

Meath

00885T 20200T

Ratoath Jnr NS, Ratoath Ratoath Snr NS, Ratoath

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

In Construction

Meath

16646O

St Marys Convent NS Trim

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

In Construction

Meath

17964K

SN Mhuire Naofa, Rathfeigh

2.4

Extension/Refurbishment

In Construction

Meath

20216L

Scoil Oilibheir Naofa, Laytown

1.1

New School

In Construction

Major projects progressing to construction, on-site or completed in 2009— continued

County

Roll No.

School

Band Rating

Project Description

Status

Offaly

17523D

SN Cronain Naofa, Dromakeenan

2.4

Extension/Refurbishment

In Construction

Roscommon

01607T

SN Cor Na Fola

2.2

Extension/Refurbishment

In Construction

Westmeath

17089N

Cluain Maolain NS, Cluain Maolain, An Uaimh

2.1

New School

In Construction

Westmeath

18812P

Loch an Ghair NS Mullingar

2.2

New School

In Construction

Wexford

71630K

Vocational College, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

In Construction

Wicklow

10111O

Lacken National School, Lacken, Blessington, Co Wicklow

2.1

New School

In Construction

Wicklow

61800D

Presentation College, Bray

2.2

New School

In Construction

Clare

13418J

Ballyea Mixed NS, Sn Baile Aodha

1.1

New School

Practical Completion 2009

Cork

00512D

Midleton Convent NS

1.1

New School

Practical Completion 2009

Cork

15597W

Macroom BNS, Macroom

2.2

New School

Practical Completion 2009

Cork

20335T

Scoil Phadraig Naofa, Rochestown

1.1

New School

Practical Completion 2009

Donegal

16642G

Clonmany Mixed NS

2.1

New School

Practical Completion 2009

Donegal

19333I

Dooish NS, Ballybofey

1.2

Extension/Refurbishment

Practical Completion 2009

Donegal

20054L

Scoil Eoghan, Moville

1.4

New School

Practical Completion 2009

Dublin (City)

20048O

Gaelscoil Lios na nOg, Dublin 6

1.2

Extension/Refurbishment

Practical Completion 2009

Dublin (City)

20131D

Dublin 7 Educate Together

1.1

New School

Practical Completion 2009

Dublin (Fingal)

76129H

Ardgillan Community College, Balbriggan

1.1

New School

Practical Completion 2009

Dublin Belgard)

76097U

Adamstown Community College

1.1

New School

Practical Completion 2009

Dún Laoghaire Rathdown

20020R

Gaelscoil Thaobh na Coille, Cill Tiarnain

1.1

New School

Practical Completion 2009

Major projects progressing to construction, on-site or completed in 2009— continued

County

Roll No.

School

Band Rating

Project Description

Status

Galway

20108I

Knocknacarra NS

1.1

New School

Practical Completion 2009

Kildare

20023A

Gaelscoil Chill Dara

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Practical Completion 2009

Kildare

20159C

Gaelscoil Nas Na Riogh — Piper’s Hill

1.1

New School

Practical Completion 2009

Kildare

20177E

Newbridge Educate Together

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Practical Completion 2009

Kildare

20192A

Scoil Atha Í, Athy (Athy B)

1.1

New School

Practical Completion 2009

Kilkenny

19523H

Holy Spirit Special School, Gaol Road, Kilkenny

1.2

New School

Practical Completion 2009

Laois

13643Q

Emo Mixed NS, Portlaoise

2.2

New School

Practical Completion 2009

Laois

91550B

Mountrath Community School

1.4

New School

Practical Completion 2009

Leitrim

76089V

Mohill Community College, Mohill

1.4

New School

Practical Completion 2009

Louth

20146Q

Le Cheile ET, Mornington, Drogheda

1.1

New School

Practical Completion 2009

Mayo

19387I /19773N

St. Dympnas and St Nicholas Special Schools

1.2

New School

Practical Completion 2009

Mayo

72050U

St. Brendan’s College, Belmullet

2.2

Extension/Refurbishment

Practical Completion 2009

Meath

16655P

Scoil Naise na Dearmhai, Longwood

2.2

New School

Practical Completion 2009

Meath

18016O

S N Columbain, Ballivor

2.1

New School

Practical Completion 2009

Meath

71950L

St Peters College, Dunboyne

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Practical Completion 2009

Westmeath

16838A

Baile Ui Gheibhinn NS, Gainstown

2.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Practical Completion 2009

Wexford

20214H

Gorey ET

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Practical Completion 2009

Wexford

63650U

St Peter’s College Secondary School, Summerhill

2.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Practical Completion 2009

Wicklow

13597M /18408I

St. Andrew’s N.S. and Newcourt Special School, Newcourt Road, Bray

1.2

New School

Practical Completion 2009

Major Projects in Architectural Planning (Dec 2009)

County

Roll No.

School

Current Status

Band Rating

Project Description

Carlow

11135K

St. Mary’s NS, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.1

New School

Carlow

17501Q

Bennykerry NS, Bennykerry, Co. Carlow

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.1

New school

Carlow

70420R

Carlow Vocational School

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

New School

Carlow

17127S

St. Joseph’s NS, Hacketstown, Co. Carlow

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.3

Extension/Refurbishment

Cavan

18857O

S N Carraig A Bruis, Virginia, Co Cavan

In early Architectural Planning

2.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Cavan

19439B

Holy Family S S, Cootehill, Co Cavan

In early Architectural Planning

1.2

Extension/Refurbishment

Cavan

81005Q

St Aidans Comprehensive School, Cootehill, Co Cavan

In early Architectural Planning

2.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Clare

15042A

Ennis National School, Ennis, Co Clare

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

New School

Cork

13450F

Rushbrook NS, Cobh, Co. Cork

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.4

New School

Cork

13828F

St Columba’s Boys National School, Douglas, Co Cork

In early Architectural Planning

1.2

Extension/Refurbishment

Cork

16746S

Ballygarvan NS , Ballygarvan, Co Cork

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.1

New School

Cork

17609N

Rathcormac NS, Rathcormac

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.2

New School

Cork

17667E

Patrick’s National School, Whitechurch, Co Cork.

