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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Nov 2010

Vol. 723 No. 3

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 9, inclusive, resubmitted.
Questions Nos. 10 to 17, inclusive, answered orally.

Telecommunications Services

Sean Sherlock

Ceist:

18 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the implementation of a one-stop-shop for broadband; if he has met with all the State agencies to ensure open access for telecommunications purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44996/10]

The objective of the one-stop-shop commitment in the Next Generation Broadband policy paper "Gateway to a Knowledge Ireland" is to facilitate telecoms network operators in gaining access to ducting that exists along publicly-owned energy, transport and other infrastructure so as to facilitate access to backhaul networks in a cost effective manner. Government policy is aimed at leveraging such State-owned infrastructure to help deliver high-speed broadband and improved telecommunications services throughout the country. The policy also strongly supports this being done on an open-access basis and I do not favour exclusive deals whereby one service provider secures exclusive access to a particular State-owned network.

In general terms there are no current impediments to accessing the majority of State-owned telecommunications infrastructure. Both ESB Telecoms and Aurora Telecom, which is a division of Bord Gáis Networks, have developed highly successful commercial ventures in this area. Indeed the recent announcement of Aurora's investment in ultra-high speed fibre-optic network linking Dublin to the West of Ireland is very positive evidence of the critical role this type of infrastructure can play in the delivery of high-speed networks. ESB's infrastructure allows the company to provide high capacity managed services and it is also playing a vital role in the delivery of the 100mbps pilot project to secondary schools.

Access to Irish Rail's network is also available through its long-standing commercial arrangement with BT and I have also enacted legislation earlier this year designating the National Roads Authority as the single point of contact for accessing State-owned infrastructure on national roads and motorways. Open access is also available to Inland Waterway's ducting running along tow paths on some of our canal network. Coillte possesses some 400 mast sites, including 20% of NBS sites, and have all of the mobile operators as customers. RTE owns some 150 masts and towers at various remote high sites and shares its infrastructure with the mobile operators. Furthermore, approximately 200 of the masts owned by the Garda are used by the mobile operators for GSM and 3G purposes.

Earlier this month I met with all of these relevant State Agencies as well as a representative from the City and County Managers' Association to discuss how we can work together to ensure that no unnecessary impediments are put in place regarding access issues and, where possible, to open up infrastructure that heretofore has not been utilised for telecommunications purposes. My primary message to the Agencies was that investment in Next Generation Networks was critical given the need for good high quality networks to support future economic growth and that one of the key challenges for all players in the sector was to strike the correct balance between the need for closer collaboration while maintaining the necessary competitive tensions in the market.

There was broad agreement at this meeting that the issue of the most appropriate future role that can be played by State-owned infrastructure should form part of the considerations of the NGN Taskforce that is being set up at present and which will hold its first meeting in mid-December next. As I have pointed out there is already an elaborate network of state owned assets which is open to service providers for broadband purposes and which is playing a very significant and positive part in the development of Ireland's telecommunications and broadband market. Apart from the quality of service thus provided this is also ensuring market-place competition with the incumbent, eircom. In this way the objectives of the one-stop-shop as set in the 2009 Broadband Policy paper are being delivered.

I am anxious to ensure that this is being done in an optimal way that maximises future provision of competitive next generation broadband in the market by the industry. This is why the views of industry, which will be expressed as part of the deliberations of the NGN Taskforce, will be important in terms of taking informed long-term decisions on how we can optimise the role the State agencies can play in the provision of a modern, fit-for-purpose next generation telecommunications network.

Question No. 19 answered with Question No. 15.

Departmental Agencies

Frank Feighan

Ceist:

20 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has received accounts from the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland and if he has considered any requests on the levy on broadcasters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44846/10]

The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) Annual Report and Accounts for 2009 have not yet been submitted to my Department. The delay in submitting the Report and Accounts is due to a delay in the completion of the audit of the Accounts by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG). The BCI submitted draft financial statements to the C&AG in late January 2010 and at that time, the C&AG indicated that some additional work would be required to complete the audit and that this work would not be undertaken until later in the year. The C&AG is expected to issue its final report to the now established Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) on the 13th December 2010. This will allow the BAI to finalise the content of the report and formally submit the report to my Department.

Section 33 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 provides for the BAI to make on order imposing a levy on broadcasters for the purposes of meeting the expenses of the Authority and its Committees in undertaking the performance of its statutory functions. This is a responsibility that has been placed on the Authority by the Oireachtas. The Act also provides that any unspent levy income in a given year can be refunded to the industry. In addition, the Authority, in accordance with Section 37(1) of the Broadcasting Act 2009, is obliged to submit estimates of income and expenditure to the Minister in respect of the next three financial years.

In relation to the estimates for the period 2011-2013, I can confirm that these estimates were submitted to my Department by the Authority on 29th October 2010. My Department is now engaging with the Authority in relation to the provision of certain further information in accordance with the provisions of Section 37(1) of the Broadcasting Act 2009.

In relation to publication, the legislation requires that, subject to the consent of the Minister and the Minister for Finance, the Authority shall publish its 3-year estimates or a summary of them on a website maintained by the Authority. I am very much aware that both public and commercial broadcasters will be keen to view the Authority's expenditure proposals as early as possible because of their implications for the industry in terms of the levy. It is my intention to facilitate this as much as practicable. I have been informed by the Authority that it is keenly aware of the need to minimise the burden on industry, and is continually reviewing all expenditure to ensure that it represents value for money.

Regulatory Institutions

Joe Carey

Ceist:

21 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to merge utilities regulators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44822/10]

There are three utility regulators currently operating under the aegis of my Department. These are the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI). The structure of regulatory institutions can be an important, but is rarely a decisive, criterion for regulatory effectiveness. There is a far closer relationship between regulatory structure and both regulatory efficiency and consistency across sectors.

The main rationale for a decision to merge regulators is to improve regulatory decision-making and/or regulatory cost-effectiveness. The prospect of that happening will be heavily influenced by the scale of commonality across regulatory bodies together with the scale of embedded inefficiencies in the pre-existing structure.

At the outset of the establishment of independent economic regulatory structures in Ireland in the mid to late 1990s, the Government chose to adopt a structural model of single purpose organisations, generally headed by a single regulator. Over time, regulatory structure has moved to a multi-purpose organisational structure headed by multi-person commissions. This has been done by grafting new functions onto existing regulatory bodies rather than establishing new agencies. In the case of my own Department, the process of integrating new functions and deploying multi person or commission-based decision-making structures has taken place in both the case of CER and ComReg. The BAI, which has had a commission structure from the outset, has taken over regulatory responsibilities for regulation of important aspects of public service broadcasting.

Speaking generally, I do not see merit in the integration of all public utilities regulators into a single merged entity. I believe that the attention given to the integration process would mitigate against the effectiveness of their operations. I also feel that any costs reductions arising from integration would likely be offset with costs associated with reduced effectiveness in regulatory operation.

Similarly, as regulatory bodies under the aegis of my Department are currently structured the prospects for achieving improved decision-making and cost-effectiveness out of a merger are not established. In addition, any merger process carries with it important costs and the achievement of efficiencies in the short term can probably be realised better by the regulators themselves bringing forward proposals within existing structures.

All of the regulatory bodies have been asked, along with all agencies operating under the aegis of my Department to prepare Action Plans for reform under the Transforming Public Service Agenda. My Department will liaise closely with the Regulators in this regard. The Government Statement on Economic Regulation published in October, 2009 stated that the Government is committed to keeping under review options for further mergers between regulators in the short to medium term including those options set out in the Report of the Special Group on Public Sector Numbers and Expenditure. It pointed out also that there had already been significant mergers across postal and telecommunications, electricity and gas regulation.

The Statement also said that Departments would work with regulators on an on-going basis to achieve greater efficiencies through shared administration and legal services as well as the exchange of personnel and joint procurement and Departments will be asked to monitor progress in this regard. The scope for additional efficiencies through the co-location of regulators will also be examined. These matters will be pursued in the context of the Action Plans referred to above.

Telecommunications Services

Ciaran Lynch

Ceist:

22 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the nature of any talks he has had with Eircom in relation to investment in a fibre network; ComReg’s role in these talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44993/10]

The telecommunications market, including the provision of fibre based next generation networks, is fully liberalised and subject to both EU and national competition and regulatory rules. My Department liaises with industry participants including eircom and with ComReg on an ongoing basis and these discussions encompass all matters relating to broadband infrastructure development. As part of the ongoing bilateral engagement with industry players on broadband development, my Department has had discussions with eircom, other market participants and ComReg. I recognise the importance of eircom as the incumbent telecommunications provider and I welcome their stated intention to invest in new next generation networks. Eircom's recent announcement regarding the provision of next generation Ethernet products to its wholesale operators is particularly welcome.

My Department and ComReg will continue to liaise with a view to promoting the appropriate degree of regulatory and investment certainty available to eircom and all other investors in telecommunications infrastructure, due account being taken of the statutory independence of ComReg.

More generally, I have made it clear on a number of occasions that I favour a collaborative approach to the roll out of broadband infrastructure, where appropriate. The Next Generation Broadband (NGB) Taskforce, which I signalled in my June 2009 policy paper, will be established and meet in the coming weeks. The overall objective of the Taskforce is to foster a dialogue and follow up actions which will promote the advancement of Next Generation Broadband. The NGB Taskforce will consist of representatives of the industry. Its focus will include collaborative approaches to infrastructure roll out, taking account of the existing policy framework and regulatory regime.

This approach is consistent with Government policy on the development of the electronic communications market in Ireland, which is set out in "Next Generation Broadband — Gateway to a Knowledge Ireland". The policy paper was developed in accordance with various key principles, which are crucial to the development of the market including—

(i) competition,

(ii) investment certainty,

(iii) investment intervention by Government to bridge any digital divide in cases of market failure, and

(iv) appropriate regulation.

This policy has facilitated significant progress in broadband roll out, penetration and quality over recent years. For example, Ireland has over 1.5 million broadband subscribers and our broadband per-capita penetration rate is 34%. In a recent study of broadband services in 72 countries by the University of Oxford and the University of Oviedo, Spain, which ranks Ireland 13th of the 72 countries studied, ahead of France, Canada, the United States and the UK. Ireland ranks 15th of the EU 27 for fixed broadband penetration and 6th for mobile only penetration. Of the homes with broadband connections, 68.4% of them are using broadband speeds between 2mbps and 10mbps. 72.8% of SMEs with a broadband connection are also using products with speeds of between 2mbps and 10mbps.

Energy Resources

Mary Upton

Ceist:

23 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to recommend to the Commission for Energy Regulation to implement a zero disconnection policy here; his views on the zero disconnection policy in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44979/10]

The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is the statutory independent energy regulator with responsibility for consumer protection. Recognising that the current economic climate is placing additional pressures on consumers, the CER has consulted on its customer disconnections policy and related costs. The CER has announced its decision that the cost of disconnections for electricity and gas be shared equally between the supplier and the customer in the case of non-payment of account. This is an interim measure commencing December 22nd and will remain in place for 12 months. I welcome this as a significant measure to enhance consumer protection at this difficult time.

The CER considered the option of "zero disconnections" as part of its overall review of customer disconnections policy. The CER noted the disadvantages of such an option include reducing the incentive for customers to manage their debt and restricting customers' right to switch suppliers. In Northern Ireland, disconnections remain at low levels as around one in four households have pre-paid meters installed. This eliminates the need for energy suppliers to carry out disconnections, as the customer decides on their level of energy consumption and prepays for it. The CER has made additional prepayment meters available for Irish electricity and gas consumers.

The CER is also currently running a Smart Metering pilot scheme which aims to establish how the potential benefits of smart metering can be best applied to prepayment meters for both electricity and gas. A prepayment solution is currently being tested whereby the smart meter could be defined as a debit or credit meter, making the prepayment option more easily available to customers as there would be no need to replace smart meters with specific prepayment meters. The trial, along with a cost benefit analysis, is due to be completed in early 2011. Another potential benefit of smart metering is giving customers the opportunity to access more information about their energy consumption and this is particularly important for vulnerable customers to enable them to manage their energy consumption more effectively.

I am also working closely with the Ministers for Social Protection, and Environment, Heritage and Local Government, to deliver a fully cohesive Government response to the challenges of addressing energy affordability in Ireland. I expect the Affordable Energy Strategy to be submitted to me shortly with a view to bringing it to Government in the coming weeks.

This strategy will be the framework for building upon the many measures already in place to protect vulnerable households at risk from the effects of energy poverty. These measures include social welfare supports such as the Fuel Allowance and the Household Benefits package, advice on energy efficiency. The Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS), administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland provides significant energy efficiency improvements in low-income homes. Improving the thermal efficiency of houses is a critical means of addressing energy affordability.

Telecommunications Services

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

24 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans regarding digital copyright law reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44853/10]

Copyright and related rights are primarily matters for the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation. I am, however, aware of the recent High Court judgement in a case involving UPC and Irish record companies. This case has implications for internet use and is therefore of concern to my Department given its role in relation to communications regulation.

The record companies sought an injunction under the Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000 against UPC to prevent the illegal downloading of copyright material by third parties over the internet and a court order for UPC to block access by its subscribers to sites that facilitate such illegal downloading. In its judgement, the court considered the precise scope of the legislative framework as set out in the Copyright Act and relevant European legislation. The court concluded that the Irish copyright legislation does not provide for the remedies sought and refused to grant them. I understand that the judgement has been referred by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation to the Attorney General for advice.

My Department has also sought the advice of the Attorney General in relation to any obligations my Department may have under the EU regulatory framework for telecommunications. That framework includes a provision whereby Member States may only impose restrictions on access to, and use of, services and applications through electronic communications networks, including internet access by end users, subject to adequate procedural safeguards, including effective judicial protection and due process.

I will work with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation to ensure that the State develops the right legal and market environment to both protect the rights of copyright holders and, at the same time, ensure we create a positive environment for the development of new internet services.

Sean Sherlock

Ceist:

25 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on a recent Irish small and medium enterprises survey that showed SMEs are not fully capitalising on the web for online selling due to broadband inadequacies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44997/10]

Government policy pertaining to the electronic communications market in Ireland is set out in "Next Generation Broadband — Gateway to a Knowledge Ireland", which I published in June 2009. The policy paper complements relevant provisions in the Government's Framework for Sustainable Economic Renewal "Building Ireland's Smart Economy",which recognises broadbandas a key enabling infrastructure for the knowledge-intensive services and activities on which future prosperity will increasingly depend.

The telecommunications market in Ireland is fully liberalised and is regulated by the independent market regulator, ComReg. ComReg publishes quarterly statistical reports on developments in the fixed-line, mobile and broadband communications markets. These reports, among other things, demonstrate the significant progress in broadband roll out and increasing broadband speeds in Ireland over recent years. At the end of March 2007, for example, the number of broadband connections, at 600,000 approximately, first exceeded narrowband connections. Internationally, Ireland ranks 6th of the EU 27 for mobile broadband penetration and 15th for fixed broadband penetration.

This progress is also demonstrated in international comparisons. In a recent study of broadband services in 72 countries by the University of Oxford and the University of Oviedo, Spain, Ireland is ranked 13th of the 72 countries studied, ahead of France, Canada, the United States and the UK. The study considered broadband quality (i.e. download speeds, upload speeds, and latency) and broadband penetration to map the world's broadband leaders. Ireland is also grouped amongst the top ten broadband movers since 2009 with 88% broadband penetration, an 11% increase on the previous year.

ComReg also conducts and publishes regular user attitude surveys to telecommunications services. The most recent ComReg customer survey of commercial customers using broadband services found:

Overall, 92% have internet access and rate their satisfaction with the speeds they receive highly — three quarters say they are satisfied.

Nearly half claim download speeds of over 10Mb and 23% have speeds of between 10Mb and 20Mb.

Over 6 in 10 (63%) of all businesses with Internet believe that their Internet service provider is delivering the speeds stated in their package.

56% of broadband users consider the reliability of their broadband connection to be the most important aspect of their broadband service, compared to 5% who believe cost is the most important aspect.

The positive findings in the ComReg attitude surveys are consistent with the more positive findings in the ISME survey which finds 98% of SMEs are using broadband, 83% of companies have websites, and 39% of business have reported that the internet has reduced business costs. Additionally, less than 2.4% of consumer complaints to ComReg in the year to July 2010 related to broadband speeds.

In order to enable more SME's to unlock the potential of the internet and on-line transacting for their businesses, the Digital Hub Development Agency has piloted a "WebActivate" programme in 2010. Under this programme young people on the live register are being provided with training and support to become self employed as service providers. They then go on to work with small Irish businesses to help those small companies to establish themselves on the internet. This programme is therefore tackling the digital divide for businesses and individuals and complements investments in broadband infrastructure.

Investment in improved broadband services and infrastructure in Ireland is ongoing within a liberalised open competitive market. The Next Generation Broadband policy paper also proposed the establishment of a Next Generation Broadband Taskforce comprising industry, Government and ComReg. It is my objective that the Taskforce can facilitate a collaborative approach to the roll out of next generation broadband to meet the demands of Ireland's Smart Economy by enabling wider customer access to next generation networks. I look forward to the first meeting of the Taskforce in the coming weeks.

Departmental Expenditure

John O'Mahony

Ceist:

26 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will identify areas in his Department and agencies where savings can be found in view of the current fiscal crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44878/10]

Under the four year National Recovery Plan 2011-2014, my Department is committed to achieving a targeted €20m in savings by 2014. These savings will be made up of €14.2m on programme spend with the balance of €5.8m coming from pay and administration. €7.9m of these saving are front-loaded in 2011 (€6.2m on programme and €1.7m on administration). The details of the measures underpinning the 2011 savings will be announced on Budget Day.

These measures build on significant savings made by my Department in recent years especially as regards Administration costs. Accordingly the 2010 Administrative Budget allocation for my Department was about €29m as opposed to about €42m in 2007. Over the period the staffing complement of the Department reduced from 339 to 268 at present.

Departmental Websites

Liz McManus

Ceist:

27 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number and cost of each website that falls under his Department’s remit; the number of unique visitors per month to each website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44975/10]

My Department maintains eleven websites that provide information and mapping services to the wide range of stakeholders that have an interest in the areas for which my Department is responsible. There is a large variation in the number of unique visitors for each site as the following table shows, but this reflects the specialised nature of some of the technical communities that are being served. Whilst the numbers may be relatively small, these sites are a key source of information both to foreign companies interested in Irish mineral exploration, and to the higher education sectors. The type of scientific information is an important raw material in the context of the knowledge society.

The websites share common technologies so they are hosted together on shared servers in order to provide cost efficiencies. The technical support and update of information on the sites, is carried out by the Department's IT, technical and clerical staff as part of their normal functions. Because of this I am unable to give a breakdown of the costs for each individual site. The total cost of maintaining these websites including technical maintenance, ongoing development, and hosting charges was €178,000 in 2009. The total unique visits for all websites to-date for 2010, is 287,118, which is an average per month of 31,087.

The following table shows the individual site visitor details, as requested.

Website

Unique Visits 2010 1-1-10 to24-11-10

Average per month

Maintenance Cost 2009

Maintenance Cost 2010

www.dcenr.gov.ie

115,321

10,484

178,000

131,649

www.egovernance.ie

1,155

105

www.broadband.gov.ie (suspended)

5,484 (Jan 2010 only)

5,484

www.digitaltelevision.ie

33,344

3,031

www.explorationandmining.com

410

37

www.mineralsireland.ie

6,550

595

www.planetearth.ie

3,266

297

www.gsi.ie

105,104

9,555

www.gsishop.ie

2,246

204

www.makeitsecure.ie

14,000

1,273

www.jetstream.gsi.ie (HEAnet)

238

22

Total

287,118

31,087

178,000

131,649

Briefing Note

Under the provisions of the Croke Park Agreement a strong emphasis has been placed on the increased use of shared services for the provision of corporate functions such as ISD, HR and Finance. An early implementation of the action plan prepared in respect of this Department has been an agreement that the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Food (DAFF) that they will provide day-to-day ICT operational services to DCENR from early 2011. The Department currently uses the LGCSB (Local Government Computer Services Board) and HEAnet to host web services. It is expected that all the LGCSB hosted servers will be moved to DAFF in 2011 with a saving of approximately €70,000 per annum.

A large proportion of the information on the sites from the natural resources divisions are focused on technical or geological information, that while they have a small user base are important sources of information to the exploration and educational communities. The ability of these groups to focus on their specific geographic area of interest and self-service their information requests is an important implementation of an eGovernment service with savings in the staff time that would otherwise be spent servicing these requests. The GSI sites have approximately a terabyte of raw survey data from the Infomar seabed surveys available for download free of charge.

Electricity Transmission Network

James Bannon

Ceist:

28 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the effect on electricity prices arising from the recent decision of the Commission for Energy Regulation to grant increased revenue to EirGrid and ESB Networks for transmission investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44812/10]

The cost of operating, maintaining and developing the electricity transmission network, including capital expenditure on new infrastructure, forms part of every electricity consumer's bill. The independent energy regulator, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), has the function of regulating transmission revenues for EirGrid as the transmission system operator and for ESB as the transmission asset owner.

The CER has recently published a final decision on network revenues, following the third in its series of in-depth 5-year network reviews, to cover the period 2011 to 2015. This decision provides the framework for ESB Network and EirGrid revenues for the forthcoming period and is designed to provide incentives for delivering efficiencies as well as allowing for significant new infrastructure investments.

The efficiency measures provided for in this decision include 2.5% annual productivity improvements, as well 5% reductions in payroll costs from both ESB Networks and EirGrid. The CER will also propose new incentivisation mechanisms (the detail of which will be further developed with ESB Networks and EirGrid), which will focus on, for example, speedier delivery of grid connections for renewable Generators. This networks decision also allows for transmission capital expenditure of €1.45bn within the period. In approving this amount, the CER was conscious of the need for value for money and identified significant efficiencies in the capital expenditure programme.

This much needed investment in strategic energy infrastructure will underpin security of energy supply, enhance competition in the all-island electricity market and facilitate the delivery of renewable electricity infrastructure to help meet Ireland's legally binding renewable energy targets.

Transmission charges are set to increase over the next 5 years on foot of this investment programme. The CER has indicated an increase of approximately 3% in transmission charges in October 2011. However, as transmission charges currently make up around 7% of domestic customers' bills, this will have a relatively small impact on a customer's overall bill. The delivery at least cost of this infrastructure investment is crucial to enhancing competitiveness in the Irish economy and delivering on the Government's smart economy agenda.

Energy Conservation

Noel Coonan

Ceist:

29 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress on his commitment to increase public sector energy efficiency by 33%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44829/10]

The National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP) sets out 90 actions which are already underway, or will be taken in the period to 2020, to achieve the national energy efficiency target. The Government has set a target of 20% across the economy and33% in the public sector. The savings identified in the Action Plan represent approximately €1.6 billion in avoided energy costs for the economy in 2020.

My Department and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) are setting up a comprehensive monitoring and reporting system whereby all energy usage in the Public Sector will be accounted for and progress will be systematically recorded. This system will be fully in place next year, which will enable tracking of progress on an annual basis.

In the public sector, the most significant cost-cutting and energy saving potential lies in improving the energy performance of new and existing buildings and facilities. This will be a key focus of the new National Retrofit Programme, which will seek to raise financing from institutional investors for retrofit work in the public sector. The Public Sector Programme of SEAI is the main delivery mechanism for energy efficiency actions by public sector bodies. This comprehensive programme includes a Public Sector support programme, which provides assessments and training to all public sector bodies and a grant programme to support energy efficiency measures.

In September I announced financial support for 20 projects under the public sector and industry Energy Efficiency fund, which are all scheduled to conclude this year. These projects are anticipated to deliver €4.5 million savings over the lifetime of the measures. They will serve as exemplar projects for the public sector and for business.

In addition, the SEAI is working closely with an increasing number of public sector bodies including An Garda Síochána and the HSE to accelerate development of their energy efficiency strategies. Public Sector bodies are also actively working with SEAI to deliver energy savings in water services, public lighting and Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Participants have made savings of up to 20%, and have identified future saving opportunities of up to 40-50%. The work already under way has highlighted the very significant energy savings achievable across the public sector with commensurate reduction in energy costs for all public bodies.

Disconnection of Utilities

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

30 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of disconnections of gas and electricity customers to date in 2010; his plans to deal with this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45007/10]

Joan Burton

Ceist:

60 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the reconnection and disconnection fees imposed by the Commission for Energy Regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45005/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 60 together.

The very significant increase in disconnections is of considerable concern for the Government, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), voluntary organisations and energy suppliers. CER has provided the information set out below in relation to the total number of disconnections completed by ESB Networks on site for Non-Payment of Account:

Year

No. of Disconnections

2007

10,921

2008

10,986

2009

9,709

2010

17,389 up to 1st November 2010

CER has advised us that a significant portion of the electricity disconnections have been subsequently reconnected and the remaining often relate to vacant premises.

CER has also provided us with information on the number of gas Meter Locks/ Disconnections. These numbers are not broken down between non-payment and separate meter locking/disconnect requests by customers which can arise for a variety of reasons.

Year

No. of Disconnections/Meter Locks

2007

6,277

2008

5,800

2009

5,354

2010

4,371 up to 1st November 2010

Bord Gáis Energy, Flogas and Airtricity operate in the residential segment of the gas market. BG Energy advised in October 2010 that some 90,000 of their customers were experiencing payment difficulties with 26,000 customers currently carrying arrears of more than €500.

The key message for customers is to contact their suppliers to make arrangements before it gets to the point of disconnection. All energy suppliers have a Code of Practice in place setting out the steps to be taken before initiating a disconnection. These Codes of Practice require the suppliers to engage with the customer and /or a third party such as Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) or the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul on pre-payment plans and/or alternative methods of payment (prepayment meters/budget controllers). There are also protections in the current code for vulnerable customers, for example, to prohibit electricity suppliers disconnecting elderly customers in the winter months.

The CER has announced its decision that the cost of disconnections for electricity and gas be shared equally between the supplier and the customer in the case of non-payment of account. This is an interim measure commencing December 22nd and will remain in place for 12 months. I welcome this measure and CER's recognition that the current economic climate is placing additional pressures on energy consumers and that customers rights needs to be enhanced.

I also welcome CER's decision to review disconnections charges levied by networks companies and the revision of the Code of Practice for Disconnections to include additional supplier measures to assist domestic customers in managing their bills and reducing disconnection rates. CER also provides a dedicated Energy Customers website and Energy Customer Team, which provides consumer information on the electricity and gas market at www.energycustomers.ie/ .

I am also working closely with the Ministers for Social Protection and Environment, Heritage and Local Government, to deliver a fully cohesive Government response to the challenges of addressing energy affordability in Ireland. I expect the Affordable Energy Strategy to be submitted to me shortly, with a view to bringing it to Government in the coming weeks.

Knowledge Society Strategy

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

31 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the Icelandic modern media initiative; his plans to introduce legislation similar to this initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45003/10]

I am aware of the Icelandic Modern Media Initiative. The initiative proposes to "task the government with finding ways to strengthen freedoms of expression and information freedom in Iceland, as well as providing strong protection for sources and whistleblowers". Iceland sees this, together with interconnection and server costs, as a key to attracting inward investment in the area of international press, media start-ups, human rights group and international data centres.

The increasing use of Internet technologies for social networking, publishing, content distribution and other commercial and social purposes presents challenges and opportunities for growth and is reflected in Iceland's initiative. In Ireland, these opportunities are being harnessed through the Government's "Technology Actions to Support the SMART Economy". This Knowledge Society Strategy paper published in July 2009, sets out a number of initiatives similar to those envisaged by Iceland including the International Content Services Centre (ICSC), Advanced Energy Efficient Data and Cloud Computing Centres; Smart Bay; Smart Electricity Grids and Networks; Work Flow; and the Exemplar Network.

Building on these initiatives, we will continue to explore innovative ways to build Ireland's SMART economy, by monitoring closely how developments in technology are impacting across the economy and society generally and engaging with the relevant stakeholders to ensure that public policy responds appropriately.

Alternative Energy Projects

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

32 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the percentage of renewable biomass that should be burnt by an incineration plant in order for that plant to be considered fully renewable and qualify for priority dispatch alongside fully renewable plant such as wind; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44987/10]

Under the 2009 Renewable Energy Directive (2009/28/EC) renewable electricity generation, including that from biomass, is required to be granted priority access to the grid. The definition of biomass in this context is "the biodegradable fraction of products, waste and residues from biological origin from agriculture (including vegetable and animal substances), forestry and related industries including fisheries and aquaculture, as well as the biodegradable fraction of industrial and municipal waste".

The biodegradable fraction of waste therefore is classified as biomass, and electricity generated from this qualifies as renewable energy. However, waste to energy plants generally accept a mixed waste stream, with biomass and non biomass material distributed throughout, so only a proportion of the generation is renewable. Transparent and objective qualifying criteria for priority dispatch are therefore required for all market operators. These criteria would also apply to any other generation plant with a mixed fuel supply, including any peat generation station co-firing with biomass.

The qualifying criteria for multi-fuel or hybrid electricity generation are under consideration by my Department in the context of the transposition of the 2009 Renewable Energy Directive. My Department has been in discussions with the Commission for Energy Regulation, the Transmission System Operator (EirGrid), the European Commission and with other EU Member States, with a view to establishing a system for determining the dispatch status of hybrid plants. There are currently 3 Waste to Energy Plants either in planning or in construction, with the first likely to begin production in late 2011.

Electricity Generation

Pádraic McCormack

Ceist:

33 Deputy Pádraic McCormack asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline any problems with the current Gate 3 process for wind farm development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44860/10]

The Gate 3 programme allows for the issuance of connection offers to over 150 renewable generators (mostly wind-farms), with a combined capacity of approximately 4,000 MW. The programme has been designed by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) specifically to meet Ireland's national renewable target of 40% of electricity supplied from renewable sources by 2020. Gate 3 is the single largest connection offer project ever undertaken on the island of Ireland (previously Gate 2 issued offers for 1,300 MW of capacity) and as such it is a complex and long term project.

In order to ensure that Gate 3 offers are rolled out to projects in the most efficient and cost effective manner, the CER required the System Operators (EirGrid for the transmission system and ESB Networks for the distribution system) to develop a detailed project plan for the issuance of connection offers. A project plan has been approved which involves the roll-out of offers over an 18-month period between December 2009 and July 2011. Gate 3 offers have been rolling out according to the plan throughout 2010 so far and the CER is satisfied that there are no delays or problems with the offer issuance programme. 1,422 MW of offers in Gate 3 have been issued by the System Operators to date and EirGrid and ESB Networks advise that the programme remains on schedule with no delays expected.

It should be noted that this schedule refers to the issuance of offers by the System Operators to Gate 3 projects only. Decisions are pending in relation to the scheduling and dispatch of generators in the Single Electricity Market, as levels of wind on the system increase in the coming years. Until the SEM Committee finalise their decision accurate estimates for the level of constraints which will be faced by Gate 3 generators will not be determined. The CER has determined that Gate 3 projects do not have to accept their offers until these decisions are finalised. The CER is working with the Northern Ireland regulator (NIAUR) to finalise decisions through the SEM Committee and to ensure that the most equitable rules are put in place. Once decisions are finalised in early 2011, Gate 3 developers will be in a position to accept their offers.

There is no indication at this point that this matter is causing a problem for the broader Gate 3 programme or for the delivery of the programme to the agreed timeline. It is expected that by Quarter 3 2011, all Gate 3 offers will have issued and all offers will have either been accepted or rejected by Gate 3 developers. This remains in line with the agreed programme. It is the case also that separate from the GATE 3 process itself, there are other challenges to be met by developers in terms of planning, environmental requirements and community acceptance. The CER continues to monitor all issues associated with Gate 3, which are within its control, through the Gate 3 Liaison Group. Full details of this Group and of the roll-out of Gate 3 can be found in the Gate 3 Liaison Group section of the CER website (www.cer.ie).

