Irish League of Credit Unions.

1. Mr. Creed asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has received a request for a meeting from the Irish League of Credit Unions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27387/99]

Earlier in September last, I also had received a request to meet with the League to discuss credit union fees. The league indicated at the time, that it would make a detailed submission to me for consideration. Despite being reminded by my office, the league has not yet forwarded its submission to me. Once, I receive and examine the submission, I will be happy to meet the league, on behalf of an Tánaiste and our Department.

Community Employment Schemes.

2. Mr. R. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has relaxed the rule whereby a widow with dependent children must give up her contributory widow's pension and switch to one parent allowance in order to qualify for community employment; and her views on whether this is a very anomalous rule. [27389/99]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney): Eligibility to participate in community employment was extended to widows-widowers with effect from 15 September 1999, subject to application of age criteria and of a qualifying period for eligibility as with unemployed persons and lone parents.

Previously this category was not eligible in their own right but could access the programme by changing from widow’s-widower’s pension to unemployment assistance-unemployment benefit or one parent family payment as appropriate.

Persons in receipt of widow's-widower's contributory pension will retain their existing pension entitlements on taking up a place on the community employment programme.

Inward Investment.

3. Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she disbursed any funds from her Department's Vote toward the promotion of Ireland as an investment location; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27390/99]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney): IDA Ireland has, as part of its mandate, statutory responsibility for the promotion of Ireland as a location for inward investment. Funds are granted by the Oireachtas and disbursed from my Department's Vote to enable IDA Ireland meet its statutory obligations. The allocations made towards each of the subheads under which the agency operates and the corresponding outturns are shown in the following table.

Source of figures: Revised Book of Estimates 1998 and 1999

# In addition to the £4 million voted under subhead C.3 in 1999, a Supplementary Estimate of £6.113 million was passed by the Dáil on 9 December last.

* The provisional outturn for 1999 will be available with the publication of the Revised Book of Estimates for 2000.

FÁS Training Programme.

4. Mr. Rabbitte asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the increase in the FÁS training allowance for 1999 was applied to those trainees who were signing on for credits before their training commenced; if not, if she will make inquiries to FÁS on the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27485/99]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney): FÁS’s general training allowances were increased by 4.3% with effect from 26 May 1999, in line with general increases in social welfare payments. Part-time trainees received a flat rate increase of £2.00 per week, representing a 5% increase. These increases were applied to all trainees on mainstream FÁS training courses, including people who were signing on for credits before their training commenced.

In addition to the general increases in training allowances, a training bonus of £25 per week was introduced on a pilot basis, with effect from 19 April 1999, for long-term unemployed people on FÁS training courses. This bonus is payable to trainees who were in receipt of unemployment benefit or unemployment assistance for 12 months or more before commencing training with FÁS. People who progress to FÁS training from community employment or the job initiative programme are also eligible for the bonus if they completed a minimum of 12 months on community employment or job initiative prior to commencing training. Consecutive periods on unemployment benefit, unemployment assistance, community employment or job initiative can be combined to satisfy the minimum 12 month requirement.

The training bonus does not apply to people who were signing on for credits immediately before their training commenced.

The training bonus is an integral part of my Department's approach to improving employment opportunities for the long-term unemployed through participation on mainstream FÁS training courses. There is clear evidence that people who participate on such courses, which have close links to the labour market, significantly improve their chances of getting a job. The introduction of the training bonus has ensured that people moving to FÁS training from community employment or the job initiative do not suffer a reduction in their standard allowances.

EU Funding.

5. Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the progress to date on the application by his Department to the EU for significant increases in forestry premiums and grants; and when these changes will be implemented. [27440/99]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods): Officials of my Department are currently in discussion with the European Commission about our proposals to increase the level of forestry grant and premium payments. A final decision on the matter has not yet been made, but I remain hopeful of being able to make an early announcement.

6. Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the grants, if any, available to applicants who wish to engage in fish farming and, in particular, the farming of wild salmon; if financial support is available in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27470/99]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods): The development of the aquaculture sector, has been underpinned by the Government and EU funding support from the start. Since 1994 under the current operational programme for fisheries, some £11 million has been invested in the development and modernisation of aquaculture and more than £7 million has been invested in the development of the farmed salmon sector.

As the sector moves into the new critical phase of expanding to critical mass over the period of the National Development Plan 2000-2006, £25 million of EU and Exchequer funding has been allocated under the regional programmes to ensuring strategic objectives and targets to be set for the sector will be met. This exceptional investment support, over double the support provided in the current OP, underlines the Government's and my recognition of and commitment to the sector as a sustainable, natural resource based industry able to secure much needed quality jobs in rural, coastal and peripheral areas. As the national development plan points out, aquaculture production in both the BMW and S & E regions has significant further potential for sustainable development.