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Cork

18279A

St Mary’s Church of Ireland NS (formerly Carrigaline N.S. Carrigaline, Co. Cork)

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Major Projects in Architectural Planning (Dec 2009) —continued

County

Roll No.

School

Current Status

Band Rating

Project Description

Cork

19351K

Kilcreadan NS, Ladysbridge, Castlemartyr, Co.Cork

In early Architectural Planning

2.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Cork

19415K

Scoil an Athar Tadhg, Carraig na Bhfear, Co Chorcaí

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.1

New School

Cork

19993E

Gaelscoil An Ghoirt Alainn, Aibhinne Murmont, Cork City

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.2

New School

Cork

62310O

De La Salle College, Macroom, Co Cork

In early Architectural Planning

2.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Cork

62460K

St Francis Capuchin College, Rochestown, Co Cork

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.1

Extension/refurbishment

Cork

62640M

St. Angela’s College, St. Patrick’s Hill, Cork

In early Architectural Planning

2.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Cork

62690E

Scoil Mhuire, 2 Sydney Place, Wellington Road, Cork

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.3

Extension/Refurbishment

Cork

81008W

Ashton School, Blackrock Road, Cork.

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.1

New School

Cork

91388S

Carrigaline Community School, Carrigaline, Co Cork

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.1

Extension/refurbishment

Donegal

16672P

St. Patricks Primary School, Lurgybrack, Co. Donegal.

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Donegal

18052S

Scoil Mhuire gan Smal, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Donegal

18219F

SN Chonaill, Machaire Chlochair, Bun Beag, Co Dhun na nGall

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Donegal

19724A

Little Angel’s Special School, Letterkenny

In early Architectural Planning

1.2

Extension/Refurbishment

Donegal

19971R

Gaelscoil Adhamhnain, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Major Projects in Architectural Planning (Dec 2009) —continued

County

Roll No.

School

Current Status

Band Rating

Project Description

Donegal

20150H

Holy Family NS, Ballyshannon, Donegal

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Donegal

62830R

St Eunan’s College, Letterkenny, Co Donegal

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Donegal

91409A

Pobail Scoil Ghaoth Dobhair, Co. Donegal

In advanced Architectural Planning

4.1

PE Hall

Dublin (Belgard)

13447Q

Scoil Mhuire, Lucan, Co. Dublin

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Dublin (Belgard)

19474D

St. Colmcille’s Junior NS, Knocklyon, Templeogue, Dublin 16

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.1

New School

Dublin (Belgard)

19742C

St. Colmcille’s Senior NS, Knocklyon, Templeogue, Dublin 16

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.1

New School

Dublin (Belgard)

19782O & 19834

St Brigid’s NS and St Aidan’s NS, Brookfield, Tallaght, Dublin 24

In early Architectural Planning

2.3

Extension/Refurbishment

Dublin (Belgard)

19817H

St. Mary’s NS, Woodview, Esker, Lucan, Co Dublin

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Dublin (Belgard)

19878E

Ballycragh NS, Ballycragh, Firhouse, Tallaght, Dublin 24

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.1

New School

Dublin (Belgard)

60263V

St Josephs College, Lucan, Co Dublin

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Dublin (Belgard)

60341P

Sancta Maria College, Ballyroan, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Dublin (Belgard)

60860Q

Our Lady’s School, Templeogue Road, Terenure, Dublin 6W

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Dublin (City)

09932B

Stanhope St Convent, Stanhope Street, Dublin 7

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.3

New School

Dublin (City)

13815T

Howth Rd Mxd NS, Howth Rd, Clontarf, Dublin 3

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Major Projects in Architectural Planning (Dec 2009) —continued

County

Roll No.

School

Current Status

Band Rating

Project Description

Dublin (City)

17976R, 17977T, 17978V

Scoil Assaim, Scoil Aine, Scoil Ide, Raheny

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Dublin (City)

19006Q & 17936F

Eoin Baisde NS, Seafield Road, Clontarf, Dublin.

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Dublin (City)

19373U

St Michaels Hse Sp Sch, Raheny Rd, Dublin

In early Architectural Planning

1.2

New School

Dublin (City)

19727G

St Mary’s Central NS, Belmont Ave, Donnybrook, Dublin 4

In early Architectural Planning

2.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Dublin (City)

19819L

St. Laurence O’Toole Special School, Aldborough Parade, North Strand, Dublin 1

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.2

Extension/Refurbishment

Dublin (City)

20228S

St.Laurence O’Toole Girls School, 49 Seville Place, North Wall, Dublin 1

In early Architectural Planning

1.4

New School

Dublin (City)

60660I

St Patricks Cathedral G.S, St Patricks Close, Dublin 8

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.2

Extension/Refurbishment

Dublin (City)

70020B

Grange Community College, Grange Road, Donaghmede.

In early Architectural Planning

2.2

New School

Dublin (City)

76085N

Gaelcholáiste Reachrann, Bóthar Mhainistir Na Gráinsí, Domhnach Míde

In early Architectural Planning

2.2

New school

Dublin (Fingal)

00697S

St Brigid’s NS, Castleknock

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Dublin (Fingal)

17914S

St. Oliver Plunkett NS, Malahide, Dublin.

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.2

Extension/Refurbishment

Dublin (Fingal)

17961E

Scoil Náisiúnta Lusca, Lusk, Co Dublin

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.1

New School

Dublin (Fingal)

18046A

Scoil Bhride Boys NS Blanchardstown, Dublin 15

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Dublin (Fingal)

18047C

Scoil Bhride Girls NS Blanchardstown, Dublin 15

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Major Projects in Architectural Planning (Dec 2009) —continued

County

Roll No.

