Vol. 720 No. 4
42 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Community; Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will provide an update on his discussions with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation regarding closer co-operation between LEADER groups and County Enterprise Boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39638/10]
The main objectives of the rural development programme, RDP, 2007-13 are to improve the quality of life in rural areas and facilitate the diversification of the rural economy. Axes 3 and 4, LEADER, of the RDP, for which my Department has responsibility, continue to facilitate access to significant financial resources for rural communities. Enterprise support has always been a significant element of successive programmes facilitating rural development in Ireland, including the current and previous LEADER elements of such programmes.
I believe that the enterprise funding available under the RDP adds value to other supports available by specifically targeting rural areas and by seeking to reinforce the economic impact of similar and related interventions under other axes of the RDP and, indeed, other national programmes.
I can assure the Deputy that I work closely with my Cabinet colleagues, particularly the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, to promote increased co-operation between groups promoting LEADER and other agencies either directly or indirectly involved in supporting enterprise — specifically the county enterprise boards. Our aim is to ensure that we maximise the impact of all of the funding available and support enterprise and job creation in rural areas to the greatest extent possible, while at the same time ensuring that no unnecessary or inefficient overlaps or duplication occur.
Tá áthas orm a bheith anseo inniu. Tá ard-mheas agam ar an Aire, ar Chonradh na Gaeilge, Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge agus na heagraíochtaí Gaeilge eile ar fud na tíre. Tá súil agam go mbeimis ag obair le chéile.
I have just one question for the Minister on this. Did he raise the issue with the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development during his recent visit and, in the event, what was the outcome?
I met the Commissioner, along with my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Brendan Smith, and we discussed a wide range of issues. This is probably the first time, I gather, that rural development has been assigned to the Agriculture Commissioner, and he expressed considerable interest, not just in the LEADER programme, but in the general bottom-up approach it is taking, enabling local communities to take decisions for themselves. Both Deputy Smith and I emphasised to the Commissioner that in the next round of discussions on agricultural policy reform and financial allocations, account should be taken of the importance of such initiatives as LEADER.
For the information of the House I have also met the Development Commissioner, who has a considerable degree of direct experience of rural issues. I am happy there is comprehensive understanding at the EU level of the importance of this programme, and of what are termed outside-the-farm-gate aspects.
What impact will this have on existing rural development structures? In particular, will it impact on recently restructured community development projects and their funding under the community development programme?
I do not believe so. The origins of the LCDP programme are different, first of all. Even in the mid-term I do not foresee significant changes in what the LEADER programme is doing. There is greater collaboration at this stage, I believe, between all the local stakeholders right across the country, if for no other reason than they realise a smaller pot of money is now available, and they have to work together more closely. There is evidence that groups are coming together to achieve common objectives that are shared by all.
43 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Community; Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to recent data from the Health Research Board pointing to an increase in heroin use, particularly in centres outside of Dublin; if he shares the view expressed by the Chairman of the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (details supplied), that the figures highlight the need for investment in treatment services; the steps being taken to reduce the demand for heroin, in the light of these figures; the progress made with regard to the implementation of the national drugs strategy, particularly in the light of these figures; if he will give a commitment that funding in this area will not be further cut; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40623/10]
44 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Community; Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the recently published report by Merchant’s Quay Ireland which notes that heroin use is on the increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40622/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 44 together.
I am aware of recent reports on the national drug treatment reporting system data, published by the Health Research Board in January, that cover numbers in treatment for problem drug use in Ireland in 2008.
Heroin use remains a major problem in our country. All the indications are that, while the use of heroin is relatively stable in the Dublin region, it has become more widely dispersed around the country, particularly in the major cities and in towns across Leinster. Responding to this problem continues to be a priority under the National Drugs Strategy 2009-16.
