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Chuaigh an Ceann Comhairle i gceannas ar 2.30 p.m.

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Prayer.

An Ceann Comhairle: Before proceeding with Question Time today, I would like to take the opportunity to welcome to Dáil Éireann the Honorary Sandra Kelly, Minister for Industry, Trade and Technology in the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, who is here with us this afternoon in the Distinguished Visitors' Gallery.

On my own behalf and on behalf of the Members of Dáil Éireann, I extend to you, Minister, a most sincere welcome to our country. I trust that your visit will further strengthen the ties of friendship and co-operation between Newfoundland and Labrador and Ireland.

CEISTEANNA - QUESTIONS.

Census of Population.

1. Mr. Ring asked the Taoiseach when the next census will be held in view of the increased population due to the number of returning emigrants and asylum seekers. [19304/00]

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Mr. S. Brennan): The next census of population will be held on Sunday, 29 April 2001. The census will cover everyone who is present in the country on census night. This accords with the definition used in previous censuses. Persons will be enumerated where they spend census night, for instance, in private households, hotels, guesthouses, hospitals, barracks etc.

Millennium Projects.

2. Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach if final accounts are yet available for the Messiah XXI production company, which received a substantial grant from the National Millennium Committee; the proportion of the profits allocated to a charity or charitable trust as promised at the time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20079/00]

Mr. S. Brennan: Messiah XXI Productions Limited has formally pledged that 10% annually up to £700,000 of any net after tax profits will go to Irish charities. This sum is equivalent to the award the company received on the recommendation of the National Millennium Committee. The Millennium Office has been in regular contact with Messiah XXI Productions during the year in respect of this matter. The company has advised that it is focusing on the North American market and that negotiations are ongoing with a number of broadcasting and music companies. The Millennium Office will continue to monitor the position on an ongoing basis.

One of the conditions in the partnership agreement between Messiah XXI Productions and the National Millennium Committee in respect of the award of millennium funding is the submission of audited accounts. The company has advised that the audit on its final accounts should be available in November.

Mr. Quinn: The Minister of State does not seem to be able to provide information additional to that which he placed on record last February. If he peruses the reply he gave at that stage, I am sure he will agree he has not been able to obtain such information from the company which was exploring the same segment of the North American market when the Minister of State last replied to questions on this matter. Does he agree it is extraordinary that he has not been supplied with better information, bearing in mind the enormous amount of taxpayers' money which was given to this group in the first instance?

Mr. S. Brennan: I do not have a great deal more information to hand. However, discussions are ongoing between the staff of the millennium committee and the company in question. I understand that the subject of those discussions is the sale of broadcasting rights in the United States over the Christmas period. I also understand that the video is on sale through the public network broadcasting stations in the United States and Canada. To date, however, no contracts have been signed. I await publication of the audited accounts and the result of sales in the Christmas period which should provide a more comprehensive picture.

Mr. Quinn: Does the Minister of State agree his replies are almost identical to those he provided last February? What is happening? Has the company in question registered as a charitable trust? If so, where is that trust registered and what level of sales has been achieved to date? What information does the Minister of State have in his possession? Has the company made any sales, has it obtained any revenue and, if so, is the Minister of State in a position to outline the levels of same?

Mr. S. Brennan: I do not know any more than I have already stated.

Mr. Quinn: Why not?

Mr. S. Brennan: Because I do not know.

Mr. Quinn: This question was tabled some time ago and the Department has been aware of it. Given that the Minister of State is chairman of the committee, has no one in his Department sought to ask these people what is happening?

Mr. S. Brennan: The principal executive of the millennium office has been in regular contact with Messiah XXl Productions. No contracts have been signed. Discussions are ongoing with broadcasting companies in the United States and Canada. The video has been produced and the annual accounts are due in November. Even if the Deputy kept me here for four further hours I could not add to the information already supplied.

Mr. Quinn: Does the Minister of State agree that if he was acting as a banker or investor, he would be far from satisfied with the lack of information he is giving to other investors, namely, Irish taxpayers? Why does his staff not have the answers to the questions being asked? The Minister of State is not necessarily responsible because he did not ask those questions but somebody should have asked them. If he was on this side of the House, he would be far less sanguine than I have been in relation to the poverty of the reply he has just placed on the record.

Mr. S. Brennan: It is not the same as a grant from IDA Ireland or a similar grant. A total of 2,000 projects were given support and this is the only one in respect of which there is an ongoing relationship in respect of its funding. The other 1,999 projects received once-off grants. We could inquire about each of those projects and request to see their annual accounts, but we have not done so. It was decided that, because of the special circumstances involved, in the event that profits were made - audited accounts are necessary to discover whether this was the case - 10% up to £700,000 would go to Irish charities. That pledge still holds. However, until I receive the audited accounts I will not know the percentage of the profits which will be donated to charity. The accounts will be ready in November.

From what I have heard, I am not hugely optimistic that a large donation of funds will be made to charity. However, over 2,000 projects in total were supported and the project in question was unanimously supported by the committee because it appeared to be of interest, given its special nature and the time of year involved. The commitment to try to recoup some of the funds means that this is the only project out of a total of 2,000 in respect of which special arrangements were made.

As soon as I receive the annual accounts I will discover whether a profit has been made. There is no point in asking what is the company's current cashflow because I need to know what is the profit for the year. If a profit has been made for the year, 10% of it will go to the fund in question. If there is no profit - I would not hold my breath in terms of there being a profit - the matter rests there. I cannot provide further information until I receive the accounts in November.

Mr. Quinn: This matter is of relevance to the House. Does the Minister of State agree that if I was to submit a request under the Freedom of Information Act in relation to correspondence between his Department and the group in question, I would obtain more information than has been placed on the record of the House? He has not given a single fact, other than things he has heard. The standard of the reply given by the Minister of State is not acceptable. Annual accounts are usually available in draft form in October if they are to be audited in November.

The Minister of State knows this. He is not doing a service to the House by placing this poverty of information on the record.

Mr. S. Brennan: I will double check because my understanding is that all the information available to the Department is being made available to the Deputy in my reply. The company has appointed a sole agent for selling the production to broadcasters in the United States. It has not yet obtained contracts for TV broadcasting rights. Negotiations are ongoing and the appropriate time for televising the production of the event will be the Christmas period, given the nature of this production, and contracts are more likely to be signed between now and Christmas. That is all the information I have. I do not have a draft set of accounts. The Deputy is quite right in saying it would be normal to have one.