School

Current Status

Band Rating

Project Description

Dublin (Fingal)

18778S

SN Naomh Mochta National School, Clonsilla

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Dublin (Fingal)

19535U

St Cronin’s Senior NS, Brackenstown, Swords, Co Dublin

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Dublin (Fingal)

19545A & 19636D

St Patrick’s Junior and Senior Schools, Corduff, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.1

New 20-classroom Jnr and new 16-classroom Snr school

Dublin (Fingal)

19624T

Scoil Caitríona NS, Kenure, Rush, Co Dublin

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.1

Extension/refurbishment

Dublin (Fingal)

19660A

Rush NS, Rush, Co Dublin

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.1

Extension/refurbishment

Dublin (Fingal)

20095C

Gaelscoil Bhrian Boroimhe, Swords, Co Dublin

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.1

New School

Dublin (Fingal)

20145O

Swords Educate Together NS, Applewood, Swords, Co Dublin

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.1

New school and special needs unit

Dublin (Fingal)

20161M

Donabate Educate Together, Ballisk Common, Donabate, Co. Dublin

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.1

New School

Dublin (Fingal)

20240I

Hansfield NS

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.1

New School

Dublin (Fingal)

60370W

St. Fintan’s High School, Dublin Road, Sutton, Dublin 13

In early Architectural Planning

2.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Dublin (Fingal)

76062B

Castleknock Community College, Carpenterstown Road, Castleknock, Dulbin 15

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Dublin (Fingal)

81002K

Mount Temple Comprehensive School, Malahide Road, Dublin 3

In early Architectural Planning

2.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Major Projects in Architectural Planning (Dec 2009) —continued

County

Roll No.

School

Current Status

Band Rating

Project Description

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown

18451J

Scoil Lorcain, Eaton Square, Monkstown, Co. Dublin

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.2

Extension/Refurbishment

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown

19355S & 20028K

Ballyowen Meadows and Setanta Special School, Beech Park, Stillorgan, Co Dublin

In early Architectural Planning

1.2

New School

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown

19374W

Garran Mhuire, Goatstown, Dublin 14

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.2

New School

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown

20190T

Holy Trinity National School, Sandyford, Dublin 18

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

New School

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown

60092U

Clonkeen College, Blackrock, Co Dublin

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown

60180R

Christian Brothers College, Monkstown Park, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.2

New School

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown

60650F

St Andrews College, Booterstown, Co Dublin

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Galway

08512U

Iomair NS, Killimor, Galway.

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.2

New School

Galway

12706J

SN Sailearna, Indreabhan, Co na Gaillimhe

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Galway

15071H

SN Cillini Dioma, Loughrea, Co Galway

In early Architectural Planning

2.4

New School

Galway

16937C

SN Fursa, Fursa, Co na Gaillimhe

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Galway

17668G

SN Na BhForbacha, An Spideal, Co na Gaillimhe

In early Architectural Planning

2.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Galway

19401W & 19468

Scoil Caitriona Jnr & Snr, Renmore, Galway

In early Architectural Planning

1.2

New School

Galway

19506N

Cappatagle Central School, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Galway

19795A

Tirellan Heights NS, Headford Road, Galway

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Major Projects in Architectural Planning (Dec 2009) —continued

County

Roll No.

School

Current Status

Band Rating

Project Description

Galway

19994G

Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh, Cnoc Na Cathrach,

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Galway

20042E

Scoil an Chroi Naofa, Ballinasloe, Co Galway

In early Architectural Planning

1.2

New School

Galway

20199O

Oughterard NS, Oughterard, Co. Galway

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.4

New School

Galway

62960H

St Joseph’s College

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

New School

Galway

63070C

St Raphael’s College, Loughrea, Galway

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.3

Extension/Refurbishment

Galway

63090I

Holy Rosary College, Mountbellew, Co Galway

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.2

Extension/Refurbishment

Galway

91412M

Scoil Phobail, Clifden, Co Galway

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Kerry

17646T

SN Uaimh Bhreanainn, Traighlí, Co Chiarraí

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.3

Extension/Refurbishment

Kerry

20197K

Kenmare NS, Kenmare, Co. Kerry

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.4

New School

Kerry

61320M

Coláiste Bhréanainn, Cill Airne, Co Chiarraí

In early Architectural Planning

2.3

Extension/Refurbishment

Kerry

61440W

C.B.S. Secondary School, The Green, Tralee, Co. Kerry

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Kildare

09414C

St Laurence’s NS, Crookstown

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

New School

Kildare

16705E

Scoil Pádraig Naofa, St John’s Lane, Athy, Co Kildare — Phase 2

Commencing Architectural Planning

2.1

Major extension

Kildare

18018S

Bunscoil Bhride NS Rathangan

In early Architectural Planning

2.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Kildare

18988G

St Raphael’s Special Sch, Celbridge, Co Kidare

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

New School

Kildare

20271T

Scoil na Naomh Uilig, Phase 2 Rickardstown, Newbridge, Co Kildare

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.1

Major extension

Major Projects in Architectural Planning (Dec 2009) —continued

County

Roll No.

School

Current Status

Band Rating

Project Description

Kilkenny

61580P

Loreto Secondary School, Granges Road, Kilkenny, Co Kilkenny

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.2

Extension/Refurbishment

Laois

14260F

Abbeyleix Sth NS, Abbeyleix, Co Laois

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.2

New School

Laois

17064U

Scoil Padraig, Ballylinan, Athy, Co. Laois

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

New School

Laois

17617M

Scoil Chomhgain Naofa, Killeshin, Co.Laois

In early Architectural Planning

2.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Laois

19747M

Scoil Bhríde NS, Knockmay, Portlaoise

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

New School

Laois

20071L

Scoil Bhride, Rathdowney, Co Laois

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Limerick

17445J

Scoil Lile Naofa, Kileely, Limerick

In early Architectural Planning

2.4

New School

Limerick

18991S

J F K Memorial School, Ennis Rd, Limerick

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.2

New School

Limerick

20193C

Scoil Mocheallog, Kilmallock, Co Limerick

In early Architectural Planning

1.4

New School

Limerick

64240G

St Munchin’s College, Corbally, Limerick

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.3

Extension/Refurbishment

Longford

19429V

St Christopher’s SS, Battery Road, Longford

In early Architectural Planning

1.2

Extension/Refurbishment

Longford

20124G

St Mary’s NS, Edgeworthstown, Co Longford

In early Architectural Planning

1.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Longford

20128O

St. Matthews Mixed NS, Ballymahon, Longford.