Fuel Poverty

Michael Ring

Ceist:

34 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to develop a national fuel poverty strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43806/10]

Joan Burton

Ceist:

47 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the numbers of persons living in fuel poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45006/10]

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

54 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the timeframe for the energy affordability strategy; if it will require legislation; the way he intends to address the urgent problem of fuel poverty here; the number of homes that were part of the warmer homes scheme for 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44984/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 34, 47 and 54 together.

The Government is committed to mitigating the underlying causes of energy poverty in vulnerable households through a combination of institutional supports, investment in improving the energy efficiency of housing stock and the wide availability of advice on energy efficiency. I am working closely with the Ministers for Social Protection and Environment, Heritage and Local Government, to deliver a fully cohesive Government response to the challenges of addressing energy affordability in Ireland. I expect the Strategy to be submitted to me shortly, with a view to bringing it to Government in the coming weeks.

The affordable energy strategy will be the framework for building upon the many measures already in place to protect households at risk from the effects of energy poverty. These measures include social welfare supports such as the Fuel Allowance and the Household Benefits package, as well as thermal efficiency-based measures such as the Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS), which provide significant energy efficiency improvements in low-income homes. The number of homes that were upgraded under the WHS in 2008 were 5,343, 16,240 in 2009 and 20,711 to date in 2010.

There are three methods of calculating the extent of fuel poverty: the expenditure method or share of income spent on household fuels; subjective measures on the part of occupants; and objective measurement of residence condition and comfort levels in relation to needs. Using the expenditure method, the ESRI estimates that 301,368 or 19.4% of Irish households may have experienced fuel poverty in 2008. Alternatively, using the subjective method 54,372 or 3.7% of households reported that they could not afford to heat their homes adequately in 2008. Updated numbers will be published in the forthcoming Affordable Energy Strategy.

It is not envisaged that additional legislation will be required at this stage. The necessity for legislation to underpin aspects of the strategy in the future will be kept under review.

Telecommunications Services

Joe Costello

Ceist:

35 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the extent of the digital divide here; the steps he is taking to combat same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44992/10]

My Department, and others, have been working, and continue to work, on addressing the digital divide with a range of measures to promote digital engagement. This engagement is being encouraged and facilitated by improving access opportunities.

Having access to broadband connectivity is a fundamental starting point. Where the market has failed to provide a service (primarily due to the lack of commercial returns for such investment) the Government has intervened, thereby ensuring broadband access to those who wish to avail of it. The National Broadband Scheme (NBS), which has provided a basic broadband service to 1,028 electoral divisions in rural Ireland, is one such example. Since the completion of the roll out of the NBS network last month, every part of Ireland now has a broadband service available from at least one service provider. Additionally, satellite broadband services are available throughout Ireland. I am aware that there continues to be isolated cases of premises throughout the country that are not capable of receiving the broadband services available. Next month, therefore, I intend to launch a Rural Broadband Scheme, jointly funded by the European Economic Recovery and the Exchequer that will provide broadband to the small number of rural premises that were not included in the National Broadband Scheme.

As part of the Government's strategy to make technology an integral part of the learning process, significant funding is also being given to post-primary schools, for high-tech equipment to improve the ICT infrastructure available in schools. A pilot scheme to provide 100Mbps broadband access and associated services to 78 post-primary schools has also been rolled out. I intend to bring proposals to Government next month to launch the national roll out of this scheme to all second-level schools by 2012.

The issue of digital skills is another key element of reducing the digital divide and is being addressed in several ways. Training opportunities are available from a variety of sources — including opportunities in libraries and in night classes throughout the country, and from a range of private sector training providers.

The Digital Hub — an Agency under my Department — is also helping to address the digital divide in an enterprise context. Through the "WebActivate" programme currently being piloted at the Hub, young people on the live register are being provided with training and support to become self employed as service providers. They then go on to work with small Irish businesses to help those small companies to establish themselves on the internet. This programme, tackling the digital divide for individuals as well as businesses, is one I intend to expand in 2011.

In addition, there is the "Log on, Learn" initiative — a collaborative programme between Intel, Microsoft, An Post and the Department of Education & Skills. The programme is designed to match participating transition-year students with older people on a one-to-one basis, to share skills and knowledge with each other. I understand that over 3,000 people have been trained on this programme. I understand too, that BT is developing an initiative to be deployed in a number of community settings. My Department has also been intervening to bring about increased digital engagement by working with community & voluntary and not-for-profit organisations across the country through the BenefIT e-Inclusion grant schemes. Under the BenefIT schemes, between 2008 and 2009, 89 grants were awarded to a range of local, regional and national organisations to provide digital skills training. To date, over 28,000 people have benefited directly from training under these schemes.

I am confident that the range of initiatives introduced and in progress will significantly reduce the digital divide and develop Ireland's Smart economy.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

36 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the specific measures he has taken to combat inaccurate advertising of broadband speeds by telecommunications companies here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44998/10]

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

51 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the commencement of an independent study of broadband speeds available to customers here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44994/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 51 together.

The regulation of telecommunications operators, including regulatory issues surrounding the quality of broadband services provided to customers, is the responsibility of the independent Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). In March 2008, the Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland, guided by ComReg and the National Consumer Agency, issued an Advice Note to Broadband Providers, which has had a positive impact in aligning speeds advertised with speeds experienced. My Department has no statutory function in regulating advertising standards.

My Department, in collaboration with ComReg, has been considering how best to generate additional statistical analysis of broadband speeds experienced by end users over the competing platforms in Ireland. In the course of developing the various measurement and related requirements a number of technical issues arose and these issues are currently under consideration by ComReg. I have sought resolution of the issues as soon as possible, with a view to introducing an appropriate initiative.

While I look forward to gathering additional statistical information to inform the policy making process, it should be noted that surveys undertaken by ComReg during 2010 indicate high levels of satisfaction with residential and broadband speeds. Additionally, less than 2.4% of consumer complaints to ComReg in the year to July 2010 related to broadband speeds.

Joe McHugh

Ceist:

37 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way he plans to expedite private sector investment plans in next generation broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44866/10]

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

49 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps he is taking to provide high speed broadband services in urban areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44789/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 49 together.

Government policy pertaining to the electronic communications market in Ireland is set out in "Next Generation Broadband — Gateway to a Knowledge Ireland", which I published in June 2009. The policy paper was developed in accordance with various key principles, which are crucial to the development of the market. The policy paper sets out the Government's position that investment in broadband infrastructure is primarily a matter for the private sector, facilitated, where appropriate and possible, by Government. I understand that the industry has invested around €600m per annum over recent years. ComReg, which is the independent market regulator continues to review the level of investment being made by various operators and has a clear role in providing a suitable investment environment especially for next generation networks.

The policy has facilitated significant progress in rolling out broadband services, over recent years. This progress, measured in international comparisons, is demonstrated in a recent study of broadband services in 72 countries by the University of Oxford and the University of Oviedo, Spain. This study concludes that the broadband services currently available in Ireland are capable of meeting the requirements of today's broadband applications and overall, in terms of broadband quality and penetration, Ireland ranks 13th of the 72 countries studied.

More generally, of the homes with broadband connections, 77.8% of them and 85.8% of SMEs are using broadband speeds between 2mbps and 10mbps. UPC is providing speeds of up to 30mbps and is rolling out speeds of up to 100mbps. Eircom and the Vodafone/BT alliance are both rolling out speeds of up to 24 Mbps using vDSL technology. In the wireless market, Imagine have launched WiMAX, a broadband product with speeds of up to 8mbps available. In addition, eircom has recently launched an Ethernet product offering speeds of up to and exceeding 1Gbps to wholesale customers and to high-bandwidth users. Since the completion of the roll out of the National Broadband Scheme last month, there is at least one service provider offering a broadband service in any area across every part of Ireland.

While I am confident that the level of investment activity in the market will continue, I am keen to facilitate collaborative approaches to investment that would maximise impact without compromising competitive market principles particularly in investments in next generation services. To that end, the Next Generation Broadband (NGB) Taskforce, which I signalled in my June 2009 policy paper, will be established and meet in the coming weeks. The NGB Taskforce will focus on how possible collaborative approaches to investment coupled with the existing policy environment and regulatory regime, could give rise to higher quality broadband.

Energy Prices

Jack Wall

Ceist:

38 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will ensure that the financial costs to consumers associated with supporting peat and renewable energy on the power system, through the public service obligation, will not offset the benefits of a reduced energy price with more renewables on the power system over the medium to long term; the point at which wind energy will be considered a mature technology and the REFIT support mechanism be withdrawn; if he has engaged in any detailed analysis on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44983/10]

Public Service Obligations (or PSOs) are in place in Ireland and elsewhere to achieve national energy policy objectives which would not otherwise be delivered by competitive energy markets. In line with EU and national legislation, PSOs are in place to support power generation from peat as an indigenous fuel supply for security of supply purposes, to support renewable generation capacity to reduce emissions and reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and there are still the legacy arrangements from incentivising the development of additional generation capacity when it was urgently needed in advance of the introduction of the Single Electricity Market in 2007. At my request, my Department is conducting a review of the peat PSO levy with a view to mitigating the costs and improving its administration.

All Electricity consumers pay for the additional cost of these supports through the PSO levy. Each year, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) calculates the estimated costs associated with implementing the various obligations and forecasts of electricity market revenues for the energy companies involved. Where market revenues are not sufficient to cover the cost of implementing the obligations, additional supports in the form of "top-up" payments are necessary and are funded by electricity consumers through the PSO Levy.

The PSO levy is supporting the development of renewable electricity in Ireland. At relatively low cost by comparison with other EU Member States, the levy has already supported the connection of more than 1,400 MW of renewable energy mostly wind to the electricity grid. Renewable energy is reducing wholesale electricity prices at times of high wind by displacing higher cost fossil fuel generators.

Each customer's electricity bill is made up of four key cost components. These are the cost of generating electricity on the wholesale market, network charges, supply costs and the PSO Levy. There are now a number of suppliers actively competing for business in the retail electricity market. The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) has recently deregulated electricity tariffs for business customers and set out the criteria for deregulation of the domestic market, which is likely to happen within the coming year. With price being a key consideration for electricity customers in choosing their supplier, competitive pressures will ensure that suppliers pass on to their customers any cost savings arising from wholesale electricity prices.

The CER has carried out a high-level analysis of the impact of wind generation on the wholesale electricity price for the current tariff year i.e. from October 2010 to end September 2011. This shows that Wind generation is reducing the all-island wholesale electricity price. This wholesale price reduction should be taken into account when quoting the cost of the wind-related PSO for this tariff year.

In this regard, €43 million is the extra wind-related PSO cost in Ireland for the current tariff year. Against this cost, CER modelling shows that the all-island wholesale electricity price (the System Marginal Price) reduces by 5% to 6% due to the wind that is expected to be dispatched during the tariff year. This reduction equates to a circa €80 million reduction in wholesale costs, to the benefit of all customers.

This figure is only an estimate for this tariff year only, and the figure is subject to significant variation if different assumptions of fuel and carbon prices are used or if the contribution from wind is lower than expected. The same uncertainty issue arises looking forward to 2020 when 40% of our electricity is planned to be from renewable sources (typically wind), but it is the case that wind will generally put downward pressure on the wholesale price. Wind provides a "hedge or insurance" against possible rising fuel/carbon prices into the future. The CER will continue to monitor the wholesale market to ensure that it is compatible with the planned increased levels of wind.

On the basis of experience to date with the feed-in system, the REFIT scheme is one of the systems best suited to promoting the production of electricity from renewable energy. This is confirmed by the European Commission which has highlighted that renewable energy feed in tariffs are considered to be the most effective form of support in terms of delivering greater renewable energy penetration at lower costs for consumers. The European Commission has confirmed that support systems are needed to deliver renewable energy competitiveness.

Ireland's feed in tariff system, REFIT, provides investment security for renewable generators by offering a floor price for certain technologies for electricity from renewable sources. Those accepted into the scheme enter into 15-year power purchase agreements with supply companies. Under the original feed in tariff scheme, applicants were accepted into REFIT up to 31 December 2009 and REFIT could be paid until 2025.

The Department is in negotiations with the European Commission to finalise the State Aid clearance for REFIT to enable projects to enter the scheme between 2010 and 2015 with a 15-year power purchase agreement thereafter. It is the case that technology and market developments and fossil fuel trends will inform any review of REFIT in 2015.

Energy Conservation

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

39 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the national energy efficiency retrofit programme; if the expenditure on existing energy efficiency and renewable energy schemes is still behind profile; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44978/10]

My Department has concluded a consultation process on the National Retrofit Programme, setting out a proposed framework and details of how it will operate over the next three years. The programme will be launched in 2011 and will entail the transition of the existing energy efficiency and renewable energy programmes over the course of the year. Expenditure on these schemes to date in 2010 amounts to over €68 million, with a substantial drawdown expected this week. I am advised by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) that they expect the final outturn to be close to the 2010 allocation of €81.756 million.

The Home Energy Saving Scheme (HES) commenced in late March 2009 and provides grant assistance to homeowners for energy efficiency measures. Applicants are given six months in which to undertake the work. Not all projects were completed by year end, leading to less than anticipated expenditure in 2009. To date in 2010, 40,159 homes have received grant payments for energy efficiency upgrades.

The Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS) provides energy efficiency upgrades to low-income houses. The scheme is delivered through a combination of community based organisations and private contractors, who were retained for programme delivery for the first time in 2009. Budget 2010 provided a substantial increase in funding which is allowing for 22,500 homes to be delivered this year, a target that the SEAI expect to exceed. Under the Scheme, structural improvements have been made to 20,711 low-income homes so far in 2010.

The Greener Homes Scheme (GHS), which has been in operation since 2006, currently provides capital support for the installation by householders of renewable energy heating technologies including wood-pellet and chip stoves and boilers, gasification boilers, solar panels and geothermal heat pumps. To date, 30,725 systems have been completed under the scheme. In advance of the transition to the new national retrofit programme, the HES, WHS, and GHS will continue to operate.

Question No. 40 answered with Question No. 17.

Telecommunications Services

Joanna Tuffy

Ceist:

41 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress from the Government’s working group set up to ensure new buildings will have open-access fibre connections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44999/10]

The provision of high speed broadband connectivity as a critical element in the development of a competitive Smart Economy and inclusive Knowledge Society is a policy priority. My Department's policy in this area is set out in the paper "Next Generation Broadband — Gateway to a Knowledge Ireland", 2009. One of the actions in this Paper is the requirement for new premises to have open access fibre connections installed, where practicable.

A working group has been set up comprising officials from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) and my own Department to examine a range of practical issues that needs to be addressed to progress this action. As part of this process, officials from my Department have drafted technical recommendations and have held a pre-consultation with relevant stakeholders. A full consultation with the construction industry and relevant stakeholders will take place shortly with a view to finalising a set of actions over the coming months.

Energy Resources

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

42 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way he intends to ensure that the provisions outlined in the national renewable energy action plan are implemented in a coherent, timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44989/10]

My Department has overall responsibility for leading and ensuring the implementation of the measures in the National Renewable Action Plan, which will deliver the EU renewable energy target for Ireland by 2020. Ireland is set to exceed 15% of renewable electricity in 2010. There is now 1500 MW of wind on the system equating to 122 wind farms.

Delivery of the Plan is a collective national endeavour involving my Department, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, the Commission for Energy Regulation, EirGrid and all other relevant Departments and Agencies as well as the renewable energy sector itself. The challenges inherent in achieving Ireland's renewable energy targets in electricity, heat and transport must be addressed through a fully cohesive approach by all the key stakeholders. My Department is working to ensure such a cohesive approach. The forum of the Renewable Energy Development Group, which represents all key stakeholders, will play a key role in this regard.

Telecommunications Services

Ciaran Lynch

Ceist:

43 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the rural broadband scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44995/10]

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

52 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps he is taking to provide broadband coverage to areas not serviced by the national broadband scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44788/10]

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

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. Using this funding, which will be augmented by an Exchequer contribution, I intend to launch a Rural Broadband Scheme before the end of the year. This scheme will aim to provide a basic broadband service to individual un-served rural premises outside of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) areas.

There will be a competitive process to engage a service provider who will offer a broadband service to qualified applicants under the scheme. While the exact details have yet to be finalised, I expect that the service offered under this scheme would at least match the service offered under the NBS. This process will be technology neutral — it will be a matter for the bidders to decide which technical approach they propose in their bids. 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

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

44 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on Ireland’s ability to fulfil the EU Commission target to have universal broadband access available across the EU by 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44991/10]

The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband services, is a matter for private sector service providers operating in a liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). Broadband services are provided by private service providers over various platforms including DSL (i.e. over telephone lines), fixed wireless, mobile, cable, fibre and satellite. ComReg's website www.callcosts.ie provides detailed information on the various private sector telecommunications products and services available on a county by county basis.

In cases of market failure the Government will intervene, where it is appropriate and possible to do so. The National Broadband Scheme (NBS) represents such an intervention. The provision of broadband services under the NBS has advanced incrementally and services are now available throughout the entire NBS area with a current minimum download speed of 1.6Mbps. Under the NBS contract, this minimum download speed will be increased to 2.3mbps in 2012.

Since the completion of the roll out of the NBS network last month, every part of Ireland now has a broadband service available from at least one service provider. Additionally, satellite broadband services are available throughout Ireland. However, despite Government and private investment in broadband, I am aware that there continues to be isolated cases of premises throughout the country that cannot receive the broadband services available. This is primarily due to technical and other reasons (e.g., suitability of a telephone line, distance from an enabled exchange, or no ‘line of sight' from the premises to the wireless base station).

The European Commission has set aside a portion of the European Economic Recovery Programme (EERP) funding for rural broadband initiatives. Using this funding, which will be augmented by an Exchequer contribution, I intend to launch a Rural Broadband Scheme before the end of the year. This scheme will aim to provide a basic broadband service to individual un-served rural premises outside of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) areas.

There will be a competitive process to engage a service provider who will offer a broadband service to qualified applicants under the scheme. While the exact details have yet to be finalised, I expect that the service offered under this scheme would at least match the service offered under the NBS and that the scheme will be fully rolled out by the end of 2012. Accordingly, I am committed that the combination of private sector investment in telecommunications services, combined with Government's intervention in the NBS and the forthcoming Rural Broadband Scheme will result in broadband access for all by 2013, in line with the aims of the EU Commission.

Electricity Transmission Network

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

45 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the cost of the independent analysis into electricity transmission assets; when he expects this analysis to be completed and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45004/10]

The independent analysis in relation to the electricity transmission assets being carried out by Frontier Economics Limited is close to finalisation. The unbundling of the transmission assets involves the resolution of complex technical, financial and operational issues as well as the possible development of legislation. The independent analysis includes an assessment of costs, benefits and regulatory impact, set in the context of EU developments and the all island single electricity market. The process has involved input from the direct key stakeholders and other stakeholders. The cost of the analysis is €178,500.

Telecommunications Services

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

46 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to establish a next generation network task force; the way in which this is distinct from the broadband task force announced in the July 2009 next generation report; the persons who will be on this task force; if this task force has met yet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44986/10]

Government policy on the development of the electronic communications market in Ireland is set out in "Next Generation Broadband — Gateway to a Knowledge Ireland", which I published in June 2009. The policy paper proposed the establishment of a Next Generation Broadband Taskforce, comprising industry, Government and ComReg, aimed at ensuring that the development of broadband in Ireland will meet the demands of Ireland's Smart Economy. I am keen to facilitate collaborative approaches to the roll out of Next Generation Broadband infrastructure to maximise the development of next generation services without compromising competitive market principles and rules.

Any collaborative model would occur in a market which is fully liberalised and subject to national and EU competition rules. The EU Commission first published a public consultation on regulatory rules for Next Generation Access to broadband in September 2008. The issues arising were complex and delayed a formal EU Commission position until September 2010 when its "Recommendation of 20.9.2010 on regulated access to Next Generation Access Networks (NGA)", was published. The Recommendation concludes that proportionate collaboration among competitors in developing next generation broadband infrastructure is in the consumer interest and permissible. Following this clarification, I have moved to establish the NGB Taskforce which will meet for the first time on 14th December. It will focus, amongst other issues, on how possible collaborative approaches to investment coupled with the existing policy environment and regulatory regime, could give rise to higher quality broadband.

Question No. 47 answered with Question No. 34.

Electric Vehicles

Simon Coveney

Ceist:

48 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his targets in relation to electric transport in terms of private car ownership between 2010 and 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42700/10]

The Government has set a target of 10% of all vehicles to be powered by electricity by 2020, which equates to around 225,000 vehicles. Ireland aims to be at the forefront of electric vehicle technology developments and my Department is working with relevant Departments and Agencies to ensure that the necessary structures and initiatives are in place to meet this target.

Last April I signed an Agreement with the Renault Nissan Alliance and ESB, which underpins Ireland as one of the European leaders in electric transport. The Agreement, building on the Memorandum of Understanding last year, includes the development of a nationwide electric car charging infrastructure, the continued sharing of technical and market data between the parties and the early supply of electric cars into the Irish market by Renault and Nissan from next year. Progress has also been made in discussions with other major motor manufacturers to make early production vehicles available to the Irish market. Last month, I signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Toyota Ireland and I expect that other agreements will be developed in the foreseeable future.

The Electric Vehicle (EV) grant scheme, which is due to commence in January 2011, will provide for grants of up to €5,000 for full battery electric vehicles and up to €2,500 for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The scheme, which is subject to the approval of the Minister for Finance and availability of the requisite funding, is anticipated to provide grants for up to 6,000 vehicles over a two year period. It will be administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).

In February 2011, Nissan will begin to supply its all-electric, LEAF hatchback to the car market in Ireland. A number of other car manufacturers have indicated that they will also be launching electric vehicles into the market later in 2011 and in 2012.

The ESB will roll out 1,500 charge points on a nationwide basis by December 2011. These charge points will support both battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The roll out has already begun with 12 on-street charge points, 15 domestic charge points and 13 industrial chargers are already installed. The roll-out of these charge points is continuing, in anticipation of the first production EVs from major manufacturers coming to market in early 2011. It is anticipated that approximately 200 public charge points will be in place by year end. ESB also plans to install up to 30 fast charge points across Ireland by the end of 2011, with nine expected to be set up by the end of this year.

SEAI provided grants of 138,000 euro for eight demonstration EVs in 2009 under its Renewable Energy in Transport Research Programme. Approximately 30,000 euro has been committed by SEAI on IT systems updates in anticipation of the Electric Vehicle Grant Scheme.

Question No. 49 answered with Question No. 37.

Telecommunications Services

Mary Upton

Ceist:

50 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the percentage of schools in Ireland that have 100Mbps broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44977/10]

78 post-primary schools were selected to receive 100Mbps broadband as part of a pilot project in June 2009. These schools have had the bandwidth installed and are actively using this connection. 78 schools represent approximately 11% of all post-primary schools in the country.

Government has committed to rolling out the project to all post-primary schools by the end of 2012. I am confident that my budget allocation for 2011 will allow for half of those remaining schools to be connected by the start of the next academic year. The provision of broadband to primary schools is administered by the Department of Education and Skills under the Broadband for Schools programme.

Question No. 51 answered with Question No. 36.
Question No. 52 answered with Question No. 43.

Electricity Generation

David Stanton

Ceist:

53 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 95 of 26 January 2010, 108 of 2 March 2010 and 86 of 20 October 2010, the way he plans to improve take up of the microgeneration programme supported by the ESB; the progress made to date in the review of the take-up of the scheme he commenced at the start of the year in conjunction with ESB; his views on including other electricity suppliers in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44972/10]

David Stanton

Ceist:

61 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 95 of 26 January 2010 and 86 of 20 October 2010, the number of customers now signed up to the microgeneration scheme supported by the ESB; his views on whether the target of 4,000 domestic customers can be reached; the reasons the scheme is still confined to domestic customers given that less than 10% of the take-up target of the scheme has been reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44971/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 61 together.

The total number of eligible customers on the ESB Microgeneration Tariff to date is 337 with a total connected capacity of some 1974.08kW. A total of some 484,115kWh were exported by Micro Generation customers between 26 February 2009 and 31 October 2010. The types of technology used are as follows:

Wind Turbine installations = 290

PV installations = 45

Hydro Turbines installations = 2

ESB Networks (ESBN) is currently processing a further 20 customer applications, although it is noted that they may not all eventually come to full fruition. ESB Networks is providing the necessary import/export metering free of charge to the first four thousand eligible domestic customers. This free metering scheme is open to the domestic customers of all electricity suppliers who wish to install micro-generators. As a further initiative to support micro-generation, ESB Networks provides an extra support payment of 10 cents per kWh for those eligible customers (irrespective of their supplier) for the first 3000kWh exported annually for a period of five years.

Currently, ESB Customer Supply is the only electricity supplier in Ireland offering micro-generation tariffs to domestic customers who generate up to 11kW (when connection is three phase). This offering provides for a micro-generation tariff of 9 cents per kWh, paid to ESB Customer Supply eligible customers who export onto the grid.

The figure of 4,000 customers was originally agreed between ESB Networks, the Commission for Energy Regulation and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. The ESB has stated that the four thousand free import/export meters is a boundary for a part of ESB's commitment in the package of supports for micro-generation, with a view to getting a Microgeneration Tariff Scheme up and running, and is not a target number for customer uptake.

There are technical constraints that also limit the category of customers that can connect to the network as micro-generators. This is regularly reviewed and, from August 2010, ESB Networks has extended the micro-generation support initiative to domestic generators that limit their maximum export capacity (MEC) to 6kW single phase and 11kW three phase. This means that a single phase domestic customer with a 15kW turbine installation can now qualify for the support initiative, provided they limit their export to 6kW.

The Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland is currently running an 18-month microgeneration pilot scheme and is monitoring the installations in the programme. The findings from the pilot will provide valuable data with regard to microgeneration and will help inform policy and improvements for the sector going forward. My intention is that there would be a wider microgeneration support scheme introduced and options for this are currently under consideration.

Question No. 54 answered with Question No. 34.

Telecommunications Services

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

55 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the current level of high speed broadband availability in each county; the areas still having a reduced level or no service; the number of service providers currently engaged in provision of such services; the total cost to date paid to each service provider by way of direct grant or other means; the extent to which services here are now available in terms of quality and standard in comparison with other EU or non-EU jurisdictions; if he will set out his expenditure proposals in this regard in the short and medium term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44973/10]

The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband services, is a matter for private sector service providers operating in a liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). Broadband services are provided by private service providers over various platforms including DSL (i.e. over telephone lines), fixed wireless, mobile, cable, fibre and satellite. ComReg's website www.callcosts.ie provides detailed information on the various private sector telecommunications products and services available on a county by county basis.

In cases of market failure the Government will intervene, where it is appropriate and possible to do so. The National Broadband Scheme (NBS) represents such an intervention. The provision of broadband services under the NBS has advanced incrementally and services are now available throughout the entire NBS area. Since the completion of the roll out of the NBS network last month, every part of Ireland now has a broadband service available from at least one service provider. Additionally, satellite broadband services are available throughout Ireland. However, despite Government and private investment in broadband, I am aware that there continues to be isolated cases of premises throughout the country that are not capable of receiving the broadband services available. This is primarily due to technical and other reasons (e.g., suitability of a telephone line, distance from an enabled exchange, or no ‘line of sight' from the premises to the wireless base station).

The European Commission has set aside a portion of the European Economic Recovery Programme (EERP) funding for rural broadband initiatives. Using this funding, which will be augmented by an Exchequer contribution, I intend, subject to Government approval, to launch a Rural Broadband Scheme before the end of the year. This scheme will aim to provide a basic broadband service to individual un-served rural premises outside of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) areas. I expect that the service offered under this scheme will be fully rolled out by the end of 2012.

ComReg is responsible for the authorisation of broadband service providers. ComReg's most recent Quarterly Report shows that, at the end of June 2010, there were 468 organisations authorised to provide electronic communications services. The Quarterly Report highlights that the total number includes all general authorisations granted by ComReg under the European Framework for Authorisations, and does not necessarily reflect the total number of commercially active organisations or entities currently operating in the market. The total includes a number of undertakings who are authorised to use licence-exempt spectrum for the provision of wireless services.

In terms of international comparison, Ireland ranks 15th of the EU 27 for fixed broadband penetration and 6th for mobile only penetration. Additionally, a recent study of broadband services in 72 countries by the University of Oxford and the University of Oviedo, Spain, concluded that the broadband services currently available in Ireland are capable of meeting the requirements of today's broadband applications and overall, in terms of broadband quality and penetration, Ireland ranks 13th of the 72 countries studied. As regards future investment, this will be primarily funded by the private sector with the State stepping in, within available resources, at targeted areas.

Question No. 56 answered with Question No. 15.

Electricity Generation

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

57 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the distribution of the carbon revenue levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44985/10]

The Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Carbon Revenue Levy) Act 2010, which came into effect on 1st July 2010, provides for the recovery of carbon windfall gains from electricity generators until the end of 2012. The legislation provides for the establishment of a fund administered by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), to whom the levy is paid. The first levy period ran from 1 July to 30 September and CER has recently advised that revenues in the region of €20 million in respect of this period have been paid into this fund.

The Act also provides that this fund is to be used for the benefit of the Exchequer as directed by the Minister for Finance and myself. The Government has decided that the proceeds of the levy are to be used for the continuation of the Large Energy Users (LEU) rebate until 2012. The CER is therefore distributing the funds received from electricity generators to Large Energy Users (LEUs) in accordance with the direction given to the CER by me in August of this year and as stated in their information note, CER/10/155, published on September 1st 2010.

There are two elements to these rebates. A fixed element is applied as a credit to each LEU's contracted electricity capacity each month. A variable element, also known as the kWh element, is calculated and applied based on customer consumption. Both credits will benefit all Large Energy Users connected at Distribution Group Seven and above and all Transmission connected customers, irrespective of supplier. The rebates will apply from 1st October 2010 to 30th September 2011. It is anticipated that in the region of €80 million will be distributed to large energy users over this period.

Energy Conservation

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

58 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on claims that just €130 million from the €250 million revenue gained from the carbon levy has been going to earmarked schemes; the energy efficiency measures to benefit from the carbon tax; the percentage of revenue gained from the carbon tax that will be spent on energy efficiency measures in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44980/10]

Budget 2010 allocated €40 million for Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's energy efficiency programmes in the domestic, business and public sectors, with an additional €50 million, from carbon tax revenues, for the creation of the National Retrofit Programme. In advance of the launch of the National Retrofit Programme this funding has been utilised for existing energy efficiency schemes, notably, the Home Energy Savings Scheme and the Warmer Homes Scheme. Under the 2010 Social Housing Retrofitting Programme, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government was allocated €40 million to support local authorities across the country in improving their stock of vacant social houses and occupied apartment complexes. The utilisation of revenue from taxation receipts, including the carbon tax, is a matter for the Minister for Finance.

Alternative Energy Projects

Ceist:

59 Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress made on biomass as an energy resource; the potential envisaged in achieving Ireland’s renewable energy target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44790/10]

Under the Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC, Ireland's target is for 16% of all energy (to include electricity, heating and transport) to be from renewable sources by 2020. The Government's targets of 40% of electricity, 12% of heating/cooling and 10% of transport to be sourced from renewable sources by 2020 are commensurate with Ireland's EU target. Biomass has major potential to contribute to delivery on Ireland's targets.