Mr. Quinn: It must exist.

Mr. S. Brennan: I am open to correction. I do not have a draft set of accounts but I understand one will be available in November. It may be that the company's year end is December and I will receive the November accounts as a draft. The set of accounts from outside auditors which I need, to know if the company made money will not be available to me until November. I will then gladly lay them before the House.

An Ceann Comhairle: Question No. 3 has been withdrawn. We now move to question No. 4.

Tourism Statistics.

4. Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Taoiseach the steps being taken to provide more detailed and accurate statistics in regard to tourism, particularly in relation to differentiating between journeys from abroad for commercial or family reasons and regular tourism; if the Central Statistics Office has had discussions with Bord Fáilte in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21126/00]

Mr. S. Brennan: The differentiation referred to by the Deputy is already in place. Overseas visits to Ireland are classified according to the four way classification of reason for journey, which distinguishes: business; holiday, leisure and recreation; visits to friends and relatives; and other.

This categorisation is based on World Tourism Organisation and EU recommendations and has been agreed with Bord Fáilte.

Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin: When were these statistics compiled? The figures being used at present are unsound and the necessary information has not been compiled. We should compile it now while resources are available. When did Bord Fáilte and the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation start compiling figures under these headings?

Mr. S. Brennan: Bord Fáilte and the Central Statistics Office have been producing this type of statistics for a number of years. They come from three sources: figures are received from transport companies; a country of residence survey is done which estimates distribution of routes by country of residence and covers approximately 274,000 people; and the CSO operates a passenger card inquiry which is used to estimate, for various areas of residence, the reason for the journey, length of stay, expenditure and fare cost.

The visiting friends and relative, VFR category has been in use for a number of years. When I was Minister of State with responsibility for tourism many years ago the categorisation VFR, as opposed to business travellers and holidaymakers, was in use. The figures are produced on a quarterly basis.

Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin: How much funding does the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation give to Bord Fáilte to carry out such surveys?

An Ceann Comhairle: The Minister of State is not responsible for funding.

Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin: Does the Minister of State agree that Bord Fáilte and the Department are defining the market in terms of revenue rather than numbers, that this is too blunt an instrument and that we need a more definite analysis? Does he agree that funding should be made available to Bord Fáilte to carry out such analysis?

An Ceann Comhairle: Matters related to policy are not a matter for the Minister of State.

Mr. S. Brennan: I will examine the point made by the Deputy. I do not think it is a matter of funding. The figures are produced by Bord Fáilte and the Central Statistics Office from within their present funding. I am not aware of any demand for additional funding from the Central Statistics Office or from Bord Fáilte and I understand the Minister, Deputy McDaid, is not either. There is not a demand for additional funding. The statistics are compiled within the current budgets.

Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin: A great deal of money will be available for marketing in the next few years. How can the weakest areas be targeted if proper statistics are not available? Will the Minister advise Bord Fáilte to compile its own statistics because those available are not useful to the tourism industry.

Mr. S. Brennan: We have not received any great representations from either Bord Fáilte or the CSO to the effect that they are short on statistics or statistical support. I will discuss the matter with them.

5. Mr. Sheehan asked the Taoiseach the numbers of tourists who have visited here in the period 1 January to 30 September 2000; and if this number is on a par with previous years. [20963/00]

Mr. S. Brennan: Details are published quarterly relating to the number of overseas visits to Ireland. In the first six months of the year there were 2,830,000 visits, an increase of 146,000 on the corresponding figure for 1999. Corresponding figures for the first six months of the last five years are as follows: 1995, 1,733,000; 1996, 2,002,000; 1997, 2,193,000; 1998, 2,435,000; and 1999, 2,684,000.

Mr. Sheehan: Are the figures quoted applicable to tourists only or do they include visiting relatives from England and vice versa as well as business travellers to Ireland who could not be classified as tourists?

Mr. S. Brennan: The phrase "overseas visitors to Ireland" includes all categories. The figure for the most recent six month period is 2,830,000. In reply to an earlier parliamentary question, I gave a breakdown of this figure as between visiting relatives and friends and business travellers. Emigration and immigration statistics are accounted for separately.

Mr. Allen: Does the Minister of State have the figures for the numbers of British tourists in the period set out in the question?

Mr. S. Brennan: They are available but I do not have them with me.

Mr. Deasy: Are there significant variations or differences as between nationalities? Are the figures for the numbers of British and American tourists up or down? There must be some significance. For instance, there has been a decrease in the numbers of German tourists in recent years. What is the overall trend?

Mr. S. Brennan: As I was not asked that question, I do not have the reply. I understand from the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation that the numbers of American tourists are up and that the UK market is problematic. That is the general trend.

Mr. Sheehan: That trend was not evident in west Cork during the last season.

Committee on Social Inclusion and Drugs.

6. Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach the number of occasions on which the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion and Drugs has met in 2000; when the committee last met; and if he will make a statement on the progress of the committee to date. [20078/00]

7. Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the number of times on which the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion and Drugs has met in 2000; and the plans there are for meetings in the future. [21141/00]

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Mr. E. Ryan): I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 7 together.

The Cabinet committee on social inclusion has met on seven occasions to date in 2000. The last meeting took place on 26 July. The next meeting is scheduled for 17 October. There are two further meetings planned for this year, 22 November and 13 December.

The Cabinet committee continues to give political direction to the Government's social inclusion policies, including the national drugs strategy. The meetings provide an opportunity to review trends, assess progress in the relevant strategies and programmes and resolve policy and organisational problems which may arise.

Mr. Quinn: Was there a full attendance at the meeting of the Cabinet committee on 26 July? Who was present and what steps or decisions were taken?

Mr. E. Ryan: Normally there is a full attendance at meetings, but I cannot give the Deputy-----

Mr. Quinn: Does the Minister of State have the information?

Mr. E. Ryan: I do not have it with me, but I can get the attendance-----

An Ceann Comhairle: It is internal to the work of the Cabinet sub-committee.

Mr. Quinn: Surely the decision on Cabinet confidentiality relates to what is discussed, not to who is present.

An Ceann Comhairle: It relates to what is discussed.