I fully accept the view that the provision of treatment services is vital to address the needs of problem drug users. This is illustrated by the fact that we currently have 9,400 people in methadone treatment. New opiate substitution services have opened this year in Cork, Tralee and Wexford, and these will be followed shortly by facilities in Kilkenny, Waterford, Limerick, Dundalk and Drogheda. This is being done by the HSE with financial support from my Department. Further opiate substitution services in the midlands are being actively considered and expansions of needle exchange services, rehabilitation services and detoxification facilities are being implemented.
Meanwhile, I welcome the publication of the report to which Deputy Feighan refers which outlines the continued extensive work undertaken by Merchant's Quay Ireland in dealing with the drugs problem. The report indicates that 4,092 people availed of that organisation's needle exchange service in 2009. This represents a reduction on the 2008 figure of 4,657 and the 2007 figure of 4,705. Also, the number of new needle exchange clients at 642 showed a continued decline from 2007. Overall, it is encouraging that injecting opiate users are making the first steps to access treatment services as this will help to reduce the risks of the spread of blood borne viruses, improve the overall health of individuals and is likely to encourage some opiate users, at least, to engage further with treatment and rehabilitation services.
The National Drugs Strategy 2009-16 aims to tackle the harm caused to individuals and society by the misuse of drugs through a concerted focus on the five pillars of supply reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research. I believe that the actions set out in the strategy facilitate a planned and monitored approach to achieving the overall strategic objective.
The progress made in addressing the issue of head shops and the psychoactive substances they sell is illustrative of what can be achieved with interdepartmental co-operation under the national drugs strategy. Following legislative changes implemented by the Minister for Health and Children and the Minister for Justice and Law Reform, the number of head shops in operation has reduced from 102 to 11 at the latest count. Meanwhile, An Garda Síochána and Revenue's Customs Service continue to prioritise the targeting of those involved in the supply of drugs. Their work will encompass measures to tackle the threat of psychoactive substances being sold through the Internet.
Over €36 million will be expended by my Department in combating problem drug use this year. I see this area of expenditure as being of particular importance, especially in view of the benefits that can accrue to the individuals involved and to society at large. I will make every effort to protect funding in this important area but, as the Deputy is aware, I cannot give an undertaking in this regard in advance of the completion of the estimates process and the budget.
I stress my determination to tackle the issue of problem substance misuse over the coming years and I am confident that the national drugs strategy will continue to facilitate this.
I thank the Minister for his reply. As regards the increase in heroin use, one just has to look at the very good articles that have appeared in the Irish Examiner in recent weeks which highlighted the major increases in use occurring in every area, regardless of where it is. Even in the Leas-Cheann Comhairle’s area, Wexford, there has been a rise of 270% as regards detection and the same trend is evident in Kildare and all the other areas.
On numerous occasions here I have tried to raise the question of the demand for the drug, and what we are doing to ensure that parents and young people, including teenagers, recognise the dangers and the type of damage they can do to their health by becoming involved in drug use in the first place. We seem to be reactive as a society when a person is involved with drugs. I believe, however, that the Minister, who is responsible for communities, must ensure they work with him to try to decrease the demand for drugs in every area. That is a major issue, and I ask the Minister to outline how he might like to see such an initiative being undertaken.
I honestly believe the gardaí are doing their utmost, but again their job would be a great deal easier if we can manage to decrease the demand. I saw in the newspapers recently that head shops are now selling on the Internet. They have reduced their costs and the threat is still there. Perhaps the Minister will state his views on the issue of head shops selling on the Internet in regard to community involvement in this area. Will he set out his proposals to reduce demand for heroin in particular?
Deputy Wall is correct that heroin use is prevalent in all parts of the country. Some communities are good at recognising the need to address the issue and many have done so. I have travelled extensively in the context of examining interventions. Deputy Wall referred to the Leas-Cheann Comhairle's area, which is an example of how despite a community's response to a problem there will always be obstacles. There will always be someone who will the test the planning process and so on. This issue needs to be addressed and is being addressed.