Reflecting the need to support the development of biomass, in May of this year, I announced a new Renewable Energy Feed In Tariff (REFIT) Scheme for biomass ranging from 8.5 cent per kilowatt hour to 15c per kilowatt hour depending on the type of technology deployed. The scheme is subject to State Aid clearance by the EU Commission. Both Coillte and Bord na Móna have important roles to play in the development of Ireland's biomass resource given their respective land holding and interests in biomass supply.

My colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has recently announced that the Bioenergy Scheme, which offers supports for the growing of energy crops such as willow and miscanthus, will be continued into 2011 and expanded to provide the potential to support the planting of up to an additional 1,800 hectares. This will critically underpin the development of sustainable biomass supply.

Question No. 60 answered with Question No. 30.
Question No. 61 answered with Question No. 53.

Telecommunications Services

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

62 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on whether persons receiving broadband through the national broadband scheme are experiencing minimum speeds; the way these minimum speeds are monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44990/10]

My Department entered into a contract with "3", a Hutchison Whampoa company, for the delivery of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) in late December 2008. Since then, 3 has progressed its network roll out and NBS broadband services are now available in all of the 1,028 designated Electoral Divisions (ED) to be covered under the Scheme.

Under the contract, the NBS mobile wireless broadband service was upgraded to higher specifications (speeds, contention and data caps) in July 2010, without any increase in the monthly recurring charge. Currently, NBS subscribers can experience speeds ranging from a minimum download speed of 1.6Mbps to a maximum download speed of 6.8Mbps, a minimum upload speed of 1.2Mbps to a maximum upload speed of 4Mbps, with a maximum contention ratio of 22:1. The data cap has increased to 25GB. The satellite product, deployed in a very limited number of cases, has contracted minimum speeds of 1Mbps download and 128kbps upload, with a maximum contention ratio of 48:1 and with a data cap of 11GB.

My Department has put in place robust monitoring arrangements to ensure that the NBS network delivers the minimum specified service or better to all users. Performance delivery data, which is submitted to my Department on a monthly basis or as required, is critically analysed by independent technical consultants, Analysys Mason Ltd.

The monitoring arrangements provide information on a wide range of key indicators including the broadband excess availability in each cell of the network, the number of customers resident in that cell and actual contention and latency values. Utilisation thresholds are set for each element of the network and upgrades of the network and its capacity are automatically triggered at contractually agreed levels of traffic to ensure that the quality of the broadband service is maintained. In addition, a sample selection of customers is monitored for quality on a monthly basis. Download and upload speeds are sampled at a number of locations monthly to ensure that minimum speeds are met or exceeded.

The NBS contract guarantees service levels and imposes a service credit regime on "3" with significant financial consequences in the event that minimum specification service levels are not met. The contract also provides for independent monitoring and audit at any stage during the contract with a view to verifying that the services are being provided in accordance with the contract. I can confirm that 3's I-HSPA network which is used to deliver the NBS is designed and dimensioned to ensure that the network delivers the minimum contracted service, or better to all NBS users. Performance monitoring reports, including customer experience data, confirms this to be the case.

Based on the analysis of monitoring reports for I-HSPA and satellite, I can confirm that the average user has been able to receive download and upload speeds in excess of the minimum requirements. This level of service delivery is supported by the sampling of customer experience and the speed sampling. On the basis of the information provided to my Department, I am satisfied that the specified service levels required under the NBS contract are being met.

National Statistics

John Deasy

Ceist:

63 Deputy John Deasy asked the Taoiseach the number of full-time farmers in Waterford in each of the years from 2000 to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44693/10]

The exact information requested by the Deputy is not available. The Farm Structure Survey provides regional estimates and the following table shows the latest figures for the South-East region in June 2000, 2003, 2005 and 2007 (the latest year currently available).

Number of farms in the South-East region — June 2000, 2003, 2005 and 2007

Year

Farmwork is sole occupation of farm owner

Farmwork is not sole occupation of farm owner

Total

2000*

10,500

6,400

16,900

2003

10,200

6,100

16,300

2005

9,600

6,300

16,000

2007

8,800

6,300

15,100

*June 2000 Census of Agriculture.

The South-East region comprises counties Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford. Figures at county level are only available from the 2000 Census of Agriculture. There were 2,800 farms in County Waterford on 1 June 2000; on 1,700 of these, farmwork was the owner's sole occupation. The 2010 Census of Agriculture took place on June 1st 2010. Results from the Census will be compiled and published in mid-late 2012.

Departmental Expenditure

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

64 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the extent of any over or under expenditure, capital or current, by Vote, heading or sub-heading to date in 2010 in tabular form; the reason for any surplus or shortfall; if expenditure to date in each case is in line with budgetary projections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44773/10]

The following table details my Department's 2010 Estimate Provision and expenditure from 1st January to 29th November 2010.

Department Estimate Provision for 2010 & Outturn as at 29th November 2010

Subheads

Estimate Provision 2010

Expenditure to 29th Nov, 2010

€,000

€,000

A1

Salaries, Wages & Allowances

12,781

11,239

A2

Travel & Subsistence

700

266

A3

Incidental Expenses

1,560

588

A4

Postal & Telecommunications Services

501

345

A5

Office Machinery and Other Office Supplies

1,836

560

A6

Office Premises Expenses

732

239

A7

Consultancy Services

70

0

A8

Organisational Review Programme

576

500

Total Administration

18,756

13,737

Subhead B

NESDO

3,332

2,330

Subhead C

Commemoration Initiatives

100

71

Subhead D

Tribunal II (Haughey & Lowry)

7,480

2,913

Gross Total

29,668

19,051

Subheads A1 to A8

My Department will achieve significant savings in a number of subheads in 2010 as a result of efficiencies in procurement practices, the use of central framework agreements and close monitoring of expenditure. The use of e-procurement initiatives such as on-line ordering and tendering has led to improved procurement practices, a reduction in ad-hoc purchasing and the achievement of better value for money across a range of routine purchasing activities have contributed to these savings.

Savings in Subhead A2 Travel and Subsistence are as a result of the reduced travel and subsistence rates issued by the Department of Finance in 2009 and close monitoring and implementation of the Department's travel policy.

My Department entered into a contract for a mobile provider with the mobile telecommunications framework in 2009 which has achieved significant savings in mobile phone expenditure in 2010.

The ongoing focus on achieving more efficiencies in IT spend continues with all contracts coming up for renewal being thoroughly reviewed with a view to consolidation wherever possible. Significant reductions have been made in the Departments printing costs by using in-house printing services and on-line publishing as an alternative to printed reports.

Programme Subheads

The budget allocation for NESDO in 2010 was reduced from €5.059m to €3.332m as a result of the dissolution of the NCPP and NESF on 1 April, 2010. Further savings arose during the year from the rationalisation of NESDO in the following areas: accommodation, consultancy, printing and publications, conference costs and IT.

The budget for the Commemorations Initiative Fund for 2010 is €100,000. The Fund was established to make resources available to groups and organisations for the study and commemoration of historic events of national importance. Payments made up to 29th November amount to approximately €71,000. It is anticipated that most of the budget will be spent by the end of December.

In respect of the Moriarty Tribunal the Estimate for 2010 is €7.480m. This includes provision for the Tribunal's administrative costs for 2010, as well as provision for the cost of the report publication and some element of third party costs should the Tribunal complete its work in the current year.

Energy Resources

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

65 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Taoiseach the estimated energy use of his Department in the years, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; the total cost of that energy use in each of those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44944/10]

The energy costs for my Department in the period requested are set out in the following table.

Year

Cost

2008

242,832

2009

251,869

2010 (to date)

226,036

My Department's energy needs are met as part of the system for the Government Buildings complex which includes the Department of Finance, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport, the Office of the Attorney General, the Houses of the Oireachtas, the National Museum and the National Library.

Gas costs for the individual tenants of the complex are determined on the basis of the amount of square footage of the complex occupied rather than the cost of the amount of gas actually consumed. My Department's proportion of the gas costs on this basis is 7.51% of the total cost of gas consumption for the complex. Electricity costs for my Department are also determined notionally based on the total consumption for the Government Buildings complex as a whole. For these reasons it is not possible to calculate the exact amount of energy consumed by my Department.

Census of Population

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

66 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Taoiseach if those sleeping rough and homeless will be included in the census count; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45212/10]

The aim of Census 2011 is to count every person in the State on Census Night — 10 April 2011. This includes homeless persons and those sleeping rough. Following a number of submissions to the Central Statistics Office on how to cover homeless persons the office set up a consultative group to advise it on the best means of achieving this goal. The consultative group consisted of officials from the CSO, the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Fingal County Council, the Health Service Executive and representatives from the National Homeless Consultative Committee, the Homeless Agency, Threshold, Focus Ireland and the Simon Community.

Following a meeting of the group a list of establishments containing homeless persons was drawn up. Enumerators in the field will also be instructed to identify other accommodation containing homeless persons. The enumeration of persons in these establishments on Census Night will enable a profile of homeless persons to be compiled. In Dublin, the Homeless Agency will carry out a count of rough sleepers on Census night. For areas outside Dublin, CSO will collaborate with local authorities and voluntary organisations to identify rough sleepers and enumerate them in the census. The objective of the work undertaken is to be able to separately distinguish homeless persons in CSO's output programme.

Residential Institutions Redress Scheme

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

67 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the total sums committed by each of the religious congregations and by the State to the overall fund established in the wake of the revelations of residential institutional abuse of children over several decades; the cash sum committed in each case; the value, then and now, of properties transferred or committed for transfer; the actual sums and properties handed over to date; the properties that have had their cash value realised; the properties that have not yet been disposed of and the plans to address same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44963/10]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

68 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the now expected total sum required to address the issues arising from the residential institutional abuse of children over several decades; the total sum to be transferred by the religious congregations and the total sum to be provided by the State; the actual sum to be paid out to survivors and to their survivors; and the amount that has been paid out to survivors and their survivors to date and if she will provide a detailed explanation of her intended use of the balance, understood to be the lion’s share of the total sum involved. [44964/10]

Michael Creed

Ceist:

93 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, further to Parliamentary Question No. 88 of 11 November 2010, the amount of money paid by the religious orders to the State towards compensation for victims of institutional abuse; if negotiations are ongoing with these religious organisations with a view to increasing their contribution towards the cost of redress; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45077/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 67, 68 and 93 together.

The final cost of the response to residential institutional abuse is estimated to reach €1.36 billion and includes:

an estimated expenditure of €1.1 billion on the Redress Scheme operated by the Residential Institutions Redress Board and associated litigation;

an estimated €126m for the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse;

€110m for the proposed Statutory Fund (including administration); and

€10m provided towards the cost of the Faoiseamh Counselling service and €12.7m towards educational programmes for former residents now funded by the Education Finance Board.

In this context, the cost of the Redress Scheme from inception to date is some €1.04 billion, which includes €832 million paid in awards to applicants under the scheme and €157 million in third party legal costs associated with these awards and associated High Court actions.

Under the terms of the 2002 Indemnity Agreement, eighteen Congregations agreed to make a contribution of €128 million, comprising cash, property and the provision of counselling services. Whilst this figure has not altered, the form in which it has or is to be transferred to the State has altered somewhat in terms of the property and cash contributions. The alterations to the agreed amounts have occurred where the State agreed to accept and has since received cash in lieu of properties. Hence, the breakdown of the practical implications of the Indemnity Agreement is:

Property Transfers — €63.5m;

Cash Contributions — €54.5m;

Provision of Counselling Services — €10m.

All cash contributions have been received as well as Counselling services to the value of €10 million. It was agreed in principle that 64 properties would be accepted subject to good and marketable title and agreed valuations. This number has reduced to 61 as the Department has since accepted and received a cash sum in lieu of three properties where good and marketable title could not be established. Good and marketable title has been established on 35 properties which have been fully transferred. The remaining 26 properties have not been fully and finally accepted by the Department under the terms of the Indemnity Agreement. While physical transfers of these properties have taken place, with the properties being in use or available for use by the intended recipients, the Chief State Solicitor's Office continues to pursue the legal requirements issue under the Indemnity Agreement.

Following publication of the Ryan Report, the Government and subsequently Dáil Éireann called on the Congregations to commit to making further substantial contributions by way of reparation. In response, the Congregations are offering significant additional contributions, which they have valued at €348.51m. These contributions comprise some €111m cash to be provided over a number of years; €2m by way of a waiver of rent and €235.51m in proposed property transfers to various State bodies and voluntary organisations. As was acknowledged at the time, the offers involved complex property proposals which would require detailed discussions with the Congregations to enable the State to adopt a definitive position in relation to them.

Deputies will be aware that having considered the report of the independent Panel appointed to assess statements of their affairs submitted by the Congregations and the responses of the Congregations, the Government outlined its view that the overall costs of the response to residential institutional abuse, should be shared on a 50:50 basis between the taxpayer and those responsible for the residential institutions. Assuming that the Congregations' offers of contributions are fully realised, the collective contribution of the Congregations would be €476.51m (including contributions made under the 2002 Indemnity Agreement), leaving a target of over €200m to reach the 50% share of some €680m. The Government has requested that additional contributions be provided to the greatest degree possible in cash as a contribution to the planned National Children's Hospital.

Copies of all of the responses from the Congregations together with the report of the independent Panel are available on the "Reports and Publications" section of my Department's website. My Department, as lead Department handling these matters, has been liaising with the Congregations and the various State bodies to determine the potential use of the various property offers and their acceptability to the State. Meetings have taken place with all the Congregations at which the potential for them to augment their offers has been discussed. My Department will be reporting to Government shortly in relation to this matter.

The Government is proposing to use €110m of the offers of contributions to be made by the religious Congregations over the next few years to establish a Statutory Fund. This proposal is in keeping with the all party Motion passed by Dáil Éireann, supporting the proposal for a Trust to be set up and managed by the State for the support of victims and for other education and welfare purposes. My Department has undertaken a wide ranging consultation process, meeting with groups representing survivors of institutional abuse, the religious Congregations and other interested parties. Press advertisements also invited views and submissions as to the exact nature of the fund, how it will operate and the uses to which it will be put. The views expressed in the responses together with the views from my Department's engagement with groups and other interested parties have been considered.

My Department expects to report to Government shortly on the matter and will be submitting a Scheme of a Bill to provide for the Statutory Fund. To date €20.6m has been received in contributions towards the proposed Statutory Fund. These contributions have been deposited in an interest bearing account in the Central Bank of Ireland pending the establishment of the Statutory Fund.

Third Level Fees

Jack Wall

Ceist:

69 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is entitled to free fees in view of the fact that they are on the back to education allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44761/10]

In relation to the course referred to by the Deputy, Fáilte Ireland and the Institutes of Technology (IOTs) have put in place an agreed new system in relation to the provision of Hospitality and Tourism Programmes in the IoT sector. While Fáilte Ireland no longer provides attendance-based monthly allowances for these programmes, I understand that it is continuing to provide financial support through the payment of tuition and capitation fees for the students concerned.

Higher Education Grants

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

70 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the refusal of a grant for third level education in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44768/10]

The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the relevant grant awarding authority i.e. the applicant's local authority or VEC. Where a grant application is refused, the reason for the refusal is given by the grant awarding authority. An applicant may appeal the decision to the relevant local authority or VEC. Where the grant awarding authority decides to reject the appeal, the applicant may appeal this decision to my Department by submitting an appeal form outlining clearly the grounds for the appeal. No appeal has been received by my Department to date from the candidate referred to by the Deputy.

Schools Refurbishment

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

71 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application by a school (details supplied) in County Cork to construct additional classrooms. [44783/10]

The school to which the Deputy refers has recently applied to my Department for additional accommodation due to an increase in enrolments. The school's application is currently under consideration and a decision on the matter will issue to the school authority in due course.

Universities Building Projects

Noel Grealish

Ceist:

72 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills in view of the fact that a company (details supplied) has gone into receivership with a number of projects still under construction, in particular the project at National University of Ireland, Galway and given that these projects are funded by the State and the taxpayer, her plans to complete the construction project and ensure that subcontractors are paid for work already done; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44792/10]

I understand that the University is working closely with the Receiver in the matter to which the Deputy refers to achieve the optimal outcome for all parties directly affected by the receivership in this instance.

Third Level Courses

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

73 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to a situation in a college (details supplied); the action she will take regarding this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44890/10]

The college referred to by the Deputy provides a one year full-time Community and Health Services course at FETAC Level 5. The college charges a €200 registration fee and €240 for exam fees and other materials to participants on this course. Participants on this course are offered additional, optional training courses — Emergency First Responder (EFR) and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). These courses are certified by the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) and the college charges a fee of €2,400 to cover course costs. These courses are offered separate to the Community and Health Services course and participation is optional.

Training and Work Experience Programmes

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

74 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of training and work experience activation places funded by her in 2010, broken down by type of course or work experience programme; the funding allocated to each type of course or programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44899/10]

This year my Department will fund the provision of over 160,000 training and work experience places for the unemployed through FÁS, Skillnets and the Labour Market Activation Fund. This compares to the 66,000 equivalent places that were delivered in 2008. The following table details the budget and target beneficiaries for each programme in 2010.

DES training and work experience activation programmes

Budget Jan-Dec 2010

Target 2010 Beneficiaries

€m

Bridging Foundation Training

14.974

5,300

Return to Work Programme

1.374

700

Specific Skills Training*

76.180

22,300

Traineeship

33.313

5,100

Community Training Centres

49.720

4,500

Local Training Initiatives

40.948

5,000

Specialist Training Providers

55.598

3,800

Evening Courses

6.274

25,000

Online Learning

4.955

20,800

Short Time Working Training Programme

.115

300

Technical Employment Support Grant (TESG)

6.083

10,000

Skillnets Training for the unemployed and short-time workers

2.5

4,800

Labour Market Activation Fund

32.000

12,000

Sub-Total for Training Programmes

324.034

119.600

Redundant Apprenticeship Rotation / Placement scheme

3.874

750

Work Placement Programme

0

2,000

Community Employment***

367.000

32,300

Job Initiative

34.307

1,400

Wage Subsidy Scheme

11.609

900

Job Clubs

5.945

7,800

Supported Employment Progs

8.982

4,500

Sub Total for Employment Programmes

431.717

49.650

Total all programmes

755.751

169.250

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

75 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the total funding allocated to FÁS for training of persons seeking employment, broken down according to pay and non-pay funding; the funding allocated to FÁS for training of persons in employment, broken down according to type of programme; the number of training facilities owned by FÁS; the number of persons who have been directly trained by FÁS in 2009 and to date in 2010 respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44900/10]

The information requested by the Deputy is being researched. I will reply substantively to him as soon as possible.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

76 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide a breakdown of successful applicants to the activation fund according to the funding granted; the number who will be trained; the type of education or training that will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44901/10]

As part of Budget 2010, the Government announced the creation of a €20 million Labour Market Activation Fund, intended to deliver 3,500 places on training and education programmes for the unemployed. Its objective was to stimulate innovation in the provision of training and activation measures for jobseekers seeking to up-skill and get back into work. The Fund is being targeted to specific priority groups among the unemployed: the low skilled, and those formerly employed in declining sectors — construction, retail and manufacturing sectors, with particular emphasis on the under 35's and the long-term unemployed. Offers of funding were initially made to 26 organisations (Phase 1 projects).

On 5th August, an additional allocation of €12 million, financed in part by savings in proposed European Globalisation Fund expenditure, was made available by the Department of Education and Skills, enabling funding to be offered to 33 additional projects (Phase 2). This brought total funding to €32 million for 59 projects proposing to provide up to 12,000 education and training places for the unemployed. The successful tenderers were spread among public bodies, private training and education providers and not-for-profit organisations. Places offered to unemployed people included courses that range from upskilling courses to higher education programmes with accreditation up to level 8 available to participants.

In the main, Phase 1 projects are meeting their interim targets. As of mid-October some 3,441 or 52% of Phase 1 places were already filled, with further courses coming on stream between November 2010 and January 2011. On the basis of current information, it appears that the targets for places to be provided as set out in tenders by projects can be largely met. Thirty-three projects providing for some 5,400 places in all geographic regions benefited from the second tranche of funding allocated in August. Many projects are still in the process of recruiting participants, and some have yet to sign contracts with the Department of Education and Skills. It is therefore not possible yet to state the total number of beneficiaries from the Fund. A breakdown of the successful programme providers, including the amounts allocated is set out in the following document.

Tender Name

Amount allocated

Focus Ireland

213,390

Institute of Technology, Tralee

340,592

Career Decisions Ireland

191,107

University of Limerick, Kemmy Business School

350,000

Co. Meath VEC

345,000

National Adult Literacy Agency

603,839

Digital Skills Academy

887,350

National Council for Exercise and Fitness (University of Limerick)

107,720

City of Dublin VEC

364,940

Co Galway & Mayo VECs

332,112

Innovo Training & Development

278,760

Co. Dublin VEC

3,150,000

Shannon Consortium, Ennis

95,228

Shannon Consortium, Limerick

95,228

JMD Consulting

179,360

First Step Microfinance

968,000

Innopharma Labs

718,000

Meath Partnership

131,975

Letterkenny Institute of Technology

50,000

Tipperary Institute

208,200

Career Decisions Ireland

624,235

ICBE — Irish Centre for Business Excellence

1,404,145

Limerick Institute of Technology

224,941

Meath Partnership

128,575

TBG Learning

7,038,624

Alaymont Ltd., Dun Laoghaire

522,375

An Tochar Adult Education Centre, Co. Kerry

63,367

City of Galway VEC

199,287

Co Clare VEC

369,740

Co Offaly VEC

544,214

Co. Donegal VEC

30,057

Co. Meath VEC

1,236,000

Cultivate/ /NICER Training, Dublin

1,615,600

Digi Media, Dublin

610,150

Dublin City University and DCU Ryan Academy

582,404

Dublin Institute of Technology

3,012,118

Dundalk Institute of Technology, Louth

76,336

Financial Services Ireland/IBEC, Dublin

410,200

Fledglings Education & Training, Jobstown, Dublin 24

109,270

Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown

17,829

Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown

88,249

Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown

57,598

Letterkenny Institute of Technology

63,532

Meath Partnership

128,575

Network Solutions

226,280

TBSP, Rostrevor, Co. Down

314,500

Tolka Area Partnership, Finglas, Dublin

89,041

Waterford Area Partnership Ltd

212,687

Waterford City VEC

32,400

National College of Ireland, Dublin

134,600

Departmental Bodies

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

77 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide a list of the membership of the upskilling co-ordination group; the date on which it was established; the number of times it has met to date in 2010; the reports it has made; the detail of those reports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44902/10]

The Upskilling Co-ordination Group was established in 2007. The purpose of the Group is to provide a forum for providers of training and vocational education to exchange information and to discuss common issues. It also assists the Department in overseeing the effective co-ordination of different education and training provision funded by the Department of Education and Skills and delivered by FÁS, Skillnets, the VECs and the IOTs. The Group has met once in 2010.

The Upskilling Co-ordination Group has not been tasked with publishing specific reports. However, the Group updates the Senior Officials Group on the implementation of the National Skills Strategy on progress on improving co-ordination of the State's Education and Training provision. Membership of the Group comprises of representatives from the following organisations:

Department of Education and Skills;

Higher Education Authority;

Further Education Authority;

FÁS;

FORFAS;

Enterprise Ireland;

County Enterprise Boards;

County Development Boards;

Institute of Technologies;

National Adult Literacy Agency;

Irish Vocational Education Association;

Skillnets.

Training and Work Experience Programmes

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

78 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the recommendations the senior officials working group has made to the interdepartmental committee on the national skills strategy in relation to the potential for prioritisation across overall education and training budgets to achieve greater efficiencies and quality of output in relation to a review of the apprenticeship scheme; the principles that should apply to State-funded education and training provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44903/10]

Earlier this year, the OECD published a review of Ireland's vocational education and training system under the title ‘Learning for Jobs'. This is one of seventeen such country studies that the OECD completed. A composite report comprising findings common to all seventeen countries has also been published. The OECD study found that our apprenticeship system is well structured by reference to the on and off-the-job modules that characterise it. The study also recognised that apprenticeships in this country, in contrast to others, are limited to a narrow set of occupations. It elaborated on the implications and consequences of this fact.

Informed by this important body of OECD research, it is the intention to initiate a fundamental review of our apprenticeship system next year. Its purpose will be to identify adaptations that are necessary to take account of our contemporary circumstances, how change in prospect over the next decade is likely to impact on labour market needs, how those needs should be effectively met and the respective contributions that both the private and public sectors will have to make in meeting them.

The principles for the state funding of education and training provision are set out in the report of the Expert Group for Future Skills Needs entitled ‘Towards a National Skills Strategy'.

Third Level Courses

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

79 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a matter (details supplied). [44917/10]

My Department is not aware of any particular recognition issue related to the course referred to by the Deputy. If further details are provided as to the nature of the recognition issue, officials from my Department will examine the matter further.

Special Educational Needs

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

80 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will respond to correspondence from a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44922/10]

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

88 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will support a matter regarding a school (details supplied) in Dublin. [45030/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 88 together.

The Deputies will be aware that the 2007 Programme for Government committed to the long-term funding for the centres in the ABA pilot scheme subject to agreement with my Department on standards that will enable them to be supported as primary schools for children with autism. Agreement on transitional arrangements for the pilot centres was reached following a long process of discussions and engagement with the representative body of the pilot centres. I am pleased to advise you that I have been able to respond positively to applications for recognition as special schools from all of the centres in the pilot scheme and all the centres have now been granted recognition as special schools for children with autism.

Managers have been appointed by the Patrons to manage the transitional process from centre to special school. The schools have now advertised for the posts of Principal Teacher. As part of the transition process, my Department is arranging for training in a range of autism-specific interventions for the new Principals and Teachers once they have been appointed. In addition, training has been provided for the Managers and the new Boards of Management. It is my intention to continue to support the transitional process.

In relation to the issues raised by this question it is important to clarify for the Deputies that although reference is made in the correspondence supplied to two centres only one of them is participating in the pilot scheme and therefore currently transitioning to special school status. The key issue raised follows from an arrangement bilaterally agreed between both Centres. My Department was not party to the arrangement. On request officials from my Department facilitated a meeting of the Boards recently to discuss the position. However I must emphasise that the resolution of funding and enrolment issues are a matter for the Boards locally. It is also important to clarify for the Deputies that in the meantime placements are available for the children concerned. Furthermore I wish to advise the Deputies that the request for the retraction or release of the HSE report on the centre in question is a matter for the HSE.

Energy Resources

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

81 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the estimated energy use of her Department in the years 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; the total cost of that energy use in each of those years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44936/10]

The information requested is provided in the following table. For the Deputy's information, the data includes the estimated use and the cost of energy in my Department's three main locations, Dublin, Athlone, Tullamore and the network of local offices which are located around the country. The estimated energy use by my Department for the years 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010 and the cost of that energy is as follows:

Est. Energy Use

2008

2009

2010

Est. Electricity usage

5,371,389 kw/h

4,978,740 kw/h

3,539,071 kw/h

Est. Gas usage

3,560,737 kw/h

3,741,684 kw/h

2,989,658 kw/h

Energy Cost

2008

2009

2010

Gas

135,308

142,184

113,607

Electricity

827,194

766,726

545,017

Teachers’ Remuneration

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

82 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, further to Parliamentary Question No. 65 of 18 November 2010, if her attention has been drawn to the fact that an amount issued in the sum of €3,997.86 for the period September 2010 to December 2010 is not the correct amount in terms of rate due to the person (details supplied) providing the service for that period; if her further attention has been drawn to the fact that the person providing the service has not received any payment for July 2010 period and if same can now be attended to immediately and rectified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44948/10]

I wish to advise the Deputy that officials in my Department will make direct contact with the tutor in question regarding the rate of payment for the period September 2010 to December 2010. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the claim for payment for July 2010 is currently being processed and will issue shortly.

Departmental Agencies

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

83 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the numbers of persons in permanent employment with FÁS; the number directly employed in the position of training instructor directs; the number employed in administration indirects; the number employed in management roles indirects; and the number of additional part-time and or temporary staff employed in management and administration on 1 October 2008, 1 October 2009 and 1 October 2010 in tabular form. [44952/10]

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table.

Category

At December 2008

At December 2009

As at November 2010

Permanent Employment in FÁS

2,182.04

2,044.9

1,985.84

Permanent training instructors within Training Services Division (direct)

436.66

368.45

325.45

Training Services staff in non-instructing administrative roles (direct)

283.17

277.15

304.42

Administrative staff in other FÁS Divisions (human resources, IT, finance etc) (indirect)

409.92

379.74

362.10

Staff in Management Roles across FÁS Divisions (indirect)

290.62

257.84

243.36

Temporary staff in a Management or Administration role

40.90

7.50

1.00

Other staff in dedicated roles within Employment Services, Community Services and Services to Business Divisions respectively (direct)

761.67

761.73

750.51

Special Educational Needs

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

84 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, further to Parliamentary Question No. 133 of 2 November 2010, and the subsequent correspondence arising (details supplied), if she will explain what the full-time special needs assistants support on a shared basis, means in practice; if it is the decision of the special educational needs officer or the school principal to determine the number of hours special needs assistants spend supporting a particular child when they are assigned to more than one child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44966/10]

As the Deputy will be aware, 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 Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support in schools. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.

Officials at my Department have been in contact with the NCSE who have advised that the pupil referred to by the Deputy is in receipt of SNA support on a shared basis. The NCSE has also confirmed that it considers this allocation of SNA support to be sufficient to cater for the care needs of this pupil in the school setting. Where SNA support is provided on a shared basis this means that SNA support is available to the student as required, to cater for the pupils' care needs each day. In such instances there is no set number of hours allocated in respect of each pupil. Rather, it is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.

The recruitment and deployment of SNAs within schools are matters for the individual Principal/Board of Management. The Board is the SNA's employer and the terms of employment are subject to the conditions of the contract of employment. 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 can also advise that the NCSE has introduced an appeals process whereby schools and parents, where appropriate, may seek to appeal the decision of a SENO in relation to the allocation of resources. Information regarding the appeals process is available on the NCSE's website at www.ncse.ie.

Third Level Courses

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

85 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a matter (details supplied). [45008/10]

The course referred to by the Deputy is a Diploma in Social Practice, accredited by the UK awarding body EDEXCEL/BTEC and delivered in the college referred to by the Deputy under my Department's Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) programme. Participants who successfully complete this course may seek employment as Support Workers in the Health Service Executive (HSE).

Higher Education Grants

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

86 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will support a matter (details supplied). [45009/10]

The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the relevant grant awarding authority i.e. the applicant's local authority or VEC. Where a grant application is refused, the reason for the refusal is given by the grant awarding authority. An applicant may appeal the decision to the relevant local authority or VEC. Where the grant awarding authority decides to reject the appeal, the applicant may appeal this decision to my Department by submitting an appeal form outlining clearly the grounds for the appeal. No appeal has been received by my Department to date from the candidate referred to by the Deputy.

School Inspection Reports

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

87 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills her views on the incidental inspections 2010 report; the way the draft national plan to improve literacy and numeracy in schools will address the concerns raised in the report; when the full plan will be approved; her plans for implementation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45025/10]

The Incidental Inspection Report on the Teaching and Learning of English and Mathematics in Primary Schools found that pupils in the majority of classrooms have access to appropriate learning experiences and achieve good standards, and that the majority of teachers approach their work in a professional and effective way. But the inspectors have also identified weaknesses in some lessons in areas such as teachers' preparation for teaching, the teaching methods they use, and the ways in which schools and teachers assess and monitor pupils' progress in learning.

These issues are addressed in the programme set out in the Draft National Plan to Improve Literacy and Numeracy through actions on initial teacher education, continuing professional development, school leadership and target setting, and assessment. The Plan also sets out a series of initiatives on the curriculum, targeted supports for schools serving disadvantaged communities and measures to foster wider parental and community involvement in literacy and numeracy development.

