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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 22 Jun 2010

Vol. 713 No. 1

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 3, inclusive, answered orally.
Questions Nos. 4 to 35, inclusive, resubmitted.
Questions Nos. 36 to 42, inclusive, answered orally.

Hospital Accommodation

Shane McEntee

Ceist:

43 Deputy Shane McEntee asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of hospital beds closed nationally for which most recent information is available; the reason these beds are closed; the details of Health Service Executive plans to close an additional 1,100 inpatient hospital beds in 2010; the location of these beds; her views on the impact that this will have on patient services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25820/10]

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

46 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of acute hospital beds which are closed here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25964/10]

Charles Flanagan

Ceist:

52 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health and Children the total number of beds closed to date regarding Health Service Executive plans to close 1,100 inpatient hospital beds in 2010; if she will list the hospitals affected by these closures; her views on the impact that this will have on patient services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25804/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 43, 46 and 52 together.

Service delivery is about access to appropriate care for patients, not the number of beds in the hospital system or the number of consultants employed. The focus of the health service must be on the quality of service outputs and the patient outcomes being achieved for the resources available. This approach mirrors that being taken in health systems throughout the world. The 2010 National Service Plan commits the HSE to treating people more effectively by reducing costs and reforming the way services are provided, without reducing access to appropriate services.

The most recent validated information on bed closures in the acute hospital system relates to the week ending 17 January 2010. At that time, 689 inpatient beds and 37 day beds were closed for cost containment, infection control, refurbishment or seasonal closure of facilities. In 2009, the combined number of inpatient and day case discharges was 3% greater than in 2008, despite the difficult situation in relation to resources. The HSE's 2010 National Service Plan, which I approved earlier this year, maintains the focus from previous years on increased efficiency and commits to delivering broadly the same level of overall hospital activity that took place in 2009. Analysis of performance data from the hospital system has shown that, although many improvements have already been implemented, there is still substantial scope in many hospitals for more efficient and appropriate care processes, informed by best practice both in Ireland and internationally.

This involves moving treatment, where feasible, from inpatient to day cases, a reduction in emergency admissions and a further increase in day cases. The continued shift to day case care is intended to deliver an increase of 6.5% over the day case target in the 2009 Service Plan. For conditions requiring inpatient admission, there is also a particular emphasis on reducing the significant length-of-stay variation between hospitals for similar procedures. Hospitals are also working to reduce admissions through active demand management, primarily targeting cases requiring diagnostics only and those where patient needs can be addressed other than by inpatient admission, including on a day basis or in the primary care setting. The HSE is also working closely with the NTPF to facilitate treatment for patients who have been waiting longest for admission.

While there is no proposal in the Service Plan to close a specific number of beds, these more efficient processes, together with some planned reduction in inpatient treatments, mean that less inpatient bed capacity will be required during 2010. Hospitals must manage their bed complement in line with planned activity levels and the requirement to remain within their allotted budget for the year. The exact number of beds available will vary from time to time depending on such factors as planned activity levels, maintenance and refurbishment requirements and staff leave arrangements at any particular time of the year.

Further developments which are enabling more efficient and appropriate care involve the establishment of acute medical and surgical assessment units and using medical admission units for emergency admissions. Hospitals are also achieving improvements through better bed utilisation strategies, proactive discharge planning and improved access to senior clinical decision-making. As well as the significant measures being taken to increase efficiency within hospitals, the HSE is implementing initiatives, such as access to post-acute care to manage delayed discharges, which enable a greater proportion of people's care needs to be met in the community setting, closer to where they live.

The delivery of planned activity in 2010 also requires a renewed focus on appropriate use of resources and control of costs across the pay and non-pay areas. Staff redeployment and greater flexibility on the movement of resources to follow the patient will also be required. With the recent ratification by the Public Services Committee of the ICTU of the terms of the Croke Park Agreement, I look forward to a productive engagement between health service employers and staff interests to implement an agreed agenda for change within the health sector. This will further support the more efficient and appropriate provision of health services, while providing a basis for confidence about pay levels and security of employment in the Public Service for the future.

I am confident that the range of measures I have described will continue to achieve significantly more efficient and appropriate use of resources, without compromising on the standard or levels of patient services.

Dental Treatment Services Scheme

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

44 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children the way she expects to achieve savings of €30 million in the dental treatment services scheme for medical card patients; the services that will be withdrawn or reduced for medical card holders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25827/10]

James Reilly

Ceist:

172 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the dental treatments that are covered under the medical card scheme; the treatments that have been removed from the medical card scheme in the past five years; the reason these treatments were removed; if she will ensure they are reinstated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26255/10]

Sean Sherlock

Ceist:

189 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the definition of a clinical emergency regarding the provision and repair of dentures under the dental treatment services scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26339/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 44, 172 and 189 together.

The Government's decision in Budget 2010 to limit the funding available to the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) was made in view of the current position of the public finances and the 60% increase in expenditure in the DTSS over the past five years. The Health Service Executive (HSE) has introduced measures to contain DTSS expenditure at the 2008 level of approximately €63 million. Under the new measures the range of treatments available are being prioritised. Some treatments which had previously been available in the Scheme, for example, dental cleaning and polishing have been suspended. Other treatments, such as oral examinations and fillings, will continue to be provided but will be limited in number or frequency. More complex, non-routine treatments, such as protracted periodontal treatments, will be available only in the case of clinical emergencies.

In the Dental Treatment Services Scheme, an emergency is determined by the treating clinician, the contracted General Dental Practitioner, in agreement with the local HSE Principal Dental Surgeon (PDS), or a delegate who is also a clinician. Emergency and/or urgent provision and repair of dentures will include circumstances which will impact on the patient's functional ability to eat and speak. Other clinical criteria, such as aesthetics may be considered as urgent issues since they may seriously impact on quality of life. As always, certain categories of patients who are most vulnerable, such as those with special needs, will always be prioritized for care.

Denture repairs will be carried out where in the opinion of the contracting dentist there is a clinical emergency. These measures have been introduced to protect access to emergency dental care for medical card holders and to safeguard services for children and special needs groups. The HSE will monitor the ongoing effect of these changes from a clinical and budgetary perspective. The dental and oral health services currently provided through the HSE Public Dental Service will not be affected by these changes to the DTSS.

Clinical Indemnity Scheme

Andrew Doyle

Ceist:

45 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health and Children if, during her visit to New Zealand, she examined its no-fault compensation scheme for injury as a result of medical negligence and treatment; her views on whether parents of children with cerebral palsy must strive for years to get compensation for injuries at birth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25796/10]

I and my officials held a number of meetings with senior health officials and with the Minister for Health during my recent visit to New Zealand. In the course of those meetings we discussed the role of the Accident Compensation Corporation and the general no fault compensation scheme that operates there. As the Deputy may be aware, an advisory group was established in 2001, to examine the equity, effectiveness and appropriateness of existing arrangements for compensating persons who suffer cerebral damage at, or close to the time of birth, and to make such recommendations as the Group sees fit. The Group has yet to complete its work. I will await the Group's report before giving further consideration to a wider no fault compensation scheme for the health services.

In this country, compensation in many cases involving cerebral damage is dealt with under the Clinical Indemnity Scheme of enterprise liability. Cerebral Palsy is a complex condition which can be caused by, inter alia, prematurity, developmental brain malformation, neurological damage to the developing brain, hypoxia or medical error. I understand that the average time from the institution of proceedings to the ultimate resolution of a typical CP case is now approximately 4 years as a result of the introduction of Enterprise Liability.

Question No. 46 answered with Question No. 43.

Hospital Services

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

47 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will confirm that all X-rays in all hospitals are reported by consultant radiologists; the date that the Health Service Executive audit on the extent of unreported X-rays at hospitals across the State will be completed and published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25807/10]

It is critical that learning takes place from all patient safety incidents. My Department has been working very closely with the Directorate for Quality and Clinical Care in the HSE to ensure that this happens.

It is not and has never been necessary for all x-rays in all hospitals to be reported by a consultant radiologist. However, arising from the recent events in Tallaght Hospital, the Faculty of Radiology, in conjunction with the HSE, has developed a national guideline which sets out the circumstances in which it is appropriate for X-rays to be read by a radiologist or by another clinician. This guideline has been communicated to all hospitals and is being implemented. This will require that hospitals develop standardised operating practices and systems for audit. The HSE will also audit the operation of these standardised operating practices in hospitals quarterly in future. The HSE have informed me that the work on the audit is continuing and it is expected that this work will be completed and the audit published in the coming weeks.

Question No. 48 answered with Question No. 42.

Health Service Staff

Alan Shatter

Ceist:

49 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the arrangements that are in place when non-consultant hospital doctors change job on 1 July 2010; the impact of the European working time directive on NCHDs and services offered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25842/10]

Joe McHugh

Ceist:

60 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of unfilled non-consultant hospital doctor posts in hospitals here; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that hospitals face a shortage of doctors due the fact that new visa arrangements are discouraging non-EU doctors from coming here; if she will make changes to the visa requirements to address these concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25823/10]

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

117 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children if an assessment has been made of the likely effect of the shortage of non-consultant hospital doctors from July 2010; the plans that are in place to address same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25911/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 49, 60 and 117 together.

Reports from the Health Service Executive (HSE) indicate reductions in applications for Non-Consultant Hospital Doctor posts, particularly in emergency medicine, anaesthesia, general medicine and in smaller hospitals. As at 16 June, the HSE reports that there were about 289 outstanding vacancies projected for 1 July, in Senior House Officer and Registrar posts, but they anticipate that this figure will reduce as NCHDs are offered contracts over the coming weeks. Currently, since 1 January 2010, there are about 150 NCHD vacancies.

The main focus of my Department has been to work with the HSE to minimise any impact on services. In addition to changes in work practices, such as reductions in tiered on-call and better cross cover arrangements, the HSE has commenced a recruitment process with a range of medical recruitment agencies. In addition, the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, the Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Executive have, in the last week, agreed revised arrangements regarding employment permits and immigration registration for non-EEA doctors who are recruited to the Irish public health service. In particular, Senior House Officers and Registrars from non-EAA countries will be given two year visas and will not require a work permit.

The HSE agreed on 15 June, to a proposal by various stakeholders, that all existing training posts, where possible, will continue to be recognised by the Medical Council as training posts for one further year from 1 July 2010. This will directly deal with the more immediate patient safety concerns raised in relation to the possible placement of a large number of junior doctors on the General Division of the Register of Medical Practitioners. Compliance with European Working Time Directive is a separate challenge to hospitals and to the HSE in relation to the employment of Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors (NCHDs). Compliance with the directive is good for patient safety. It serves no good purpose to have over-stretched, over-tired junior doctors treating patients.

I am satisfied every effort has been made and will continue to be made, by my Department and the HSE, to ensure that patients will continue to have access to hospital services that are safe, responsive to their medical needs, and integrated with other hospital and primary care services.

Child Care Services

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

50 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she is considering separating child care services from the Health Service Executive in view of the opinions expressed by the chief executive officer of the Health Service Executive (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25896/10]

The Child Care Act 1991 provides that it shall be a function of the Health Service Executive (HSE) to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection. I advised the House in the course of the recent debate on the Implementation of the Ryan Commission recommendations that it is not my intention to separate the child welfare and protection service from the HSE.

A fundamental aspect of a successful child care system is the ability to access early interventions such as therapy services delivered by health professionals or supports offered by a public health nurse. In particular, there is an essential requirement to integrate our child protection services as part of the development of multidisciplinary services. There is also a risk that any decision to create a separate service would lose ground as it would take several years to establish a new structure with valuable time lost in the bureaucracy of creating a new entity.

Health Services

Joe Carey

Ceist:

51 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to develop a national strategy on the diagnosis, treatment and care of people with dementia; the date that this strategy will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25774/10]

Ciaran Lynch

Ceist:

64 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress that has been made in developing a national strategy for the care and support of Alzheimer’s patients and their families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25903/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 64 together.

As the Deputy is aware, dementia is a most distressing condition both for those suffering from it and their families, and presents a significant and growing challenge to health and social services. Alzheimer's disease represents about 70% of the cases of dementia. People are living longer and as a consequence are more likely to develop some form of dementia. While dementia is not solely related to age, the prevalence is higher in older people and increases with age. It is estimated that about 5% of people over 65 years of age have some form of dementia with this figure rising to 20% for people over 80 years of age. The demographic make–up of Irish society is changing. The population is growing older and the number of people aged over 65 is estimated to almost triple over the next 30 years.

As I have indicated previously, my Department has started the process of developing a policy on dementia that will support the delivery of long-term care services having regard to future demographic trends and the consequential increase in demand for long-term care. This policy will be developed on the basis of the best evidence available from national and international sources. Officials in my Department have engaged with relevant stakeholder groups on the first stage of the process which is to assemble the research and evidence upon which the policy will be developed. I expect this will be received in 2011, at which stage work on the policy will commence formally.

However, in the interim I would also like to advise the Deputy that the Health Service Executive (HSE) is currently exploring the potential for changes in care pathways for people with dementia, and will make recommendations for the future provision of dementia care across all health and social services. An audit is underway within the HSE of the current specialist dementia care services available both in residential/hospital and community services. This audit will inform future planning and development of services for people with dementia. The educational needs of staff will also be identified to inform any future staff requirements for working in the area of dementia care. This work will also feed into the overall dementia policy formulation.

Question No. 52 answered with Question No. 43.

Ciaran Lynch

Ceist:

53 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children if caring organisations that are funded through the Health Service Executive to deliver services are being compensated in situations when they are forced to replace front-line staff that are not exempted under the public service moratorium; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that many such organisations have, in effect, suffered major funding cuts because of the moratorium; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25904/10]

The Government has made it clear that a critical part of its strategy to restore the public finances is to achieve sustainability in the cost of delivering public services relative to State revenues. To help achieve this goal, it will be necessary to restructure and reorganise the public service and to reduce public service numbers over the coming years.

The Employment Control Framework for the health sector provides for a net reduction in employment of 6,000 in wholetime equivalent (WTE) terms from March 2009 to the end 2012 and consequential pay roll savings. Based on numbers reductions already achieved in 2009, the net target reduction to end 2012 is 4,560 WTE. Therefore, the net target reduction in numbers in 2010, and in each of the following two years, is 1,520 wholetime equivalents. The Government decision has been modulated to ensure that key services are maintained insofar as possible in the health services, particularly in respect of children at risk, older people, persons with a disability, mental health services, and cancer services. The Framework, accordingly, provides for a number of grades and posts that are exempt from the moratorium on recruitment and promotion.

In addition, the HSE also has some degree of flexibility under the Framework to sanction the filling of certain other posts (both within its own organisation and in voluntary service providers funded by it) on an exceptional basis provided it achieves the overall target reductions in both staffing levels and pay costs. The requirement is that a post or posts of equivalent value must be suppressed in order to meet the cost of the post being filled.

Against the background of reduced budgets and staffing levels in the health sector, a reorganisation and restructuring of work is required not only to maintain the level, quality and safety of services but also to expand the range and accessibility of community services in order to avoid the necessity for hospital attendances. The new Public Service Agreement, which was ratified last week by the Public Services Committee of ICTU, clears the way for the implementation of a major transformation programme for the health sector to commence on a collaborative basis involving unions and employers. The programme is designed to achieve significant cost efficiencies while protecting the quality and effectiveness of services to the public.

The foregoing arrangements apply across the publicly funded health services and there can be no question of exempting voluntary service providers or providing them with additional funding. This would undermine the strategic objectives of Government policy which are to reduce staffing levels and achieve payroll savings in order to bring the public voluntary finances into sustainable balance. Voluntary providers, in common with the HSE, need to identify, and implement under the Public Service Agreement, whatever changes in staffing levels, skill mix and work practices are necessary to protect services within the reduced level of funding now available.

Care of the Elderly

Tom Sheahan

Ceist:

54 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for Health and Children her policy in relation to the delivery of nursing home care; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that public nursing homes facilities, (details supplied) in County Westmeath, are being wound down and that beds are being closed at other facilities; the consequences that this is having on the provision of respite care for families; if it is her intention to privatise the delivery of nursing home care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25844/10]

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

89 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will intervene to prevent the closure of Loughloe House, Athlone, County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25965/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 89 together.

This Government is committed to supporting people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible and to support access to quality long-term residential care where this is appropriate. Loughloe House, is one of two long stay facilities in Athlone. The second is St Vincent's Community Nursing Unit, (CNU) which is situated in the town centre. They are relatively close to each other. In St Vincent's CNU there are currently approximately 60 residents. There is one management structure for the two units.

Loughloe House has been inspected by HIQA. Numerous concerns have been raised in the course of this inspection process both in terms of the physical infrastructure and in relation to management/staffing issues. Concerns also exist regarding the fire safety precautions at the home. With these considerations in mind, the Health Service Executive has decided that it has no option but to proceed with the orderly, phased closure of Loughloe House.

There will be a consultation process with Loughloe House residents and their families with a view to organising transfers to private and public nursing homes in the surrounding areas. The HSE has also agreed to put in place an independent advocate to assist the residents of Loughloe House and their families with the relocation. The overall level of provision of long stay beds in the Longford Westmeath Local Health Office area will remain in excess of the 4.5% level currently deemed as adequate to meet needs and there are more than sufficient vacancies to cater for the residents of Loughloe House.

I understand that there was a reduction in respite provision in this area as the future of Loughloe House was being considered. However, the HSE has informed me that the previous level of provision of respite care is now in the process of being restored. The safety of the residents is our first concern. We owe them a duty of care. I am sure this House will agree that quality care and patient safety comes first and all patients should receive the same high standard of quality-assured care.

It is not my intention to privatise the delivery of nursing home care. The Deputies will be aware that under the Fair Deal, the same level of State support is available for public, private and voluntary long-term nursing home care recipients. This meets one of the objectives of Towards 2016, namely that State support should be indifferent as to whether a person is in public or private care.

Accident and Emergency Services

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

55 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide details on which hospital accident and emergency units will close or limit opening hours as a result of health service cutbacks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25795/10]

My Department understands from the HSE that it is not limiting emergency department opening hours, at present, as a result of health service cutbacks. The focus for 2010 is to continue to provide for emergency and elective admissions in hospitals by a continued shift to day case treatments and the development of a number of initiatives such as Medical Assessment Units and their use for emergency admissions. The HSE is also engaged in significant reconfiguration initiatives aimed at ensuring the best care is available to patients. The result of all of these efforts is the enhancement of ED services in some hospitals (e.g. Limerick Regional, Galway University, Cork University, Waterford Regional) and the transformation of other hospitals into urgent care centres with appropriate secondary care services.

Children in Care

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

56 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will publish the legal advice on which is based the claim that the files for children who died in State care or when known to child care services cannot be passed to the special investigation team established by the Minister of State with responsibility for children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25966/10]

I established the Independent Review Group on Child Deaths on the 8th of March 2010. The Group is composed of Ms Norah Gibbons and Mr Geoffrey Shannon. A third independent person of international standing will be appointed to the Group when an initial examination of documentation has been completed by the two appointed members. The Group has commenced work and it is the intention that it will report within a period of six months.

The Taoiseach outlined to the House on 25 May, the nature of the legal advice to the HSE regarding the release of documentation to the Group. The advice identified concerns in relation to:

the in-camera rule which in childcare proceedings is concerned primarily with the protection of the identity and privacy of the individual child,

section 31 of the Child Care Act 1991 which imposes a prohibition, that can be lifted with the approval of the courts, on the publication or broadcasting of matters which might lead the public to identify a particular child that has been the subject of proceedings under certain parts of that Act,

data protection legislation which regulates the collection, use and disclosure of personal information relating to living identifiable individuals and categorises health information as sensitive and therefore deserving of additional protection, and

the issue of consent to the disclosure of personal and confidential information including (as appropriate) the consent of surviving relatives.

The Health (Amendment) Bill, 2010 was published on 18 June 2010 and circulated to Oireachtas members. The purpose of the Bill is to strengthen the legislative base for the provision of information by the Health Service Executive to the Minister for Health and Children so as to enhance the Minister's ability to fulfil his or her role and functions (including political accountability to the Oireachtas) and to create a "safe channel of communication" for sensitive information between the HSE and the Minister. The Health (Amendment) Bill will facilitate the work of the Independent Review Group on Child Deaths and it is hoped that it will be enacted before the summer recess.

Health Insurance

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

57 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to oblige health insurance providers to cover primary care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25917/10]

International evidence is that people's best health can be achieved much more cost-effectively by a greater emphasis on primary care services, in order to avoid hospitalisation or prolonged stays in hospital. Health insurance has its role to play in this in Ireland. On 27 May 2010, the Government announced a new strategy for the private health insurance market. As part of the package of reforms announced, I signalled my intention to extend the minimum benefits for health insurance to cover areas like primary care and preventive health measures.

The Health Insurance Authority is about to engage in a consultation process with insurers and others with a view to reporting to me on possible amendments to the minimum benefits regulations. This consultation will form the basis for the development of a new set of regulations which, for the benefit of all, will fit better with a more modern healthcare delivery system involving primary care to a greater degree, and reducing the dependence on acute hospital care.

Prison Medical Service

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

58 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children the role her Department plays in the health of prisoners; if this is under review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25921/10]

The Irish Prison Service is responsible, in the first instance, for the provision of health and associated regime services within the prison system. At each prison level, healthcare delivery is managed by the prison doctor, nurse manager and visiting healthcare professionals. There is however a high degree of co-operation between the Irish Prison Service and the HSE at national and local levels to support prison health services with access to primary and secondary community health and social services.

Misuse of Drugs

Dan Neville

Ceist:

59 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide details on when legislation to ban the sale and distribution of substances sold in head shops and the closure of head shops will be introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25829/10]

P. J. Sheehan

Ceist:

85 Deputy P. J. Sheehan asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on whether her response to the import, production, sale and supply of dangerous head shop products has been completely inadequate to date; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that thousands of persons continue to be put at risk as new legal highs such as Whack and the cocaine substitute Amplified and other new drug products have entered the market; if she will confirm that legislation to ban the sale and supply of such products will be introduced before the Dáil goes into recess; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25846/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 85 together.

I completely reject the suggestion that the Government's handling of the issue of so-called "legal highs" has been inadequate. I would remind the House that in light of the health risks associated with these products the Government made an Order on 11 May declaring a large number of substances, commonly referred to as "legal highs", to be controlled drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, with immediate effect. Approximately 200 individual substances were controlled by this legislation. The substances controlled include:

synthetic cannabis-type substances (contained in SPICE products),

BZP-related substances (sold as party pills),

Mephedrone and similar substances (sold as bath salts or plant food),

GBL and 1,4BD (often referred to as liquid ecstasy).

It is now a criminal offence for a person to import, export, produce, supply or possess these legal high substances. Possession and supply are subject to serious criminal sanctions of:

up to 7 years imprisonment and/or a fine for unlawful possession, and,

on indictment, up to a maximum period of life imprisonment for unlawful supply.

These Regulations have had a significant impact on headshops, removing the vast majority of their products from the market, and as a consequence a large number of headshops have closed.

The Government has always acknowledged that attempts would be made to circumvent these regulations. Since these substances were brought under control, other substances have been coming onto the market that are currently not subject to controls under the Misuse of Drugs Act. My Department is working closely with the Department of Justice and Law Reform, the Gardaí, the Customs Service, the Forensic Science Laboratory, the Irish Medicines Board, and others to monitor closely the emergence of new psychoactive substances. I will not hesitate to seek Government approval to ban additional substances if any of them pose a risk to public health.

Initial analyses indicate that the products ‘WHACK' and ‘Amplified' contain new cocaine-type substances. As these substances have anaesthetic effects they fall within the scope of the medicinal products legislation. These products do not hold licences from the IMB or the European Medicines Agency. The IMB has been visiting head shops and removing these products from the market. The IMB has also been removing a number of other products from head shops which are known to contain medicinal products. My colleague the Minister for Justice and Law Reform last Friday published the Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Bill 2010. This bill will make it a criminal offence to sell or supply substances which may not be specifically controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Acts but which have psychoactive effects.

Question No. 60 answered with Question No. 49.

Health Insurance

Seán Barrett

Ceist:

61 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount of money the State will have to inject into VHI in order for it to achieve solvency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25763/10]

Joe Costello

Ceist:

90 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount of public money she plans to invest in the VHI in advance of privatisation; her views on keeping the VHI in public ownership; the date on which she intends to introduce legislation to facilitate privatisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25893/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 90 together.

A key element of the Government's strategy for the future of the private health insurance market, is to establish VHI Healthcare in a position where it is authorised by the Financial Regulator and therefore regulated for prudential solvency purposes on the same basis as its competitors. The Government has committed to making a substantial capital investment into the VHI in order to secure its authorisation as a matter of urgency. The procedure for authorisation necessitates that VHI not only have sufficient capital in place to satisfy the requirements of the Financial Regulator, but also to display that it can sustain the necessary capital over a three to five year period. This will require VHI to demonstrate that it has a robust business plan in place which will satisfy these requirements. As Minister responsible for the VHI, I and my officials will be in close contact with the Board and management to ensure that such a business plan will be in place.

The actual amount of capital which will be required will be determined between the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Health and Children in light of the advice of experts. The level of capital required will be affected by a number of issues, including the amount of reinsurance and/or subordinated debt which the VHI may secure. It is not possible to specify precisely at this time what the figure for capitalisation will be. The timing for capitalisation and sale of VHI will depend on a number of factors, which will be decided by Government in light of the advices of the experts on the appropriate sequencing and structure of the disposal of the company. These experts will be appointed on foot of a competitive tendering exercise which I expect will take place shortly.

In relation to the plans for the State to divest itself of ownership of VHI, the Government's objective in so doing is to support the community rated private health insurance market and thus to protect older and sicker people. This requires risk equalisation (RE) to ensure that this happens.

In general terms, there are no specific health policy reasons for the State to own a private health insurance company, especially when the State is in a position to implement community rating supported by RE, and sets minimum benefit requirements for all health insurers. The planned RE scheme will require financial transfers between companies in the health insurance market. It is imperative that the Government is judged by all to be even-handed in this policy. The State should design and operate the RE scheme totally fairly and impartially as between each player in the market and be seen to do so. It is important that there should be no grounds for complaint against the RE scheme in the context of the State setting up the scheme while owning a company that would receive payments under that scheme. It is also important that the RE scheme should not be delayed in its operation, or limited in its scope, because of queries about the State's ownership of one company in the market. Accordingly, the Government has decided that VHI should not remain in public ownership.

Departmental Reports

Jack Wall

Ceist:

62 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children if she has received the report of the cardiovascular policy group; if and when she will publish the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25909/10]

I launched the report of the Cardiovascular Policy Group on 10 June. The full report is available on the Department's website. The policy report addresses the spectrum of cardiovascular disease, including prevention and management and how these should be integrated to reduce the burden of these conditions. Prevention includes measures that individuals can take themselves as well as population intervention and areas where intersectoral action is necessary. Management of cardiovascular disease covers all aspects of health care from childhood through to old age, from pre-hospital emergency care to rehabilitation and palliative care.

The report is set out along the following lines:

Burden of cardiovascular disease and recent trends

Prevention and health promotion

Primary care

Hospital and emergency care services

Rehabilitation and continuing care

Workforce planning

Framework for quality in cardiovascular health

The HSE is developing an implementation plan to give effect to the policy recommendations for which it has lead responsibility.

Health Service Executive

Joe Costello

Ceist:

63 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Health and Children when the new chief executive officer of the Health Service Executive will commence working; if their job description is the same as that of their predecessor; if they have been asked to focus on any particular elements of the job; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25898/10]

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

238 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) was offered the position of chief executive of the Health Service Executive and was then allowed negotiate their salary; if a further person (details supplied) was offered the same salary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26803/10]

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

239 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Health and Children the pension rights and entitlements which will accrue to a person (details supplied) as chief executive of the Health Service Executive in addition to their salary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26804/10]

I propose to takes Questions Nos. 63, 238 and 239 together.

I am informed by the Health Service Executive that Mr. Cathal McGee will take up his appointment as Chief Executive Officer on 1st September 2010, to succeed Professor Brendan Drumm, whose term of office ends in mid-August. In accordance with Section 17 of the Health Act 2004, the HSE Board is responsible for making this appointment. There was an extensive recruitment process undertaken by the Board to fill this position. Details of the recruitment process, including interactions with other potential candidates, are a matter for the Board of the HSE and so this aspect of your question has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

However, I can confirm that the HSE sought approval to offer the proposed appointee a higher salary than the rate set by the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector. I believed that the proposed remuneration package was appropriate, given the scale of the job and the need to secure the services of a new CEO, who I am assured is of the highest calibre. On that basis, my Department sought and received sanction from the Minister for Finance for the remuneration package, including a pension contribution of 25% of basic salary to a private pension fund, nominated by the appointee, in lieu of membership of the HSE Superannuation Scheme.

Question No. 64 answered with Question No. 51.

Health Service Staff

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

65 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of social workers that have been appointed to date in view of the 270 additional social workers to be recruited by the Health Service Executive as promised in the implementation plan of the Ryan report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25788/10]

Joan Burton

Ceist:

79 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress that has been made on the appointment of 200 extra social workers promised for 2010; if they will be allocated for child protection or if some will have other functions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25895/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 65 and 79 together.

One of the principal commitments in the Ryan Implementation Plan is the need to ensure that all children in care have an allocated social worker and a care plan. To this end, the Government has committed to filling 270 HSE social worker posts by the end of 2011 and to the frontloading of this initiative in 2010 with the filling of 200 posts. This initiative is designed to target resources at front line services in order to ensure that the HSE fulfils its statutory obligations. The Oireachtas has voted that the necessary finance be provided and the filling of these posts has been exempted from the public service moratorium on recruitment and replacement of staff. There is an explicit commitment in the HSE Service Plan for 2010, as laid before the Oireachtas, that these posts will be filled.

I met with senior HSE representatives, including the Chairman of the Board, in recent weeks to review the progress being made in this regard. The HSE has advised me that approximately 400 candidates are being interviewed from June, in order to form a new panel of suitable candidates to fill all 200 posts in the current year. It is expected that offers will be made immediately afterwards. The 200 extra social workers will undertake a range of statutory child care functions, as per the recommendations of the Ryan Report. The recruitment of these additional social workers is critical in terms of progressing the Implementation Plan and in ensuring the allocation of a named social worker to each child in care and to the availability of care plans for all of these children. I have been assured by the HSE that the matter is being afforded the highest priority both by the Board and by senior management. I have requested an update from the HSE on the additional number of social workers recruited to date in 2010.

Hospital Services

Tom Hayes

Ceist:

66 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children the date the inquiry team set up by the Health Service Executive on 9 March 2010 to investigate the circumstances that led to the non-reporting of nearly 58,000 X-rays and the failure to process thousands of general practitioner referral letters at Tallaght Hospital, Dublin 24 will complete its work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25810/10]

My Department understands from the Health Service Executive that the review team expects to conclude its work by mid-July. I welcome the completion at the end of April this year of the process of reading and reporting on x-rays that were previously not read by consultant radiologists at Tallaght Hospital and also the management of GP referral letters at the hospital and the fact no further delayed diagnoses were found other than the two initially identified.

Health Services

James Reilly

Ceist:

67 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the cost of rolling out retinopathy screening nationally in view of the recommendations of the Health Service Executive expert advisory group on diabetes to roll out diabetic retinopathy screening nationally; if the retinopathy screening programme planned for the west is operational; the position regarding the expansion of diabetic retinopathy screening to other areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25840/10]

We were informed by the Health Service Executive (HSE) that the pilot retinopathy screening programme for the west has started. The HSE is currently examining ways of delivering a national retinopathy screening programme and to implement the recommendations contained in the Diabetes Expert Advisory Group report, from within existing resources. Work so far has focused on the establishment of the integrated model of care and the establishment of the paediatric and adult diabetes service implementation groups throughout the country.

Constitutional Amendment on Children

Joan Burton

Ceist:

68 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health and Children the date on which the referendum on the rights of children will be held; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25894/10]

The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs presented a copy of the third and final report of the Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children to Cabinet in early March. The Cabinet decided that in view of the complex nature of the issues involved, all Ministers and Government Departments should consider the report and examine the implications of the proposed wording for their areas of responsibility.

A Senior Officials Group, working under the auspices of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Social Inclusion, was reconvened to guide the interaction and coordinate the responses of all Government Departments. The Group comprises senior representatives of all of the key departments whose responsibilities might be affected by the proposals, as well as the Attorney General's Office. The group has met twice and will complete its work shortly. The Government is giving priority attention to this matter but will need some time to consider the various and complex legal issues at the heart of this report, which was the product of two years of deliberation by the JCCAC.

Parliamentary Questions

Tom Hayes

Ceist:

69 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of parliamentary questions received by her Department since the commencement of industrial action by employees; the number and percentage of questions that have not been answered due to industrial action by staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25813/10]

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

76 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the extent of the restriction on her in replying to parliamentary questions and letters; the categories of information that are denied to her because of industrial action; if it includes information in relation to reports conducted by bodies other than the Health Service Executive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25892/10]

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

110 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps she is taking to ensure that parliamentary questions are answered by her in view of the fact that questions are referred by her to the Health Service Executive for reply and many other questions are not replied due to industrial action if she has any proposals for change which will result in a restoration of normal parliamentary accountability in responding to parliamentary questions. [25734/10]

John O'Donoghue

Ceist:

255 Deputy John O’Donoghue asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposals she has to ensure that representations made by Members of the Oireachtas on behalf of members of the public to her Department are responded to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26905/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 69, 76, 110 and 255 together.

Industrial action in relation to the processing of Parliamentary work by members of IMPACT and the Civil and Public Services Union (CPSU) commenced from 1st March 2010. A total of 1725 Parliamentary Questions were taken by my Department during the period from 3rd March 2010 to 11th June 2010. Of these, 1044 (60 %) have not been answered due to industrial action by certain staff both within my Department and in the Health Service Executive.

While I fully appreciate the frustration of Deputies who have been unable to obtain information through the usual Parliamentary channels, the situation has recently improved regarding the processing of PQs insofar as members of IMPACT who work in the HSE have suspended their industrial action with immediate effect and have resumed the handling of Parliamentary work. However, industrial action by the Civil and Public Services Union (CPSU) remains in place and this is affecting the ability of my Department to process certain PQs and representations, in particular those where my Department would refer issues on to the HSE for direct reply. This is because direct referrals are usually dealt with by Clerical Officers.

During the period of industrial action by members of IMPACT, access to financial and other management reports relating to the HSE was very limited. This situation is now returning to normal. I am not aware of any difficulties in relation to accessing information in relation to reports by agencies or bodies other than the HSE.

Responding to the information needs of the Oireachtas is a priority for my Department and I very much regret that in recent months it has not been possible to provide a substantive response to many Parliamentary Questions due to industrial action. All Parliamentary Questions affected by the action have been answered by my Department to the effect that the industrial dispute prevented the supply of substantive answers, and Deputies have been consistently advised to raise the question again in due course should the matter remain of ongoing concern. This approach was designed to prevent a backlog of questions building up, and thereby further affecting both the quality and timeliness of the response provided to members of the Oireachtas.

The Deputies will be aware that a significant proportion of the questions related to individual cases where the information being sought through the Parliamentary process might be obtained by alternative means. Upon cessation of the industrial action by the Civil and Public Services Union normal handling of Parliamentary work by Clerical Officers will immediately resume.

Health Services

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

70 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children if and when it is planned to introduce extra chronic illness and preventive programmes similar to heartwatch, at primary care level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25914/10]

Changing Cardiovascular Health: National Cardiovascular Health Policy 2010-19, which I launched earlier this month is consistent with previous policy on chronic disease, Tackling Chronic Disease. The new policy recommends new clinical prevention guidelines for GPs and that these should be incorporated into structured prevention programmes in primary care, from within existing resources. It envisages that these prevention activities may form the basis of the cardiovascular element of any future GMS contract agreement. However, other means by which they can be advanced will be explored such as developing them as part of the emerging primary care teams (which would facilitate the required broader multi-disciplinary approach) using the resources currently deployed in the Heartwatch Programme.

In line with the Government's policy document Primary Care, A New Direction, the Health Service Executive is refocusing its services to give people direct access in the community to multi-disciplinary primary care teams including general practitioners, nurses, health care assistants, home helps, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. This is designed to maintain people in their own homes and communities for as long as possible, decrease hospital attendances and facilitate early hospital discharge and supported care at home. Intervention in and management of chronic disease is particularly suited to this approach and involves the primary care teams and the hospital sector working closely together. The HSE has identified 530 Primary Care Teams and 134 Health and Social Care Networks to be deployed by 2011. Up to the end of March 2010, 236 teams were operational.

Medical Cards

Alan Shatter

Ceist:

71 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the number of staff dealing with medical card applications in south Dublin has been reduced from nine to two in the past 18 months; if her further attention has been drawn to the fact that some individuals suffering from chronic illnesses who qualify for a medical card are being issued with temporary medical cards with a two month validity and are required to re-apply several times a year for a new card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26513/10]

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

Health Insurance

Michael Noonan

Ceist:

72 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for Health and Children if the EU has commenced proceedings against the State in the European Court of Justice regarding the VHI’s derogation; the position regarding these proceedings in view of the recent announcement in relation to the VHI; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25831/10]

Arising from a derogation under the Non-Life Insurance Directives, VHI continues to be exempt from prudential solvency requirements. The Voluntary Health Insurance (Amendment) Act 2008 provided for the VHI to acquire sufficient funding in terms of its capital reserves to enable it to make an application to the Financial Regulator for authorisation. In the context of the Government's announcement on the 27th May 2010 on the future strategy for the private health insurance market, I have recently extended the date as provided for by the Act, to 1 January 2012. I remain firm in my conviction that VHI should be properly authorised and that the derogation should be lifted.

The EU Commission commenced proceedings against the State in the European Court of Justice regarding the VHI's derogation earlier this year. The State has forwarded a comprehensive written defence to the Court and currently awaits the European Commission's reply to that defence. It should be emphasised that since the State's defence was submitted, the Government has made significant decisions regarding the capitalisation and sale of the VHI. These decisions will form part of any negotiations with the Commission and as part of the State's defence of the proceedings as the case progresses.

Hospitals Building Programme

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

73 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in view of her plans to free up 1,000 public beds through the co-location plan, building work has begun at any of the eight co-location sites; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25800/10]

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

100 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason she is going ahead with the building of co-located private hospitals in view of the closure of so many public hospital beds because of cutbacks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25920/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 100 together.

The Renewed Programme for Government re-affirms the Government's commitment to the current co-location programme, the purpose of which is to make available, in future years, in the most cost effective way, public acute hospital beds for public patients by transferring private activity, with some limited exceptions, from public acute hospitals to co-located private hospitals. Preferred bidders have been selected for six co-located projects at Beaumont, Cork University, Limerick Regional, St James's, Sligo and Waterford Regional Hospitals. Project agreements have been signed for the Beaumont, Cork, Limerick and St James's projects. Planning permission has been granted for the first three of these projects. Planning permission has been granted by the local authority for the St James's project but has been appealed to An Bord Pleanála. Two other projects are at earlier stages of the procurement process.

The co-location programme is a complex public procurement process. It is a matter for each successful bidder to arrange its finance under the terms of the relevant Project Agreement. The co-location initiative, like other major projects, has to deal with the changed funding environment. The HSE is continuing to work with the successful bidders to provide whatever assistance it can to help them advance the projects. The HSE has estimated that, from the start of building, the overall construction and commissioning period for the projects will range from about 28 to 36 months depending on the scale of the project.

Question No. 74 answered with Question No. 42.

Proposed Legislation

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

75 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Health and Children when she will bring the heads of the Bill to regulate sunbeds to Cabinet; the length of time it will take before the Bill is drafted, published and brought before the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25899/10]

I intend to submit a Memorandum to Government shortly seeking approval to draft a General Scheme of a Bill to restrict the use of sunbeds. This Memorandum will, inter alia, take into account recommendations from a wide range of bodies including the World Health Organisation, the Irish Cancer Society, the Environmental Health Officers' Association and the National Cancer Control Programme in the HSE. Subject to Government approval, work will commence on drafting the legislation needed.

Question No. 76 answered with Question No. 69.

Care of the Elderly

John O'Mahony

Ceist:

77 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will introduce legislation to regulate and inspect home care services; the estimated cost of regulating home care services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25836/10]

The priorities in relation to services for older people in recent times have been the introduction of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme and the bringing into force of new regulatory standards for the long-term residential care sector. Allied to these significant initiatives for the residential sector, various aspects of community based services have also been progressed by the Department and the HSE. This includes an expansion of the Home Care Package Initiative nationally this year through an additional €10 million given in the last Budget, and the publication in December last of an independent Evaluation of Home Care Packages commissioned by the Department. This Evaluation was undertaken by PA Consulting Group. With reference to the possible regulation of home care services, the July 2008Report of the Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance recommended, among other things, the extension of any licensing systems in health care to the primary, community and continuing care service.

More recently, in July 2009, the Law Reform Commission (LRC) published a consultation paper entitled Legal Aspects of Carers. This considers the legal issues surrounding home care and makes a number of provisional recommendations in the area of standards and regulations generally, including vetting, training and supervision. It also provisionally recommends giving a function to the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) in relation to professional home care. Any such changes would require primary legislation and detailed stakeholder consultations.

The Department accepts the need for a more standardised approach to the regulation of home care generally, whether by public or private providers. This year the HSE intends to:

finalise standardised access and operational guidelines for delivery of Home Care Packages;

adopt a voluntary code of Quality Guidelines for Home Care Support Services for Older People;

progress a Procurement Framework for home care services; and

introduce Procedural Guidelines for the Home Help service to standardise access to and allocation of Home Help hours.

The Department is also considering at present possible ways to effect the recommendations of the LRC in the context of any changes to legislation, including regulation and inspection, in the area of home care for older persons generally.

Hospital Services

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

78 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children her policy on the retention of services at Roscommon Hospital and at Portiuncula Hospital, County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25735/10]

The Government is committed to ensuring the delivery and maintenance of the best quality health service possible and in providing the highest standard of patient care, in an effective and efficient way, within the resources allocated. As part of the HSE plan to develop integrated structures in the HSE West region, a Clinical Director for Acute and Continuing Care has been appointed to Galway University Hospital. This post encompasses the role of the previous General Manager in Galway University Hospital and includes responsibility for Portiuncula and Roscommon Hospitals. This appointment has been made to ensure greater integration of services, to provide additional support to the hospitals concerned and to ensure that safe quality care is delivered.