Mr. Higgins (Dublin West): Will the Minister of State indicate if it is within the brief of the Cabinet sub-committee to review progress on the treatment of heroin addicts? Is he aware that in some communities there are still waiting lists of those who are addicted to heroin and who are seeking help? Does he agree this is inexcusable in view of the resources available to the Government and the damage caused to addicts and to the community? Some addicts engage in crime to feed their habit.

Is the Minister of State aware that the knowledge among users in communities that there are waiting lists discourages them from seeking treatment as they feel they will not be accommodated and that, therefore, the waiting lists have a further knock-on effect in allowing people who are chaotic to remain in the community without seeking help? Does he agree that where there is a space of between four and six weeks between the first request for treatment by users and being admitted to programmes it is far too long, that the life of an addict is chaotic and that when they present for treatment it is vital it should be given immediately?

Mr. E. Ryan: The national drugs strategy and anything pertaining to drugs is considered by the Cabinet sub-committee. I agree with Deputy Higgins that the idea of a waiting list sends out a bad message to people who are abusing drugs. There has been an increase in the number of people in treatment from 1,300 to approximately 5,000. We are trying to move them on through rehabilitation and counselling. FÁS has ring-fenced approximately 1,000 places for people to get back into the workplace. We must try to devise a working system that allows people presenting themselves to get treatment. We are trying to achieve that. I consult with the health boards practically every week or, if not, every two weeks to ascertain what is happening on waiting lists.

Mr. Stagg: What is the Minister of State doing about it?

Mr. E. Ryan: We are doing a lot about it.

Mr. Stagg: It appears to be ineffective.

Mr. E. Ryan: It is not ineffective.

Mr. Stagg: It is ineffective if people cannot get on waiting lists.

An Ceann Comhairle: I must remind the House that these questions are not about the Government's strategy, they are about meetings of the Cabinet sub-committee.

Mr. Stagg: I am responding to the Minister of State's speech.

Mr. E. Ryan: A new bus will come on stream over the next couple of weeks and that will help matters, but there are objections in some communities to having methadone maintenance clinics up and running. That is adding to the problem.

Mr. Stagg: It is for the Minister of State to deal with that.

Mr. E. Ryan: Under the new national drugs strategy I would like to ensure that if somebody presents they get treatment and that a positive message is sent to the community that people who want treatment for drugs can get it if they wish.

Mr. Quinn: What is the state of the waiting lists? How many people in the Dublin area are on waiting lists for methadone treatment?

Mr. E. Ryan: At present approximately 5,000 people are in treatment while approximately 400 people are waiting for treatment.

Mr. Higgins (Dublin West): Will the Minister of State detail the plans being put into effect to ensure there is no waiting list and to include for treatment those not yet on the waiting list and who are perhaps reluctant to apply for treatment because of it? Does the Minister of State agree there is a major problem with the lack of rehabilitation and after care programmes by the health boards? Is he aware that in Dublin a programme has been drawn up but has not been put in place?

Will he agree that rehabilitation and after care are vital in the recovery of heroin users and in the prevention of relapse? It is difficult to stay off heroin once addicted. Will he agree there is a great need for more counsellors? What plans are in place to either train or engage more counsellors for rehabilitation and after care? Will he agree that insufficient resources are put into family support for families which have heroin users in their midst? The trauma caused to families with addiction problems is well known. Addiction problems arise in some families due to dysfunction or other problems.

An Ceann Comhairle: The Deputy is making a statement.

Mr. Higgins (Dublin West): Will the Minister of State outline his plans to put resources and a rehabilitation programme in place without delay?

Mr. E. Ryan: The review of the national drugs strategy covers many of the areas to which the Deputy has referred. We have invited people in, we have had public fora and almost 200 written submissions have been received. One area in which a problem was identified was rehabilitation. Once people presented they stayed on methadone but they need to be moved on. This is an area that needs to be ring-fenced. FÁS has ring-fenced 1,000 places. We are looking at a variety of different measures that can be taken. For example, during the summer we launched the labour inclusion programme which provides training for people in areas in which they have a interest. Following proper training they can move into the workplace where they will have a mentor within the company to move them along. They will also have counselling. It is difficult for people who are off drugs to stay off them and I agree with the Deputy that this is a difficulty within the system.

Family support is a weak area. Yesterday I launched a report in Tallaght on family support for children of drug addicts. They came up with some good proposals on how to help children and people who are misusing drugs to ensure their children are protected. I hope to see many of these measures will be put in place in the new national drugs strategy. The national drugs strategy has come from a low base. Under the previous Government it was started under the then Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, when there were practically no services in that area. The services have been increased and can be further increased.

An Ceann Comhairle: I remind the House that detailed questions on strategy are not in order on these questions.

Ms Shortall: In view of the central role of educational disadvantage in the area of social exclusion and particularly drug abuse, has the Cabinet sub-committee discussed the request from local drugs task forces for a representative of the Department of Education and Science to sit on each task force and the Minister's subsequent refusal to provide such a person?

An Ceann Comhairle: Matters discussed by the sub-committee cannot be questioned.

Ms Shortall: I am merely asking the Minister of State for his view on the refusal by the Minister for Education and Science to provide such a person in view of the strong request from all the task forces. I further ask the Minister of State if he has discussed at the Cabinet sub-committee the question of the establishment of the committee on educational disadvantage which has been promised for the past two years by the Government? Will he ensure this receives urgent attention?

An Ceann Comhairle: Matters discussed at the Cabinet sub-committee may not be raised.

Mr. E. Ryan: I will not dwell on what was discussed-----

Mr. S. Ryan: The Minister of State can give his own opinion.

Mr. E. Ryan: -----but certainly there is a problem with the Department of Education and Science. Local drug task forces are of the view that what is relevant in their areas is not being dealt with by the Department of Education and Science because it is such a centralised department. There are some proposals emanating from the Department to try to address the problem raised by the Deputy. The matter has been brought to my attention and many of those involved in the area have discussed it with me. We are trying to address the problem and I look forward to the proposals they will announce shortly.

Mr. Gregory: Given that the heroin problem in Dublin shows no sign of abating and that heroin is beginning to show up in areas outside Dublin, has the Minister of State conveyed to the Garda authorities the need to concentrate Garda anti-drug resources on heroin? Is this his own approach and is he satisfied that the Garda is responding to it? In relation to the youth facilities fund, allocations have been made which are inadequate in some instances to allow major projects, such as in the Cabra community complex in John Paul Park, to proceed. Can he say when the additional funding that is required to allow such major and badly needed projects to get underway will be provided to the project organisers?