There is no doubt but that alternatives must be found. The best alternative is prevention. In this regard, the education programmes in and outside our schools are good, including the Walk Tall and Social Personal and Health Education programmes, which are being well taught. Work with young people outside the school setting is also important. Increasingly, people are of the view that what is needed are good community facilities and alternatives be they GAA, soccer clubs, youth cafés, canoeing or cycling or walking trails and so on. What is at long last emerging is recognition that the family plays a key role in prevention. I strongly recommend that Members read the report published last week by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs. The report, which many Members may already have read, deals with early school leavers and their engagement with drugs versus those who remain in school. It references their primary influences being parents, teachers, peer group and the community.
The Merchant's Quay Ireland report published in September states that since the recession began heroin use has reached record levels. The former Governor of Mountjoy Prison said we are sleep walking into a national disaster and that there are more drugs in Mountjoy Prison than there are sweets in a tuck shop, which is a cause for concern. During the last recession Dublin was decimated by drugs. The same story is now unfolding across the country. The allocation in terms of drugs funding last year was €300 million. While funding for 2010 has been reduced it is nonetheless a significant sum.
I ask that the Government consider the situation a crisis and that it consider all funding in the context of ensuring a crisis response to it.
I have never been under any illusion in terms of the challenge of trying to keep ahead of the drugs issue. The situation is forever changing. There is a danger that we will chase after the latest headline. A couple of months ago that was head shops and we are now back to heroin and are speaking more of the need for rehabilitation, detox beds and so on. Merchant's Quay Ireland is to the forefront of organisations dealing with drug treatment. I applaud what it is doing here in the city. Anyone who would like to learn more about what it is doing in the area of treatment, rehabilitation and so on need only visit St. Francis Farm in Tullow, County Carlow, which provides a range of services in state of the art premises. I am sure the Leas-Cheann Comhairle knows well the facility in Ballyragget in County Kilkenny, which provides services for the under 18s.
The former Governor of Mountjoy Prison, Mr. John Lonergan, is in his own way saying what everyone else has been saying for a long time. I do not agree with him that every place is awash with drugs although I accept there is a high level of usage of all substances be it alcohol, benzodiazepines, cocaine and so on. Programmes, whether inside or outside prison, must be in place to deter access to drugs, to keep people from using them and to rehabilitate those who are addicted to them.
I am pleased the Minister is aware of the facilities around the country that are available to communities. However, we must lead the drive in this regard. I ask the Minister, as I did his predecessor, to meet the relevant national organisations be they involved in sport, recreation, drama and so on to ensure all are encouraged to take on the drug barons in the battle to reduce demand. If we can reduce demand, everything else will fall into place. The Midland Regional Task Force has reported an increase in heroin use. There are also chronic problems in regard to accessing treatment. We must reduce demand and ensure no further increase in drug misuse.
The Minister's predecessor, Minister of State, Deputy Curran, agreed to meet the national organisations on the next phase of the national drugs strategy in regard to alcohol. I want the Minister to give a commitment that he will meet the organisations and work with them and all of us. I am sure Deputy Feighan and Members of all parties will work together to defeat this problem. The only way we can defeat it is by working together. We must reduce demand thus helping everyone else involved, including the Garda Síochána and so on. I hope the Minister can give us that commitment today.
I have met the main organisations, including the three large sporting organisations who are aware of their responsibilities and are implementing good programmes. Only two days after my appointment, I was invited to Croke Park to see what the GAA is doing with the HSE. I met on that occasion with representatives of the Football Association of Ireland and the Irish Rugby Football Union and have since met a range of smaller organisations the length and breadth of the country, of which there are 24,000. They are in their own way making a difference and are conscious of the need for concerted action. For this reason, I am anxious that we complete what I started when last in the Department, namely, a single strategy for alcohol and substance misuse which is currently at final drafting stage. I hope to be in a position to bring it to Government before the end of this year, following which it will be rolled out.