I am satisfied that these developments will enhance the capacity for collaboration in service provision, provide a more strategic approach to the management of the hospitals and other services concerned and ensure the provision of better and safer services to the people of the region. Portiuncula and Roscommon Hospitals, as part of the new integrated structure, will continue to play an important role in the provision of health services to the populations of East Galway, Roscommon and the other areas which they serve.

Question No. 79 answered with Question No. 65.

National Treatment Purchase Fund

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

80 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children her policy regarding the administration of the National Treatment Purchase Fund pilot scheme for 2010 whereby patients are provided with first time access to orthopaedic consultants at outpatient level; if the scheme covers such appointments in every Health Service Executive area; if not, the reason for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25733/10]

The NTPF has operated an outpatient department (OPD) pilot programme since 2005. The objective of the outpatient programme is to reduce waiting times for outpatient consultations for an agreed volume of public patients on public hospital waiting lists and to operate this programme over a number of surgical and medical specialties. All Health Service Executive regions are participating in the scheme. During 2010, it is planned that the NTPF will offer 8,000 first time appointments, of which 1,800 will be allocated to orthopaedic patients. The remainder of appointments will be allocated to ENT, rheumatology, dermatology, neurology, opthalmology and general surgery.

Since the launch of the pilot programme, almost 90,000 people have received offers of specialist appointments and of these approx 44,000 have taken up the offer. The HSE is engaged in a number of measures to improve access to and the efficiency of outpatient services. The HSE's 2010 National Service Plan contains performance targets for OPD services of a 1:2 new-to-return ratio and a non-attendance rate of not more than 10%. In its Service Plan, at my request, the HSE is committed to developing new indicators, in conjunction with the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). These will measure median waiting time from:

GP referral to attendance at outpatient

Outpatient attendance to admission where this is indicated,

and GP referral to hospital admission.

Question No. 81 answered with Question No. 42.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme

David Stanton

Ceist:

82 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children the implications of the implementation of the new payment structure for nursing home care under the fair deal scheme for community hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25958/10]

As the Deputy is aware, the Nursing Homes Support Scheme commenced in October 2009. The commencement of the scheme brought about a fundamental change in the way in which long-term nursing home care is funded and, consequently, the way in which nursing homes and community hospitals, including the community hospital referred to by the Deputy, are funded. In the past, many of these facilities were allocated a lump sum annually. In contrast, the new scheme supports the individuals in need of long-term residential care, not the facilities providing the care. This means that funding follows the patients and ensures that these facilities are not being funded for empty beds.

The legislation underpinning the Nursing Homes Support Scheme requires all nursing homes, including any facility which previously received funding under Section 39 of the Health Act 2004, to negotiate and agree a price for the cost of care with the NTPF should they wish to participate in the scheme. This is a necessary feature of the scheme due to the commitment by the State to meet the full balance of the cost of care over and above a person's contribution. The NTPF has statutory responsibility for the negotiation of prices and is independent in the performance of its function. In carrying out this function, the NTPF has particular responsibility to ensure value for money for both the individual and the State.

Finally, as stated above, the Nursing Homes Support Scheme only applies to long-term nursing home care. Nursing homes and community hospitals can continue to have separate agreements with the HSE for the provision of other services, e.g. day care, respite and convalescence.

Medicinal Products

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

83 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding her plans to introduce reference pricing; the amount that will be saved from the introduction of reference pricing; her views on whether some categories of medicines are not suitable for substitution; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25816/10]

Sean Sherlock

Ceist:

118 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the discussions she has held on the substitution of generic medicines for branded products; if these proposals will be implemented in 2010; the amount of money expected to be saved by this measure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25919/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 118 together.

The Government has decided to introduce a system of reference pricing combined with generic substitution of medicines. This will promote price competition and deliver ongoing savings for both the State and for patients. Last week, I launched a report, prepared by a joint working group made up of officials and healthcare professionals from my Department and the HSE, which sets out a proposed model for the operation of generic substitution and reference pricing in Ireland. As part of its work the group met with a wide range of stakeholders and received a number of written submissions. Further consultation will take place as part of the regulatory impact analysis. I expect to see significant progress on the implementation of this initiative, including the identification of legislative and administrative changes required to give it effect in 2011.

Reference pricing will deliver direct savings by limiting reimbursement to a common reference price for groups of interchangeable medicines. Indirect savings will also occur as a result of increased price competition. The level of savings will depend upon a range of factors. These include the number and type of products included in reference groups, the relative and absolute prices of products within reference groups and the market response for each reference group. It is anticipated that reference pricing will be initially targeted at high volume products that have the potential to achieve significant savings. It is also of strategic importance that this model is in place as a significant number of drugs are due to come off patent in the coming years.

There are some categories of medicines that are not suitable for substitution. With a system of generic substitution, it is important that all decisions about the interchangeability of medicines are evidence-based and take into account best practice elsewhere. It is envisaged that an expert group will provide guidance on this matter.

Hospital Services

Pádraic McCormack

Ceist:

84 Deputy Pádraic McCormack asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of operations cancelled during 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25817/10]

Owing to industrial action by staff in the HSE for most of the year to date, data on cancelled operations in acute hospitals in 2010 is not available at present. Now that the industrial action has ended, work is underway in the HSE to collate and validate data in this regard. I am conscious that the cancellation of a hospital procedure can be inconvenient and stressful for both patients and their families. Every effort is made to avoid cancellations where possible.

Unfortunately, cancellations are a feature of hospital systems, in Ireland and internationally, because priority must be given to emergency cases and patients in urgent need. It is important to point out that all cancelled procedures are rescheduled unless there are clear clinical grounds for a period of postponement. While data is not comprehensive, the level of cancellations in the Irish public system appears to be broadly in line with other hospital systems internationally. In 2009, for example, it is estimated that cancellations accounted for about 1.4% of all inpatient and day case activity.

It should be noted not all cancellations are a result of hospital capacity or patient availability. Cancellations also occur for clinical reasons, where a patient may not be deemed fit for surgery on a given day by the clinician. For example, the pre-admission assessment might indicate postponing a procedure for clinical reasons such as weight, immune system issues or blood pressure. While it is unfortunate that any patient would have a procedure cancelled, patients waiting over three months can be referred to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). The HSE works with the NTPF to ensure that, where appropriate, patients can avail of treatment under this scheme.

In 2010, the HSE is focusing on improving the efficiency of acute hospital services by shifting to day case care where appropriate and by seeking performance improvements such as surgery on the day of admission and reducing inappropriate lengths of stay. There is a particular focus on reducing the variance between different hospitals for similar procedures. By reducing costs and reforming the way services are provided, I am confident the HSE will maintain access to services and continue to improve health outcomes for the population.

Question No. 85 answered with Question No. 59.

Ambulance Service

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

86 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the fact that a significant number of ambulances are out of service for several hours at a time due to their trolleys being used for patients in accident and emergency; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that on 25 May 2010 eight Dublin fire brigade ambulances were detained at the Mater Hospital, Dublin 1, one of which was tied up for more than seven hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25770/10]

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

180 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will address the situation whereby ambulances are frequently left waiting for hours outside the Mater and Beaumont hospitals, Dublin, because they cannot retrieve their trolleys; the strain and potential danger that this puts on the service when ambulances are not available for other emergencies which also causes pressure on the fire brigade service; if she will ensure that this potentially dangerous situation is addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26305/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 180 together.

The emergency ambulance service in the Greater Dublin Area is provided by Dublin City Council in the first instance. When operational circumstances so require, the HSE National Ambulance Service provides supplementary capacity to ensure that the necessary cover is maintained. Where necessary, this involves the use of available ambulance resources from other counties in the region. Staff and management take specific measures to ensure ambulance cover is maintained, with patient safety the utmost priority. This is what happened on 25th May last. On that day

Delays at the Mater Hospital occurred at 4.30pm. After contact from the HSE Liaison Officer, all vehicles, but one, were released rapidly.

At 8.30pm, there were eight ambulances held. The eight ambulances comprised six of the Dublin Fire Brigade's total of eleven, and two HSE vehicles.

The National Ambulance Service liaison immediately addressed the situation, including consultation with the Emergency Department Staff, CEO on call and the nursing administration.

By 9.30pm, four ambulances were released. By 10.30pm, all ambulances were available.

One ambulance was at the hospital in excess of six hours, owing to the clinical circumstances of the particular patient concerned.

The HSE is in discussion with the major Dublin hospitals with a view to identifying safe and effective measures which will help to minimise the period for which emergency ambulances are held at hospitals after arriving with patients.

Services for People with Disabilities

Kieran O'Donnell

Ceist:

87 Deputy Kieran O’Donnell asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of adults and children currently residing in residential centres for people with disabilities; if she will provide a list of these centres; when she will introduce legislation to regulate and inspect residential centres for people with disabilities; the cost of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25832/10]

The Health Service Executive estimates that there are 9,000 persons with disabilities resident in approximately 1,200 centres across the country, which includes approximately 150 centres that provide residential or respite care to some 300 children with disabilities. I have asked the HSE to furnish the Deputy with the most up to date list of these centres. As the Deputy will be aware, the National Quality Standards: Residential Services for People with Disabilities, published by the Health Information and Quality Authority in May 2009, relate to adult services. These standards will provide a national framework for quality, safe services for adults with disabilities in residential settings.

Given the current economic situation, to move to full statutory implementation of the standards, including regulation and inspection, presents significant challenges at this time. Notwithstanding the difficulties of immediate statutory implementation, my Department, the HSE and HIQA have agreed that progressive non-statutory implementation of the standards should commence and become the benchmark against which the HSE assesses both its own directly operated facilities and other facilities that the HSE funds.

The Department of Health and Children is liaising with the HSE in terms of implementing the HIQA standards on a progressive non-statutory basis within existing resources. Currently every service provider is required, as part of its service level agreement with the HSE, to have appropriate mechanisms in place to assess quality and standards for the delivery of all services. This agreement requires all service providers to comply with relevant legislation, statutory regulations, codes of practice and agreed guidance documents in relation to the standards associated with the service in question. Providers of care are required to set out in detail the specific actions or plans to maintain and monitor quality and service standards. Examples of such actions would include audit tools appropriate to the service, service and service user evaluations and satisfaction surveys. The Department is also engaged in ongoing discussions with HIQA regarding the resources which would be required to implement a mandatory scheme of registration and inspection of residential services for persons with disabilities.

In tandem with this work, and arising from the Ryan Commission report, the Department of Health and Children is preparing detailed proposals in relation to the protection of vulnerable adults with disabilities who are currently in institutional care. I will be bringing these proposals to Government in the near future.

Children with disabilities in generic residential centres under the Child Care Act 1991 are covered by the standards and inspection regimes already applying to those centres. There are a number of other centres providing residential or respite care to children with disabilities. Children who reside in these centres are not in the care of the State, although they are cared for by the State. The majority of these centres are run by voluntary organisations funded by the HSE and are not included in the inspection regime under the Child Care Act 1991. In relation to the children with disabilities in these other residential centres, the Ryan Commission report recommends that "all services for children should be subject to regular inspections in respect of all aspects of their care". The implementation plan for the recommendations of the Ryan Commission report contains a commitment that the Health Act 2007 will be commenced to allow the independent registration and inspection of all residential centres and respite services for children with a disability by December 2010.

Children in Care

Michael Creed

Ceist:

88 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health and Children the date that legislation will be published to enable the Health Service Executive to transfer files to the appointed independent review group to examine deaths of children in care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25784/10]

The Health (Amendment) Bill, 2010 was published on 18 June 2010 and circulated to Oireachtas members. The Bill will commence second stage passage in the Dáil today. The purpose of the Bill is to strengthen the legislative base for the provision of information by the Health Service Executive to the Minister for Health and Children so as to enhance the Minister's ability to fulfil his or her role and functions (including political accountability to the Oireachtas) and to create a "safe channel of communication" for sensitive information between the HSE and the Minister. The Health (Amendment) Bill will facilitate the work of the Independent Review Group on Child Deaths.

Question No. 89 answered with Question No. 54.
Question No. 90 answered with Question No. 61.

Departmental Reports

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

91 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children if an audit has been carried out on all recommendations from all reports on cases of misdiagnosis in recent years to ensure that they are being implemented; if not, if she will initiate such an audit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25901/10]

Currently a national review relating to the misdiagnosis of miscarriages is being implemented by the Health Service Executive, which aims to complete it within a 6 month period, to publish its findings, and to learn from the experience in terms of implementing recommendations. Other national reviews relating to misdiagnosis have been undertaken in the area of cancer services. The learning from these has led to the implementation of extensive change in the configuration and delivery of cancer services nationally. The learning from these reviews is informing not only ongoing changes in other areas of the cancer services, but also providing the model for the Health Service Executive to implement arrangements for the management of other chronic diseases on a programmatic basis.

It is important to appreciate that reviews are only one lever in improving the safety and quality of services through learning from experience. A clear aim of any developing healthcare system must be to reduce, as far as possible, the extent of necessary recourse to reviews. Measures to achieve this are central to the Government's agenda for change in our health services. Initiatives within the extensive change programme that are taking place include statutory protection for protected disclosure provided under the Health Act 2007, recently commenced provisions under the Medical Practitioners Act to commence mandatory competence assurance for doctors, and provisions to provide legal protection around open disclosure, adverse event reporting and clinical audit, which are to be included in the Health Information Bill to be published this year.

More widely, strengthening the culture of safety and quality across the health services will be underpinned by the introduction of Standards for Better, Safer Healthcare being prepared by the Health Information and Quality Authority, with a view to launching public consultation on the draft Standards next month. Once adopted, the application of the Standards will be reinforced by legislation for the mandatory licensing of public and private healthcare providers which my Department is currently preparing. A further support to strong cultural focus on the safety and quality of care is being examined by my Department in regard to establishing a National Framework for Clinical Excellence, including the promotion of clinical audit.

The measures being taken at a national level will align very well with the consistent core message from reviews that safety and quality of care needs to be at the centre of the activities of individual health service personnel, the systems within which care is provided, and the organisations that are responsible for providing that care.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme

John Perry

Ceist:

92 Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of applications received under the fair deal scheme to date; the number of applications that have been processed to date; the average time it takes to process an application; the number of applications refused support through the fair deal scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25839/10]

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

Children in Care

Pat Breen

Ceist:

93 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children when the Health Information and Quality Authority audit into foster care files in Dublin North-West and Dublin North-Central, which found more than 200 placements with unapproved foster parents and that some children in State care have not had a visit from a social worker for up to ten years or more, will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25767/10]

James Reilly

Ceist:

168 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children when the Health Information and Quality Authority audit into foster care files in Dublin North-West and Dublin North-Central, which found more than 200 placements with unapproved foster parents and that some children in State care have not had a visit from a social worker for up to ten years or more, will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26185/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 168 together.

I have been informed by HIQA that the reports the Deputy refers to are currently out with providers for factual accuracy checking. Once this process is complete the reports will be sent to the Board and to the Minister for Health and Children and the final reports will be published online by the Authority.

Health Services

Mary Upton

Ceist:

94 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children if the midlands diabetes project has been evaluated and, if successful, if it will be extended to other areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25925/10]

The Health Service Executive has informed me that the Midlands Diabetes Care Programme has been extensively evaluated since its initiation and to date three detailed audits have taken place with the third audit due for launch and publication in the coming weeks. The audits have consistently demonstrated extremely positive results which compare very favourably with international best practice in diabetes care. The findings of these studies will inform the work of the new National Diabetes Programme recently set up in the Quality and Clinical Care Directorate.

Vaccination Programme

Noel Coonan

Ceist:

95 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason only 1.1 million vaccines of the 3 million vaccines bought, were administered to the population in view of the Health Service Executive campaign on swine influenza; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25783/10]

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

122 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children if it is planned to administer any further vaccinations against H1N1; her plans for the surplus vaccines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25906/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 122 together.

My Department and the Health Service Executive had been preparing for some years for the probability of an influenza pandemic. As part of these extensive preparations, a National Pandemic Preparedness Plan was published in 2007. Ireland put in place advance purchase agreements with two vaccine manufacturers prior to the declaration of the pandemic and secured a total of 7.7m doses of pandemic vaccine. Upon receipt of the World Health Organisation declaration of a pandemic in April 2009, this Plan was immediately put into operation. Vaccination was considered to be a key strategy to be used to mitigate the effects of the H1N1 pandemic. An extensive media and publicity campaign was launched regarding the benefits of vaccination and every person in the country was offered the vaccine.

The public pandemic vaccination campaign came to an end on 31st March 2010. Following a full assessment of the current situation, the risks of a second wave, the availability of vaccine and other factors, the National Public Health Emergency Team decided, following advice from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee, that those in the "at risk" group should continue to be vaccinated. This means that up to September 2010, the vaccine will continue to be available free of charge through GPs and Maternity Units to these particular groups. The vaccine will also be available to those travelling to the southern hemisphere during the upcoming influenza season.

The HSE had contracts in place for the provision of pandemic vaccine with two pharmaceutical companies, Baxter and GSK for a total of 7.7m doses. Baxter supplied a total of 619,200 doses and the HSE terminated this contract in December 2009. GSK has supplied 2.35 million doses and the HSE has agreed with GSK that no further vaccines will be delivered and that HSE will only pay for the 2.35m doses received to date. In line with good practice in other countries and the WHO, all elements of the handling of the Pandemic are currently under review in my Department and the HSE with a view to updating and strengthening our influenza preparedness.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

96 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children if there have been inpatient charges imposed on patients who are ready for discharge under the terms of the nursing homes Act, but whose application under the Act has not been completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25913/10]

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

Weight of Schoolbags

Joanna Tuffy

Ceist:

97 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health and Children if she has had any engagement with the Department of Education and Skills regarding the damage heavy schoolbags can do to children’s shoulders and backs, as well as deterring them from walking to school; if this will be addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25922/10]

This Department has had no communication with the Department of Education and Skills regarding this matter.

Ambulance Service

Liz McManus

Ceist:

98 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children the nature of the investigations that are underway into the recent death of an ambulance worker; the guidelines that are in place to protect the safety of staff and patients travelling in ambulances; if structural examinations of ambulances are being carried out as a result of the accident; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25908/10]

I was very saddened to hear of the tragic death of an HSE paramedic while he was on duty earlier this month. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere condolences to the family and colleagues of the person involved.

I understand that the HSE, the Health and Safety Authority and the Gardaí are conducting investigations into this accident. I have arranged for the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the measures in place to ensure the safety of patients and staff travelling in ambulances.

Departmental Reports

Mary Upton

Ceist:

99 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children when she expects to publish the report on the funding of health care (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25924/10]

I established the Expert Group on Resource Allocation and Financing in the Health Sector under the chairmanship of Professor Frances Ruane, Director, ESRI in April last year to examine how the existing system of resource allocation within the Irish public health service can be improved to support better the aims of the health reform programme. The Group was asked to report to me and the Minister for Finance in April 2010. The Expert Group has made considerable progress on this complex issue and intends to produce a robust, evidence-based report that will inform public policy on health resourcing, with a particular emphasis on actions in the short and medium term. The Chair has recently informed me that the Group is close to finalising the report and expects to present it to me by the end of June.

Question No. 100 answered with Question No. 73.

Health Service Staff

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

101 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the information from the chief executive officer of the Health Service Executive that social workers are being withdrawn from primary care teams in order for the organisation to comply with child care regulations; if this is contrary to her policy to develop primary care and also to concentrate on early intervention and preventative action; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25897/10]

The HSE has a statutory obligation under the Child Care Act, 1991 to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and attention. The HSE has been provided with additional resources of over €14M in the current year to strengthen child welfare and protection services in line with the recommendations of the Ryan Commission. This includes funding for the recruitment of 200 additional social workers dedicated to this service.

The HSE acknowledges the important role of Social Workers in Primary Care Teams and the need to orient service delivery towards early intervention and whole family involvement. I understand that each HSE Area was requested to review the workload of Social Workers, in order to assist in meeting the legislation requirements in respect of Child Protection services. This involves reviewing case load management to ensure that the statutory requirements are met. The decision does not, in most cases, involve Social Workers being redeployed or removed from Primary Care Teams, but facilitates the prioritisation of child protection.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

102 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children if she is satisfied with the Health Service Executive collection and reporting of outpatient waiting lists; the action that she will take to improve outpatient reporting and communication between hospitals and general practitioners on outpatient waiting lists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25834/10]

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

103 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide a list of waiting times for outpatient appointments for each speciality in each region of the country; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that public patients have to wait years in many cases for an appointment, having been referred by their general practitioner; the way this is being addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25910/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 103 together.

The improvement of access to outpatient services, which are a key access point to the acute hospital system and involve over three million attendances annually, is a priority for the health service. It is essential that people are afforded timely access to outpatient services when they require them and that these services function effectively as part of an integrated acute hospital and primary care system. The HSE is engaged in a number of measures to improve access to and the efficiency of outpatient services. The principal aims of the National Outpatient Department Service Improvement Programme are to:

Increase the number of new patients seen

Reduce the numbers who do not attend for scheduled appointments (DNAs)

Reduce waiting times for patients and

Ensure that all patients are seen within 30 minutes of their appointment time.

The HSE's 2010 National Service Plan has performance targets for OPD services of a 1:2 new-to-return ratio and a non-attendance rate of not more than 10%. In its Service Plan, at my request, the HSE is committed to developing new indicators, in conjunction with the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). These will measure median waiting time from:

GP referral to attendance at outpatient

Outpatient attendance to admission where this is indicated, and

GP referral to hospital admission.

Outpatient waiting list data is currently collected primarily at individual hospital level. The HSE is developing a system to provide standardised and comparable national outpatient waiting list data by hospital and specialty. The availability of such information will assist clinicians and health service managers in further improving the performance of outpatient services. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to respond directly to the Deputies in relation to outpatient waiting times by region and specialty.

EU Directives

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

104 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will outline the new EU programme through which people may have treatment in other member countries; the date on which it comes into force; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25916/10]

On 2 July 2008, the Commission presented a proposal for a "Directive on patient’s rights in cross-border healthcare”. The draft Directive aims to facilitate access to safe and high-quality cross-border healthcare and promotes cooperation on healthcare between Member States, in full respect of national competencies in organising and delivering healthcare. The draft directive was brought forward by the Commission to codify and clarify the application of European Court of Justice case law on patients’ rights in cross-border health care. This case law has established that, as part of EU freedoms to obtain services and freedom of movement, patients have the right to access health care in another member state and be reimbursed for this up to the cost of the treatment in their own state.

The directive provides no new entitlement or eligibility for citizens beyond the entitlement and eligibility to services that they enjoy in their home member state. The directive, does however, provide legal clarity for patients and member states in cases where rights to cross-border health care exist but the mechanisms to ensure these rights are respected are not clear. While it can be expected that citizens will, in the main, opt to receive health care close to where they live, there may be circumstances where it may be beneficial or preferable to receive health care abroad, for example in the case of patients who wish to access expertise available in another Member State, e.g. in the case of certain highly specialised treatments. This directive will provide for increased patient choice in the area of healthcare and facilitate patients who wish to access care in another Member State. The directive recognises that member states are responsible for the organisation and delivery of health services and medical care and, in particular, they are responsible for determining which rules apply to the reimbursement of patients and the provision of health care. In addition, the directive provides for cooperation in a range of areas such as e-health and networks of centres of reference.

The directive has been subject to negotiation under the French, Czech, Swedish and Spanish Presidencies and more recently at the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) which took place in Luxembourg on 7th/8th June when political agreement was reached. The next step involves the Council and the European Parliament engaging in negotiations with a view to reaching a "Second Reading" agreement. These negotiations are expected to commence in September. Only when agreement is reached between the Council and the European Parliament can the directive be transposed into law. Ireland will continue to proactively participate in the negotiation process in so far as this is provided for. At this stage it is not possible to predict the outcome of these negotiations nor when any directive that is agreed may come into force. I trust the above clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

National Treatment Purchase Fund

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

105 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will review the operation of the National Treatment Purchase Fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25736/10]

To date the NTPF has successfully provided over 170,000 public patients with inpatient procedures, outpatient appointments and MRIs. The median waiting time for medical and surgical patients is now 2.5 months. The Fund's 2010 activity targets involve treating 20,000 inpatients and providing 3,000 MRIs and 8,000 outpatient appointments and it anticipates meeting these targets. At my request, and given its success in reducing the numbers waiting for longer than twelve months, the NTPF is working actively with the HSE to focus particularly on patients waiting more than nine months for treatment.

I have no plans to review the NTPF's statutory remit. Its operation is subject to ongoing monitoring and review, to ensure that resources are used efficiently and are targeted so that they achieve the greatest benefit for patients. I have emphasised to the Fund the need for maximum cost-effectiveness, consistent with safe and effective care. I have asked it to seek even better value from private hospitals and the Fund has successfully negotiated price reductions for certain high-volume procedures. In addition, it will not purchase services where the price is not acceptable. The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report for 2008 examined the NTPF's arrangements for the procurement of treatment. The Report concluded that, relative to the casemix benchmark, procedures purchased from private hospitals by the NTPF generally cost less than those carried out in the publicly funded hospital system.

Health Services

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

106 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children when it is expected that the large number of applications for medical cards, psychological assessments, speech and language therapy, mortgage and rent support, home help and other essential support services provided by the Health Service Executive will be dealt with; if any effort is being made to ensure that the necessary staffing levels are redirected and maintained to ensure the delivery of such vital services at this time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25985/10]

As these are service matters they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Accommodation

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

107 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the impact that the closure of 62 beds in Beaumount Hospital, Dublin 9 and 80 beds at the Mater Hospital, Dublin 1 will have on patient care; the consequence that this will have for her and Health Service Executive plans to move from inpatient to day care treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25792/10]

The introduction of the Nursing Home Support Scheme has enabled both the Beaumont and Mater hospitals to significantly reduce the number of delayed discharges and therefore reduce the number of inpatient beds that are required. The average number of long-stay patients (excluding patients awaiting rehab) in Beaumont averaged 105 in the first four months of 2009, compared to an average of 78 in the corresponding period this year.

A Medical Short Stay Unit and a Medical Assessment Unit have also been established in Beaumont hospital to improve access to patient care. Furthermore, priority being given to a range of measures to use existing beds more efficiently. These include development of a Surgical Short Stay Unit in AB Clery Ward, Short Stay Elective Orthopaedic & Plastic Surgery admissions in Banks Ward, Surgical Oncology in St Luke's Ward and a Rapid Response Rehab Unit within an existing medical ward.

Currently, the Mater Hospital has 70 delayed discharge patients, which is a reduction from a high of 121 in June 2009. The reduction in the number of beds fluctuates with demand but it is currently at 20. A Rapid Injury Clinic which has been set up at the Mater Smithfield site has improved access to patient care, which has seen over 1,000 people since it opened in April 2010. The Health Service Executive has advised my Department that currently both the Mater and Beaumont Hospitals expect to deliver services in line with the HSE's 2010 National Service Plan.

While public debate tends to focus on bed numbers, it is much more meaningful to measure the actual number of patients treated. In 2009, the combined number of inpatient and day case discharges was 3% greater than the equivalent figure in 2008, despite the difficult situation in relation to resources. The preparation of the HSE's 2010 National Service Plan, which I approved on 5 February, maintains the focus on increased efficiency and targets broadly the same level of overall hospital activity as in 2009. This involves a shift from in-patient to day cases, a reduction in emergency admissions and a further increase in day cases.

While there is no proposal in the Service Plan to close a specific number of beds, the reduction in in-patient treatments will mean that less capacity will be required in this area during 2010. The exact number of beds available at any one time will fluctuate depending on such factors as planned activity levels, maintenance and refurbishment requirements and staff leave arrangements. Beds may also be closed from time to time in order to control expenditure, given the need for every hospital to operate within its allotted budget for the year.

Meeting the agreed efficiency targets will require increased access to the specialist skills and senior clinical decision-making available in Medical Assessment Units, to diagnostics and to other ambulatory care services. The HSE will also focus on minimising length of stay, with a particular focus on reducing the current variation across different hospitals for similar procedures. It will also work to increase same day of surgery admission and to protect inpatient beds for elective surgery in order to reduce waiting times. By reforming the manner in which services are provided, I am confident that the HSE can deliver the volumes of service provided for in the plan, while at the same time continuing to improve service quality and patient outcomes.

Mental Health Services

Liz McManus

Ceist:

108 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of community mental health teams that have been established; the number that are fully staffed; if the staffing of these teams is fully protected from the moratorium on staff recruitment; the further staff that will be appointed to these teams in 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25907/10]

The 2010 Employment Control Framework for the Health Services provides for an exemption from the moratorium for up to 100 psychiatric nursing posts where they are required to support the implementation of A Vision for Change. The allocation of these posts to particular service locations/geographical areas will be identified by the National Care Group Lead for Mental Health in consultation with the Department of Health and Children. In relation to the number of community mental health teams, as this is a service matter, the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Care of the Elderly

Sean Sherlock

Ceist:

109 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children if there are plans to limit the time home helps can spend on specific tasks; the other measures or proposals planned that will affect the provision of home help services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25918/10]

Government policy is to support older people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. This is realised through a range of community services such as Home-Help, Home Care Packages, Meals-on-Wheels, and Day/Respite care. Such supports have the added objectives of reducing inappropriate admissions by older people to acute hospital or long-term residential care.

The HSE has responsibility for the delivery of the Home-Help service, in line with the HSE National Service Plan 2010. This Plan commits the Executive to provide 11.98 million Home-Help hours nationally this year to over 54,000 people. The target for 2010 for Home-Help hours is unchanged over the 2009 figure. Arising from an independent Evaluation of Home Care Packages, published by the Department in December last, the HSE recently established a Task Group to progress this year various improvements in home care provision generally. These include:-

introduce standardised access and operational guidelines for the delivery of Home Care Packages;

adopt a voluntary code of Quality Guidelines for Home Care Support Services for Older People; and

progress a new Procurement Framework for home care services.

In addition, the HSE is also developing Procedural Guidelines for the Home Help service which will standardise access to and allocation of Home Help hours to assist the Executive in managing the scheme in an equitable way across the country. The various Guidelines now being prepared are intended to allow the HSE adopt a more standardised approach nationally this year to the provision of home care services. They will be finalised to achieve this objective, while acting as improved guidance in relation to operational issues such as that raised by the Deputy, without compromising the key principle to retain flexibility to best meet the Home Care needs of each individual.

Question No. 110 answered with Question No. 69.

Health Services

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

111 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the existence of a group of influential persons who were advising the Health Service Executive South on the reconfiguration of services; the status of this group and the extent to which its views determine the delivery of services to the users of the public health services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25900/10]

I am aware that in order to support the reconfiguration of acute hospitals in Cork and Kerry, a non-executive advisory board was established by the HSE in September 2009. The board has 17 members, drawn from business, education and healthcare fields. Its purpose is to support and advise the HSE as appropriate in relation to the reconfiguration of acute hospital services in the region and to bring practical experience to bear from outside the health field. The advisory board members receive no remuneration for their participation and give their time and advice voluntarily. The board is purely advisory, and has no executive or decision-making functions.

I welcome the fact that senior people from a range of disciplines are willing to offer a fresh perspective on important issues in health care. The HSE indicates that the membership of the advisory board is as follows.

Membership of the Advisory Board

Mr Micheal O’FlynnChairman

Board Member of the Children’s Medical & Research Foundation, Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin

Chairman of the Cork Friends of Crumlin

Mr Brendan Tuohy — former Secretary General of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Chairman of the UN body, the Global eSchools and Communities Initiative,

Chairman of the National Maritime College of Ireland Advisory Board,

Chairman of the Irish Longitudinal Study of Ageing and

Chairman of the Board of the Dublin Region Higher Education Alliance

Mr Padraig O’Riordan — Managing Partner, Arthur Cox Solicitors

Mr Des Murphy — Chair of Mercy University Hospital Board and managing partner Carroll Murphy Quantity Surveyors

Mr Pat Lyons — Chief Executive of Bon Secours Health System

Mr Pat Healy — Regional Director of Operations, HSE South

Mr Paul Breen — Chairman, Board of Governors, Athlone Institute of Technology

Prof Geraldine McCarthy — Professor and Head of the Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, UCC

Member of Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA)

Member of Fulbright Commission

Prof Cillian Twomey — retired consultant physician in geriatric medicine

Chairman of the National Steering Committee of the Hospital friendly Hospitals (HfH) Programme.

Former president of IMO and President of the Union Européenne des Médecins Spécialistes (European Union of Medical Specialists)

Mr Sean O’Driscoll —CEO Glen Dimplex

Member of the UCC President’s Consultative Board

Irish Government member of the Enterprise Advisory Group established to advise on the implementation of enterprise strategy for Ireland

Member of the high-level Group overseeing implementation of Ireland’s Asia Strategy

Mr Kevin Kenny — Tax Partner, Ernst & Young

Mr Michael Hall — Chair of South Infirmary/Victoria Hospital  Board

Dr Paddy Crowley — General Practitioner

Mr Donal Horgan — Managing Director of Musgrave, Super Valu Centra, Musgrave Group plc,

Dr. Michael Murphy — President UCC

Mr Aidan O’Brien — Horse Racing Trainer

Prof Gerry O Sullivan — Professor of Surgery and Director of Cork Cancer Centre

Former President of Royal College of Surgeons

President of the European Surgical Association.

Hospital Services

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

112 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children if an outreach cancer centre is still planned for County Donegal; if it will be linked to Galway or Northern Ireland; the services it will provide; the timescale for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25912/10]

The goals of the National Cancer Control Programme are improvements in cancer prevention, detection, treatment and survival through a national service based on evidence and best practice. Under the Programme, all cancer diagnostic, surgical and radiation oncology services are being transferred to four managed cancer control networks, each with two cancer centres. This process was completed in 2009 for breast cancer diagnostic and surgical services, all of which are now located in the eight centres plus one outreach centre at Letterkenny General Hospital, linked to University Hospital Galway. Similarly, it is intended that the number of hospitals performing rectal cancer surgery will be reduced progressively to the eight cancer centres plus Letterkenny.

In April 2008, Minister Michael McGimpsey of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSS&PS), Northern Ireland announced the provision of a satellite centre (linked to Belfast City Hospital) to be located in Altnagelvin in Derry, which would be established by 2015. It will provide the additional radiotherapy capacity needed to meet an anticipated increase in cancer in Northern Ireland and the North West of Ireland. It also recognises the potential for cross border co-operation in the development of this resource. I welcomed the announcement by Minister McGimpsey and I have informed him that I will make a capital contribution towards the project. Officials from my Department and their counterparts in Northern Ireland continue to hold discussions in this regard.

A business case for the satellite radiotherapy service at Altnagelvin has now been finalised and is awaiting approval by Minister McGimpsey. My Department and the HSE's National Cancer Control Programme have nominated representatives to the Cross Border Sub Group, the Project Board and the Service Design and Workforce Planning Subgroup for the project. Cancer patients in the North West requiring radiation oncology treatment are referred to St. Luke's Hospital Dublin or to University Hospital Galway. A Service Level Agreement is also in place with Belfast City Hospital, but a very small number of patients take up the option to avail of services there.

Services for People with Disabilities

David Stanton

Ceist:

113 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress that has been made regarding the value for money and policy review of disability services; if a steering committee has been established within her Department to oversee the review; the way service users and service providers have been and will be consulted to help inform the review; when she expects the review to be concluded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25959/10]

A Review of the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Disability Services in Ireland is being undertaken as part of the Government’s Value for Money Reviews for 2009-2011. This in-depth review of disability services will assess how well current services for people with disabilities meet their objectives and support the future planning and development of services. The evaluation will focus on the current provision of disability services and explore the way forward for the development of services within a value for money and policy framework. The objectives of the review are to:

Examine disability services in Ireland funded by the Health Service Executive, including the statutory and non-statutory sectors;

Deliver a comprehensive analysis of data in relation to services and service providers; and

Review current policy objectives and provide policy objectives for future service provision.

A Steering Group has been established to oversee the VFMPR and is meeting today for the sixth time. The Steering Group is chaired by an independent chairperson, Mr. Laurence Crowley, and has two other independent members, as well as members drawn from the Disability Sector, Department of Health and Children, the Department of Finance and the HSE. A Project Team and a Policy Expert Reference Group reporting to the Steering Group meet on a regular basis to progress the work of the review. Steady progress is being made with the review, however some slippage in terms of the expected end date has occurred because of the breadth and complexities of the services under review. Difficulties have also been experienced in accessing data essential to the progress of the review due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive.

A public consultation process was undertaken in late 2009 and attracted almost 200 responses from a wide variety of respondents including service users, family members and service providers. The Project Team has provided a report to the Steering Group on a statistical analysis of the responses. A thematic analysis of the responses is nearing completion and a final report on the consultation is being drafted. The National Disability Authority (NDA) also conducted 15 focus group consultations with people with disabilities, their families, advocates and frontline service providers in March 2010 to inform its advice to the review. I understand that the NDA is currently formulating an Advice Paper incorporating the results of the consultation, together with other relevant research.

The Policy Expert Reference Group is nearing completion of a report to the Steering Group on a new policy framework for the provision of disability services and has taken cognisance of the findings of the public consultation process in developing this policy framework. Further consultation on aspects of the draft policy may be considered before it is ratified by the Steering Group. I expect that substantial progress on completing the overall Review will have been made by the end of this year.

Health Insurance

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

114 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons who have cancelled or not renewed their private health insurance in the past year; if an assessment is being done of the implications of this for the public health care system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25963/10]

The Health Insurance Authority (HIA) recently announced the findings of a national survey of the private health insurance market in Ireland. The survey includes an analysis of the effects of the recession on the attitudes and behaviour of consumers of private health insurance.

In addition to its survey, statistics recently published by the HIA show that the size of the health insurance market peaked with 2.3 million customers at the end of 2008 and declined to 2.25 million by the end of March 2010. In the 15 month period between the end of December 2008 and the end of March 2010, the market decreased by just over 50,000 customers. This represents a decrease of just 2.3% over that period, meaning that private health insurance coverage remains high overall, with over 50% of the population retaining cover. In its announcement regarding the findings of the survey, the HIA stated that continuing demand for health insurance is illustrated by the fact that:

Satisfaction levels with health insurance are high across a range of areas. 93% are satisfied overall.

Consumers typically view health insurance as a necessity rather than a luxury.

It is the second most valued employee benefit after a pension.

41% of those without health insurance say they are likely to purchase it.

Persons resident in the State, even those who hold private health insurance cover, also have eligibility for certain health and social care benefits under the public health system. The HIA's research has found that those who have cancelled or not renewed their private health insurance cover are more likely to be younger and less likely to have a significant need to make a claim against their policy. Therefore, a decrease of just 50,000 mainly younger, healthier people over the fifteen month period since December 2008 is a relatively small figure which it is not considered will have a major impact on the public health service.

Given the effects of the current economic situation, it is inevitable that there would be some impact on the numbers insured. However, given the findings of the HIA's survey, it is clear that those who hold such insurance will continue to hold it for so long as is possible. In that regard, it is considered that the numbers insured will continue at a high level going forward.

Redress Schemes

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

115 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to put in place a supplementary Lourdes hospital redress scheme to properly acknowledge and appropriately respond to the needs of the 35 cases not included under the terms of the original redress scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25960/10]

The Government approved the establishment of a Redress Board to administer an ex-gratia scheme of redress for certain former patients of Dr Neary. The Board which was chaired by Judge Maureen Harding Clark has concluded its work and all awards determined have been notified to successful applicants. I consider that the Scheme of Redress approved by the Government on the advice of Judge Clark represents a reasonable response to the findings of the Lourdes Hospital Inquiry in all of the circumstances. In a number of cases details of former patients of Dr. Neary were forwarded by the Department to the State Claims Agency for their consideration with the agreement of the Minister. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on the specific circumstances of these cases.

Infectious Diseases

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

116 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children the measures that are being taken to address the growing number of cases of measles here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25915/10]

My Department, through the office of the Chief Medical Officer, has a function in the management and monitoring of policy implementation in the area of immunisation. Through regular meetings between officials in my Department and the HSE the importance of adherence to the immunisation schedule is stressed. In recent months the priority for these meetings has been to monitor MMR uptake rates and measles outbreak data. The measles outbreak which commenced in Kerry in August 2009 was confined locally at first but subsequently spread to other areas of the country. A national Measles outbreak control team was convened in October 2009 to coordinate and improve control measures.

376 measles cases were notified up to 16 June in 2010 (provisional data). The outbreak is currently on the decline. Since April, on average eight cases per week were reported (range 3-12 cases per week) in comparison to 21 cases on average up to the end of March (range 15-54 cases per week). Last week the number of cases notified was down to seven. However, the fact that any measles cases are occurring is always of concern.

Control measures implemented during the course of the outbreak included:

Raising awareness of the outbreak among the communities affected, among GPs and clinicians in hospitals who are caring for these communities or patients using letters, leaflets, posters, radio, newspapers etc. The communications stressed the importance of vaccination, seeking medical attention if needed and advice on how to prevent spreading infection.

Communication and guidance materials have been developed to improve management of measles in the community and prevent further cases occurring. These are available on the HSE HPSC website.

The prime public health efforts have been on increasing vaccination coverage with MMR vaccine for those who were unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated either through GPs or through specific vaccination teams who went out to communities and targeted population groups at particular risk.

All HSE areas sought to ensure that school vaccination teams delivered the school MMR vaccination programme at 4-5 years of age (some areas deliver this programme through GPs). Additional work has been undertaken by all HSE areas to identify those children who are due the first dose of MMR vaccine but have not received it and to call them for vaccination.

HSE has worked closely with Pavee point and HSE traveller health unit staff to ensure that travellers are aware of the need for MMR vaccine and are given an opportunity to avail of immunisation services.

Although the outbreak is abating there continues to be concern that, until all children are age appropriately vaccinated, measles transmission will continue to occur. All children due their vaccines but who may have missed out on them are urged to seek vaccination from their GP. In addition, a campaign is required in schools in the near future to ensure that all children are offered an additional opportunity to get the MMR vaccine if they are incompletely vaccinated.

Question No. 117 answered with Question No. 49.
Question No. 118 answered with Question No. 83.