Together with the State agencies directly involved, BIM and Údaras na Gaeltachta, the Department will have an important role to play in ensuring the objective of balanced regional development is delivered in aquaculture via the management role assigned to it in the inter-regional operational programmes. Given the lead role for the regional operational programmes assigned to the proposed new regional assemblies for the BMW and S & E regions, I look forward to co-operating fully with those bodies in taking forward a new framework strategic plan which will be developed in partnership with the industry .

I assure the Deputy that with grant aid of £25 million available to the aquaculture industry under the National Development Plan 2000-2006 the fish farming sector is well placed to deliver on the goals of critical mass, quality, sustainability diversification, technology and cost competitiveness.

NGO Funding.

7. Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will consider a new layout of Estimates to include a spending line for non-governmental organisations in order that such expenditure will be more transparent and easily identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27359/99]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews): Ireland Aid values its partnership with NGOs. This partnership benefits the NGOs through financial assistance and the bilateral aid programme through the experience of NGOs. As the recent OECD review of Ireland Aid confirmed, our funding of NGOs is high by international standards.

NGOs may apply for funding from Ireland Aid under a number of different headings within the bilateral aid programme, such as NGO co-financing, human rights and democratisation, emergency humanitarian aid and rehabilitation assistance. Full transparency is assured through the provision of details of all funding to NGOs in the annual reports published by the Department, copies of which are available in the Dáil library.

I am satisfied that our arrangements in respect of Ireland Aid-NGO collaboration are working well in practice. This applies both to the administrative arrangements generally and to the format of the relevant part of the Book of Estimates. Accordingly, I can see no reason to consider changing the format of the Book of Estimates.

Grant Applications.

8. Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of applications for livestock grants under the different categories made to his Department in 1999; the number paid to date; and the number of payments outstanding. [27411/99]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh): The following table sets out the position in regards to payments under the various 1999 headage and premium scheme applications made to my Department:

9. Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of farmers in counties Mayo, Galway, Roscommon, Leitrim and Sligo who applied for livestock grants to his Department in 1990, 1995 and 1999. [27412/99]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh): The number of farmers who applied for livestock grants to my Department for the counties requested for the years 1995 and 1999 is supplied in the following table.

The numbers of farmers who applied for livestock grants in each county for the year 1990 are not available but the numbers of applicants for the various livestock schemes were:

Grant Payments.

10. Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when an appeal for payment under the 1999 cattle headage scheme will be completed for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [27414/99]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh): The herdowner lodged an appeal on 1 November 1999 concerning his 1999 cattle headage application. Appeals are dealt with in the order in which they are received and require individual examination. This appeal will be examined shortly and the herdowner will be notified of the outcome.

11. Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1999 cattle and sheep headage in view of the fact she has submitted all the necessary documents. [27415/99]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh): The person named applied for a total of 21.49 hectares on her 1999 area aid application form. Following processing of her application an area of 21.35 hectares was determined. This represents a difference of 0.14 hectares or 0.65% between the area claimed and that determined.

Under Article 9 of EU Regulation 3887/92, no penalty is applied when the difference is less than 3%, the penalty is based on double the difference when it is between 3% and 20% and when the difference is over 20%, a 100% penalty must be applied. Therefore in this case no penalty is applied and consequently payments due will issue based on the determined area of 21.35 hectares.

Payment of her entitlements under the 1999 cattle headage scheme, 1999 suckler cow premium scheme and 1999 sheep headage scheme will issue within the next seven days.

12. Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive his 1999 cattle headage and suckler cow premium in view of the fact that all the tenants of the commonage, including this herd owner, submitted a copy of the 1921 lease and signed affidavit verifying their entitlement to claim the commonage with their area aid application and other tenants have receive their money several weeks ago. [27416/99]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh): The person named applied for a total of 14.06 hectares on his 1999 area aid application form. Following processing of his application an area of 12.91 hectares was determined. This represents a difference of 1.15 hectares or 8.9% between the area claimed and that determined.

Under Article 9 of EU Regulation 3887/92, no penalty is applied when the difference is less than 3%, the penalty is based on double the difference when it is between 3% and 20% and when the difference is over 20%, a 100% penalty must be applied. Therefore, in this case a penalty of 2.30 hectares has to apply and consequently payments due will issue based on an area of 10.61 hectares.

13. Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1999 cattle headage and suckler cow premium in view of the fact that all tenants of the commonage, including this herd owner, submitted a copy of the 1921 lease and signed affidavit verifying their entitlement to claim the commonage with their area aid application and other tenants have received their money several weeks ago. [27417/99]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh): An affidavit and other supporting documentation submitted by the person named has been accepted as proving his entitlement to the commonage involved. His 1999 area aid application has now been processed and payment of his entitlements under the 1999 cattle headage scheme and the 1999 suckler cow premium scheme will issue to him within the next seven days.

14. Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1998 extensification payment as two officials from his Department called on 29 September 1999 to physically walk the holding and confirmed that his file would be passed for payment. [27418/99]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh): The above named applicant was randomly selected for an on the ground inspection and his application was found to be in order. Any payments due will issue as soon as possible.

15. Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1999 headage and premia payments. [27419/99]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh): The person named included commonage in his 1999 area aid application, but did not provide proof of his entitlement to claim this commonage. The person named has been written to in this regard. No payments can issue until this matter is resolved.

16. Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if a person (details supplied) will be paid 1998 extensification payment at the high rate. [27420/99]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh): The 1998 Area Aid application for the person named was randomly selected for inspection. The applicant declared a total of 53.73 hectares. The area determined at inspection was 51.73 hectares. This represents a difference of 2 hectares or 3.8%.

Under Article 9 of EU Regulation 3887/92, no penalty is applied when the difference is less than 3%, the penalty is based on double the difference when it is between 3% and 20% and when the difference is over 20%, a 100% penalty must be applied.

Therefore, in this case the area aid related payments of the person named must be based on a reduced forage area of 47.73 hectares.

The person named submitted 1998 applications as follows-

Scheme Livestock Units(LUs)

Ewe Premium 130 @0.15 19.50

Suckler Cow Premium 26.00

Special Beef Premium 5@0.6 3.00

Milk Quota Nil

Total Livestock Units 48.50

The stocking density is calculated by dividing the total lu’s by the Hectares (48.50/47.73) giving a stocking density of 1.01Lu’s per hectare. In accordance with EU regulations the high rate of payment under the extensification premium scheme is only payable where the stocking density on the holding is less than 1.00 Livestock Units per Hectare. As the stocking density of the person named is not less than 1.00 Lu’s per Hectare he has no entitlement to the high rate of extensification. He has however been paid the low rate of extensification amounting to £134.68 and £776.36 on special beef animals and suckler cows respectively.

17. Mr. M. Brennan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when area aid digitising will be completed for a person (details supplied) to allow headage payments issue to him prior to Christmas 1999. [27423/99]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh): The entering of the maps received from the person named on the Department's electronic database is currently in progress. However, an overlap with a parcel of land claimed by another applicant has been identified . Both parties are being contacted in this regard. No payments can issue until all outstanding problems with this application have been resolved.

The herd and land of the person named were inspected in relation to his 1999 cattle headage scheme, 1999 suckler cow premium scheme, 1999 special beef premium scheme and the 1999 area aid applications on 9 August 1999 and it was discovered that the holding of the person named was managed jointly with the holding of another person.

Where two or more applicants under the livestock schemes are associated my Department must be satisfied, in accordance with EU regulations, that their farming enterprises are operated as separate individual economic units before individual grants can be paid. Where there is evidence that this is not the case they are treated as a joint application and their herds as one joint herd for the purposes of payment of grants.

My Department wrote to the person named on 25 August 1999 advising him that his herd and the herd associated with his, will be amalgamated under the 1999 cattle headage scheme and the 1999 suckler cow premium scheme for grant purposes and that a joint payment under each of the schemes will issue under the herd number of the person named. He was given the opportunity to appeal this decision but no reply was received from him.

The person named was also advised by letters of 25 August and 29 October 1999 that his herd and the herd associated with his will be amalgamated under the 1999 special beef premium scheme.

In the case of special beef premium scheme a number of animals were found to be non-compliant with tagging regulations. The person named was informed that the amalgamated herd was deemed ineligible to qualify for special beef premium on the 17 animals on 30 June 1999 applications and consequently no payment will issue.

The person named was given an opportunity to appeal this decision but no reply has been received to date.

Farm Retirement Scheme.

18. Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if approval has been received from the EU Commission to allow full compensation be paid to recipients of EU farm retirement pensions, who joined the scheme prior to 1998, in respect of the reduction in 1999 pensions; and, if so, when it is likely payment will issue. [27425/99]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh): Pensions paid under the scheme of early retirement from farming, along with certain other payments, were reduced by approximately 5.055% when the Euro was introduced.

Formal approval to pay compensation for this reduction to participants in the scheme was received from the European Commission on 8 December. My Department is now making arrangements for payment to be made by the end of January 2000 to current scheme participants. Other cases which will have to be calculated individually will be paid as soon as possible after that date.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme.

19. Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will receive her full REP scheme payment, with particular reference to the national heritage area supplement, in view of the fact that the delay in amending the plan to after 1 June 1999, when the regulations changed in relation to such entitlements, was due to the timing of the departmental inspection and the delay in notifying him of the need to amend his plan. [27427/99]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh): An amended REPS plan was submitted by the person named and has been assessed by my Department, which is satisfied that the revised plan now conforms to the scheme specifications. In all cases where an amended plan is received the scheme conditions and agri-environment specifications in force at time of lodgement must be complied with.

The payment was approved in accordance with the conditions of the scheme in force at the time the amended plan was lodged. In this case the level of payment approved under the amended plan is correct.

I should point out that the need for the amended plan submitted in June 1999 arose because the earlier revised plan did not show all areas correctly.

Grant Payments.

20. Mr. M. Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has not received any headage payment in 1999; and the reason he did not receive headage payment in the years 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1998. [27428/99]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh): No area aid application was received from the person named for 1994, 1995 or 1996 and consequently no area aid related payments, including headage, can be made.

In 1998 the person named submitted an area aid application which included a parcel in respect of which a dual claim was determined. My Department contacted both herdowners to clarify the matter. The person named indicated that he had no entitlement to the parcel in question while the other herdowner claimed entitlement to this parcel . The person named applied for 22.51 hectares on his 1998 area aid application form. Following the deduction of the parcel subject to the dual claim an area of only 0.05 hectares was determined. Under Article 9 of EU Regulation 3887/92, when the difference between the area determined and that applied for is over 20%, a 100% penalty must be applied and consequently no area aid related payments can be made. In any event, the headage schemes are open only to herdowners who farm and occupy at least three hectares of agricultural land.

The person named also submitted an incomplete 1999 area aid application form. He did not indicate the areas of parcels of land included in his application. The area aid unit contacted him on 31 August 1999 enclosing a copy of his application for completion. No reply has been received to date and therefore this application cannot be further processed.

21. Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of payments of headage and premia currently outstanding to farmers in County Mayo for both cattle and sheep; and the number of farmers who have been paid their full entitlements. [27447/99]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh): The following table sets out the position on applications under the various 1999 cattle and sheep headage and premium schemes for County Mayo:

* It should be noted that applications under the special beef premium scheme are accepted all year round and the retention period of two months must have expired before payment can be considered due.

22. Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1999 cattle headage. [27448/99]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh): The person named included commonage in his 1999 area aid application, but did not provide proof of his entitlement to claim this commonage. He has been written to in this regard. No payments can issue until this matter is resolved.

23. Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1999 cattle and sheep headage in view of the fact that he did submit evidence of the certificate of postage of his area aid application for 1999. [27449/99]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh): As stated in my reply to Parliamentary Question No.156 of 7 December 1999, no area aid application was received from the person named for 1999 nor was any certificate of posting of his 1999 application received. Consequently no cattle or sheep headage payments can be made.

24. Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has not received cattle and sheep headage and premia in view of the fact that he was promised payment some time ago. [27450/99]

These maps have now been entered on to the Department's electronic database but this process has shown that one of the parcels claimed by the person named overlaps with a parcel of land claimed by another applicant. The herdowner has again been contacted in this regard and a reply is awaited.

25. Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1999 cattle headage. [27451/99]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh):The person named included commonage in his 1999 area aid application, but did not provide proof of his entitlement to claim this commonage. The person named has been written to in this regard. No payments can issue until this matter is resolved.

26. Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1999 headage and premia payments. [27452/99]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh): The 1999 area aid application form for the person named has now been fully processed.

The person named was paid her 1999 suckler cow premium advance payment of £239.65 on 1 November 1999 and her entitlement under the 1999 cattle headage scheme will issue shortly.

27. Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1999 cattle headage and premia in view of the fact that he has submitted a certificate of postage to prove his submission of an area aid application for 1999. [27453/99]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh): The application under the 1999 cattle headage scheme of the person named was received in the district local office of the Department on 9 July 1999. The closing date for receipt of applications was 31 May 1999, extended to 4 June 1999, with a late application period up to and including 29 June 1999. My Department wrote to him on 16 July advising that as his 1999 cattle headage application was received after the 29 June no grants would issue under this scheme. The solicitors of the person named wrote to my Department on 2 December 1999 on this matter and enclosed a certified copy of a certificate of posting showing the posting date as the 28 May 1999. The person named was advised by my Department by letter of 14 December that the certificate of posting is acceptable and he was requested to now submit his herd register, cattle identity cards and sales dockets, if any, in respect of all animals listed on his application. On receipt of this information his application can be processed for payment.

No applications were received from the person named under the premia schemes.

28. Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1999 cattle and sheep headage and premia particularly as he has submitted a certificate of postage as evidence of his area aid submission. [27454/99]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh): The person named included two commonages in his 1999 area aid application, but only provided proof of his entitlement to claim on one of these commonage. He has been written to in connection with the commonage claim for which there is no proof. No payments can issue until this matter is resolved

29. Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive cattle and sheep headage premia in view of the fact that he has submitted proof of his entitlement to the commonage holding. [27455/99]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh): As stated in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 144 of 23 November 1999, the person named included commonage in his 1999 area aid application, but did not provide sufficient proof of his entitlement to claim all of this commonage He has been contacted in this regard, and no reply has been received to date. No payments can issue until all outstanding issues have been resolved.

30. Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1999 cattle and sheep headage and premia; and when his REP scheme payment will issue in view of the fact the delays have caused distress and financial hardship. [27456/99]

form. Following processing of his application an area of 37.66 hectares was determined. This represents a difference of 3.23 hectares or 8.58% between the area claimed and that determined.

Under Article 9 of EU Regulation 3887/92, no penalty is applied when the difference is less than 3%, the penalty is based on double the difference when it is between 3% and 20% and when the difference is over 20%, a 100% penalty must be applied.

Therefore in this case a penalty of 6.46 hectares has to be applied leaving the area determined for payment at 31.20 hectares. Any payments due will issue as soon as possible.

Under the 1999 ewe premium scheme the person named was paid the first instalment of £665.89 on 11 June 1999 and the second instalment of £340.94 on 20 October 1999. He was paid his full entitlement of £640.00 under the 1999 sheep headage scheme on 17 November 1999.

He submitted two applications under the 1999 special beef premium ten months scheme and was paid the 60% advances of £102.73 and £154.09 in respect of each of these applications on the 16 November 1999.

He was paid £1,333.50 under the 1999 cattle headage scheme on 17 November 1999. This grant was calculated on the basis of 22.02 forage hectares. A supplementary payment will now issue to him on the basis of the revised forage area of 31.20 hectares.

The person named was paid £2,511.55 under the 1999 suckler cow premium scheme on 18 November 1999. A supplementary payment will now issue to him which, when combined with the amount already paid, will represent the 60% advance under this scheme.

An application for payment under the REPS scheme was received on 26 November 1999 and is currently receiving attention.

31. Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1999 cattle and sheep headage. [27457/99]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh): The person named included a number of different commonages in his 1999 area aid application, but did not provide proof of his entitlement to claim any of these commonages. The person named has been written to in this regard. No payments can issue until this matter is resolved.

32. Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1999 cattle and sheep headage in view of the fact that the herd number has been transferred into his name for several weeks. [27458/99]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh): Payment of the 1999 cattle headage grant was made to the person named on 15 December 1999.

The person named was not an applicant under the 1999 sheep headage scheme. However, he was an applicant under the 1999 ewe premium scheme and payment of the 1st and 2nd advance was made on 9 December 1999.

Farm Retirement Scheme.

33. Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when the farm retirement pension will be paid at the rate which applied prior to 1 January 1999; and when the arrears of pension arising from this will be paid. [27459/99]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh): Pensions paid under the scheme of early retirement from farming, along with certain other payments, were reduced by approximately 5.055% when the Euro was introduced.

Formal approval to pay compensation for this reduction to participants in the scheme was received from the European Commission on 8 December. My Department is now making arrangements for payment to be made by the end of January 2000 to current scheme participants. Other cases which will have to be calculated individually will be paid as soon as possible after that date.

Depopulation Grants.

34. Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will allow payment of income supplement on hardship grounds to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford who, due to depopulation of his herd, will not have any income for four months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27460/99]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh): Income supplement is payable in cases where disease breakdown results in the removal of more than 10% of animals in a herd and where depopulation is not deemed appropriate. Due to the size of the breakdown in this herd, a depopulation offer was made to the person concerned which was accepted on 23 November 1999. The depopulation took place on 7 December 1999. The person concerned does not therefore qualify for income supplement. However, appropriate reactor and depopulation grants, which are in addition to the salvage price paid directly by the factory to the person concerned, will be processed for payment when disinfection has been certified.

Farm Retirement Scheme.

35. Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the steps, if any, he will take to ensure that an application by a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath for participation in the scheme of early retirement from farming is dealt with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27461/99]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh): The person named applied for an early retirement pension on 27 September 1999. Due to the volume of work a backlog has arisen in the processing of applications. The backlog is being addressed by local office staff in conjunction with other priority work.

I would point out, however, that in no case does the processing time result in a financial loss to a retiring farmer. The operational procedures for the scheme specifically ensure that the date of receipt in the Department of a valid application determines the date from which payment is made.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme.

36. Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the specific reasons or criteria, if any, that the townlands (details supplied) failed to warrant their exclusion from being reclassified as more severely handicapped; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27506/99]

37. Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the specific reasons or criteria, if any, that the townlands (details supplied) failed to warrant their exclusion from being reclassified as more severely handicapped; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27507/99]

38. Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the specific reasons or criteria, if any, that the townlands (details supplied) failed to warrant their exclusion from being reclassified as more severely handicapped; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27508/99]

39. Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the specific reasons or criteria, if any, that the townlands (details supplied) failed to warrant their exclusion from being reclassified as more severely handicapped; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27509/99]

40. Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the specific reasons or criteria, if any, that the townlands (details supplied) failed to warrant their exclusion from being reclassified as more severely handicapped; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27510/99]

41. Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the specific reasons or criteria, if any, that the townlands (details supplied) failed to warrant their exclusion from being reclassified as more severely handicapped; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27511/99]

42. Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the specific reasons or criteria, if any, that the townlands (details supplied) failed to warrant their exclusion from being reclassified as more severely handicapped; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27512/99]

43. Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the specific reasons or criteria, if any, that the townlands (details supplied) failed to warrant their exclusion from being reclassified as more severely handicapped; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27513/99]

44. Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the specific reasons or criteria, if any, that the townlands (details supplied) failed to warrant their exclusion from being reclassified as more severely handicapped; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27514/99]

45. Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the specific reasons or criteria, if any, that the townlands (details supplied) failed to warrant their exclusion from being reclassified as more severely handicapped; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27515/99]

46. Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the specific reasons or criteria, if any, that the townlands (details supplied) failed to warrant their exclusion from being reclassified as more severely handicapped; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27516/99]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh): I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 to 46, inclusive, together.

The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available and I have arranged for it to be forwarded directly to him within seven days.

Irish League of Credit Unions.

47. Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Finance if he has received a request for a meeting from the Irish League of Credit Unions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27355/99]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy): The report of the independent working group, which I established to examine the issue of the taxation of credit union savings, was presented to me in October of last year. Earlier this year I made the report publicly available. The group, which comprised of officials from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Finance, representatives of the Irish League of Credit Unions, the Registrar of Friendly Societies and an independent chairman, failed to agree on a set of findings. However, the chairman recommended that a certain amount of tax free savings for credit union members be allowed. I have received written representations from the Irish League of Credit Unions and its members, in support of the recommendations made by the chairman of the working group and requesting meeting on the issue.

When considering how best to proceed with the demands for tax free savings, including DIRT, for credit union members, one must be sensitive to the EU dimension. The EU Commission decided not to regard the corporation tax exemption enjoyed by credit unions as a State aid. I believe a key consideration, which influenced its decision, is that the dividends paid out of such income are liable to income tax in the hands of the credit union members themselves. This benign attitude of the Commission to the corporation to exemption could change if dividends were exempted from income tax up to a certain limit, as recommended by the chairman of the working group. This is a point which complicates the issue and should not be overlooked by those now seeking an exemption of credit union dividends from income tax.

I am fully conversant with the views of the league as they were contained in the report of the working group. Consequently, at this stage, I have no plans to meet the Irish League of Credit Unions. The differing views within the working group reflect the complexity of this issue. I am giving this matter ongoing consideration and as yet have n o proposals to amend the law in this regard.

Vehicle Registration Tax.

48. Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the points raised by a person (details supplied) in relation to excessive VRT; the allowances which were made in the budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27356/99]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy): I have been informed by the Revenue Commissioners, who have responsibility for administering the Vehicle Registration Tax - VRT - that, currently there are 131 different models of multi purpose vehicles available in the Irish market. These vehicles vary in engine size from 1360 cc to 2800 cc and in price range from approximately to £14,000 to £40,025.

The price range of these vehicles is similar to that which generally applies in the case of standard saloon cars. VRT is a valuable source of income for the Exchequer and I can confirm to the Deputy that I have no plans whatsoever to exclude multi purpose vehicles from its scope.

Disabled Drivers Scheme.

49. Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 65 of 10 November 1999, he will publish the technical review compiled by the Revenue Commissioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27360/99]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy): As I have previously informed the House, the Revenue Commissioners have just completed a technical review of the disabled drivers' and disabled passengers' tax concessions) scheme. This review has a very specific focus in that it aims to address only the technical and operational problems with the present scheme, with a view to making the scheme operate in a more effective and cost-efficient manner for its present target group.

The Revenue report has been sent to the interdepartmental review group which is chaired by an official of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform to help inform that group in its deliberations. I do not propose to publish the Revenue report in advance of the completion of the review by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

50. Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance if he will set a date for the indepartmental group to report on the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27361/99]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy): As I have informed the House on a number of occasions this scheme is under review by an interdepartmental group which is chaired by an official from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. It is likely that the group will meet in the new year to hear oral presentations from a number of organisations and persons who have indicated a wish to make such submissions. I am sure that my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform will be in a position to finalise the report as soon as possible following completion of all the submissions and hearings.