I, too, have visited many of the agencies and drug task forces around the country and I am aware the Minister has been to the forefront in terms of working with them.
If some type of crisis response to this problem is not developed thousands of individual lives will be destroyed.
A question, please.
We will work cross-party to ensure the scourge of drugs is tackled. I pay tribute to the agencies and clinics working on the front line. Their work has been exceptional.
I appreciate what Deputy Feighan said. Public representatives play an important role in drugs task forces as do others. The community response to the head shops is a good example of what can be done when people recognise danger. We will have to continue to develop our response regardless of where the problem arises. Despite all its critics, the Health Service Executive is co-operating and providing new services in areas where gaps existed.
45 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Community; Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs when he will publish the final draft of the Twenty Year Strategy on the Irish Language to allow a full debate in the Oireachtas and among the public prior to a final decision by the Government on the draft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40624/10]
As the Deputy will be aware, the draft 20 year strategy for Irish was published by the Government at the end of 2009 and was referred to the Joint Committee for Arts, Sports, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs for consideration.
The joint committee undertook a process of consultations with various stakeholders during the year. It invited groups and individuals from the various Gaeltacht areas and throughout Ireland to engage with them in putting forward recommendations for the preservation and development of the Irish language. At one meeting, held in the Galway Gaeltacht, people had an opportunity to address members of the joint committee. The committee subsequently agreed on a report with 39 recommendations, which I received on 28 July 2010. The recommendations covered various topics such as education, Údarás na Gaeltachta, voluntary organisations, summer colleges and the Gaeltacht and are currently being considered by my Department in co-operation with other relevant Departments.
It is expected that this process will be concluded shortly and that the final draft can be brought before the Cabinet committee on Irish and the Gaeltacht and, subsequently, to Government. It is hoped that the next meeting of the Cabinet committee will take place on 17 November 2010, when the final draft will be discussed with a view to submitting it formally to Government. Subject to Government approval, I anticipate that the draft strategy will be published shortly thereafter.
With regard to having a debate on the draft strategy, there was a full debate of the report of the joint committee in the Seanad yesterday, in which I participated. As the Deputy will understand, the matter of having any additional debates is a matter for the Whips.
I take the point that the Minister is not responsible for debates in this House but he has indicated that he is not adverse to a debate. Will he not agree that the public at large have not been involved at all in this process of developing the 20 year strategy and that a large majority of people have no idea that this strategy is being developed? If such a debate takes place it would be important that not only the Minister's good self, representing the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs, would take part but also the Minister for Education and Skills who has responsibility for the largest spend on the Irish language. None of them know exactly how much is being spent on the Irish language in the education system——
Ceist.
The Coimisinéir Teanga roughly estimates it at €0.5 billion. The former president of the University of Limerick, Dr. Ed Walsh, says it is €1.2 billion. A considerable amount of taxpayers' money is being spent on the Irish language. I believe we need to consult with the taxpayers in terms of where we go from here and involve them in the debate on the strategy to ensure we help develop a sense of ownership of the language among the public at large. Otherwise, we will go nowhere. Can I take it the Minister would give his full support to such a debate in the Dáil?
To answer the last question first, I understand the Whips were discussing the timetable for that. I presume it is up to them and the House to decide when that debate will take place. I am more than happy to support that. We had an extremely good debate in the Seanad yesterday. I was listening to Raidió na Gaeltachta on the way back from Armagh today and it seemed to have kept that radio programme going for most of the morning.
I do not go along with Deputy O'Shea in regard to engagement with the public. I was not involved in the early stages of consultation on this strategy but I am aware from reading the newspapers that there was a huge amount of engagement with the community at large. There were approximately 16 public consultation events. There was widespread on-line engagement and both the acadamh na hollscoile in Galway and Fiontar in DCU were involved on a consultative basis examining how a strategy could be developed.
On the other question the Deputy addressed about the future of the strategy and the public ownership of it, there is a fairly significant degree of public ownership. One swallow does not make a summer, or even two——
What about three?