Health Services

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

119 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children if the new integrated regional structures have been implemented in the Health Service Executive which are designed to provide closer co-operation between primary, community and hospital services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25902/10]

The HSE has worked closely with my Department to implement changes to drive operational performance and accountability at local level, to provide clinical leadership to improve quality and standards and to deliver hospital and community services in a fully integrated way. Significant changes have already taken place nationally across the HSE, with the introduction of the Quality and Clinical Care and the Integrated Services Directorates. A Regional Director of Operations has been appointed for each of the four regions. The HSE is currently finalising plans for the sub regional structures to ensure the integration of primary, community and hospital services and is in discussions with my Department about this matter.

Hospital Services

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

120 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will order a full review of consent policies within the maternity system here and initiate national guidelines for clinical practice in maternity care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25962/10]

The HSE has recently established a clinical programme for Obstetric care led by Professor Michael Turner of the Coombe Women's and Infants University Hospital. An important priority in the programme will be the development and implementation of National Guidelines for clinical practice. I expect that, in relation to matters of consent, the provision of obstetric services in accordance with these guidelines, as is the case in all other health services, will meet with ethical guidelines set by the Medical Council in 2009. In addition the Miscarriage Misdiagnosis Review announced by the HSE this week will inform the development of the proposed National Guidelines.

Health Services

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

121 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she intends to review the structural and operational procedures in the Health Service Executive having particular regard to increased public concern at its failure to deliver the degree of reliable services at all levels throughout the country notwithstanding the existence of competent and dedicated personnel within the service who are becoming increasingly frustrated by the bureaucracy of the system and whose talents and abilities are not being utilised in the delivery of a properly structured modern health service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25984/10]

The HSE was established on 1 January 2005 as a single, national authority with responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services. It replaced the seven regional health boards, the Eastern Regional Health Authority, the three area health boards and a number of other agencies. The important issue is monitoring the HSE and working together to improve its performance. What is needed is better performance of services, rather than restructuring of organisations.

I believe that the focus must be on improving performance further and achieving greater integration in the delivery of services to patients, by building on the progress that the HSE has achieved across a number of fronts in reforming our health and personal social services. The strategic reasons for establishing the HSE as a single national authority remain as valid as ever. Reform of our public health system was driven by the need to bring about improvements in services to patients and other users through the organisation and delivery of consistent national services, based on objective standards and implemented in a uniform manner across the country that made the most beneficial, effective and efficient use of taxpayers' money.

The work now underway to implement a national cancer control strategy was made possible by the unified HSE structure. Similarly, the implementation of national uniform standards for nursing homes across the country has been greatly facilitated by a single structure, and the implementation of primary care and chronic illness strategies also requires a single national management structure. Over time these strategies will deliver real and tangible benefits that would not have been possible to achieve under the previously fragmented system.

Question No. 122 answered with Question No. 95.

National Treatment Purchase Fund

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

123 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason six executives or higher executives in the National Treatment Purchase Fund were exempt from the moratorium; the level of salary these executives earn; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25905/10]

In September 2007, my Department sanctioned eight temporary negotiator posts at Grade VII level, remunerated at €47,015 — €57, 015 (1 January, 2010) for the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to enable it to undertake additional responsibilities assigned to it under the Fair Deal programme. Those responsibilities related to the negotiation of private nursing home bed prices under the programme. All costs associated with the recruitment of those temporary staff were met from within the NTPF's existing financial resources. The temporary contract appointments were made on a phased basis, and most of those recruited have completed their assignment and are no longer employed by the NTPF. A number of the positions had not been filled by the time the general moratorium on recruitment in the public service was introduced, and a partial exemption from the moratorium was accordingly obtained by my Department from the Department of Finance in order to facilitate the filling of the remaining posts.

Departmental Offices

Andrew Doyle

Ceist:

124 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Taoiseach the number of Government-run canteens operating in Government buildings in his Department and agencies; the number of commercially-run cafes or restaurants that are operating in Government buildings in his Department and agencies; if there is a policy in his Department and agencies to source food locally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26407/10]

Neither my Department nor the agencies under its aegis, have Government or commercially run canteens, cafes or restaurants on their premises. Consequently, the issue of serving food locally sourced does not arise.

Departmental Expenditure

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

125 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Taoiseach the number of departmental credit cards in use in his Department; the names of the authorised signatories of same; the credit limit of same; the amount spent in respect of each card in each of the past three years with a breakdown of the annual bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26570/10]

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

Departmental Agencies

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

126 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Taoiseach the amount that has been awarded in bonuses to staff in each of the semi-State or similar bodies within his remit in each of the past three years; if he will provide a breakdown of these bonuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26585/10]

No bonuses have been awarded to staff under the aegis of my Department over the past three years.

Ministerial Staff

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

127 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Taoiseach the number of special advisers his Department has had since June 2007; the names of same; the amount each has claimed in expenses in each of the past three years; the amount that has been spent on travel, including foreign travel, and entertainment for each adviser in each of the past three years; if he will provide a detailed breakdown of these costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26600/10]

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

Departmental Correspondence

John O'Donoghue

Ceist:

128 Deputy John O’Donoghue asked the Taoiseach the proposals he has to ensure that representations made by Members of the Oireachtas on behalf of members of the public to his Department are responded to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26908/10]

My Department has procedures in place to ensure that all correspondence received, including representations made by members of the Oireachtas on behalf of members of the public, is dealt with appropriately. My Department's Customer Charter contains a commitment that all written correspondence will be acknowledged within three working days of receipt, or within one working day of receipt in relation to emails. The Charter also commits my Department to issuing a full response to all correspondence within 15 working days of receipt or, where this is not possible, an interim reply is issued explaining the position and advising when a substantive response will issue. Copies of my Department's Customer Charter are available at www.taoiseach.gov.ie.

Redundancy Payments

Tom Hayes

Ceist:

129 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation when redundancy payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26287/10]

My Department administers the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) in relation to redundancy matters on behalf of the Department of Social and Family Affairs. There are two types of payment made from the SIF — rebates to those employers who have paid statutory redundancy to eligible employees, and statutory lump sums to employees whose employers are insolvent and/or in receivership/liquidation. I can confirm that my Department received a statutory lump sum claim for the individual concerned on 1 December, 2009, claiming inability to pay on behalf of the employer. I can advise the Deputy that this claim has been processed for payment by my Department and that payment of the amount due to the individual issued on 30 April, 2010.

Job Creation

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

130 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, further to Parliamentary Question No. 64 of 27 May 2010, if he has met with the chairman of the mid-west jobs task force; if he has responded to him on his intentions regarding the recommendations of the task force; when he will circulate the updated response as promised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26289/10]

I have recently met with Mr Denis Brosnan, Chairman of the Mid-West Task Force. A copy of the updated response was forwarded to the Dail on 21 June for circulation to Deputies.

Departmental Offices

Andrew Doyle

Ceist:

131 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of Government-run canteens operating in Government buildings in his Department and agencies; the number of commercially-run cafes or restaurants that are operating in Government buildings in his Department and agencies; if there is a policy in his Department and agencies to source food locally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26402/10]

There are no Government run canteens, cafes or restaurants operating in my Department or in the Offices of my Department. There are two very small canteens in two buildings occupied by my Department and the Offices of my Department which are commercially run. The commercial operator of those two small canteens has indicated that all foods are sourced locally. I am not in a position to provide information on this matter in relation to the Agencies of my Department, as this is a day-to-day matter for the Agencies concerned.

Departmental Programmes

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

132 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if he will provide a list of the members of the Asia strategy; if those involved in devising the Asia strategy will be engaged in drafting a new trade strategy for the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26430/10]

The Asia Strategy was drafted by officials of my Department in consultation with relevant Agencies, Departments and key stakeholders. Oversight of that Strategy was undertaken by a High Level Group, chaired by the Secretary General of my Department and comprising senior Public and Private Sector representatives. The Asia Strategy covered the period 1999 — 2009.

A new Strategy for Trade, Tourism and Investment, currently being finalised, is being drafted by officials in my Department with the assistance of Forfás and in consultation with all the relevant Government Departments and State Agencies. In addition, exporters themselves and their representative bodies were consulted. The Minister for Trade and Commerce, Mr. Billy Kelleher T.D., held two round-table meetings with businesses and bodies such as the Irish Exporters Association, IBEC, Irish Diary Board, ISME and SFA. The new integrated strategy will focus on high growth emerging markets, as well as on our existing key trading partners and its aim will be to increase our economic engagement in these key markets, grow exports and create jobs in Ireland.

Employment Rights

Mary Upton

Ceist:

133 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, further to Parliamentary Question No. 131 of 26 May 2010, the number of prosecutions that were taken by the National Employment Rights Authority against employers in the hotel and accommodation sector for breaches of employment legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26485/10]

As I informed the House in my previous response, a total of 87 employment rights prosecutions were initiated by the National Employment Rights Authority, NERA, in 2009. Of these, three related to the hotels sector, one each in counties Dublin, Laois and Westmeath respectively.

Redundancy Payments

Michael Ring

Ceist:

134 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their redundancy payment. [26493/10]

My Department administers the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) in relation to redundancy matters on behalf of the Department of Social and Family Affairs. There are two types of payment made from the SIF — rebates to those employers who have paid statutory redundancy to eligible employees, and statutory lump sums to employees whose employers are insolvent and/or in receivership/liquidation. I can confirm that my Department received a lump sum claim for the individual concerned on 26 November 2009 and I can advise the Deputy that the claim is at an advanced stage of processing. Payment is expected to issue to the individual within the next two to three week period.

Departmental Expenditure

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

135 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of departmental credit cards in use in his Department; the names of the authorised signatories of same; the credit limit of same; the amount spent in respect of each card in each of the past three years with a breakdown of the annual bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26563/10]

I interpret the Deputy's question as relating to credit cards held by my Department where any costs incurred on the cards are paid directly by the Department. My Department does not operate credit cards of this nature. However, my Department recognises that certain staff may incur substantial up-front costs in the course of their official business. In this context, my Department can facilitate the issuing of a corporate charge card by a commercial provider to staff who demonstrate a business need for such a card. This arrangement is intended as an alternative to staff members using their personal credit cards to cover costs such as hotel accommodation and other official expenses necessarily incurred in the course of their official duties.

Staff who are issued with corporate charge cards under this arrangement hold individual accounts with the issuing credit card company. Each card holder is responsible for paying any balances due on his/her account directly to the credit card company. In this context, it would not be appropriate to provide the names of the officials holding these cards.

Staff are entitled to reclaim from my Department travel, subsistence and other official expenses incurred in connection with their official duties, in accordance with Department of Finance regulations and applicable rates. Reimbursements of this nature are paid directly to the officers concerned who may use the refunds to settle their charge card accounts. However, any charges on the cards in excess of the refundable rates are a matter for the officers to discharge directly with the credit card company.

At present, 16 staff of my Department hold corporate charge cards under the arrangement outlined above. Provided the individual cardholder has settled his/her account with the credit card company in full and on time each month, no pre-set credit limit is placed on the card by the provider. However, the card company monitors the spend on the cards, and any out-of-pattern spend or ramp-up in spend on a card is blocked at the point of sale. In addition to these controls, my Department monitors overall monthly balances on accounts.

Some other staff of my Department choose to use personal credit cards for business-related transactions and claim reimbursement of these expenses in accordance with Department of Finance regulations. My Department pays Government Stamp Duty on all corporate and personal charge/credit cards used for official transactions. The total cost of Stamp Duty paid on these cards from 2007 to the present is set out on the following table:

Year

Amount

2007

3,976.82

2008

1,944.50

2009

1,470.00

2010 to date

1,240.00

Departmental Agencies

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

136 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the amount that has been awarded in bonuses to staff in each of the semi-State or similar bodies within his remit in each of the past three years; if he will provide a breakdown of these bonuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26578/10]

The awarding of bonuses to staff in semi-State or similar bodies coming under the aegis of my Department is a day to day matter for those bodies and I have no function in the matter.

The CEOs of a number of agencies under the aegis of my Department are eligible to participate in a Performance Related Award Scheme approved by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, with the consent of the Minister for Finance. The Schemes, which are based on the Department of Finance's Guidelines on Performance Related Awards in non-commercial state bodies, provide for a maximum award of 20% of total remuneration. Approval for such awards is a matter for the Board of the relevant body. These Performance Related Awards have for the most part been suspended since March 2009.

Ministerial Staff

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

137 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of special advisers his Department has had since June 2007; the names of same; the amount each has claimed in expenses in each of the past three years; the amount that has been spent on travel, including foreign travel, and entertainment for each adviser in each of the past three years; if he will provide a detailed breakdown of these costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26593/10]

The following tables provide details of the amounts paid in expenses by my Department to each advisor in the last three years in the course of the performance of his or her official duties. Travel and subsistence expenses shown on the table include expenses incurred on official business at home and abroad, with the exclusion of air fares. The cost of air fares in respect of each individual is shown separately.

The air fare costs on the tables do not include any travel which may have been undertaken using the Government jet where an advisor may have been accompanying a Minister. The costs of use of the Government jet are borne by the Department of Defence. Nor do the air fares include the costs of air travel arranged by agencies of my Department in relation to trade missions or other international travel. While my Department reimburses travel expenses incurred by the agencies on behalf of Departmental staff and advisors in some situations, it would not be practicable to identify costs which may have been reimbursed in respect of the individuals concerned going back over three years.

Ms. Deirdre Gillane

Category of expenditure

June-Dec. 2007

Jan.-Dec. 2008

Jan.-Dec. 2009

Jan-June 2010

Total expenses

794.03

726.34

0

0

of which:

— Travel

492.70

114.28

0

0

— Subsistence

301.33

573.16

0

0

— Official Entertainment

0

38.90

0

0

Air Fares

0

0

0

0

Mr. Christopher Mannion

Category of expenditure

June-Dec. 2007

Jan.-Dec. 2008

Jan- Dec. 2009

Jan.-June 2010

Total expenses

2,896.44

892.72

0

0

of which:

— Travel

1,927.95

806.46

0

0

— Subsistence

968.49

86.26

0

0

— Official Entertainment

0

0

0

0

Air Fares

0

0

0

0

Mr. Jerry O'Connor

Category of expenditure

June-Dec. 2007

Jan.-Dec. 2008

Jan- Dec. 2009

Jan.-June 2010

Total expenses

5,009.91

5,558.05

0

0

of which:

— Travel

690.00

1,114.70

0

0

— Subsistence

3,009.32

3,949.15

0

0

— Official Entertainment

1,083.30

353.75

0

0

— Incidentals & Miscellaneous

227.29

140.45

0

0

Air Fares

38.73

281.39

0

0

Mr. Dermot Murphy

Category of expenditure

June-Dec. 2007

Jan.-Dec. 2008

Jan- Dec. 2009

Jan.-June 2010

Total expenses

0

0

0

0

of which:

— Travel

0

0

0

0

— Subsistence

0

0

0

0

— Official Entertainment

0

0

0

0

Air Fares

0

0

0

0

Mr. Sean Perry

Category of expenditure

June-Dec. 2007

Jan.-Dec. 2008

Jan- Dec. 2009

Jan.-June 2010

Total expenses

0

3,427.50

8,445.80

5,206.37

of which:

— Travel

0

1,838.55

3,822.32

2,713.95

— Subsistence

0

1,588.95

4,623.48

2,492.42

— Official Entertainment

0

0

0

0

Air Fares

0

0

0

0

Mr. Michael Shovlin

Category of expenditure

June-Dec. 2007

Jan.-Dec. 2008

Jan- Dec. 2009

Jan.-June 2010

Total expenses

0

0

5,238.89

1,059.37

of which:

— Travel

0

0

115.30

0

— Subsistence

0

0

5,049.67

1,049.37

— Official Entertainment

0

0

0

0

— Incidentals & Miscellaneous

0

0

73.92

10.00

Air Fares

0

0

0

0

Mr. Declan Ryan

Category of expenditure

June-Dec. 2007

Jan.-Dec. 2008

Jan- Dec. 2009

Jan.-June 2010

Total expenses

0

317.90

0

0

of which:

— Travel

0

29.00

0

0

— Subsistence

0

288.90

0

0

— Official Entertainment

0

0

0

0

Air Fares

0

0

0

0

Mr. Sean Fitzpatrick

Category of expenditure

June-Dec. 2007

Jan.-Dec. 2008

Jan- Dec. 2009

Jan.-June 2010

Total expenses

0

0

0

0

of which:

— Travel

0

0

0

0

— Subsistence

0

0

0

0

— Official Entertainment

0

0

0

0

Air Fares

0

1,012.91

0

0

Mr. Bernard Mallee

Category of expenditure

June-Dec. 2007

Jan.-Dec. 2008

Jan- Dec. 2009

Jan.-June 2010

Total expenses

0

0

0

568.01

of which:

— Travel

0

0

0

350.03

— Subsistence

0

0

0

217.98

— Official Entertainment

0

0

0

0

Air Fares

0

0

0

0

Ms. Deirdre McDonnell

Category of expenditure

June-Dec. 2007

Jan.-Dec. 2008

Jan- Dec. 2009

Jan.-June 2010

Total expenses

0

0

0

0

of which:

— Travel

0

0

0

0

— Subsistence

0

0

0

0

— Official Entertainment

0

0

0

0

Air Fares

0

0

0

0

Job Creation

Noel Coonan

Ceist:

138 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of Industrial Development Authority jobs created in north Tipperary in each of the years 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; the location of these jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26786/10]

The Forfás Annual Employment Survey reports on job gains and losses in companies that are supported by the industrial development agencies. Data is compiled on an annualised basis and is aggregated at county level. It is therefore not possible to provide information for individual locations throughout the county. Data for 2010 will be available in early 2011.

Details of the number of new jobs created in each of the years 2007, 2008 and 2009 are set out in the following tabular statement.

Table showing the number of new jobs created in IDA supported companies in North Tipperary in each of the years 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Year

2007

2008

2009

Number of new jobs created

9

13

0

Noel Coonan

Ceist:

139 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the action he will take to promote a site in County Tipperary (details supplied) and attract jobs to the area with potential investors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26787/10]

While the former Taro building in Roscrea, Co. Tipperary is in private ownership, the State development agencies remain available to assist in marketing the site and plant to any prospective buyers. It should be noted that Shannon Development's efforts in Roscrea are concentrated on marketing the Roscrea Business & Technology Park and that whatever about the outcome on the Taro building, there is a lot of industrial space ready for occupation in Roscrea.

The Roscrea Business & Technology Park has been fully serviced and landscaped to match the needs of both manufacturing and international services clients. The 26 acre park has potential for some 225,000 sq. ft of manufacturing, services and office space. A total of 10 development sites are at the core of the Roscrea Business & Technology Park. Sites may be subdivided or extended to suit the specific requirements of project promoters.

Shannon Development is in the process of developing marketing material in conjunction with the Roscrea Chamber of Commerce to promote and market Roscrea town & environs and Roscrea Business & Technology Park nationally and internationally. The focus of this marketing material will be on attracting investment into Roscrea Business & Technology Park.

IDA Ireland's strategy for the Mid West Region, including North Tipperary is:

to transition to a knowledge economy by winning new FDI in innovation driven, high value, high skills sectors

to work with the existing company base to expand their presence by increasing the number and scale of functions being carried out and by adding further strategic functions

to promote balanced regional development

to provide modern property solutions with supporting infrastructure

to work with local authorities and other partners to influence the creation of the right infrastructural environment to help win new FDI throughout the region.

The investment projects that IDA now seeks to attract to the Mid West, including North Tipperary, are much different to those of the past, relying principally on the skills of its people and on a strong business and educational infrastructure to pull investment to the county. IDA's strategy is to re-position the region as a hotspot for knowledge based industry, while focusing on marketing the area as a key location for investment by building on the strengths already evident in the county. IDA is also working closely with the existing base of employers to encourage additional investment, particularly in activities such as R&D, customer support and back office functions.

Business Regulation

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

140 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if his attention has been drawn to any problems reported to the Companies Registration Office concerning small limited companies failing and unable to afford the fees to lodge accounts thus obstructing the disposal of assets such as property; if there are any legislative solutions to any such problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26811/10]

The Companies Acts 1963 to 2009 provide that a private limited company is required to file an annual return once in each calendar year. An annual return consists of the relevant form and a set of accounts whether audited or unaudited. Each company has nine months and 28 days from its accounts year-end date to complete and file its annual return. The fee for filing an annual return on time is €20.00 for an electronic filing and €40.00 for a manual filing. The cost reflects the different levels of work involved in both filings.

However, once a company is late in filing its annual return it becomes liable to pay late filing penalties and to file audited accounts in both the current year and the subsequent year. Late filing penalties are charged at a rate of €100.00 plus €3.00 for each further day the company is late to a maximum of €1,200 for each year. To assist companies to meet their filing obligations, each calendar year the Companies Registration Office notifies each company by letter of its forthcoming annual return date approximately a month before its due date. Furthermore, it notifies the company and all its directors that the company has failed to file approximately six weeks after its annual return date.

I am satisfied that the fee for filing an annual return on time i.e. €20.00 for an electronic filing and €40.00 for a manual filing is reasonable. I am also satisfied that the Companies Registration Office makes all reasonable efforts to assist companies meet their statutory filing obligations.

Departmental Correspondence

John O'Donoghue

Ceist:

141 Deputy John O’Donoghue asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the proposals he has to ensure that representations made by Members of the Oireachtas on behalf of members of the public to his Department are responded to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26901/10]

I can confirm that my own Office and the Offices of the Ministers of State at my Department endeavour to respond to all representations made to us as expeditiously as possible notwithstanding the volumes received. My Department commits the same effort to processing representations as speedily as possible from Oireachtas Members where the representation is made directly to officials. Occasionally, there may be some delay in replying to representations where the volume may spike at a particular time of the year, or in the event that the matter raised is complex or requires extensive research before a reply can issue.

Local Authority Charges

Joan Burton

Ceist:

142 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the position of service providers who sign up to participate in the early childhood care and education scheme regarding the payment of rates; the conditions under which such providers are exempt from the payment of rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26380/10]

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

143 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Finance if providers of child care participating in the early childhood care and education scheme are exempt from paying local authority rates; the steps a provider should take if they are presented with a bill for rates by their local authority; if he will provide official certification for providers which will ensure providers are exempt from rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26443/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 143 together.

The Valuation Act, 2001 maintains the long-standing position that all commercial facilities — including all pre-school childcare facilities such as playschools, pre-schools, crèches and Montessori schools — are liable for rates. However, providers of sessional places for 38 weeks of the year under the Early Childhood Care & Education Scheme (ECCE) are exempt from rates where: 1. the property is usedexclusively for the 38 week sessional ECCE funded pre-school services and for no other purposes such as child minding, as a crèche funded by private fees or any other commercial use. 2. the expenses incurred in providing the ECCE pre-school sessional services are defrayed wholly or mainly out of monies provided by the Exchequer. 3. the educational services are available to the general public.

Any individual ratepayer who has concerns about the valuation of their property or of any part thereof, including its ratability or the method of calculation may, on payment of a statutory fee of €250, apply to the Valuation Office for a revision of the valuation. If dissatisfied with the outcome, they may appeal to the Commissioner of Valuation in the first instance and subsequently to the independent Valuation Tribunal. There is also a further right of appeal to the High court and ultimately to the Supreme Court on a point of law.

When the valuation of any property is revised, an individual certificate or notice of the valuation is issued as a matter of course to the occupier or his/her agent and a copy is also sent to the local authority. This certificate indicates the status of the subject property, post revision, i.e. whether it is rateable or exempt. On receipt of a certificate, indicating exemption, the local authority will not demand rates from the occupier in keeping with the decision of the Commissioner. I should point out that the Commissioner of Valuation is independent in the exercise of his duties under the Valuation Act, 2001 and that as Minister for Finance, I have no function in decisions in this regard.

Freedom of Information

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

144 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Finance when he expects the remit of the Freedom of Information Act 1997 to be extended to include the vocational education committees; if he will note that progress on this issue has been repeatedly delayed for 13 years; when the relevant legislation will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26230/10]

Officials of my Department have been working on extending the remit of the Freedom of Information Acts in a number of areas including that of the Vocational Education Committees. I hope to seek Government approval later this year for the legislative process which will bring these bodies under the Act.

Tax Code

Niall Blaney

Ceist:

145 Deputy Niall Blaney asked the Minister for Finance the progress of work in relation to carbon tax on solid fuels, that is, coal and commercial peat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26233/10]

I announced in the Budget that a carbon tax at a rate of €15 per tonne is being introduced on fossil fuels. The tax was applied to petrol and auto-diesel with effect from midnight, 9 December 2009; and applied from 1 May 2010 to kerosene, marked gas oil (also known as ‘green diesel' or ‘agricultural diesel'), liquid petroleum gas (LPG), fuel oil and natural gas. The application of the tax to coal and commercial peat is subject to a Commencement Order.

Solid fuels as indicated above are subject to a commencement order; this is to allow time for issues such as fuel poverty and the sourcing of coal of a lower environmental standard from Northern Ireland to be addressed. A number of Government Departments, including the Department of Finance are exploring options for how best to offset the impact of the carbon tax on low-income households. With regard to the sourcing of coal from Northern Ireland, work has already commenced on this matter within the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. In addition, the Department of Environment, my Department and the Revenue Commissioners have met with the Solid Fuel Trade Group in this regard.

Pension Provisions

Ciaran Lynch

Ceist:

146 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Finance if consideration has been given to allowing mortgage holders who are in difficulty to access additional voluntary contributions made to pension funds in order to meet repayment commitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26258/10]

The rationale for giving various tax reliefs to statutory and Revenue-approved pension savings schemes is to encourage and promote savings over the long term in order that individuals will have an adequate replacement income in old age. Any proposal, however well intentioned, that would allow pre-retirement access by individuals to retirement savings could significantly reduce the quantum of pension savings available to those individuals in retirement.

Emerging demographic indicators point to increasing numbers of people living longer and healthier lives with more of their lives spent in retirement than previously. In those circumstances, I think it is important to protect pension savings to ensure an adequate post-retirement income. Revenue approval of occupational pension schemes is given on the basis, essentially, that benefits may generally only be paid at the point of retirement (usually from age 60) or death, whichever is the earlier. Similar rules apply in the case of personal pensions such as retirement annuity contracts and PRSAs. I have no plans to amend these provisions. In the case of occupational pension schemes, however, subject to the terms and conditions of the particular scheme rules, employees may take "early retirement" benefits anytime from age 50. However, where early retirement is chosen, benefits will be restricted.

Tax Clearance Certificates

James Bannon

Ceist:

147 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Finance if he will expedite a tax clearance certificate in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26362/10]

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a Tax Clearance Certificate issued to the person in question on 8 June 2010.

Departmental Offices

Andrew Doyle

Ceist:

148 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance the number of Government-run canteens operating in Government buildings in his Department and agencies; the number of commercially-run cafes or restaurants that are operating in Government buildings in his Department and agencies; if there is a policy in his Department and agencies to source food locally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26404/10]

There are three commercially run canteens operating within my Department. These canteens are located in the Department's offices at 7-9 Merrion Row, Lansdowne House and Tullamore. In all cases the canteens are operated by external contractors. The situation regarding bodies under the aegis of my Department is as follows:

Revenue Commissioners

The Revenue Commissioners have four commercially run canteens in operation in buildings occupied by Revenue staff. A soup/sandwich delivery service is also available to one building.

Office of Public Works

The Office of Public Works have two canteens for staff in Trim and Dublin, these are operated under concession and run by private commercial operators.

The State Laboratory

The State Laboratory is located in the Backweston campus near Celbridge, the Dept of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is also located on the same campus. There is a canteen on site for the use of both organisations which is operated by a commercial contractor. The sourcing of food in all of the above commercially run canteens is a matter for the respective canteen management.

Climate Change

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

149 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Finance if he will ensure that the financial contribution to addressing climate change is separate from and additional to the overseas development aid budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26422/10]

In the context of preparations for last year's UN climate change conference in Copenhagen, the Taoiseach at the European Council in December 2009 pledged a voluntary contribution from Ireland of up to €100m over the period 2010-12. The total voluntary contributions pledged from all EU Member States amounts to €7.2bn over 2010-12. The disposition of this sum will be settled in the context of the current estimates process.

Fiscal Policy

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

150 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Finance his view of the possible implications of AIB’s proposed sell-off of its northern subsidiary, First Trust Bank, in relation to the development of a single island economy through structured co-operation which has been widely acknowledged as a key aim of public policy here; his views on whether this is a partitionist policy and should not become his policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26484/10]

The AIB subsidiary, known as First Trust Bank, is a separate Northern Ireland company. AIB is obliged to examine all restructuring options in the context of their substantial capital needs outlined in my Statement of 30 March 2010. At this stage AIB has offered the particular Northern Ireland company for sale. Economic development on both sides of the border is best developed through a strong banking sector on both sides. This means a recapitalised AIB and First Trust Bank owned by a strongly capitalised parent. I would remind the Deputy that Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank will remain all Ireland operations.

Departmental Expenditure

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

151 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Finance the number of departmental credit cards in use in his Department; the names of the authorised signatories of same; the credit limit of same; the amount spent in respect of each card in each of the past three years with a breakdown of the annual bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26565/10]

There are currently two Departmental credit cards in use within my Department. The cards are held by a member of staff in the Corporate Services Division (CSD) and the Centre for Management and Organisation Development (CMOD) respectively. Each card has an expenditure limit of €5,000.00. The cards are used exclusively by officials in my Department for the purchase of a variety of goods and services. In addition to the two Departmental cards, a further three members of staff currently hold credit cards which have been issued for official purposes by my Department. The annual breakdown of the amount spent on each card is contained in the table.

CSD

CMOD

2008

11,163.12

2008

7,849.31

2009

6,410.72

2009

4,717.70

2010

812.86

2010

2,799.15

Departmental Agencies

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

152 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Finance the amount that has been awarded in bonuses to staff in each of the semi-State or similar bodies within his remit in each of the past three years; if he will provide a breakdown of these bonuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26580/10]

In relation to those semi-state or similar bodies within the remit of my Department, I have been advised that the following is the position:

Institute of Public Administration

Since the 1 January 2010 the Institute of Public Administration (IPA) falls under the auspices of the Department of Finance. The Institute of Public Administration suspended its performance related award scheme indefinitely in 2009 in line with the civil service scheme, consequently no performance related award payments have issued since the IPA has operated under my Department's aegis.

National Treasury Management Agency*

The remuneration packages of all NTMA staff are negotiated on an individual contract basis and are confidential.

* This covers NTMA, SCA, NPRF, NDFA and NAMA.

Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB)

The following parameters were in place for 2007 and 2008 for the CEO:

2007 bonus range was from "No bonus" to £8k.

2008 bonus range was from "No bonus" to £10k.

Over the last 3 years, one bonus payment has been paid.

The SEUPB had indicated that a Special Bonus Scheme allows SEUPB to reward exceptional performance in particularly demanding tasks or situations at any time in the year. Special Bonuses take the form of taxable, non-pensionable, lump sum payments. Special Bonus payments can start at any amount but it is anticipated that Bonuses will normally fall within the range of £250 (min) – £500 (max).

For the period 2007 to 2009 the following Special Bonus amounts were paid:

2007: nil

2008: £3,400 (8 staff)

2009: £2,100 (5 staff)

National Lottery

In the time available, it has not been possible to obtain the information requested by the Deputy. However, I am advised that in relation to the CEO, this information is contained in the Company's Accounts. Other information will be provided directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Ministerial Staff

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

153 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Finance the number of special advisers his Department has had since June 2007; the names of same; the amount each has claimed in expenses in each of the past three years; the amount that has been spent on travel, including foreign travel, and entertainment for each adviser in each of the past three years; if he will provide a detailed breakdown of these costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26595/10]

Since June 2007 my Department has had the following Special Advisers (as defined under Section 11 of the Public Service Management Act, 2007: Mr. Gerry Steadman (from 30 September 2004 to 7 May 2008). Mr Steadman acted as Special Advisor to my predecessor, Mr Brian Cowen TD. Mr. Colin Hunt (from 11 September 2006 to 14 June 2007). Mr. Hunt concurrently performed the special adviser role to my predecessor, Mr Brian Cowen TD and the then Minister for Transport, Mr Martin Cullen TD. However, he was engaged under a single contract of employment with the Minister for Transport and was paid by that Department. Ms. Cathy Herbert (from 7 May 2008 to date). Dr. Alan Ahearne (from 18 March 2009 to date).

Gerry Steadman

Alan Ahearne

June 07 – June 08

EU travel — Subsistence

227.81

Home Travel — Mileage

2,631.58

Home Travel — Subsistence

451.81

Other travel — Subsistence

563.42

June 08 – June 09

EU travel — Hotel Accommodation

225.00

EU travel — Public Transport

21.34

June 09 – June 10

EU travel — Hotel Accommodation

494.68

EU travel — Subsistence

217.00

Other travel — Mileage

37.80

Other travel — Other receipted expenses

33.32

Other travel — Public Transport

7.27

Other travel — Subsistence

300.20

Ms Herbert did not claim any expenses during the period.

Tax Collection

Ned O'Keeffe

Ceist:

154 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Finance the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork did not receive a higher tax refund for the year 2009. [26770/10]

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the taxpayer received a smaller tax refund for the year 2009 because health expenses relief is granted at the standard rate for expenses incurred from 1st January, 2009.

Credit Union Regulation

Noel Coonan

Ceist:

155 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether section 35 of the Credit Union Act 1997 restricts the amount of money credit unions can lend to members over five or ten years; his views on whether this could cripple many credit unions nationwide and gives powers to the Financial Regulator to impose lending restrictions; if he will defer the amendments to section 35; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26788/10]

Section 35 of the Credit Union Act 1997 imposes limits on credit unions in relation to longer-term lending. The restrictions contained in Section 35 are an important asset and liability instrument which has protected the financial stability of the credit union movement over many years. The funding of credit unions is predominantly provided on a short-term basis in the form of on-demand savings and consequently the Section 35 limits are necessary for the protection of the financial stability of credit unions.

The effect of the amendment contained in the Central Bank Reform Bill 2010 is to increase from 20% to 30% the limit on the proportion of a credit union loan book comprising loans over 5 years. Credit unions have been seeking the amendment for some time. It represents, however, a significant weakening of this asset and liability tool in order to enable an increased capacity for credit unions to reschedule loans. For this reason, it is accompanied by some balancing measures which will allow for a framework for implementation by the Registrar of Credit Unions including requirements in relation to liquidity, provisioning and accounting transparency.

As I indicated during the Committee Stage debate on the Bill in Dáil Éireann last week, these requirements are to be implemented under the framework in a prudent, balanced and proportionate manner, in line with reasonable conditions and generous transitional arrangements. Following meetings with a number of Deputies and with the credit union representative bodies, I have reflected on concerns expressed to me and I will be bringing forward amendments to the relevant provisions in the Bill at Report Stage. The changes represent a reasonable compromise but they are as far as I can go.

There is a balance to be struck between meeting members' needs to reschedule loans and ensuring the stability of the credit union sector overall. We must act now in a prudent and preventative manner. It is in the interests of every credit union in the country that the stability of the sector is safeguarded. The proposals being brought forward in connection with the Bill will achieve this fundamental aim and I would not be happy to defer the amendments to Section 35.

Flood Relief

John McGuinness

Ceist:

156 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance the amount of money allocated to Kilkenny County Council for flood relief projects; the location of each; if he will fund a scheme at a location (details supplied); the number and location of other projects in the county for which funding has been applied for and the location of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26862/10]

To date, a total of €746,500 in funding has been allocated to Kilkenny County Council under the ongoing OPW scheme which commenced in 2009 to provide funding to local authorities to carry out minor mitigation works to address localised flooding problems. Funds were allocated in respect of projects at Kilmacow, Graiguenamanagh, Thomastown, Callan, Mullinavat and Gowran. The Council also submitted an application for funding to undertake works at Dungooly, Mooncoin. The application did not meet the minimum cost benefit eligibility criteria of the scheme.

The Office of Public Works has not received an application from the Council for funding in respect of flood mitigation works at Ballyragget to date. It would be open to the Council to submit such an application under the scheme. If an application is received, it will be assessed in accordance with the relevant eligibility criteria, and having regard to the total funding available for flood mitigation works this year.

Tourism Industry

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

157 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Finance if he will restore the full season at Skellig Michael which has been reduced by the Office of Public Works by three months with serious consequences for the local tourism sector. [26886/10]

The Office of Public Works has a guide service on Skellig Michael between mid/late May and late September/early October each year. The island is officially open during this period. The Safety Review of Skellig Michael which has recently been published recommends that the official opening period for Skellig Michael should be advertised publicly, and safety literature draws attention to the fact that visits are restricted to the opening period.

Tax Collection

Jack Wall

Ceist:

158 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will be furnished with a certificate of tax credits for 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26894/10]

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the person concerned is not registered on their records and there is no record of the person's request. I would suggest that the individual should supply full details of the request to Ms. Geraldine Boyle, Kildare Revenue District, Athy Business Campus, Castlecomer Road, Athy, Co Kildare, and the matter will be dealt with.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

159 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance when a tax refund will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26895/10]

I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that Ms. Geraldine Morrissey, Kildare Revenue District, last wrote to the person concerned on 24 March 2010. A full response to that letter has not been supplied and is awaited.

Departmental Correspondence

John O'Donoghue

Ceist:

160 Deputy John O’Donoghue asked the Minister for Finance the proposals he has to ensure that representations made by Members of the Oireachtas on behalf of members of the public to his Department are responded to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26903/10]

In addition to ensuring that, at a minimum, all representations are replied to, my Department is committed, under its Quality Customer Service Action Plan to replying to 75% of correspondence within 20 working days. New procedures for answering Ministerial representations were introduced in June 2001 when the average rate of reply was 60%. Since then the average rate of reply during the initial 20 day working period has been in the high 70s even reaching the high 80s on occasion. Our procedures are monitored and updated regularly to ensure that our commitment to responding to representations in a timely fashion is maintained.

Medical Cards

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

161 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children if it is a new procedure to ask those applying for medical cards to produce bank statements and if she will clarify the situation in respect of a person (details supplied). [26244/10]

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

International Agreements

James Reilly

Ceist:

162 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if she has accepted and implemented all of the recommendations contained in Guidelines for Implementation of Article 5.3 of the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control; if she will outline which recommendations have not yet been accepted and implemented; the reasons for non-acceptance or non-implementation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26275/10]

Ireland has signed and ratified the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Article 5.3 of the FCTC states- “In setting and implementing their public health policies with respect to tobacco control, Parties shall act to protect these policies from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry in accordance with national law.” Non-binding guidelines to assist parties in meeting their obligations under Article 5.3 were adopted at the third Conference of the Parties in 2008. Parties are encouraged to implement these guidelines to the extent possible in accordance with their national law.

Child Care Services

James Reilly

Ceist:

163 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will allow a child to avail of the free preschool year in 2010 in view of the fact that the child’s date of birth is only seven days past the cut-off date for eligibility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26320/10]

I have responsibility for implementing the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme, which was introduced in January of this year. Children will qualify for a free pre-school year place when they are aged more than 3 years 2 months and less than 4 years 7 months at 1 September each year. This means that children born between 2 February 2006 and 30 June 2007 will qualify in September 2010. From the information provided by the Deputy, the child in question is not eligible for the scheme in September this year but will be eligible in September 2011.

The objective of the ECCE scheme is to make early learning in a formal setting available to all children in the key developmental year before they commence primary school. To achieve this, services participating in the pre-school year will be expected to provide appropriate age related activities and programmes to children within a particular age cohort. Targeting the pre-school year at a particular age cohort is clearly fundamental to the scheme and it is necessary, therefore, to set minimum and maximum limits to the age range within which children will participate in the scheme each year.

In setting the minimum and maximum age limits, account was taken of a number of factors, including the fact that the majority of children commence primary school between the ages of 4 years 6 months and 5 years 6 months. Notwithstanding this, the ECCE scheme provides for an eligibility range of almost 17 months. The upper age limit does not apply where children are developmentally delayed and would benefit from participating in the pre-school year at a later age.

As in the case of any scheme introduced, cases will arise where individuals fall outside the conditions which apply. However, it is necessary that the scheme is delivered within a structure which supports the best delivery of pre-school education and it is considered therefore that the age range provided for is appropriate. Arrangements are already in place for the pre-school year which is due to commence in September 2010 and these do not provide for any amendment or reduction in the lower age for eligibility.

Services for People with Disabilities

John Perry

Ceist:

164 Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) in County Sligo who is in receipt of €104 per week in mobility grant is entitled to the increased payment of €202 per week in view of the person’s circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26364/10]

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.

Health Service Allowances

Deirdre Clune

Ceist:

165 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) has an entitlement to apply for back-to-school allowance for the year commencing September 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26388/10]

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

Departmental Bodies

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

166 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the membership and terms of reference of the working group to develop a national strategy for the provision of rehabilitation services and when it is expected to report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27079/10]

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

254 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide further information on the working group which is developing a national strategy for the provision of rehabilitation services; the person who established the group and the members of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26891/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 166 and 254 together.

The Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Executive (HSE) established a Working Group in July 2008 to develop a national policy and strategy for the provision of neuro-rehabilitation services. The Working Group consists of key stakeholders and experts in the field of neuro-rehabilitation and is chaired by James O'Grady, Disability Policy Advisor to the Office for Disability and Mental Health at the Department of Health and Children. Along with officials from the Department and the HSE, membership has been drawn from agencies such as the National Rehabilitation Hospital, MS Ireland, Headway, Acquired Brain Injury Ireland and BRÍ and neuro-rehabilitation practitioners including a Neurologist, Physiotherapist, Speech and Language Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Geriatrician, Advance Nurse Practitioner and a General Practitioner.

The Working Group's Terms of Reference included the development of an appropriate policy framework for neuro-rehabilitation and a preferred model of care for the provision of neuro-rehabilitation services. The policy development has been informed at all stages by the new delivery structures being developed by the HSE and by the realities of the economic situation, both in the short to medium term. The Group has now completed its work and the draft report is being considered by the Department and the HSE, with a view to publication in the next couple of months.

Question No. 167 answered with Question No. 42.
Question No. 168 answered with Question No. 93.

Hospital Services

James Reilly

Ceist:

169 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of operations cancelled during 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26186/10]

Owing to industrial action by staff in the HSE for most of the year to date, data on cancelled operations in acute hospitals in 2010 is not available at present. Now that the industrial action has ended, work is underway in the HSE to collate and validate data in this regard.