Has the Minister of State received a submission on the need for a limited heroin prescription programme and, if so, what is his policy on-----

An Ceann Comhairle: Questions of detail are not appropriate to these questions. They would be more appropriate as separate questions.

Mr. Gregory: I believe the Minister of State is anxious to respond to some of these issues. They are important and, unfortunately, we are restricted in the questions we can table on the number of meetings the sub-committee holds in a year. That is not very sensible. There should be a mechanism for raising important issues with the Minister of State but this is our only opportunity to do so.

Mr. E. Ryan: The answer to the Deputy's first question is a definite yes. I have spoken to the Garda about the importance of concentrating on the problem of heroin. The damage heroin does to the individuals, their families and communities is enormous-----

Mr. Gregory: The seizures do not reflect that.

Mr. E. Ryan: I agree that the seizures should be increased. Within the review of the national drugs strategy, for example, Customs and Excise is introducing new passive dogs which are successful in other countries. If I remember correctly, this was announced in the newspapers about three weeks ago. They are successful in many countries and the general travelling public accept them. They are not as aggressive as the normal dogs used to detect drugs. That is one development.

We have raised the problem of seizures. I would like to see more of them but the gardaí argue that a pound of heroin is easy to hide while other drugs are far bulkier and easier to find. However, I take the Deputy's point. I will continue to pressurise them, as I have been doing. The problems heroin causes for individuals and communities are enormous.

Mr. Rabbitte: I presume the Minister of State was at the Cabinet sub-committee in July. He has not yet attended so many that he would have already forgotten who was present. Will he please tell the House who was present? Does he not agree that the Cabinet sub-committee meetings appear to be entirely pro forma and that the urgency that is required to have somebody to drive these programmes politically does not exist?

With regard to the reply to Deputy Quinn about the extent of the problem, is it not the case that there are more than 13,000 addicts according to the best estimates and, according to the Minister of State's figures, approximately 5,000 in treatment? Is this not a matter of life and death? Are there not people dying because they cannot get places on treatment programmes? The Minister of State will be aware that a young mother of two children in my constituency died about three weeks ago because she could not get a place on a treatment programme. Is it not the case that this is not unusual? Is there not a need, therefore, for somebody to demonstrate more urgency politically about putting in place improvements in the treatment infrastructure in a situation where the heroin abuse problem in this city is now worse than it was when the task forces were first put in place in 1997?

Mr. E. Ryan: I do not agree with the Deputy's last suggestion. Given the feedback, I do not believe the heroin problem-----

Mr. Rabbitte: We approved the development plan last night in relation to the task force. The figures-----

An Ceann Comhairle: The Deputy must allow the Minister of State to answer the question. The Minister of State is in possession.

Mr. E. Ryan: Whenever I talk to local groups supported by local drugs task forces, I ask them what is the up to date position. Certainly the jury is out on whether the problem is worse. Some say it is worse, while others say it is not so bad. As the Deputy knows, 13,000 is an estimated figure and no one knows how many addicts there are. One professional told me recently that he reckons the figure is approximately 9,500. I have asked for the figures to be correlated. It is very difficult to determine the exact figure because of the difficulties involved in identifying people who abuse heroin.

The local drugs task forces have had a positive effect in local areas and the position has stabilised. I could be wrong but I am certainly not getting the feedback from local communities that the problem is getting worse. Wherever I go I ask people to tell me honestly how they feel about the issue. As the Deputy said, this is a matter of life and death. Young and old people, their families and communities are being destroyed because of the drugs problem. I speak to the health board on a regular basis regarding waiting lists and people write to me and ring me from around the city trying to get their sons or daughters into treatment. We do everything we possibly can to facilitate people. The health board is trying to open four or five more treatment centres. Given the new buses that are coming on stream, there should be a service that, I hope, will meet existing demand. If the demand is not met, the health board will have to open more centres. There are currently approximately 50 centres throughout the city.

An Ceann Comhairle: I call Deputy Stagg. Time is running out for the Taoiseach's questions and a number of Deputies are offering.

Mr. Rabbitte: Is the Minister of State aware that the development plans being put in place for the task forces show they have had a positive effect? No one is denying that. I am asking the Minister of State is it not the case that the heroin abuse problem is worse and that the level of first time users is worse? I am not questioning his commitment but I am questioning whether he is driving the programmes in the manner that he ought to drive them, if we are to cope with this problem.

An Ceann Comhairle: There is just five minutes left. The Deputy should be fair to his colleague because a number of Deputies wish to ask questions. I have called Deputy Stagg.

Mr. Rabbitte: I will sit down if the Ceann Comhairle is asking me to do so. I have asked the Minister of State to deal with this critical question and he has for the second time avoided telling us who was at the Cabinet sub-committee. It is a legitimate question and I am entitled to ask who was there. What is the secret? It is extraordinary that the Minister of State cannot recall this.

(Interruptions).

Mr. E. Ryan: I will get the details for the Deputy. I do not want to say someone was not there if he were there. There were many people there. There was almost a full attendance if I recall correctly.

Mr. Rabbitte: The Minister of State's memory worries me.

Mr. Stagg: Do the figures the Minister of State gave include Celbridge, County Kildare, where it is estimated 100 people are addicted to heroin? Will he agree that because there is no task force in Celbridge, there is no treatment centre to which addicts can go? Will he further accept that the only alternative for these addicts between applying for treatment, which a number of them have done, and receiving treatment is to stay on heroin, steal and act illegally to stop themselves dying? What is the waiting period between application for methadone treatment and assessment for suitability and getting on a treatment programme?

Mr. E. Ryan: The Deputy was in touch with my office and we contacted the health authority to find out-----

Mr. Stagg: One person in Newbridge looks after all Kildare.

Mr. E. Ryan: We have asked the health board to report on what is happening there-----

Mr. Stagg: Nothing.

Mr. E. Ryan: -----and we will open a clinic in the area if it is needed. I hope it will receive support from all political parties because there is a difficulty.

Mr. Stagg: A clinic is badly needed. The Minister of State will have my full support.

Mr. Quinn: Will the Minister of State be able to sway the Minister for Finance to come on board?