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Longford

91436D

Moyne Community School, Moyne, Co Longford

In early Architectural Planning

2.3

Extension/Refurbishment

Louth

18635T

St Buite’s NS, Tenure, Dunleer, Co. Louth

In early Architectural Planning

2.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Major Projects in Architectural Planning (Dec 2009) —continued

County

Roll No.

School

Current Status

Band Rating

Project Description

Louth

18762D, 18767N

Scoil Réalt na Mara Boys, Scoil Réalt na Mara GirlsMornington Drogheda, Co Louth

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

Extension/refurbishment

Louth

19215C

Scoil Náisiúnta Ard Mhuire C, Ballsgrove, Drogheda, Co Louth

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.1

New School

Louth

19479N

Rathmullen Junior National School, Rathmullen, Drogheda, Co Louth

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.1

Extension/refurbishment

Louth

19673J

St Joseph’s National School, Avenue Road, Dundalk, Co Louth

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.1

Extension/refurbishment

Louth

19678T

St Paul’s Senior National School, Rathmullen, Drogheda, Co Louth

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.1

Extension/refurbishment

Louth

63920A

Dundalk Grammar School, Dundalk, Co Louth

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Louth

91441T

Ardee Community School, Ardee, Co Louth

In early Architectural Planning

2.3

New School

Mayo

13667H

St. Josephs NS, Bonniconlon, Ballina, Co. Mayo

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.2

New School

Mayo

20142I

Scoil Iosa, Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Mayo

64570E

Our Lady’s Secondary School, Belmullet, Co Mayo

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.2

Extension/Refurbishment

Mayo

64660F

Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh, Co Mayo

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Mayo

91461C

Ballyhaunis Community School, Knock Road, Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo

In early Architectural Planning

2.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Meath

02905J

SN Naomh Padraig, Baile Bacuin, Enfield, Co Meath

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Major Projects in Architectural Planning (Dec 2009) —continued

County

Roll No.

School

Current Status

Band Rating

Project Description

Meath

16100Q

Mercy Convent NS, Navan, Co Meath

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Meath

17213L

SN Mhuire, Ma Nealta, Ceannanus Mor, Co Meath

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.2

New School

Meath

19671F

St Paul’s NS, Abbeylands, Navan, Co Meath

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Meath

20215J

St Paul’s National School, Tankardstown, Ratoath, Co Meath

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.1

New School

Meath

71960I

Community College, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath

In early Architectural Planning

2.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Meath

91508C

Boyne Community College, Trim, Co Meath

In early Architectural Planning

1.2

New special needs unit

Monaghan

07751K

Monaghan Model School, Monaghan, Co Monaghan

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Monaghan

64820B

St Louis Secondary School, Monaghan, Co Monaghan

In early Architectural Planning

2.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Monaghan

72190N

Castleblaney College, Dublin Road, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan

In early Architectural Planning

2.5

Extension/Refurbishment

Offaly

17637S

S N Sheosaimh Naofa, Beal Atha Na Gcarr, Tullamore

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.2

New School

Offaly

18267Q

Croinchoill NS, Birr, Co. Offaly

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Offaly

72530L

Ard Scoil Chiarain Naofa, Frederick St., Clara, Co Offaly

In early Architectural Planning

2.6

Extension/Refurbishment

Sligo

19495L

Carbury NS, The Mall, Sligo

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.2

New School

Sligo

65170Q

Summerhill College, Sligo, Co Sligo

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.2

New School

Major Projects in Architectural Planning (Dec 2009) —continued

County

Roll No.

School

Current Status

Band Rating

Project Description

Tipperary

17779P

Powerstown NS, Clonmel, Co Tipperary

In early Architectural Planning

2.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Tipperary

65240L

Presentation Secondary School, Ballingarry, Thurles, Co. Tipperary

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Tipperary

65440T

Our Ladys Secondary School, Templemore, Co. Tipperary

In early Architectural Planning

2.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Tipperary

65470F

Ursuline Secondary School, Thurles, Co. Tipperary

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Tipperary

72370P

Borrisokane Community College, Borrisokane, Co Tipperary

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Tipperary

72430H

Scoil Ruaine, Killenaule, Co. Tipperaray

In advanced Architectural Planning

4.1

PE Hall

Tipperary

72440K

Nenagh Vocational School, Dromin Road, Nenagh, Co Tipperary

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Waterford

20170N

Scoil Choill Mhic Thomaisin, Kilmacthomas, Co.Waterford

In early Architectural Planning

1.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Waterford

64970U

Presentation Secondary School, Waterford

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.1

New School

Westmeath

17025K

SN na nDun, Mullingar, Co Westmeath

In early Architectural Planning

2.1

New School

Westmeath

17903N

Cornamaddy NS, Athlone, Co. Westmeath

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

New School

Westmeath

17932U

Odhran Naofa, Sonna, Co. Westmeath

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Westmeath

18505G

Naomh Clar, Tobberclair, Glasson, Athlone, Co. Westmeath

In early Architectural Planning

2.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Major Projects in Architectural Planning (Dec 2009) —continued

County

Roll No.