I am conscious that the cancellation of a hospital procedure can be inconvenient and stressful for both patients and their families. Every effort is made to avoid cancellations where possible. Unfortunately, cancellations are a feature of hospital systems, in Ireland and internationally, because priority must be given to emergency cases and patients in urgent need. It is important to point out that all cancelled procedures are rescheduled unless there are clear clinical grounds for a period of postponement. While data is not comprehensive, the level of cancellations in the Irish public system appears to be broadly in line with other hospital systems internationally. In 2009, for example, it is estimated that cancellations accounted for about 1.4% of all inpatient and day case activity.

It should be noted not all cancellations are a result of hospital capacity or patient availability. Cancellations also occur for clinical reasons, where a patient may not be deemed fit for surgery on a given day by the clinician. For example, the pre-admission assessment might indicate postponing a procedure for clinical reasons such as weight, immune system issues or blood pressure. While it is unfortunate that any patient would have a procedure cancelled, patients waiting over three months can be referred to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). The HSE works with the NTPF to ensure that, where appropriate, patients can avail of treatment under this scheme.

In 2010, the HSE is focusing on improving the efficiency of acute hospital services by shifting to day case care where appropriate and by seeking performance improvements such as surgery on the day of admission and reducing inappropriate lengths of stay. There is a particular focus on reducing the variance between different hospitals for similar procedures. By reducing costs and reforming the way services are provided, I am confident the HSE will maintain access to services and continue to improve health outcomes for the population.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Frank Feighan

Ceist:

170 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure that a person (details supplied) will be given an earlier date on the waiting list for University College Hospital Galway. [26228/10]

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

Services for People with Disabilities

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

171 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the reasoning behind the reduction by the Health Service Executive of €4 million from the budget of an organisation (details supplied) in Dublin 7, one of the immediate effects of which will be the closure of a respite house; and if the budget for disabilities and special needs is being allowed a separate entity within the HSE when money is being allocated by the Department of Health and Children. [26243/10]

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

182 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children if the Health Service Executive is withdrawing funding from a facility (details supplied) in Dublin 7; if programmes and services for intellectually disabled clients are being cut; if staff numbers are being cut back thereby compromising this valuable service; and the reason parents were only just informed of these cuts without prior adequate warning. [26310/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 182 together.

The Government's commitment in the area of disability is consistent. Significant additional resources have been provided for services and supports in this area under the Multi-Annual Investment Programme (MAIP) 2006-2009, as part of the National Disability Strategy. Overall approximately €1.6 billion is allocated by the HSE and is spent annually on disability programmes (residential, day care, respite, assessments and rehabilitation services). With the exception of service development funding allocated under the M.A.I.P., under the Health Act 2004, it is a matter for the HSE to decide on the most effective allocation of resources to meet the health and personal and social support needs of the population, including the needs of people with disabilities. The National Service Plan which is laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas sets out the quantum of services, including disability services, to be provided in any financial year by the HSE out of resources allocated to it.

I am very much aware of the valuable contribution the Daughters of Charity services makes to the provision of services to people with intellectual disabilities in Dublin. During the period of the Multi Annual Investment programme, the Daughters of Charity Services received funding from the HSE in the region of:

Year

€ million

2005

85.126

2006

94.748

2007

101.301

2008

106.790

2009

110.542

This sustained level of additional investment reflected the significant growth and development in the Daughters of Charity Services throughout this period.

Arising from the introduction of cost containment and efficiency measures in the 2010 budget, the HSE advised all agencies providing services on its behalf of their financial allocations for 2010 and the required adjustments. The HSE is aware of the challenges service providers, including the Daughters of Charity, are experiencing and the particular difficulties facing all health services in 2010. In this context, it is vital that all providers work creatively and co-operatively to ensure that the maximum level of services are maintained for service users within the funding resources available.

The HSE plans to maintain access to appropriate treatments and services for clients during 2010 despite the current resource pressures. The HSE is aware of the challenges which this reduction in allocations will present to organisations in ensuring they meet the needs of service users and in planning for emergencies that arise throughout the year. It is recognised that the maintaining of service levels within available resources will require significant levels of co-operation, change, flexibility and creativity. The HSE will continue to work in partnership with the Voluntary service providers in dealing with issues that arise from funding allocations, to ensure the needs of service users are prioritised and addressed.

Disability Service Providers have been requested to submit their plans for the maintenance of service levels within available resources taking the following into consideration:

Review all items of expenditure which do not immediately and directly impact on frontline services and consider where rationalisation can be effected in other areas

Review the manner in which services are delivered

Identify any opportunities to reduce costs by sharing services and or activities with other Agencies (statutory or non-statutory)

Reduce cost of back office administration functions, all other unnecessary costs, and consider rationalisation of general management structures

The HSE will continue to work with the voluntary service providers to streamline costs, and further identify and improve areas where efficiencies can be achieved that do not impact on frontline service delivery.

Question No. 172 answered with Question No. 44.

Child Abuse

James McDaid

Ceist:

173 Deputy James McDaid asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of support groups that have been created in the past ten years dealing with victims of child sexual abuse and the names of these groups that have received State funding. [26260/10]

James McDaid

Ceist:

174 Deputy James McDaid asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount of State and church funding that has been allocated to each of the support groups in the area of child sexual abuse in the past ten years in view of the fact that as they are registered charities, accounts should be available to include State and church funding. [26261/10]

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

I do not have specific details available regarding the number of support groups established in the past 10 years dealing with victims of child sexual abuse. Prior to the establishment of the HSE in 2005, the Department allocated certain funding to support groups. This information is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible, together with details of any relevant grants approved since 2000 from National Lottery proceeds. My Department has asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy with regard to grant funding since 2005. The Department does not hold the requested information regarding Church funding allocated.

Health Services

Damien English

Ceist:

175 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) will receive treatment that has been approved by her consultant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26271/10]

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

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

176 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) in County Offaly has been assessed by staff of the Dún Laoghaire rehabilitation hospital, County Dublin; when this person can expect to be given a date for admission; if she will provide an update on this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26274/10]

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.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

177 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon will receive a decision on an application; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26285/10]

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

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

178 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the incidence of anorexia nervosa here; if she has discerned any identifiable trends in respect of the condition; the treatments which may be available from the Health Service Executive; the supports available to patients who must use privately provided treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26303/10]

Anorexia nervosa is undoubtedly a very serious health condition. Epidemiological data from other jurisdictions suggest an annual incidence of 10 cases of anorexia nervosa per 100,000 population for females and 0.5 for males. Admissions to Irish psychiatric hospitals and units with an eating disorder diagnosis in 2008 was 243 compared to 188 in 2003. However, comparison of admissions rates should be interpreted with caution as all hospitals did not provide data in previous years. In relation to the treatment and supports available, as this is a service matter, the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

179 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure that the treatments required are provided as a matter of urgency in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26304/10]

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

Question No. 180 answered with Question No. 86.

Hospital Services

Joanna Tuffy

Ceist:

181 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health and Children when surgery will be carried out on a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26306/10]

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

Question No. 182 answered with Question No. 171.

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

183 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide an update on a matter (details supplied). [26311/10]

I have consistently emphasised the need to improve facilities and services to persons with cystic fibrosis. Capital funding has been provided for the development of outpatient facilities for patients with CF treated at Beaumont Hospital. HSE funding enabled the construction of a three storey building consisting of two floors each of 14 single rooms, and 8 bed HDU and two additional ICU rooms (within existing ICU). The project is in two phases and the first phase (decanting) was completed at the end of 2009 and the second phase is currently underway. The Deputy's question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply in relation to the current position concerning the specific service issues raised.

Health Services

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

184 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will support a matter (details supplied) in Dublin 3. [26312/10]

I regret that due to industrial action by members of the Civil and Public Services Union (CPSU) I am not in a position to provide a substantive response to your Parliamentary Question. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ciaran Lynch

Ceist:

185 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children if a decision not to make a diagnosis of ADHD before the age of six in respect of a person (details supplied) in Cork is a medical or a policy decision; if treatment is available under the Disability Act in such cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26321/10]

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

Health Services

Michael Creed

Ceist:

186 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will arrange appropriate transport for a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26327/10]

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.

Care of the Elderly

Michael Ring

Ceist:

187 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of home care packages that were given out in each of the past three years in County Mayo in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26331/10]

I regret that due to industrial action by members of the Civil and Public Services Union (CPSU) I am not in a position to provide a substantive response to your Parliamentary Question. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Health Services

Pat Breen

Ceist:

188 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26333/10]

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

Question No. 189 answered with Question No. 44.

Care of the Elderly

Michael Ring

Ceist:

190 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if the home care package scheme is still available; the funding that has been put in place in County Mayo for the scheme in 2010 and in each of the past three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26340/10]

The guiding principle of Government policy in this area is to support older people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. This is realised through a range of community-based supports such as Home-Help, Meals-on-Wheels, Day/Respite, and Home Care Packages.

Despite the serious economic constraints experienced in recent times, the Government has continued to prioritise improving services for older people. This is reflected in the €10m additional funding provided in the last Budget to expand Home Care Packages nationally, thus bringing total investment for this Initiative this year to €130 million. It is estimated that the additional funding will assist up to 1,000 extra recipients compared to the 2009 position. In total, therefore, the HSE National Service Plan approved for this year commits to provide Home Care Packages to around 9,600 people at any one time or to some 13,000 clients over the course of the year.

The management of packages in County Mayo, including funding and availability, is a matter for the HSE in line with agreed resources, on-going service priorities or any other relevant factors. I wish to advise the Deputy that, due to industrial action by members of the Civil and Public Services Union (CPSU), it is not possible to request the Executive to supply the detailed information sought in relation to the Mayo area. This represents the current position but if this remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Medical Cards

James Bannon

Ceist:

191 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; the reason for the delay in processing same and the lack of correspondence in relation to the claim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26343/10]

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

Nursing Homes Support Scheme

James Bannon

Ceist:

192 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding an application for fair deal support under the nursing home support scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26345/10]

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

Care of the Elderly

Michael Ring

Ceist:

193 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the full guidelines and procedures for applying for and obtaining a home care package grant in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26348/10]

I regret that due to industrial action by members of the Civil and Public Services Union (CPSU) I am not in a position to provide a substantive response to your Parliamentary Question. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Medical Cards

Joanna Tuffy

Ceist:

194 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; the reason for the delay in processing the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26356/10]

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

Care of the Elderly

Jack Wall

Ceist:

195 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children if the strategic plan for the care of the elderly in the Kildare-west Wicklow area of the Health Service Executive has or is being reviewed; if so, the areas that are under investigation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26366/10]

I regret that due to industrial action by members of the Civil and Public Services Union (CPSU) I am not in a position to provide a substantive response to your Parliamentary Question. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Hospital Services

Jack Wall

Ceist:

196 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of patients on trolleys in Naas General Hospital, County Kildare, for each day of the past month; the number of patients in the hospital awaiting discharge; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26367/10]

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

Community Care

Jack Wall

Ceist:

197 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans or proposals her Department or the Health Service Executive has in relation to the provision of respite and long-term care for patients in the Kildare-west Wicklow area of the HSE; if such plans or proposals are examining the closure of any facility (details supplied) within the HSE area or if the reduction of the number of beds in such facilities is being reviewed; if the closure or reduction of facilities is being planned or proposed, the alternatives that are being put in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26370/10]

I regret that due to industrial action by members of the Civil and Public Services Union (CPSU) I am not in a position to provide a substantive response to your Parliamentary Question. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Health Services

Tom Hayes

Ceist:

198 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children if dental treatment will be completed under the dental treatment services scheme for a medical card holder (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26373/10]

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

Medical Cards

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

199 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding an appeal for a full medical card in respect of a person (details supplied); when a decision will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26378/10]

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

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

200 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding an application for a full medical card in respect of a person (details supplied); when a decision will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26379/10]

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

Hospital Services

Michael Ring

Ceist:

201 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be given an appointment for the outpatient clinic in Merlin Park Hospital, Galway. [26386/10]

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

Health Services

Tom Hayes

Ceist:

202 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will assist in the case of a nursing home (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26394/10]

This Government places great importance on the policies and practical reforms we are implementing to ensure patient safety and quality-assured health services. The Health Act, 2007 provides for the registration and inspection of all nursing homes. Inspections are carried out by the Chief Inspector of Social Services, part of the Health and Information and Quality Authority.

It is important to have effective mechanisms to maintain and enhance public confidence in the delivery of quality residential care. Residents, their families and the public need to be reassured that the Authority is monitoring the care people receive. Since 1 July, 2009 all nursing homes, public and private, are registered under the Health Act, 2007 (Registration of Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2009 by the Chief Inspector. All nursing homes (public and private) are also inspected under the new Care and Welfare Regulations and patient-focused, quality Standards.

The functions of the Minister in relation to HIQA and the Chief Inspector are also prescribed in the Act. As the registration of designated centres is clearly and specifically one for the Chief Inspector, it would not be appropriate for me to intervene in any registration process. I am sure the Deputy will agree that lessons had to be learned from the well publicised incidents in nursing homes over the last few years and from reports such as that of the Leas Cross Commission of Investigation, published just last year. This new independent system of regulation and inspection underpins quality and safety for residents in nursing homes.

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

203 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3 with a disability has been refused service. [26416/10]

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.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

204 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the refusal by the community welfare officer of further assistance to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 16. [26418/10]

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

Medical Cards

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

205 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 20 has not been granted a medical card. [26420/10]

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

Long-Term Illness Scheme

James Reilly

Ceist:

206 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will include Crohn’s disease as a long-term illness allowing sufferers to be entitled to a long-term illness card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26437/10]

There are currently no plans to extend the list of eligible conditions covered by the Long Term Illness Scheme. Under the Drugs Payment Scheme no individual or family pays more than €120 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme is easy to use and significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines.

In addition, people who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. In the assessment process, the Health Service Executive can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family. Those who are not eligible for a medical card may still be able to avail of a GP visit card, which covers the cost of general practice consultations.

Medical Cards

James Reilly

Ceist:

207 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the actions being taken to tackle a six-month backlog of medical card applications at the Coolock office, Dublin, of the Health Service Executive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26438/10]

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

James Reilly

Ceist:

208 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the length of time a person (details supplied) in County Dublin must wait to have their medical card application processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26439/10]

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

Health Services

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

209 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will support the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26457/10]

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

Youth Services

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

210 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount of funding allocated to each local authority from the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs dormant accounts youth cafe funding scheme on a county basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26500/10]

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

214 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason an application for funding under the dormant accounts youth cafe funding scheme was refused in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26542/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 210 and 214 together.

On 12 April last, I announced details of the Youth Café Funding Scheme. This is the first dedicated youth café funding scheme in Ireland. A total funding package of up to €1.5 million is available for small scale fit-out, refurbishment works or building enhancement projects to existing Youth Cafes and for the start up of new youth cafes.

The youth café funding scheme is being administered by POBAL on behalf of my office. Applications for the scheme are now closed and a short-list of applicants has been prepared for further detailed consideration by POBAL. The short-listing of applications was carried out by local city and county development boards, in accordance with the terms of the scheme. The boards made their decisions based on the official criteria and appraisal of application guidelines. A copy of these guidelines was supplied to all applicants. In arriving at their final decisions in relation to the short-listing of applications, the boards also based their decisions on local knowledge and expertise.

The scheme is a competitive one with each CDB asked to nominate the best projects in their respective area. Applicants who were not successful at the preselection stage should approach their local city or county development board if they wish to receive specific feedback on the reasons why they were not short-listed. At the appraisal stage, final decisions on allocations of funding will be made based on those applications who most successfully meet the terms and criteria for the scheme.

The €1.5million will be paid out under two Strands. Strand 1 is concerned with improving existing youth cafés through small scale refurbishments. The maximum amount that can be awarded by each City/County Development Board (CDB) to applicants is €10,000. Each CDB can only recommend a maximum of three projects for grant aid under this strand. Strand 2 is aimed at new youth cafes. The maximum amount that can be awarded by each CDB to applicants is €100,000. Each CDB can only recommend one project for such grant aid. Announcements in relation to the next stage of the scheme will be made later in the year once the short-listed applications have been examined.

Services for People with Disabilities

Dan Neville

Ceist:

211 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the reassurances that she can give to the people in County Limerick whose family members are attending an organisation (details supplied) in view of the fact that they are concerned that the proposed cuts to the service will have a major impact on its ability to continue providing the necessary services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26501/10]

The Government's commitment in the area of disability is consistent. Significant additional resources have been provided for services and supports in this area under the Multi-Annual Investment Programme 2006-2009, as part of the National Disability Strategy. Overall approximately €1.6 billion is spent annually by the health services on disability programmes (residential, day care, respite, assessments and rehabilitation services).

I am very much aware of the valuable contribution the Brothers of Charity Services make to the provision of services to people with intellectual disabilities in Limerick. During the period 2005 — 2008, the Brothers of Charity Services nationally received over €631 million in funding from the HSE. In 2009, approximately €177 million was provided to fund these services. This sustained level of investment reflects the significant growth and development in the services provided by the Brothers of Charity over the past five years.

Arising from the introduction of cost containment and efficiency measures in the 2010 budget, the HSE advised all agencies providing services on its behalf of their financial allocations for 2010 and the required adjustments. The HSE is aware of the challenges which this reduction in allocations will present to organisations in ensuring they meet the needs of service users and in planning for emergencies that arise throughout the year. In this context, it is vital that all providers work creatively and co-operatively to ensure that the maximum level of services are maintained within the funding resources available.

The HSE plans to maintain access to appropriate treatments and services for clients during 2010 despite current resource pressures. The HSE is very much aware of the importance of respite service provision for the families of both children and adults with disabilities including the impact the absence of respite service provision can have on other services, for example residential and day-care. Respite services throughout the country are being reviewed on an ongoing basis, and the majority of Local Health Offices have reported that services are being maintained, albeit with some difficulty. In all areas, Disability Managers are working closely with agencies to ensure that those with the most urgent needs are prioritised. There has been a continued expansion in the availability of residential support services, particularly planned or emergency centre-based respite services, which have grown substantially. A total of 4,599 people availed of this type of service in 2008, allowing them to continue living with their families and in their communities.

The HSE is working in partnership with the Voluntary Service Providers in dealing with issues that arise from funding allocations, to ensure the needs of service users are prioritised and addressed and that frontline delivery is given priority. Disability Service Providers, including those in the Limerick area, have been asked to submit their plans for the maintenance of service levels within available resources, and to discuss with HSE management how current challenges can be addressed. As part of this process, the Brothers of Charity Services have prepared a detailed document for discussion with HSE personnel at local level. In response to the Brothers of Charity proposal to close one respite service on the 14th June, affecting 19 service-users, local discussions are taking place regarding the implications of this for users of its respite service, and the HSE is endeavouring to ensure that an alternative service will be made available.

The HSE are aware of the pressures the Brothers of Charity Services are experiencing in maintaining existing service levels and responding to the respite needs of service users. While significant changes have been applied to frontline services, in many cases these changes have not necessarily resulted in service reduction, but in a different model of service delivery being applied.

The HSE will continue to work in partnership with the Brothers of Charity in dealing with issues that arise from service cuts, to ensure the needs of service users are prioritised and addressed. However, any planned reductions, must be risk assessed and risk managed by the Brothers of Charity. There are also plans to develop a local forum in Limerick of all service providers (both Physical & Sensory & Intellectual Disability), with a focus on the needs of service users now and in the future.

Hospital Services

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

212 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be facilitated with an appointment. [26503/10]

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

Health Services

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

213 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children on the waiting list for orthodontic treatment in the North Lee area, the number of orthodontists currently active in dealing with this list; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26509/10]

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

Question No. 214 answered with Question No. 210.

Medical Cards

James Reilly

Ceist:

215 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 23 of 10 June 2010, the proportion of the population covered by the medical card scheme and the doctor only medical card scheme on this date in 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26548/10]

I understand the Deputy's question is referring to the number of medical card and GP visit card holders in 2008. Details of the number of medical card holders and GP visit card holders are provided to my Department each month by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and reflect the position after new cards have been added and other cards, as appropriate, have been removed from the HSE's database. The monthly figures for 2008 are provided in the following table.

Date

Medical Card Holders

GP Visit Card Holders

01/01/2008

1,276,178

75,589

01/02/2008

1,280,510

76,094

01/03/2008

1,288,621

76,710

01/04/2008

1,292,086

77,269

01/05/2008

1,302,779

79,021

01/06/2008

1,306,470

80,035

01/07/2008

1,312,293

81,047

01/08/2008

1,319,856

81,655

01/09/2008

1,324,477

82,198

01/10/2008

1,338,261

84,053

01/11/2008

1,339,776

84,395

01/12/2008

1,347,349

84,933

01/01/2009

1,352,120

85,546

Departmental Expenditure

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

216 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of departmental credit cards in use in her Department; the names of the authorised signatories of same; the credit limit of same; the amount spent in respect of each card in each of the past three years with a breakdown of the annual bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26567/10]

There are four corporate credit/charge cards for official business purposes currently in use in my Department. The credit limit on the card issued to me as Minister is €5,000 and that of the card issued to my Private Secretary is €10,000. The two remaining cards are charge cards with no specified limit and are issued to a nominated officer in my Department's Finance Unit and the Registrar of the Adoption Board. These cards are used to cover a range of costs such as publications, seminar and conference fees, annual membership fees, transport costs and software purchases where payment by credit card is required. Information on the amount spent in respect of each card for the past three years is being collated by my Department and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Departmental Agencies

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

217 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount that has been awarded in bonuses to staff in each of the semi-State or similar bodies within her remit in each of the past three years; if she will provide a breakdown of these bonuses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26582/10]

The Performance Related Award Schemes in operation in non-commercial State-sponsored bodies were introduced following a decision by the Government on the implementation of the recommendations of the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector. Awards made under the schemes approved by my Department and the Department of Finance are a matter for the Boards of the non-commercial State-sponsored bodies concerned and must be in accordance with the principles set out by the Review Body. In this regard, awards should be related to the achievement of highly demanding and challenging targets and stretch objectives which are difficult but not impossible to achieve.

The schemes are currently suspended. Details of awards made to individual officers under the approved schemes by the various bodies are not disclosed on the basis that they are confidential to the individual concerned. I can, however, confirm that, in respect of 2007, a total of €49,858 was awarded under three such schemes and that €22,255 was awarded under one such scheme in respect of 2008. No awards were made in respect of 2009.

Ministerial Staff

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

218 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of special advisers her Department has had since June 2007; the names of same; the amount each has claimed in expenses in each of the past three years; the amount that has been spent on travel, including foreign travel, and entertainment for each adviser in each of the past three years; if she will provide a detailed breakdown of these costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26597/10]

There have been 8 special advisors in my Department since June 2007. The following table sets out their names, periods of employment and their relevant Minister/Minister of State.

Name

Special Advisor to

From

To

Patricia Ryan

Minister Harney

14/06/2007

To date

Derek Cunningham

Minister Harney

14/06/2007

To date

Oliver O’Connor

Minister Harney

14/06/2007

06/05/2008

John O’Brien

Minister Harney

14/06/2007

31/12/2007

Liam Cullen

Minister Andrews

13/05/2008

to date

Philip Hannon

Minister Smith

20/06/2007

06/05/2008

Sean Fitzpatrick

Minister Devins

20/06/2007

06/05/2008

Cathy Herbert

Minister Lenihan

01/06/2007

14/06/2007

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to expenses and travel is currently being collated by my Department and I will forward the information directly to the Deputy.

Children in Care

Alan Shatter

Ceist:

219 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the records that are maintained within her Department concerning communication between her, the Minister of State with responsibility for children and departmental officials relating to children who have died since 1 January 2000 who were in care or who had been reported to either the Health Service Executive or the former health boards as being at risk. [26613/10]

The Department holds certain records regarding children who died in the care of the State since 1 January 2000. These records relate in some situations to specific cases and include direct representations made to me by interested parties. In addition, the issue of child deaths is the subject of regular dialogue with my officials.

Hospital Services

James Reilly

Ceist:

220 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of ultrasound machines in obstetric departments around the country; the locations of each of these machines; the age of each of these machines; the frequency of calibration of each of these machines; the numbers of users of each of these machines; the rank and experience of each of the users of each of these machines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26621/10]

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

Medical Cards

John O'Donoghue

Ceist:

221 Deputy John O’Donoghue asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will receive the result of an appeal against a decision not to grant them a medical card. [26624/10]

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

Hospital Accommodation

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

222 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the shortage of beds at Crumlin children’s hospital, Dublin, which has resulted in operations for hip relocations being cancelled on an ongoing basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26727/10]

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

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

223 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of theatres, beds or wards closed at Crumlin children’s hospital, Dublin, in the past three years; the duration of each closure; and the reason for same. [26728/10]

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

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

224 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children the bed capacity, the number of operating theatres and the number of nursing and other medical and non-medical staff for each of the State’s paediatric hospitals. [26729/10]

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

Hospitals Building Programme

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

225 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposed bed capacity, the number of operating theatres and the number of nursing and other medical and non-medical staff proposed for the new paediatric hospital at the Mater site, Dublin. [26730/10]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

227 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children the comparative specifications of the new paediatric hospital on the Mater site, Dublin, in comparison to the three combined existing paediatric hospitals, in relation to family rooms and wards, public and private beds, consulting rooms, observation rooms, theatres, accident and emergency, intensive care units, outpatients, kitchens, canteens, open space and grounds, staff and visitor car-parking, administration and offices and other aspects of modern day hospitals. [26732/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 225 and 227 together.

Work done originally on the proposed activity for the new hospital and an ambulatory and urgent care centre was undertaken by international health service consultants, RKW, in 2007. These projections were further developed by health service planning experts working for the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board in consultation with the hospitals and the HSE throughout 2008 and 2009. Projected activity for both facilities was further reviewed and agreed with the HSE 2010. These projections take into account an expected 16.2% increase in child population growth up to 2021 (CSO projections) and reflect international and best practice trends in acute paediatric healthcare, especially in relation to increased ambulatory care (day care and out-patient care) with less reliance on in-patient care to treat children.

Projected activity for 2021 for in-patient care is 27,542 discharges, and on this basis it is planned to provide 392 in-patient beds in the hospital on the Eccles Street site. Ambulatory care (day care and out-patient services) will be provided in both the hospital and the ambulatory and urgent care centre at Tallaght. The projected activity for day care for 2021 is 28,303 discharges, and on this basis it is planned to provide 81 day care beds (53 in the hospital and 28 in the A&UCC at Tallaght). Out-patient activity is projected for 2021 is 202,836 attendances, and on this basis it is planned to provide 84 consulting examination rooms (58 in the hospital and 26 in the A&UCC at Tallaght). There are a total of 20 operating theatres/procedure rooms proposed for the hospital and ambulatory and urgent care centre to accommodate all in-patient and day care procedure requirements.

The workforce plan for the hospital and ambulatory and urgent care centre is being developed at present. The new hospital is being designed to meet the future acute healthcare requirements for children and young people. Direct comparisons with facilities built in the two previous centuries are not appropriate or helpful. The new hospital, which will be a specialist paediatric tertiary centre on one site, and the ambulatory and urgent care centre at Tallaght are being designed to accommodate a new National Model of Care for paediatric healthcare, to reflect international trends in the delivery of services with its growing emphasis on ambulatory care and to incorporate the latest advances in medical technology and ICT. Children and families are directly involved in the hospital design to ensure it is child-centred and family-focused. Extensive engagement with the staff in the existing hospitals is also taking place in the design development process. All the facilities mentioned in the Deputy's question are planned for inclusion in the new hospital.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

226 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on whether the 2014 completion date for the opening of the national paediatric hospital is realistic in view of the fact that no planning permission has been sought to date. [26731/10]

Applications for planning permission are to be made by the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board in July and August 2010 for the hospital at Eccles Street and in the 4th quarter of 2010 for the Ambulatory and Urgent Care Centre at Tallaght. This follows on from a comprehensive process of stakeholder consultation planning and design by the Board. The Development Board, in projecting the project timelines for construction and commissioning of the hospital including operational readiness by the end of 2014, has taken into account an estimated time period for processing planning applications.

Question No. 227 answered with Question No. 225.

Health Services

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

228 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if long-term residential or community care will be made available in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26748/10]

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

Child Care Services

Joan Burton

Ceist:

229 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will reconsider the decision to refuse payment for child care in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26749/10]

I have responsibility for implementing the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme, which was introduced in January of this year. Children will qualify for a free pre-school year place when they are aged more than 3 years 2 months and less than 4 years 7 months at 1 September each year. This means that children born between 2 February 2006 and 30 June 2007 will qualify in September 2010. From the information provided by the Deputy, the child in question is not eligible for the scheme in September this year but will be eligible in September 2011.

The objective of the ECCE scheme is to make early learning in a formal setting available to all children in the key developmental year before they commence primary school. To achieve this, services participating in the pre-school year will be expected to provide appropriate age related activities and programmes to children within a particular age cohort. Targeting the pre-school year at a particular age cohort is clearly fundamental to the scheme and it is necessary, therefore, to set minimum and maximum limits to the age range within which children will participate in the scheme each year.

In setting the minimum and maximum age limits, account was taken of a number of factors, including the fact that the majority of children commence primary school between the ages of 4 years 6 months and 5 years 6 months. Notwithstanding this, the ECCE scheme provides for an eligibility range of almost 17 months. The upper age limit does not apply where children are developmentally delayed and would benefit from participating in the pre-school year at a later age.

As in the case of any scheme introduced, cases will arise where individuals fall outside the conditions which apply. However, it is necessary that the scheme is delivered within a structure which supports the best delivery of pre-school education and it is considered therefore that the age range provided for is appropriate. Arrangements are already in place for the pre-school year which is due to commence in September 2010 and these do not provide for any amendment or reduction in the lower age for eligibility.

Medical Cards

John O'Donoghue

Ceist:

230 Deputy John O’Donoghue asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason it is not possible to make verbal contact with the regional appeals officer dealing with medical cards or any of his staff in Mallow, County Cork. [26756/10]

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

Health Services

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

231 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow. [26773/10]

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

Services for People with Disabilities

Alan Shatter

Ceist:

232 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will take the necessary action to attach to a school (details supplied) in Dublin 6 a full clinical team, including a consultant psychiatrist, psychologist, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists as was attached to it until approximately six years ago to provide essential services for the educational needs of 60 children attending the school with emotional, behavioural and learning difficulties, that such a clinical team be provided in conjunction with a clinic (details further supplied) or through the appointment of appropriate staff directly to the school; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that many of the children attending the school are in urgent need of structured and regular occupational therapy and or speech and language therapy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26774/10]

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.

Medical Cards

Michael Creed

Ceist:

233 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health and Children if medical card holders are entitled to elastic stockings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26776/10]

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

Jack Wall

Ceist:

234 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26779/10]

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

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

235 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will support the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3. [26785/10]

I understand the Deputy's question refers to the provision of a medical card. As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Services for People with Disabilities

Noel Coonan

Ceist:

236 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide clinical psychology and speech and language services and also occupational therapy services to a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26789/10]

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.

Hospital Staff

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

237 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Health and Children when the Health Service Executive will confirm the go-ahead for a new consultant haematologist for Letterkenny General Hospital, County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26793/10]

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

Questions Nos. 238 and 239 answered with Question No. 63.

Medical Cards

Joanna Tuffy

Ceist:

240 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will expedite an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26805/10]

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

Health Services

Joanna Tuffy

Ceist:

241 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will expedite an application for new glasses in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26806/10]

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

Medical Cards

Joanna Tuffy

Ceist:

242 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will expedite an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26807/10]

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

Joanna Tuffy

Ceist:

243 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will expedite an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26808/10]

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

Joanna Tuffy

Ceist:

244 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will expedite an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26809/10]

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

Joanna Tuffy

Ceist:

245 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will expedite an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26810/10]

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

Children in Care

Simon Coveney

Ceist:

246 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will state who the members of the independent review group on child deaths will be; when these persons will be appointed; and the timescale for the work of this group. [26813/10]

Simon Coveney

Ceist:

247 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Health and Children if the independent review group on child deaths has been allocated a budget; and if so, if any has been spent to date. [26814/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 246 and 247 together.

The Independent Review Group on Child Deaths was established on 8 March 2010 and commenced work on April 28th 2010. The Group is composed of Ms Norah Gibbons and Mr. Geoffrey Shannon. A third independent person of international standing will be appointed when an initial examination of documentation has been completed by the two appointed members. The Group's report will be presented to me and will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas and published. It is intended that the Group will complete its review within a period of six months.

The Review Group has commenced work and a budget has been approved in respect of their work. Invoices paid to date in respect of set up costs amount to €1120.01. Ms Gibbons and the Administrative Assistant to the Group are employees of Barnardos who are to be reimbursed accordingly. Mr Shannon is to be paid an agreed stipend to cover his participation.

Medical Cards

John McGuinness

Ceist:

248 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if a medical card will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [26856/10]

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

Health Service Inquiries

John McGuinness

Ceist:

249 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children, further to a previous parliamentary question, if an independent inquiry rather than an in-house HSE inquiry will be conducted into the treatment of a patient at a hospital (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if the inquiry will also investigate the reason the hours of work were cut in respect of the whistleblower; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26857/10]

I have asked the Inspector of Mental Health Services and the HSE to examine the issues raised and to report to me as soon as possible. I will inform you of the outcome.

The Health Act 2004 as amended by Health Act 2007 provides for the making of protected disclosures by health service employees. The purpose of the amendment is to facilitate employees to disclose matters of concern to an authorised person and to provide statutory protection against penalisation in their employment and against civil liability. This applies to all employees of the HSE, agencies funded by the HSE and bodies established under the Health (Corporate Bodies) Act 1961. The authorised person in the HSE can be contacted at: HSE Authorised Person, PO Box 11571, Dublin 2; telephone number 01-6626984.

Medical Cards

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

250 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children when a medical card will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26874/10]

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

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

251 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children when a medical card will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26876/10]

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

Health Services

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

252 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure that the Health Service Executive will provide funding towards the treatment of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26879/10]

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

National Lottery Funding

Joe Behan

Ceist:

253 Deputy Joe Behan asked the Minister for Health and Children the capital grants that may be availed of by community cancer support centres to assist in the purchase of premises; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26880/10]

Community cancer support centres may apply to my Department's National Lottery Fund. Funding is provided on a discretionary basis to assist voluntary agencies with once-off capital grants for purchase/refurbishment of premises. Information on how to apply for this funding is available on my Department's website at www.dohc.ie. Groups and organisations may also apply to the HSE which also has discretionary once-off National Lottery funding for assistance with viable projects linked with the provision of health and personal social services. The HSE has in the past also provided funding from its overall service budget to organisations whose work complements that of HSE providers. I have referred this Question to the HSE for direct reply on the present position regarding availability of such funding.

Question No. 254 answered with Question No. 166.
Question No. 255 answered with Question No. 69.

Medical Cards

Michael Ring

Ceist:

256 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a medical card approval was not awarded from the cessation date of a previous medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; if this person will be compensated for their medical expenses from the date of cessation of the previous medical card to the issue date of their over 70 years medical card. [26920/10]

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

Hospital Accommodation

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

257 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding 50 new beds at St. Patrick’s Hospital, Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26924/10]

I regret that due to industrial action by members of the Civil and Public Services Union (CPSU) I am not in a position to provide a substantive response to your Parliamentary Question. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Road Network

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

258 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport the amount by which the national roads programme has gone over budget since it was launched in the National Development Plan 2000-2006, wherein it was supposed to cost approximately €6 billion. [26299/10]

On publication of the National Development Plan (NDP) in 1999 the estimate of the cost, and the nominal amount in the NDP for the National Roads Programme was €6.96bn (in early 1999 prices). Subsequent to this estimate in 1999 a major expansion in the programme took place including:

the inclusion of the Dublin — Waterford M14;

the scope of many of the projects including upgrading of routes, higher road standards, and additional cost of land acquisition; and

significant construction cost inflation.

The reasons for increases from initial estimates, drawn up in advance of detailed scheme design, to the more refined scheme estimates were examined in some detail by the Comptroller and Auditor General and major independent evaluations on the national roads programme by Fitzpatrick's Associates in 2002 and Indecon in 2003. The C&AG Report, and the other evaluations, acknowledged that the national roads investment programme was, in general, well managed, in particular, as regards factors within the control of the National Roads Authority (NRA).

Parking Regulations

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

259 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport his plans to publish the document on designated parking badges and bays. [26278/10]

I understand that the Deputy is referring to the review of the Disabled Parking Scheme which has been carried out by my Department. I have received the report of this review and considered and approved its recommendations. Work on implementing these recommendations is under way in my Department. The report will be published in the near future.

Port Development

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

260 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport if the final decision by An Bord Pleanála on the Dublin Bay infill is the end of the matter. [26313/10]

As a trade dependent island, the provision of adequate and efficient port capacity is very important for our economy. My Department has commissioned a number of studies on the matter over the last decade. The Dublin Port Study carried out by my Department under the NDP and published in August 2009 provides the most recent analysis of future traffic and capacity projections at our commercial seaports. The study highlighted the need to develop significant additional port capacity by 2025-2030.

My Department intends to carry out a Ports Policy Review later this year, and this will provide an opportunity to consider recent planning decisions in relation to port infrastructure. The port companies are responsible for the management and development of the ports. Individual projects, such as Dublin Port's proposed reclamation, are an operational matter for the port companies themselves.

EU Directives

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

261 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport his view on the European Commission’s proposals to permanently exclude self-employed lorry and coach drivers from EU working time regulations; if he has opposed this proposed change to EU working time rules in view of the fact that it may threaten the safety of all road users and drivers’ health and put small hauliers here out of business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26351/10]

Directive 2002/15 — the Working Time Directive for Mobile Workers — applies to self-employed drivers, among other mobile workers. Following a detailed study and impact analysis of various options in relation to the implementation of the Directive, and in line with that study's recommendations, the European Commission made proposals to amend the Directive, including a proposal to exclude genuine self employed bus and truck operators from the scope of that Directive. On that basis Ireland supported the Commission's proposals, as did the majority of other Member States.

I understand that following the recent rejection by the European Parliament of the Commission's proposals in relation to self-employed drivers, the Commission is now reviewing the position. The outcome of the Commission's review is awaited and when their position is known, I will assess the situation at that time.

Departmental Offices

Andrew Doyle

Ceist:

262 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport the number of Government-run canteens operating in Government buildings in his Department and agencies; the number of commercially-run cafes or restaurants that are operating in Government buildings in his Department and agencies; if there is a policy in his Department and agencies to source food locally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26408/10]

The Department of Transport has canteen facilities for staff in three buildings in Dublin. These facilities which are not open to the general public, are operated by private contractors under agreements which do not stipulate where produce is sourced. Canteen arrangements in agencies are a matter for the agencies concerned.

Departmental Expenditure

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

263 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Transport the number of departmental credit cards in use in his Department; the names of the authorised signatories of same; the credit limit of same; the amount spent in respect of each card in each of the past three years with a breakdown of the annual bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26572/10]

There are 5 credit cards in use by my Department. The names of the authorized signatories and the credit limit of each is set out in table below. I regret that due to industrial action by members of the CPSU I am not at present in a position to provide the further information sought.

Name of authorised signatory

Limit

Fintan Towey

5,000

Jurgen Whyte

12,700

Brian Hogan

10,000

Chris Reynolds

3,000

Derek McConnon

25,000

Departmental Agencies

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

264 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Transport the amount that has been awarded in bonuses to staff in each of the semi-State or similar bodies within his remit in each of the past three years; if he will provide a breakdown of these bonuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26587/10]

Bonuses awarded to staff of semi State or similar bodies are a matter for the agencies involved.

Ministerial Staff

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

265 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Transport the number of special advisers his Department has had since June 2007; the names of same; the amount each has claimed in expenses in each of the past three years; the amount that has been spent on travel, including foreign travel, and entertainment for each adviser in each of the past three years; if he will provide a detailed breakdown of these costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26602/10]

The number of special advisors in the Department of Transport since 2007 is five. Their names are:

Mr. James Fegan

Ms Olive Stephens

Ms Tanya Harrington (to date of resignation 30th June 2009)

Mr. Sean Fitzpatrick (temporary replacement for Ms. Olive Stephens)

Ms Stiofan Nutty (Special Advisor to Minister of State)

I regret that due to industrial action by members of the CPSU I am not at present in a position to provide the further information sought.

Air Services

Pat Breen

Ceist:

266 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Transport his views regarding the decision by Aer Lingus to suspend transatlantic services from Shannon Airport for three months next winter; if he was informed in advance of this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26766/10]

I regret the decision of Aer Lingus to suspend transatlantic services from Shannon for 11 weeks in winter 2010/11. However, I am satisfied from a meeting I had with the Aer Lingus CEO on 15 June 2010 that the airline is maintaining employment at the airport and I welcome the fact that Aer Lingus has reiterated its commitment to the Shannon market. The CEO also advised me that the decision to suspend services for 11 weeks (when seasonal demand is at its lowest) would help maintain the viability of the transatlantic services throughout the remainder of the year.

I understand that the decision was made following a detailed review of route profitability and that, since 1995, Aer Lingus has lost a total of €163 million on its transatlantic flights from Shannon during the winter months with an average operating loss per winter season of almost €11 million. I am encouraged to note that two other carriers (Delta and Continental) are expected to continue to provide regular connectivity from Shannon to the US during winter 2010/2011, availing of Shannon's US preclearance facilities.

Departmental Correspondence

John O'Donoghue

Ceist:

267 Deputy John O’Donoghue asked the Minister for Transport the proposals he has to ensure that representations made by Members of the Oireachtas on behalf of members of the public to his Department are responded to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26910/10]

I regret to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action by members of the CPSU I cannot at present ensure that representations made by Members of the Oireachtas are responded to while this action continues.

Garda Recruitment

Frank Feighan

Ceist:

268 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the reason a person (details supplied) has not received a decision regarding a Garda interview completed six years ago. [26227/10]

Recruitment to An Garda Síochána is a matter in the first instance for the Public Appointments Service and then for the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána. I have no role or function in the process. The Public Appointments Service can be contacted by the applicant at Chapter House, 26-30 Abbey Street Upper, Dublin 1, by telephone at Lo-Call 1890 44 99 99 or by e-mail at info@publicjobs.ie.

Visa Applications

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

269 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for a visitor’s visa by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26231/10]

I can confirm to the Deputy that the person concerned created an on-line visit visa application on 7 June 2010 under the application reference number supplied. However, the necessary documentation in regard to this application has yet to be submitted to the Honorary Consul of Ireland in Karachi.