Mr. E. Ryan: It depends on where one goes. In certain parts of the Eastern Regional Health Authority area the waiting lists are short while in other parts it can take a long time. That is the problem and we are trying to open new centres so that there is no waiting list. That is what we are trying to implement and there is an urgency about it. I speak to the authority on a regular basis to try to get it to open such clinics. I hope, a number will open shortly and the new bus-----

Mr. Stagg: I am told the shortest waiting period is four months while the longest is one year. People are dying while they are waiting.

An Ceann Comhairle: I will allow the Deputy to come back in if time permits. I call Deputy Allen.

Mr. Allen: Did the Minister of State obtain figures for the Cork area during his tour around the country? Is there a heroin problem there and, if so, what steps is he taking in conjunction with the Southern Health Board to deal with the problem?

An Ceann Comhairle: Again these are matters of detail that are not directly relevant to the two questions which have been tabled.

Mr. Allen: Deputy Stagg asked a similar question.

An Ceann Comhairle: I am just pointing out that these are not-----

Mr. Rabbitte: On a point of order, why is that ruling being made? When the task forces were set up a decision was taken in this House that the responsible Minister would answer questions in this slot about any matter relating to the drugs strategy.

An Ceann Comhairle: If questions are tabled.

Mr. Rabbitte: Questions have been tabled.

An Ceann Comhairle: The supplementary questions which have been asked go far beyond the detail requested in the two questions before the House. There is another question on the Order Paper about this matter.

Mr. Rabbitte: The progress of the committee encompasses everything. The committee has overall responsibility for driving this-----

An Ceann Comhairle: A question has been tabled about the strategy.

Mr. Allen: Question No. 6 requests a statement on progress to date.

An Ceann Comhairle: A question has been tabled about that. I call Deputy McManus.

Mr. Allen: Will the Minister of State answer my question? A similar question was asked in regard to Celbridge and an answer was provided.

Mr. Stagg: An answer was not provided.

Mr. Allen: There was an attempt to provide an answer.

An Ceann Comhairle: I made a similar point in regard to that question.

Mr. E. Ryan: I can get the Deputy a more detailed answer. The Garda told us there was not a heroin problem on the ground that it knew of and when heroin moves into an area it is easy to identify. We heard reports of heroin in the area but there is no concrete proof. We heard there was heroin in Athlone and Limerick and we sought reports which were inconclusive. In cities such as Glasgow where the heroin problem affected the inner city and housing estates in the most excluded areas, there was a strong response from the state agencies and local communities. The problem was addressed but it migrated to other areas.

We must be ahead of the game and I would hate if dealers found it was easier and more lucrative to move to other parts of Ireland. There are proposals on the table to try to address that in the new drugs strategy. We must be very mindful of that because it happened in Scotland.

Ms McManus: What progress is being made in regard to drug treatments other than methadone, particularly the form of drug therapy more appropriate for newer and younger users? Is the Minister of State developing that form of treatment or is there a dependence solely on methadone?

Mr. Higgins (Dublin West): Does the Minister of State agree that to enable the Cabinet Sub-committee on Social Inclusion to pursue an effective strategy, it needs accurate information on the extent of heroin addiction in Ireland? It is a major problem if that information is not available - the Minister of State said nobody really knows the position. Does the Minister of State agree this arises because of the nature of the problem, which is that it involves people who are outside mainstream society?

Young people who are vulnerable to heroin addiction will not be driven home from All-Ireland finals in ministerial Mercs. Therefore, does the Minister of State agree it is crucial that there is a huge degree of flexibility in assessing the extent of the problem and in engaging with those who are at risk? In that regard, does the Minister of State agree there is a need-----

An Ceann Comhairle: I ask the Deputy to be brief as the time available has almost expired.

Mr. Higgins (Dublin West): Does the Minister of State agree there is a great need for outreach workers who will go onto the streets, into parks and into the areas where a subculture exists and where heroin abuse is a problem? These workers would provide advice, assistance and preventative mechanisms and assess the problems.

An Ceann Comhairle: I ask the Deputy to conclude. Otherwise, there will not be time for the Minister of State to reply.

Mr. E. Ryan: Regarding Deputy McManus's query, we are considering drugs such as Naltrexone. There has been positive feedback in countries such as Portugal and Spain where young addicts have received it. The family is included in the treatment process. A family member gives the Naltrexone in the morning and if the young person does not take it, alarm bells immediately begin to ring. Naltrexone is an inhibitor, which means that if a person takes heroin or any other drug, it will have no effect. We are considering international best practice, but one of the disappointing aspects is that very few answers are available on the international scene with regard to tackling the problem. There are no wonder drugs, although Naltrexone appears to have had positive results internationally.

Regarding Deputy Higgins's point, the national advisory committee on drugs was established to address the problem he mentioned in relation to accuracy of information about what is happening on the ground. The community and voluntary sector demanded such a body for many years. It is up and running and has held its first meeting. It will be a welcome addition in the fight against drugs. It will be in a position to get good and accurate information. It has a good budget and it appears happy to deal with the challenge it has been given.

Many of the local drugs task forces have already submitted plans for outreach workers. Such workers are operational on the ground. There is a need to get out there and talk to young people in the community who are not presenting for treatment to ensure they do not develop serious drug problems. There is a need to develop relationships with them. A recent report, Choosers or Losers, was carried out by Paula Mayock in an inner city community. She spent a year working on the report and the information she got because young people trusted and responded to her was enormously helpful. She got much good information on young people's attitudes to drugs. I agree with the Deputy that outreach workers are a most important element.

Priority Questions.

Tourism Management Boards.

8. Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if his Department ensures the updating of information detailing the business interests of members of the tourism product development management boards, which are responsible for the allocation of EU funds. [21189/00]

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Dr. McDaid): In October 1994, the then Minister for Tourism and Trade established two independent management boards for product development - one in respect of the Bord Fáilte area and the other covering the Shannon Development area. These product development management boards had responsibility for making decisions on applications for capital grant assistance under the product development sub-programme of the Operational Programme for Tourism, 1994-1999.

The membership of the boards consisted of three independent business-professional members, two representatives of the implementing agencies, that is, Bord Fáilte or Shannon Development, and one official from the then Department of Tourism and Trade.

The code of conduct for management boards clearly states that it is the duty of each board member to ensure that if and when a potential conflict of interest arises, he or she will take the necessary action to ensure that no actual conflict ensues. The code also states that a member should absent himself or herself when the board is deliberating or deciding on matters in which he or she or a person or body connected with them has an interest.