School

Current Status

Band Rating

Project Description

Westmeath

18864L

Scoil Náisiúnta an Cusán, Athlone, Co Westmeath

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.1

New School

Westmeath

19848S

St. Etchin’s NS, Kinnegad, Co. Westmeath

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Westmeath

63290Q

Loreto College, Mullingar

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Wexford

08221J

St. Senans NS, Enniscorthy

In early Architectural Planning

1.2

Special Needs Unit

Wexford

17017L

SN Phadraig, Crossabeg, Co Wexford

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Wexford

17450C

S N Mhaodhoig, Poll Fothair, Fiodh Ard

In early Architectural Planning

2.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Wexford

17913Q

SN Mhuire Baile Bearna

In early Architectural Planning

2.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Wexford

19240B

St Patrick’s Special School, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.2

New school

Wexford

20003R

St Aidans Parish School, Enniscorthy

In early Architectural Planning

1.2

Extension/Refurbishment

Wexford

63660A

Loreto Secondary School, Spawell Road, Wexford, Co Wexford

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Wexford

71600B

Coláiste Abbain, Adamstown, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford

In early Architectural Planning

2.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Wicklow

09760V

Powerscourt NS, Powerscourt, Enniskerry, Co Wicklow

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.2

New School

Wicklow

19522L

St. Catherines SS, Newcastle, Co. Wicklow

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.2

New School

Wicklow

20016D

Gaelscoil Ui Cheadaigh. Bray, Co. Wicklow.

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.1

Extension/Refurbishment

Wicklow

61790D

St Brendan’s College, Woodbrook, Bray, Co Wicklow

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.1

New School

Wicklow

70740M

Arklow Community College

In early Architectural Planning

2.4

Extension/Refurbishment

Summer Works Scheme.

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

315 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will support an application under the summer works scheme by a primary school (details supplied) in County Cork. [2266/10]

I can confirm that an application under the Summer Works Scheme 2010 has been received from the School to which the Deputy refers. Following an assessment process, projects will be selected for funding from all valid and approved applications on a top down basis in accordance with the prioritisation criteria published with the Scheme.

The timetable for the Summer Works Scheme 2010 has been published as part of the governing Circular Letter for the Scheme. This Circular Letter (0057/2009) is available on the Department's website www.education.ie.

In accordance with the timetable, it is my intention to publish a list of successful SWS applicants in the Spring.

Higher Education Grants.

Tom Hayes

Ceist:

316 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of students in 1996, 2007 and 2008 who were on vocational training opportunity schemes and qualified for higher education grants; the rationale for disallowing these students from applying for higher education grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2267/10]

The total numbers of students in receipt of Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) allowances for 1996, 2007 and 2008 is attached. It is not possible to indicate how many of these were grant-holders, although only "dispersed" VTOS students are eligible to apply for a maintenance grant — the majority "core" VTOS students are not.

Students currently in receipt of the BTEA or VTOS allowances and the maintenance grant will continue to be eligible for both payments for the duration of their current course provided they continue to meet the terms and conditions of the schemes. With effect from the academic year 2010/11, students entering or progressing to a new course will no longer be eligible to hold both BTEA orVTOS allowances together with a student maintenance grant. These students may continue to apply to be assessed to have the cost of the student service charge and any tuition fees paid on their behalf.

It was decided to discontinue the practice of allowing students to hold both the BTEA or VTOS allowance and a student maintenance grant simultaneously as this represents a duplication of income support payments.

VTOS 1st January Participation Stats

2008

2007

1996

Total

5,403

5,377

4,382

Dispersed*

1,657

1,671

1,353

*Only "dispersed" VTOS students are eligible to apply for a maintenance grant — the majority "core" VTOS students are not.

Tom Hayes

Ceist:

317 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the rationale for stopping persons on back to education allowance from applying for higher education grants; the number of persons on back to education allowance that also had higher grant in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2268/10]

It was decided to discontinue the practice of allowing students to hold both the Back to Education Allowance and a student maintenance grant simultaneously as this represents a duplication of income support payments.

The Deputy will appreciate that many categories of applicants apply for funding under the maintenance grant schemes. My Department does not collate information specifically on students in receipt of the Back to Education Allowance scheme only.

Students currently in receipt of the Back to Education Allowance and the maintenance grant will continue to be eligible for both payments for the duration of their current course provided they continue to meet the terms and conditions of the schemes. With effect from the academic year 2010-11, students entering or progressing to a new course will no longer be eligible to hold the Back to Education Allowance together with a student maintenance grant. These students may continue to apply to be assessed to have the cost of the student service charge and any tuition fees paid on their behalf.

The Back to Education Allowance is a second chance education opportunities scheme designed to encourage and facilitate people on certain social welfare payments to improve their skills and qualifications and, therefore, their prospects of returning to the workforce. Eligibility for the Back to Education Allowance and associated payments is determined and administered by the Department of Social and Family Affairs and is primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs.

Tom Hayes

Ceist:

318 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the systems and policy that is being set in place to ensure that attendance in third level education is maintained despite the possibility of college fees being imposed on students and the decrease in the higher education grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2269/10]

The Higher Education Authority has provisionally indicated a 6% increase in new entrants to third level education between the academic year 2008-2009 and 2009-2010. Information from the Central Applications Office also confirms that attendance in third level education is being maintained and has, in fact, increased. In 2008, the number of applications was 68,809 while the number in 2009 was 74,621. In addition there was a 7.7% increase from 17/1/2009 to 17/1/2010.

In relation to the introduction of a form of third-level student contribution, my officials prepared a technical report, at my request, on this issue. I have referred the technical report to the strategy group which is working on a national strategy for higher education. This report will input to the strategy group's broader deliberations on how any additional resource requirements for delivering on a new vision and related set of policy objectives for the sector can be met over the timeframe of the new strategy.

In relation to student grants, students who qualify for maintenance grants will continue to receive substantial grant funding, together with full support for payment of the student service charge. Those on particularly low incomes will also continue to receive a "top-up" in the special rate of maintenance grant. In addition, some €5 million will continue to be made available through the access offices of third-level institutions to assist students in exceptional financial need. The access offices themselves will also continue to provide support and advice to students to enable them to continue with their studies.

School Staffing.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

319 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding special needs assistants for a school (details supplied) in County Mayo; the number of SNAs that are in the school at this present time; and if the school be able to retain them for the year. [2274/10]

As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.

The school in question currently has the services of two full time SNAs. All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.