Citizenship Applications

Pat Breen

Ceist:

270 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform, further to Parliamentary Question No. 278 of 30 March 2010, the position regarding an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26234/10]

A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in January 2008. All valid applications are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants. The average processing time from application to decision is now at 26 months. More complicated cases can at times take more than the current average, while an element of straight forward cases can be dealt with in less than that timescale. Officials in the Citizenship Division inform me that further processing of the application is ongoing and the file will be submitted to me for a decision in due course.

The length of time taken to process each application should not be classified as a delay, as the length of time taken for any application to be decided is purely a function of the time taken to carry out necessary checks. There is a limit to the reduction in the processing time that can be achieved as applications for naturalisation must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure that it is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria.

Judicial Appointments

Charles Flanagan

Ceist:

271 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if a protocol exists or guidelines are in place in respect of the appointment of District Court judges to districts in which they have formerly had an established legal practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26235/10]

Permanent assignments of District Court judges are made by the Government following consultation with the judge concerned and the President of the District Court. Temporary assignment of judges to a District other than their permanent assignment may be made by the President of the District Court with the judge's consent. In addition, the President of the District Court may temporarily assign ‘moveable' District Court judges to any District as the need arises. As a majority of the 64 serving District Court judges were solicitors prior to their appointment, it is not always possible to make assignments to a District other than that in which they were formerly based.

Residency Permits

Joanna Tuffy

Ceist:

272 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for renewal of green card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26236/10]

I am informed that the person to whom the Deputy refers was granted permission to remain in the State in February of 2003 under the arrangements then in place for the non-EEA parents of Irish citizen children. The most recent extension of that permission to remain expired on 15 April, 2010. I understand that, on foot of correspondence received, the case of the person concerned is being examined at present and I expect a decision to issue shortly.

Deportation Orders

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

273 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will use his discretionary powers to overturn the decision to deport in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26245/10]

I am satisfied that the application for asylum made by the person concerned was fairly and comprehensively examined before a decision to refuse it was arrived at. I am equally satisfied that the representations he submitted for consideration under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), together with all refoulement issues, were given the fullest consideration before his Deportation Order was made. This being the case, the decision to deport him is justified.

However, if new information or circumstances have come to light, which have a direct bearing on his case and which have arisen since the original decision to deport was made, there remains the option of applying to me for revocation of the Deportation Order pursuant to the provisions of Section 3(11) of the Immigration Act, 1999, as amended. However I wish to make clear that such an application would require substantial grounds to be successful. The enforcement of the Deportation Order is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau.

Residency Permits

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

274 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26249/10]

I refer the Deputy to my detailed reply to his recent Parliamentary Question, No. 118 of Thursday, 22 April 2010, in this matter. The position in the State of the person concerned is as set out in that Reply.

Asylum Applications

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

275 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for leave to remain in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26250/10]

I refer the Deputy to my detailed reply to his earlier Parliamentary Question No. 656 of Tuesday, 19 January 2010. The person concerned has submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection and this application is under consideration at present. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.

In the event that the application for Subsidiary Protection is refused, the position in the State of the person concerned will then be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

Official Engagements

Deirdre Clune

Ceist:

276 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the status members of a personal security detail have here while accompanying a member of a foreign government on a visit to Ireland; the powers they have to deal with protesters they may encounter in the course of a visit; the way members of the Garda are instructed to react when members of such a security detail use physical force to deal with protesters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26269/10]

The details of the members of high level foreign delegations visiting Ireland, including any accompanying security personnel, are notified to the Department of Foreign Affairs in advance of a delegation's arrival and that Department liaises with my Department and the Garda Síochána on relevant security-related aspects. The members of visiting Government delegations would enjoy the privileges and immunities appropriate to their status. However, all members of visiting delegations are required to respect and to comply with Irish law. The powers available to members of a personal security detail are no greater than those enjoyed by any citizen in similar circumstances. Members of the Garda Síochána are conferred with statutory powers in pursuit of their functions to preserve peace and public order and to prevent, detect and investigate breaches of the criminal law.

Citizenship Applications

Tom Hayes

Ceist:

277 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when a decision will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary who has applied for naturalisation. [26280/10]

A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in January 2009. All valid applications are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants.The average processing time from application to decision is now at 26 months. More complicated cases can at times take more than the current average, while an element of straightforward cases can be dealt with in less than that timescale.

The length of time taken to process each application should not be classified as a delay, as the length of time taken for any application to be decided is purely a function of the time taken to carry out necessary checks. There is a limit to the reduction in the processing time that can be achieved as applications for naturalisation must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure that it is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria.

Prison Accommodation

Deirdre Clune

Ceist:

278 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of prisoners in each prison here in tabular form; the ideal prisoner level for each prison here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26290/10]

Deirdre Clune

Ceist:

283 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform his plans to reduce the level of overcrowding in prisons here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26295/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 278 and 283 together.

I wish to inform the Deputy that on 18 June, 2010, there were 4,304 prisoners in custody as compared to a bed capacity of 4,066. This represents an occupancy level of 106%. The following table provides a breakdown of the population and bed capacity of each prison/place of detention.

Prison/Place of Detention

Bed Capacity

No. in Custody

Arbour Hill Prison

148

152

Castlerea Prison

351

385

Cloverhill Prison

431

471

Cork Prison

272

299

Dóchas Centre

85

133

Limerick Prison (male)

290

309

Limerick Prison (female)

20

22

Loughan House

150

150

Midlands Prison

516

531

Mountjoy Prison (male)

590

697

Portlaoise Prison

359

266

Shelton Abbey

100

100

St. Patrick’s Institution

217

222

Training Unit

107

114

Wheatfield Prison

430

453

Totals

4,066

4,304

As the Deputy will appreciate the Irish Prison Service must accept all prisoners committed by the Courts into its custody and does not have the option of refusing committals. It is the case that there has been a consistent increase in the total prisoner population over recent years. This situation is particularly apparent over the past 12 months during which time the total number in custody has increased by 432. This represents a rise of over 11% in the numbers in custody.

The Inspector of Prisons, in his 2008 Annual Report, acknowledged that overcrowding in prisons is an international problem, not just unique to Ireland. The Irish Prison Service has been engaged in an extensive programme of investment in prisons infrastructure which has involved both the modernisation of the existing estate and the provision of extra prison spaces. Since 1997 in excess of 1,720 new prison spaces have come on stream in the prison system. These include the new prisons in Castlerea, the Midlands, Cloverhill, the Dóchas Centre and new accommodation in Limerick, Portlaoise and Castlerea prisons and at the open centres in Shelton Abbey and Loughan House.

Current projects will see in excess 200 prison spaces provided in the short term by means of the opening of a new block in Wheatfield. In addition, we hope to proceed in late 2010 with a new accommodation block in the Portlaoise/Midlands prisons complex which will provide 300 prison spaces in the medium term. Also in the short term, work is due to commence on converting an administrative building on the Dóchas site into a new accommodation block. This accommodation will provide approximately 50 spaces and is due to be completed in September/ October, 2010.

The Deputy will also be aware of the Government's commitment to developing a new prison campus at Thornton Hall, County Dublin. The new prison facility will provide accommodation for 1,400 cells with operational flexibility to accommodate up to 2,200 in a range of security settings. The development is now proceeding on a phased basis with phase one comprising essential enabling works required for the development, including the construction of the dedicated access road, perimeter wall and off-site services. Tenders for the construction of the access road were published in March of this year and tenders for the construction of the perimeter wall will be published in September. Phase 2 will include the development of the main prison campus. The detailed appraisal is underway in accordance with Department of Finance Capital Expenditure Guidelines and the new business case is at an advanced stage of preparation.

Prison Staff

Deirdre Clune

Ceist:

279 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of prison officers employed in each prison for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26291/10]

I am advised by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that the current staffing levels and configurations for each of the prisons were established in the context of the Change Agreement reached with the Prison Officers' Association in 2005. The Agreement involved substantial changes to staff deployment, which could only be achieved over time. The staffing level for each prison was determined following an analysis of all the tasks that were required to run the individual prison. At present, staffing levels and configurations are quite close to what was envisaged when the Agreement was reached with the Prison Officers Association.

The Deputy will appreciate that in a large organisation such as the Irish Prison Service, surpluses and shortfalls in staffing have to be managed on an ongoing basis and there will be short periods where staff levels are either under or above target levels. The staffing levels for each prison at the end of each year from 2006 to 2009, and current levels in June 2010, are as follows:

Institution

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

Mountjoy

538.5

511.5

567.5

529.0

500.5

Dochas Centre

81.5

88.0

99.0

91.5

90.0

St Patrick’s Institution

208.0

218.5

235.0

233.0

198.0

Cork

211.5

214.0

234.5

226.0

229.0

Limerick

209.0

215.0

226.0

219.0

215.0

Castlerea

191.5

197.5

174.5

165.0

159.5

Cloverhill

344.0

348.5

397.0

360.0

341.0

Wheatfield

314.0

314.0

362.0

315.0

304.5

Portlaoise

284.0

305.0

312.0

306.0

295.0

Arbour Hill

105.5

108.5

115.5

115.0

110.0

Training Unit

61.0

59.0

68.0

69.0

72.0

Midlands

340.5

339.5

365.0

348.5

344.0

Loughan House

49.0

49.0

52.0

47.0

46.0

Shelton Abbey

52.5

53.5

51.5

43.0

44.0

In addition to the staff assigned to each of the prisons there are also staff assigned to a range of important support services. These include: 145 staff assigned to the Prison Service Escort Corp which are responsible for transporting prisoners between prisons and to courts, hospitals and other destinations, 157 staff assigned to the Operational Support Group which is responsible for security screening and security searching within prisons, 28 staff assigned to the Building Services Division which is responsible for building and maintenance and a small number (45) of other prison grade staff that are assigned to tasks related to training, procurement and logistics. I have been informed by the Irish Prison Service that, on 12 June 2010, the number of staff serving in the Prison Service as a whole was 3333.5. The year end figures for 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006 are 3,417, 3506.5, 3347.5 and 3305 respectively.

Increases in staffing levels, where they occurred, have been related in the main to the opening of new prisoner accommodation at these prisons. This includes the opening of new prisoner accommodation at Loughan House and Shelton Abbey in 2008, Castlerea and Portlaoise in 2009, and Mountjoy in 2010. Other factors that have led to increases in staff numbers on a temporary basis include the practice of initially assigning new recruits to large Dublin prisons for a period before they, or more senior colleagues, are assigned elsewhere in the system. This has led to temporary increases in large Dublin prisons such as Mountjoy and Cloverhill at certain times.

The staffing levels in each prison are mediated by a number of factors; these include retirements, recruitment and transfers. During 2009, in particular, there was a significantly higher level of retirements than would be expected in a normal year, with 192 staff retiring from the Prison Service in that year. Retirements have continued at a higher than normal rate through to 2010, although the rate is slower than in 2009. These retirements have been offset by the recruitment of 122 Recruit Prison Officers during 2009 which built on significant recruitment that took place in 2008, and the recruitment of 61 Recruit Prison Officers in 2010 to date. For that reason the Prison Service has been able to absorb the high levels of retirements while maintaining acceptable staffing levels.

Deirdre Clune

Ceist:

280 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of prison officers injured in the line of work in each of the past five years; the prison in which they were working; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26292/10]

In the time available it has not been possible to compile the details requested by the Deputy. I will be in contact with the Deputy when the information is to hand.

Deirdre Clune

Ceist:

281 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of prison officers on sick leave in each prison here for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26293/10]

I am advised by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that there has been a welcome and significant decrease in the level of sickness absence in the Irish Prison Service since 2005. The number of sick leave days taken in the Prison Service has dropped from 81,503 in 2005 to 58,515 in 2009, a decrease of 22,988 days. It is worth noting that the sick days per capita rate decreased from 26.49 in 2005 to 17.25 in 2009.

Year

Days

Per Capita

2005

81,503

26.49

2006

82,580

26.27

2007

71,651

21.64

2008

67,988

19.84

2009

58,515

17.25

Records show the number of Prison Officers who took sick leave in each prison for the past 5 years between 2005 and 2009 and up to 18th June 2010 are as follows:

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

Arbour Hill

89

116

117

114

100

71

Building Services Division

14

14

18

13

13

3

Beladd House

6

12

11

13

8

3

Castlerea

176

199

177

160

146

121

Cloverhill

272

300

303

321

334

366

Cork

184

221

225

219

211

214

Dochas

72

88

82

92

74

82

Limerick

188

228

234

213

194

160

Loughan House

38

50

45

41

36

11

Midlands

306

350

365

358

322

355

Mountjoy

408

457

485

466

423

422

Operational Support Group

106

116

Prison Service Escort Corps

117

137

138

141

116

Portlaoise

264

302

305

301

286

205

Shelton Abbey

51

48

49

42

36

23

St. Patrick’s Institution

178

204

221

217

185

156

Training Unit

58

65

64

69

68

49

Wheatfield

228

271

286

281

263

279

By way of clarification I should say that the Prison Service Escort Corps (PSEC) was operational from February 2006 and the Operational Support Group (OSG) was operational from mid 2008. I have also been advised that OSG Sick leave records for 2008 were recorded in parent prisons and are reflected in the above table. The Director General of the Irish Prison Service will continue to proactively monitor sick leave across the prison estate.

Prison Committals

Deirdre Clune

Ceist:

282 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the current annual cost of keeping a prisoner in prison; his plans to increase the use of community service orders rather than prison sentences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26294/10]

As the Deputy is aware the Courts are independent in the exercise of their functions and they decide on the appropriate sentence following conviction for any particular crime. The Community Service Scheme provides a very useful disposal option for the courts and one I hope will be used more in the future. In fact, the operation of this scheme was the subject of an independent review which I published last October. Broadly speaking the review found that the Scheme had the capacity to be used to a far greater extent.

Based on this, and other recommendations contained in the review, the Probation Service of my Department is leading the drive to substantially increase the number of persons that could potentially be placed on Community Service. The Probation Service has restructured the delivery of Community Service nationally under the governance of a dedicated Community Service Unit and has designed a new model of Community Service. The implementation of the new model is being piloted in the Dublin area. The pilot is intended to trial and refine the efficiency of operation.

At present the most common non-custodial sanction used by the Courts, is the imposition of a fine. The new Fines Act makes provision for the use of non-custodial options for the non-payment of fines such as Community Service. This new legislative provision will provide an extension to the use the Courts can make of the Community Service sanction in less serious offence cases.

I should also add that the most recently published Discussion Document of the White Paper on Crime series, ‘Criminal Sanctions', includes an examination of the use of non-custodial sanctions generally, such as Community Service. A consultation seminar was held at the end of May and the closing date for written submissions has been extended to the end of July. The opinions received at the consultation seminar and from submissions will inform future plans.

I am confident, having regard to the independence of the Judiciary, that the work of the Probation Service to encourage greater use of the Community Service option by the courts will result in greater numbers being placed on the Scheme. The average cost of providing a prison space in 2009 was *€77,222. This was a decrease on the 2008 cost (€92,717) of *€15,495 or 16.7%. The decrease in the average cost of an available, staffed prison space between 2008 and 2009 is the result of a 5% decrease in total costs, combined with a 14% increase in available spaces.

The decrease in costs is primarily due to a *€15.5 Million reduction in salary costs arising from the Government's Public Service pay control measures and the effects of retirements and the moratorium on recruitment and promotion in the Public Service. The increase in available spaces is primarily due to the completion and opening of major new accommodation blocks at Castlerea (116 spaces) and Portlaoise (200 spaces) prisons, in addition to a number of other capacity increasing projects across the prison estate. As in previous years, the numbers of available spaces in each institution are based on figures as at 31st December — this may distort the average cost, in an institution where new prison accommodation is commissioned during the year.

Breakdown of the cost in respect of Open, Closed and High Security prisons

Security Regime

2008

2009

% Change

Open

*60,150

*50,521

-16%

Closed

*90,837

*79,308

-13%

High Security

*155,306

*75,892

-51%

Overall average cost per available staffed space

*92,717

*77,222

-17%

*Figures provided are provisional pending the publication of the 2009 Irish Prison Service Annual Report.

Question No. 283 answered with Question No. 278.

Ground Rents Abolition

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

284 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding ground rents, including the liability of a householder for such rents; and if it is intended to abolish ground rents by legislation or by referendum. [26354/10]

The position is that Part III of the Landlord and Tenant (Ground Rents) (No. 2) Act 1978 already contains a statutory scheme whereby any individual may, at reasonable cost, acquire the fee simple in their dwelling house. The scheme is operated by the Property Registration Authority. I should add that a landlord is statute barred from claiming more than 6 years arrears of ground rent and section 27 of the 1978 (No. 2) Act provides that a landlord cannot re-enter or take possession of premises in respect of which payment of the ground rent is in arrears.

A legal challenge to the constitutionality of the purchase price provisions of the ground rents legislation was heard in the High Court in 2005. While the Court's judgment upholding the constitutionality of the legislation was delivered in early 2006, it was subsequently appealed to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court heard the appeal some months ago and reserved its judgment. The operation of the law in this area continues to be reviewed in my Department.

Departmental Offices

Andrew Doyle

Ceist:

285 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of Government-run canteens operating in Government buildings in his Department and agencies; the number of commercially-run cafes or restaurants that are operating in Government buildings in his Department and agencies; if there is a policy in his Department and agencies to source food locally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26405/10]

I can inform the Deputy that no Government run canteens, commercially run cafes or restaurants are operating in Government buildings in my Department with the exception of the Irish Prisons Service, the Courts Service and An Garda Síochána as set out below.

The Irish Prison Service (IPS) operate one Government run canteen at the Irish Prison Service Training Centre, Beladd, Portlaoise. There are twelve commercially run cafés or restaurants operating in IPS buildings: 2 at Wheatfield & Cloverhill Places of Detention, Clondalkin, Dublin 22; 3 at Mountjoy Complex, St Patrick's Institution & Arbour Hill, Dublin 7; 3 at Midlands Prison, Portlaoise Prison and Portlaoise Coffee Shop, Dublin Rd, Portlaoise, Co Laois; 1 at Limerick Prison, Mulgrave Street, Limerick; 1 at Cork Prison, Rathmore Road, Cork; 1 at Castlerea Prison, Harristown, Co Roscommon; and 1 at IPS Headquarters, Longford.

It is the policy of the Irish Prison Service to subject all tenders to the EU Open procedures as described in the European Parliament and the Council Directive 2004/18/EC on the co-ordination of procedures, or the award of public works, public supply and public service contracts, and as set out in SI 329 of 2006 European Communities (Award of Public Authorities' Contracts) Regulations 2006. With regard to sourcing food locally, this is a matter for the contractor appointed to manage the cafés or restaurants.

In relation to the Courts Service: the canteen in Phoenix House is operated under contract from the Courts Service by a catering contractor on a commercial basis and is open to staff and the public; the Public Restaurant at the Four Courts is operated by a catering contractor on a commercial basis under licence from the Office of Public Works; in the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ), there is a commercially run cafe — the CCJ is run on the basis of a pubic private partnership (PPP) and the PPP company have subcontracted the provision of this cafe service; and in the Four Courts, the Bar Council operates a canteen/restaurant for barristers on a commercial basis and the Law Society operates a small cafe for legal practitioners on a commercial basis. With regard to sourcing food locally, this is a matter for the contractor appointed to manage the canteens or restaurants.

As it has not been possible to obtain the information requested from An Garda Síochána in the allocated time frame, I will forward this information to the Deputy when it comes to hand.

Visa Applications

Mary Upton

Ceist:

286 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if a visa application in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6W will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26412/10]

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 245 of 5th May, 2010. The position remains unchanged. To date EU Treaty Rights Section has not received a satisfactory reply from the applicant or their legal representative.

Garda Deployment

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

287 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will support a safety and security action plan for an area (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [26415/10]

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the area referred to is in the Clontarf Sub-District. Local Garda management is aware of anti-social behaviour in the area, which has been designated as a public order hot-spot. One Sergeant and six Gardaí are attached to the Community Policing Unit at Clontarf Garda Station. These community Gardaí liaise with the local community and business groups in the District, including in the area referred to.

The area is subject to regular patrols by uniform and plain clothes personnel, including the Community Policing Unit, the Garda Mountain Bike Unit and the local Detective and Drugs Units, supplemented as required by the Divisional Crime Task Force and Traffic Corps personnel. The area is also subject to targeted patrols, particularly at weekends. Local Garda management closely monitors and keeps under review patrols and other operational strategies in place, in conjunction with crime trends and policing needs of the communities in the area, to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public.

Current policing strategies are predicated on the prevention of crime, public order offences and anti-social behaviour, thereby promoting an environment conducive to the improvement of the quality of life for residents. Community policing is a central feature and core value of policing policy.

Foreign Students

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

288 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of non-European Economic Areas students attending colleges here from 2005 to 2009, broken down by sector of study and country of residence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26428/10]

While the particular information sought by the Deputy is not readily available nor maintained by the immigration authorities, the available statistical information, as set out below, may be of interest. Table 1 outlines the total number of students registered in Ireland for the years 2006 to 2009. Table 2 provides a snap shot of the position as of 11 March 2010 for non-EEA Students by education sector and top five nationalities. It should be noted that non-EEA national students attending courses for less than 90 days are not required to register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau.

Table 1: Total Number of Non-EEA Students registered in Ireland each year from 2006 to 2009

2006

2007

2008

2009

33,056

39,720

44,942

45,518

Table 2: Statistics by Nationality on Non-EEA Student Immigration to Ireland as at 11 March 2010

Nationality

English Language

Further Education

Higher Education

Other

Total

Chinese

2,006

2,226

3,770

90

8,092

Brazilian

3,160

861

112

65

4,198

Mauritian

795

2,760

76

12

3,643

American

8

54

2,307

172

2,541

Indian

13

1,174

1,213

130

2,530

Other

2,075

3,131

5,410

1,273

11,889

Total

8,057

10,206

12,888

1,742

32,893

Visa Applications

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

289 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will provide details of the number of visa applications received during the period 2003 to 2007 for a college (details supplied); if he will provide a breakdown of the number of those visa applications approved and refused; the country of residence of those applications approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26429/10]

I must advise the Deputy that during the period concerned electronic records were not maintained in such a way as to facilitate the extraction of the details requested.

Coroners Service

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

290 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the reason for the delay for a coroner’s report to be delivered to the relatives of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26450/10]

The coroner is an independent office holder with responsibility under the law for the medico-legal examination of sudden, unexplained, violent or unnatural deaths. In certain such cases, a post-mortem examination may be required. It generally takes some weeks or months before the report is received by the coroner, due to the factors involved. In this case, I understand from the Galway North Coroner that the post-mortem results were received in less than 4 months, which I understand is within usual timeframes, and that the coroner issued a Coroner's Certificate within 3 working days of receipt of these results.

Citizenship Applications

Catherine Byrne

Ceist:

291 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the immigration status of a person (detail supplied); when a decision will issue on their application for naturalisation; the length of time this person is entitled to remain in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26454/10]

As the name and reference number supplied by the Deputy do not match, it is not possible to definitively identify the person to whom the Deputy is referring in her Question. However, if the Deputy wishes to re-submit her Question with the correct details included, I will be happy to provide a substantive response.

Missing Children

John O'Donoghue

Ceist:

292 Deputy John O’Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of children officially deemed to be missing here in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26507/10]

The information requested by the Deputy is currently being researched by the Garda authorities. I will contact the Deputy when the information is to hand.

Garda Operations

James Reilly

Ceist:

293 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the action the Garda will take to ensure that a community (details supplied) is safe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26556/10]

I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the matter referred to by the Deputy. I will contact the Deputy again when the report is to hand.

Departmental Expenditure

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

294 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of departmental credit cards in use in his Department; the names of the authorised signatories of same; the credit limit of same; the amount spent in respect of each card in each of the past three years with a breakdown of the annual bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26568/10]

Six members of staff in my Department are supplied with credit cards where the outstanding balances are paid directly by the Department to enable them to procure goods and services as part of their official responsibilities. The average annual expenditure limit on these cards is €8,500. Accurate information on detailed expenditure on these cards is not readily available prior to 2008, but from January 2008 to May 2010 the average annual expenditure was approximately €4,700 on each card.

As the Deputy will be aware, credit cards of this nature are no more than a tool which facilitates the efficient discharge of business. Indeed, in many ways it is not possible to procure some goods or services without a credit card where, for example, suppliers insist on advance payment.

Departmental Agencies

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

295 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the amount that has been awarded in bonuses to staff in each of the semi-State or similar bodies within his remit in each of the past three years; if he will provide a breakdown of these bonuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26583/10]

I assume that the Deputy is referring to payments under the high level scheme of performance-related awards in Semi-State or Non-Commercial State-Sponsored Bodies under the aegis of my Department. There is only one such body, the Legal Aid Board, and awards were made to its Chief Executive in 2008 in respect of 2007 and in 2007 in respect of 2006. No awards were made in respect of 2008 or 2009. Details of individual awards made under the scheme are not disclosed on the basis that they are confidential to the individuals concerned.

Ministerial Staff

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

296 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of special advisers his Department has had since June 2007; the names of same; the amount each has claimed in expenses in each of the past three years; the amount that has been spent on travel, including foreign travel, and entertainment for each adviser in each of the past three years; if he will provide a detailed breakdown of these costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26598/10]

There have been three Special Advisors employed in my Department over the period since June 2007. Ms Cathy Herbert was appointed Special Advisor by my predecessor on 14 June 2007 and held the position up to 6 May 2008. I appointed Mr Ciarán Ó Cuinn (Programme Manager) and Mr Richard Moore (Press Advisor) on 7 May 2008. Special Advisors are entitled to claim travel and subsistence expenses in accordance with relevant Department of Finance Circulars, the details of which are considered personal to the individuals concerned. They are not entitled to individual entertainment allowances.

Proposed Legislation

Alan Shatter

Ceist:

297 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding the status of legislation to give the Garda and the probation service new statutory powers in the monitoring of released sex offenders; the details of these new powers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26603/10]

The Sex Offenders Act 2001, which includes provisions relating to the registration of sex offenders, post-release supervision of sex offenders and sex offender orders, is being evaluated as part of a major review of the criminal law governing sexual offences.

I will first have to seek Government approval before I publicly give details of my legislative proposals. However, speaking generally, I expect, inter alia, to bring forward proposals to put risk assessment by the relevant authorities on a statutory basis and make the application process for a sex offender order easier. I am planning greater approximation of the laws North and South of the border, in particular in relation to the operation of the respective notification systems, so that sex offenders can gain no advantage in living in or visiting either side of the border. I am also considering what additional information offenders might be required to give to the Gardaí in the context of notification requirements for the sex offenders register. When the review is complete I will seek Government approval for the necessary legislation.

Visa Applications

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

298 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding a visa application in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26607/10]

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the visa applications referred to have been approved.

Registration of Title

Dan Neville

Ceist:

299 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if land dealing transactions will be dealt with as soon as possible in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26738/10]

I can inform the Deputy that under the Registration of Deeds and Title Act 2006, the Property Registration Authority (PRA) was established as and from 4 November, 2006. The PRA replaces the Registrar of Deeds and Titles as the registering authority in relation to property registration in Ireland and, subject to the above Act, is independent in the performance of its functions. The Deputy will be aware of the service to T.D.s and Senators which provides information on the current status of applications, such as the subject of this question, which was introduced in May 2006. The service provides a speedier, more efficient and more cost effective alternative to submitting Parliamentary Questions. It is operated by the PRA and is available all year round. I can further inform the Deputy that his query has been forwarded to the PRA for attention and direct reply via the above mentioned service.

Residency Permits

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

300 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding the residency application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26740/10]

I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that the person concerned made an application for residence in the State based on his marriage to a Lithuanian national on 19 May, 2010. On 1 June, 2010 EU Treaty Rights Section wrote to the applicant requesting further documentation in relation to his application for residence in the State. To date EU Treaty Rights Section has not received a reply from the applicant.

Prison Staff

Dan Neville

Ceist:

301 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will make a statement in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois. [26752/10]

With regard to the person (details supplied), I am advised by the Public Appointments Service that the person was successful in Stage 1 of the selection process of the 2008 Recruit Prison Officer competition and was placed number 592 in order of merit. Two hundred and thirty-six candidates were called to Stage 2 of the selection process of which 150 were successful. Thirty-seven of these have commenced employment with the Irish Prison Service.

Residency Permits

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

302 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the reason for the delay regarding the application for the renewal of a green card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [26771/10]

I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to by the Deputy made an application for further leave to remain in the State on 23 September, 2009. As there was conflicting information documented in this case, clarification was sought as to the status of the person referred to. Officials in my Department inform me that they are now in a position to make a decision in this case and they will be in touch with this person shortly.

Asylum Applications

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

303 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [26772/10]

The person concerned applied for asylum on 17 December 2003. In accordance with Section 9 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended), he was entitled to remain in the State until his application for asylum was decided. His asylum application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 29 December 2005, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. The person concerned initiated Judicial Review proceedings in the High Court, challenging the decision of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal in his case. The Judicial Review proceedings were struck out on 31 July 2007 meaning that the earlier decisions of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal and the Minister stood.

The position in the State of the person concerned now falls to be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

Garda Vetting Services

Noel Coonan

Ceist:

304 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of applications waiting to be processed at Thurles vetting unit, County Tipperary; the average waiting time for vetting; the actions being taken to tackle the backlog, if any; the consequences of a lengthy waiting time for those who apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26790/10]

The Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) provides employment vetting for a large number of organisations in Ireland registered with the Gardaí for this purpose and which employ persons in a full-time, part-time, voluntary or training capacity to positions where they would have substantial, unsupervised access to children and/or vulnerable adults. The GCVU has managed a substantial increase over recent years in the numbers of vetting applications it receives — 187,864 in 2007; 218,404 in 2008 and 246,194 in 2009. At present, there are approximately 65,000 vetting applications in the course of being processed.

The processing time for vetting applications fluctuates during the year due to seasonal demands when the volume of applications received from certain sectors can increase. Additional time may be required to process an individual vetting application in cases where clarification is required as to the details provided or where other enquiries need to be made, for example, when the person in question has lived and worked abroad. There will always be a reasonably significant time period required to process a vetting application. However, the Gardaí make every effort to reduce this to the minimum possible consistent with carrying out the necessary checks. I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the current average processing time for vetting applications received at the GCVU is in the region of 10 to 12 weeks given that demand is particularly high at present.

The allocation of Garda resources, including personnel, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. An additional five persons were assigned to the Vetting Unit recently, bringing the total to 83 personnel currently assigned there, including six Gardaí and 77 Garda civilian personnel. A further five additional personnel are being recruited on a temporary basis and it is intended that these persons will commence work shortly. Overall, this represents a very significant increase in the level of personnel assigned to the unit, which stood at only 13 before the current process of development in Garda vetting began in 2005.

Garda Recruitment

Thomas Byrne

Ceist:

305 Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position with regard to the forthcoming Garda recruitment drive; the age limits that will be in place; if current age limits on serving members of the Garda Reserve who wish to become gardaí will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26802/10]

The Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 provide that in a competition for full-time membership of An Garda Síochána, the assessment shall take into account any service by the candidate as a Reserve member of the Garda Síochána, and shall give due recognition to evidence of satisfactory service as such a member. Admission as a trainee Garda is contingent on the prospective applicant being under 35 years of age. This upper age limit was set in 2004 following consultation with the Commissioner and there are no plans to amend it.

Crime Levels

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

306 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of persons charged and or convicted of using computer technology for downloading child pornography images here in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26868/10]

The Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. I have requested the CSO to provide statistics directly to the Deputy.

Travel Documents

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

307 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when a travel document will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26869/10]

The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) informs me that the Travel Document Unit has not received an application from the person in question for an Irish Travel Document. I am advised that this child entered the State under the Family Reunification process using their own national passport to which an Irish visa was affixed and that a Travel Document will not issue as this passport is currently valid.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

308 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when a travel document will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26870/10]

The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) informs me that the person named by the Deputy was declared a refugee in 2003 and has since attained Irish citizenship. No travel document will issue as this person now has an entitlement to an Irish passport. The reference number quoted by the Deputy relates to a different person who is a daughter of the person named. I am advised that this child entered the State under the Family Reunification process using her own national passport to which an Irish visa was affixed. A recent application for a Travel Document was refused as this passport is currently valid.

Residency Permits

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

309 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for family reunification in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26871/10]

I refer the Deputy to my previous replies to his Parliamentary Questions. I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that a further letter issued to the person referred to by the Deputy on 18th June 2010 advising that they write directly to Family Reunification INIS regarding the matter concerned. I am further informed by INIS that on receipt of a response from the person referred to by the Deputy the case will be considered further.

Citizenship Applications

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

310 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26872/10]

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question 160 on the 27 May, 2010. The position remains as stated.

Residency Permits

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

311 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26873/10]

As the name and reference number supplied by the Deputy do not match, it is not possible to definitively identify the person to whom the Deputy is referring in his Question. However, if the Deputy wishes to re-submit his Question with the correct details included, I will be happy to provide a substantive response.

Asylum Applications

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

312 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the reason for the delay in a decision on an asylum application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo. [26892/10]

If an application for asylum has been made by the person concerned, I would like to make the Deputy aware that it is not the practice to comment on asylum applications that are pending.

Departmental Correspondence

John O'Donoghue

Ceist:

313 Deputy John O’Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the proposals he has to ensure that representations made by Members of the Oireachtas on behalf of members of the public to his Department are responded to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26906/10]

I can assure the Deputy that the expeditious processing of Oireachtas Members' correspondence remains a core customer service related function across all areas of my Department. Regrettably, in recent months it has not been possible due to industrial action to process certain types of correspondence, including correspondence from Members of the Oireachtas. However, in view of the recent ratification of the Croke Park Agreement my Department believes that normal working processes will shortly be restored. In that context arrangements are being made to ensure that all unprocessed correspondence is dealt with as quickly as possible.

Passport Applications

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

314 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the rights of a US citizen to an Irish passport (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26324/10]

The individual in question may qualify for Irish citizenship by descent through Foreign Births Registration or through naturalisation. Under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Acts, 1956 to 2004, the basic requirement for obtaining citizenship by descent, through Foreign Births Registration (FBR), is that an applicant's parent was an Irish citizen at the time of the applicant's birth. A person born outside Ireland with a parent who was born in Ireland is automatically an Irish citizen by descent. A person born outside Ireland with parents who were born outside Ireland and a grandparent who was born in Ireland may become an Irish citizen by FBR. An individual resident in Ireland seeking to apply for citizenship through Foreign Births Registration should contact the Consular Section of the Department of Foreign Affairs at Hainault House, 69/71 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, telephone number 4082555. Further information and application forms relating to the Foreign Births Registration process are available on the Department of Foreign Affairs website, www.dfa.ie. An individual seeking to apply for citizenship through naturalisation should contact the Department of Justice and Law Reform.

Deirdre Clune

Ceist:

315 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will review the passport application of a person (details supplied) who applied via passport express; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26440/10]

The application in question was received in the Passport Office on 26 May, 2010. The applicant informed the Passport Office of her impending travel and arrangements were made for the passport to be collected on Friday 18 June at the Passport Office in Molesworth Street.

Departmental Offices

Andrew Doyle

Ceist:

316 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of Government-run canteens operating in Government buildings in his Department and agencies; the number of commercially-run cafes or restaurants that are operating in Government buildings in his Department and agencies; if there is a policy in his Department to source food locally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26464/10]

There are no canteens or commercially run cafes in any of the office premises used by my Department.

Departmental Expenditure

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

317 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of departmental credit cards in use in his Department; the names of the authorised signatories of same; the credit limit of same; the amount spent in respect of each card in each of the past three years with a breakdown of the annual bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26566/10]

The Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for two Votes: Vote 28 Foreign Affairs and Vote 29 International Cooperation. The Department operates a restrictive policy for the use of corporate credit cards for official expenditure. The use of credit cards in making payments is subject to the same authorisation and control procedures as other forms of payment. While the credit card companies require that the accounts be operated by named authorised signatories, it must be stressed that they are used exclusively for official, rather than personal use and commingling is not allowed.

There are currently 6 official credit cards in use by the Department in Ireland (3 for Vote 28 and 3 for Vote 29). A list of authorised signatories for these official credit cards; the credit limits on the cards, and details of the amount spent on each card in the past three years are set out in the following tabular form. Please note that credit limits do not apply in the case of American Express cards, but that these accounts must be paid in full every month. Official credit cards may be permitted for use at Missions abroad subject to Headquarters approval and compliance with the Department's policies on use of official credit cards. There are currently 12 official credit cards in use by Missions, all of which relate to Vote 28 Missions.

I regret that it is not possible to provide the Deputy with a breakdown of the annual bills in the time available. The use of official credit cards may be permitted for officials who, because of the nature of their work, need to make official payments on credit from time to time. Credit cards are typically used to make occasional flight and hotel bookings, for representational purposes and for making sundry payments, at short notice, where cash may not be acceptable or where the cost involved would otherwise be too great to be met from an officer's own resources. The issue of a credit card to the Department's librarian is to facilitate the purchase on-line of books and information materials relevant to the work of the Department, and the Finance Unit credit card is used for miscellaneous purchases and subscriptions.

Office Holder of Credit Card

Number of Cards

Credit Limit

Authorised Signatories

Amount Spent 2007

Amount Spent 2008

Amount Spent 2009

Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs Headquarters)

Minister’s Private Secretary

1

N/A (AMEX)

Sinead Ryan

124

(Cancelled in 2009)

Private Secretary/ Minister of State (Vote 28)

1

N/A (AMEX)

John Freir

5,186

2,898

955

Secretary General

1

N/A (AMEX)

Dermot Gallagher

1,795

Cancelled

Chief of Protocol

1

N/A (AMEX)

Kathleen White

2,765

190

295 (Cancelled in 2009)

Deputy Chief of Protocol

1

N/A (AMEX)

Joseph Brennan

699

766

793 (Cancelled in 2009)

Head of Anglo Irish Division

1

N/A (AMEX)

Patrick Hennessy

3,409

4,492

272 (Cancelled in 2009)

Finance Unit (Vote 28) (VISA)

1

5,000

Anne O’Keeffe

1,565

806

Librarian (VISA)

1

4,000

Orla Gillen

16,593

16,437

9,476

Minister’s Advisers × 2 (one card each)

2

N/A (AMEX)

Richard Moore

2,540

1,512Cancelled May 2008

60 (Stamp Duty arising in 2008)

Ciaran O Cuinn

Vote 29 (Irish Aid)

Minister of State

1

N/A (AMEX)

Minister of State Peter Power

N/A

2,109

976

Minister of State Michael Kitt

65

886

N/A

Minister of State Conor Lenihan

485

N/A

N/A

Private Secretary to Minister of State

1

N/A (AMEX)

Owen Feeney

N/A

N/A

194

Sheila Duffy

N/A

3,562

5,708

Ultan Waldron

1,694

N/A

N/A

Finance Unit

1

5,000

Michael Tiernan

715

156

63

Departmental Agencies

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

318 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount that has been awarded in bonuses to staff in each of the semi-State or similar bodies within his remit in each of the past three years; if he will provide a breakdown of these bonuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26581/10]

There are no state agencies operating under the remit of my Department.

Ministerial Staff

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

319 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of special advisers his Department has had since June 2007; the names of same; the amount each has claimed in expenses in each of the past three years; the amount that has been spent on travel, including foreign travel, and entertainment for each adviser in each of the past three years; if he will provide a detailed breakdown of these costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26596/10]

There are currently three special advisors* engaged by my Department. The roles and functions carried out by the special advisors are as set out in Section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997. I am satisfied that the special advisors contribute to the effectiveness of the work of my Department in a manner and to an extent that fully justifies the associated costs. A total of seven special advisors (including press advisors) have been engaged by my Department during the period in question. Their names and travel and subsistence expenses claimed are detailed in the following table..

Travel & Subsistence Expenses

2007 June-December

2008

2009

2010

Paddy Banks

926

Deirdre Gillane

380

1,389

617

David Grant*

627

116

1,544

Christy Mannion*

393

3,631

Richard Moore

1,331

2,690

Jerry O’Connor*

2,675

4,304

873

Ciaran Ó Cuinn

1,473

2,023

Special advisors do not have personal entertainment allowances, although an advisor who undertakes official entertainment in the course of their duties is entitled to reimbursement. Such expenditure by Mr. Jerry O'Connor, who in his capacity as media advisor would be expected to engage in intensive networking and contact building activities, amounted to €3,382 for part of 2008, €2,829 in 2009 and €1,265 to-date in 2010. In the time available, it has not been possible to collate entertainment expenditure records for Mr. Richard Moore, who served in a similar role with my predecessor during the period prior to May 2008.

UN Resolutions

Joan Burton

Ceist:

320 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to approve and launch the national action plan on UN Security Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security in July 2010; if he is satisfied that there has been sufficient consultation with the relevant stakeholders in respect of the UNSCR 1325; the number of times the relevant consultative group has met; the amount of money that has been spent to date on the national action plan process and the associated cross learning initiative; if he will provide a breakdown of the precise allocation of resources and details on specific budget lines to support the implementation and monitoring of the NAP in the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26769/10]

The Conflict Resolution Unit within the Department of Foreign Affairs is taking the lead role in the development of Ireland's National Action Plan on UNSCR Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. The Resolution calls for an increase in the participation of women in peacemaking and peace building processes; the protection of women and girls in armed conflict; and the incorporation of a gender perspective into peacekeeping and peace building processes. 2010 is the 10th anniversary of the resolution and the Government will have approved Ireland's National Action Plan on 1325 in time for events in New York in October to mark that anniversary.

The plan is being drafted through extensive consultation with a wide range of stakeholders. An Interdepartmental Reference Group on UNSCR 1325 was established to ensure that the development of the Plan is informed by the views of relevant government departments. The group includes representatives of the Department of Foreign Affairs (the Development Cooperation Division, Anglo-Irish Division; Human Rights Unit, International Security Policy Unit and Conflict Resolution Unit); the Department of Defence; the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform; the Irish Defence Forces; and an Garda Síochána. The Group has met nine times since its first meeting in March 2009. In consultation with the Reference Group, an in-depth audit was issued to the Secretaries General of relevant government departments to identify areas where mechanisms relating to UNSCR 1325 are already in place, as well as gaps that may currently exist. The information gathered has served as a basis for the development of the National Action Plan.