Both Bord Fáilte and Shannon Development have confirmed to me that on the few occasions when a potential conflict of interest arose the procedure I have just outlined applied and was recorded in the minutes of the relevant meetings. Consequently, I am satisfied that every step was taken by the management boards to ensure that any potential conflict of interest was dealt with in the appropriate manner.

As regards the disclosure of information forms, in June 1999 my Department wrote to each member of the independent boards for product development and sought an updating of their original disclosure form. Updating was not necessary where up-to-date declaration of interest forms existed in the context of individual board members' official capacity, either as a member of the board or executive of Bord Fáilte or Shannon Development or as a civil servant under the Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995.

Mr. Allen: How much funding was allocated by those boards over the past four years? Given that the Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995, obliges members of the board to disclose their business interests and that there is an obligation on the Department to ensure that such lists of interests are provided to the Department through Bord Fáilte and Shannon Development, have the terms of the legislation been followed in all cases? If the terms of the legislation were not followed, how would we know if there was a potential conflict of interest?

Dr. McDaid: The boards have responsibility for approximately £100 billion of EU funds over the period. The regulations and rules appertaining to those boards were followed at all times.

Mr. Allen: Were full declarations of interest supplied by the members to Bord Fáilte and Shannon Development on an annual basis over the past four years? Is the Minister stating that the terms of the legislation were followed in all instances?

Dr. McDaid: I am not sure what the Deputy is asking. The boards were appointed by my predecessor, Deputy Kenny. I have worked at all times with the board and its chairman. The members are people of integrity. To my knowledge, all members of the product development boards filled in the forms of declarations. The stipulation that it had to be filled in on a yearly basis may not have been followed, but that only arose when new members were appointed to the board on a few occasions. When it became clear that the forms should be updated, one official stated it was not necessary but that was overruled. The Secretary General of the Department informed the board in 1999 that members must show a declaration of interest. The board members had no problem filling in that declaration of interest. It appears everything was above board in terms of the declarations of interest.

Mr. Allen: Was there a conflict between the chairman of one of the boards, Mr. Stephens, and the officials in the Department when he stated that returns had been made to the Department but the Department stated it had no record of such returns?

Dr. McDaid: To what did the returns relate?

Mr. Allen: The returns of members interests.

Dr. McDaid: As regards Mr. Stephens who was chairman of the board and who was appointed by Deputy Kenny when he was Minister, I have always had a perfect working relationship with him.

Mr. Allen: That was not the question I asked.

Dr. McDaid: The Department was satisfied at all times. As regards the members interests, the forms were updated in 1999 and I understand both the boards and the chairmen were satisfied with that.

National Conference Centre.

9. Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the current position regarding the proposed national conference centre in the light of the decision of An Bord Pleanála to refuse planning permission for the full Spencer Dock project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21102/00]

11. Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the current situation in relation to the development of a national conference centre. [21191/00]

Dr. McDaid: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 11 together.

As the Deputies are aware, the Operational Programme for Tourism 1994-1999 included a provision towards the construction of a conference centre in Dublin capable of handling up to 2,000 delegates. In November 1998 the European Commission gave its approval in principle for a grant of 33 million ECU or £26 million, subject to a number of conditions, including the compatibility of any preferential tax regimes for the project with State aids rules. Subsequently, having secured Commission confirmation on permissible time limits for the grant draw down, contract documentation was agreed and signed by Bord Fáilte and the developer, Spencer Dock Consortium Limited, by the end of December last year.

Planning permission for the development, issued by Dublin Corporation in August 1999, was appealed to An Bord Pleanála. Last July, An Bord Pleanála issued its decision granting planning permission for the national conference centre element of the overall development but not for the bulk of the surrounding development. Since then, the developers have been considering their options in light of this planning decision. Options, of which I have been made aware, would require the provision of substantial additional public funding over and above the terms of the original grant offer from Bord Fáilte.

Following consultations with Bord Fáilte and advice from the Attorney General, I am precluded from introducing any amendments to the public procurement process through which the Spencer Dock proposal emerged and the grant offer of £26 million was made. I have now informed the developers accordingly and asked them to continue to consider with Bord Fáilte how to proceed within the context of the terms and conditions of the existing grant offer.

Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin: What contact has the Minister had with the developers of the Spencer Dock development and what was the outcome of such contact? The Minister said there is a request for more funding. How much more funding is being requested? Has the Minister received a copy of the contract between the developers and CIE from the Minister for Public Enterprise and what was included in that document? How much money has been expended to date on the development?

Mr. Allen: I do not have any contact with the developers. I met them previously but my contacts to date have been with Bord Fáilte. The Deputy asked how much was sought by the developers to continue with the development. However, that is sensitive information. This matter is not yet at an end. A contract has been signed between Bord Fáilte and the developers. It is a complex legal agreement and it involves a public procurement process and State aids. I am sorry it involves such legal complexities. I am precluded from stating how much more the developers are seeking. They are seeking further funding from the Exchequer. The Attorney General's advice is that this is a complex legal issue involving public procurement and State aids.

The developers need to conclude their business with Bord Fáilte. I assure the Deputy the Government remains fully committed to a national conference centre. This city, country and hoteliers require such a centre if we want to continue to meet the demands of people coming to this country. We will continue to give that commitment.

I have looked at the contract with CIE, which is quite complex, but it would appear that under the conditions of the contract the developers have an agreement with CIE for the site in the docklands area.

Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin: How much Exchequer money has been allocated to the national conference centre?

Dr. McDaid: A sum of £26 million in grant aid has been allocated, which is Exchequer money. The Deputy will recall that the grant aid was originally EU funding but so as not to lose the EU funding, the Government made a decision to transfer the £26 million, which we were given permission to do by the EU. To date, no money has been given. The grant aid is £26 million in Exchequer funding.

Mr. Allen: The Minister swaggered into this House some years ago and ridiculed Deputies on this side when we suggested there might be problems about the conference centre which he backed so wholeheartedly. He took the bull in a china shop approach and scrapped the RDS project.

An Ceann Comhairle: The Deputy is making a statement. A question, please.

Mr. Allen: Will the Minister agree that this situation is a total fiasco, that he has lost his way and this project has lost its way? It was included in a Fianna Fáil manifesto. Is the Minister as confident now as he was even six months ago that this project will go ahead? The Minister gave us lip service about the need for the country to have a conference centre. What is the alternative now in relation to this fiasco that he led us into?