I have published the plan as a consultative document and I want the consultation to be as broad and effective as possible. I want to have the views of all of those who have an interest and a stake in this issue. The period for the making of submissions runs until 31 January 2011 and will be followed by the holding of stakeholder consultation meetings. It is hoped to publish the final Plan in Spring 2011.

The draft Plan contains actions for implementation by a wide range of stakeholders. Some of the measures are already underway, some are intended for implementation from the next school year and some require a longer lead-in period. I will appoint a group to co-ordinate and support the implementation of the actions in the plan.

This National Literacy and Numeracy Implementation Group will be chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of Education and Skills and will include national and international experts on literacy and numeracy acquisition and assessment from research, teaching and teacher educator backgrounds, and senior officials from the Department of Education and Skills, the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and relevant statutory bodies. The group will also obtain input from representatives of national associations of students, parents, teachers, teacher educators and school management, higher education bodies, business and civil society organisations, and community and family education initiatives through a regular forum.

Question No. 88 answered with Question No. 80.

Schools Building Projects

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

89 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a new school building (details supplied); her views on the inspection report carried out by the school in January 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45036/10]

I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers initially applied to my Department for large scale capital funding for an extension. In accordance with the published criteria for large scale building projects, the application was assessed and the project was assigned a Band 2 rating. More recently, the school has applied for capital funding for a new school building. This application will be assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale projects and assigned an appropriate Band rating which will be published on my Department's website at www.education.ie and notified to the school authority.

Simon Coveney

Ceist:

90 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the availability of funding for three schools (details supplied) and the timescale envisaged for building work on these projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45037/10]

I wish to advise the Deputy that in relation to the area to which he refers a site has been acquired by County Cork Vocational Education Committee with funding from my Department. It is envisaged that the site will provide for an educational campus facility to cater for future demand at Post-Primary and to facilitate the proposed re-location of two existing schools, a Gaelscoil and a Special School.

The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.

Departmental Agencies

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

91 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the continued delay in publishing the FÁS annual report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45069/10]

Further to my reply to the Deputy given in question number 94 on 4 November, the FÁS 2009 Annual Report has been published and was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 24 November.

Training and Work Experience Programmes

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

92 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, further to Parliamentary Question No. 100 of 23 November 2010, when a reply will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45076/10]

The information requested by the Deputy is being collated. I will write to him substantively in the matter as soon as possible.

Question No. 93 answered with Question No. 67.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

94 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if FETAC has received any communication from FÁS in respect of specific problems with course results and the manipulation of such results; if so, the dates when such contact took place and the level of same; the nature of the correspondence; the action taken by FETAC as a result; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45079/10]

In late 2009 FÁS informed FETAC that their internal verification processes identified assessment related issues on a range of courses delivered by private providers in the North East. FÁS commenced an investigation and informed FETAC that they would not request certificates for the courses in question until all issues were addressed and the appropriate corrective action was taken. In recent weeks FÁS informed FETAC of a separate administration and procedural issue relating to certificate requests. This issue is being examined by FÁS at present and FETAC are also undertaking an examination of the issue at a number of sample FÁS sites.

Departmental Correspondence

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

95 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will respond to correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45084/10]

My Office has received a copy of the correspondence referred to by the Deputy and will respond directly. The matters raised relates to a fundraising initiative for schools which is a matter for individual schools to consider.

Schools Building Projects

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

96 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45098/10]

I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has made an application to my Department for large scale capital funding for a new school building. In accordance with the published criteria for large scale building projects, the application was assessed and the project was assigned a Band 2.2 rating. Information in respect of the current school building programme, along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including this project, is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.

The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.

Departmental Agencies

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

97 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of face-to-face interviews carried out by FÁS in 2009 and to date in 2010; the number of applicants who were interviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45113/10]

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table.

Year

Total number of face-to-face interviews carried out by the National Employment Service (NES)*

Total Number of ‘Applicants’ interviewed face-to-face**

2009

301,661

205,835

2010 (As at October)

362,299

208,017

*The National Employment Service (NES) comprises FÁS and the Local Employment Service (LES) in the provision of services to job seekers.

**Data provided for ‘Applicants' is a count of the number of clients who received a guidance interview in the given year. Individual applicants may have received more than one interview.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

98 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an outline of each service provided by FÁS which falls within the remit of her Department; the projected expenditure of FÁS in the current year for each area; the number of persons employed by FÁS in the delivery of these services; the number of persons assisted under each area in 2009 and to date in 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45114/10]

As the National Employment and Training authority, the services provided by FÁS can be outlined as follows:

Training services including the delivery of courses tailored to the needs of jobseekers looking for employment and for those who are in employment including specially designed training interventions to allow Apprentices to qualify as craftspeople.

Employment services including the delivery of Community-based employment and training programmes to allow for accessible learning in local areas, as well as jobsearch facilities including guidance and resources for jobseekers with access to job vacancies, online CV profiling for employers and effective CV-to-job matching.

The FÁS 2010 budget for direct service delivery in each of these areas is set out in table 1. Table 2 sets out the number of beneficiaries of FÁS training and employment programmes in 2009 and in 2010 as at the end of September. Table 3 sets out the number of persons interviewed by the National Employment Service (NES) in 2009 and 2010 as at the end of October 2010. Finally, table 4 sets out the number of persons employed by FÁS in the delivery of training, employment and community services as well as providing a total complement of the Agency including all support services.

Table 1

€ million

Training Services

381.4

Employment Services

54.2

Community Services

421.9

Integration support services funded by FÁS for the delivery of training and employment initiatives

14.0

Total

871.5

Table 2: Number of persons assisted* in FÁS Training and Employment Programmes

Year

Training Programmes

Employment Programmes

2009

129,988**

49,012

2010 (end of September)

115,915***

45,118

*The figures indicated in table 2 include persons currently in training or employment programmes, those who have completed their programmes and those who dropped out.

**Includes 14,944 persons who completed phase 2, 4 or 6 of off-the-job apprenticeship training.

***Includes 8,390 persons who completed phase 2, 4 or 6 of off-the-job apprenticeship training.

Table 3: Total Number of persons interviewed by the National Employment Service*

Year

Number

2009

205,835

2010 (end of October)

208,017

*The National Employment Service (NES) comprises FÁS and the Local Employment Service (LES) in the provision of services to jobseekers.

Table 4

FÁS Staffing

Number of persons employed

Overall (including support services)

1,985.84

Training Services

898.98

Employment Services

478.12

Community Services

224.18

Policy Support Unit for Employment and Community Services

70.82

Higher Education Grants

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

99 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills to clarify her decision on the higher education grant appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 14; the grounds upon which this decision was made; if the guideline will be reviewed considering the criteria of independent mature candidate and candidate dependent on parents appear to conflict with one another in certain circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45119/10]

My Department received an appeal from the candidate referred to by the Deputy. The candidate appealed the decision of the assessing authority not to award a grant on the basis that the candidate did not satisfy the break in studies requirement of the scheme. My Department examined the appeal and the decision of the assessing authority was upheld. The candidate was notified of the decision on the 19 November 2010.

The student grant schemes for 2010 were published in May of this year. Changes to the 2010 schemes were announced in advance by the then Minister when last year's grant schemes were published in July 2009. Advance notice of a number of changes was provided by way of press release on 29 July 2009, so that students and their families would be aware of them in good time. The specific issue to which the Deputy refers relates to how students re-entering higher education after a break in studies are classified for the purposes of assessing them for a student grant. This issue is governed by the break in studies clause in the student grant schemes. The break in studies clause generally applies to students that take a year or more out after completing an undergraduate course, returning subsequently to take up further third level studies. This clause provides for the re-classification of these students allowing them to be means tested on their own income and that of their spouse, where appropriate, rather than being means tested on the basis of their parents' income.

My Department increased the duration of the studies break requirement in the 2010 schemes from one year to three years. This was done because, in some cases, students who would not otherwise have qualified for a grant on the basis of parental income were simply taking a "year out" in order to avail of the break in studies provision. The break in studies clause as it stood allowed these students to be re-classified as independent mature students and to qualify for grants and fees based on their own, rather than their parents', income. This was not the intention of the provision. The intention of the clause was to focus resources on genuine second chance and mature students. The increase to three years will ensure that the emphasis is, as intended, on facilitating these students to return to education.

The new measures will not impact unfairly on any grant applicant but will ensure better equity and equality in calculating eligibility for student maintenance grants so that public resources can continue to be targeted at those who need them most. I want to be clear that this change will not prevent continuing students from re-entering college for three years. On the contrary, students that already qualified for a grant based on a means test of their parents' income in previous years are likely to continue to qualify for a grant on the same basis, unless circumstances have changed in the intervening period.

School Transport

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

100 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will respond to correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45126/10]

Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Needs a child is eligible for transport if s/he is attending the nearest recognised special school, that is or can be resourced, to meet the child's special educational needs under Department of Education and Skills criteria. The purpose of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Needs is to provide a reasonable level of transport service for children with a diagnosed disability and/or special educational need, who because of the nature of their disability, may not be in a position to avail of a school bus service.

The pupil referred to by the Deputy, in the details supplied, is eligible for school transport to her nearest recognised special school which is resourced to meet her special educational needs. The pupil is not eligible, however, for transport to the school in question as this school is not the nearest recognised special school that is or can be resourced to meet the child's special educational needs. My Department is revising the existing policy on school transport to allow concessionary transport for children with special needs through the special school transport scheme in certain circumstances. It is envisaged that the revised school transport scheme for children with special needs incorporating concessionary transport for pupils with special educational needs will be in place at the commencement of the 2011/2012 school year.

Schools Building Projects

Simon Coveney

Ceist:

101 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a site for a school (details supplied) in County Cork; when this site will become available to the school; when building work will commence on the school; the overall timescale for this project; the total funding she has committed to this project; and the funding that has been spent to date on this project. [45131/10]

My Department has reached agreement, in principle, subject to contract with Cork County Council and contracts are awaited. My Department is in ongoing liaison with the local authority on this matter. Due to the commercial sensitivities relating to site acquisitions, I am not in a position to comment further on the matter at this time.

Higher Education Grants

John Cregan

Ceist:

102 Deputy John Cregan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if grant assistance is available for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick taking an honours degree with Open University. [45166/10]

The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the relevant grant awarding authority i.e. the applicant's local authority or VEC. Where a grant application is refused, the reason for the refusal is given by the grant awarding authority. An applicant may appeal the decision to the relevant local authority or VEC. Where the grant awarding authority decides to reject the appeal, the applicant may appeal this decision to my Department by submitting an appeal form outlining clearly the grounds for the appeal. No appeal has been received by my Department to date from the candidate referred to by the Deputy.

The statutory framework for the student grants scheme, as set out in the Local Authorities (Higher education Grants) Acts, 1969 to 1992, provides for means-tested higher education grants in order to assist students to attend full-time third level education. An approved course, for the purposes of the Higher Education Grants Scheme is a full-time undergraduate course of not less than two years duration or a full-time postgraduate course of not less than one-year duration pursued in an approved third-level institution. The institutions approved under the Scheme are publicly funded third level colleges offering full-time courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Similarly under the terms of the Free Fees Initiative, whereby the State meets the tuition costs of eligible students, an approved course is defined as a full-time undergraduate course of a minimum duration of two years in an approved third level institution. Courses provided by the Open University are not approved courses under the terms of the student grant schemes or the Free Fees Initiative.

Schools Building Projects

Michael Ring

Ceist:

103 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills when funding will be approved for the provision of a new school building (details supplied) in County Mayo. [45219/10]

The project to which the Deputy refers is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of my Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the further progression of the project at this time.

National Lottery Funding

Joe Costello

Ceist:

104 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Finance the amount of money that has been collected in the EuroMillions lottery after prize money has been paid out in each of the past five years; if he will name the owners of the lottery, the projects and countries that benefit from the proceeds of the lottery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44753/10]

EuroMillions is owned by nine participating European lotteries. They are:

Belgium: La Loterie Nationale;

France: Francaise De Jeux;

Ireland: An Post National Lottery Company;

Luxembourg: Loterie Nationale;

Portugal: Jogos Santa Casa;

Spain: Loterias y Apuestaa del Estado;

Switzerland : La Loterie Romande;

Switzerland: Swisslos;

UK: Camelot.

Proceeds of the sales of the EuroMillions game generated in the jurisdictions of each of the participating lotteries go to that lottery. Therefore, the proceeds of the sale in Ireland of the EuroMillions game go to the National Lottery Company and the associated surplus generated forms part of the surplus of the National Lottery.

Section 5 of the National Lottery Act 1986 provides that the surplus from the National Lottery may be used for the following purposes: sport and other recreation; national culture, including the Irish Language; the arts, within the meaning of the Arts Act 1951; the health of the community; and for such other purposes as the Government may determine. The following additional categories have been so determined: youth, welfare, national heritage and amenities.

In order to give effect to this statutory provision, the surplus from the National Lottery is transferred to the Exchequer on a regular basis and is applied each year to part-fund the Exchequer allocations to a specified range of expenditure subheads across various Votes. Each year, the amount transferred to the Exchequer from the National Lottery surplus, together with details of the total Exchequer allocations to the relevant subheads are set out in Appendix 1 of the annual "Revised Estimates for Public Services".

The table sets out information in relation to the sales in Ireland by the National Lottery Company of the Euromillions game.

Year

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Total

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

Sales

59.1

145.3

118.7

109

105.7

537.8

Prizes

29.6

72.7

59.4

54.5

52.8

269.0

Associated Expenses*

8.5

21.2

17.1

15.3

14.7

76.8

Surplus

21.0

51.4

42.2

39.2

38.2

192.0

*The figures for the annual expenses associated with the EuroMillions game as stated in the table above are estimated using the total expenses figures for the National Lottery Company in each of the relevant years, and applying the proportion of sales by the National Lottery Company from the EuroMillions game as a percentage of the total sales of National Lottery Company products in that year.

Tax Code

Pat Breen

Ceist:

105 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Finance in the context of the possible abolition of the air travel tax, his plans to meet with Irish airlines to discuss alternatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44961/10]

Pat Breen

Ceist:

115 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Finance his plans to abolish the air travel tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44962/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 115 together.

As in the case for all taxes, the options surrounding the Air Travel Tax will be considered in the context of the forthcoming Budget. I have, however, no plans to abolish the air travel tax. In that context I would draw to the Deputy's attention that Ireland is not unique in regard to applying a tax on air travel. A number of countries within the EU apply similar taxes including the UK and France. Going further afield such taxes are applied by Australia and New Zealand. The U.S., in 2009, introduced a tourist tax on tourists travelling to the U.S. by air. In addition, Germany and Austria are currently in the process of introducing an air travel tax with effect from 1 January 2011.

Flood Relief

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

106 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Finance the targets he has set for flood prevention measures following flooding in November 2009; the progress he has made on these targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45320/10]

In the aftermath of the November 2009 floods which hit the country, the Government allocated €50 million for flood risk management activities for 2010, which is administered by the Office of Public Works. This allocation, which was an increase of 16% over the 2009 allocation, will, in the long term, allow OPW to extend the number of Capital Works schemes already targeted and underway throughout the country. Major flood relief schemes have continued to be implemented in Mallow and Fermoy, Co Cork, Clonmel Co Tipperary, Ennis Co Clare, Mornington Co Meath, Waterford City, Carlow Town, Johnstown Co Kildare, and in Dublin along the River Dodder.

In addition to schemes at construction, OPW has continued the development of flood relief schemes in Arklow and Bray Co Wicklow, Templemore Co Tipperary, and Clontarf in Dublin, some of these having been advanced in association with the relevant local authorities. As a direct result of last November's floods OPW has commenced studies in Bandon and the Lower Lee area in Co Cork, and Claregalway Co Galway, as well as funding a study for Skibbereen being undertaken by Cork County Council and funding of the detailed design for a scheme on the Dunkellin Co Galway by Galway County Council. OPW will also commence design work in areas including Carrigaline, Midleton and Ballymakeera in the next two months.

The increased allocation has allowed OPW to increase the funding to Local Authorities under the Minor Works Programme. This Programme, which I first introduced in 2009, targets minor or small-scale flood defence works undertaken directly by Local Authorities. Under the programme, a total of €16 million has so far been approved for local authorities for works and studies this year (including minor works executed by the OPW), and further applications for funding are being received and assessed on an ongoing and rolling basis. In total, approximately 170 small-scale projects in 23 counties have been approved for funding. In allocating the funds, my Office continues to concentrate on areas, where there is a substantial risk to human life, property and infrastructure.

In addition to the Capital and Minor Works OPW is committed to the programme for the production and completion of Catchment Flood Risk Management Plans (CFRAMS) and associated flood mapping for all national catchments. The Lee CFRAM has already been published, followed by a major consultation process. This established approach is being extended to all major catchments in Ireland. This process will mean additional targets for OPW which will be included in multi-annual budgets as the various recommendations arise in the coming years.

State Property

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

107 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding a property (details supplied). [44723/10]

As stated in my reply to Deputy McGrath's Parliamentary Question No. 121 of 23 November 2010, this matter is currently the subject of litigation between the Commissioners of Public Works and the occupant. Any discussions regarding the matter can be arranged between the occupant's legal advisors and the State Property Division of the Chief State Solicitor's Office.

Conflicts of Interest

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

108 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm that there is no conflict of interest in the chairman of the review group on State assets, whose remit it is to consider the potential for asset disposal in the public sector and to review the investment and financing plans, commercial practices and regulatory requirements of Horse Racing Ireland and the National Stud Company, simultaneously undertaking economic advisory work for Coolmore Stud, a beneficiary of Horse Racing Ireland and a direct competitor of the National Stud Company; if the chairman of the review group on State assets brought this matter to his attention at the time he was selected to carry out this work for the Government; if he believes that a conflict of interest arises in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44737/10]

The Chairman of the Review Group on State Assets and Liabilities made my Department aware of the position in July 2010 before the work of the Group commenced. The Deputy can be assured that internal arrangements will be made by the group to obviate any potential conflict of interest.

Flood Relief

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

109 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Finance when flood plain plans and designations in the Dundalk area will be reviewed; what the review process will entail; the timeframes for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44740/10]

A comprehensive management programme for all national river catchments is being addressed through the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme under the direction of the Office of Public Works. The CFRAM Programme is being delivered through the CFRAM Studies.

The process of procuring consultants to undertake the CFRAM studies for the national river catchments commenced in summer 2010 and it is expected that contracts for studies on all catchments will be in place by end 2011. This includes catchments within the Neagh-Bann river basin district covering the Dundalk area. A constituent part of the mapping data to be provided for the CFRAM study in the Dundalk area will be the coastal flood hazard and potential risk maps. A draft version of these maps issued to Louth Co. Council in October 2010 and a final set will be issued to the Council before year end.

The CFRAM Programme is being undertaken in partnership with local authorities and in consultation with stakeholders and the public. The CFRAM Studies are comprehensive catchment-based studies focused on areas of potentially significant risk, for which detailed flood maps are produced and flood risk management measures are assessed and taken to outline design. These measures will be prioritised and set out in a Flood Risk Management Plan (FRMP). All national catchment flood risk management plans are due for completion and publication by 22 December 2015 according to the timetable set down in the EU Floods Directive.

Missing Persons

Joe Costello

Ceist:

110 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 25 May 2011 is International Missing Children’s Day; his plans to promote the EU missing children’s hotline telephone number 116000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44757/10]

I am aware of International Missing Children's Day on the 25 May 2011. Issues in relation to this are a matter for the Minister of State with responsibility for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Barry Andrews.

Disabled Drivers

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

111 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if there has been a change in repayment arrangements for excise duty on fuel used in a vehicle for the transport of a disabled person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44776/10]

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994 (S.I. No. 353 of 1994) provide for the repayment of excise duty paid on fuel used in vehicles qualifying for tax relief under those Regulations, subject to specified limits.

Following a review of the arrangements for the repayment of the excise duty paid on fuel, some changes in the administrative arrangements have been gradually introduced to achieve efficiencies and to simplify the process for disabled claimants, so that claiming is easier and more customer-friendly. The changes included dispensing with the submission of receipts with every fuel repayment claim and, more recently, moving to one claim per annum rather than up to 3 claims a year as had been the practice previously. Where particular difficulty is being experienced by a disabled claimant, Revenue will give favourable consideration to making an interim repayment.

Bank Guarantee Scheme

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

112 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify a matter (details supplied). [44904/10]

Retail (consumer) deposits are guaranteed under the statutory €100,000 Deposit Guarantee Scheme (DGS) which covers 100% of retail deposits with all credit institutions authorised in Ireland (including credit unions) up to a maximum of €100,000 per qualifying depositor per institution. The DGS guarantee does not have an end date.

As the Deputy may be aware, the Eligible Liabilities Guarantee (ELG) Scheme was extended in national law by the Oireachtas on 17 November last until 31 December 2011, subject to six-monthly State aid approval by the European Commission. The ELG Scheme guarantees the balance of retail deposits in the participating institutions (which include the two institutions specified by the Deputy) over the €100,000 limit of the DGS, and 100% of the balance of corporate deposits, as set out below.

The balance in on-demand accounts or current accounts in an ELG Scheme participating institution in excess of any amount covered by the DGS will be guaranteed until 30 June 2011 (which is the maximum period under EU State aid rules for which approval can be received) regardless of the date the account was opened. The balance on fixed term deposits (in excess of €100,000 covered by DGS where applicable) opened with a participating institution during a period from the date the participating institution joined the ELG Scheme up to 30 June 2011 will be guaranteed for the full term of the deposit, up to a maximum deposit term of five years. A list of the dates when participating institutions joined the ELG Scheme can be found at www.ntma.ie.

Energy Resources

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

113 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the estimated energy use of his Department in 2008 and 2009 and to date in 2010; the total cost of that energy use in each of those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44939/10]

The estimated energy usage for the years 2008, 2009 and 2010 for my Department are listed in the table below. Also listed in the following table are the actual spend on energy costs for the years 2008 and 2009 and the total spend to date in 2010.

Year

Estimated Units

Cost

2008

*

510,000

2009

1,415,671 units (ESB)

477,643

92,490 units (gas)

18,653 units (oil)

2010

1,092,477 units (ESB)

310,073 (paid to date)

87,753 units (gas)

6,001 units (oil)

*The meter system currently used to count the energy consumption came into effect mid-way through 2008. It is therefore not possible to give an accurate reflection of unit costs in 2008.

Tax Yield

Pat Breen

Ceist:

114 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Finance, further to Parliamentary Question No. 134 of 5 October 2010, if he will report on the revenue collected from the air travel tax as of 30 October 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44960/10]

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that up to the end of October 2010 the yield from the air travel tax is €88.2 million in respect of 2010.

Question No. 115 answered with Question No. 105.

State Savings Products

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

116 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will support a matter (details supplied). [45013/10]

An Post acts as agent for the National Treasury Management Agency in accepting money for State savings products. All State savings are paid directly to the Exchequer. The repayment of State savings is a direct, unconditional obligation on the Government and the Government will honour this obligation in full.

Fiscal Policy

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

117 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Finance the number of officials in his Department dedicated to working with officials from the International Monetary Fund, the European financial stabilisation mechanism and the European financial stability facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45023/10]

In the relatively short timeframe involved, officials from all Divisions of my Department together with other relevant Departments, the Central Bank, the NTMA and the Office of the Attorney General have been involved in the discussions with the EU, ECB and IMF authorities which culminated in the agreement of Eurogroup and ECOFIN Ministers on 28 November 2010 to grant financial assistance to Ireland. In view of the nature of the discussions, officials from my Department have been involved both directly and indirectly as required and for this reason I do not have a precise number.

EU Funding

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

118 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Finance the number of bilateral loans to the State he expects to be negotiated by EU member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45024/10]

Eurogroup and ECOFIN Ministers agreed on 28 November 2010 on a package of financial assistance to Ireland in the context of a joint EU-IMF Programme and against the background of safeguarding financial stability in the EU and the euro area as a whole. As set out in the statement issued by the Eurogroup and ECOFIN Ministers on 28 November 2010, the financial assistance includes provision for bilateral loans from the UK (€3.8 billion), Sweden (€0.6 billion) and Denmark (€0.4 billion). No other bilateral loans are anticipated at present.

These loans are part of an overall provision of €85 billion of which the State will contribute €17.5 billion from the National Pensions Reserve Fund and from cash reserves and of which €67.5 billion may be provided in external assistance. This is composed of €22.5 billion from the European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism (EFSM), €22.5 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and €22.5 billion from the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF) including the above mentioned bilateral loans. Financial assistance will in all cases be subject to the policy conditionality set out in the EU-IMF Programme for Ireland.

Employment Levels

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

119 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide estimates for the nominal number of individuals in employment at the end of 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. [45086/10]

The Department of Finance does not produce an end of year forecast for employment numbers. The forecast is for an average of the full year, which is in line with the approach of the majority of others who produce forecasts. The forecasts for the average nominal number of individuals in employment for 2010 to 2014 are provided in the table.

Year

Employment (000s)

2010

1,851

2011

1,848

2012

1,872

2013

1,898

2014

1,930

Tax Collection

John O'Donoghue

Ceist:

120 Deputy John O’Donoghue asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an estimate of the amount of tax retained by airline companies on foot of cancelled plane tickets and or unfilled seats and if he will have the matter investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45111/10]

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that airline companies are liable to air travel tax only in respect of passengers who depart on their flights from relevant Irish airports. If an airline company charges an intending passenger an amount corresponding to the air travel tax that would be payable by the airline company in respect of that person's departure and that person does not make the proposed journey, the question of a refund in respect of the amount involved is a matter between the airline company and that person.

The Revenue Commissioners have no information on the amount of money retained by airline companies in relation to cancelled journeys or unfilled seats. However, the Minister considers that where an airline has passed the cost of the air travel tax on to its customers it should refund this charge, without charging a handling fee, if the person does not travel.

Departmental Agencies

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

121 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a breakdown by organisation of the employment levels for each year in the non-commercial State agencies section; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45112/10]

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

130 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Finance the reason he has not chosen to rationalise State agencies in the Government’s four year plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45319/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 121 and 130 together.

The following table A provides a breakdown of Non-commercial State Agency (NCSA) staffing for the end of 2008, 2009 and the end of the third quarter this year by Ministerial Vote Group. Table A also sets out the indicative NCSA ceilings by Ministerial Vote Group, consistent with the National Recovery Plan. I am not in a position to provide a breakdown of each Ministerial NCSA staffing ceiling by organisation for future years because that is a matter for each Minister to decide on an ongoing basis in light of their and the Government's policy priorities.

With regard to agency rationalisation, I should point out that the comprehensive programme of rationalisation that I announced in Budget 2009 (October 2008) is still being implemented. To date, implementation has resulted in a net reduction of 22 bodies and has secured estimated full year savings of over €10 million. In addition to the 2009 Budget measures, the Government has taken further rationalisation decisions such as the recent decision to rationalise the number of VECs from 33 down to 16 and the absorption of the National Economic and Social forum by the National Economic Council. The implementation of these further decisions has resulted in a further net reduction of 4 bodies; bringing the total net reduction to 26.

I would also draw the Deputy's attention to Page 69 of the National Recovery Plan where it is stated that the programme of State Agency rationalisation that commenced in 2008 will continue with a particular emphasis on:

reducing the number and range of agencies;

redeploying staff to areas of greatest need;

improving governance and performance arrangements; and

sharing services

This reduction in allocations in conjunction with revised employment ceilings will, accordingly, involve the continued rationalisation of Agencies.

Table A

2008

2009

2010

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Qtr 4

Qtr 4

Qtr 3

Qtr 4

Qtr 4

Qtr 4

Qtr 4

Qtr 4

TOTAL NCSA CEILING

12,474

11,801

12,151

12,195

11,205

10,700

10,199

9,998

TAOISEACH GROUP

46

46

40

40

37

35

33

33

Law Reform Commission

27

23

19

National Economic and Social Development Office

19

24

21

FINANCE GROUP

62

64

62

64

63

57

55

52

Special EU Programmes Body

62

64

62

64

63

57

55

52

JUSTICE GROUP

61

51

0

— Human Rights Commission (2010 Transfer to CEGA)

20

14

0

— National Disability Authority (2010 Transfer to CEGA)

41

37

0

ENVIRONMENT

889

859

869

881

821

793

757

741

Affordable Homes Partnership

11

10

15

An Bord Pleanála

167

169

162

An Comhairle Leabharlanna

0

0

16

Dublin Docklands Authority

47

34

27

Environmental Protection Agency

358

344

329

Heritage Council

16

15

15

Housing Finance Agency

12

11

11

Irish Water Safety Association

6

6

5

Limerick Northside Regeneration Agency

7

2

7

Limerick Southside Regeneration Agency

9

4

9

Local Government Computer Services Board

94

86

85

Local Government Management Services Board

30

28

27

National Building Agency

61

49

47

Private Residential Tenancies Board

23

55

69

Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland

48

47

47

EDUCATION GROUP

529

536

2,522

2,474

2,272

2,143

2,039

2,002

Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies

65

79

78

Foras Áiseanna Saothair

0

0

1,989

Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC)

53

42

37

Grangegorman Development Agency

6

3

4

Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC)

30

31

31

Higher Education Authority

59

50

52

Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology

6

5

5

Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Science

7

5

5

National Education Welfare Board

103

102

101

National Qualifications Authority of Ireland

24

25

25

NCTE

0

0

18

Royal Irish Academy

67

85

77

Royal Irish Academy of Music

70

69

64

The Teaching Council

41

41

37

COMMUNITY, EQUALITY & GAELTACHT AFFAIRS

537

541

635

672

634

614

586

574

Boord o Ulster-Scotch (An Foras Teanga)

16

19

21

Family Support Agency

0

0

38

Foras na Gaeilge (An Foras Teanga)

50

49

53

Human Rights Commission

0

0

12

National Disability Authority

0

0

35

Údarás na Gaeltachta

113

103

96

Waterways Ireland

343

355

367

Western Development Commission

17

15

14

COMMUNICATIONS ENERGY & NAT. RESOURCES

780

770

1,070

1,075

996

944

899

882

— Eastern Regional Fisheries Board

53

45

0

— Northern Regional Fisheries Board

43

51

0

— North-Western Regional Fisheries Board

50

47

0

— Shannon Regional Fisheries Board

53

57

0

— Southern Regional Fisheries Board

40

39

0

— South-Western Regional Fisheries Board

39

40

0

— Western Regional Fisheries Board

61

57

0

Broadcasting Authority of Ireland

38

34

33

Commission for Communication Regulation

120

119

121

Commission for Energy Regulation

68

65

63

Digital Hub Development Authority

15

15

16

Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission

53

57

57

Inland Fisheries Ireland

85

78

418

National Oil Reserves Agency

5

5

5

Ordnance Survey Ireland

0

0

296

Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland

59

63

61

AGRICULTURE

2,115

1,864

1,840

1,888

1,627

1,569

1,497

1,466

Bord Bia

96

103

104

Bord Iascaigh Mhara

143

128

129

Marine Institute

196

190

195

National Milk Agency

6

7

0

Sea Fisheries Protection Authority

101

100

100

Teagasc

1,574

1,336

1,312

TRANSPORT

560

558

564

586

540

521

498

487

Commission for Aviation Regulation

19

16

18

Commission for Taxi Regulation

37

35

35

Medical Bureau of Road Safety

34

33

35

National Roads Authority

144

137

133

National Transport Authority

0

24

32

Railway Safety Commission

8

13

13

Road Safety Authority

319

301

299

HEALTH GROUP

1,090

1,138

1,153

1,170

1,089

1,044

996

976

— Children’s Act Advisory Board (2010 — Retired)

14

14

0

— Crisis Pregnancy Agency (2010 — Retired)

15

14

0

— National Council on Ageing and Older People (Retired 2009)

8

0

0

— Postgraduate Medical and Dental Board (Retired 2009)

16

0

0

— Women’s Health Council (Retired 2009)

5

0

0

An Bord Altranais — The Nursing Board 1985

49

44

42

Blood Transfusion Service

0

0

568

Dental Council 2001

5

4

5

Food Safety Authority of Ireland

90

84

79

Food Safety Promotion Board

26

31

32

Health & Social Care Professionals Council 2007

1

4

5

Health Information and Quality Authority

74

138

149

Health Insurance Authority

9

9

9

Health Research Board

84

77

73

Irish Medicines Board

245

253

252

Medical Council

0

0

51

Tax Collection

Joe Costello

Ceist:

122 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a company (details supplied) is reported to have paid only 2.5% corporation tax here; if he will explain how that is possible; the number of foreign direct investment companies which have avoided paying the full standard 12.5% corporation tax; the loss of tax to the Exchequer as a result; his plans to deal with the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45123/10]

Recent media reports have suggested that some multinational companies pay Irish corporation tax at rates that are significantly lower than 12.5%. The reports concerned appear to have incorrectly attributed to Ireland profits that represent the return due to assets owned in other jurisdictions by associated companies resident in those foreign jurisdictions. Companies resident in Ireland pay 10% or 12.5% corporation tax on their profits arising here (the 10% rate for manufacturing profits expires for eligible companies at the end of this year). By relating this corporation tax to the profits of the Irish-resident companies and the profits of foreign-resident associated companies (which are not profits chargeable to Irish corporation tax), these reports can produce an average tax rate for the companies concerned that is lower than 12.5%.