A Consultative Group with representatives from civil society and academia was also established to exchange information with the Interdepartmental Reference Group and to receive and comment on drafts of the National Action Plan. The Group includes representatives of the Joint Consortium on Gender Based Violence; the Irish Red Cross; the National Women's Council of Ireland; Trócaire; UNIFEM Ireland; Akidwa; Amnesty International and a number of Universities. The Group was convened on 8 February 2010 and has met four times to date, with another meeting scheduled for 22 June 2010. The Group was formally invited to provide observations on the structure and content of the National Action Plan on 9 February 2010 and was asked to circulate a questionnaire prepared by the Conflict Resolution Unit on the content and structure of the National Action Plan to as wide a constituency as possible in order to receive observations from any interested parties; the questionnaire was placed on the Department's website to facilitate this.

A consolidated submission was made by members of the Group on 20 April 2010, the content of which has proven most useful for the drafting of the National Action Plan. I am satisfied that there has been sufficient consultation with these and other relevant stakeholders in respect of UNSCR 1325 and the draft National Action Plan. In addition to this consultative process, the Conflict Resolution Unit is leading an innovative Cross-Learning Initiative on Women, Peace and Security involving participants from Ireland/ Northern Ireland, Liberia and Timor-Leste. The Initiative is designed to draw upon the experiences of those directly affected by conflict on how best to promote and protect women’s leadership and interests in conflict resolution and peace-building and is being chaired by Ireland’s Special Envoy for UNSCR 1325, Nuala O’Loan.

As part of the initiative, high-level participatory events have been held in Northern Ireland (June 2009), Timor-Leste (December 2009), and Liberia (April 2010). Each four day event has focused on one of the ‘3 Ps' of UNSCR 1325 — Participation, Protection and Perspectives — and brought together representatives from government and civil society groups that have particular expertise in dealing with the issues under discussion. The participants from Northern Ireland were selected in consultation with DemocraShe, a Northern Ireland women's leadership organisation, and included: Women into Politics, the Community Dialogue Organisation, Women's Resource and Development Agency (WRDA), Training for Women Network (TWN), Northern Ireland Women's European Platform (NIWEP), Women's Support Network (WSN), Northern Ireland Rural Women's Network, Northern Ireland Local Government Staff Commission, Women's Resource and Development Agency, National Women's Council of Ireland, WAVE Trauma Centre, the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, Omagh Women's Aid, Foyle Women's Aid, Interaction Belfast, the Northern Ireland Policing Board, West Belfast Partnership Board, the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Women's European Platform. A similar range of organisations participated from Liberia and Timor-Leste. The final report of the initiative is currently being prepared and will be formally presented to the UN in advance of the tenth anniversary events. It is hoped that the report of the conclusions of the process will feed into policy discussions at the United Nations, and indeed into other policy communities such as the EU, AU and OSCE.

Considerable resources have been devoted to Ireland's National Action Plan process within the Department of Foreign Affairs and in other Departments. In 2009, €485,000 was devoted from the Department's Stability Fund specifically to fund the cross-learning initiative and consultation with women affected by conflict. This is in addition to funding of €220,000 allocated to support international organisations, including UNIFEM, for their work on global indicators. These resources were made available in addition to the considerable human and financial resources already devoted to UNSCR 1325 related activities across Government. The final figure for expenditure on UNSCR 1325 related activities for 2010 is not yet available.

The National Action Plan is envisaged as a ‘living document' and will be reviewed annually to monitor implementation and in order to incorporate changing realities; this will allow the National Action Plan to set achievable goals which can be built upon at each review. The Department of Foreign Affairs will have overall responsibility for monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the National Action Plan. To facilitate co-ordination and the exchange of information, the Inter-Departmental Reference Group and the Consultative Group will continue to meet regularly to review progress on the implementation of the National Action Plan.

In the first year of operation of the National Action Plan, civil society representatives are invited to consult widely with their membership and networks and to make proposals for alterations to the National Action Plan in time for the first annual review of the National Action Plan in July 2011. In addition to this, a formal review of the National Action Plan will take place after three years.

Departmental Correspondence

John O'Donoghue

Ceist:

321 Deputy John O’Donoghue asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the proposals he has to ensure that representations made by Members of the Oireachtas on behalf of members of the public to his Department are responded to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26904/10]

Procedures for dealing with Ministerial correspondence, including representations made by Members of the Oireachtas, have been in place in my Department for a number of years. Related guidelines were formalised in line with requirements under the 2002 Civil Service Customer Charter Initiative and were most recently up-dated in October 2009. Under the guidelines the division handling the correspondence is required to submit a draft reply to my correspondence office within 14 days in order to facilitate compliance with the commitment in the Customer Charter that replies will issue within 20 working days. Where the response time cannot be achieved (e.g. where the material for reply is not readily available) the division is required to provide an interim reply. Every effort is made in my Department to ensure that correspondence is replied to promptly. To date in 2010 my correspondence office has received almost 2,000 items of correspondence, including representations from Members of the Oireachtas, and correspondence from other Foreign Ministries and Governments, and members of the public. This compares with almost 3,000 such items received during the whole of 2009.

Swimming Pool Projects

Joanna Tuffy

Ceist:

322 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport if moneys were granted under the local authority swimming pool programme to community organisations in 2009 and 2010; if so, the names of the organisations granted funding under this programme in 2009 and 2010; if applications for a new round of the programme are currently being accepted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26329/10]

The current round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme, operated by the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport provides grant aid to a maximum of €3.8m to Local Authorities, towards the capital cost of new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools. Where a project is being undertaken by an organisation other than a local authority, the project must be considered, supported and submitted by the relevant local authority with which the Department then engages in the administration of the grant under the Programme. The current round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme has been closed to new applicants since the 31 July 2000.

Under the current round of the programme, 57 applications were received, of which 45 projects have been completed and opened to the public, 2 are under construction, or about to start construction, and 10 other projects are at various stages of the programme. The priority now is to work with the relevant local authorities in completing the remaining 12 pool projects, which are included in the current round. Since the current round commenced in 2000, total expenditure to date has amounted to €144.08m million and this has leveraged a total investment of some €400m in respect of the 47 pools. The allocation of €7.5m in 2010 will be sufficient to meet commitments arising in 2010 under the current round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme. The following payments made in 2009 and 2010 under the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme are shown hereunder in tabular form.

Pool Project

Local Authority

Grants Paid in 2009

Grants Paid in 2010

Arklow

Wicklow

117,451

Finglas

DCC

190,461

Clonmel

Tipperary South

82,097

Cobh

Cork

190,461

Drogheda

Louth

190,461

Jobstown

SDCC

380,921

Letterkenny

Donegal

380,921

Clondalkin

SDCC

380,921

Askeaton

Limerick

380,921

Portarlington

Laois

387,460

Portlaoise

Laois

380,921

Longford

Longford

380,921

Thurles

Tipperary North

380,921

St.Michael`s House

DCC

370,000

Birr

Offaly

149,820

Bray

Wicklow

380,921

Greystones

Wicklow

380,921

Claremorris

Mayo

1,665,669

Roscrea

Tipperary North

2,082,356

Ferrybank

Wexford

2,815,907

612,386

Dundrum

DRCC

380,921

Tullamore

Offaly

380,921

Total

11,670,433

1,374,229

No decision has been taken on launching a new round of the Programme.

Departmental Offices

Andrew Doyle

Ceist:

323 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport the number of Government-run canteens operating in Government buildings in her Department and agencies; the number of commercially-run cafes or restaurants that are operating in Government buildings in her Department and agencies; if there is a policy in her Department to source food locally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26465/10]

There are no Government-run or commercially run cafés or restaurants in my Department. Canteen space is provided in both the Killarney office of my Department and in the National Archives (which forms part of my Department), but no canteen facilities are provided privately or publicly save any financed by the staff themselves. Accordingly, the issue of a policy to source food locally does not arise. The availability or otherwise of canteen facilities in the agencies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the agencies themselves.

Departmental Expenditure

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

324 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport the number of departmental credit cards in use in her Department; the names of the authorised signatories of same; the credit limit of same; the amount spent in respect of each card in each of the past three years with a breakdown of the annual bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26571/10]

My Department currently has seven operational credit cards for use in respect of official expenditure by the authorised card holder. The names of the signatories and associated credit limits are listed below.

Names

Credit Limit

Mr. Con Haugh

6,350 (minimum)

Mr. Niall Ó Donnchú

6,350 (minimum)

Mr. Paul Bates

6,350 (minimum)

Ms Susan McGrath

6,350 (minimum)

Mr. Kevin Lonergan

6,350 (minimum)

Mr. Joseph Healy (General Departmental card)

6,350 (minimum)

Mr. Keith Ashmore (Private Secretary to Minister)

10,000

The amount spent in respect of each of these cards in each of the last three years is listed below.

2008

2009

to 18 June 2010

Mr. Con Haugh Sec Gen

1,413.02

721.85

608.15

Mr. Niall O’Donnchú

1,349.06

997.31

823.32

Mr. Paul Bates

230.00

230.00

230.00

Ms Susan McGrath

2,767.51

1,076.00

230.00

Mr. Kevin Lonergan

124.00

230.00

368.90

Mr. Joe Healy Dept Cr Card

2,720.70

8,967.04

4,838.80

Mr. Keith Ashmore

19.05

Departmental Agencies

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

325 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport the amount that has been awarded in bonuses to staff in each of the semi-State or similar bodies within her remit in each of the past three years; if she will provide a breakdown of these bonuses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26586/10]

In respect of the staff in semi state or similar bodies under the aegis of my Department whose remuneration includes bonuses, decisions to award payments in any instance are not made by me as Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport but, rather, by the boards of the agencies concerned, subject to the terms and criteria contained in the agreed associated remuneration schemes. Accordingly, the bases of any such awards are matters for the boards of the agencies concerned. Furthermore, the payment of bonuses is suspended pursuant to the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009, and the relevant agencies under the aegis of my Department have been requested to implement these provisions. I have requested information from the agencies with regard to the amounts of bonuses paid in the relevant period and will forward this to the Deputy.

Ministerial Staff

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

326 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport the number of special advisers her Department has had since June 2007; the names of same; the amount each has claimed in expenses in each of the past three years; the amount that has been spent on travel, including foreign travel, and entertainment for each adviser in each of the past three years; if she will provide a detailed breakdown of these costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26601/10]

Since June 2007, my Department has had four special advisors namely, Mr. Frank Lahiffe, Mr. Tom Rowley (advisors to the late Minister Brennan), Ms Michelle Hoctor (advisor to former Minister Cullen) and my advisor, Ms Averil Power. The total amount claimed on expenses (which would include mileage, subsistence and entertainment) for each year since June 2007 and the related breakdown is detailed below:

Expenses claimed

Jun-Dec 2007

2008

2009

Frank Lahiffe

3,818.29

3,717.37

Tom Rowley

6,771.27

5,095.56

Michelle Hoctor

2,667.77

985.74

Averil Power

Total

10,589.56

11,480.70

985.74

There have been no expenses claimed for 2010. The total amount spent on foreign and domestic travel by air and related breakdown for each year since June 2007 is detailed below:

Club Travel

Jun-Dec 2007

2008

2009

Frank Lahiffe

3,112.40

Tom Rowley

3,112.40

Michelle Hoctor

5,996.70

183.55

Averil Power

Totals

6,224.80

5,996.70

183.55

There has been no expenditure incurred by advisors in relation to official entertainment since June 2007.

Departmental Correspondence

John O'Donoghue

Ceist:

327 Deputy John O’Donoghue asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport the proposals she has to ensure that representations made by Members of the Oireachtas on behalf of members of the public to her Department are responded to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26909/10]

The Department endeavours to meet the following standards in relation to responding to written correspondence, as set out in our Customer Charter 2010. Written representations are acknowledged within 5 working days of their receipt, with a definitive reply provided to the vast majority of them within 20 working days. In cases where there will be a delay in replying, an interim reply is normally issued, explaining the position, before the 20-day period expires. In addition, where written representations are made directly to my Office or to the Office of the Secretary General within the Department, such representations are entered into an electronic Correspondence Tracking System so that their progress may be tracked until the issuance of a final reply occurs. If customers feel that the Department’s customer service commitments in respect of representations are not met, they have access to a complaints and redress service via the Department’s Customer Services Manager.

Departmental Offices

Andrew Doyle

Ceist:

328 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of Government-run canteens operating in Government buildings in his Department and agencies; the number of commercially-run cafes or restaurants that are operating in Government buildings in his Department and agencies; if there is a policy in his Department and agencies to source food locally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26401/10]

I am advised that there are no Government-run canteens in operation in any of the Government buildings occupied by my Department or by State bodies/agencies funded from my Department's Vote Group. With regard to commercially-run cafés or restaurants, I am advised that a commercially run café is in operation in the National Disability Authority. There is also a café operating in Údarás na Gaeltachta which is subsidised by the agency itself and, thus, could not be considered to be commercial in the strictest sense. I am advised that the sourcing of food in both of these facilities is undertaken in the context of ensuring value for money, while also supporting local producers.

Departmental Expenditure

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

329 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of departmental credit cards in use in his Department; the names of the authorised signatories of same; the credit limit of same; the amount spent in respect of each card in each of the past three years with a breakdown of the annual bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26560/10]

There are two credit cards operated by my Department, which are held by the Private Secretaries to the Minister and to the Minister of State. The Private Secretaries are the authorised signatories in each case. The credit card limits are €6,300 and €7,000 respectively. The amounts paid in respect of both credit cards for each year from 2007 to date are set out in the following table:

Table: Credit Card payments in respect of the Offices of the Minister and Minister of State

Year

Office of Minister

Office of Minister of State

Total

2007

3,863

65

3,928

2008

2,805

3,634

6,439

2009

1,211

879

2,090

*2010

30

1,597

1,627

*As at 21 June 2010 All credit card payments were in respect of necessary official expenditure on my Department's behalf.

Departmental Agencies

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

330 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount that has been awarded in bonuses to staff in each of the semi-State or similar bodies within his remit in each of the past three years; if he will provide a breakdown of these bonuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26575/10]

I am advised that bonuses of the nature referred to by the Deputy have been paid in the case of a number of bodies/agencies funded from my Department's Vote Group only in respect of the CEO or equivalent officer in those bodies. Relevant details in respect of the years 2007, 2008 and 2009 are outlined in the table below. For completeness and transparency, I have included Pobal and also provided details for 2010 to date, including any bonus payments made in that period in respect of any prior year.

Body/Agency Name

Total bonus amount paid 2007

Total bonus amount paid 2008

Total bonus amount paid 2009

Total bonus amount paid 2010 to date

Commissioners for Charitable Donations and Bequests

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Dormant Accounts Board

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Western Development Commission

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Údarás na Gaeltachta

€25,426

€18,121

€3,900

Nil

An Coimisinéir Teanga

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Pobal

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Waterways Ireland

STG£7,250 (in respect of 2005)

STG£8,000 (in respect of 2006)

Nil

STG£8,500 (in respect of 2007)

Equality Authority

€20,802 (in respect of 2006)

€21,559 (in respect of 2007)

Nil

Nil

Equality Tribunal

€14,600 (in respect of 2006)

€13,400 (in respect of 2007)

Nil

Nil

Human Rights Commission

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

National Disability Authority

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Family Support Agency

€15,874

€557

Nil

Nil

An Foras Teanga, comprising:

Ulster-Scots Agency

STG£976

Nil

Nil

Nil

Foras na Gaeilge

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Ministerial Staff

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

331 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of special advisers his Department has had since June 2007; the names of same; the amount each has claimed in expenses in each of the past three years; the amount that has been spent on travel, including foreign travel, and entertainment for each adviser in each of the past three years; if he will provide a detailed breakdown of these costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26590/10]

At present, there are two special advisers in my Department reporting to me — my special adviser, Mr John Regan, and my media adviser, Mr Seán Tadhg Ó Gairbhí. In addition, one special adviser — Mr Stephen Dineen — reports to the Minister of State at my Department with responsibility for Equality, Integration and Human Rights. None of these advisers has claimed any expenses to date in 2010.

The aggregate expenses claimed by the preceding advisers reporting to the then Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in the period from June 2007 to March 2010 (one special adviser, Mr Pádraig Ó hUiginn, and two media advisers over the period, Ms Éadaoin Ní Mhonghaile and Ms Layla de Cogan Chin) are set out in the tables below. These constitute travel & subsistence expenses and the cost of flights. No entertainment expenses were claimed. In all cases, travel and subsistence was paid in respect of absences on official business and in accordance with Department of Finance guidelines.

Table 1: Expenses claimed by the special adviser to then Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

Year

Home Expenses

Foreign Expenses

Subsistence

Travel

Total

Subsistence

Travel

Total

2007 (from 1st June)

469

1,061

1,530

132

132

2008

461

1,493

1,954

1,098

924

2,022

2009

661

1,567

2,228

107

107

2010

Table 2: Expenses claimed by the media advisers to then Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

Year

Home Expenses

Foreign Expenses

Subsistence

Travel

Total

Subsistence

Travel

Total

2007 (from 1st June)

616

1,579

2,195

159

14

173

2008

1,729

2,378

4,107

675

4,456

5,131

2009

688

1,197

1,885

442

234

676

2010

Departmental Correspondence

John O'Donoghue

Ceist:

332 Deputy John O’Donoghue asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the proposals he has to ensure that representations made by Members of the Oireachtas on behalf of members of the public to his Department are responded to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26898/10]

In line with its Customer Charter, arrangements are in place across my Department to ensure that all correspondence received from its clients and customers are responded to in a timely and efficient manner. This includes representations made by Members of the Oireachtas on behalf of members of the public, which are generally administered and managed by the Private Ministerial Offices in my Department. If there are any particular cases which the Deputy would wish to bring to my attention, I will, of course, be happy to investigate such cases and respond to him.

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

333 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the criteria used to determine eligibility for domiciliary care allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26248/10]

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. The child must be likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 months. Eligibility for Domiciliary Care Allowance is not based primarily on the medical or psychological condition, but on the resulting lack of function of body or mind necessitating the degree of extra care and attention required. Each application is assessed on an individual basis taking account of the evidence submitted.

In the case in question an application for Domiciliary Care Allowance was received on the 16th July 2009. This application was referred to one of the Department's Medical Assessors who found that the child did not meet the medical criteria for Domiciliary Care Allowance. A letter issued on 19th September 2009 to advise of the decision to refuse Domiciliary Care Allowance. The person in question lodged an appeal of the decision with the Social Welfare Appeals Office. On 14th April 2010 she was informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that her appeal had been disallowed.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

334 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason an application for the continuation of the domiciliary care allowance was refused in respect of a person (details supplied). [26263/10]

Domiciliary Care Allowance can be paid in respect of children under 16 years of age who have a disability so severe that it requires the child needing care and attention substantially in excess of the care and attention normally required by a child of the same age. In the case in question the child reached sixteen years of age in December 2009.

Civil Registration

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

335 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection the evidence that persons (details supplied) legally resident in the State need to provide to show that they are free to marry. [26353/10]

I have made enquiries with the Registrar General and he has informed me that the position is as set out below.

The persons in question met with a registrar in the Dublin Civil Registration Office on 15th March 2010 to give three months notice of intention to marry. At that meeting both parties indicated that they were widowed. On foot of a query raised by the registrar in Dublin, the General Register Office received copies of sworn affidavits by both parties confirming the circumstances of their previous marriages and the subsequent deaths of their spouses.

The law governing marriages in Ireland is the Civil Registration Act, 2004. Section 2(2)(b) of the Act provides that there is an impediment to a marriage if one of the parties to the marriage is, or both are, already married. As the marital status of the parties concerned cannot be independently verified, it is not possible to conclude that they are free to marry in accordance with Irish law. However, if independent evidence of marital status is provided, the matter will be reviewed.

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

336 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when rent support will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26875/10]

Due to staff action currently being taken in the Department, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

337 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when rent support will be offered to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26877/10]

Due to staff action currently being taken in the Department, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.

Social Welfare Appeals

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

338 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a domiciliary care appeal will be heard in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26246/10]

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that Office on 31 May 2010. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Social Welfare Services on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received the appeal in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

339 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection, further to Parliamentary Question No. 262 of 9 June 2010, when a decision will be made in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26247/10]

A claim in respect of child benefit was received from the person concerned in February 2009. Further information was requested in relation to this claim including the completion of a habitual residence questionnaire. This information has now been received and the claim has been disallowed as the person concerned is not considered to satisfy the habitual residence condition. He has been notified in writing and advised of his right of appeal.

Employment Support Services

Thomas Byrne

Ceist:

340 Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to create schemes which would give some form of employment to those on the live register and in particular to facilitate those who are not entitled to jobseeker’s allowance due to the fact that their contributions have been used up. [26256/10]

The announcement by the Taoiseach of changes in Ministerial responsibility were made with a view towards achieving a better alignment of functions within and between Departments in order to deliver a better outcome for users of services and for the taxpayer. With regard to the functions being transferred to my Department, there will be an emphasis on reducing poverty, particularly by reducing dependency on social welfare payments among people of working age by promoting greater activation and participation. Bringing the various relevant programmes together within the remit of my Department will assist us in achieving these objectives.

The transfer of functions and the associated development of services will take time to achieve. However, I am pushing ahead with a range of policy initiatives aimed at delivering opportunities for activation to those who are out of work. Recently, the Taoiseach and I launched the employer (job) PRSI incentive scheme. The scheme, which is part of our ongoing work to support job creation and to deal with the difficulties that unemployment creates for people in their daily lives, will support job creation, and counter the drift of people into long-term unemployment and welfare dependency by exempting employers from liability to pay their share of PRSI contributions for twelve months, when they employ a person who has been out of work for more than six months. I would expect that this scheme will be of benefit to substantial numbers of persons who no longer have an entitlement to jobseeker's benefit.

Social Welfare Benefits

Thomas Byrne

Ceist:

341 Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for single parent family payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath. [26277/10]

The person concerned applied for one-parent family payment on 31 December 2009. An assessment of her means has been completed and a decision will be made on her entitlement within the next two weeks. The person concerned is in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance pending the decision on her one-parent family payment.

Thomas Byrne

Ceist:

342 Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for jobseeker’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath. [26283/10]

The person concerned applied for jobseeker's allowance on 7 December 2009. Payment was awarded at the rate of €88.00 per week with means assessed at €12.00 per week. Arrears due were paid to the person concerned on 18 May 2010.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

343 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person whose back-to-work allowance is paid into a bank account cannot have rent allowance paid in the same way but must, instead, have it paid into the post office; if he will streamline these methods of payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26318/10]

The Department manages a range of different payment options. These are offered to customers by reference to the scheme which the customer is in receipt of, the availability of payment options available under that scheme and by reference to control and risk considerations.

The payment options available under the rent supplement scheme are varied. They are electronic fund transfer to the customer's bank account, electronic information transfer through the post office network or by way of a payable order/cheque. The Community Welfare Officer may determine the most appropriate method of payment in consideration of control and risk issues. The customer may ask that the matter be reconsidered by the Community Welfare Officer so that an alternative payment instrument is available.

The main benefit of payments by way of electronic information transfer through the post office is that it enables social welfare customers to avail of the household budgeting scheme. This scheme provides a free budgeting facility which allows people on social welfare to have deductions made from their weekly payments towards utility payments such as gas, electricity and telephone or deductions to pay for weekly rent payments to local authorities.

The Department of Social Protection is committed to delivering a high quality customer service for all customers. We will continue to develop strategies and solutions that avail of opportunities provided by developments in ICT and the Financial Services sector to improve existing services, to maximise efficiencies in payment instruments available, and deliver a range of payment options and services in consideration of accessibility, e-inclusion and financial inclusion.

Social Welfare Appeals

Michael Ring

Ceist:

344 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal will be opened in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [26322/10]

I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that a form for the opening of an appeal has been forwarded to the person concerned requesting him to state the grounds for his appeal. On receipt of his reply the appeal will be opened and processed in the normal manner. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlement.

Social Welfare Benefits

Michael Ring

Ceist:

345 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason reductions were made in the past 12 months to the farm assist in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if a reassessment will be carried out in this case due to the change in their circumstances. [26337/10]

A review of the entitlements of the person concerned was conducted in May 2010. Prior to then, means derived from the benefit of income from spouse's earnings of €7 per week had been assessed. They are no longer assessed with effect from 12 May 2010. No adjustment was required in respect of REPS, as means from this scheme had been assessed as nil. However his overall means assessment has increased by €4 per week as his means derived from the benefit of income from his holding have increased from €3 to €14 per week. It is possible that he may be entitled to an increase in respect of a child if she is engaged in full-time education. A form for the purpose of claiming this increase was issued to him, but has not yet been received in his Social Welfare Local Office.

Pension Provisions

James Bannon

Ceist:

346 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application or appeal for a State pension transition in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26341/10]

The person concerned applied for State pension (transition) in May 2010 and was refused on grounds of having a yearly average of 10 contributions. A yearly average of at least 24 contributions is required in order to qualify for a State pension (transition). My Department has no record of an appeal on behalf of the person concerned.

Social Welfare Benefits

James Bannon

Ceist:

347 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding payment of rent allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26342/10]

Due to staff action currently being taken in the Department, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.

James Bannon

Ceist:

348 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for assistance under the supplementary allowance scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26346/10]

Due to staff action currently being taken in the Department, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.

Social Welfare Appeals

Jack Wall

Ceist:

349 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal to refuse their application for an exceptional needs payment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26363/10]

Due to staff action currently being taken in the Department, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.

Social Insurance

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

350 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount of money that will be contributed by civil and public servants to public funds by way of PRSI contributions for the year 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26365/10]

The information requested by the Deputy for 2010 is not available. The amounts due in employee pay related social insurance is returned on annual employer forms P35 in respect of their employees to the Revenue Commissioners. The Revenue Commissioners do not categorise the employer P35 returns by reference to public or private sector employees. Furthermore, it is not possible to identify and extract information on civil and public servants who entered into employment in the public sector after April 1995 and are paying PRSI at the ordinary rate of PRSI contribution.

With regard to civil and public servants with entry dates pre 1995 while their PRSI classes are recorded separately on P35 annual returns the information relating to 2010 will not become available until 2012. The last year for which such information is available showing PRSI contributions paid at PRSI Classes B, C or D is 2007. In that year the total amount of PRSI paid by 139,931 civil and public servants amounts to €175,808,118 on gross earnings of €6,675,760,631.

Social Welfare Appeals

Michael Ring

Ceist:

351 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on the fact that a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is waiting for an appeal to be heard since January 2010. [26371/10]

Michael Ring

Ceist:

352 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is being denied their constitutional right to an appeal in view of the inordinate amount of time which they are waiting for their appeal to be heard. [26372/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 351 and 352 together.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was opened on 18 March 2010 and relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Social Welfare Services on the grounds of appeal were sought. These are now to hand and will be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration. As part of this consideration the Appeals Officer will determine if an oral hearing is warranted in this case.

A number of initiatives are currently underway designed to enhance the capacity of the office to deal with the current caseload and inflows. In that regard,

2 additional Appeals Officers were assigned to the Office in 2009,

A number of additional staff are being assigned to the administration area of the Office,

The organisation of the Appeals Officer's work has been changed so as to increase productivity,

A project to improve the business processes in the office is underway and a number of improvements have already been implemented,

Significant enhancements are being made to the Office's IT and phone systems.

Notwithstanding these measures, it is clear that further additional staff will be required in the short term to address the backlog that has developed. Any such staff must be very experienced and be in a position to operate without significant training. Therefore it has been decided to use experienced retired staff strictly on a short term basis to supplement the current resources. The Social Welfare Appeals Officer functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Social Welfare Benefits

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

353 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if jobseeker’s payment will be paid directly into a person’s account; if all persons claiming jobseeker’s payments have to be in the country and sign on once a week; if he is confident that no person who has left the country continues to receive payments on grounds they are available for and seeking work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26396/10]

Since June 2008, the option of having a jobseeker's payment paid directly into a bank account is no longer offered to new jobseekers. The Department has introduced residency checks for existing non-Irish customers who were receiving a payment to their bank account before the new measures were put in place. Social Welfare Inspectors make periodic un-notified home visits to these customers to confirm residency.

In general, people in receipt of a jobseeker's payment must be resident in the country, collect their payment weekly in person at a designated post office and sign on monthly. If the payment is not collected by the customer within the week, it is cancelled and they must then go to their local Social Welfare Office to have it reissued. This arrangement minimises the risk of abuse and overpayment of benefits.

However, certain categories of jobseekers who work for a portion of a week, such as casual workers or those on systematic short-time, receive their payment weekly by cheque for operational reasons. New EU Regulations, introduced with effect from 1st May 2010, allow for the continuation of payment for 13 weeks by this Department directly to the claimant while they are abroad. The jobseeker is subject to the control procedures operated by the Member State in which they are seeking work and the Department is notified if the customer is not adhering to these procedures.

Departmental Offices

Andrew Doyle

Ceist:

354 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of Government-run canteens operating in Government buildings in his Department and agencies; the number of commercially-run cafes or restaurants that are operating in Government buildings in his Department and agencies; if there is a policy in his Department and agencies to source food locally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26406/10]

The Department provides facilities for a canteen service for staff in a number of locations i.e. in Longford, Sligo, Letterkenny, Áras Mhic Dhiarmada, Dublin and Kilmainham, Dublin. However, it is not directly involved in the provision of meals or in the running of these facilities. Arrangements for the provision of services in these facilities are put in place by voluntary committees of staff in the locations in question. As a rule this involves the appointment of a commercial company to provide the service under the committee's general supervision.

The procurement arrangements of these companies are not subject to direction by the Department and, accordingly, details of the food sources are not available. There are no commercially run cafés or restaurants operating in the agencies under the remit of the Department.

Social Welfare Benefits

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

355 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the refusal of further assistance to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 16. [26419/10]

Due to staff action currently being taken in the Department, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

356 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved and awarded farm assist. [26427/10]

The claim for farm assist from the person concerned is currently with a Deciding Officer. A decision will be made shortly and she will be notified of the outcome.

Social Welfare Appeals

David Stanton

Ceist:

357 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be reached on an appeal for supplementary welfare allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26442/10]

Due to staff action currently being taken in the Department, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

358 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in approving rent subsidy in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [26476/10]

Due to staff action currently being taken in the Department, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

359 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in approving rent subsidy in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [26477/10]

Due to staff action currently being taken in the Department, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

360 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in approving rent subsidy in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [26478/10]

Due to staff action currently being taken in the Department, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

361 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in sanctioning rent allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [26480/10]

Due to staff action currently being taken in the Department, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

362 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Social Protection when a rent subsidy application will be determined in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [26481/10]

Due to staff action currently being taken in the Department, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

363 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Social Protection when a rent subsidy application will be determined in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [26482/10]

Due to staff action currently being taken in the Department, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

364 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Social Protection when a rent subsidy application will be determined in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [26483/10]

Due to staff action currently being taken in the Department, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.

Departmental Programmes

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

365 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps he will take to ensure that an application for a school meals project scheme for the school year 2010/11, by a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath is successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26512/10]

The school meals programme gives funding towards the provision of food services for disadvantaged school children through two schemes. The first is the statutory urban school meals scheme, operated by local authorities and part-financed by the Department. The second is the school meals local projects scheme through which funding is provided directly by the Department to participating schools and local and voluntary community groups who are running their own school meals projects.

An application for funding under the school meals local projects scheme for the school year 2010/2011 was received from the school concerned in May 2010. The school was informed by letter on 2nd June 2010 that, due to the demand on the scheme, the application had not been successful but that it would be retained for inclusion in the scheme at a future date.

The budget allocation for the schools meals programme for 2010 is €35m the same allocation as in 2009. Demand for funding under the school meals local projects scheme has increased considerably in recent years and remains high. Priority for funding under the scheme is given to schools which are part of the Department of Education & Skills' initiative for disadvantaged schools ‘Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools' (DEIS). However, there is no automatic entitlement to funding and all applications must be considered in light of the available finance for the scheme. As the school concerned is part of the DEIS initiative, it will be given priority for funding at a later date, should funding becoming available.

Social Welfare Appeals

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

366 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an application for a social welfare appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26539/10]

Due to staff action currently being taken in the Department, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

367 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on an application for rent supplement under the supplementary welfare allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26540/10]

Due to staff action currently being taken in the Department, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.

Departmental Expenditure

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

368 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of departmental credit cards in use in his Department; the names of the authorised signatories of same; the credit limit of same; the amount spent in respect of each card in each of the past three years with a breakdown of the annual bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26569/10]

There are currently 7 credit cards in use in the Department with details as set out in the following table:

Expenditure

Grade

Area

2007

2008

2009

Card Limit

1

Assistant Principal

Information Unit

453

282

443

These cards are with American Express who do not set limits on their cards

2

Private Secretary

Minister’s Office

451

618

3,141

3

Assistant Principal

Staff Development Unit

1,269

4,728

929

4

Pensions Ombudsman

Pensions Ombudsman

1,134

3,054

2,021

5

Assistant Principal

EU International

4,858

6,054

6,039

6

Assistant Principal

Central Services

3,520

4,570

565

10,000

7

Assistant Principal

Appeals Office

521

5,243

61

5,000

Totals:

12,206

24,549

13,199

The costs incurred using these credit cards were mainly in respect of travel, accommodation, meals, purchase of training materials and software and the hire of rooms for Appeal hearings.

Departmental Agencies

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

369 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount that has been awarded in bonuses to staff in each of the semi-State or similar bodies within his remit in each of the past three years; if he will provide a breakdown of these bonuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26584/10]

Of the bodies and Office under my remit, schemes of performance-related pay applied to the Chief Executive Officers of the Citizens Information Board and the Pensions Board, prior to the suspension of those schemes from 1 May 2009. These post holders were eligible to be considered for a performance related bonus payment of up to a maximum of 20% of basic salary. Decisions regarding the level of payments awarded in individual cases were the responsibility of the Boards of these bodies.

Ministerial Staff

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

370 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of special advisers his Department has had since June 2007; the names of same; the amount each has claimed in expenses in each of the past three years; the amount that has been spent on travel, including foreign travel, and entertainment for each adviser in each of the past three years; if he will provide a detailed breakdown of these costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26599/10]

Since June 2007 there have been 3 Special Advisers in the Department whose details are set out in the following table.

Special Adviser

Minister

From

To

Frank Lahiffe

Séamus Brennan TD

1/6/2007

14/6/2007

Averil Power

Mary Hanafin TD

7/5/2008

23/3/2010

Pádraic Ó hUiginn

Éamon Ó Cuív TD

23/3/2010

date

Neither expenses nor any expenditure on travel or entertainment were claimed for these Special Advisers from June 2007 to date.

Since June 2007 there have been 3 Press/Media Advisers in the Department whose details are set out in the following table.

Press Adviser

Minister(s)

From

To

Tom Rowley

Séamus Brennan TD

1/6/2007

14/6/2007

Michelle Hoctor

Martin Cullen TD

14/6/2007

May 2008

Michelle Hoctor

Éamon Ó Cuív TD

May 2010

Date

There were no expenses claimed for entertainment from these Press/Media Advisers from June 2007 to date.

The following table sets out the cost to the Department for foreign and domestic travel, and domestic subsistence claimed by these Press/Media Advisers.

Press Adviser

Cost of Foreign Airfare

Cost of Domestic Airfare

Cost of Home Travel

Cost of Home Subsistence

Totals

Tom Rowley

393.26

595.66

988.92

Michelle Hoctor for June 2007 – May 2008

2,437.07

61.00

2,498.07

Social Welfare Appeals

Damien English

Ceist:

371 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an appeal for jobseeker’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26630/10]

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the decision. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Mary O'Rourke

Ceist:

372 Deputy Mary O’Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [26633/10]

An application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received on the 17th February 2010 from the person in question. This application was referred to one of the Department's Medical Assessors who found that her child was not medically eligible for DCA. A letter issued to the person in question on the 16th April 2010 where she was advised of the decision to refuse DCA. 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 or they may appeal the decision directly to the Social Welfare Appeals Office within 21 days. In this case the applicant submitted additional medical information in respect of her claim on 22nd April 2010. The DCA section forwarded this to the Social Welfare Appeals Office and they have registered an appeal. The newly submitted medical information will be reviewed by a Medical Assessor.

Social Welfare Benefits

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

373 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on an application for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [26758/10]

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that, following receipt of the relevant Departmental papers including comments on the grounds of appeal, the appeal from the person concerned will be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Mary Upton

Ceist:

374 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 is in receipt of all their proper social welfare payments and entitlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26801/10]

As the Deputy is aware, domiciliary care allowance is no longer payable in this case as the child in question reached sixteen years of age in April 2010 and the allowance is not paid beyond this age. However the child may have an entitlement to other benefits in her own right or the mother could have an entitlement to a payment based on the care that she continues to provide for the child. The person in question should contact the information officer in her nearest Social Welfare Local Office which is located at Bishop's Square, Redmond's Hill, Dublin 2. The officer will review her circumstances and advise on what entitlement she and her child may have.

Social Welfare Appeals

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

375 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection, further to Parliamentary Question No. 140 of 2 June 2010, if this case (details supplied) can be reopened for an oral hearing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26865/10]

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having considered all the available evidence, disallowed the appeal. Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of the Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by the Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts. If there is any new evidence or new facts pertinent to this case that was not brought to the attention of the Appeals Officer during the determination of this appeal, they may be submitted to the Social Welfare Appeals Office for further consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Social Welfare Benefits

Joe Behan

Ceist:

376 Deputy Joe Behan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will assist a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26881/10]

The person concerned applied to have payment of the back to education allowance paid directly to her bank account and her application has been approved. This payment will take effect from September 2010.

Joe Costello

Ceist:

377 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3 is in receipt of jobseeker’s benefit; the date on which benefit was granted; the weekly amount awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26888/10]

The person concerned applied for jobseeker's allowance from 5 May 2010. His file is currently with a Social Welfare inspector in order for an assessment of his means to be carried out. On completion of this assessment his file will be forwarded to a Deciding Officer for a decision and he will be advised of the outcome.

Departmental Correspondence

John O'Donoghue

Ceist:

378 Deputy John O’Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection the proposals he has to ensure that representations made by Members of the Oireachtas on behalf of members of the public to his Department are responded to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26907/10]

The Department has clear structures and protocols in place in relation to dealing with representations made by Members of the Oireachtas. There are no proposals at present to change the arrangements currently in place.

Social Welfare Benefits

James Bannon

Ceist:

379 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Longford has been refused a carer’s allowance in respect of their mother; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26921/10]

On 2 March 2010 the person concerned was refused Carer's Allowance on the grounds that the person being cared for does not require full time care and attention and, furthermore, does not satisfy the condition that s/he must require full time care and attention for at least 12 months. He was notified of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of review or appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

Additional medical evidence was subsequently received and was forwarded to the Department's Medical Assessor for consideration. However, this information did not alter the opinion of the Medical Assessor and the decision of the Deciding Officer remains unchanged. On 15 June 2010 he was notified of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of appeal to the Social Welfare Appeal's Office.

Departmental Offices

Andrew Doyle

Ceist:

380 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Defence the number of Government-run canteens operating in Government buildings in his Department and agencies; the number of commercially-run cafés or restaurants that are operating in Government buildings in his Department and agencies; if there is a policy in his Department to source food locally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26462/10]

The Department of Defence has canteen facilities in its buildings in Renmore, Galway, Coláiste Caoimhín, Glasnevin and in its HQ at Parkgate, Dublin 7. The canteens in Parkgate and Coláiste Caoimhín are run and staffed by the Defence Forces Catering Board while the canteen in Renmore is run privately on a commercial basis. In all cases, the overheads in terms of rent, heating, lighting, and catering equipment are funded by the Department. The sourcing of food and other provisions is a matter for the canteen service providers.

The agencies associated with the Department — the Civil Defence Board, the Army Pensions Board and the Board of Coiste an Asgard — do not have individual Government run or commercially run canteens. The Department is collating the information requested in relation to canteen facilities operating in the various Defence Forces' buildings and will provide this information directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Departmental Expenditure

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

381 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Defence the number of departmental credit cards in use in his Department; the names of the authorised signatories of same; the credit limit of same; the amount spent in respect of each card in each of the past three years with a breakdown of the annual bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26561/10]

The number of Departmental credit cards in use in the Department is four. Details of each card and a breakdown of expenditure for the years 2007-2009 are set out in the following table.

Name

Credit Limit

Expenditure 2009

Expenditure 2008

Expenditure 2007

Private Secretary to Minister for Defence

10,000

155.50

3,031.27

923.03

Private Secretary to Minister of State at Department of Defence

10,000

404.19

257.10

0.00

Secretary-General

10,000

433.57

896.90

481.05

Human Resources Manager

5,000

1,229.56

3,564.22

2,836.22

Departmental Agencies

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

382 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Defence the amount that has been awarded in bonuses to staff in each of the semi-State or similar bodies within his remit in each of the past three years; if he will provide a breakdown of these bonuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26576/10]

The agencies associated with the Department are the Civil Defence Board, the Army Pensions Board and the Board of Coiste an Asgard. The agencies are staffed by civil servants. Performance awards for civil service grades are made to individual staff members and to groups of staff under a scheme for Recognition of Exceptional Performance of duty. In assessing eligibility for awards, regard is given to the nature and quality of the activities involved and to the circumstances under which they were carried out. Attention is also paid to the grade level of the staff members concerned and to what would be regarded as high quality performance from staff in such grades.

In 2007, a total of €1,170 was awarded to staff in the Civil Defence Board under the Scheme for the Recognition of Exceptional Performance, comprising three individual awards of €570, €400 and €200 respectively. No awards have since been made to any member of staff in these agencies under the Scheme.

Ministerial Staff

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

383 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Defence the number of special advisers his Department has had since June 2007; the names of same; the amount each has claimed in expenses in each of the past three years; the amount that has been spent on travel, including foreign travel, and entertainment for each adviser in each of the past three years; if he will provide a detailed breakdown of these costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26591/10]

It has not been possible in the time available to compile the information requested by the Deputy. The information will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Departmental Correspondence

John O'Donoghue

Ceist:

384 Deputy John O’Donoghue asked the Minister for Defence the proposals he has to ensure that representations made by Members of the Oireachtas on behalf of members of the public to his Department are responded to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26899/10]

I am satisfied that all representations from members of the Oireachtas are replied to in an efficient manner by the Department. However if the Deputy has a specific case or cases in mind I would be happy to have the matter followed up.