I will make three of it so. I was in Carlow some weeks ago where a mini oireachtas was going on for the best part of a fortnight. They have a network of naonraí gaelscoil gaelcholáistí, and the institute is located there. The public is also engaged also and it is working towards what has been set out. The local authority is heavily engaged working towards bilingual status for Carlow town, as an example. I happened to be in Gibbstown, in County Meath, which is a Gaeltacht, but the level of engagement there between the local GAA club, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and the local school would indicate there is significant engagement overall.
There is a significant number of networks of community groups, whether it is Gaeilge ag Labhairt, Corcaigh ag Labhairt or any of those that are ready to adopt the strategy. It must be remembered that it is a 20 year strategy. There are three phases to it over a 20 year period. Flexibility and an openness to adapt and achieve the objectives set down in the plan is probably its strength.
I guarantee the Minister that if he went out in the street and asked the first 20 people he met what they know about the 20 year draft strategy very few of them would know about it and fewer again would know anything contained in it. I accept that the Gaeltacht people were consulted, and rightly so, as well as the Irish language organisations but there is a broader public that we are not reaching, and that is my major concern. There is a great deal of soft support for the Irish language. It is about converting that into real support and people doing something. That is where I see the major flaw. The leadership must come from this House and we should engage in an exercise where we would have a full debate, with full ministerial participation of Departments that are providing services for the Irish language. It is vitally important also to get people to engage with the language and use whatever Irish they have in a bilingual sense and so on. We are not reaching the people, and the situation is getting worse.
The situation is getting worse. This House has led the debate. It was the Government and this House that developed a strategy. It was debated for seven months by the joint committee. There is soft support, and the purpose of the strategy is to convert that soft support into real support. The objective is to increase the number of Irish speakers over the 20 year period from €83,000 currently to €0.25 million by 2030. Is that an achievable objective? I take on board what Deputy O'Shea is saying but sooner or later the talking must stop and the implementation has to begin. In view of the urgency I would like the implementation to start quickly.
46 D’fhiafraigh Deputy Dinny McGinley den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail; Comhionannais agus Gaeltachta i bhfianaise an róil lárnaigh atá ag Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge i réimse na pleanála teanga agus na forbartha pobail sa Ghaeltacht agus an dualgais reachtúil atá ar Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh (faoi Acht an Choláiste Ollscoile, Gaillimh (Leasú) 2006), ‘a chinntiú go mbeidh oideachas á sholáthar trí mheán na Gaeilge’, agus atá i measc na bpríomhaidhmeanna a bheidh leagtha amach i bPlean Straitéise na hOllscoile, céard iad na socruithe atá déanta ag an Aire chun maoiniú a dhéanamh ar Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge agus ar straitéis Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh d’fhorbairt na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge. [39641/10]
Faoi mar is eol don Teachta, chuir mo Roinnse cúnamh ar fáil d'Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge ón uair a bunaíodh é chun foirgnimh agus áiseanna a fhorbairt sa Ghaeltacht agus chun na hIonaid atá ag an Acadamh sa Ghaeltacht a bhainistiú. Cuireadh cuid den chúnamh seo ar fáil trí Údarás na Gaeltachta. Is ar mhaithe le forbairt an phobail agus buanú na Gaeilge mar theanga labhartha na ndaoine sa Ghaeltacht a cuireadh an maoiniú seo ar fáil.
Ar ndóigh, baineann an cheist maidir le maoiniú oideachas tríú leibhéal go príomha leis an Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna agus an tÚdarás um Ard-Oideachas agus tuigim go bhfuil plé ar siúl faoi láthair idir Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh, agus na húdaráis sin le hiarracht a dhéanamh teacht ar shocrú le gur féidir tacú le gníomhaíochtaí an Acadaimh.