While multinational groups, with subsidiaries in other countries as well as in Ireland, can achieve lower average rates of tax for the total profits of those Irish and foreign-resident subsidiaries taken together, nevertheless, the rate of tax actually paid on the profits of the Irish-resident subsidiaries will always be 12.5% (or, until the end of this year, 10%).

Banking Sector Regulation

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

123 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Finance the preparations made by him to merge Irish Nationwide Building Society into the recovery arm of Anglo Irish Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45308/10]

As indicated in my Statement on 30 September last, Irish Nationwide Building Society does not have a future as a stand alone entity and will have to be sold or amalgamated. One option being explored is whether there is merit in using the Anglo Irish Asset Recovery institution to work out the assets of the Society. This issue will be finalised in the context of submitting a revised Restructuring Plan for the institution to the European Commission for approval.

National Recovery Plan

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

124 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Finance the consultation he has had with the EU or International Monetary Fund on the Government’s national recovery plan prior to publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45309/10]

The Government's National Recovery Plan 2011-2014 was drafted by my Department, with input from various other Government Departments. The Plan was approved by Government. Following approval by Government, the Plan was shared with representatives from the EU Commission, the ECB and the IMF. I would like to remind the House that the programme of external assistance that we have just agreed with our partners has the policy inputs of the Government's Four-Year Plan embedded within the terms of the Programme.

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

125 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Finance the way growth figures projected in the Government’s national recovery plan were calculated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45310/10]

The forecasts underpinning the National Recovery Plan were compiled in the normal manner that is employed on an annual basis for the Budget and Stability Programme Update. In order to complete the forecasts, the external environment is firstly assessed to compile the export forecasts. The outlook for domestic demand is then assessed taking into account the various budgetary measures. Historical relationships between output, unemployment, prices, etc. are also employed to ensure internal consistency.

Economic and Monetary Union

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

126 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Finance the discussions he has had with his European colleagues regarding the future of the euro; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45313/10]

I attend meetings of the Eurogroup and Ecofin, which comprise the Finance Ministers of the Euro area and the EU respectively, together with the European Commission and the European Central Bank (ECB). It is a priority of the Eurogroup, ECOFIN and the European Council (EC) to ensure the financial stability of the Euro area and the EU as a whole. I can assure the Deputy that the supportive actions taken by the members of the Eurogroup, ECOFIN and the European Council are directed towards achieving this aim.

The Eurogroup and ECOFIN agenda have focused on the impacts of the financial and economic crises for the economies of Euro area members, with the objective of ensuring the long-term stability of the euro. The Eurogroup and Ecofin have at all times acted decisively in response to changing global economic and financial market developments to support members experiencing financial difficulties.

In May of this year EU Finance Ministers unanimously agreed to activate stability support to Greece following a request for support from the Greek Government. The Eurogroup decided that a more comprehensive package of financial support measures was needed and established two assistance programmes, the European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism and the European Financial Stability Facility to financially support Member States in difficulties caused by exceptional circumstances beyond Member States' control.

In parallel with the above measures, and following agreement at European Council level, Eurogroup and ECOFIN have worked closely with the Van Rompuy Taskforce to reinforce economic policy coordination, initially through strengthening the Stability and Growth Pact and on developing a framework for identifying and correcting macroeconomic imbalances. On 28-29 October the European Council agreed on the need to set up a permanent mechanism to safeguard the financial stability of the euro area as a whole. At their meeting on Sunday 28th November Eurogroup Ministers agreed that this European Stability Mechanism (ESM) will be based on the European Financial Stability Facility and be capable of providing financial assistance packages to euro area Member States under strict conditionality and functioning according to the rules of the current EFSF.

The economic and fiscal situations of member states experiencing concerted pressure in the financial markets are discussed on the basis of assessments by the European Commission and contributions from the individual Ministers. This is a constructive discussion setting out the risks and challenges facing each euro area member and the necessary policy responses which are being considered by Ministers to counteract the severe pressures they are experiencing. The European Commission has endorsed Ireland's 4-year National Recovery plan for the period 2011-2014. I believe that the targets set out in the plan are achievable and provide a strong basis for enabling us to meet our commitments with regard to compliance with the terms of the Stability & Growth Pact.

You will be aware that following an application by Ireland for external assistance, a joint programme of financial assistance by Europe and the IMF has been agreed for Ireland and was unanimously approved by Eurogroup and ECOFIN Ministers last weekend. The drawdown of this financial support is conditional upon our continuing to meet the expenditure and revenue targets set out in the plan. At last weekend's meetings Eurogroup and ECOFIN also decided upon a one year extension of our excessive deficit procedure to 2015, an immediate strengthening and comprehensive overhaul of the banking system and growth enhancing reforms, in particular in the labour market, to allow a return to robust and sustainable growth.

In conclusion I believe it is clear that throughout the current crisis, euro area Member States have demonstrated their determination to take decisive and coordinated action to safeguard financial stability in the euro area as a whole, and I am confident that this will continue to be the case.

Official Engagements

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

127 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the British Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. George Osborne, told the British House of Commons on Monday that he had engaged in talks with the Irish Government regarding financial assistance for several weeks; the date on which he first communicated with the British Treasury regarding financial assistance; the talks that have taken place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45315/10]

Since Chancellor Osborne has taken up his duties, I have met him at various EU and other international meetings. Specifically, I met with him at the ECOFIN Council in Brussels on 17th November 2010. On that occasion and in subsequent telephone contact, he expressed his willingness to be supportive of Ireland. In his statement to the House of Commons on 22nd November 2010, he also made it clear that he was involved in discussions about Ireland's economic situation at other international fora such as the G20 in Seoul. Following this we spoke on the telephone again and there has also been telephone contact between officials on this matter.

Other than contacts on the margins of European meetings, there have not been direct, face to face discussions between Ireland and the United Kingdom with regard to the provision of financial assistance. However, it is entirely natural that in committing to significant funding the United Kingdom authorities will want to discuss matters directly with my officials and through the European fora. As you are aware, funding of the Support Programme for Ireland agreed at the weekend includes a bilateral loan from the United Kingdom. This is being provided on the same terms and conditions for the overall programme. The arrangements for this bilateral loan involved discussion between my Department and the UK Treasury.

Public Service Staff

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

128 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Finance the way he plans to reduce public service numbers by 27,000; the costs associated with the reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45317/10]

The National Recovery Plan states that there will be a cumulative reduction in public service numbers by the end of 2014 of 24,750 since the end of 2008, bringing the total number of public servants to 294,700, a level first exceeded during 2006. The Plan further states, on Page 63, that the end-September 2010 public service numbers are 307,500 on a whole-time equivalent basis.

The end-2014 ceiling of 294,700, therefore, requires a further reduction of 12,800 to be delivered, a substantial portion of which will be secured through the implementation of the HSE voluntary early retirement and voluntary redundancy scheme by 30 December 2010. As the processing of applications is still underway, no final figure is yet available in whole-time equivalent terms but it is projected that it will be in excess of 2,250.

Retirements from a working public service cohort of around 300,000 can be expected to be in the region of 6,000 per annum, so a prudent expectation would be that there will be at least 20,000 retirements over the period of the Plan. On this basis, the numbers reductions set out in the Plan should be capable of being delivered, while still leaving sufficient capacity to replace frontline posts in areas such as the Education and Health Sectors.

For the period 2012-2014, the Plan does not require any assumptions regarding additional incentivised payments, and the costs relating to staff exits are costs relating to pension payments and lump sums which would have arisen in any case in the aggregate, although the precise incidence of these costs from year to year cannot be predicted with certainty. Gross pension allocations are projected to increase from €2.77 billion in 2010 to €3.11 billion in 2014. The costs associated with the HSE early retirement and voluntary redundancy scheme are estimated at approximately €250 million in 2010.

Proposed Legislation

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

129 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Finance his plans to develop a White Paper on financial services as outlined in the global Irish forum report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45318/10]

I understand that the Report of the Global Irish Economic Forum was published by the Minister for Foreign Affairs on 13 October 2009 and that an Inter-Departmental Committee of senior officials, chaired by the Secretary General to the Government, are considering how to take forward the recommendations contained in the Report. The Department of Foreign Affairs published a first progress report in October 2010, and is available at: http://www.dfa.ie/uploads/documents/IAU/farmleighoneyearon.pdf.

A number of important steps have been outlined to support the financial services sector including:

new financial regulatory structures and legislation are being put in place by the Government to strengthen Ireland's position as a leading centre for the industry;

specific market opportunities for developing the scope and range of financial services located in Ireland are being developed; and

the appointment of former Taoiseach John Bruton as Chairman of the industry-sponsored IFSC Ireland, with responsibility for promoting Ireland's international financial services industry.

While the Government has no plans to develop a White Paper on Financial Services, the Deputy may wish to note that the National Recovery Plan 2011-2014, published on Wednesday 24 November, identifies financial services as one of a number of key areas of economic activity which will provide growth and employment as Ireland's economy recovers. The National Recovery Plan outlines a number of steps that the Government has taken and will take to support the sector, including:

measures in the Finance Act 2010 to improve the competitiveness of the international funds industry including developing Islamic finance products;

options for the international financial services sector are being identified through a Strategy Review by the IFSC Clearing House Group, which is serviced by the Department of the Taoiseach; and

continued modernisation of the financial regulatory framework within the State.

Question No. 130 answered with Question No. 121.

Insurance Industry

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

131 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for Finance the discussions he has had with the Financial Regulator regarding the opening of the Northern Ireland business market for Quinn Insurance; the reason the Quinn Group itself cannot be covered by Quinn Insurance for its own companies north of the Border as there has been an exemption granted for the credit unions; his views that this ongoing failure to open up the market is creating increased costs and putting jobs at risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45324/10]

The decision regarding the recommencement of commercial insurance in the UK and Northern Ireland by Quinn Insurance Ltd (QIL) is a matter for the Central Bank of Ireland in respect of which it is independent in the performance of its functions.

I have been informed by the Central Bank that it gave serious consideration to this issue including a detailed review of proposals by the administrators of QIL to recommence writing commercial insurance in the UK and Northern Ireland. However, it determined that QIL would require additional capital in order to recommence writing such business which is currently unavailable to the company. The Central Bank has indicated that should the company obtain sufficient capital and return to required solvency levels in the future, this decision will be reviewed. The Deputy should note that this decision does not affect QIL's settlement of claims on extant UK and Northern Ireland commercial business.

Suicide Prevention

James Reilly

Ceist:

132 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the total cost to implement Reach Out, the national strategy for suicide prevention; the timeframe for implementation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44694/10]

James Reilly

Ceist:

133 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the financial allocation to Reach Out on an annual basis since its publication; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44695/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 133 together.

As this is a service matter the questions have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Cancer Screening Programme

James Reilly

Ceist:

134 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children her target waiting time for colonoscopy screening; when this target was introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44696/10]

I am pleased to confirm that the national colorectal cancer screening programme will commence in early 2012. A two-year preparatory period to develop the programme started in January 2010. The HSE's National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS) has responsibility for the implementation of the screening programme. Colorectal screening works on two fronts: it provides early detection and therefore earlier and more effective treatment, and it helps to prevent cancer in the first place by detecting pre-cancerous growths such as polyps.

Colorectal cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among both men and women in Ireland. Approximately 2,200 new cases are diagnosed and around 1,000 people die from the disease each year. A successful national colorectal cancer screening programme has the potential to significantly reduce mortality from this cancer. The screening programme will initially be offered to men and women aged between 60 and 69 years. There are estimated to be just over 400,000 people in this age group. The programme will be extended to all those in the 55-74 year age group as logistics and resources allow.

A key factor in the success of the programme will be the ability of the NCSS to provide adequate colonoscopy screening capacity so that this service is provided in a timely manner to people who have a positive FIT test. The programme will generate a need for roughly 6,000 additional colonoscopies per year and it cannot adversely affect waiting times for urgent colonoscopies in the symptomatic system.

The NCSS has established a Quality Assurance Committee to develop Quality Assurance Guidelines for the colorectal screening programme which should be finalised by the middle of next year. The authors of existing European Union guidelines on colorectal screening have agreed to carry out a peer review of the QA guidelines when they are finalised during 2011. These Guidelines will include strict criteria for waiting times and return of test results.

To assist in achieving adequate colonoscopy capacity it has been agreed that Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANPs) will ultimately be able to perform colonoscopies as part of the national screening programme. The NCSS is currently setting out the job description, training and educational requirements for candidate ANPs who will deliver the service. I am pleased that work on this important initiative is continuing.

In relation to urgent colonoscopies I instructed the HSE in its 2010 Service Plan to monitor that urgent colonoscopies were provided within four weeks. In the case of non-urgent colonoscopies, the HSE has instructed hospitals to refer patients waiting for longer than three months to the National Treatment Purchase Fund. 98.6% of patients referred for urgent colonoscopy were within 28 days of referral on the reporting date (September 2010). One hospital did not report.

Hospital Waiting Lists

James Reilly

Ceist:

135 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the total number of patients waiting up to one month for a colonoscopy; the number waiting between one month and three months for a colonoscopy; the number of patients waiting between three months and six months; the number waiting between six months and 12 months; the number of patients waiting more than 12 months; if she will provide this information as at the end of October 2010 or for which there is most recent information in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44697/10]

The matter raised by the Deputy relates to the provision of healthcare services and accordingly, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on the matter.

Hospital Services

James Reilly

Ceist:

136 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of hospital beds closed nationally as at end October 2010 due to cost containment measures, refurbishment, infection control and any other matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44698/10]

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

Health Services

James Reilly

Ceist:

137 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of primary care teams in place as at the end October 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44699/10]

At the heart of the Primary Care Strategy is the aim of developing services in the community to give people direct access to integrated multi-disciplinary teams of general practitioners, nurses, home helps, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and other health care professionals. The Strategy is also about the reorientation of existing resources to develop new ways for health and social care professionals to work together for the benefit of people accessing primary care services in their own communities.

The HSE has identified 527 Primary Care Teams (PCTs) for development by 2011. At the end of October 2010, 313 teams were operating (holding clinical team meetings on individual client cases and involving GPs and HSE staff) and providing services for over 2.5 million people. The HSE has indicated that it expects a further 81 teams to be operating by the end of 2010 and plans to have the remaining 133 operating by the end of 2011.

Hospitals Building Programme

James Reilly

Ceist:

138 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if building work has commenced on any of the co-location sites; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44700/10]

James Reilly

Ceist:

139 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the names of the proposed sites for co-location hospitals; the progress to date in each location; if the tendering process has been completed; the names of those awarded each tender; the cost of the facility in each case; the number of beds in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44701/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 139 together.

Preferred bidders have been selected for six co-located hospital projects at Beaumont, Cork University, Limerick Regional, St. James's, Sligo and Waterford Regional Hospitals. Project agreements have been signed and planning permission has been granted for the first four of these projects. The Connolly and Tallaght Hospital projects are at earlier stages of the procurement process.

The co-location programme is a complex public procurement process. A core principle underlying the co-location initiative is that the private sector should bear all normal business risks. 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. My Department has asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on the detailed operational information that he has sought.

Hospital Services

James Reilly

Ceist:

140 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of cancelled operations on a national basis within the first six months of 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44702/10]

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

Hospital Waiting Lists

James Reilly

Ceist:

141 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the total number of patients on outpatient waiting lists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44703/10]

The management of out-patient waiting lists is a matter for the HSE and the individual hospitals concerned. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the Executive for direct reply.

Hospital Services

James Reilly

Ceist:

142 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the total number of bed days lost per hospital in the first six months of 2010 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44704/10]

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

Mental Health Services

James Reilly

Ceist:

143 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the total cost to implement A Vision for Change; the total amount of money spent implementing A Vision for Change to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44705/10]

James Reilly

Ceist:

147 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the actual funding made available to mental health on a per annum basis since 1997; the percentage of this that was of overall health funding in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44709/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 147 together.

The estimated additional cost of the implementation of ‘A Vision for Change’ the Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy is €150m over 7-10 years. Development funding totalling €54 million has been allocated to the HSE since the launch of the Report in 2006. The following table provides details of non-capital expenditure on mental health as a percentage of total health expenditure 1997-2010.

Year

Total non-capital Health expenditure

Mental Health non-capital expenditure

Mental Health Expenditure as % of total health expenditure

€m

€m

1997

3.648

0.327

9.0

1998

4.040

0.347

8.6

1999

4.807

0.395

8.2

2000

5.610

0.434

7.7

2001

7.006

0.497

7.1

2002

8.167

0.564

6.9

2003

9.087

0.619

6.8

2004

9.767

0.717

7.3

2005

11.029

0.775

7.0

2006

11.888

0.984

8.3

2007

13.432

1.042

7.8

2008

14.928

1.043

7.0

2009

14.698

1.007

6.9

2010*

14.583

0.977

6.7

*Provisional.

Source: Rev. Estimates for Public Services.

Approximately 90% of public mental health services are provided at primary care level. Expenditure on these services is not captured in the above table. The question in relation to expenditure on the implementation of ‘A Vision for Change’ has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Hospital Accommodation

James Reilly

Ceist:

144 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the total number of hospital beds per hospital including inpatient beds, day beds, psychiatric beds, maternity beds as at the end of June 2010 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44706/10]

As this is an operational matter, my Department has asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the detailed information that he has sought.

James Reilly

Ceist:

145 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the total number of hospital beds public, private and non-designated as at the end of June 2010 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44707/10]

Acute bed numbers in public hospitals are counted as an average of beds available over each year, given that the number of beds available in each hospital can vary over any year for operational reasons. 2008 is the latest year in respect of which validated national data on average available acute hospital beds has been compiled by the HSE. The national total for 2008 broken down into public, private and non designated categories is set out as follows:

Year

Public

Private

Non Designated

Total

2008

9,991

2,472

1,120

13,583

The data comprehends in-patient beds and day places. My Department has requested the HSE to provide the national average number of acute hospital beds broken down by public, private and non designated in respect of 2009 to the Deputy as soon as this becomes available.

Mental Health Services

James Reilly

Ceist:

146 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the total number of inpatient psychiatric beds on a per facility basis; the total number of inpatient psychiatric beds recommended in A Vision for Change in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44708/10]

Dan Neville

Ceist:

173 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of child and adolescent inpatient beds recommended by A Vision for Change; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45017/10]

Dan Neville

Ceist:

176 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of psychiatric adult inpatient beds recommended in A Vision for Change; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45020/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 146, 173 and 176 together.

The recommendations in ‘A Vision for Change’ in relation to Adult In-Patient and Residential Services for Children and Adults are set out in the following table:

Service Accommodation

Number of Beds

Acute In-Patient Child and Adolescent

80

Child and Adolescent High Secure

10

Total

90

Service Accommodation

Number of Beds/Places

Acute In-Patient Adult

650

Intellectual Disability High Secure

10

Neuropsychiatry

8

Continuing Care Beds for Older People (Challenging Behaviour )

360

Intensive Care Rehabilitation Units

120

Crisis Houses (14 × 10 Beds)

140

Staffed Community Residences (65 × 10 places)

650

Total

1,938

Since ‘A Vision for Change’ was published the number of beds required for the new Central Mental Hospital has been identified as 120. The question in relation to the total number of in-patient psychiatric beds on a per facility basis has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Question No. 147 answered with Question No. 143.

Health Services

Michael Ring

Ceist:

148 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a response has not issued following this Deputy’s representations on two different dates to the Health Service Executive west (details supplied). [44711/10]

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

Michael Ring

Ceist:

149 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a response has not issued following this Deputy’s representations on three different dates to the Health Service Executive west regarding home help provision in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [44713/10]

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

Medical Cards

Jack Wall

Ceist:

150 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children if the reduction in procedures in dental treatment for medical card holders covers those suffering from long-term illness or are they excluded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44721/10]

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

Health Service Staff

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

151 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of staff (details supplied) on sick leave on a county basis on 1 November 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44726/10]

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

Services for People with Disabilities

James Reilly

Ceist:

152 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the estimated cost of regulating and inspecting residential centres for persons with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44730/10]

As the Deputy will be aware, National Quality Standards: Residential Settings for People with Disabilities were published by HIQA in May 2009 and are under consideration by the Minister for Health and Children. These standards will provide a national framework for quality, safe services for adults with disabilities in residential settings. Given current fiscal constraints, a move to full statutory implementation of the standards for residential care settings for people with disabilities, including regulation and inspection, presents significant challenges. In 2009, the cost of such a move was estimated to be in the region of €7 million to €9 million. In this context, the Department, the HSE and HIQA agreed that progressive implementation of the standards should commence on an administrative basis and become the benchmark against which the HSE assesses both its own directly operated facilities and other facilities that it funds.

Residential care services for older people have been subject to mandatory registration and inspection by HIQA since 1 July 2009. Earlier this year the Department of Health and Children engaged in useful preliminary discussions with HIQA in relation to the possible extension of this model of registration and inspection to designated centres for people with disabilities and the resource implications of same. Given the complex nature of residential service provision for people with disabilities — ranging from congregated settings to dispersed housing in the community — further consideration is being given by my Department to the most appropriate models of registration and inspection for these centres and this work is ongoing.

Currently every provider of disability services is required, as part of its service arrangement with the HSE, to have systems in place to assess quality and standards and to specify the actions it is taking to maintain and monitor quality and service. Examples of such monitoring actions could include audit tools appropriate to the service, service user evaluations and satisfaction surveys, and carer and service evaluations.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

153 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if a person appointed by the Circuit Court as the care representative has the legal authority to sell the home of their parent while their parent is still alive; after the death of that parent is it the care representative or the executor of the will who will sell the home to repay the required fair deal loan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44743/10]

Under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, the care representative may act on behalf of a person of diminished mental capacity (a "relevant person") in relation to the application process for the scheme. The care representative is also specifically empowered to act on behalf of the relevant person in relation to making an application for the Nursing Home Loan and consenting to the creation of the charging order which secures the loan. The Court Order appointing the care representative does not legally authorise him or her to sell the property of the relevant person.

With regard to repayment of the Nursing Home Loan after the death of a relevant person, it is the personal representative (i.e. the Executor of the Will or the administrator) who is primarily responsible for ensuring repayment of the debt. However, a person who inherits the property or any part of it can also be held accountable.

Medical Cards

James Reilly

Ceist:

154 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) in County Dublin will be awarded a medical card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44749/10]

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

International Children’s Day

Joe Costello

Ceist:

155 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that 25 May 2011 is International Children’s Day; her plans to promote the EU missing children’s hotline number 116000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44758/10]

International Children's Days are celebrated at various times by various bodies. The UN for example, generally designates the 20th of November as that day so it coincides with the annual anniversary of the UNCRC. I am not aware of any initiative at UN level to name the 25th of May next year as International Children's Day.

The issue of children who go missing is primarily a matter for the Garda Síochána. A hotline for missing children is in operation in some EU Member States. My Office is currently involved in discussions with other relevant Government Departments in relation to the establishment of this service. I will keep the Deputy informed of developments in this regard.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Joe Costello

Ceist:

156 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) who needs an urgent operation must wait until March 2011 at the earliest. [44760/10]

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

James Reilly

Ceist:

157 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Dublin will be given a date sooner than advised for an appointment for a final operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44767/10]

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

Medical Cards

Jack Wall

Ceist:

158 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding renewal of a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44777/10]

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

Child Care Services

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

159 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to close a preschool (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44795/10]

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 Services

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

160 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding an application under the treatment abroad scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [44799/10]

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

Medical Cards

Sean Sherlock

Ceist:

161 Deputy Seán Sherlock 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 Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44804/10]

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

Health Services

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

162 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will support a matter (details supplied). [44806/10]

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

Services for People with Disabilities

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

163 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will support a matter (details supplied). [44905/10]

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.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme

Thomas Byrne

Ceist:

164 Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding an appeal (details supplied) of a decision in respect of the fair deal. [44916/10]

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

Energy Resources

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

165 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the estimated energy use of her Department in the years 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; the total cost of that energy use in each of those years. [44941/10]

The information requested by the Deputy regarding the cost of energy to the Department of Health and Children is set out in a tabular statement.

Year

Electricity

Gas

Oil

2008

204,830.00

89,408.00

3,278.00 (GRO transferred to Department of Social Protection)

2009

166,650.00

57,651.00

Nil

2010 to date

127,295.00

65,500.00

Nil

My Department has requested the details of the estimated energy use from Bector Workplace and Facility Management and will forward this information to the Deputy directly upon receipt.

Child Care Services

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

166 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide a breakdown of spending on the national child care investment programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44951/10]

I have responsibility for the implementation of the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010 (NCIP), which is provided for in Vote 41. The NCIP had an initial total allocation of €575m for the period 2006-2010 of which €358m was in respect of capital funding and €218m was in respect of current funding. The NCIP current funding in this period now stands at approximately €240m.

NCIP capital expenditure amounted to €3m in 2006, €15m in 2007, €80m in 2008, €52m in 2009 and it is estimated that €25m will be spent in 2010. A further €11m is expected to be spent in 2011 to complete the drawdown of NCIP capital commitments, bringing the total capital expenditure under the programme to €186m. This is expected to result in the creation of up to 25,000 new childcare places.

NCIP current expenditure amounted to approximately €2m in 2006 and €9m in 2007. With the cessation of the European Opportunities Childcare Programme (EOCP) at the end of 2007, the NCIP current allocation increased to €73.5m in 2008 of which €51m was spent on the Community Childcare Subvention Scheme (CCSS) which was introduced in January of that year. In 2009, the NCIP current allocation amounted to €79.5m of which over €58m was spent on the CCSS. In 2010, the NCIP current allocation was just over €75m of which €52m is being spent on the CCSS and its successor scheme, the broadly similar Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) scheme.

Approximately €7m of NCIP current funding will be spent in 2010 on the new Childcare Training and Employment Support (CETS) scheme which was introduced in September. The CETS scheme provides free childcare places to qualifying trainees attending certain FÁS and Vocational Education Committee (VEC) courses, and replaces the previous childcare support schemes operated by FÁS and the VECs which provided for a contributory payment towards childcare costs of €63.50 per week. Funding amounting to €3.5m, which was held by FÁS and the VECs to provide for the previous support schemes in September to December 2010, has transferred to my Office and is included in the €7m expenditure referred to.

In addition, NCIP current funding continues to support the work of the 33 City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs) and 8 Voluntary Childcare Organisations (VCOs). In 2010, €12.9m was allocated to the CCCs and €3m was allocated to the VCOs.

Health Service Staff

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

167 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay in calculating the superannuation entitlements of nurses who retired after 1 April 2004 in accordance with circular 08/2008; if she will ensure that staff are assigned to calculate the amounts concerned and that money owed to these retired nurses is granted to them without further delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44953/10]

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

Hospital Services

James Reilly

Ceist:

168 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the average daily cost of public hospital care during 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44954/10]

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

Health Service Staff

James Reilly

Ceist:

169 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount spent on non-core pay such as premium, overtime and on-call pay during 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44955/10]

James Reilly

Ceist:

170 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the estimated amount spent on non-core pay such as premium, overtime and on-call pay during 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44956/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 169 and 170 together.

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

National Lottery Funding

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

171 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress that has been made in providing funding for an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44957/10]

This year I approved a grant of almost €172,000 from my Department's 2010 allocation of National Lottery funds to the organisation referred to by the Deputy.

It is very important to ensure that appropriate counselling is available to all those that the organisation supports. Both I and the HSE are anxious that all former patients of the consultant are made aware of the free counselling support that is available. The HSE has made arrangements for counselling support, using the National Counselling Service, which provides individual, couple, family, group and psychosexual counselling. Persons affected by these issues, but who do not wish to avail of counselling can also speak with a psychologist or counsellor in confidence. The need for additional support will be continuously monitored by the HSE.

The HSE has assigned co-ordinating responsibility for these matters to the Area Manager for Consumer Affairs in the North East who will continue to liaise as required with former patients and support groups.

Health Services

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

172 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will support a matter (details supplied). [45011/10]

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have referred this question to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Question No. 173 answered with Question No. 146.

Mental Health Services

Dan Neville

Ceist:

174 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide a list of child adolescent psychiatric inpatient units that are currently open and operational as at the end of October 2010 in tabular form; the location of same; the number of beds in each unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45018/10]

Dan Neville

Ceist:

175 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide a list of child adolescent psychiatric inpatient units that are currently open and operational in tabular form; the location of same; the number of beds in each unit; the new units that will be opened in 2011; the location of same; the number of beds in each unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45019/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 175 together.

As this is a service matter the questions have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Question No. 176 answered with Question No. 146.

Dan Neville

Ceist:

177 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of psychiatric adult inpatient beds operational in the State as at June 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45021/10]

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

Health Service Staff

Dan Neville

Ceist:

178 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children if a national director for infection prevention was appointed by her and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45022/10]

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

Child Care Services

Michael Creed

Ceist:

179 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans regarding the reducing of the level of child care subvention available to parents on social welfare after a set defined period has expired; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45071/10]

I have responsibility for implementing the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010 (NCIP) under which the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) scheme is funded. Under the CCS, funding is provided to participating community childcare services to enable them to charge reduced childcare fees to disadvantaged parents and low income parents. Parents in receipt of a social welfare payment will qualify for subvention funding for all of the period that he or she is in receipt of that payment and there are no plans at present to limit this payment by reference to a defined period of time.

Where a parent in receipt of a social welfare payment obtains employment, the level of subvention funding is maintained until the end of the reference period, normally an annual period from September to August. In addition, such a parent would be expected to qualify for a reduced rate of subvention funding in the following year.

Nursing Home Subventions

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

180 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 150 of 23 November 2010, the position regarding the remaining 20% of a person’s assets (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45078/10]

For clients resident at HSE Care Centres for whom the HSE acts as agent in the collection of Department of Social Protection allowances, any funds remaining after the deduction of a statutory charge are retained in the client's Patients' Private Property account (PPP). Clients have access to these funds at all times through their local Care Centre. The HSE takes instruction from the client as to how such funds are to be used, as per the requirements of the Health (Repayment Scheme) Act 2006 and the HSE Patients' Private Property Guidelines.

In situations where the client does not have the capacity to manage their own finances, the HSE administers their funds for the client's benefit, again as per legislation & Guidelines. The HSE have expressed their willingness to provide full briefing on PPP related issues to the Deputy, or to meet with him to answer his queries, if he so wishes.