Foreshore Licences

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

385 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding instructions being issued to complete the granting of a foreshore licence in respect of a person (details supplied) in Cork South-West; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26796/10]

The application for a foreshore licence made by the person in question is currently under consideration by my Department and I expect to make a decision on the matter as soon as possible.

Water and Sewerage Schemes

Joanna Tuffy

Ceist:

386 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will confirm that water-main rehabilitation contracts have gone to tender; if so, when he expects construction work to commence on these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27096/10]

Joanna Tuffy

Ceist:

424 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding any estimates that have been carried out and available to his Department on the total expenditure required to carry out mains rehabilitation work throughout the country to reduce unaccounted for water on a nationwide basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26919/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 386 and 424 together.

Mains rehabilitation is a key priority under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library. A key input to the development of the Programme was the assessment of needs prepared by local authorities in response to my Department's request to the authorities last year to review and prioritise their proposals for new capital works, including mains rehabilitation works, in their areas. In their needs assessments, local authorities identified mains rehabilitation works with a value of some €320 million which were subsequently included in the new Programme as contracts due to commence over the period of the Programme. Funding is particularly targeted at areas where the level of unaccounted for water is unacceptably high. Over time, this investment of €320 million over the next three years should lead to marked reductions in unaccounted for water and progress will continue to be monitored on an annual basis through the local authority service indicator process.

The phasing and funding of mains rehabilitation projects for each local authority are set out in the published Programme. The progression and timing of the commencement of construction of those contracts would ultimately be a matter for the relevant local authority, depending on the nature and complexity of the project, any statutory processes involved and the need for compliance with my Department's project procurement guidelines for water conservation projects.

Pat Breen

Ceist:

387 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, further to Parliamentary Question No. 951 of 3 November 2009, the position regarding funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26232/10]

I refer to the reply to question No. 316 of 11 May 2010 which sets out the position on the Cooraclare Sewerage Scheme.

Departmental Correspondence

John O'Mahony

Ceist:

388 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, further to Parliamentary Question No. 122 of 6 May 2010 and No. 223 of 26 May 2010, the reason his Department has not contacted this person as stated in the previous replies; when his Department will contact this person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26265/10]

My Department wrote to the legal representatives of the person in question on 15 June 2010.

Social and Affordable Housing

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

389 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason local authorities have different maximum income thresholds which prevent applicants from inclusion on the social housing list and the steps he will take to create uniformity in the system. [26308/10]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

390 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the maximum income threshold of each of the local authorities here which is preventing applicants from being included on the social housing list. [26309/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 389 and 390 together.

It is a matter for each housing authority to determine, in accordance with section 9 of the Housing Act 1988, whether a household is or is not reasonably able to meet the cost of the accommodation which they are occupying or to obtain suitable alternative accommodation. Guidance issued to housing authorities by my Department in relation to the statutory assessment of housing needs advised that an appropriate criterion for assessing a household's income be set in each authority. The guidance suggested that a suitable basis for determining access to social housing for a household, having regard to the household's family circumstances and local housing costs, was the ability to: service an appropriate housing loan; avail of the affordable housing or shared ownership schemes; or obtain privately rented accommodation.

Notwithstanding this, the Housing (Miscellaneous) Provisions Act 2009, enacted in August 2009, provides for a new housing needs assessment process, replacing section 9 of the Housing Act 1988, which currently governs the assessment of need. Regulations are currently in preparation in my Department which will give detailed effect to the new needs assessment process.

Section 20 of the 2009 Housing Act provides that the Minister may, by regulation, set an income threshold for access to social housing support. The income threshold will define the boundary between what a household can be expected to provide for from its own resources through renting / purchasing on the private market and what cannot reasonably be afforded. Thresholds set in relation to income eligibility will also take account of varying levels of affordability between authorities. This approach should ensure a more standardised and consistent approach to income assessment by housing authorities. It is envisaged that these Regulations will be made, and section 20 of the Act will be commenced, in September 2010.

Local Authority Housing

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

391 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if detailed legislation is now in place for the sale of existing local authority houses to tenants based on the incremental purchase model as contained in Part 4 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009; and when it is reasonable for a tenant to begin this process. [26316/10]

Part 3 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 provides for an incremental purchase scheme in respect of newly-built houses reserved by housing authorities and approved housing bodies for the purpose. I recently made the necessary statutory instruments bringing the scheme into operation from 14 June 2010.

When I announced the details of the new scheme, I indicated my intention to introduce legislation in 2011 to underpin a new scheme for the sale of existing local authority houses to tenants based on the incremental purchase model. This scheme will replace the current tenant purchase scheme, introduced in 1995. To ensure an orderly wind-down of the existing scheme, I have asked housing authorities to inform all existing tenants of houses as soon as possible (and new tenants on allocation of a house) of the decision to end the scheme, so that they have enough time to apply to purchase their home under the existing scheme, if they so wish. I will make regulations in due course setting a closing date 2 years hence for the receipt of purchase applications under the 1995 scheme.

Part 4 of the 2009 Act provides for tenant purchase, along incremental purchase lines, of apartments in designated existing local authority complexes. I expect to make the necessary statutory instrument by the end of the year to enable the apartments sales scheme to be brought into operation as quickly as possible.

Building Regulations

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

392 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will carry out an audit of all buildings constructed before 2007/08 which have been damaged by pyrite infill; if he has directed local authorities to carry out such an audit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26349/10]

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

393 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will carry out an audit of all materials used in housing construction from a quarry (details supplied) in Dublin 15 or from other similar quarries in north Dublin and north Leinster; if he has ordered an investigation into whether infill materials containing pyrite were used in a water reservoir at Ballycoolin, Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26350/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 392 and 393 together.

The position in regard to pyrite in house construction has been set out in replies to previous questions and most recently in the reply to Question No. 127 of 6 May 2010. The position is unchanged. While the issue of the materials used in the Ballycoolin Reservoir is a matter for Fingal County Council as the contracting authority, my Department understands from the local authority that there is no evidence of pyrite having been used in the construction of the reservoir. The Department will be asking the local authority for a formal report on the matter.

Local Authority Housing

Liz McManus

Ceist:

394 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of persons on local authority housing lists per county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26355/10]

Andrew Doyle

Ceist:

415 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of people on the local authority housing list by county at the end of 2006 to 2009 inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26816/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 394 and 415 together.

The number of households on a local authority's waiting list continuously fluctuates as households on the list are allocated housing and new households apply for housing support. My Department does not hold information on waiting lists. A statutory assessment of housing need is carried out every three years by all housing authorities in accordance with the terms of the Housing Act 1988. The last assessment took place in 2008 and indicated that there were 56,249 households in need of social housing support. Further information regarding the assessment, including a breakdown of housing need figures by housing authority, is available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie.

Local Authority Funding

Joan Burton

Ceist:

395 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position of service providers who sign up to participate in the early childhood care and education scheme regarding the payment of rates; the conditions under which such providers are exempt from the payment of rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26381/10]

Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Act 2001. The question of whether or not a childcare provider in receipt of funding under the Early Childhood Care and Education scheme may be deemed exempt from the payment of rates is a matter for the Commissioner of Valuation.

Departmental Offices

Andrew Doyle

Ceist:

396 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of Government-run canteens operating in Government buildings in his Department and agencies; the number of commercially-run cafes or restaurants that are operating in Government buildings in his Department and agencies; if there is a policy in his Department and agencies to source food locally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26403/10]

There is a staff restaurant, operated by a private company, in my Department's offices in the Custom House. There are also seven catering concessions open to the public in the National Parks. While my Department has no role in the day-to-day operation of these facilities, it is understood that some food is sourced locally.

Water Services

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

397 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will support a matter (details supplied). [26414/10]

In December 2009, following a decision by Government, I informed the House that I would be bringing forward proposals for the installation of water meters in households served by public water supplies. These proposals will give effect to the commitment in the renewed Programme for Government to introduce charging for domestic water in a way that is fair, significantly reduces waste and is easily applied. I expect to bring these proposals, including estimates of the costs, to Government in the coming weeks. I will provide further details on these matters following their consideration and approval by Government.

Local Authority Housing

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

398 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if there are regulations or guidelines in place on the way local authorities should treat applicants on their housing waiting list who have received a financial settlement as a result of a marital breakdown following which the applicant to the local authority housing list has left the family home; the circumstances under which persons who find themselves in this position can access a local authority housing waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26417/10]

It is a matter for each housing authority to determine, in accordance with section 9 of the Housing Act 1988, whether a household is or is not reasonably able to meet the cost of the accommodation which they are occupying or to obtain suitable alternative accommodation.

In general, housing authorities do not assess the long term housing needs of separated persons until a legal separation agreement is in place which details the long term use of any assets (including the family home). Once this is in place, the housing authority can, upon receipt of an application, make a decision on the nature of that person's long term housing need. Once an authority has determined that a household is in need of support there are a range of housing options, including local authority housing, the Rental Accommodation Scheme, the Social Housing Leasing Initiative, housing provided by approved bodies and sites for households to build on, that can be made available to these households.

Water Quality

James Reilly

Ceist:

399 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to improve water quality in the Fingal area in view of a report identifying it as being the worst in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26432/10]

The EPA published its report on The Quality of Bathing Water in Ireland 2009 earlier this month. The report identified nine beaches which were non-compliant with the EU mandatory bathing water quality standards. Three of the nine beaches, in Balbriggan, Skerries and Sutton, are in the functional area of Fingal County Council. This compares with the situation in 2008, when four beaches in the area failed to meet the mandatory standards.

The waste water treatment plant for Balbriggan/Skerries was upgraded under the Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009. This plant came into service in mid-2008 and ultra-violet treatment was added in September 2008. The plant was licensed by the EPA in October 2009 under the Waste Water Discharge Regulations 2007; these Regulations provide a system for the licensing or certification of all discharges to the aquatic environment from sewerage systems owned, managed and operated by local authorities.

The recently published Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012 includes a further phase of the Balbriggan-Skerries Sewerage Scheme and the Portmarnock Sewerage Scheme, both of which are at planning stage. Implementation of these measures should assist in improving the water quality at these bathing water sites.

Radon Levels

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

400 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding homes in which the radon levels have been found to be high in view of the risks associated with prolonged exposure to high radon concentrations; the grants that are available to householders to carry out necessary radon remediation work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26468/10]

The Government, largely through the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII), has been active for a number of years in assessing radon-related issues in Ireland. Between 1992 and 1999 the RPII carried out a National Radon Survey to measure radon concentrations in Irish homes. The principal objectives were to measure the scale of the radon challenge in Ireland and to identify areas at higher risk of radon concentrations above the National Reference Level of 200 becquerels per metre cubed (Bq/m3).

The Government's approach to radon, which is similar to that of the majority of EU Member States, is to concentrate efforts on increasing public awareness of the risks posed by the build up of radon in the home. Householders, particularly those living in known high radon areas, have been strongly encouraged by the RPII to have their homes tested for radon and to undertake remediation works where necessary.

If a dwelling is found to have a high radon level, remediation work may be recommended. Technical guidance on radon remediation techniques is available in a booklet issued by my Department: Radon in Buildings — Corrective Options. The RPII has also issued guidance: Understanding Radon Remediation — A Householder's Guide. In addition, the website of the RPII provides a list of companies who can provide a radon remediation service and the RPII can offer specific advice and recommendations.

There is no scheme of grant assistance that exclusively targets remediation works in private dwellings with radon levels that exceed the National Reference Level. However, where a suites of works is being grant-aided under the Scheme of Housing Aid for Older People, which is available to assist older people, generally over 60 years, to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out to their homes, local authorities may also, as part of the package of works, assist with the provision of radon remediation works, where applicable.

The Building Regulations require all new buildings, including new houses, built since 1st July 1998 to incorporate radon protection measures at the time of construction. This includes the fitting of an inactive radon sump, which can be activated at a later stage to reduce radon concentrations if this is found to be necessary. Members of the public can access information on radon on the RPII website, www.rpii.ie. Publications and information leaflets about radon can be downloaded from the website free of charge. The RPII can also be contacted on freephone 1800 300 600.

Local Authority Charges

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

401 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding a matter (details supplied); the exemptions, if any, available for the elderly, particularly when the second home is not occupied; the date on which this will have to be paid in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26469/10]

The €200 non-principal private residence charge was introduced in the Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, which came into force in July 2009. As an exceptional measure for the year of introduction, the liability date for the charge was fixed at 31 July 2009. The Act provides that the liability date for 2010 and future years is 31 March. Payment does not fall due until two months after the liability date and there is a further one month's grace period before penalties for late payment commence.

The Act has a starting position of universal liability for residential property in respect of the charge, but exempts certain buildings and owners from this liability. The most important exemption applies where a property is occupied by the owner as his or her sole or main residence on the liability date.

Further exemptions include buildings that are newly constructed but unsold and form part of the trading stock of a business; buildings with heritage merit; those let directly or indirectly by local authorities for social housing or by voluntary housing bodies; buildings which are the subject of a shared ownership arrangement with local authorities and buildings in respect of which commercial rates are paid. In addition, exemptions apply where a person is temporarily in possession of two properties while in the process of moving home; where a charity owns the property and where a spouse or ex-spouse has an interest in a property after a divorce or separation agreement but does not reside there. Granny flats and principal private residences that have to be vacated due to long-term illness are also exempt if certain criteria are fulfilled.

Architectural Heritage

Mary Upton

Ceist:

402 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will support a group which is endeavouring to preserve a building (details supplied) which has had literary significance for more than a century; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26487/10]

The conservation principles of care and protection of the architectural heritage are set out in Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000. Generally, under the Act, planning authorities have a clear obligation to create a record of protected structures. Under section 58 of the Act owners and occupiers of protected structures have a duty to protect such structures from endangerment. Sections 59 to 78 of the Act give planning authorities powers with regard to the protection of these structures, including powers to require works to be carried out in relation to endangerment of protected structures and to require restoration of the character of protected structures.

The local authority conservation grants scheme provides grant assistance for the conservation of protected structures i.e. those buildings which are listed in the record of protected structures contained in each local authority development plan. This scheme is administered by the local authorities on behalf of the Department and specific queries on the scheme should be addressed directly to the relevant local authority. In addition, the heritage management grants scheme administered by the Heritage Council, with funding from my Department, includes works to ensure the survival of a heritage building or structure. Information in relation to the scheme is available from the Heritage Council.

Water and Sewerage Schemes

Michael Ring

Ceist:

403 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will allocate funds to rectify the issues affecting water treatment plants (details supplied) in County Mayo. [26489/10]

Michael Ring

Ceist:

404 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason there is a delay in implementing recommendations from consultants (details supplied) regarding the replacement of filters at water treatment plants. [26490/10]

Michael Ring

Ceist:

405 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the filters in water treatment plants (details supplied) in County Mayo have degraded to the extent that both schemes are now on a boil notice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26492/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 403 to 405, inclusive, together.

Responsibility for the administration of the Rural Water Programme has been devolved to local authorities since 1997. The advancement of individual group schemes under the programme, within the overall priorities set by my Department and subject to the block grant funding provided, is, therefore, a matter for the local authorities. In the case of group water schemes a grant of 100% of the cost of essential treatment and disinfection facilities is available for schemes participating in bundled Design Build Operate contracts. Other necessary works like buildings, reservoirs, pipelines associated with the contract are grant aided at up to 85% of cost, subject to a maximum grant of €6,475.66 per house.

The treatment plants referred to in the question are part of a bundled Design Build Operate contract in County Mayo which encompasses a number of group water schemes. As with other bundled Design Build Operate contracts, the relevant local authority, in this case Mayo County Council, acts as the contracting authority for the Design Build component. In light of issues arising on the functioning of the two water treatment plants, Mayo County Council submitted a proposal to my Department earlier this month for the replacement of the filter membranes in the plants. The proposed approach is without prejudice to the determination of the issue of where liability lies in respect of failure of existing membranes, which is a matter to be resolved between the contracting parties. In light of the need to resolve the issues arising for drinking water quality in the area, my Department approved funding for the Council's proposal last week.

Land Aggregation Scheme

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

406 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will guarantee that local authorities will have first option on lands that they surrender to the agency under the proposed land aggregation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26549/10]

Under the land aggregation scheme, local authorities have been given the option to apply to my Department to recoup the cost of outstanding loans that are due to mature before the end of 2010 and where it is considered that the land involved is unlikely to be developed in the short to medium term. Lands that are to be transferred to the Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency Ltd. may continue to be available for social housing if housing projects are advanced by authorities under the Social Housing Investment Programme. It is intended to put in place, in consultation with relevant bodies, operational plans to ensure the best use of land from a planning and value for money perspective.

Local Authority Housing

David Stanton

Ceist:

407 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the way persons who hold neither a passport nor a driving licence can prove their identity when making an application for social housing to local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26552/10]

In carrying out an assessment of a household's eligibility and need for social housing support, identification is an important part of that process. While a driver's licence or passport may be presented, if available, for identification purposes, any other suitable document that contains a photograph of the applicant or joint applicant is also acceptable. Birth certificates are normally required for each child in the household. In addition, every member of the household is required to have a unique PPS Number.

Proposed Legislation

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

408 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will address the concerns (details supplied) of the Irish Greyhound Board regarding the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26555/10]

I have met on a number of occasions with the Irish Greyhound Board (IGB) as has my Department, with a view to addressing their concerns regarding the proposed legislation contained in the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009. This active engagement has led to a series of amendments which I signalled at Report Stage in the Seanad on 16 June, 2010. I believe that these amendments, which address finance, breeding, and implementation, and which are subject to further advice from Parliamentary Counsel, will meet the concerns of the Irish Greyhound Board.

I am not aware of any High Court ruling in May 2010 in regard to the right of officers authorised by the Irish Greyhound Board (IGB) to visit and inspect any premises at which greyhounds are kept. I understand that a High Court case involving the IGB was struck out on 6 May 2010 and no judgement was given. I am confident that the Bill, as amended in light of extensive discussions to date, will safeguard the welfare of dogs in dog breeding establishments, and will also contribute to a thriving greyhound industry and dog breeding industry by enhancing the standards and reputation of dog breeding in Ireland.

Departmental Expenditure

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

409 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of departmental credit cards in use in his Department; the names of the authorised signatories of same; the credit limit of same; the amount spent in respect of each card in each of the past three years with a breakdown of the annual bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26564/10]

There are currently five credit cards in use in my Department. Details of the cardholders and credit limits are as follows:

Cardholder

Credit limit

Private Secretary to Minister Gormley

6,350

Minister Finneran

7,000

Private Secretary to Minister Finneran

7,000

Principal Officer, ICT Unit

7,000

Director, Met Éireann

5,000

Charges to these cards from 2007 to May 2010 were as follows:

Private Secretary to Minister Gormley

Year

2007

5,789.05

2008

14,421.42

2009

4,940.79

2010

1,137.08

Minister Finneran

Year

2009

4,038.83

2010

1,137.55

Private Secretary to Minister Finneran

Year

2008

2,779.41

2009

3,833.97

2010

2,381.39

Principal Officer, ICT Unit

Year

2008

2,024.79

2009

2,642.41

2010

2,379.61

Director, Met Éireann

Year

2008

19,175.59

2009

10,200.78

2010

5,775.85

Credit cards are issued by my Department only in circumstances where a strong business case for such has been established. In the case of Met Éireann, the card is used for the purchase of ICT hardware and software licences and for the renewal of subscriptions to work-related publications. In the case of the Principal Officer in the ICT Unit, expenses incurred relate to ICT purchasing. The remaining cards are used to meet accommodation, travel and other expenses incurred on official business.

Departmental Agencies

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

410 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount that has been awarded in bonuses to staff in each of the semi-State or similar bodies within his remit in each of the past three years; if he will provide a breakdown of these bonuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26579/10]

Performance-related bonus payments in non-commercial semi-state bodies were suspended in 2009 pending a review of the levels of remuneration for this group by the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector. Following the recommendations of the Review Body published in December 2009, and in recognition of the very serious state of the public finances, these payments continue to be suspended until 2012, at which stage it is expected that they will be reviewed again.

A performance related awards scheme operated in the Local Government Computer Services Board, the Local Government Management Services Board, the Dublin Docklands Development Authority and the Heritage Council. The overall operation of each scheme was overseen by the board of each organisation. Details of payments to-date, including distribution and award amounts are not available in my Department.

Ministerial Staff

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

411 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of special advisers his Department has had since June 2007; the names of same; the amount each has claimed in expenses in each of the past three years; the amount that has been spent on travel, including foreign travel, and entertainment for each adviser in each of the past three years; if he will provide a detailed breakdown of these costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26594/10]

Four special advisers have been appointed to the Department since June 2007. They are Donall Geoghegan, Programme Manager; who is based in the Department of the Taoiseach; Ryan Meade and David Healy, Policy Advisers and Liam Reid, Press Adviser, who are all based in the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Expenses incurred by the special advisers since June 2007 are set out as follows:

No expenses were incurred by Donall Geoghegan.

Ryan Meade:

2007

Expenses

Foreign travel costs (flights)

540.48

David Healy:

2007

Expenses

Foreign travel costs (flights, travel & subsistence claims)

4,912.93

2008

Expenses

Foreign travel costs (flights, public transport, travel & subsistence claims)

6,242.57

Domestic travel & subsistence

131.63

2009

Expenses

Foreign travel costs (flights, accommodation, travel & subsistence claims)

8,133.24

Domestic travel

28.65

2010

Expenses

Foreign travel costs (flights)

768.25

Liam Reid:

2007

Expenses

Foreign travel costs (flights, accommodation, vaccination costs, travel & subsistence claims)

11,891.50

Domestic travel & subsistence

1,419.14

Meeting and entertainment costs

279.66

2008

Expenses

Foreign travel costs (flights, accommodation, public transport, travel & subsistence claims)

13,346.07

Domestic travel & subsistence

1,528.57

Meeting and entertainment costs

688.89

2009

Expenses

Foreign travel costs (flights, accommodation, travel & subsistence claims)

7,937.32

Domestic travel & subsistence

234.72

Meeting and entertainment costs

1,019.53

2010

Expenses

Foreign travel costs (flights)

752.09

Domestic travel & subsistence

1,339.66

Building Control Act

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

412 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received an invitation from the Joint Committee on Environment, Heritage and Local Government to appear before it to answer questions on the problems arising with architects from the imposition of the Building Control Act; if he has indicated if he will appear before the committee and when the committee can expect a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26778/10]

I have not received the invitation referred to in the question. On receipt of such an invitation I will respond directly to the Committee.

House Prices

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

413 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress which has been made on the setting up of a national house price register database; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26797/10]

Alan Shatter

Ceist:

419 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he will take to establish a national house price register database; his views on whether there is a need for such database to which the general public should have access and for greater transparency regarding house sales; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26884/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 413 and 419 together.

The renewed Programme for Government sets out a clear commitment to create and maintain a comprehensive House Price Database based on sales prices. Not only would accurate house price information arising from this database facilitate key decisions by home buyers, home sellers, and mortgage lenders, it would also inform national economic and social policy by providing a more meaningful key indicator of housing market and wider macro-economic conditions.

My Department has met with a broad range of interested parties in regard to the shape that such a register might take, and recommendations arising from this process will be made to Government shortly. The timing of the establishment of a register will be determined by a range of factors including the possible need for amendment of the Data Protection Acts to allow for publication of achieved sales prices.

Social and Affordable Housing

Andrew Doyle

Ceist:

414 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of applications that have been accepted under the terms of the long-term leasing scheme for social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26812/10]

I refer to the reply to Question No. 419 of 1 June 2010, which outlines the most up to date position available in relation the number of applications that have been received under the terms of the long term leasing scheme.

Question No. 415 answered with Question No. 394.

Andrew Doyle

Ceist:

416 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of social housing starts expected to be made by county for 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26817/10]

The focus of data collection has moved away from the number of social housing starts towards the delivery of dwellings. It is anticipated that, through more flexible market based delivery mechanisms such as the Rental Accommodation Scheme and long term leasing, the significant increase in funding available under the Capital Assistance Scheme in 2010 to €145m, and the availability from the second half of this year of a direct lending facility from the Housing Finance Agency to approved housing bodies, delivery across the range of social housing measures can be maintained in 2010 in line with the momentum built up over recent years.

Andrew Doyle

Ceist:

417 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of social housing units built in 2006 to 2009 on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26818/10]

The information for 2006 to 2008, as requested, is available on my Department's website: www.environ.ie. Statistics for 2009 are currently being collated and will be published later this year.

Foreshore Licences

John O'Donoghue

Ceist:

418 Deputy John O’Donoghue asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when a club (details supplied) in County Kerry will receive the result of its application for a foreshore licence. [26864/10]

This is a case of an unauthorised development which is the subject of court proceedings. I understand that the applicant has been given ample opportunity to regularise the position but has failed to do so. It would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage.

Question No. 419 answered with Question No. 413.

Private Rented Accommodation

Alan Shatter

Ceist:

420 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to introduce a deposit protection scheme for tenants in private rented dwellings as proposed by an organisation (details supplied); the consideration he has given to such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26885/10]

In April 2009 my Department commenced a review of the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, under which the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) operates. The purpose of this review was to consider whether the Act best supported the PRTB's key functions and whether legislative amendments would support either the achievement of additional operational efficiencies by the PRTB in the delivery of those functions or the broader good working of the private rented sector.

As part of the review my Department engaged in a formal public consultation process, which took place from 29 May to 10 July 2009. Arising out of this, submissions were received from a number of organisations and individuals, including from the organisation in question, on a range of topics including the issue of deposit retention. In addition, the Board of the PRTB has examined this issue pursuant to its function under section 151(1) of the Residential Tenancies Act to provide advice concerning policy in relation to the private rented sector, and has made recommendations to me in that regard.

I announced the preliminary outcomes of the review in November 2009; they include recommendations in a number of key areas, and have an overall emphasis on streamlining and simplifying the Act and reducing delays. Among the main issues that will be addressed by amending legislation are—

statutory objective of 6 months to be set for the issuing of determination orders arising out of dispute resolution applications,

the Board of the PRTB to be reduced from 15 to 12 members,

the introduction of fixed fines where deposits are illegally retained by landlords,

measures to address non-payment of rent by tenants during a dispute process, in particular to introduce scope for the legal termination of such a tenancy,

the separation of the governance and quasi-judicial functions of the Board,

the inclusion within the remit of the Residential Tenancies Act of segments of the voluntary and co-operative housing sector that most closely parallel its current remit.

A number of issues requiring further research, including how best to address issues surrounding the retention of deposits, are being considered in detail and my Department will continue to engage in direct consultation with key stakeholders in this regard. The Government recently approved the preparation of Heads of a Bill to amend the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 and it is envisaged that the General Scheme of a Bill setting out the detailed proposals arising out of the review will be submitted for Government approval in Autumn 2010.

Urban Renewal Schemes

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

421 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has Cabinet support for the revised Limerick regeneration plan; the amount of money that has been committed for the implementation of the plan; the time period over which funding has been committed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26890/10]

On 18 June 2010 the Taoiseach announced Government support for the first phase implementation plan for the Limerick Regeneration Programme. This will require an estimated public sector investment of €337 million over the four and a half year delivery period to December 2014. The Taoiseach has indicated that the works should commence immediately. Some 26 projects are included, across a range of sectoral areas and Departmental responsibilities including transport, housing, health, education and enterprise. With regard to my own area of responsibility, housing, I am fully committed to providing over 850 new and refurbished social housing units, at an estimated total cost of €160 million over the implementation period.

To underline this commitment, I have now made provision for an additional €10 million to be made available to the regeneration programme this year, bringing my Department's total investment to €35 million in 2010. It is my intention that this additional funding will accelerate the enabling works, including acquisitions, demolition and site preparation, and will facilitate the early construction of new housing and other important infrastructural projects. It is expected that two new housing projects, Cliodhna Park and Lord Edward's Street, will commence construction later this year with a new crèche at St. Mary's Park also underway.

Departmental Correspondence

John O'Donoghue

Ceist:

422 Deputy John O’Donoghue asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the proposals he has to ensure that representations made by Members of the Oireachtas on behalf of members of the public to his Department are responded to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26902/10]

My Department's Customer Service Action Plan 2009-2011 commits to ensuring that timely and accurate responses are given to all requests for information received by my Department. Individual standards for dealing with telephone callers, personal callers and correspondents are set out in the Customer Charter. With regard to written contact with my Department (either by letter or email), which would include representations made by Members of the Oireachtas on behalf of members of the public, my Department aims to respond to all queries in clear plain language within 15 working days.

Since 2007, the E-Reps system has been used to allow Departmental staff to deal with representations electronically. A representation is processed electronically from the time it is entered on the system until the final reply is printed for signing by either the relevant Minister or Private Secretary. As with all written correspondence received by the Department, the E-Reps system aims to ensure that Ministerial representations are responded to within 15 days.

Representations were affected by industrial action by the PSEU and CPSU across all Departments, including my Department. In the light of the ICTU Public Services Committee acceptance of the Public Service Agreement 2010-2014, I expect that representations can now be addressed in accordance with the targets in the Customer Charter.

Building Control Act

James Reilly

Ceist:

423 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to address the concerns of an organisation (details supplied) regarding promoting diversity and choice in architecture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26915/10]

Part 3 of the Building Control Act 2007 sets out the detailed requirements for registration of the title of "Architect". Section 14 of the Act sets out the eligibility criteria for registration in the statutory register. It includes a category of persons who have been assessed as eligible for registration by the Technical Assessment Board in accordance with the practical experience assessment procedure viz. practising architecture for a minimum period of 10 years in the State.

The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI), which is designated as registration body for Architects under the Act, has established an Admissions Board and a Technical Assessment Board so that the registration process may commence in the near future. The RIAI has appointed architects to the boards and I have appointed the Chairpersons and non-architect majority to both boards. Section 22 sets out the procedures for the operation of the Technical Assessment Board.

The Act provides for an appeal against a decision of the Technical Assessment Board to an Appeals Board which will be appointed shortly. The Appeals Board will also have an independent Chairperson and a majority of lay members. There is ultimately an appeal to the High Court against a decision of the Appeals Board or any other Board or Committee.

Once statutory registration has formally commenced it will be an offence under sections 18 (1)(a) and 18(1)(d) of the Act to use the title of "Architect" unless registered on the statutory register. However, those sections will not apply:

(i) where a person has applied for registration to either the Admissions Board or the Technical Assessment Board and where a decision has not been made on the application;

(ii) where a decision is awaited on an appeal to the Appeals Board against a decision of either Board referred to, or

(iii) where a decision is awaited on an appeal to the High Court against a decision of the Appeals Board, subject to the requirement that the application for registration to the Admissions Board or the Technical Assessment Board, or the appeal to either the Appeals Board or the High Court, has not been withdrawn.

I am currently examining a further submission from the RIAI on proposed registration fees and I hope to convey my decision on the fees to the relevant body in the near future.

Question No. 424 answered with Question No. 386.

Energy Conservation

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

425 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the home energy saving scheme; the number of persons that have availed of these grants; the amount of money that has been paid out for this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26466/10]

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

426 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the home energy saving scheme; the number of new jobs that have been created providing homeowners with energy efficiency improvements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26467/10]

I propose to take Question Nos. 425 and 426 together.

The Home Energy Saving scheme (HES), which is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), has a capital budget allocation of €24.3 million this year. In addition, a further €46 million has been allocated to a national retrofit programme, with a substantial portion assigned to HES. Expenditure of €34.7 million has been incurred in 2009 and 2010 in respect of HES.

Over 70,800 applications have been received by the SEAI since the scheme's launch in March 2009, resulting in new commitments of approximately €1 million per week. However, experience on this and other schemes shows that not all homeowners approved for a grant will proceed with works. The SEAI estimates that approximately 4,000 jobs have been supported through the HES scheme. In addition, measures installed to date will reduce energy demand by 250GWh, in the process saving homeowners more than €16 million. The rate of funding commitment and expenditure to date this year is a strong endorsement of the scheme and the level of interest among homeowners.

Telecommunications Services

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

427 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress that has been made to introduce a broadband scheme that would provide broadband coverage to areas which were outside the scope of the rural broadband scheme such as the townland of Drumkeen in County Donegal. [26436/10]

Prior to the commencement of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) a detailed mapping exercise was carried out to help determine those areas that would be included in the scheme and those which, by virtue of being already substantially served by existing broadband suppliers, could not be included. EU State aid and competition rules govern how states can intervene in areas where there are existing service providers operating. Accordingly, the NBS is prohibited from providing a service in served areas where to do so would give rise to an unacceptable level of market distortion. That mapping exercise found that at least one existing broadband supplier was already active in the area referred to in the Deputy's Question and consequently the locality was excluded from the Scheme. Details of broadband services available in each county can be found on ComReg's website at www.callcosts.ie

It continues to be a priority of the Government that there will be broadband coverage across the entire country. However, despite Government and private investment in broadband, I am aware that there continues to be a small percentage of premises throughout the country that will not be capable of receiving broadband services. This is primarily due to technical and other reasons (suitability of a telephone line, distance from an enabled exchange, no line of sight etc.)

The European Commission has set aside a portion of the European Economic Recovery Programme (EERP) funding for rural broadband initiatives. My Department is currently considering the design and implementation of a scheme which would use this funding to address the issue of basic broadband availability to unserved rural premises outside of the NBS areas. This work will include the identification of premises not capable of receiving broadband. It is hoped to commence this scheme in late 2010 and have it completed by 2012. As the scheme is only at the design stage, there is no application process at this juncture. Information in relation to acceptance of applications and the process of qualification under the scheme will be made available in due course when the scheme is launched.

Energy Conservation

Thomas Byrne

Ceist:

428 Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding an application for the warmer homes scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath. [26456/10]

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is responsible for the administration of the Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS). A dedicated WHS hot line — 1800 250 204 — has been in operation for some time and all queries, from scheme applicants and public representatives, on delivery dates for individual households and/or funding agreements are dealt with immediately. In addition, the WHS programme manager, Mr. Michael Martin of SEAI is available to deal with queries on 042 939 1548. The availability of both points of contact ensures that there is no delay in dealing with specific queries, such as the one referred to by the Deputy, related to the delivery of the WHS.

Telecommunications Services

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

429 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the provision of broadband in an area (details supplied); if this will be rolled out as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26458/10]

Prior to the commencement of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) a detailed mapping exercise was carried out to help determine those areas that would be included in the scheme and those which, by virtue of being already substantially served by existing broadband suppliers, could not be included. EU State aid and competition rules govern how states can intervene in areas where there are existing service providers operating. Accordingly, the NBS is prohibited from providing a service in served areas where to do so would give rise to an unacceptable level of market distortion. That mapping exercise found that at least one existing broadband supplier was already active in the area referred to in the Deputy's Question and consequently the locality was excluded from the Scheme. Details of broadband services available in each county can be found on ComReg's website at www.callcosts.ie

It continues to be a priority of the Government that there will be broadband coverage across the entire country. However, despite Government and private investment in broadband, I am aware that there continues to be a small percentage of premises throughout the country that will not be capable of receiving broadband services. This is primarily due to technical and other reasons (suitability of a telephone line, distance from an enabled exchange, no line of sight etc.).

The European Commission has set aside a portion of the European Economic Recovery Programme (EERP) funding for rural broadband initiatives. My Department is currently considering the design and implementation of a scheme which would use this funding to address the issue of basic broadband availability to unserved rural premises outside of the NBS areas. This work will include the identification of premises not capable of receiving broadband. It is hoped to commence this scheme in late 2010 and have it completed by 2012. As the scheme is only at the design stage, there is no application process at this juncture. Information in relation to acceptance of applications and the process of qualification under the scheme will be made available in due course when the scheme is launched.

Departmental Expenditure

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

430 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of departmental credit cards in use in his Department; the names of the authorised signatories of same; the credit limit of same; the amount spent in respect of each card in each of the past three years with a breakdown of the annual bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26559/10]

I wish to inform the Deputy that there are two credit cards in use in my Department. The authorised signatories of same are the Private Secretaries to the Minister and the Minister for State. Each card has a credit limit of €10,000.

The amount spent on each credit card for the years 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 to date is set out in the table.

Cardholder

2007

2008

2009

2010 to date

Private Secretary to the Minister

6,139.74

6,785.68

4,557.82

2,575.37

Private Secretary to the Minister of State

8,373.22

4,699.05

573.41

215.53

Departmental Agencies

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

431 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount that has been awarded in bonuses to staff in each of the semi-State or similar bodies within his remit in each of the past three years; if he will provide a breakdown of these bonuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26574/10]

Payments to staff in semi-State or similar bodies are a day-to-day operational matter for the bodies themselves and I have no function in that regard.

Ministerial Staff

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

432 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of special advisers his Department has had since June 2007; the names of same; the amount each has claimed in expenses in each of the past three years; the amount that has been spent on travel, including foreign travel, and entertainment for each adviser in each of the past three years; if he will provide a detailed breakdown of these costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26589/10]

I regret to advise the Deputy that it was not possible to compile the information requested in the time allotted. I will write to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Telecommunications Services

Mary O'Rourke

Ceist:

433 Deputy Mary O’Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will deal with a matter (details supplied). [26726/10]

In December 2008, my Department entered into a contract with "3", a Hutchison Whampoa company, for the delivery of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS). The company is required to provide services, using a mix of technologies, to all fixed residences and businesses that are located within the NBS Coverage Area and which seek a service. 3 continues to progress its network roll out and currently NBS broadband services are available in two-thirds of the 1,028 designated Electoral Divisions (ED) to be covered under the Scheme. Under the NBS contract, all EDs in the NBS Coverage Area will have broadband connectivity by end September 2010.

With particular reference to Counties Longford and Westmeath, the tables show the total number of 37 Electoral Divisions (EDs) to be covered under the NBS in the two counties.

County Longford

ED Name

ED Reference No.

Ardagh West

137005

Ballinamuck East

137007

Columbkille

137018

Creevy

137021

Doory

137025

Drumgort

137026

Kilcommock

137036

Kilglass

137037

Moyne

137050

Mullanalaghta

137051

Sonnagh

137055

County Westmeath

ED Name

ED Reference No.

Ballymore

237013

Ballymorin

237009

Ballynaskeagh

237015

Churchtown

237026

Clonarney

237028

Clonlost

237030

Collinstown

237031

Coole

237032

Copperalley

237034

Drumraney

237038

Fore East

237044

Fore West

237045

Glore

237049

Hilltown

237053

Jamestown

237057

Kilcumny

237060

Killare

237062

Killulagh

237066

Kilpatrick

237067

Knockdrin

237070

Multyfarnham

237081

Riverdale

237091

Stonehall

237096

Taghmon

237099

Umma

237103

Woodland

237105

Prior to the commencement of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) a detailed mapping exercise was carried out to help determine those areas that would be included in the scheme and those which, by virtue of being already substantially served by existing broadband suppliers, could not be included. EU State aid and competition rules govern how states can intervene in areas where there are existing service providers operating. Accordingly, the NBS is prohibited from providing a service in served areas where to do so would give rise to an unacceptable level of market distortion.

That mapping exercise found that a number of existing broadband suppliers were already active in parts of the areas referred to in the Deputy's Question and consequently some sections of the counties were excluded from the Scheme. Details of broadband services available in each county can be found on ComReg's website at www.callcosts.ie

It continues to be a priority of the Government that there will be broadband coverage across the entire country. However, despite Government and private investment in broadband, I am aware that there continues to be a small percentage of premises throughout the country that will not be capable of receiving broadband services. This is primarily due to technical and other reasons (suitability of a telephone line, distance from an enabled exchange, no line of sight etc.).

The European Commission has set aside a portion of the European Economic Recovery Programme (EERP) funding for rural broadband initiatives. My Department is currently considering the design and implementation of a scheme which would use this funding to address the issue of basic broadband availability to un-served rural premises outside of the NBS areas. This work will include the identification of premises not capable of receiving broadband. It is hoped to commence this scheme in late 2010 and have it completed by 2012. As the scheme is only at the design stage, there is no application process at this juncture. Information in relation to acceptance of applications and the process of qualification under the scheme will be made available in due course when the scheme is launched.

Departmental Correspondence

John O'Donoghue

Ceist:

434 Deputy John O’Donoghue asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the proposals he has to ensure that representations made by Members of the Oireachtas on behalf of members of the public to his Department are responded to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26897/10]

In accordance with my Department's customer service charter 2009-2011, every effort is made to answer correspondence, including representations, within 20 working days. Unfortunately it has not been possible to adhere to this standard during the recent industrial relations difficulties. It is my intention, once these issues have been resolved, that our normal standard of service will resume. Any backlog of representations will be cleared as expeditiously as possible.

Grant Payments

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

435 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when REPS 4 payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26300/10]

Payment will issue to the person named within ten working days.

Michael Creed

Ceist:

436 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive their REPS 4 payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26334/10]

The REPS 4 application submitted by the person named is currently being examined and my officials will be in direct contact with the applicant shortly.

James Bannon

Ceist:

437 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding an application for a grant under the organic scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26361/10]

Because of the limited funding provided for my Department's Scheme of Grant Aid for the Development of the Organic Sector and the volume of applications received since the scheme re-opened in January 2010, it is imperative that aid is directed to those projects which can make a worthwhile contribution to the development of the sector and, in that context, where a commitment to active participation in the organic market is evident. My officials are reviewing the application submitted by the person named and will write to him shortly.

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

438 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a REPS 4 payment will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26398/10]

The person named has received his full REPS 4 payment for 2009 in two instalments, on 13 and 21 May 2010.

Milk Quota

Dan Neville

Ceist:

439 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will review an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26426/10]

I announced details of the 2010 Scheme for the Allocation of Milk Quota to New Entrants on 24th February last. Following this announcement my Department published a document detailing the terms and conditions in relation to the eligibility criteria attached to the Scheme. Among the criteria, which were produced in consultation with the farming organisations and ICOS, was the requirement on applicants to satisfy certain educational standards, details of which were also contained in the document.

The panel concluded their assessment of all eligible applications, the results of which I announced on 31st May last. As the person named did not satisfy the educational qualifications, his application was deemed ineligible and was not presented to the panel for assessment. The situation regarding his educational qualifications has not changed in the meantime, therefore I cannot see any benefit from conducting a review of this case.

Grant Payments

John O'Mahony

Ceist:

440 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason for the delay in processing of a REPS 4 payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26502/10]

An adjusted plan was received from the person named on 27 May 2010. My officials are currently examining this plan, and if it is found to be in order his application will be processed for payment.