I have arranged for the details supplied to be forwarded to the NCSE for its attention and direct reply in relation to the specific information sought by the Deputy.

Departmental Agencies.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

320 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Education and Science if he intends to continue the practice of nominating a student to the Grangegorman Development Agency, Dublin; and when this appointment will be made. [2351/10]

The Grangegorman Development Agency Act 2005 provides for a total membership of 15 in the agency including the chairperson and chief executive officer. I appointed the new board of the agency in late 2009. There is no specific provision for a student or staff representative from the Dublin Institute of Technology on the agency. The legislation does provide that two ordinary members of the agency will be nominated by the President of the Dublin Institute of Technology and it is a matter for the president to determine who to nominate having regard to the functions of the agency as set out in the Act.

The legislation recognises the student body of the Dublin Institute of Technology specifically among the stakeholders that should be represented on the consultative group provided for in section 22 of the Act. Up to two members of the consultative group can come from the student body.

Higher Education Grants.

Joe Costello

Ceist:

321 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the increase in fees and cuts in support for PhD students in third level institutions; the way he proposes to increase the number of highly skilled graduates and researchers while this policy continues; if his attention has been drawn to the report of the Advisory Science Council, The Role of PhDs in the Smart Economy, December 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2363/10]

As the Deputy may be aware the position is that in the context of budgetary discussions regarding overall funding and proposals for fee changes at a sectoral level, third level institutions are autonomous bodies and may determine the level of fees to be charged in cases where the free fees schemes do not apply. As such, post-graduate level fees are set by individual higher education institutions. The Deputy may also appreciate that the need for budgetary adjustment has made it necessary to reduce the level of student maintenance grants for all qualifying students, including postgraduate students.

The funding (including capital) being made available by my Department in 2009 for research and development activities amounts to some €130 million. In the current difficult budgetary and economic climate, this funding is a clear demonstration of the Government's commitment to investing in the continued development of Ireland's research capacity. The development and support of early stage researchers is one of the key priorities for this funding. Supports for PhD students are provided under the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions (PRTLI) and the award schemes of the Irish Research Council for Humanities and Social Sciences and the Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology. I understand from the Higher Education Authority (HEA), who are in consultation with the research councils, that the funding being provided this year will enable a continuation of their various scholarship and fellowship programmes, although there may be some decrease in the number of awards made in 2010 as against previous years.

One of the key objectives of research investment is the supply of PhD qualified researchers with skills closely aligned to enterprise needs. Higher education institutions, supported by the HEA, are moving from the traditional "apprentice" model of PhD education to a structured four-year programme model. While the PhD thesis will remain the primary focus, students will in addition to acquiring a broad knowledge of their discipline area also receive generic and transferable skills training in areas such as project management and intellectual property. The Advisory Science Council report, referred to by the Deputy and published in December, highlights Ireland's need to maintain a competitive output of PhDs in relevant disciplines and endorses the structured programme model being adopted by the higher education institutions and the HEA.

Schools Refurbishment.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

322 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools in County Galway who benefited under the summer works scheme in 2008 and 2009; the number of offers for which there was no uptake; the amount of grants offered in each case; the projected potential grant for 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2379/10

As the Deputy may be aware, the summer works scheme was deferred in 2008.

Under the summer works scheme 2009, 52 schools in County Galway were allocated funding, 34 were primary and 18 were post primary schools. There were no Galway schools that declined the offer of SWS funding in 2009.

A list of successful projects in Galway follows. The list contains the final grant amount where the projects have been completed. Final grant amounts for the other projects will be known when they are completed. The closing date for applications for the summer works scheme 2010 was 27 November 2009.

Following an assessment process, projects will be selected for funding from all valid and approved applications on a top down basis in accordance with the prioritisation criteria published with the scheme.

The timetable for the summer works scheme 2010 has been published as part of the governing circular letter for the scheme. This circular letter (0057/2009) is available on the Department's website www.education.ie.

In accordance with the timetable, it is my intention to publish a list of successful SWS applicants in the spring.

County

Roll No.