Health Service Staff

James Bannon

Ceist:

181 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) in County Longford will be facilitated with the retirement package offered by the Health Service Executive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45083/10]

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

Michael Creed

Ceist:

182 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health and Children if she has quantified the number of auxiliary dental workers operating here as referred to in the Dentists Act 1985; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45099/10]

Michael Creed

Ceist:

183 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health and Children the efforts made by the Dental Council since 1985 to provide courses for auxiliary dental workers in order to facilitate their recognition within the profession; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45100/10]

Michael Creed

Ceist:

184 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health and Children if she considers recent efforts by a college (details supplied) at the behest of the Dental Council to provide for a part-time course for auxiliary dental workers as fair and adequate given the fact that most of these auxiliary dental workers are self-employed and cannot attend a course for three days a week over 18 months; the discussions she has had with the Dental Council on this matter; if she will insist on regional courses provided at weekends or by night to facilitate maximum participation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45101/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 182 to 184, inclusive, together.

At present there are 401 dental hygienists, 596 dental nurses and 16 Clinical Dental Technicians registered with the Dental Council. The Dental Council's role with regard to education and training of auxiliary dental workers is in determining the standards necessary for registration rather than providing courses. The Dental Council has approved courses for Dental Hygienists, Dental Nurses and Clinical Dental Technicians. I welcome the proposed introduction of the Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Dental Technology by the Dublin Dental School and Hospital (DDSH). While my Department has had discussions with the Dental Council regarding this course, the timing and location of the course is a matter for the DDSH.

Medical Cards

Darragh O'Brien

Ceist:

185 Deputy Darragh O’Brien 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 Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45164/10]

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

Health Service Staff

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

186 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health and Children in the context of special type consultation fees if she will supply information (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45167/10]

As the information sought by the Deputy is not provided by the Health Service Executive to my Department as a matter of routine, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to address this matter and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Services for People with Disabilities

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

187 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will consider the points raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45168/10]

I would like to assure the Deputy that the contribution made by voluntary service providers to the provision of services to people with disabilities throughout the country is recognised and valued. I am also very much aware of the challenges service providers are experiencing in meeting the needs of service users and the particular difficulties facing all health services. In light of the unprecedented fiscal and expenditure challenges facing the country however, all health service providers will be challenged to deliver greater efficiency for resources allocated to them, in a way that has minimum impact on the provision of frontline services to persons with a disability. As the Deputy will appreciate, detailed deliberation on all aspects of expenditure in the health service is underway in preparation for Budget 2011. In the current financial circumstances, no guarantee can be given towards the maintenance of current levels of expenditure going forward and it would not be appropriate to comment on particular elements of the Budget at this time.

Health Services

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

188 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will request the Health Service Executive to continue to fund treatment for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45169/10]

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

Medical Aids and Appliances

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

189 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) will be provided with orthopaedic shoes. [45214/10]

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 Services

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

190 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay in the issuing of post mortem results and a death certificate in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12; when the results will be issued to the family of the deceased; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45215/10]

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

James Reilly

Ceist:

191 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on whether smoking cessation services are front-line health services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45223/10]

Smoking Cessation Services within the Health Service Executive offer a wide variety of services in different areas. Specialist Smoking Cessation Counsellors are trained to deliver these services on full time, part time and sessional basis nationally. Health Promotion Departments within the HSE also offer an extensive programme of training that includes developing skills for health care practitioners to support people wishing to stop smoking. Smoking Cessation Services, therefore, can and do provide direct patient delivered services and, as such, are an important cost-effective health service. The Department is currently reviewing tobacco policy in order to develop proposals on what further measures might be taken to reduce initiation and prevalence of smoking in Ireland.

Hospital Services

David Stanton

Ceist:

192 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 85 of 5 October 2010, the number of persons awaiting a PET scan in each county of the Health Service Executive south area; if she will provide a breakdown of the waiting times for PET scans by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45322/10]

David Stanton

Ceist:

193 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 85 of 5 October 2010, the number of staff required to ensure the successful operation of the PET scanner in Cork University Hospital; the date on which CUH applied to the Health Service Executive for the radiologist post for the PET scanner; when the post will be approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45323/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 192 and 193 together.

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

Lourdes Hospital Redress Schemes

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

194 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will establish a supplementary redress scheme for those women who, by virtue of their date of birth, were excluded from access to the Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital redress scheme, and whose cases are well established, medically verifiable and acknowledged by Patient Focus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45325/10]

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

195 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason that some 35 women were not included under the terms of the Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital redress scheme; her plans to acknowledge their pain and suffering and the steps she will take to provide appropriate and deserved compensation to each of the women concerned or their survivors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45326/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 194 and 195 together.

The Lourdes Hospital Redress Scheme was established following an Inquiry into peripartum hysterectomy at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. The Inquiry was chaired by Judge Maureen Harding Clark S.C. Judge Clark was requested by the Government to advise on an appropriate scheme of redress arising from the findings of the Report. Having received Judge Clark's advice, the Government approved the establishment of a non-statutory ex gratia scheme of redress in 2007, and appointed Judge Clark as its chairperson.

The Lourdes Hospital Inquiry did not extend to a wider examination of Mr. Neary's general practice or the clinical practice of his colleagues. However, Judge Clark became aware during the course of the inquiry that some patients of Mr. Neary had undergone bilateral oophorectomies — that is, the removal of both ovaries or a single remaining ovary — that may not have been clinically warranted. The inquiry also received medical reports from women who had undergone bilateral oophorectomy with relatively little evidence that the procedures were warranted.

Judge Clark took advice on a selection of oophorectomy cases involving younger women treated by Mr. Neary. She was advised that while it is sometimes necessary to remove both ovaries in the presence of serious disease, the occasion of such a radical procedure is not common. This led her to conclude that unwarranted oophorectomies performed by Mr. Neary on women aged under 40 be included within the scope of the Redress Scheme. The Scheme was advertised on 14th June 2007. The Lourdes Hospital Redress Board has now concluded its work and all awards determined have been notified to successful applicants.

I was asked to consider an extension of the scope of the Scheme to include additional former patients of Mr. Neary outside of the terms of the Scheme. I gave due consideration to the request and consulted with Judge Clark in the matter, who advised against an extension. Acting on this advice, I decided against an extension of the Scheme and this was publicly communicated in November 2008. The Government believes that the Lourdes Hospital Redress Scheme addressed the matter in as sensitive and timely a manner as possible. It was always the Government's intention that the women who qualified for the Scheme would receive adequate recompense and I believe that has been achieved in a fair and reasonable manner.

Services for People with Disabilities

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

196 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will be seen by a speech and language therapist at Maynooth health centre. [45327/10]

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have referred this question to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Traffic Management

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

197 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Transport the steps he is taking to regulate the use by commuter coaches of parking stands in residential and historic areas in Dublin city; his views on whether alternative measures are required to facilitate coach parking particularly from commuter coaches; his further views on whether such coaches should pay for the privilege of parking in the city centre or alternatively if they should be obliged to fund parking slots outside of the town centres in between collection and drop off; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44731/10]

Under the Road Traffic Act, 1994 responsibility for parking matters is vested in local authorities in respect of public roads in their charge. Section 36 provides road authorities with extensive bye-law making powers, with discretion afforded to authorities regarding the location and specification of parking places, as well as level of fees and specification of maximum parking periods within their functional area. Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations made under Section 35 of the 1994 Act also contain enabling discretionary powers for local authorities to restrict parking of specified vehicles in specified areas or places within a nationally applying framework. The matters referred to by the Deputy are therefore matters for the local authorities, who have sufficient powers under current legislation and regulations to address them.

Energy Resources

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

198 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the estimated energy use of his Department in the years 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; the total cost of that energy use in each of those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44946/10]

The Department of Transport costs of energy used for 2008, 2009 and 2010 to date are set out in the following table.

2008

2009

2010 to date

€519,000

€536,000

€484,000

Energy use by the Department is monitored using the services of consultants engaged by the Office of Public Works and every effort is made to achieve economies. The National Recovery Plan (2011/2014) also contains among its objectives procurement of common goods and services, including energy (gas and electricity) by the National Procurement Service (NPS). It is envisaged that future savings in energy costs will be made with the support of the buying power of the NPS.

Road Network

Joe Carey

Ceist:

199 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport the amount of money that was granted to each local authority in County Clare in response to the exceptional road related costs associated with repairing the damage sustained in late 2009, early 2010; the amount of this money that remains to be drawn down by each local authority in County Clare as at the end of November 2010 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44950/10]

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities own resources and are supplemented by State road grants paid by my Department. Local authorities provided details of exceptional road related costs, which fell outside the normal financial provision for winter maintenance as a direct result of the damage sustained in late 2009/early 2010. I took account of this information received when deciding on the allocations to local authorities of €411million for 2010.

I decided to defer the planned rehabilitation works on regional and local roads in 2010, in order to provide greater flexibility to local authorities to address the damage sustained and I requested that they carefully target resources to address, on a priority basis, the most urgently required repairs. It is not, therefore, possible to isolate specific amounts of money from the funds allocated to each local authority in County Clare in the manner sought by the Deputy, but I understand that all of the funding allocated to these local authorities for regional and local roads in 2010 will be drawn down by year-end.

The table shows for information the amount allocated to each local authority in County Clare, the amount paid to date and the balance remaining to be paid at end November 2010.

Local Authority

Allocation

Payment to end November 2010

Allocation Remaining

Clare County Council

15,586,498

11,008,203

4,578,295

Ennis Town Council

410,000

127,716

282,284

Kilrush Town Council

139,000

111,250

27,750

Departmental Agencies

Michael Creed

Ceist:

200 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Transport in view of the commitment in the recently published four year plan to develop Ireland as an international construction services centre, if he will introduce legislation immediately to facilitate the National Roads Authority to compete and tender for international road building projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45224/10]

There is no proposal at present to amend the legislation governing the NRA to enable the Authority to tender for the construction of international road building projects. The primary role of the National Roads Authority (NRA) is to oversee the planning, construction and maintenance of the national road infrastructure in conjunction with the local authorities. Any constructive proposal that may emerge in relation to amending the functions of the NRA can be considered in the context of the planned legislation to provide for the amalgamation of the NRA and the Railway Procurement Agency.

Asylum Applications

Seán Barrett

Ceist:

201 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the reason for the delays of upwards of four years in the processing of applications for asylum in the cases of a small number of members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community from Pakistan and other countries like Indonesia and Bangladesh; if his attention has been drawn to the persecution of Ahmadi Muslims in these countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44771/10]

I am informed by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner that the average processing time for the type of applications referred to in the question, is 9 -10 weeks from the date of application. The Refugee Appeals Tribunal has informed my Department that such applications are processed in the normal way and that the Tribunal is not aware of any delays arising in relation to the processing of such cases. The Deputy might wish to note that Officials from my Department and from the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner have previously met with community representatives of the group referred to who are already residing in Ireland.

Garda Vetting of Personnel

Deirdre Clune

Ceist:

202 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when an application for Garda vetting will be processed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44797/10]

I am informed by the Garda authorities that a vetting application was received by the Garda Central Vetting Unit in respect of the person to whom the Deputy refers. A response to the application was returned to the registered organisation involved on 8 October 2010.

Citizenship Applications

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

203 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when a decision will issue on an application for naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied). [44928/10]

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 June 2009. The application is currently being processed in the normal way with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision in due course.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Energy Resources

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

204 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the estimated energy use of his Department in the years 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; the total cost of that energy use in each of those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44942/10]

I wish to inform the Deputy that detailed information on energy use by my Department is not maintained in a manner that can be extracted without a disproportionate and unwarranted use of resources. It also is not possible to accurately quantify energy costs for all buildings occupied by my Department and its agencies as energy costs cannot always be differentiated from other maintenance costs for these buildings.

I can inform the Deputy that my Department adopts a range of practical common sense measures to reduce energy use and encourages staff to avail of all opportunities to reduce wastage within its offices. Staff are encouraged to switch off all electrical office equipment at close of business. Thermostatic valves have also been installed on radiators where possible and the Department follows engineering advice in respect of heating and electrical installation generally, as well as technical advice from the Office of Public Works in this field.

I can also inform the Deputy that my Department is participating in the Office of Public Works (OPW) programme entitled ‘Optimising Power @ Work, Staff Energy Awareness Campaign', where this project aims to conserve energy, particularly in the larger State Buildings. Phase 2 of this programme has recently been launched and has as its objective a 20% average saving in Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions in all of the targeted State Buildings. Additionally my Department has over the past year and more availed of the support of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland to encourage energy saving measures throughout the wider Justice system.

Visa Applications

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

205 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will respond to correspondence (details supplied) regarding student visas. [44958/10]

I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department will respond directly to the correspondent regarding the matters raised. A copy of the response will be provided to the Deputy.

Proposed Legislation

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

206 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding the Legal Costs Bill; when he expects to be in a position to publish the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45091/10]

My proposals for a Legal Costs Bill are being developed with a view to publication of a Bill as soon as possible in 2011.

Asylum Applications

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

207 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the measures he is taking to shorten the period of time it takes for decisions to be made in the asylum seeking process; his plans to speed up the process in particular for persons who have spent years in direct provision hostels and whose health and well-being is negatively affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45094/10]

The Deputy will be aware, applications for refugee status in the State are determined by an independent process comprising the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC) and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal (RAT) which make recommendations to the Minister for Justice and Law Reform on whether such status should be granted.

At 31 October 2010, there were 530 persons awaiting a first instance asylum decision in the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC), while 1,055 persons were awaiting an asylum appeal decision in the Refugee Appeals Tribunal (RAT). For the avoidance of any misunderstanding, I should say that the majority of these cases are relatively recent applications i.e. in the system less than 12 months. Every effort is made to ensure applications in the asylum process are processed as promptly and as efficiently as possible within the resources available. Delays in the processing of applications can arise for many reasons such as postponements, adjournments, availability of interpreters, judicial reviews, medical reasons etc. I might add that the ORAC and the RAT keep their processing arrangements under ongoing review.

Children Act 2001

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

208 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if all sections of the Children Act 2001 have now been commenced. [45118/10]

I can inform the Deputy that all provisions of the Children Act 2001, including amendments made on foot of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, the Criminal Justice Act 2007 and the Child Care (Amendment Act) 2007, were fully commenced on or before the 10th September, 2007.

Road Traffic Offences

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

209 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform his plans to expand the recently announced mobile road safety camera project to include issues such as use of mobile telephones and non-wearing of seat belts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45128/10]

The objective of the outsourced Garda mobile safety cameras is to reduce the number of speed related collisions and so save lives, as excessive or inappropriate speeding is a major factor in road traffic collisions. A contract for this purpose was accordingly concluded with the service provider. There are currently no plans to extend the use of the cameras to detect non-wearing of seat belts or the use of mobile phones while driving.

All members of An Garda Síochána are tasked with the enforcement of road traffic legislation as part of road traffic law enforcement activity or general policing. Members of An Garda Síochána carry out planned and unplanned checkpoints to detect breaches across the whole range of road traffic and transport legislation, including the non-wearing of seatbelts and the use of mobile phones while driving.

Human Rights Issues

Seán Barrett

Ceist:

210 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will establish the veracity of some press reports that a Christian woman has been sentenced to death by hanging in Pakistan; if he can ascertain the reason for this appalling action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44689/10]

I am gravely concerned about the case of Mrs. Aasia Bibi. On 9 November, Mrs. Bibi was sentenced to death by hanging in a Punjab court for blasphemy. I understand that this is the first time a woman has been sentenced to death in Pakistan under its blasphemy law. When reports of the case came to the attention of my Department, a senior official contacted the Embassy of Pakistan to express our grave concern at the conviction and sentence. He also expressed our disquiet at the nature of Pakistan's blasphemy law.

The Embassy of Pakistan was aware of Mrs. Bibi's case but pointed out that no one had been executed under the blasphemy legislation to date and that such sentences are overturned in the higher courts. As the Deputy may be aware, the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Catherine Ashton, issued a statement on Mrs. Bibi's case, which I fully endorse. In that statement, she expressed the hope that Mrs. Bibi's sentence would be struck down as soon as possible. She also re-affirmed the European Union's position on the death penalty as a cruel and inhuman punishment.

I would add that Ireland has been at the forefront of efforts to promote the total and universal abolition of the death penalty. In addition, we are particularly concerned about the use of capital punishment in cases which do not involve the most serious of crimes such as in Mrs Bibi's case. It has been almost ten years since the Irish people voted in a referendum to abolish fully and formally the use of the death penalty. In so doing, Ireland stands out as one of the few countries in the world where the electorate has voted to insert an article into our Constitution explicitly forbidding use of the death penalty.

Respect for human rights is a cornerstone of foreign policy for both Ireland and the European Union as whole. Human rights and minority issues are regularly discussed with Pakistan, including this year at our bilateral political consultations in February and at the EU-Pakistan Summit in June. For its part, the Pakistani Government has given clear commitments to protect religious minorities and to promote religious tolerance. The establishment of a Ministry for Human Rights, a Ministry for Minorities and the proposed establishment of an independent national Human Rights Commission are welcome initiatives in this regard.

I would take this opportunity to urge the Pakistani Government to resolve Mrs. Bibi's case as soon as possible and to initiate a thorough review of its blasphemy law, in particular, the use of the death penalty. I will continue to follow Mrs. Bibi's case closely and officials will remain in contact with the Embassy of Pakistan in relation to this matter.

Energy Resources

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

211 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the estimated energy use of his Department in the years 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; the total cost of that energy use in each of those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44940/10]

The cost of energy usage by my Department in the State in the years 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010 was as follows:

Year

2008

594,850

2009

676,023

2010

600,656

In addition to building-related energy usage, these costs also include Topaz charge card payments in respect of the purchase of fuel for official delivery vehicles, in accordance with a multi-departmental arrangement put in place by the Office of Public Works. My Department is currently participating in the National Procurement Service tender for the procurement of energy supplies on a centralised basis to Government Departments, which will come into force on 1 January 2011.

Consular Services

Seán Barrett

Ceist:

212 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the next of kin of a person (details supplied) will be provided with post mortem results and with a copy of the police report referring to the incident; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44947/10]

On the 6th of June my Department became aware of the death of the person mentioned by him in Morocco and consular assistance was provided to his family through our Embassy in Lisbon, our Honorary Consul in Casablanca and the Consular Assistance Section. At the time of his death our Embassy and the Honorary Consul made every effort to facilitate the work of the respective undertakers, whom the family had appointed to handle the process, and to expedite the repatriation of the remains to Ireland.

Subsequently, at the request of the family, my Department sought the international death certificate, the results of any post mortem and the police investigation from the Moroccan authorities. Following our intervention, the international death certificate was released to the Consulate by the Moroccan Foreign Ministry on 29 September and forwarded to the next of kin. Our Embassy and Consulate continues to press the Moroccan authorities to release the results of the post mortem and police report and I can assure the Deputy that as soon as we receive them we will contact the family directly.

Product Labelling

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

213 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will confirm that retailers are not only free to label goods from the West Bank accurately but that, under an EU Directive, they are obliged to label goods from the West Bank accurately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45102/10]

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

214 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he recognises that there are goods on the Irish market from companies (details supplied) that are misleadingly labelled particularly in light of Case C386/08 of the European Court of Justice which clearly stated that produce from illegal Israeli settlements can neither be considered Israeli or Palestinian. [45103/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 213 and 214 together.

Goods from settlements in the West Bank are not entitled to avail of the reduced tariff which applies to Israeli goods entering the EU. I have stated in response to previous questions on this topic that I believe it would be helpful to consumers to be able to distinguish between goods from Israel, goods produced by the Palestinian inhabitants of the West Bank, and goods produced in the illegal settlements. It is my understanding that there is nothing to prevent retailers in Ireland from identifying goods in this way if they so choose.

The questions of place of origin labelling, misleading labelling, and implementation of relevant EU Directives or case law, are not the responsibility of my Department, but fall under the responsibility of a number of home Departments, including the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Department of Health and Children, and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation. I would also refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No 299 on this topic on 9 November 2010.

Community Development

Joe McHugh

Ceist:

215 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Social Protection when he will announce his decision on an application for Pobal funding (details supplied) in order to allow the organisation to plan for its important 2011 programmes; to acknowledge the central role that will be played in progressing the organisation’s programme by the service that would be funded by this Pobal application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44796/10]

The contracts with all 445 service providers funded by the Community Services Programme will expire at the end of December 2010. Subject to satisfactory performance, provision of resources and continued eligibility of activities, revised contracts for up to three years from the 1st January 2011 are being offered to the service providers as the Department completes the contract renewal process. This organisation is included in that process. I hope to be in a position to inform the organisation of the outcome of this process in the coming weeks.

Social Welfare Benefits

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

216 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will support a matter (details supplied). [45010/10]

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the person concerned has been awarded rent supplement of €893.00 per month which is the maximum amount payable based on her household circumstances.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

217 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has not been approved jobseeker’s allowance in view of the fact that the total income to the house is €240 a week for a couple. [44716/10]

A Deciding Officer disallowed the jobseeker's allowance claim of the person concerned on the grounds that her total weekly means of €544, derived from the benefit of spouse's income, capital and property, exceed the maximum amount payable to a person in her circumstances. A letter informing her of this decision was issued on 1 November 2010.

Grant Payments

Jack Wall

Ceist:

218 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is entitled to a grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44717/10]

The medical appliance benefit scheme currently offers assistance towards the cost of purchasing hearing aids. The Department will pay up to half the cost of a hearing aid or repairs to a hearing aid, subject to a fixed maximum contribution of €760 per aid. To qualify for this benefit a person must satisfy certain PRSI conditions. A person aged 66 or over must have a total of 260 paid PRSI contributions since first starting work and either 39 paid or credited PRSI contributions in either of the two relevant tax years on which the claim is based or 26 paid PRSI contributions in both the relevant tax year and the tax year immediately before the relevant tax year.

A person can also qualify for benefit on his/her spouse's or partner's PRSI record provided they satisfy the qualifying contribution conditions and is deemed to be dependent on the spouse partner. The person in question does not satisfy the PRSI requirements to qualify for benefit in her own right nor does she qualify as a dependant on her spouse's record. As a result she is not entitled to a hearing aid grant from this Department.

Social Welfare Appeals

Jack Wall

Ceist:

219 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on an appeal against the decision to refuse their application for carer’s benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44720/10]

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 on 18 November 2010. 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.

Social Welfare Benefits

Michael Ring

Ceist:

220 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason jobseeker’s allowance was refused in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; if he will provide the full details of this application and confirm if an appeal can be opened on this person’s behalf. [44728/10]

This person's claim for jobseeker's allowance was disallowed on the grounds that her weekly means of €302 from 18 September 2010, derived from her insurable employment and the benefit of parent's income, exceed the maximum amount payable to a person in her circumstances.

Advocacy Services

Michael Ring

Ceist:

221 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the funding made available to the recently announced advocacy service for persons with a disability; the number of persons who will benefit from the advocacy service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44729/10]

The National Advocacy Service for people with disabilities will be set up under the Citizens Information Board (CIB). The new Service will provide independent, representative advocacy services for people with disabilities and will be in place from January 2011. The service will be regionally structured; with five regional teams replacing the existing pilot projects which have provided assistance to more than 5,000 people with disabilities. The five regional teams will be managed by Citizens Information Services in Dublin, Westmeath, Offaly, Waterford and Leitrim.

Advocacy Support Workers will also be recruited to support the provision of an enhanced mainstream service so that more people with disabilities can access and use the general Citizens Information Service while the National Advocacy Service will seek out and respond to more vulnerable people with disabilities. The new service will be undertaken within current resources, providing a more integrated service and achieving better value for money. Funding to the National Advocacy Service in 2011 will be in the order of some €3.2 million and will be included in the overall CIB allocation.

I am satisfied that the National Advocacy Service will give a voice to people with disabilities who are isolated in the community or who are living in residential institutions and who cannot represent themselves. In addition, it will protect their rights, help them gain their entitlements, obtain a fair hearing and make positive changes in their quality of life.

Social Welfare Benefits

Michael Ring

Ceist:

222 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be awarded fuel allowance. [44748/10]

Entitlement to the fuel allowance is based on a household income test. If, in addition to their pension from the Department, the applicant or members of their household have a combined income of more than €100.00 per week, or savings/investments of more than €58,000, a fuel allowance is not payable. According to the information available to the Department, the person concerned is in receipt of income from employment in excess of €100.00 per week. Consequently, he is not entitled to a fuel allowance. His claim for fuel allowance was disallowed on 16th November 2010.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

223 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44754/10]

An application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received on the 13th August 2010 from the person concerned. This application was referred to one of the Department's deciding officers who found that the person concerned did not satisfy the requirement to be considered habitually resident in the State.

A letter issued on the 5th November advising of the decision to refuse DCA. The person concerned submitted further information to the Social Welfare Appeals Office and an appeal was registered on the 22nd November 2010. As part of the appeal process, the new information will be reviewed by a deciding officer in advance of the appeal being heard. If, on review, the customer is considered to be habitually resident, the claim will be put into payment immediately; if not, the file will be submitted to the Appeals Office for its decision.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

224 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection if the assessment of rental income for the purpose of family income supplement is based on the gross rental income or on the net income after tax, income levy and PRSI have been deducted, and if he will identify the specific Act or statutory instrument establishing same. [44800/10]

The legislative provisions for the assessment of rental income for family income supplement, FIS, are contained in the Social Welfare (Consolidated Payments Provisions) Regulations, 2007 Section 172 to 177 as amended by Article 5 of S.I. No. 148/07. Article 5 of S.I. No. 148/07 provides for the assessment of rental income for family income supplement purposes by specifically excluding it from income that can be disregarded when determining weekly family income for FIS purposes. This Article does not provide for any deductions from gross rental income when assessing this income. Accordingly gross rental income is assessable in full for determining weekly family income for FIS purposes.

Social Welfare Appeals

Frank Feighan

Ceist:

225 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon. [44896/10]

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 31 August 2010. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received back in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 29 September 2010 and the appeal will be referred in due course to an Appeals Officer who will decide whether the case can be decided on a summary basis or whether to list it for oral hearing.

Social Welfare Benefits

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

226 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on applications for domiciliary care allowance and carer’s benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [44908/10]

An application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received on 19th November 2010. This application together with medical reports has been forwarded to one of the Department's Medical Assessors for a medical opinion on the case. Upon receipt of this opinion a decision will issue to the customer. Currently it takes DCA section eight weeks to process an application. An application from the person in question was received in carer's benefit section on the 22nd November. The application has been approved and carer's benefit has been awarded from the 18th November 2010.

Social Welfare Appeals

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

227 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). [44924/10]

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 13 October 2010. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received back in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 24 November 2010 and the appeal will be referred in due course to an Appeals Officer who will decide whether the case can be decided on a summary basis or whether to list it for oral hearing. 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.

Energy Resources

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

228 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated energy use of his Department in the years 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; the total cost of that energy use in each of those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44943/10]

The cost of energy use by my Department in 2008, 2009 and 2010 to date is as follows:

2008

2009

2010 to date

Electricity

2,666,440

2,636,900

2,327,770

Oil

260,576

162,778

213,673

Gas

384,430

348,695

298,104

Total

3,311,446

3,148,373

2,839,547

The information requested by the Deputy concerning the estimated quantity of energy use involved above is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Departmental Staff

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

229 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to assume responsibility for community welfare officers who are currently treated as employees of the Health Service Executive; if he will identify the relevant legislation governing this change; the policy reasons justifying this change; his plans to assume ownership of the buildings and centres belonging to the HSE from which community welfare officers currently operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45026/10]

The Government decided in February 2006 to transfer the Community Welfare Service of the HSE, which currently administers the Supplementary Welfare Allowance on behalf of the Department. This initiative had been mooted several times in the past including the Report of the Commission on Social Welfare in 1986, The Report on the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities 1996 and The Commission on Financial Management and Control Systems in the Health Service 2003.

Since 2006, the HSE has been in negotiations with unions representing the Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) on the detailed implications of the transfer including terms and conditions of employment. Recently, during talks under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission, the Unions agreed to put a management offer to their members. This offer provides for the transfer of the full cohort of staff of the Community Welfare Service to the Department of Social Protection with effect from 1 January 2011 on a secondment basis initially, for a period of 9 months until September 2011. During this period of secondment staff will remain employees of the HSE and as such, will retain their existing terms and conditions, and will be represented by SIPTU and IMPACT. The Unions and management side are committed to working together to resolve the outstanding industrial relations issues and ensure these dates are met, using the existing process under the auspices of the LRC.

Legislation to enable the Department to administer the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme directly was introduced in the Social Welfare and Pensions Acts 2007 and 2008. This legislation is subject to a Commencement Order. Legislation will be required also to provide for the transfer of Community Welfare Service staff, as civil servants, to the Department and, where relevant, of buildings to the Commissioners of Public Works. The necessary legislation to give effect to this is being expedited.

The policy reason for the transfer is to enhance the quality of services provided to the public. The Department of Social Protection is committed to developing and implementing a case management approach with a focus on the individual, and the development of a tailored plan for each person. Such an approach produces better outcomes than the traditional transaction focused delivery of scheme services.

The Department of Social Protection vision is one in which skilled and knowledgeable case managers will work with individuals in need, to ensure that they not only receive the appropriate income supports but are also helped to find a way in which they can participate to the fullest extent possible in the community, economy and workforce. The transfer of the Community Welfare Service to the Department of Social Protection will strengthen the Department's capacity in that regard and facilitate the achievement of that vision.

Social Welfare Appeals

James Bannon

Ceist:

230 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in the appeal hearing on full-time carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford and also in relation to a respite grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45082/10]

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, the appeal from the person concerned has been referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing on 29 November 2010. The person concerned has been notified of the arrangements. 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

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

231 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Social Protection when jobseeker’s allowance will be granted to a person (details supplied). [45216/10]

The person concerned applied for jobseeker's allowance on 12 November 2010. The application is currently with a social welfare inspector for investigation and he will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible.

Social Welfare Code

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

232 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress he has made on the work to welfare scheme; when he expects the scheme to be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45314/10]

Activation and support for those who are unemployed is a key priority for Government. Earlier this year, the Taoiseach announced a number of changes to improve the delivery of employment, training and community services to the public by bringing together related responsibilities in these areas. These changes included the restructuring of Departmental responsibilities with the objective of providing a stream-lined response to the income support and job search needs of people who are unemployed.

In this context, my Department is devising proposals for the development of new initiatives which will offer social employment opportunities. This new initiative will be an important element in the development and delivery of employment and community services and will aim to provide quality work opportunities to the unemployed and beneficial outcomes to the community. A key feature of the new scheme will be to provide a new activation route that will support unemployed people in remaining job-ready for re-entry to employment as the economic environment improves. Referrals under these new initiatives will operate in tandem with the improved processes being developed under the national employment action plan.

Considerable work is required on these proposals before they come on stream and take their place within the suite of activation measures aimed at supporting unemployed people. Details of the roll out of this initiative will be made available as soon as possible.