Tax Rebates.

51. Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Finance if he will arrange a refund of PAYE income tax before Christmas 1999 to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [27362/99]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy): I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that a notice of assessment for the tax year 1997-98 issued to the taxpayer on 24 February 1999 showing an income tax overpayment of £1,266.01. The taxpayer, however, has arrears of income tax amounting to £1,271.85 in relation to previous tax years.

A letter issued to the taxpayer's agent on 13 April 1999 outlining how the overpayment had been set against income tax outstanding for earlier years and that accordingly no refund was due.

The assessment for the 1997-98 year was based on the taxpayer's return for that year which did not include relevant accounts. The taxpayer's agent has been asked to forward the relevant accounts for the year 1997-98. On receipt of these accounts the inspector will review the overall position for the years in question.

Tax Allowances.

52. Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Finance if the correct tax free allowance has issued to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will give a breakdown of his new tax free allowance following the recent budget. [27363/99]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy): I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that, according to the information available to the inspector of taxes, the taxpayer is in receipt of all of the tax-free allowances to which he is entitled for the current tax year, 1999-2000.

Based on the figures included in the recent Budget statement the taxpayer's tax-free allowances for the tax year 2000-01 are estimated as follows:

Personal Allowance £ 5,700

PAYE Allowance £ 1,000

Age Allowance £ 800

Expenses £ 50

£ 7,550

Less

Social Welfare Pension (estimate) £ 5,000

Net Tax-Free Allowance £ 2,550 per year or £49.04 per week.

The balance of the taxpayer's income will be liable to tax at 22%.

The inspector of taxes has issued a return of income form, form 12, to the taxpayer so that he may claim any additional allowances to which he may be entitled.

53. Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance whether, under his proposal for deduction at source of mortgage and VHI tax allowances, the consumer will pay a net sum each month or have to pay gross and get a refund from the relevant institution at the end of the tax year, thereby requiring the taxpayer to carry the cost of funding this amount until the refund comes through. [27366/99]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy): In my Budget Statement on 1 December 1999, I indicated that I was proposing to move, with effect from 6 April 2001, to a system of tax relief at source in respect of both medical insurance premiums and mortgage interest payments.

Deduction at source under these new arrangements will mean that the consumer will pay a net amount - after relief at the standard rate of income tax - to a medical insurer or a mortgage provider as the case may be. For example, if a premium of £100 is payable to a medical insurer such as the VHI or BUPA, the taxpayer will, from April 2001, obtain tax relief on that premium at source by making a payment of £78 instead of £100. The medical insurer will then claim a refund of £22 - representing the amount of the tax relief - from Revenue. The position will be similar for mortgage interest

The proposed arrangement will simplify the tax system by minimising paperwork and form-filling for taxpayers - while maintaining the full tax value of the relief. In the context of changing over to the new tax credits system, a reduction in the number of reliefs that appear on a tax-free allowance certificate will make it easier for taxpayers to comprehend the new system. Above all, relief at source will provide the relevant relief to the taxpayer as and when he or she makes a premium or mortgage interest payment.

Credit Union Savings.

54. Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Finance when he will be in a position to meet with the Irish League of Credit Unions to discuss taxation matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27367/99]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy): The report of the independent working group, which I established to examine the issue of the taxation of credit union savings, was presented to me in October of last year. Earlier this year I made the report publicly available. The group, which comprised officials from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Finance, representatives of the Irish League of Credit Unions, the Registrar of Friendly Societies and an independent chairman, failed to agree on a set of findings. However, the chairman recommended that a certain amount of tax free savings for credit union members be allowed. I have received written representations from the Irish League of Credit Unions and its members, in support of the recommendations made by the chairman of the working group.

When considering how best to proceed with the demands for tax free savings, including DIRT, for credit union members, one must be sensitive to the EU dimension. The EU Commission decided not to regard the corporation tax exemption enjoyed by credit unions as a State aid. I believe a key consideration, which influenced their decision, is the fact that the dividends paid out of such income are liable to income tax in the hands of the credit union members themselves. This benign attitude of the Commission to the corporation tax exemption could change if dividends were exempted from income tax up to a certain limit, as recommended by the chairman of the working group. This is a point which complicates the issue and should not be overlooked by those now seeking an exemption of credit union dividends from income tax.

I am fully conversant with the views of the League as they were contained in the report of the working group. Consequently, at this stage, I have no plans to meet with the Irish League of Credit Unions. The differing views within the working group reflect the complexity of this issue. I am giving this matter ongoing consideration and as yet have no proposals to amend the law in this regard.