Tá mé sásta go gcuireann an tAcadamh go mór leis na deiseanna oideachais trí mheán na Gaeilge atá ar fáil do phobal na Gaeltachta agus na Gaeilge. Tá an ollscolaíocht trí Ghaeilge fíor-thábhachtach le freastal ar riachtanais phobal na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta trí ábhair léinn, cúrsaí ollscoile agus taighde a chur chun cinn sna réimsí atá lárnach do thodhchaí na pobail Ghaeltachta agus go deimhin i réimsí eile.
Beidh mise, mar Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Comhionannais agus Gaeltachta, sásta cuidiú ar aon bhealach gur féidir liom chun an phróiseas seo a chur chun cinn agus maoiniú an Acadaimh a chórasú.
Cuireann sé áthas orm agus is cúis mhisnigh agus dóchais dúinn uilig go dtuigeann an tAire tábhacht an acadaimh ó thaobh na Gaeilge agus an oideachais trí Ghaeilge de. Tuigeann sé an ról lárnach atá ag an oideachas i gcur chun cinn na teanga agus sa straitéis 20 bliain. Tuigeann an tAire an obair iontach atá á déanamh ag na gaelscoileanna agus ag na gaelcholáistí. Ag an tríú leibhéal atá an laigeacht agus an freagra air sin ná acadamh na hollscoile.
An dtig leis an Aire a rá cad é an maoiniú a rinne a Roinn féin nó a rinne Údarás na Gaeltachta ar an acadamh go dtí seo? An bhfuil sé ar intinn ag an Roinn agus ag an údarás leanúint ar aghaidh le maoiniú a chur ar fáil sa todhchaí?
Tá áthas orm a chloisteáil go dtuigeann an Teachta McGinley an tábhacht a bhaineann leis an chóras oideachais go ginearálta i leith na straitéise. Mar a dúirt mé sa Seanad inné, tá an córas oideachais lárnach chun an straitéis a chur i gcrích i measc an phobail.
Mar a dúirt an Teachta, tá sár-obair á dhéanamh ag an acadamh sin i nDún na nGall, i gConamara agus in áiteanna beaga eile ar fud na tíre. Ba mhaith liom réiteach a fháil, áfach, ar cheist mhaoinithe an acadaimh. Tá díospóireacht ar siúl faoi láthair idir oifig an Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna agus an HEA faoin mhaoiniú sin. Más féidir leis an Roinn cabhair a thabhairt dóibh, déanfaidh mé gach iarracht sin a dhéanamh. Beidh ról ag Údarás na Gaeltachta sa mhaoiniú sin.
I gcomhthéacs na meastachán, tá súil agam go bhféadfaimid réiteach a fháil ar mhaoiniú gearrthéarmach ar a laghad don acadamh.
Chun an dualgas atá ar an acadamh a chomhlíonadh, tá acmhainní riachtanach. Mar dhuine atá ina chonaí i gceantar ina bhfuil an t-acadamh ag gníomhú faoi láthair, i nGaoth Dobhair, tá a fhios agam go dtugann an t-acadamh stádas úr don Ghaeilge i measc an phobail ina bhfuil sí lonnaithe. An dtuigeann an tAire cé chomh tábhachtach agus atá sé ó thaobh na straitéise de go leanfaidh an t-acadamh ar aghaidh leis an obair atá ar siúl aige?
Aontaím leis sin. Bhí caiteachas ag an acadamh timpeall €12.5 milliún. Ba cheart go mbeadh thart ar €5 mhilliún nó €6 mhilliún ar fáil dó go mbeidh sé in ann leanúint ar aghaidh leis na cúrsaí atá ar siúl aige faoi láthair agus na riachtanais atá aige. Tá ganntanas airgid ann, áfach, agus caithfimid bheith réadúil. Ní féidir liom a rá inniu cé mhéad airgid a bheidh le fáil ag an acadamh. Táimid ag déanamh gach rud is féidir linn a dhéanamh.
That concludes Priority Questions.