Energy Resources

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

233 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport the estimated energy use of her Department in the years 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; the total cost of that energy use in each of those years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44945/10]

The total expenditure in respect of energy use within my Department since 2008 is broken down by each of the current three Departmental sites and is as follows:

1. Departmental HQ, Killarney, Co. Kerry

Year

Electricity

Heating

Gas

Total

2008

0

0

0

0

2009

49,864

12,954

0

62,818

2010 (Q1-Q3)

27,606

8,192

0

35,798

2. Departmental HQ, Kildare St. Dublin 2

Year

Electricity

Heating

Gas

Total

2008

57,788

0

24,092

81,880

2009

41,376

4,126

23,377

68,879

2010 (Q1-Q3)

75,318

0

15,575

90,893

3. National Archives of Ireland, Bishop St, Dublin 2

Year

Electricity

Heating

Gas

Total

2008

106,737

0

45,836

152,573

2009

93,250

0

42,981

136,231

2010 (to date)

63,739

0

33,398

97,137

It should be noted that the energy expenditure in respect of the Kildare St. office is that proportion assigned to my Department by agreement with the building management in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation. The electricity expenditure for 2010 includes a large component cost (€46,612) in respect of electricity usage in 2006 and 2007, which has been reconciled in the current year. In 2008, the Department also incurred electricity costs amounting to €11,974 in respect of its occupation of Department of Foreign Affairs office space in Frederick Buildings, Dublin 2.

The new Departmental HQ offices in Killarney were occupied in early December 2008. Such costs as were incurred at the end of 2008 are included in the 2009 data. Since then, the office has been proactive in achieving the lowest possible costs in respect of electricity and has recently procured a new service provision in that regard. My Department has also utilised new technology to help reduce energy consumption particularly in the area of IT and is taking further steps in this regard.

Regarding the National Archives, I am pleased to mention that at the "Optimising Power @ Work" awards ceremony hosted by the Office of Public Works recently, the National Archives Energy Team was one of six teams that were selected as winners of the ‘Best Energy Team' awards. Since beginning its particular energy efficiency project in 2008, the Archives have achieved a 27.8% saving in CO2 Emissions. In monetary terms, this represents a saving of just under €42,000 between January 2009 and May 2010 with further savings anticipated in 2011.

Architectural Heritage

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

234 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will initiate discussions with the Office of Public Works and Dublin City Council to ensure that Mountjoy Square Park, in light of its importance to the cultural heritage of Dublin city, is taken in charge by the Office of Public Works to ensure its sensitive renovation and remediation, particularly as the square has a central part in the history of Dublin and deserves to be a resource for all the persons of Dublin and Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44732/10]

Mountjoy Square Park is a fine example of an 18th century Georgian urban park and is of significant architectural importance not least because it is the focal point of the only surviving Dublin square that is actually square being an equal length on each of its four sides. The square lies at the northern end of the eighteenth-century core of the city and was one of the great set-pieces in the development of north Dublin by the Gardiner Estate.

The park is an integral part of the square and I understand that it is included in an Architectural Conservation Area (ACA) currently in preparation by Dublin City Council . Survey work has been completed and historical research and mapping are being undertaken at present. Consultations between the Council and stakeholders are due to commence shortly, and will be followed by a statutory public consultation process before the ACA can be adopted by the Council. The park is owned by Dublin City Council, and is maintained by locally based staff of the Councils' Parks Department. As currently laid out, it serves as an excellent amenity resource, in particular for local residents and those working in the vicinity. Accordingly, the issue of Mountjoy Square Park being taken in charge by the Office of Public Works does not arise.

Local Authority Staff

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

235 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of employees in Dublin City Council in receipt of salaries exceeding €100,000 and the amount that would be saved by reducing all of these employees to salaries of €100,000. [44770/10]

There are currently thirty seven employees in Dublin City Council in receipt of salaries in excess of €100,000. Information regarding potential cost savings which could arise if these salaries were reduced is not available in my Department.

Local Government Elections

Frank Feighan

Ceist:

236 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if there is a gratuity scheme in place for councillors who lost their seats in the 2004-09 local elections. [44894/10]

Under Regulations made by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, a gratuity is, subject to certain conditions, payable by a local authority to a councillor in the event of retirement (whether voluntarily or due to not being successful in an election), death or ill-health. The amount of gratuity payable is four-twentieths the amount of a councillor's Representational Payment for each year of service, subject to a maximum of four times the amount of Representational Payment (i.e. twenty year's service). The minimum service required to quality for a gratuity is two years. It is payable when a councillor retires at or after the age of fifty, or where a serving councillor dies.

Local Authority Housing

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

237 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received an application from Limerick County Council for funding to revamp and restore housing stock in a location (details supplied) and when a decision will issue in relation to its application. [44929/10]

Cosgrave Park, Moyross, is one of the estates included under the Limerick Regeneration Programme. Limerick City Council, in partnership with the Limerick Regeneration Agencies, is currently preparing a comprehensive plan for upgrading this estate. This will include a wide ranging upgrade of existing local authority stock, improvements to the public spaces and some strategic demolitions and new build. My Department continues to liaise closely with the City Council and the Agencies regarding the technical aspects of the proposal and I understand that a formal submission is expected shortly for approval.

In the interim, the City Council has been actively upgrading and refurbishing vacant stock in the estate. The City Council, with the support of the Agencies, is also beginning a targeted programme of improvement works to houses, which will include the installation of central heating in a number of units this year and the completion of remaining energy efficiency improvement works early next year.

Energy Resources

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

238 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the estimated energy use of his Department in the years 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; the total cost of that energy use in each of those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44938/10]

A number of my Department's main offices are participating in the Optimising Power @ Work campaign. This campaign, run by the Office of Public Works (OPW), aims to reduce the level of carbon emissions in approximately 250 large buildings owner or leased by the OPW for use by Government Departments. In addition to a staff energy awareness campaign, it also monitors the energy usage in these buildings.

Energy consumption figures (expressed in kilowatt hours) in the table below relate to my Department's proportion of office accommodation in the Custom House and Ely Place, Dublin, and Ballina, Co. Mayo which are part of the OPW campaign. The energy consumption figures for the Custom House represent 96.29% of the energy usage in the building and 53.68% of the Ballina office to reflect my Department's occupation of the respective buildings which are shared with other Government Departments.

2008

2009

2010 (to 26 November)

Custom House

2,396,759

2,483,177

1,983,055

Ely Place

617,681

533,915

450,967

Ballina

369,271

363,627

322,426

An energy management system is being commissioned in my Department's new decentralised offices in Wexford to measure the heat output from the woodchip and gas boilers and to monitor electricity consumption, and pending this, the information sought on energy use in this office is not readily available. In addition, solar heating systems, integrated into the design of the Wexford offices and installed in the Custom House earlier in 2010, help reduce the overall energy costs and associated carbon emissions in both buildings. The table below sets out the heating and electricity costs for all premises in my Department's occupancy.

2008

2009

2010 to date (to 26 November)

Heat & Electricity Costs

€877,928

€935,368

€903,097

The extraction of the information sought regarding energy use and cost in respect of transport fuel would require a disproportionate effort.

Planning Issues

Ned O'Keeffe

Ceist:

239 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will clarify a specific issue (details supplied) in relation to local authority works. [44967/10]

Ned O'Keeffe

Ceist:

240 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will clarify a specific issue (details supplied) in relation to local authority works. [44968/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 239 and 240 together.

Article 80(1)(k) of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 states that any development other than those specified in paragraphs (a) to (j), the estimated cost of which exceeds €126,000 and which development does not consist of the laying underground of sewers, mains, pipes or other apparatus, is deemed to be prescribed as proposed development for the purposes of section 179 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) which relates to local authority own development. Therefore, any development other than those specified in paragraphs (a) to (j), whose estimated cost is less than €126,000 is deemed not to fall within the requirements of section 179 and planning authorities do not have to undertake a Part 8 process.

In relation to road works, article 80(1)(b) of the 2001 Regulations states that the construction of a new road or the widening or realignment of an existing road, where the length of the new road or of the widened or realigned portion of the road, as the case may be, would be 100 metres or more in the case of a road in an urban area or 1 kilometre or more in the cases of a road in any other area, is deemed to be prescribed as proposed development for the purposes of section 179 of the Planning and Development Act. Therefore, road works that fall below the above thresholds are deemed not to fall within the requirements of section 179 and planning authorities are not required to undertake a Part 8 process in such circumstances.

Notwithstanding the above, guidance for planning authorities on Appropriate Assessment of Plans and Projects in Ireland, published by my Department in December 2009, clearly states that planning authorities must consider the possible nature conservation implications of any plan or project, including developments that may fall outside the parameters of Part 8 development, on the Natura 2000 site network before any decision can be made to allow that plan or project to proceed, having due regard to the requirements of the EU Birds and Habitats Directives and their transposing regulations.

Joanna Tuffy

Ceist:

241 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if it is a requirement for local authorities to include Part 8 and Part 10 on a planning register, to be retained for inspection by the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45015/10]

Under section 7(2)(tt) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 as amended by section 7 of the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006, a local authority is required to enter in the register particulars of any development referred to in section 179(4)(b) which relates to the decision whether to carry out development under Part 8, either as recommended in the manager's report or as subject to such modification or variation as may be decided by resolution of the local authority.

Furthermore, in respect of the requirement for an environmental impact assessment under Part 10 of the Planning Act, section 7(2)(b) states that a local authority is also required to enter in the register the fact that an environmental impact statement has been submitted in respect of an application for permission for development.

Homelessness Strategy

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

242 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his target of eliminating long-term homelessness by 2010 has been reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45316/10]

My Department's role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Action to address homelessness is a matter for the housing authorities and the HSE, which, respectively, have statutory responsibility for providing accommodation and health care services for homeless persons.

I have put in place a comprehensive range of measures to underpin the role of housing authorities and approved housing bodies towards achieving the ambitious objective of eliminating long term homelessness and the need to sleep rough, including an enhanced programme for procurement of accommodation. A new tenancy support system to help such persons live independently has also been put in place. I recently approved €60 million for the purchase of accommodation to meet the needs of persons with specific categories of housing need, including persons moving out of temporary homeless accommodation. Over 100 of these units will provide long-term accommodation for such persons, and approved housing bodies have been asked to develop proposals for the further delivery of leased units in addition to accommodation approved under this initiative .

Delivery on these initiatives and the achievement of the target of eliminating long-term homelessness will be determined primarily by action on the part of housing authorities and approved housing bodies and the response of market interests, including property owners and financial institutions. My Department is continuing to engage closely with the Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency and with the housing authorities, in particular the Dublin local authorities where the homelessness issue is most pronounced, to ensure that delivery of accommodation is maximised and the drive to eliminate long-term homelessness is advanced as rapidly as possible.

Electricity Transmission Network

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

243 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the action he will take to ensure that EirGrid is held to account for the mistakes made in the planning process for the Meath-Tyrone powerline project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45067/10]

EirGrid applied for planning consent for the Meath Tyrone 400kV Interconnection Development Project in December 2009, under the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act. An Bord Pleanála convened an oral hearing on the matter on the 10th of May 2010. On Wednesday 23rd June, it was drawn to EirGrid's and the inspector's attention that there was an error in the newspaper public notice and site notice relating to pylon height ranges for a section of the project. It is the case that full details of the correct heights of pylon heights in question were fully and accurately described in the Environmental Impact Statement and in the accompanying planning drawings, which were submitted to An Bord Pleanála.

EirGrid has undertaken a review of the circumstances which led to the error in the public notice. I have been furnished by EirGrid with a copy of this review, which also is publicly available on EirGrid's website. I have already made clear my strong disappointment that as a result of an error EirGrid had to withdraw its planning consent application for this important strategic development.

Following the review, I have asked the Board and Management of EirGrid to ensure that all appropriate control procedures are reviewed and enhanced to safeguard against errors in any part of the planning consent application, both for this project and any future projects. I accept EirGrid's assurances that it is reviewing its own internal processes and its arrangements with consultants to ensure against such errors.

The Meath-Tyrone 400 kV interconnection project is of significant strategic importance both North and South, particularly from the perspective of security of supply, competitiveness, economic growth and renewable electricity integration. I have therefore also stressed to EirGrid the importance of submitting a new planning application for this key piece of infrastructure as soon as possible, bearing in mind the very considerable complexity of the application work. EirGrid advises that most of the work and associated cost from the original planning consent application remains valid and applicable to the new planning consent application, which is assisting in expediting the process. EirGrid is working to complete the new planning application at the earliest possible date.

Energy Resources

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

244 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the estimated energy use of his Department in the years 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; the total cost of that energy use in each of those years. [44933/10]

My Department has been working with OPW since 2008 on an energy efficiency programme in my Departments two main buildings at Adelaide Road and Tom Johnson House on Haddington Road. Among other things this has involved the installation of a new Building Management System which offers greater control over consumption of energy. As part of the project, energy awareness presentations were rolled out to staff, an Energy Team /Working Group was established from among staff to promote the energy awareness and conservation imperative. My Department is very conscious of the use of energy and encourages the efficient use of electricity and power through its staff Energy Team and Energy Officer.

Heating is provided by natural gas in two buildings — 29/31 Adelaide Road and Tom Johnston House, Beggars Bush. In the two other buildings, Elm House in Cavan, which is a building that my Department shares with a number of other tenants and the Core Store at Sandyford, both heat and light are provided by electricity. Details of energy usage in kilowatts for all buildings are set out in the following table:

Building

Year

Usage

Adelaide Road

2008

1,482,714

2009

1,402,493

2010 (To end October)

1,057,739

Tom Johnston House, Beggars Bush

2008

1,724,497

2009

1,703,133

2010 (To end October)

1,303,547

Elm House, Cavan

2008

111,836

2009

126,601

2010 (To end October)

98,366

Carman Hall Road, Sandyford

2008

7,789

2009

10,099

2010 (To end October)

4,524

The details of total cost is set out in the table below:

Year

Gas

Electricity

2008

115,190.73

306,279.05

2009

63,051.75

259,665.77

2010 (To end October)

47,155.93

192,106.91

Postal Services

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

245 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will respond to matters in correspondence relating to plans for a national postcode system (details supplied). [45016/10]

Ireland is the only country in the EU and OECD which does not have a national postcode system. The Department has not received the correspondence mentioned in the Parliamentary Question. The correspondence will be considered by the Department and its consultants in the context of the consultation process on postcodes. The procurement process to be undertaken will take account of this and other views received from interested parties.

Telecommunications Services

John O'Mahony

Ceist:

246 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to launch a rural broadband scheme as part of the European economic recovery package and if so when such a launch will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45029/10]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

250 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which he expects broadband to become 100% available in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45329/10]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

252 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which high speed broadband cover is now satisfactorily and reliably available throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45331/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 246, 250 and 252 together.

The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband services, is a matter for private sector service providers operating in a liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). Broadband services are provided by private service providers over various platforms including DSL (i.e. over telephone lines), fixed wireless, mobile, cable, fibre and satellite. ComReg's website www.callcosts.ie provides detailed information on the various private sector telecommunications products and services available on a county by county basis.

In cases of market failure the Government will intervene, where it is appropriate and possible to do so. The National Broadband Scheme (NBS) represents such an intervention. The provision of broadband services under the NBS has advanced incrementally and services are now available throughout the entire NBS area with a current minimum download speed of 1.6Mbps. Under the NBS contract, this minimum download speed will be increased to 2.3Mbps in 2012.

Since the completion of the roll out of the NBS network last month, every part of Ireland now has a broadband service available from at least one service provider. Additionally, satellite broadband services are available throughout Ireland. However, despite Government and private investment in broadband, I am aware that there continues to be isolated cases of premises throughout the country that are not be capable of receiving the broadband services available. This is primarily due to technical and other reasons (e.g., suitability of a telephone line, distance from an enabled exchange, or no ‘line of sight' from the premises to the wireless base station).

The European Commission has set aside a portion of the European Economic Recovery Programme (EERP) funding for rural broadband initiatives. Using this funding, which will be augmented by an Exchequer contribution, I intend, subject to Government approval, to launch a Rural Broadband Scheme before the end of the year. This scheme will aim to provide a basic broadband service to individual un-served rural premises outside of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) areas. There will be a competitive process to engage a service provider who will offer a broadband service to qualified applicants under the scheme. While the exact details have yet to be finalised, I expect that the service offered under this scheme would at least match the service offered under the NBS and that the scheme will be fully rolled out by the end of 2012.

Alternative Energy Projects

Sean Sherlock

Ceist:

247 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the renewable energy feed in tariff proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40638/10]

The application for State Aid Clearance in relation to REFIT for energy from biomass was submitted by my Department to the European Commission earlier this month. My Department estimates that it will take some months for the State Aid Clearance to be finalised and approved by the European Commission. I expect that I will be in a position to announce implementation of the tariffs early in the New Year.

Question No. 248 answered with Question No. 15.

Broadcasting Services

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

249 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress to date on the provision of digital television; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45328/10]

The Broadcasting Act, 2009 requires RTÉ to develop digital terrestrial television (DTT) as a replacement for the analogue network. Earlier this year, I signed a statutory instrument (SI 85 of 2010), which requires RTÉ to have free to air DTT available to 90% of the population by the end of October 2010.

On the 29th October 2010, RTÉ launched its DTT service called Saorview on a trial basis to 90% of the population from 24 sites around the country. This service is available to the public and currently broadcasts RTÉ1, RTÉ2, TV3, TG4, 3e, the RTÉ News Now service as well as RTÉ radio channels. The launch of the RTÉ service on an initial trial basis is essential as it provides time for the DTT network to be completed, services to be fully developed and for additional content and receivers to be made available before analogue switch off in Q4 2012. It also means that TV viewers can choose to adopt the new service at the earliest opportunity.

RTÉ has developed a new website to provide information to the public about their DTT service, www.saorview.ie. This website includes Saorview coverage and reception information. It also provides details on receivers in the market which carry the Saorview logo. This means the receivers meet the Irish digital specification and are approved for use in Ireland. The DTT service will launch nationally in mid 2011. The Deputy may also be interested to note that I have launched a public consultation on the public value of new TV services being proposed by RTÉ. If approved, RTÉ proposes to offer these as part of the Saorview channel line up in 2011. Information on this consultation is available from my Department on www.dcenr.gov.ie/Broadcasting. The closing date for responses is 10th December 2010.

Question No. 250 answered with Question No. 246.

Electricity Generation

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

251 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of applications for connection to the grid in respect of wind energy generators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45330/10]

There are approximately 110 wind farms connected to the electricity grid and this represents a generation capacity of about 1500MW. In addition to this there are approximately 120 wind farms that are currently contracted to connect to the system (i.e. they have received and signed a connection offer from the relevant system operator) and this equates to around 1400MW. There are 150 wind farms that have received or are due to receive a connection offer before June 2011 as part of the Gate 3 process, which contains 3900MW, approximately 90% of which is wind. This level of renewable generation is sufficient to meet our 2020 renewable generation target of 40%, which EirGrid and the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) estimate could require between 4632MW and 5800MW of renewable generation, depending on demand growth assumptions.

Beyond Gate 3 there is approx 11,850MW of renewable generation in the queue (mainly wind) and this represents over 300 applicants. The CER, which has the requisite statutory responsibility, has not come to a decision in relation to applications outside the GATE 3 process.

Question No. 252 answered with Question No. 246.

Broadcasting Services

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

253 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way he proposes to influence, by way of policy, the broadcasting industry, public and private in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45332/10]

Under the provisions of the Broadcasting Act, 2009 the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) is charged with, inter alia, providing a regulatory environment that is stable and predictable and that will facilitate the development of a broadcasting sector in Ireland that is responsive to audience needs. The BAI is also charged with stimulating the provision of high quality, diverse and innovative programming by commercial, community and public service broadcasters and independent producers.

I am satisfied that the provisions of the Broadcasting Act provide the correct policy framework for the development of the Broadcasting sector. I will continue to work with the BAI and other stakeholders, private and public, to progress the objectives in the Broadcasting Act for the sector.

Alternative Energy Projects

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

254 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number, location and progress of the various alternative energy projects both at research, development and operational level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45333/10]

There are 1776 megawatts (MW) of installed generating plant harnessing alternative energy technologies connected to the Irish national grid. The total number of wind farms connected is approximately 122 and this represents a generation capacity of about 1500 MW. Hydropower consists of 66 projects and contributes about 238 MW of installed capacity. There are 14 biomass projects, mainly landfill gas, which contribute 38 MW of installed capacity. This information, including a full list of connected and contracted generators and their locations, is available on the EirGrid website at www.eirgrid.com.

There are 150 wind farms that have received or are due to receive a connection offer before June 2011 as part of the Commission for Energy Regulation's Gate 3 grid connection programme for renewable energy, equating to around 90% of the 3900MW in Gate 3. The CER designed Gate 3 specifically to meet Ireland's national renewable target of 40% of electricity supplied from renewable sources by 2020. A full list of Gate 3 projects and locations is available in the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) Direction to System Operators (CER/08/260) available at www.cer.ie.

On January 29th EirGrid published the Gate 3 Firm Access Quantities. This document details the potential levels of firm network access available in the electricity grid for each Gate 3 project for each year up to 2023. This information is provided as part of the Gate 3 Connection Offer Process and is available on the EirGrid website. Beyond Gate 3 there is 11,850MW seeking a grid connection. The CER, which has the statutory responsibility in this area, has not issued any direction in relation to the processing of these applications to date. Since 2002, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland has administered a renewable energy Research, Development and Demonstration Programme. The programme is primarily focused on stimulating the deployment of renewable energy technologies that are close to market, and on assessing the development of technologies that have prospects for the future.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) are currently also running a microgeneration pilot programme involving various renewable energy technologies in locations around the country. The Ocean Energy Development Unit in SEAI is administering a Prototype Development Fund to industry in the ocean energy sphere. It is also involved with the Hydraulics and Maritime Research Centre on the National Wave Tank Facility in Cork, with the Marine Institute in the Galway Bay ocean energy test site and SmartBay project and are taking forward development of a grid connected full scale wave test site off County Mayo.

The development of the biomass sector has seen strong progress in recent months, building on the early foundations laid by the Greener Homes and Reheat schemes. Bord na Móna continue to co-fire large volumes of biomass — up to 100,000 tonnes in 2010, and there has recently been several announcements from industry related to planned large scale private sector biomass projects. In Transport, the Biofuels Obligation has been in place since July, and reached the 4% penetration rate for the first 3 months of operation. A significant proportion of these biofuels were produced in Ireland.

Electricity Generation

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

255 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the total electricity production available to the national grid from the alternative energy sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45334/10]

There are 1776 megawatts (MW) of installed generating plant harnessing alternative energy technologies connected to the Irish national grid. The total number of wind farms connected is approximately 122 and this represents a generation capacity of about 1500 MW. This is divided almost evenly between the DSO (Distribution System Operator — ESB Networks) and the TSO (Transmission System Operator — EirGrid). Hydropower contributes about 238 MW of installed capacity and there is 38 MW of biomass, mainly landfill gas.

In addition to the above, there are approximately 120 wind farms that are currently contracted to connect to the transmission system (i.e. they have received and signed a Connection Offer from the relevant system operator) and this equates to approximately 1400 MW. There are 150 wind farms that have received or are due to receive a connection offer before June 2011 as part of the Gate 3 project equating to approximately 90% of the 3900MW in Gate 3.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

256 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the cost per unit of electricity for each of the various generation methods including conventional and alternatives. [45335/10]

Generation costs are set on the All-island Single Electricity Market (SEM). The SEM consists of a gross pool market into which all electricity generated or imported onto the island of Ireland must be sold, and from which all wholesale electricity for consumption or export from the island of Ireland must be purchased. In general, conventional generators bid their short run marginal costs into the SEM on a half hourly basis in accordance with the SEM Bidding Code of Practice.

These costs include operating, fuel and carbon costs. These costs may vary on a half hourly basis for each generator and will vary between generators, even those using the same generating method and/or fuel. Fluctuations in the internationally traded price of fossil fuels have a particular impact on costs for fossil fuel generators. All generators, regardless of generation method or fuel type, also receive capacity payments which are designed to cover generators' long run costs as well as to encourage new investment in capacity for security of supply. For all these reasons, there is therefore no single unit cost for a particular generating method.

In relation to alternative generation, there are two main support schemes in place for electricity from renewable sources, both of which are supported via the Public Service Obligations (PSO). AER (the Alternative Energy Requirement scheme) which currently supports around 500MW of renewable generation is a tender scheme that is now being phased out. The new scheme is a feed-in tariff scheme called REFIT which ensures that a minimum price is paid to renewable generators irrespective of the SEM price. There is between 800MW and 1000MW of renewable generation currently in receipt of REFIT payments. There are different reference prices for the various renewable generation technologies supported under REFIT. Essentially the reference prices interact with the market payments and act as floor prices for renewable generation.

REFIT tariffs are currently as follows:

Large Wind: €66.353 per Mega Watt hour;

Small Wind: €68.681 per Mega Watt hour;

Hydro: €83.814 per Mega Watt hour;

Landfill Gas: €81.486 per Mega Watt hour;

Biomass: €83.814 per Mega Watt hour.

These reference prices are subject to annual increases, if any, in the consumer price index.

In 2009, the terms and conditions were announced for REFIT for additional categories, subject to state aid clearance as follows:

Ocean (wave and tidal): €220 per Mega Watt hour;

Offshore wind €140 per Mega Watt hour.

These reference prices are not subject to annual increases in the consumer price index.

In May 2010 a revised set of tariffs for the biomass combustion, Anaerobic Digestion (AD) and biomass Combined Heat and Power (CHP) were announced. These reference prices are subject to annual increases, if any, in the consumer price index. These REFIT Tariffs are as follows:

AD CHP >500 kW €150 per Mega Watt hour;

AD CHP >500 kW €130 per Mega Watt hour;

AD (non CHP) =500kW €110 per Mega Watt hour;

AD (non CHP) >500kW €100 per Mega Watt hour;

Biomass CHP =1500kW €140 per Mega Watt hour;

Biomass CHP >1500kW €120 per Mega Watt hour;

Biomass Combustion (including co-firing in existing plant and subject to a change in the Refit terms and conditions to permit this):

For using energy crops €95 per Mega Watt hour;

For all other biomass €85 per Mega Watt hour.

Question No. 257 answered with Question No. 15.

Energy Resources

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

258 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress to date in developing and marketing natural resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45337/10]

I would draw the Deputy's attention to the high-level goal specified in the Strategy Statement of the Department, which is to manage our river, mineral, hydrocarbon and other geological resources in a sustainable and productive manner. To this end the Department is committed to encouraging exploration for and extraction of Ireland's mineral and hydrocarbon resources to maximise their contribution to the national economy, with due regard to social and environmental impact.

In the case of non-hydrocarbon minerals, exploration and development is undertaken by private enterprise and regulated under the Minerals Development Acts, 1940 to 1999, and the Department is undertaking a major consolidation and modernisation of this code which I expect to bring before the House next year. I would point out that the minerals and hydrocarbon industries are global and as a consequence, the level of exploration activity in Ireland reflects worldwide market trends, in particular metal, oil and gas prices.

Against that background, the Department actively promotes Ireland as an attractive location for mineral, oil and gas exploration and development, through the active promotion of Ireland's mineral and petroleum potential and the holding of regular competition and licensing rounds. With regard to minerals, the Department, jointly with its Northern Ireland counterparts, is represented at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Convention, Trade Show and Investors Exchange in Toronto, Canada, which is the largest annual international meeting of its type in the world. It has also initiated a number of exploration support measures such as an ongoing data release programme under which all non-confidential exploration data is released into the public domain via an industry-focused website (www.mineralsireland.ie). There are 500 currently active prospecting licences in Ireland with over 30 companies involved in minerals exploration.

In the case of petroleum, the proactive approach in relation to promotion is reflected in the 2011 Atlantic Margin Licensing Round, which closes at the end of May next year. The 2011 Round represents a new and innovative initiative to boost the level of exploration activity in the Irish offshore. The Round, which is Ireland's largest to date, covers an area of approximately 250,000 square kilometres and includes all of Ireland's major Atlantic sedimentary basins with proven petroleum systems.

There have been a number of discoveries of oil and gas in the Irish Offshore in recent years, however none of these has been declared commercial to date. The only petroleum discovery that has been declared commercial but has yet to be developed is the Corrib Gas Field. Construction of the Corrib Gas Terminal at Bellanaboy is almost completed as are the subsea facilities and the offshore section of the Corrib gas pipeline. The developers are engaged in the process of securing a number of statutory consents required for the construction of the onshore section of the gas pipeline.

In the case of inland fisheries, in July 2010, I restructured the fisheries service management and established Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), a single national authority to replace the existing Central and 7 regional fisheries boards. The new legislation provides that the functions of IFI include conservation, protection, management, marketing, development and improvement of the inland fisheries resource. I have every expectation that the new organisation is best equipped to meet the challenges of facilitating exploitation of the inland fisheries resource on an equitable and sustainable basis.

Farm Incomes

John Deasy

Ceist:

259 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the national average level of farm income each year from 2005 to 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44690/10]

Teagasc's National Farm Survey provides estimates of average farm income in Ireland every year. The following table shows these figures for the years in question, 2005 to 2009.

Average Family Farm Income by System of Farming

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

All Farms

22,459

16,680

19,687

16,993

11,968

Full-time farms

40,483

34,486

43,938

37,950

24,214

Part-time farms

11,372

7,899

7,993

7,580

6,611

Source: Teagasc, National Farm Survey (2005-2009).

John Deasy

Ceist:

260 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the average level of farm income in Waterford each year from 2005 to 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44691/10]

Teagasc's National Farm Survey provides estimates of average farm income in Ireland every year and, while it does not provide data on a county basis, they are available per region. The following table shows the figures for what is classified as Region 6 — Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Tipperary South, Waterford — for the years in question, 2005 to 2009. Figures for the whole of Ireland are provided for comparative purposes.

Average Family Farm Income

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

All Farms

22,459

16,680

19,687

16,993

11,968

Region 6 Farms

34,385

n/a

33,513

27,876

19,022

Source: Teagasc, National Farm Survey (2005-2009)

Region 6:— Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Tipp. S.R., Waterford.

Grant Payments

Michael Creed

Ceist:

261 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason for the delay in paying a REPS 4 payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44746/10]

The application submitted by the person named is currently being reviewed by my officials. This review is due to be finalised within the next 10 days and my officials will be in contact with the applicant notifying him of the outcome.

Tom Sheahan

Ceist:

262 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will receive the disadvantaged aid payment and single farm payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44762/10]

Tom Sheahan

Ceist:

263 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) will receive the disadvantaged aid and single farm payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44763/10]

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

Given that the matters involved are quite complex, in that it concerns a Trust under the Will of the deceased, I have made arrangements for an official of my Department to make direct contact with the persons named with a view to the early resolution of the queries raised.

Tom Sheahan

Ceist:

264 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) will receive their farm payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44764/10]

An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 13 May 2010. A number of parcels listed on the application of the person named required digitisation; immediately this process is complete, provided no errors are identified, the payments due will issue to the person named.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

265 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a transfer of entitlements will be fully processed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [44766/10]

Two applications were received on 17 May 2010 requesting the transfer of a total of 28.32 Single Payment entitlements to the person named from the person previously registered as owner of the herd-number. Since the person named did not become the registered owner of the herd-number until 5 October 2010 the requested transfer of entitlements will take place for the 2011 scheme year. The parties concerned have been informed accordingly in writing.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

266 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will expedite the single farm payment and disadvantaged area payments in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44772/10]

An application under 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 5 May 2010. The 75% advance payment on the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, which issued on 21 September 2010 and the 50% advance on the Single Payment Scheme, which issued on 18 October 2010, were both on the basis of the land cleared at that stage, as a number of parcels declared required digitising. While balancing payments are scheduled to commence issuing as and from 1 December, such payments would, in normal circumstances, be confined to those whose applications are fully processed, specifically, where all digitising is finalised.