School

Project

Grant Amount

Galway

01013N

Scoil Croi Iosa

Handrails

23,050.00

Galway

08958O

S N An Eanaigh Cailini

Fire Alarm

3,671.70

Galway

09833W

S N Leitirgeis

Roof repair

8,987.00

Galway

11373D

S N Mhuire

Structural Improvements

37,211.33

Galway

11675T

Annagh Boy’s NS

Fire safety works

4,157.00

Galway

12138V

S N Ceathru Na Laithigh

Repairs to Cracks

35,124.50

Galway

13365O

Scoil Mhuire

Upgrade Electrical

29,506.77

Galway

13856K

Bushy Park N S

Other Structural

24,452.08

Galway

13927H

Inishbofin N S

Roof repair

13,965.00

Galway

14377D

S N Cill Conaill

Replacement of Windows

28,500.00

Galway

14394D

S N Cill Fheicin

Other External Environment

37,408.15

Galway

14420B

S N Naomh Padraig

Other Structural

19,864.50

Galway

15071H

S N Cillini Dioma

Upgrade to Toilets

10,212.50

Galway

16091S

Gort Inse Guaire B N S

Car Parking

84,781.10

Galway

16596C

St Feichins N School

Replacement of Roof

27,360.00

Galway

17071R

S N Baile A Mhoinin

Paint Outside

32,000.00

Galway

17221K

Sn Colmcille

Upgrade Electrical

95,000.00

Galway

17490O

S N Lorcain Naofa

Replacement of Roof & Windows

90,012.50

Galway

17502S

S N Naomh Thomais

Replacement of Roof

10,996.25

Galway

17547R

S N Breandan Naofa

Windows replacement

38,000.00

Galway

17668G

S N Na Bhforbacha

Windows replacement

47,917.25

Galway

17919F

Aibhistin Naofa

Windows replacement

3,325.00

Galway

18021H

Sn An Croi Ro Naofa

CCTV Ramps & Play Area

58,021.25

Galway

18514H

S N Choilm Chille

Sewerage Works

105,913.88

Galway

18929N

Scoil Naomh Einde

PE Hall Repairs

177,007.00

Galway

19225F

Scoil Michil Naofa

Upgrade to Toilets

94,725.93

Galway

19290Q

Ballyconeely N S

Boiler Replacement & Toilet facilities

104,234.00

Galway

19357W

Sn Tir Na Cille Sn

Repairs of Roof

14,558.75

Galway

19388K

Clonberne Central Sch

Toilets & External Environment

71,250.00

Galway

19744G

Nioclas Naofa

Windows replacement

34,557.20

Galway

62870G

Presentation College

Fencing

31,350.00

Galway

62900M

Coláiste Mhuire

Windows replacement

27,740.00

Galway

62930V

St Cuan’s College

Electrical Works

54,990.75

Galway

62960H

Patrician College

Windows replacement

163,000.00

Galway

62981P

Coláiste Einde

Dust Extraction

29,059.50

Galway

63040Q

Presentation College

Windows replacement

35,473.00

Galway

63101K

St Pauls

Other External Environment

43,983.17

Galway

63171I

Mercy College

Conversion Works

95,000.00

Galway

71290M

St. Jarlath’s Vocational School

Toilets

33,250.00

Galway

71380N

Gairmscoil Na Bpiarsach

Refurbishment of Home Economics Room

95,000.00

Galway

71390Q

Archbishop Mchale College

Structural Improvements

76,000.00

Galway

71400Q

Galway Community College

Doors & Toilet Upgrade

150,100.00

Projects not complete

County

Roll No.

School

Project

Grant Amount

Galway

14273O

S N Padraig Naofa Lisin Na Heilte

Upgrade Mechanical

Not available

Galway

14724V

Scoil Ronain

Toilet Facilities

Not available

Galway

14724V

Scoil Ronain

Windows replacement

Not available

Galway

19380R

Kilkerrin Central Sch

Structural Improvements

Not available

Galway

19380R

Kilkerrin Central Sch

Replacement of Roof

Not available

Galway

17870B

Scoil Bhreandain Naofa

Fire Alarm

Not available

Galway

63010H

Meán Scoil Mhuire

Upgrade to Toilets

Not available

Galway

81012N

Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin

Upgrade to Toilets

Not available

Galway

91411K

Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara

Upgrade to Toilets

Not available

Galway

91414Q

Dunmore Community School

Upgrade Existing Gas System

Not available

Galway

91498C

Gort Community School

Upgrade Electrical

Not available

Galway

91413O

Portumna Community School

Upgrade Existing Gas System

Not available

School Textbooks.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

323 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will regulate the use of recommended basic text books at second level in order that the current costs of providing text books for all subjects in order to reduce the pressure from publishing companies on teachers and pupils and parents on costly changes in text books while there is little change in curriculum content from year to year; if he will financially support a school based book rental scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2380/10]

Apart from a small number of prescribed texts at second-level, mainly in the case of language subjects, decisions on which textbooks to use in first and second-level schools are taken at school level, and I have no plans to regulate this area.

Syllabus planners are conscious of the need to avoid over-frequent changes to textbooks, primarily in order to minimise increases in the cost burden for parents. However, textbooks have to be changed periodically to enable teachers to keep their students' work educationally stimulating and to ensure that content and methodology are kept up to date. School authorities have been advised that books should be changed only to the extent that is absolutely necessary.

The Deputy will be aware that the renewed programme for Government provides for funding to be made available to allow schools to provide grant assistance for books. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that €14.65 million for grant assistance for books is being made available in 2010 for schools at primary and second level. This is an increase of €7.65 million over the €7 million which was allocated for books to DEIS schools in 2009. I will be urging all schools to use this additional funding to put in place book rental schemes, as this is the most effective means of reducing costs for all parents.

My officials will be consulting with the management bodies to consider the details of how these funds will be channelled to schools having regard to the desirability of streamlining grant payments. Schools will be advised of the arrangements following this process.

School Transport.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

324 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will reconsider his demand for a once off payment of school bus transport and revert to the per term payment in view of the current economic climate and the hardship caused by the demand for full annual fee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2381/10]

I should remind the Deputy that parents have the option of spreading the annual payment over two instalments payable in July and December.

The introduction of the annual charge which replaced the term payment system enabled Bus Éireann to streamline the payments system and the allocation of tickets. It also ensures that route planning and seating arrangements are managed in a more efficient and cost effective manner. Furthermore, those who pay the full annual charge, in advance, will benefit from a ticket being issued for the school year and this includes pupils on concessionary travel.

The increase in school transport charges is confined to eligible post-primary pupils and pupils availing of concessionary transport. Charges continue to be waived in the case of eligible post-primary children where the family is in possession of a valid medical card. In addition, eligible children attending primary schools and children with special needs will still travel free. A maximum family rate of €650 also applies.

It is not envisaged that there will be a change in the payment arrangements as outlined above.

Departmental Expenditure.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

325 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Education and Science the average or standard cost per square meter area for the rent of prefab class rooms paid by his Department for each of the years 2007, 2008 and 2009; if there has been a reduction in these costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2392/10]

The average annual rental cost for a standard 80m2 temporary primary school classroom unit for 2007-08 school year was €15,428. The average cost for the same unit in 2008-09 was €15,125, a reduction of almost 2%. The cost per unit varies significantly depending on the location, size, type and age of each unit. Another factor which needs to be considered is that in 2907-08 the VAT rate for rental of temporary accommodation was 21%. In 2008-09 this rate rose to 21.5%. Therefore, a portion of the savings in rental costs was offset by this VAT increase.

The amount spent on the rental of temporary accommodation in 2008 was almost €53 million. In 2009, expenditure on the rental of temporary accommodation fell significantly to €39 million, a saving of €14 million over 2008.