John O'Donoghue

Ceist:

441 Deputy John O’Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be awarded their REPS 4 payment for 2009. [26506/10]

The payment application from the person named cannot be progressed until a reply is received to the letter sent by to him by my officials on 4 May 2010.

Tom Hayes

Ceist:

442 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment under the REP scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [26543/10]

The person named has received his full REPS 4 payment for 2009 in two instalments, on 14 and 17 June 2010.

Departmental Expenditure

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

443 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of departmental credit cards in use in his Department; the names of the authorised signatories of same; the credit limit of same; the amount spent in respect of each card in each of the past three years with a breakdown of the annual bill. [26558/10]

Following a recent review of arrangements, there are 23 Departmental credit cards in use in my Department. The amounts spent in respect of these cards is set out in the tables. It is not the practice to name the authorised officers. The credit limit on each of the cards is €10,000 with the exception of the credit card issued to the Department's librarian for the purchase publications, which has a limit of €120,000.

The Department settles the accounts of 12 of the credit cards on a monthly basis and reconciles the amounts charged against each individual's travel expenses claims, where applicable, and vouched receipts. The other 11 Credit Card holders are personally responsible for paying any amounts charged on the cards by the due date. Travel expenses and payments due in respect of vouched receipts are paid to these individuals on the basis of claims submitted.

Centrally billed Departmental Credit Cards

Amount charged in 2007

Amount charged in 2008

Amount charged in 2009

Breakdown of Credit Card Use

1

177,702.80

159,028.90

102,031.20

Purchase of Publications for Department’s Library

2

855.12

461.50

860.69

Corporate and Foreign Travel Expenses

3

9734.43

7161.16

844.00

Expenses in relation to Ministerial Travel, Corporate Expenses and Foreign Travel

4

4530.82

4772.28

2302.99

Foreign Travel Expenses

5

2430.48

1609.23

1147.63

Foreign Travel Expenses

6

3422.70

4739.20

3451.28

Foreign Travel Expenses

7

663.00

8016.09

3780.25

Foreign Travel Expenses

8

0.00

1060.76

75.00

Foreign Travel Expenses

9

0.00

8714.36

7498.38

Expenses in relation to Ministerial Travel, Corporate Expenses and Foreign Travel

10

0.00

6406.24

1409.00

Expenses in relation to Ministerial Travel, Corporate Expenses and Foreign Travel

11

0.00

4333.70

2811.73

Foreign Travel Expenses

12

0.00

2481.14

0.00

Corporate and Foreign Travel Expenses

Department credit cards used and settled directly by staff

Amount charged in 2007

Amount charged in 2008

Amount charged in 2009

Breakdown of Credit Card Use

1

3,329.72

3,329.15

403.00

Foreign Travel Expenses

2

10,650.10

11,384.76

17,541.67

Foreign Travel Expenses

3

2,585.05

966.14

3,591.19

Foreign Travel Expenses

4

1,116.90

2,529.5

2,844.41

Foreign Travel Expenses

5

3,321.48

7,983.59

2,433.04

Foreign Travel Expenses

6

5,050.83

0.00

0.00

Foreign Travel Expenses

7

10,595.37

9,773.58

10,445.40

Foreign Travel Expenses

8

2,797.50

4,132.88

717.00

Foreign Travel Expenses

9

6,741.53

33,978.4

33,090.26

Foreign Travel and foreign service re-location expenses (recouped to Department)

10

3,538.73

4,273.45

4,169.54

Foreign Travel Expenses

11

378

0.00

431.58

Foreign Travel Expenses

Departmental Agencies

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

444 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the amount that has been awarded in bonuses to staff in each of the semi-State or similar bodies within his remit in each of the past three years; if he will provide a breakdown of these bonuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26573/10]

The implementation and operation of each performance related award scheme is the responsibility of the board of the agency concerned. My Department does, however, play a role in monitoring performance related awards for CEOs of the commercial and non-commercial bodies under the aegis of my Department. The information in the table sets out the total figure for performance bonuses awarded in respect of the years 2007, 2008 and 2009 to the CEOs of the ten State Bodies currently under my Department's aegis. The Deputy should note that payment of some awards was made a year in arrears.

2007

2008

2009

€265,077.12

€78,470

€57,000

Ministerial Staff

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

445 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of special advisers his Department has had since June 2007; the names of same; the amount each has claimed in expenses in each of the past three years; the amount that has been spent on travel, including foreign travel, and entertainment for each adviser in each of the past three years; if he will provide a detailed breakdown of these costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26588/10]

The information requested for the years concerned is not readily available but will be collated and forwarded directly to the Deputy.

Grant Payments

Michael Ring

Ceist:

446 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of applications received in his Department in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo each year from 2000 to date in 2010; the payments and or decisions made in respect of each application in each year for all schemes and the national reserve and so on; if there are any payments outstanding to this person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26765/10]

In accordance with Section 2(1)(d) of the Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003, my Department is prohibited from disclosing personal data in relation to any individual without the authorisation of that person.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

447 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon for the delay in issuing same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26782/10]

The late husband of the person named was a participant in REPS 3. The terms and conditions of the scheme that were in force when he died provided for the automatic termination of the REPS contract and the person named was informed of the situation by letter dated 21 January 2010.

I have since introduced new arrangements in recognition of the fact that REPS is closed to new applications and the successors of deceased participants cannot apply for new contracts. Under those arrangements, the person named may apply to my Department's local office and, subject to certain conditions, take over and complete her late husband's REPS contract. It will be necessary, in particular, for my Department to be satisfied that the undertakings in the original contract have continued to be implemented. The Department will be in contact with the person concerned shortly to outline the new arrangements.

Grant Payments

Dinny McGinley

Ceist:

448 Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the up to date position regarding a farm improvement grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal. [26800/10]

My Department has written to the person concerned informing him of the documentation necessary to establish entitlement to the grant. When this documentation is received, the payment will be processed.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

449 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the single farm payment has been awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny for each of the years from 2005 to 2009. [26861/10]

The person named submitted valid Single Payment Scheme applications in respect of the 2005, 2006 and 2009 scheme years. As these applications were submitted to my Department before the deadline of 15th May provided for in the governing EU Regulations, full payment issued in respect of these years. The person named submitted his 2007 SPS application with my Department on 28th November 2007. As this was received after the closing date of 15th May for receipt of applications under this Scheme, no payment was due in respect of this application.

Except in cases of force majeure (exceptional circumstances), SPS applications cannot be accepted after the deadline provided for in the Regulations. An official from my Department explained this to the person named, who undertook to make such a case in writing. However, there is no record of any such application from the person named. My Department has no record of the receipt of any application from the person named in regard to the 2008 Single Payment Scheme.

Departmental Correspondence

John O'Donoghue

Ceist:

450 Deputy John O’Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the proposals he has to ensure that representations made by Members of the Oireachtas on behalf of members of the public to his Department are responded to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26896/10]

My Department continues to make every effort to ensure that all correspondence, including representations from Members of the Oireachtas, is responded to as quickly as possible. The Customer Charter 2009-2011 includes a commitment to respond to correspondence, whether by letter or email, within 20 working days. In situations where this is not possible the Charter provides that an interim response will be issued within 10 working days and a date provided when a full response can be expected.

Fishing Fleet Modernisation

Joanna Tuffy

Ceist:

451 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of vessels that have been decommissioned under the decommissioning programme from the date of introduction of decommissioning and from the date of the adoption of the report of the seafood industry strategy review group; the amount awarded from the date of introduction of decommissioning and from the date of the adoption of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26918/10]

A total of 82 vessels have been decommissioned under the fishing fleet decommissioning programme since 2005 at a total cost of €52,571,815. Of these, 46 vessels have been decommissioned since the Report of the Seafood Industry Strategy Review Group at a total cost of €36,605,029.

FÁS Training Programmes

Joan Burton

Ceist:

452 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she has been contacted by representatives of apprentice aircraft mechanics or avionics engineers made redundant by a company (details supplied); the steps she has taken to ensure that all apprentices are facilitated in completing their apprenticeships; if, in particular, she has made contact with FÁS, Dublin Institute of Technology or other relevant bodies or companies to ensure that these apprentices can complete their qualifications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26282/10]

Representations have been made to my Department by individuals formerly employed by SR Technics, by their trade union and by public representatives in relation to the retraining and upskilling of the former workers, including apprentices. A wide range of measures has been initiated through FÁS to support redundant apprentices in completing their apprenticeships. The measures of relevance to apprentice aircraft mechanics are set out as follows:

1. FÁS has put in place an interim measure whereby redundant apprentices may progress to the next off-the-job training phase of their apprenticeship, in line with the current scheduling criteria. Under this measure, one group of 27 redundant apprentice aircraft mechanics completed a special Phase 4 off-the-job training programme at D.I.T. in September 2009. Another group of 16 redundant apprentice aircraft mechanics completed their Phase 6 off-the-job training in D.I.T. on 11 June 2010. Three redundant apprentice fitters have also completed Phase 4 off-the-job training since September 2009.

2. Redundant apprentices who have been registered for 4 years and 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, are being 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.

3. Redundant apprentices may also avail of existing trade-related specific skills training courses and evening courses available at FÁS Training Centres to enhance their employment skills.

4. The Redundant Apprentice Placement Scheme will this year provide up to 750 apprentices with the opportunity to complete their on-the-job training at Phases 3 and 5 with the support of employers with a proven past record of providing consistent systematic training. FÁS recently received a request from Dublin Aerospace to employ 10 redundant Air Craft Mechanics formerly employed at SR Technics to complete an on-the-job Phase of their apprenticeship with the company. FÁS is currently progressing this request under the Redundant Apprentice Placement Scheme.

In addition, FÁS is working to accommodate up to 30 additional apprentices with on-the-job training opportunities and I am hopeful that arrangements can be made shortly to bring this to fruition.

EU Funding

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

453 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if persons made redundant by a company (details supplied) that were contracted by that company and who lost their jobs as a result of redundancies there can avail themselves of the EU globalisation fund; if she has made representations to the EU Commission to have them included; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26319/10]

In January 2009, Dell announced an imminent 1,900 redundancies at its Raheen plant from April 2009. Known redundancies at Dell's downstream producers and suppliers directly related to the Dell redundancies were included in the EGF application submitted in June 2009. The company in question was not linked to the Dell redundancies at that time and no representations on behalf of workers there were received in the interim. I have asked FÁS to review this situation in the light of new information to hand.

School Accommodation

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

454 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, further to her comments at the Select Committee on Education and Science on 2 June 2010, where the inventory of school accommodation may be accessed that has been published on her Department’s website; if it is possible for members of the public to view this inventory on-line; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26240/10]

The on-line inventory of school accommodation is available to schools on the Department's Esinet portal. The system went live for all schools on Friday 28th of May, 2010 and schools have commenced inputting the relevant data since then. The system is not available to the general public. When all the information has been received from schools, the Inventory will provide key data and statistics on the existing school building stock throughout the country at both primary and post-primary levels. It is my intention to publish summary information from the inventory of school accommodation in the coming school year.

Child Abuse

James McDaid

Ceist:

455 Deputy James McDaid asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the amount of State and church funding that has been allocated to each of the support groups in the area of child sexual abuse in the past ten years. [26262/10]

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has provided funding to some support groups which were specifically established for the purposes of providing an information and referral service for former residents of institutions wishing to access services established by the Government on foot of An Taoiseach's apology of May 1999. My Department would not be in a position to provide details of other State or Church funding to such groups. However, my Department liaises with the Department of Foreign Affairs in relation to the funding of Outreach Centres in the UK and with the Health Service Executive in relation to the funding of some Irish based support groups.

Funding provided by my Department to the end of 2009 is as follows:

Right of Place/Second Chance — €1,056,024

Alliance — €175,428

Right to Peace — €55,205

Irish SOCA — €42,543

SOCA UK — €335,677

NOVA — €596,777.00 (between 2004 and 2007).

With regard to the UK based Outreach Centres, the Department can provide a breakdown of figures for funding of individual centres from 2004 onwards. In respect of 2001 to 2003 however, an overall figure is available in terms of the total amount allocated to all UK Groups.

London Irish Survivors' Outreach Service — €686,138.49 (between 2004 and 2009)

Haringey Irish Survivors' Outreach Service — €409,013.80 (between 2004 and 2009)

Coventry Irish Survivors' Outreach Service — €714,286.94 (between 2004 and 2009)

Manchester Irish Survivors' Outreach Service — €464,204.41 (between 2004 and 2009)

Sheffield Irish Survivors' Outreach Service — €724,999.00 (this group ceased operations at the end of 2008 and is no longer funded by my Department).

Between 2001 and 2003 a total of €1,323,641 was provided to UK based outreach centres.

School Staffing

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

456 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will confirm that a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24 has lost two of its mainstream teachers, that the retention figure for nine teachers was 232, that this was its enrolment on 1 September 2009 (details supplied) but that when statistics were returned to her Department on 30 September 2009 its enrolment was just one short; if she will further confirm that it subsequently enrolled two new pupils; if she will investigate this case with a view to carrying out an immediate review of circumstances surrounding this decision that has left this particular school with classes of 33 and 32 pupils. [26264/10]

The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level for the coming school year is the pupil enrolment at 30 September 2009. The staffing schedule for the 2010/11 school year was published by my Department in March, 2010. The additional posts in the renewed Programme for Government enabled some improvement to be made to the staffing schedule. It is open to any Board of Management to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeal Board. Details of the criteria for appeal are contained in the staffing schedule, Circular 0021/2010 which is available on my Department's website.

I understand that the school referred to by the Deputy submitted an appeal to the Primary Staffing Appeal Board which was considered by the Board at its meeting on 25 May 2010. The Board decided that a departure from the staffing schedule was not warranted in this case and the school has been notified in this regard. The Appeal Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.

OECD Reports

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

457 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will confirm that Ireland is participating in the assessment of higher education learning outcomes organised by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; provide the cost of Ireland’s participation in this study and if she will further confirm if she is committed to funding this study; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26266/10]

The OECD Assessment of Higher Education Learning Outcomes (AHELO) feasibility study aims to assess whether it is possible to measure learning outcomes at the international level in order to provide relevant information to higher education institutions, governments and other stakeholders, including students and employers. The feasibility study was launched with the participation of ten countries: Australia, Belgium (Flanders), Finland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, The Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. As I informed the House on 11 May 2010, Ireland is not a participant and my Department has not contributed any funds to the study.

School Staffing

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

458 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will support a junior certificate schools programme librarian at a college (details supplied) in 2010. [26301/10]

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

465 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will confirm that library staff arrangements are in place in order that the demonstration library project at Coláiste Dhulaigh, Coolock, Dublin 17 will remain open and operational from September 2010 and beyond; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26352/10]

Joanna Tuffy

Ceist:

487 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding funding for junior certificate schools programme librarians; if her attention has been drawn to the need for these libraries to remain open; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26882/10]

Alan Shatter

Ceist:

488 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure that a school (details supplied) in Dublin 11, a DEIS school, continues to have the service of a librarian for the library which is open both before and after school; if there is a possibility that funding for the librarian will be withdrawn; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26883/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 458, 465, 487 and 488 together.

As you may be aware, library staff, like other public servants in the Education Sector, other than teachers and SNAs, are subject to the public sector recruitment moratorium. Exemptions from the moratorium are, in the context of the public finances, a matter for serious deliberation. Having worked closely with my colleague the Minister for Finance, in relation to those aspects of the moratorium having a particular impact in the education sector, I am pleased to confirm that it has been decided to retain the library staff for the coming school year.

School Enrolments

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

459 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will review the Limerick post-primary enrolment policy in view of the fact that it is in place for more than ten years and is different from the policy in the rest of the country; if she will address the problem for children whose first choice school is over-subscribed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26307/10]

The question of enrolment in individual schools is the responsibility of the managerial authority of those schools. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking places. This may result, however, in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.

The Deputy will be aware that a Common Application System (CAS) was agreed between the principals of the post-primary schools in Limerick City. This system has been facilitated through the Limerick Education Centre (LEC) with support from my Department. Whilst this administrative system ensures that a co-ordinated approach can be taken to enrolments in the area, each school authority, in accordance with the Education Act, 1998, retains autonomy in relation to its own enrolment policy.

A Board of Management may find it necessary to restrict enrolment to children from a particular area or a particular age group or, occasionally, on the basis of some other criterion. The criteria to be applied by schools in such circumstances are a matter for the schools themselves. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. Any review of the CAS would require consultation with the relevant stakeholders. My Department, at local level, maintains contact with the relevant stakeholders, including, where necessary, discussing any issues that arise in relation to its operation.

Schools Building Projects

James Reilly

Ceist:

460 Deputy James Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills when funding will be available to provide adequate accommodation for a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; the way the school can accelerate this process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26314/10]

A project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an early stage of architectural planning. The project has been assigned a priority band rating of 2.4 under the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme for 2011 and subsequent years. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.

EU Funding

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

461 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application under the European globalisation adjustment fund in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26328/10]

An EGF application in respect of workers at Waterford Crystal and ancillary companies was submitted to the European Commission in August 2009. In late April 2010, the person in question contacted FÁS in relation to his potential eligibility for EGF assistance. Supporting documentation requested by FÁS in this regard is currently awaited.

Special Educational Needs

James Reilly

Ceist:

462 Deputy James Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the steps she will take to reverse the decision to remove four special needs assistant posts from a school (details supplied) in Dublin 2 from 1 September 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26338/10]

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

469 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will reverse the decision made by the special needs assistants review to suppress the special needs assistant posts in a school (details supplied) in Dublin 2. [26433/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 462 and 469 together.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is an independent agency with responsibility for determining the appropriate staffing levels in relation to the support of pupils with special educational needs in all mainstream and special schools. This includes determining the level of SNA support in schools. The NCSE operates within my Department's policy in allocating this support. Neither I, nor the Department of Education and Skills, interfere with the allocation decisions taken by the NCSE in schools — whether such decisions result in an increased or reduced allocation to the schools. 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.

Higher Education Grants

James Bannon

Ceist:

463 Deputy James Bannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an application for a full third level grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26344/10]

An application form has issued to the candidate referred to by the Deputy. Application forms for the 2010 student maintenance grant schemes can be obtained from a candidate's local authority or VEC. Alternatively, it can be downloaded from www.studentfinance.ie.

School Transport

James Bannon

Ceist:

464 Deputy James Bannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for employment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26347/10]

As the Deputy is aware, Bus Éireann is responsible for the operation of the School Transport Scheme on behalf of my Department. The employment of the individual referred to in the details supplied is a matter between Bus Éireann and the individual in question.

Question No. 465 answered with Question No. 458.

Schools Refurbishment

Frank Feighan

Ceist:

466 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the steps she will take regarding inadequate access and egress in line with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, the cover for liability she will provide and the measures she will put in place to make access to and from a school (details supplied) in County Roscommon safe; if she will engage with Roscommon County Council in the matter on this national primary route. [26387/10]

My Department has not received any correspondence or application in relation to either the access/egress or traffic management works from the school to which the Deputy refers. In general, individual school authorities are responsible, in the first instance, for ensuring the safety and welfare of children and others in their care. It is open to the school authority to use funds allocated to it under the Minor Works Grant to address such issues. Alternatively, the school may apply to my Department for capital funding under the Summer Works Scheme or the Emergency Works Grant scheme. The issue of road safety measures outside the school site, such as road signage, traffic calming measures etc., is a matter that should be raised in the first instance by the school authority with the relevant Local Authority.

Schools Building Projects

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

467 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will support a new building project in a school (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [26413/10]

The project to which the Deputy refers is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The project has been assigned a priority band rating of 1.2. The project was authorised to commence stage 2(b) of architectural planning earlier this year. Work on the stage 2(b) submission is ongoing and I understand that notification of the final grant of planning permission was received in June. The Deputy will understand that it is not possible to advance all projects to tender at the same time. This project was not included in the announcement in February of this year of projects to proceed to tender and construction.

The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction is dependent on the prioritisation of competing demands on the funding available under my Department's capital budget. The proposed building project will be considered in the context of the Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme for 2011 and subsequent years. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of this project to tender and construction at this time.

Special Educational Needs

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

468 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will support the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26424/10]

My Department funds learning support/resource teacher posts in schools to enable the provision of support for pupils with high incidence special needs including dyslexia. Grant assistance is not provided in such cases.

Each primary school has an allocation of learning support teaching hours. It is a matter for the school authorities to determine how these hours are utilised to support eligible pupils with high incidence special education and learning support needs. Research shows that some pupils with learning needs will respond better with one-to-one tuition. Others, however, do better when taught in small groups. Often it is best for resource/learning support teachers to work with pupils in the classroom rather than taking them away to a separate room, as the pupils then have to catch up on work done by the rest of the class in their absence. My Department issued a comprehensive circular, SP ED 02/05 to schools which provides guidelines and advice on the manner in which they should use the resources that have been allocated to them to best effect.

Question No. 469 answered with Question No. 462.

State Examinations

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

470 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if the State Examinations Commission intends to issue the 235,000 leaving certificates that have not been given to students as a result of a recent court case between the years 2005 and 2009; if she will give details of when and the way in which this will be done; if she is confident that the State Examinations Commission has current and up-to-date addresses for all affected persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26444/10]

The State Examinations Commission has responsibility for the operation of the certificate examinations. The recent High Court judgement confirms the earlier view of the Circuit Court in October 2007 that the actions of the State Examinations Commission in annotating certificates where a core element of a subject is not assessed, is permissible under Irish law and is not discriminatory.

After the ruling and the legal issues relating to it have been examined, and the logistical, ICT and workload issues associated with this year's peak examination period have been considered, the State Examinations Commission will make an announcement regarding the arrangements for issue of the formal certificates for the period 2006 to 2009. While all students received provisional results, their final certificates were not issued pending the outcome of the court proceedings. However, candidates who required formal certification were issued with certified statements of results on request.

Candidates are generally entered for the examinations by their schools. Hence the SEC does not hold details of candidates' home addresses, except for external candidates. In view of the elapse of time, it is unlikely that these could be used for the latter candidates as a basis for issue of the certificates. This is one of the factors which is being considered by SEC in determining how best to approach the matter. The SEC will discuss the issues arising with school management bodies. I am advised that an announcement will be made by the Commission as soon as possible. The announcement will be posted to the SEC website at www.examinations.ie and be the subject of a Press Release.

School Discipline

Niall Collins

Ceist:

471 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the policy, if any, that exists regarding the wearing of earrings by pupils attending national school; if this is a matter for her Department or the local board of management; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26470/10]

The issue raised by the Deputy is a matter for the Board of Management of each individual school.

Departmental Expenditure

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

472 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of departmental credit cards in use in her Department; the names of the authorised signatories of same; the credit limit of same; the amount spent in respect of each card in each of the past three years with a breakdown of the annual bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26562/10]

The information in question is currently being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Departmental Agencies

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

473 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the amount that has been awarded in bonuses to staff in each of the semi-State or similar bodies within her remit in each of the past three years; if she will provide a breakdown of these bonuses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26577/10]

Under the Civil Service Scheme of performance related awards for posts at the levels of Assistant Secretary and Deputy Secretary the Chief Executive Officers of both the State Examinations Commission and the National Council for Special Education were eligible for awards. This Scheme was terminated last year. Awards made to individual officers under this scheme are not disclosed as they are confidential and personal to the officers concerned. Details of the operation of the scheme are available on the Department of Finance website at www.finance.gov.ie.

As the Deputy is aware responsibility for FÁS transferred from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (D/ETI) to my Department from 1st May 2010. A total of €142,642.75 in bonus payments was paid to top management staff in FÁS in 2008 in respect of work carried out in 2007. This scheme has been suspended indefinitely with no further bonus payments made.

Ministerial Staff

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

474 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of special advisers her Department has had since June 2007; the names of same; the amount each has claimed in expenses in each of the past three years; the amount that has been spent on travel, including foreign travel, and entertainment for each adviser in each of the past three years; if she will provide a detailed breakdown of these costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26592/10]

The information requested by the Deputy is as follows.

Domestic Travel & Subsistence in respect of special advisers between January 2007 and June 2010

Name

Title

2007

2008

2009

2010

Total

Ms Averil Power

Special Adviser to Minister Hanafin

415.36

1,375.72

1,791.08

Ms Deirdre McDonnell

Special Adviser Minister O’Keeffe

776.28

776.28

Mr Bernard Mallee

Special Adviser with responsibility for press and communications to Minister O’Keeffe

3,493.82

5,949.79

1,423.86

10,867.47

Mr Dermot Murphy

Special Adviser to Minister Coughlan

Mr Michael Shovlin

Special Adviser to Minister Coughlan

Mr. Sean Perry

Press Adviser to Minister Coughlan

Foreign Travel & Subsistence in respect of special advisers between January 2007 and June 2010

Name

Title

2007

2008

2009

2010

Total

Ms Averil Power

Special Adviser to Minister Hanafin

*Flight Costs

5,153.87

5,153.87

*Subsistence

655.53

655.53

Ms Deirdre McDonnell

Special Adviser Minister O’Keeffe

*Flight Costs

3,407.06

3,407.06

*Subsistence

Mr Bernard Mallee

Special Adviser with responsibility for press and communications to Minister O’Keeffe

*Flight Costs

9,529.85

27.53

9,557.38

*Subsistence

813.50

292.00

1,105.50

Mr Dermot Murphy

Special Adviser to Minister Coughlan

Mr Michael Shovlin

Special Adviser to Minister Coughlan

Mr. Sean Perry

Press Adviser to Minister Coughlan

Entertainment Expenses in respect of special advisers between January 2007 and June 2010

Name

Title

2007

2008

2009

2010

Total

Ms Averil Power

Special Adviser to Minister Hanafin

Ms Deirdre McDonnell

Special Adviser Minister O’Keeffe

Mr Bernard Mallee

Special Adviser with responsibility for press and communications to Minister O’Keeffe

427.90

427.90

Mr Dermot Murphy

Special Adviser to Minister Coughlan

Mr Michael Shovlin

Special Adviser to Minister Coughlan

Mr. Sean Perry

Press Adviser to Minister Coughlan

Teaching Qualifications

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

475 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, further to Parliamentary Question No. 481 of 15 June 2010, if a university (details supplied) teaching degree qualifications are recognised by the Teaching Council here; if not, the reason for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26609/10]

As indicated in PQ 481 of 15 June 2010, the Teaching Council is the designated competent authority, under European Union legislation, for the recognition and assessment of qualifications and the registration of teachers at Primary and Post-Primary levels in this State. My officials have made enquiries with the Teaching Council and are advised that Queen's University, Belfast have not applied to have the PGCE recognised.

The Teaching Council has a statutory responsibility to cooperate with its equivalent organisation in Northern Ireland (the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI)) and there is ongoing communication between the two Councils. My Department understands that the Teaching Council intends to meet with the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland in the near future to further discuss the area of cross-border recognition of qualifications.

Third Level Staff

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

476 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she has received correspondence from an educational trade union (details supplied); if she has considered the resolutions passed at that conference; when will she reply to the matters raised therein; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26618/10]

Details of resolutions expressing the views of the Irish Federation of University Teachers' union at its Annual Delegate Conference, in relation to fixed-term contract appointments and to non-replacement of staff in the university sector arising from maternity, adoptive and sick leave, were supplied to my Department in early June. From time to time my Department receives for its information details of resolutions from unions as a matter of routine. There can be many such resolutions dealing with a wide variety of topics and views expressed by union members and it is not the policy of my Department to respond individually to them.

As the Deputy is aware, however, in the context of the non-replacement of staff in the university sector, the purpose of the Government decision to implement a recruitment and promotion moratorium is to facilitate a permanent, structural reduction in the numbers of staff serving in the public sector and is also intended to contribute significant and ongoing savings to the Exchequer. In applying this moratorium generally, teaching and research activities in the education sector have been afforded significant exemptions relative to other areas of public expenditure. Nonetheless, the Deputy will appreciate that the sector has to contribute towards reductions in overall public sector numbers.

In the area of higher education the Government decided that an employment control framework should be developed to provide for the application of the moratorium arrangements in higher education institutions. The framework is subject to continued oversight and review by the Higher Education Authority, my Department and the Department of Finance. The Government is anxious to work with publicly funded higher education institutions in achieving necessary reductions in public expenditure within the sector as an essential part of overall budgetary strategy. The employment control framework aims to enable this while providing sufficient flexibility for the protection of frontline teaching and research activities.

Redundancy Payments

John O'Mahony

Ceist:

477 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the redundancy entitlement of a person (details supply) in County Mayo. [26628/10]

My Department is checking the position of the person referred to by the Deputy. I will arrange for him to be advised of the position as soon as possible.

Special Educational Needs

Mary O'Rourke

Ceist:

478 Deputy Mary O’Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will review the whole spectrum of autism provision now available throughout the entire range of educational services; if she will respond to a request (details supplied). [26634/10]

The Deputy will be aware of the Government's commitment to ensuring that all children with special educational needs, including those with autism, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network. Such placements facilitate access to individualised education programmes which may draw from a range of appropriate educational interventions, fully qualified professional teachers, special needs assistants and the appropriate school curriculum.

My Department has put in place a training programme for teachers in autism-specific interventions including Treatment and Education of Autistic Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH), Picture Exchange Communications System (PECS) and Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) through the Special Education Support Service (SESS). The SESS facilitates a partnership approach involving support teams of practising teachers, Education Centres, the Inspectorate, the National Educational Psychological Service, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, the National Council for Special Education, Third Level Colleges, Health Board Personnel, Teacher Unions and other relevant bodies and services.

The Deputy will also be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENO) for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to schools to support students with autism. The SENO will also consider applications from schools to establish special classes for students with autism. 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.

The establishment of a network of autism-specific special classes in schools across the country to cater for children with autism has been a key educational priority in recent years. In excess of 390 classes have now been approved around the country, including over 40 at post-primary level. The NCSE will continue to sanction further classes where the need is identified.

Institutes of Technology

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

479 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the application in respect of the upgrading of Waterford Institute of Technology to university status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26733/10]

The position is that applications have been received from three higher education institutions for designation as universities: Waterford Institute of Technology, Dublin Institute of Technology and Cork Institute of Technology. The issue of university designation does not just affect the institutions and the regions from which applications have been received; it also impacts on the future structure of the higher education system throughout the country. The Government wants to build on our strengths and to provide an environment where all our higher education institutions can develop in a way that best serves the country as a whole as well as the regions where they are based.

A High Level Group is currently developing a new national strategy for higher education. That Group is critically examining the roles and relationships of higher education institutions so that the system can deliver the levels of efficiency, performance, innovation and growth that will optimise Ireland's ‘smart' economic recovery and social development. The Strategy Group are expected to finalise their report before the summer and there are no plans to advance any of the current applications for university status before the Group completes its work.

Schools Building Projects

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

480 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, further to Parliamentary Question No. 493 of 15 June 2010 with reference to the 78 projects named in the reply, if she will provide the name, address and roll number of each school building project that has been completed and handed over; if she will provide the name, address and roll number of each school building project that is currently under construction; if she will provide the name, address and roll number of each school building project that is at tender stage; if she will provide the name, address and roll number of each school building project that is at pre-tender stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26746/10]

The information requested by the Deputy on the 78 projects is contained in the attached tabular statement. Full details of my Department's Capital Programme are available on my Department's website, www.education.ie.

County

Roll No.

Name/Address

Status

Carlow

18363M

SN Muire gan Smal, Green Lane

Under Construction

Cavan

06998Q

SN Tulach a Mhile, Corlough

Under Construction

Cavan

61060M

St Patrick’s College, Cavan, Co. Cavan

Tender Stage

Clare

14830U

Barefield N.S., Ennis

Under Construction

Cork

00512D

Midleton Convent NS

Completed/Handed Over

Cork

18786R

Sc Iosagain, Farranree

Pre-Tender Stage

Cork

20105C

Star of the Sea Primary School, Passage West

Tender Stage

Cork

20106E

Scoil Nioclais, Frankfield, Grange

Pre-Tender Stage

Donegal

17268N

SN An Br M O Cleirigh, Creevy, Ballyshannon

Under Construction

Donegal

19333I

Dooish NS, Ballybofey

Completed/Handed Over

Donegal

71240U

Stranorlar Vocational School

Under Construction

Dublin Belgard

18324C

Scoil Bride C, Palmerstown

Under Construction

Dublin City

16964F

Scoil Mhuire Ogh 1, Loreto College, Crumlin Rd, Dublin 12

Under Construction

Dublin City

18646B

Springdale NS, Lough Derg Rd., Raheny

Under Construction

Dublin City

20131D

Dublin 7 Educate Together

Completed/Handed Over

Dublin City

20139T

Inchicore NS, Sarsfield Road, Dublin 10

Tender Stage

Dublin Fingal

18778S

SN Naomh Mochta National School, Clonsilla

Pre-Tender Stage

Dublin Fingal

19898K

Gaelscoil an Duinnigh, Feltrim, Swords

Under Construction

Dublin Fingal

20202A

Balbriggan ET

Completed/Handed Over

Dublin Fingal

20247W

Scoil Ghráinne Community National School , Phibblestown

Under Construction

Dublin Fingal

60010P

Loreto Secondary School, Balbriggan

Tender Stage

Dublin Fingal

76098W

Pobail Scoil Setanta, Phibblestown

Under Construction

Dublin Fingal

76104O

Donabate Community College

Tender Stage

Dublin Fingal

76129H

Ardgillan Community College, Balbriggan

Completed/Handed Over

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown

70030E

Senior College, Dun Laoghaire

Tender Stage

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown

81001L

Newpark Comprehensive School, Blackrock

Pre-Tender Stage

Galway City

62970K

Coláiste Iognáid SJ Bothar na Mara

Tender Stage

Kerry

20196I

Ballybunion NS

Tender Stage

Kildare

20177E

Newbridge Educate Together

Completed/Handed Over

Kildare

11976K

Scoil Choca Naofa, Kilcock, Co. Kildare

Tender Stage

Kildare

13350A

Scoil Bhride, Athgarvan

Under Construction

Kildare

16345A

Scoil Bhride, Nurney, Co. Kildare

Under Construction

Kildare

17662R

Scoil Bhride NS, Kill

Under Construction

Kildare

17674B

SN Aine Naofa, Ard Cloc, Straffan

Tender Stage

Kildare

18654A

Caragh NS, Naas

Under Construction

Kildare

20023A

Gaelscoil Chill Dara, Newbridge

Completed/Handed Over

Kildare

20058T

Sc Uí Fhiach, Maynooth

Tender Stage

Kildare

20114D

Scoil Brid, Naas

Pre-Tender Stage

Kildare

20192A

Scoil Atha Í, Athy

Completed/Handed Over

Kildare

20271T

Scoil na Naomh Uilig, Rickardstown, Newbridge

Completed/Handed Over

Kildare

61710C

Meánscoil Iognáid Ris, Naas

Under Construction

Kildare

70650L

Athy Community College

Completed/Handed Over

Kilkenny

15160G

Marymount N.S., The Rower, Inistioge

Tender Stage

Laois

07442U

Convent of Mercy NS, Borris in Ossory

Pre-Tender Stage

Limerick

13026P

Kilfinane National School

Under Construction

Limerick

16237U

Dromtrasna NS, Abbeyfeale

Under Construction

Limerick City

64201T

Ardscoil Ris, North Circular Rd, Limerick City

Under Construction

Longford

71690F

Ballymahon Vocational School

Tender Stage

Louth

18069M

Naomh Seosamh, Mell, Drogheda

Tender Stage

Louth

20146Q

Le Cheile ET, Mornington, Drogheda

Completed/Handed Over

Louth

20205G

St Mary’s Parish School,Drogheda

Tender Stage

Louth

63870L

Drogheda Grammar School

Pre-Tender Stage

Mayo

20046M

Gaelscoil Na Cruaiche, Cathair na Mart

Under Construction

Mayo

76060U

Davitt College, Castlebar

Under Construction

Meath

00885T

Ratoath Jnr NS, Ratoath

Under Construction

Meath

16646O

St Marys Convent NS, Trim

Completed/Handed Over

Meath

17821L

Scoil Nais Mhuire Naofa, Enfield

Pre-Tender Stage

Meath

17964K

SN Mhuire Naofa, Rathfeigh

Under Construction

Meath

19253K

Scoil Naomh Barra, Wilkinstown

Under Construction

Meath

20180Q

Scoil Eoin National School, Navan

Tender Stage

Meath

20200T

Ratoath Snr NS, Ratoath

Under Construction

Meath

71950L

St Peters College, Dunboyne

Completed/Handed Over

Meath

76103M

Colaiste Na hInse, Laytown

Tender Stage

Monaghan

18028V

Corr a Chrainn NS, Corr a Chrainn

Under Construction

Offaly

17523D

SN Cronain Naofa, Dromakeenan

Under Construction

Offaly

65610S

Colaiste Choilm, O’Moore Street, Tullamore

Tender Stage

Roscommon

01607T

Scoil Náisiúnta Cor Na Fola, Athlone

Under Construction

Roscommon

65100S

Scoil Mhuire, Strokestown

Under Construction

Tipperary NR

15696B

Silvermines National School

Tender Stage

Waterford

19629G

Holy Cross School, Ballycarnane, Tramore

Under Construction

Waterford

20076V

Bunscoil Bhothar na Naomh, Lismore

Under Construction

Waterford City

20050D

Gaelscoil na Deise, Waterford City

Tender Stage

Waterford City

20160K

Waterford Educate Together NS, Waterford City

Tender Stage

Westmeath

18812P

Loch an Ghair NS, Mullingar

Under Construction

Wexford

20214H

Gorey ET

Completed/Handed Over

Wexford

71630K

Vocational College, Enniscorthy

Under Construction

Wicklow

10111O

Lacken National School, Lacken, Blessington

Under Construction

Wicklow

61800D

Presentation College, Bray

Under Construction

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

481 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, further to Parliamentary Question No. 699 of 9 February 2010, if she will sanction the appointment of a design team for the required extension to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare. [26759/10]

I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has made an application to my Department for large scale funding. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale capital projects and assigned an appropriate band rating. Information in respect of the current school building programme along with assessed applications for major capital works, including the project referred to by the Deputy, is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.

The progression of all large scale building projects, including the project for this school, from initial design through to construction phase will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in the light of current competing demands on the capital budget of my Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of this project at this time.

School Staffing

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

482 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will support a matter (details supplied). [26784/10]

Like all workers, childcare workers employed in Early Start units in primary schools have the full protection of existing employment legislation. Where a childcare worker is made redundant because of declining enrolments, that person has statutory rights under the legislation and these rights and entitlements will, of course, be fully complied with. The Deputy should note that responsibility for employment legislation and the updating of that legislation does not lie with my Department.

School Accommodation

Noel Coonan

Ceist:

483 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of prefabricated buildings currently in use in schools in north Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26791/10]

My Department records numbers of rented prefabricated buildings on a county by county basis. There are currently 41 prefabricated buildings being rented by schools throughout Co. Tipperary.

Institutes of Technology

Noel Coonan

Ceist:

484 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the situation regarding the merger of Tipperary Institute and Limerick Institute of Technology; the timeframe for same; the proposed new title for the Thurles campus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26792/10]

Discussions on a proposed merger between the Tipperary Institute and Limerick Institute of Technology commenced in late 2009 and they have recently completed a scoping document which clarifies the issues that will need to be addressed including that of proposed title for the Tipperary campus. The proposed merger has the support and agreement of the Governing Boards of both institutions and they are currently working to a target of September 2011 for completion of the arrangements for a formal merger.

School Curriculum

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

485 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, further to Parliamentary Question No. 498 of 15 June 2010, if the revised curriculum from 1971 with regard to religious instruction is combining both religious education and faith formation within the hours of the school day; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26819/10]

The 1971 primary curriculum is no longer in place. A revised primary curriculum was launched in 1999 and implemented on a phased basis over the period to 2008. Neither the 1971 curriculum nor the 1999 curriculum include a syllabus for Religious Education at primary level. While Religious Education forms part of the curriculum in schools, the programme offered is one which is approved by the Patron of the school in accordance with the ethos and characteristic spirit of the school. With the agreement of the Patron, schools may substitute an ethical education programme for this subject, if they wish to do so.

In denominational schools, the religious education curriculum developed by the Patron generally includes both religious education and faith formation. In schools where the Patron is Educate Together, children are taught a broad religious ethical and moral programme and faith formation is provided outside of school hours. Under Section 30.2(e) of the Education Act 1998 no student is required to attend instruction in any subject which is contrary to the conscience of his/her parent. Such students must be allowed to withdraw from religious education where this is sought.

Special Educational Needs

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

486 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the school at which a place will be provided for a child (details supplied) in view of the fact that enrolment has been refused to the child at three local schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26878/10]

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for the provision of a range of educational services at local and national level for students with special educational needs. In particular, its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) co-ordinates special needs education provision at local level and arranges for the delivery of special educational services. They act as single points of contact for parents of students with special educational needs. Another specific function of the SENO is to identify appropriate educational placements for children with special educational needs.

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 their attention and direct reply.

However the enrolment of a child in a school is a matter in the first instance for the parents of the child and the Board of Management of a school. My Department has no role in relation to processing applications for enrolment in schools. The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) is the statutory agency which assists parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The NEWB will try to help parents to find an alternative school placement if their child has been unable to secure a placement to date.

Where a school refuses to enrol a pupil, the school is obliged to inform parents of their right under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 to appeal that decision to the Secretary General of my Department. Where an appeal under Section 29 is upheld, the Secretary General may direct a school to enrol a pupil.

Questions Nos. 487 and 488 answered with Question No. 458.

Departmental Correspondence

John O'Donoghue

Ceist:

489 Deputy John O’Donoghue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the proposals she has to ensure that representations made by Members of the Oireachtas on behalf of members of the public to her Department are responded to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26900/10]

Normally when representations are received from members of the Oireachtas on behalf of members of the public, they are forwarded to the appropriate section of my Department, with responsibility for the relevant scheme and/or policy area, for the preparation of a response. This work is normally undertaken by CPSU grades but due to the current industrial action, by members of that union, representations made by members of the Oireachtas are not presently being processed in this manner.

However, as the Deputy will be aware, there is a long standing arrangement in my Department where all Oireachtas members are provided with the names and contact details of two designated officials from my Department who deal with representations and it is open to any Oireachtas member to contact these officials directly on behalf of members of the public. These officials will then undertake to prepare a response as quickly as possible depending on the circumstances of the case.

Barr