However, following recent consultation with the EU Commission, agreement was reached whereby, in addition to issuing balancing payments to those farmers whose applications are fully processed and whose maps are fully digitised, payments will also issue to those farmers where some or all of their maps are still to be digitised, with the payment being calculated on the basis of the digitised land confirmed eligible. I am pleased to say that, because of this change, many farmers, including the person named, whose balancing payments would otherwise have been delayed until their digitising is complete, will now receive an interim balancing payment. The position regarding the balancing payments is, therefore, as follows:

From 1 December all applicants will be paid their full balancing payments, where the case is fully processed and clear;

Applicants, whose applications are fully clear, where the only outstanding issue is a non-digitised map(s), will be paid their balancing payment on the clear, digitised area (excluding their non-digitised land), subject to a maximum of 80% of the value of their total Single Payment; these farmers will receive the final instalment of their balancing payment when their maps are re-digitised and their applications are fully clear.

Payments due under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme will also issue on completion of the outstanding digitising.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

267 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason there are delays in processing an application for area aid in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44778/10]

An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 24 April 2010. This application was selected for and was the subject of a Ground Eligibility and Animal Identification Inspection. The inspection process is completed and the application has now been fully processed. Payment under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme issued on 16 November 2010. The 50% advance payment under the Single Payment Scheme issued on 1 November with balancing payment due on the 1 December.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

268 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway has not received their area aid payment [44803/10]

An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 11 May 2010. This application was selected for and was the subject of a Ground Eligibility and Full Cross Compliance Inspection. The inspection process is completed and the application has now been fully processed. Payment under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme issued on 23 November 2010. The 50% advance payment under the Single Payment Scheme issued on 24 November with balancing payment due on the 1 December.

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

269 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when single farm payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44909/10]

An application was received on 11 May 2010 requesting the transfer of 10.18 Single Payment entitlements by way of lease from the person named to another farmer. The requested transfer was completed on 25 November 2010 after which the person named holds 4.57 entitlements. Full payment will issue shortly to the person named for 2.18 entitlements based on his declaration of that number of hectares of land.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

270 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan will receive their single farm premium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44912/10]

An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 14 May 2010. During the validation of the application, an over-claim was identified in respect of one land parcel, while a number of other parcels required re-digitising. As the matter regarding the over-claim was resolved following correspondence between the person named and my Department and the necessary re-digitising is now complete, the application is being further processed with a view to payments issuing shortly.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

271 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will receive their single farm payment and area aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44931/10]

An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 6 May 2010. The advance payments under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and the Single Farm Payment issued to the person named on 22 September and 18 October respectively on the clear eligible area, as some of the land parcels declared required re-digitisation. This process is now complete and balancing payments due in respect of the Disadvantaged Area Scheme and the Single Payment Scheme will issue to the applicant very shortly.

Energy Resources

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

272 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the estimated energy use of his Department in the years 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; the total cost of that energy use in each of those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44932/10]

The cost of energy in my Department for 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010 is as follows:

€3.8m;

€3.1m;

€2.4m (to date).

Grant Payments

Michael Ring

Ceist:

273 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive disadvantaged area scheme and single payment scheme. [44969/10]

An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 22 April 2010. This application was selected for and was the subject of a Ground Eligibility Inspection. The inspection process is complete and the results are now being processed.

Under EU regulations governing the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and the Single Payment Scheme all Ground Eligibility Inspections must be completed before any payment can issue to any applicant under either scheme, including those not selected for a Ground Eligibility Inspection. In the vast majority of cases that were inspected amendments have had to be made to the maps in order that the Land Parcel Identification System that is used for making payments to farmers is kept up-to-date. Processing of these changes is continuing with priority being given to applications that were the subject of a Ground Eligibility Inspection.

John Perry

Ceist:

274 Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason a person (details supplied) did not receive their full headage payments; if he will now ensure that they do so urgently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45027/10]

An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 14 May 2010. The 75% advance payment under the Disadvantaged Area Scheme, which issued on 21 September, was on the basis of those parcels cleared for payment at that stage, as a parcel listed on the application of the person named required re-digitisation. This process is now completed and the application has been processed for payment of the balance of the Disadvantaged Area Scheme, which issued on 9 November.

Tom Sheahan

Ceist:

275 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry has not received full payment in respect of single farm payment and the disadvantaged area scheme payment. [45031/10]

An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 14 May 2010. An advance of the Single Farm Payment issued to the person named on 18 October on the clear eligible area. A number of the land parcels listed on the application required digitisation. The advance payments under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and the Single Farm Payment issued to the person named on 22 September and 18 October respectively on the clear eligible area, as some of the land parcels declared required re-digitisation. This process is now complete and balancing payment due in respect of the Disadvantaged Area Scheme issued on 26 November and the Single Payment Scheme balancing payment will issue to the applicant very shortly.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

276 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive their area aid and single farm premium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45032/10]

An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 17 May 2010. This application was selected for and was the subject of a Ground Eligibility and Full Cross Compliance Inspection. The inspection process is complete and the results are now being processed.

Under EU regulations governing the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and the Single Payment Scheme all Ground Eligibility Inspections must be completed before any payment can issue to any applicant under either scheme, including those not selected for a Ground Eligibility Inspection. In the vast majority of cases that were inspected amendments have had to be made to the maps in order that the Land Parcel Identification System that is used for making payments to farmers is kept up-to-date. Processing of these changes is continuing with priority being given to applications that were the subject of a Ground Eligibility Inspection.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

277 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan will receive their area aid and single farm premium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45033/10]

Two applications were received on 17 May 2010 requesting the transfer of 44.37 Single Payment entitlements by way of gift and 9.82 Single Payment entitlements by way of lease respectively to the person named from other farmers. The transfer by way of gift was completed on 9 July 2010. Entitlements being transferred by lease must be accompanied by an equal or greater number of hectares of eligible land. This application to transfer by lease requested the transfer of 9.82 entitlements but the transaction involved only 8.02 hectares of land. A letter issued to both parties on 9 November requesting clarification.

An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 17 May 2010. During the validation of the application, a dual-claim was identified in respect of one land parcel as well as over-claims in respect of a number of land parcels . These matters have now been resolved following correspondence between the person named and my Department. A number of parcels listed on the application of the person named required re-digitising. This process is now complete and the application is being further processed with a view to any payments due issuing shortly.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

278 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan will receive their area aid and single farm premium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45034/10]

An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 17 May 2010. Initial processing of this application revealed a dual-claim of one land parcel, as well as over-claims in respect of two other land parcels. These matters have now been resolved following correspondence between the person named and my Department. A number of parcels listed on the application of the person named required re-digitising. This process is now complete and the application is being further processed with a view to any payments due issuing shortly.

Michael Creed

Ceist:

279 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has not received their single farm payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45075/10]

An application under 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 26 April 2010. The 75% advance payment on the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme which issued on 21 September 2010 and the 50% advance on the Single Payment Scheme, which issued on 18 October 2010, both on the basis of the land cleared at that stage, as a number of parcels declared required digitising. While balancing payments are scheduled to commence issuing as and from 1 December, such payments would, in normal circumstances, be confined to those whose applications are fully processed, specifically, where all digitising is finalised.

However, following recent consultation with the EU Commission, agreement was reached whereby, in addition to issuing balancing payments to those farmers whose applications are fully processed and whose maps are fully digitised, payments will also issue to those farmers where some or all of their maps are still to be digitised, with the payment being calculated on the basis of the digitised land confirmed eligible. I am pleased to say that, because of this change, many farmers, including the person named, whose balancing payments would otherwise have been delayed until their digitising is complete, will now receive an interim balancing payment. The position regarding the balancing payments is, therefore, as follows:

From 1 December all applicants will be paid their full balancing payments, where the case is fully processed and clear; Applicants, whose applications are fully clear, where the only outstanding issue is a non-digitised map(s), will be paid their balancing payment on the clear, digitised area (excluding their non-digitised land), subject to a maximum of 80% of the value of their total Single Payment; these farmers will receive the final instalment of their balancing payment when their maps are re-digitised and their applications are fully clear.

Digitising is now complete on this application, however, an error has arisen on one of the parcels declared. An official from my Department will make direct contact with the person named with a view to an early resolution.

David Stanton

Ceist:

280 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a single farm payment will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45080/10]

An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 27 April 2010. The advance payment which issued on 18 October, was on the basis of land confirmed eligible at that stage, as a number of other parcels listed by the person named required re-digitisation; this process is now complete and the payment due will issue to the person named shortly.

David Stanton

Ceist:

281 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a decision will issue on a forestry grant appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45085/10]

I understand that the appeal on behalf of the person has been disallowed. Following a further field inspection of the site it has been found that the northern, low lying section of wetland is almost at sea level and was waterlogged at the time of the inspection. As the conditions required to ensure wind-firmness of the crop over the silvicultural rotation are absent, this section of the site isnot eligible for grant aid because of the risk that is presented by these factors as the crop matures.

Sheep Sector

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

282 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps he will take to support the sheep industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45104/10]

I am strongly committed to securing a future for the sheep industry in Ireland, which is a valuable part of the overall agri-food sector. In the past two years I have provided a number of key supports to this sector, most notably: €7 million from the 2009 Single Farm Payment National Reserve under the Uplands Sheep Payment Scheme; €54 million for the three year grassland sheep scheme commencing this year and €8 million for the sheep fencing/mobile handling equipment scheme, also commencing this year.

I am confident that these supports will provide a much-needed boost to sheep farmers' incomes, which should encourage them to stay in the sector. As the grassland scheme focuses on flocks with breeding ewes, it should also provide a significant incentive to farmers to maintain their production levels, which is vital for the future of a viable sheep industry in Ireland. In addition, Bord Bia will also spend up to €1 million this year on the promotion of sheep and lamb at home and abroad and Teagasc has allocated almost €1.5 million for sheep research for 2010.

It is well recognised that the future of the sheep industry depends on its ability to meet the needs of the market. In order to do this effectively, the sector must focus on competitiveness, innovation and the demands of the consumer. Specific recommendations for the sheep industry are set out in Food Harvest 2020, which provides a vision for Irish Agri-food and Fisheries for the next 10 years. It envisages that over the coming years, demand for sheepmeat on the European market will outstrip production levels, which could provide opportunities for exporting countries such as Ireland. This should provide the potential for better returns, provided the industry can continue the market and product diversification which has been evident in recent years.

At producer level there is likely to be improved price prospects, provided an increased focus on production, efficiency and product quality is evident. With a renewed commercial focus by the sheep sector, building consumption on the domestic market and through the implementation of the recommendations of Food Harvest 2020, a target of output value growth of 20% has been identified for the sheep sector by 2020.

The recommendations of the report focus on farm competitiveness and the processing sector. On the farm side, they emphasise the importance of the continuance of the application of on-farm labour efficiencies and new technologies, breed improvement and the production of a quality product. On the processing side, the focus is on efficiencies, innovation and improved product range. These recommendations build on the Malone report, which was published in 2006 and provided a clear framework for the sheep sector. Indeed the Malone report is still very relevent and Food Harvest 2020 endorses its findings and recommendations and calls for their full implementation by the relevant stakeholders.

While the responsibility for implementing most of the recommendations of the Malone report fall on the industry itself, a number are within the remit of my Department and the state agencies under its aegis, who have made significant progress in implementing them. Among the initiatives taken were:

The establishment of ‘Sheep Ireland' to take over the Department's current breed improvement programme and develop a new one. An interim Sheep Board, comprising representatives of farming organisations and breeders will oversee this process, with the Irish Cattle Breeders Federation (ICBF) providing the technical and professional service required.

The establishment of the Lamb Quality Assurance Scheme in 2007. This Scheme is operated by Bord Bia and now has over 8,400 participants.

Bord Bia has also intensified its efforts to promote lamb on the home and export markets. Together with its UK and French counterparts, it is part of a generic promotion campaign on the important French market.

Teagasc has developed a comprehensive plan to restructure its sheep support services, including a Better Farm Programme for sheep, which aims to establish focal points for the on-farm implementation, development and evaluation of technology that is relevant to the sheep sector. This approach provides an opportunity to engage with sheep farmers on the use of the latest management practices and to identify research and development needs.

In addition, the support being provided for processing facilities under the beef and sheepmeat capital investment fund underlines the Government's commitment to the sector. I am confident that all of the actions I have outlined above will be of significant benefit to the sector.

Live Exports

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

283 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps he will take to enhance the live cattle trade to Britain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45105/10]

The live export trade complements the processed beef trade by providing alternative market outlets thereby playing an important role in the meat and livestock industry generally.

Up to the end of week 45 of 2010, live exports were 23% ahead of the levels achieved during the same period in 2009. While exports to Great Britain are 9% below those for the same period in 2009, those to Northern Ireland are up by 18% and those to all other destinations by 27%. The live trade with the UK in any particular period is greatly influenced by the prevailing sterling exchange rate and the supply of finished cattle in Northern Ireland.

Bord Bia continues to works closely with the industry in monitoring and developing emerging opportunities for Irish livestock in the United Kingdom, the Continent and international markets. Its activities include ongoing contact with leading retailers in Britain to establish their interest in cattle born in Ireland and finished in Britain.

Beef Quality Assurance Scheme

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

284 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the percentage breakdown of the R category now divided into three sections, namely R-, R=, and R+, in the mechanical grading system in meat factories for 2009 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45120/10]

The breakdown including sub-classes is available for all plants from 1st April 2010 to date. Prior to that the conformation and fat grades were reported to my Department in accordance with EU Regulations using main classes only. The percentage breakdown for steers from the 1st April 2010 to date is as follows:

R + (plus) = 10.2%;

R = (middle) = 15.8%; and

R - (minus) = 17.0%.

Grant Payments

John Deasy

Ceist:

285 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason for the delay in making a full payment of the single farm payment and REP scheme payment to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford and if he will expedite payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45132/10]

An application under 2010 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 12 May 2010. The 50% advance payment, which issued on 18 October 2010, on the basis of the land cleared at that stage, as a number of parcels declared required digitising. While balancing payments are scheduled to commence issuing as and from 1 December, such payments would, in normal circumstances, be confined to those whose applications are fully processed, specifically, where all digitising is finalised.

However, following recent consultation with the EU Commission, agreement was reached whereby, in addition to issuing balancing payments to those farmers whose applications are fully processed and whose maps are fully digitised, payments will also issue to those farmers where some or all of their maps are still to be digitised, with the payment being calculated on the basis of the digitised land confirmed eligible. I am pleased to say that, because of this change, many farmers, including the person named, whose balancing payments would otherwise have been delayed until their digitising is complete, will now receive an interim balancing payment. The position regarding the balancing payments is, therefore, as follows:

From 1 December all applicants will be paid their full balancing payments, where the case is fully processed and clear; Applicants, whose applications are fully clear, where the only outstanding issue is a non-digitised map(s), will be their balancing payment on the clear, digitised area (excluding their non-digitised land), subject to a maximum of 80% of the value of their total Single Payment; these farmers will receive the final instalment of their balancing payment when their maps are re-digitised and their applications are fullyclear.

The EU Regulations governing REPS 4 and other area-based schemes provide that payments issue in two instalments. The first instalment of 75% may be paid once all administrative checks on all applications, as well as cross-checks against areas declared on Single Payment Scheme applications, have been completed. The SPS application concerned has not yet been finalised and when this is done the REPS Cross Check will be carried out and the REPS application can then be fully processed.

John Cregan

Ceist:

286 Deputy John Cregan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a single farm payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [45165/10]

An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 22 April 2010. This application was selected for and was the subject of a Ground Eligibility and Animal Identification Inspection. The inspection process is complete and the results are now being processed.

Under EU regulations governing the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and the Single Payment Scheme all Ground Eligibility Inspections must be completed before any payment can issue to any applicant under either scheme, including those not selected for a Ground Eligibility Inspection. In the vast majority of cases that were inspected amendments have had to be made to the maps in order that the Land Parcel Identification System that is used for making payments to farmers is kept up-to-date. Processing of these changes is continuing with priority being given to applications that were the subject of a Ground Eligibility Inspection.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

287 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a transfer of entitlements application will be processed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [45220/10]

An application was submitted on 18 November 2010 requesting the transfer of 17.44 Single Payment entitlements by way of gift from the person named first to the person named second. As this application was received several months after the closing date for such applications, the requested transfer has been rejected. Letters have issued to both parties informing them of this decision and outlining the normal appeal process.

Redundancy Payments

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

288 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if he will deal with a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44715/10]

In my earlier reply to the Deputy on this matter on 9 November, 2010, I indicated that it is not my Department's policy and practice to disclose details of redundancy rebate payments relating to specific companies for reasons of data confidentiality. Given the size of the companies referred to, it would be normal for my Department to have, at any given time, claims on hand for processing.

Deputies will be aware from media coverage that the Department has on hand a number of claims from Aer Lingus dating from 2009 and it is the case that these claims are still being processed. No decision on their eligibility under the Redundancy Payments legislation has yet been taken but a decision on this matter is expected in coming weeks, subject to final clarification of certain issues.

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

289 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the position regarding the claim for redundancy in respect of a person (details supplied); when payment will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44722/10]

My Department administers the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) in relation to redundancy matters on behalf of the Department of Social Protection. 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 redundancy lump sum claim in respect of the individual concerned on 9 June, 2010. This claim awaits processing.

In respect of lump sum payments paid directly to employees in instances where employers are unable to pay the statutory redundancy entitlements, in general, claims dating from May 2010 are currently being processed. Of course in some instances, where the necessary supporting documentation for lump sum claims is not provided to my Department, or where queries arise, processing of claims can be further delayed until the required documentation is provided and/or outstanding queries are resolved.

My Department continues to make every effort to reduce processing times. Measures already taken in the Department to alleviate the pressures on the Payments area include:

Almost doubling the number of staff working solely on redundancy payment claims through reassignment to a current level of 52 full time equivalents;

Prioritisation of the Department's overtime budget towards staff in the Section to tackle the backlog outside normal hours;

Establishment of a special call handling facility in NERA to deal with the huge volume of telephone calls from people and businesses concerned about their payments;

Better quality information relating to current processing times on the Department's website;

Engagement with the Revenue Commissioners to facilitate the offset of redundancy rebate payments by employers against existing outstanding tax liabilities which those employers owe to the Revenue Commissioners.

Whilst the backlog and waiting times remain at unacceptable levels, improvements are evident. In 2009, my Department processed 50,664 claims, up 70% on the previous year. Furthermore, the level of new claims processed in the first ten months of 2010 was 63,484 — up over 66% on the corresponding 10-month period in 2009 (38,149) and surpassing the total amount of claims processed for the full year 2009. The backlog of claims is decreasing — reducing from its highest level in November 2009 of 43,608 to a current level of 28,300. I expect that the claims backlog will reduce to somewhere between 25,000 and 26,000 by year end.

Responsibility for the payment functions arising under the Redundancy and Insolvency payment schemes is due to be transferred to the Department of Social Protection with effect from 1 January 2011. In transferring the functions between Departments, it is the intention that this will operate seamlessly and without any adverse impact on the service levels being experienced by individuals or the business community awaiting payment of redundancy claims.

Work Permits

John Perry

Ceist:

290 Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if the employment permit application in respect of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed. [44802/10]

My Department processes applications in respect of the different types of employment permits — Green Cards Permits, Work Permits, Spousal/Dependant Permits and Intra-company Transfer Permits. All applications are processed in line with the Employment Permits Act 2006. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that a Work Permit issued in this case on the 30th September, 2010.

Energy Resources

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

291 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the estimated energy use of his Department in the years 2008 and 2009 and to date in 2010; the total cost of that energy use in each of those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44937/10]

The estimated energy use of my Department and the Offices of my Department (with the exception of the National Employment Rights Authority, the Labour Court and the Labour Relations Commission for whom figures are not available) for the years 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010 and the total cost of that energy use in each of those years is contained in the table below.

2008

2009

2010 to date

Energy use in kWh

4,631,000

3,950,000

3,322,000

Cost

€438,000

€350,000

€303,000

The energy usage by my Department and the Offices of my Department is kept under regular review to ensure the cost of same is kept to the minimum.

Job Losses

John Deasy

Ceist:

292 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of job losses in Waterford city and county in the past four years and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44965/10]

The agency employment figures are compiled in the Forfás Annual Employment Survey, the most up to date of which details figures for jobs lost up until end 2009. The only figures available to my Department are those in respect of firms assisted by the Enterprise Development agencies — IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, which come under the aegis of my Department. As the information is compiled on an annualised basis, the figures in respect of 2010 will not be available until 2011. Details of the agency figures are set out in the following tabular statement.

My Department does not collect or retain information on the number of jobs lost in County and City Enterprise Board assisted companies.

Jobs lost in Agency Supported Companies in Waterford City & County

2006

2007

2008

2009

Enterprise Ireland Client Companies

230

515

902

1,400

IDA Ireland Client Companies

350

183

483

569

Total

580

698

1,385

1,969

Employment Rights

John Perry

Ceist:

293 Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the position regarding an Employment Appeals Tribunal issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45014/10]

While the Employment Appeals Tribunal operates under the aegis of my Department, it is independent in the discharge of its quasi-judicial function — I have no role in the scheduling of individual cases for Hearing. The Tribunal Secretariat will be in contact with the claimant about the scheduled date of his hearing.

National Recovery Plan

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

294 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation noting the commitments within chapter two of the National Recovery Plan 2011-2014, the reason he has waited until now to launch a review to eliminate anomalies within the framework registered employment agreements and employment regulation orders when concerns have been well flagged for more than two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45087/10]

I have consistently held that we need to ensure that these wage fixing mechanisms work effectively and efficiently and that they do not have a negative impact on economic performance and employment levels. As the Deputy will also be aware, I have proposed to introduce an inability to pay mechanism for both Registered Employment Agreements and Employment Regulation Orders in the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2009.

The National Recovery Plan 2011-2014 sets out in detail the measures that will be taken to put our public finances in order and provides a blueprint for a return to sustainable growth in our economy. The Plan identifies the areas of economic activity which will provide growth and employment in the next phase of our economic development. It specifies the reforms the Government will implement to accelerate growth in those key sectors. It is within this context that the Government has decided that a formal review of our statutory wage setting mechanisms, Employment Regulations Orders and Registered Employment Agreements, should be undertaken within a short timeframe.

Proposed Legislation

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

295 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation with regard to the Industrial Relations Act 1990 the stage of development of the amendment to the Act regarding the definition of worker; when this amendment will be enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45130/10]

Access to the employment dispute settling bodies under the Industrial Relations Acts is governed by the definition of "worker" in Section 23 of the Industrial Relations Act 1990. Workers not included within this definition are normally covered by separate schemes of Conciliation and Arbitration.

Section 23(1)(e) of the 1990 Act excludes, inter alia, "an officer of a vocational education committee" from this definition of "worker". Arising from an agreement between management and union sides to abolish the existing Conciliation and Arbitration machinery for vocational educational committee officers and to bring them within the scope of the Industrial Relations Acts, it is proposed to amend the definition of "worker" to include such officers, with the exception of teachers, within the definition of "worker" in the 1990 Act. An amendment to this effect is included in the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2009, which is currently awaiting Committee Stage in the Dáil.

Redundancy Payments

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

296 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation when a redundancy payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if same can be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45307/10]

My Department administers the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) in relation to redundancy matters on behalf of the Department of Social Protection. 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 redundancy lump sum claim in respect of the individual concerned on 15 June, 2010. This claim awaits processing.

In respect of lump sum payments paid directly to employees in instances where employers are unable to pay the statutory redundancy entitlements, in general, claims dating from May 2010 are currently being processed. Of course in some instances, where the necessary supporting documentation for lump sum claims is not provided to my Department, or where queries arise, processing of claims can be further delayed until the required documentation is provided and/or outstanding queries are resolved.

My Department continues to make every effort to reduce processing times. Measures already taken in the Department to alleviate the pressures on the Payments area include:

Almost doubling the number of staff working solely on redundancy payment claims through reassignment to a current level of 52 full time equivalents;

Prioritisation of the Department's overtime budget towards staff in the Section to tackle the backlog outside normal hours;

Establishment of a special call handling facility in NERA to deal with the huge volume of telephone calls from people and businesses concerned about their payments;

Better quality information relating to current processing times on the Department's website;

Engagement with the Revenue Commissioners to facilitate the offset of redundancy rebate payments by employers against existing outstanding tax liabilities which those employers owe to the Revenue Commissioners.

Whilst the backlog and waiting times remain at unacceptable levels, improvements are evident. In 2009, my Department processed 50,664 claims, up 70% on the previous year. Furthermore, the level of new claims processed in the first ten months of 2010 was 63,484 — up over 66% on the corresponding 10-month period in 2009 (38,149) and surpassing the total amount of claims processed for the full year 2009. The backlog of claims is decreasing — reducing from its highest level in November 2009 of 43,608 to a level of 28,300 at the end of October 2010. I expect that the claims backlog will reduce to somewhere between 25,000 and 26,000 by year end.

Responsibility for the payment functions arising under the Redundancy and Insolvency payment schemes is due to be transferred to the Department of Social Protection with effect from 1 January 2011. In transferring the functions between Departments, it is the intention that this will operate seamlessly and without any adverse impact on the service levels being experienced by individuals or the business community awaiting payment of redundancy claims.

National Recovery Plan

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

297 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the way the Government’s four year plan will affect trading and investing in a smart economy; if the projected funding allocated to the strategy will be affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45311/10]

One of the key messages in the Government's National Recovery Plan is that export led growth will fuel domestic recovery. It recognizes that the implementation of the strategy and action plan set out in Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy will ensure that our trade, tourism and investment sectors are well positioned to respond effectively to emerging opportunities as the global economy recovers.

The National Recovery Plan through its underpinning of the work of the relevant State agencies by providing the funding that will allow them to meet their targets, fully supports the implementation of the new trade strategy. Likewise the capital provision of €2.2 billion investment for the Enterprise agencies will allow us to continue to win foreign direct investments, grow indigenous exports, support research, development and innovation.

Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy identifies cost competitiveness as one of the key challenges effecting the ability of the trade, tourism, and investment sectors to grow. The National Recovery Plan has set out specific actions to spur further improvements in competitiveness across all sectors of the economy including measures to cut costs in energy, waste and transport, broadband infrastructure, professional fees, property and labour. The Recovery Plan also commits to maintaining the 12.5% corporation tax rate which the new trade strategy identifies as a key component of our industrial policy.

The overall objective of the Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy is to marshal and coordinate the resources of the State in a way that best supports firms, of all sizes, in all parts of the country, which are trying to trade and grow their business overseas. Its implementation will result in the sustained, concentrated and coordinated efforts of all the key Government Departments and agencies, including our embassies and consulates abroad in support for Irish companies in overseas markets. Departments and agencies will implement the strategy and action plan from within their current budgets. I am confident that the Four Year Recovery Plan fully supports the achievement of the ambitious targets in relation to trade, tourism and investment as set out in Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy .

National Minimum Wage

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

298 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of workers on the national minimum wage here; the percentage of the workforce on the national minimum wage; the number and percentage of workers covered by employment regulation orders and joint labour committees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45312/10]

Estimates from the Earnings, Hours and Employment Costs Survey, as undertaken by the Central Statistics Office, indicate that there were approximately 52,000 employees paid at or below the national minimum wage of €8.65 per hour as of the second quarter of 2010. This represented 3.4% of all employees. Reliable data on the number of workers who come within the scope of Employment Regulation Orders and Registered Employment Agreements are not available.

Energy Resources

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

299 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the estimated energy use of his Department in the years 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; the total cost of that energy use in each of those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44934/10]

My Department has offices in Dublin, Tubbercurry, Na Forbacha, Donegal, and Tralee. The estimated energy in terms of Watts used and oil use and the costs of same are outlined in the table below. All costs are VAT inclusive.

2008

2009

2010 to date

Energy

Cost

Energy

Cost

Energy

Cost

Electricity

870,882 kWh

€142,882

767,760 kWh

€141,400

674,887

€99,138

Gas

251,612 kWh

€15,651

366,111 kWh

€29,334

159,862

€21,562

Oil/Kerosene

20,563 ltrs

€14,720

27,173 ltrs

€13,536

30,730

€15,597

EU Directives

Michael Creed

Ceist:

300 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs his view on the proposals currently before the European Parliament to extend maternity leave to 20 weeks and introduce paternity leave of two weeks both at full pay; his views on whether these proposals are affordable in the Irish context; the position he is taking in the conduct of these negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45072/10]

Michael Creed

Ceist:

301 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the approach being adopted by him in respect of proposals currently being considered in the European Parliament to introduce maternity leave of 20 weeks and paternity leave of two weeks, both at full pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45073/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 300 and 301 together.

In relation to the Deputy's questions on maternity leave, I will draw his attention to my response to Question No. 359 of 23 November 2010. The European Parliament also initiated the proposal to amend the European Commission's draft Directive further by introducing paid paternity leave in the course of its consideration of the Maternity Leave Directive. Accordingly, this proposed amendment to the Directive is also under examination in conjunction with the review of the amendments which the European Parliament proposed for maternity leave.

Pension Provisions

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

302 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Defence if changes have been made to the gratuity payment made to enlisted personnel in the Defence Forces; if he will clarify that the gratuity is still made in a lump sum after 21 years of service, rather than spread over a number of years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44918/10]

I presume the Deputy is referring to the recent increase in the level of pay-related retirement gratuity applicable to certain enlisted personnel who joined the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) before 1 April 2004. This change was formally agreed with PDFORRA in November 2008 under the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for members of the PDF. Under the agreed arrangements, the increased retirement gratuity applies to qualified enlisted personnel who were serving on 1 September 2005 and who are discharged on or after that date with 22 or more years' service.

Previously, the retirement gratuity for pre-April 2004 enlisted personnel was 25 weeks' pensionable pay after 21 years' service, rising by increments of two weeks' pay for each subsequent year, up to a maximum of 45 weeks' pay after 31 years' service. Under the recent agreement, the gratuity of 25 weeks' pay after 21 years stands, but it now increases by 4 weeks' pay per year for each subsequent year, to a maximum of 65 weeks' pensionable pay after 31 years' service. I can confirm that the gratuity is paid in a single lump sum following the person's discharge from the PDF. Different superannuation arrangements apply to military personnel recruited to the PDF since April 2004.

Defence Forces Personnel

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

303 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Defence the number of serving members of the Defence Forces who suffer from the medical condition of diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44769/10]

I am advised by the Military authorities that the current medical module of the Defence Forces Personnel Management System does not facilitate the capture of specific data on the number of patients suffering from individual conditions. Consequently, it is not possible to identify the number of serving members of the Defence Forces who suffer from diabetes at this time. The recent review of the medical services by PA Consulting proposed a model for future delivery of those services. The review, inter alia, recommended the establishment of a number of Working Groups to progress the various projects identified. One such Group is the Future Medical Information System Working Group and I am advised by the Military authorities that this Group's final report to the Steering Group will be completed shortly.

Overseas Missions

Mary Upton

Ceist:

304 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Defence if he will support the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44801/10]

I am advised by the Military authorities that all selections, including Air Corps selections, for overseas service for positions advertised by the Enlisted Personnel Management Office (EPMO) are conducted in accordance with the Defence Forces policy on Selection for Overseas Service dated 31 July 2006. Over the course of his career, the individual in question has been selected to serve overseas on seven different occasions.

The individual is at present a volunteer for overseas service and has been recommended by his Unit Commander for six vacancies which will arise overseas in early 2011. Subject to receiving a nomination from GOC Air Corps his application will be considered fairly and equitably along with the nominations from the other five Formations in accordance with the aforementioned policy on Selection for Overseas Service.

Under Paragraph 7 of the policy on Selection for Overseas Service, the individual is entitled to appeal any of the applications for which he was not recommended or selected. Furthermore, under Section 114 of the Defence Act 1954, a member of the Defence Forces who believe they have been wronged in any matter, has recourse to a Redress of Wrongs Process. I am advised by the Military authorities that the individual has not availed of this process.

Energy Resources

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

305 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Defence the estimated energy use of his Department in the years 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; the total cost of that energy use in each of those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44935/10]

The information requested by the Deputy is currently being collated by the Department and will be provided to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Barr