Dr. McDaid: I can assure the Deputy that the Government remains totally committed to the conference centre. I have already stated that it is a complex legal issue as to where it stands but we will continue to pursue it. I would encourage the developers to continue to work with Bord Fáilte to iron out the contract aspects, which are complex, but I will not have a plan B until the developers and Bord Fáilte get together and work out the contract already signed between them.

Dr. McDaid: We cannot have any plan Bs when the original plan is ongoing.

Mr. Allen: Face up to reality.

Dr. McDaid: As I have already stated, it remains for the developers and Bord Fáilte to come together and work out the contract agreement they have in place. I can do nothing until they come together and make a decision one way or the other. There is no Exchequer funding. No money has been lost because this was an EU grant which the Government managed to persuade the EU to give to this development. The grant has not been lost. The funding was already transferred and this grant aid, which is currently in place, is Exchequer money. No Exchequer money has been forthcoming for anything in this area to date.

Mr. Allen: Will the Minister agree that this was a key element in the Government's tourism policy paper?

Dr. McDaid: Yes.

Mr. Allen: We are now almost four years into the lifetime of this Government. There is no sign of a conference centre and it appears we are not going to have a conference centre. When will the vital meetings, as the Minister termed them, take place between Bord Fáilte and the company involved? Is the Minister talking about a fall-back because we will not have a conference centre in the foreseeable future? It is a total fiasco.

Dr. McDaid: As I have already said, the Government is fully committed to it.

Mr. Allen: Empty words.

Dr. McDaid: I want to be clear. The Deputy must understand that a contract has been drawn up-----

Mr. Allen: The Minister supported the RDS one.

Dr. McDaid: -----and signed by both sides.

Mr. Allen: It would have been built by now.

An Ceann Comhairle: Deputy Allen, allow the Minister to reply.

Dr. McDaid: I can do nothing to bring forward plans. A contract cannot be varied that already has been signed by the developers and Bord Fáilte. Until they come to some decision regarding that contract-----

Mr. Allen: One in the hand is better than two in the bush.

Dr. McDaid: -----neither I nor the Government can do anything about it.

Mr. Allen: The Minister scrapped it and now we have lost it.

Dr. McDaid: We remain totally committed to the development of a national conference centre.

Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin: Why can the Minister not do something about it? Why can he, as Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation not take a hands-on approach to this matter to ensure that we will have a national conference centre? He is the Minister and the Exchequer is providing funding. He should have some part to play in it.

Dr. McDaid: I can imagine what it would be like if I was seen wining and dining with the developers of a major conference centre-----

Mr. Allen: Nobody is asking the Minister to wine and dine.

Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin: We are not talking about the Minister wining and dining.

Dr. McDaid: If one has contact with major developers, I can imagine what the Deputy would be saying. A contract has been signed between two bodies to go ahead with the development of the conference centre. Unfortunately, all the developers' needs were not allowed by An Bord Pleanála and consequently they said that they were unable to go ahead with the project unless the Government provided extra Exchequer funding. I have been informed by the Attorney General that in view of the legal complexity of the situation, the Government cannot give further Exchequer funding because a contract has been signed. Other people were in this competition and it could be seen as the Government giving extra funding to this development which would be totally unfair to the other competitors in this area. The developers have not said that they are no longer interested in this project. They have not abandoned it but I can do nothing until the developers and Bord Fáilte agree one way or the other with regard to their contract.

Deputies Allen and Moynihan-Cronin rose.

An Ceann Comhairle: We must proceed to the next question. The Deputies must be very brief.

Mr. Allen: Having scrapped the RDS project, will the Minister now take a hands-on approach to this vital project? He cannot act like Pontius Pilate and say the matter is between Bord Fáilte and Treasury Holdings. The Minister has a responsibility. He lost the conference centre to this country. He has lost the EU funding.

An Ceann Comhairle: Questions, please.

Mr. Allen: The Minister has a responsibility to take a hands-on approach and he should do so.

An Ceann Comhairle: I ask Deputy Moynihan-Cronin to be very brief.

Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin: I do not want the Minister to wine and dine people but to ensure that this country has a conference centre. This matter could go on for ten or 11 years. How long is the Minister prepared to let these discussions go on?

An Ceann Comhairle: I call the Minister for a very brief final reply.

Dr. McDaid: I am encouraged that the discussions will come to a head as soon as possible but I understand they have to make the decision before the end of the year. That is in the legal document. With regard to the conference centre having been lost, I remind the Deputy that if we had not done what we did at that time, we would have lost the £26 million because cases have been taken to the EU Commission and the EU Commission was about to throw out the conference centre proposal.

Mr. Allen: If the Minister had let the RDS project go ahead, it would be built by now.

10. Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the plans he has to hold meetings with the Olympic Council of Ireland and the Athletics Association of Ireland in relation to their public disagreements during the Sydney Olympics. [21190/00]

Dr. McDaid: I have asked the Irish Sports Council to carry out an in-depth review of the supports, programmes and schemes currently in place to establish what needs to be done in light of the Sydney 2000 experience to prepare for the games in Athens in 2004. I have asked that invitations issue to the 28 national governing bodies of sport affiliated to the Olympic movement, including the Athletics Association and the Olympic Council of Ireland, among others, to participate in the review. I hope all the bodies invited will be able to contribute constructively to the review and use the opportunity to air opinions, including any relating to differences which may have arisen in the course of Sydney 2000.

Prior to Sydney, I stated in the House, when responding to questions regarding the dispute between the Olympic Council of Ireland and the Athletic Association of Ireland about the gear to be worn by the athletic members of the Irish Olympic team, that such disputes do nothing to serve the cause of Irish sport. While it would be far preferable if such unseemly disputes did not arise, nevertheless, the responsibility for their resolution rests with the bodies concerned.

I consider it particularly unfortunate that these differences continued to be aired publicly in the lead up to the Sydney Games when all of the energies of the organisations in question should have been expended in the preparation of the Irish athletic team for the games. While I would be slow to say that the fall out from the dispute contributed to the eventual underperformance of our team, it certainly can have done nothing to help matters.

I would, therefore, strongly urge the Athletics Association and the Olympic Council of Ireland, in conjunction with the Irish Sports Council and in the context of the aforementioned review, to restore their working relationship, which, unfortunately, has been fractured for some time, to the more positive footing so necessary for the proper preparation of our team for future Olympic Games.