One change in policy that has been implemented is to grant aid the purchase (rather than rental) of temporary accommodation where the need for such accommodation is likely to exist for more than three years. Furthermore, since July 2008, it is my policy to offer schools being approved for grant aid for temporary accommodation the option to use their capital grant aid to build a permanent classroom(s) rather than purchase a prefab.

These policies will reduce the usage of temporary accommodation and, particularly, the incidence of long term rental of prefabs and have contributed to the saving of €14 million on annual expenditure on rental of temporary accommodation in 2009 as compared to 2008.

In addition, 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 under way 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. My Department has received a draft of a new contract for the provision of temporary accommodation which is currently under consideration. The work on the development of standard specifications is also well advanced.

Another strand of the review is negotiations with prefab suppliers to buy out existing rental contracts or reductions in annual rent, as appropriate. 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 number of these prefabs have now been bought-out and negotiations are ongoing with a view to ending rental contracts for as many schools as possible in 2010. In the meantime, schools proposing to rent temporary accommodation must seek competitive quotes from suppliers which should allow them to take advantage of competitive market prices.

Grant Payments.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

326 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress to date of discussions with the representatives of the boards of management of Protestant schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2433/10]

I have repeatedly stated my, and the Government's, commitment to supporting Protestant education while at the same time ensuring that funding arrangements for schools under Protestant management are in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.

Indeed, it is in order to deal with the concerns expressed by some members of the Protestant community of the effect of changes to certain funding arrangements on Protestant second-level schools that I have sought to ensure the direct engagement with those involved in Protestant education in identifying and resolving issues collaboratively.

I have had meetings with a number of groups on this issue. On 21 October, I met with the Committee on Management for Protestant Schools. I extended an invitation to that committee to join a working group with my officials to identify particular measures to support the schools and consider options that might deal with their needs. Regrettably, the committee declined my invitation. While that is the case, discussions have taken place between senior Department officials and representatives of the Church of Ireland Bishops. Discussions were held as recent as 13 January, and it is planned that those discussions will continue for the purpose of identifying a range of measures to address the needs of the schools.

I earnestly believe that it is through engagement between representatives from the Protestant education sector and my officials that solutions tailored to meet the concerns can be identified.

School Services Staff.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

327 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 96 of 17 September 2009, if the exemption has been extended beyond 31 December 2009 to allow the vocational education committee to employ a caretaker at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare. [2586/10]

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department has obtained the sanction of the Minister for Finance for an exemption from the staffing moratorium in respect of the caretaker post to which he refers. Accordingly, my Department has given the chief executive officer of Co. Kildare VEC approval to fill the post from 1 January 2010.

Schools Building Projects.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

328 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if tenders have been invited for the construction of the new national school in Ardclough County Kildare. [2588/10]

The project to which the Deputy refers was included in my announcement last year of 43 projects to proceed to tender and construction and is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning.

My Department received the stage 2b submission for this project from the design team in late November. An official from my Department met with a representative of the design team in mid-December following which further information was received. This is currently being considered by my Department.

On completion of the review of the Stage 2b submission, my Department will revert to the school regarding next steps in the progression of the project towards tender and construction.

School Accommodation.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

329 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 271 of 15 October 2009, his views on the proposals from the board of management to allow the school to develop as a two stream school on a phased basis. [2589/10]

I met with representatives of the school authority late last year to discuss the proposal to which the Deputy refers. Further details on the proposal were subsequently submitted to my Department and these are now under consideration. My Department will be in contact with the school authority when a decision has been reached in this matter.

Site Acquisitions.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

330 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if the purchase of the site for a new school (details supplied) in County Kildare has been completed; and if a design team has been appointed for the project. [2590/10]

I wish to advise the Deputy that the sale has closed on the above mentioned site. The further progression of the proposed project will be considered in the context of the capital budget available to the Department for school buildings generally.

Schools Building Projects.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

331 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if a new contract has been signed for the completion of the new school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and the details of same including timeframe for completion and so on. [2591/10]

The project to which the Deputy refers is currently out to tender. It is anticipated that the project will be back on site before Easter.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

332 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science in view of the review by his forward planning section, his views on the fact that a new national school is required in the town of Naas, County Kildare for September 2010; and if so, the progress or work that is under way to achieve this aim. [2594/10]

The Forward Planning Section of my Department has carried out a study of the country to identify the areas where, due to demographic changes, there may be a requirement for significant additional school provision at both primary and post-primary levels over the coming years. This study has been conducted using data from the Central Statistics Office, the General Register Office and the Department of Social and Family Affairs in addition to recent schools' enrolment data. The study indicates that the requirement for additional primary provision in years 2010, 2011 and 2012 is likely to be greatest in more than 40 selected locations across the country based on significant changes to the demographics of those areas.

Following from this detailed analysis it appears prudent to plan for the establishment of new schools to commence operation in September 2010 to meet increasing demand in nine identified areas. Naas has been identified as one of these areas.

This information has been circulated to all existing school patrons who have been invited to bring forward proposals for the expansion of existing schools or indeed to put themselves forward as Patron for any new primary school, should it be required. The requirement for the establishment of new schools will of course be lessened where it is possible to expand and extend existing schools in those areas.

The progression of all large scale building projects will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

333 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the time elapsed to date since application for permanent classroom facilities was deemed required at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; the number of school places currently required there; the schedule for meeting these requirements in terms of permanent structures and facilities; the number of schools here at which the requirements have been met in the period referred to; the number of school places accommodated in course thereof; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2615/10]

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the board of management was recently authorised to proceed to tender. When the tender process is complete and assuming there are no issues arising, the project will progress to construction.

With regard to the ancillary information requested by the Deputy I can confirm that the brief for the project is for a new 16 classroom school, a permanent site was acquired by the school authorities in 2005 and the project commenced architectural planning in 2006.

The statistics (for large scale projects) on "the number of schools in the country where the requirements of which have been met in the period referred to" are as follows:

2009 — 33 completions;

2008 — 95 completions;

2007 — 60 completions;

2006 — 60 completions;

2005 — 110 completions.

Barr