Mr. Allen: Will the Minister join with me in congratulating all the athletes who represented Ireland in Sydney? Will he also condemn the manner in which the athletes were used as pawns in a power game between the blazer brigades of different associations? Will he explain what the term "second rate athletes" means, given that he was reported as having used that terminology?

Dr. McDaid: No, the president of the Olympic Council used that term.

Mr. Allen: If the Minister checks the newspapers, he will note he was reported as using that term. Will he take a proactive approach, as the Minister with responsibility for sport, to bring together these associations and remind them they are in receipt of taxpayers' money and have a responsibility to spend that money in a proper manner? Will he also tell them that he condemns, in the strongest possible manner, the public squabbling that went on in Sydney and here afterwards? Will he condemn the manner in which the athletes were once again used as hostages and scapegoats in a power game between the blazer brigades?

Dr. McDaid: I join the Deputy in congratulating the athletes who participated in Sydney and I agree with many of his comments. I would, however, like him to retract his remark that I was the one responsible for calling any athlete a second class athlete. That term was used by the president of the Olympic Council. I was disappointed about the headline of the article to which the Deputy referred. I was quoted in the article as saying that "when I visited the Olympic village there was certainly no lack of commitment and certainly no lack of their sense of national pride". Given that I said that, I cannot understand how that article was given a headline that I was investigating an Olympic flop. I was appalled at the way our athletes were treated in Sydney. A number of Deputies have tabled questions on this issue and I will be able to reply to them shortly.

With regard to the unseemly squabbling reported by the media, I wish to clarify there is no squabbling between the Sports Council, Athletics Ireland, the national organisations of sport, the NCTC and me. We are on the one side and get on very well. There is a problem with the Olympic Council of Ireland, of which I am sure the Deputy is aware. No one seems to be able to manage to get on with that organisation, particularly given the attitude taken by its president. Until we are able to do something about this specific issue, the Olympic movement here, under its current leadership, will leave much to be desired. Despite the promises after the Atlanta Games that everything would be smoothed over for Sydney and that what happened in Atlanta would never happen again, I envisage similar promises will be made on this occasion. Unless something is done by the organisations of the Olympic movement here, I would be concerned about this ongoing situation in the lead up to the next games.

Mr. Allen: I referred to the headlines I read. I do not want to reflect on the Minister's attitude to our athletes. Will he agree that it seems everybody is out of step except our Paddy? Will he take the initiative and meet the federations under the umbrella of the Olympic Council to eliminate what is an ongoing cancer in Irish sport, which is seriously damaging the good name of Irish sport at home and abroad? Will he set himself the task of sorting out the internal problems of Olympic Council of Ireland?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: The time allocated for this question has concluded. If the House is agreeable, I will allow the Minister time to respond to the Deputy's question.

Mr. Allen: That is agreeable.

Dr. McDaid: There is something wrong in an organisation when one of it members decides that because he does not agree with others involved in the whole area of sport that he must punish them. The way our athletes were treated was outrageous and I agree with the Deputy they were used as pawns. The way they were treated compared to other sectors and personnel who were out in Sydney was outrageous.

The Deputy will be aware that the number of athletes we bring to the games determines the amount of accreditation that is brought to them. What happened in Sydney was an eye-opener to me. Many people, including coaches, deserved accreditation. Only four of our coaches were given accreditation to look after 36 athletes. That happened across all spheres of sport. The manner in which our Ambassador there was treated on a number of occasions was embarrassing. Given that athletics accounts for 50% of our participants in the games, it was embarrassing that the president of Athletics Ireland was not included in the group.

A number of other issues also arose. There is something wrong in an organisation when a member of it can use his power and influence to bring about such a debacle.

12. Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he has received proposals from the Network of Area Based Partnerships for the new local development measure due to be implemented in January 2001; and the funding which will be made available for this programme for the period 2000-2006. [21192/00]

Mr. E. Ryan: Social inclusion and child care sub-programmes included in both regional operational programmes of the National Development Plan include a local development measure. This measure requires local action plans to be drawn up by partnership companies and ADM community groups, in consultation with the director of community and enterprise of the relevant city and county development boards. A significant number of these plans have already been submitted to Area Development Management Limited and are being evaluated by ADM's appraisal committees for the southern and eastern region and for the Border, midlands and western region. A sum of £228 million has been set aside for this programme for the period 2000-06.

Mr. Allen: Are there moves towards integrating the partnerships and the local drugs task forces in the next development programme?

Mr. E. Ryan: No, not at present, as the people concerned do not want the current focus of the local drugs task force to be changed. Given the current drugs problem, they do not want that focus to be watered down. They want that focus concentrated on that area. If there were an improvement in the drugs problems in years to come, there could be closer links between the two groups, as there is an overlap on the issues with which they deal.

Mr. Allen: What element of the programme will address the problem of early school leaving? Will the partnerships have responsibility under the programme for addressing that problem?

Mr. E. Ryan: We are awaiting receipt of many of the partnerships' plans. The problem of early school leaving is addressed by various projects undertaken by many of the existing partnerships. I cannot give the Deputy a specific answer to his question as many of the partnerships' plans have not been submitted, although I could give the Deputy details on this matter.

Mr. Allen: The programme is for the period 2000-06. It is now October 2000 and the Minister of State is saying he does not have the plan yet.

Mr. E. Ryan: We are awaiting plans for the partnership groups. At present 28 plans have been appraised, 31 are awaiting appraisal and a further 12 have yet to be received. We will have the plans together by the end of the year. We have spent £19 million in 2000, but it is more of a planning year and we expect next year to spend in the region of £30 million.

Mr. Allen: In the implementation of the new plan, what mechanisms will be incorporated in the delivery to ensure the resources being applied are being focused on the real issues as identified by the individual area plans? What quality control will be built into the delivery of the service?

Mr. E. Ryan: A lot of that is done through Departments and ADM to make sure it is delivered to the right areas. As the Deputy will know, many of these plans are locally based and the idea is that locally based groups and estate agents work to address the problems that they see as relevant to their area.

Mr. Allen: Surely we should be guaranteed effectiveness.

Mr. E. Ryan: We ask ADM to look at how the money is spent to make sure that it is effective.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: That concludes Priority Questions.

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