Marine Emergency Service.

55. Ms Clune asked the Minister for Finance if he has made a decision on the application by the Irish Marine Emergency Service for the use of the Crosshaven marine station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27476/99]

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Mr. Cullen):The Office of Public Works has decided to allocate the property in question to the Irish Marine Emergency Service.

The office is attempting to resolve legal issues relating to title before possession can be handed over.

Capital Gains Tax.

56. Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the rationale for the reduction in capital gains tax from 40% to 20% on development land as proposed in Budget 2000; if he will report on the representations he has received in this regard; the estimated cost of this measure in the years 2000 and 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27477/99]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy): Before the recent budget only a small number of asset types remained subject to the 40% rate of capital gains tax. These included disposals of residential development land to connected parties and disposals of non-residential development land. The application of the 20% rate to non-residential development land is expected to lead to an earlier release of land for development of necessary infrastructure such as roads, as well as factories, offices and other social and public amenities appropriate in the context of the rapidly expanding economy. In this regard the budget measures on capital gains tax, by incentivising a more rapid development of land, complement the provisions of the national development plan which was published recently.

Representations were made to me by the Construction Industry Federation, the Irish Farmers Association and a number of private individuals. These highlighted some inconsistencies and anomalies, arising from the previous dual rate structure, with respect to both wider economic policy and the structure of the capital gains tax system.

It is expected that the cost impact will be neutral as the reduction in rate will be offset by increased market activity. It is worth noting that the halving of the general capital gains tax rate has been followed by a 78% increase in the revenue yield to £343 million in 1999, the first full year's receipts under the new regime.

Garda Stations.

57. Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which negotiations have been completed with other interested parties on the provision of a new Garda station at Confey, Leixlip, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27478/99]

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Mr. Cullen): As the Deputy is aware, agreement was reached with Kildare County Council and my Department regarding the provision of a site at Newtown House, Leixlip, County Kildare for the new Garda station. The Commissioners of Public Works are still awaiting details of the site from the county council.

My office has not entered into negotiations with other parties in relation to this issue.

58. Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress made on the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the funding for the independent living fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27364/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen): The establishment of an independent living fund has been proposed by the Centre for Independent Living as a means of funding a personal assistance service.

The personal assistance service is part of a range of support services for people with physical and sensory disabilities designed to enable them to live in the community with the maximum possible degree of independence. My policy is to develop the range of services as a whole in accordance with the recommendations of the report of the review group on health and personal social services for people with physical and sensory disabilities, Towards an Independent Future.

To date this Government has provided a total of £38.162 million for the maintenance and development of services in the sector, including capital developments. Additional revenue funding of £3 million in 1998 and £3 million in 1999, increasing to £6 million full year cost in 2000, was provided for the development of these services, including personal support and assistance services. In my recent budget speech I announced a further £7 million development funding for services for people with physical and sensory disabilities, increasing to £14 million in the year 2001. I have decided that this funding will be primarily targeted at the provision of additional day care places and home support services. To this end, I have targeted £3 million, increasing to £6 million in the year 2001 for home support services, which includes personal assistance services.

I have no plans at present to introduce an independent living fund, as proposed by the Centre for Independent Living, as a means of funding the personal assistance service. Priorities for the allocation of development funding are decided by the health boards in consultation with the regional co-ordinating committees for physical and sensory disability services. Voluntary sector service agencies, including centres for independent living and service users are represented on these committees.

Hospital Waiting lists.

59. Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the length of time public outpatients are waiting for ENT appointments in each general hospital in the south-east region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26594/99]

The board has confirmed that the current waiting time for a routine outpatient appointment in its area is as set out in the table below:

I am allocating £23.5 million to waiting list initiative work next year, an increase of £3.5 million on the allocation for 1999.

Bereavement Counsellors.

60. Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on the matter raised by the North West Hospice regarding the appointment of a bereavement counsellor (details supplied). [27357/99]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Dr. Moffatt): As the Deputy is aware, the provision of palliative care services in the area in question is a matter for the North Western Health Board.

I have had inquiries made of the board and I am informed that the Donegal based bereavement counsellor took up appointment on 1 November 1999. The Sligo-based counsellor will take up appointment early in 2000. As indicated in Minister Cowen's reply to the North West Hospice on 15 November 1999 any matter concerning the provision of the bereavement counselling service should be directed to the North Western Health Board. I understand that a meeting took place yesterday evening between officials from the board and the hospice concerning this issue and that discussions are ongoing.

Mental Hospitals Report.

61. Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make available the first draft of the 1998 Report of the Inspector of Mental Hospitals, which was the draft submitted by the Inspector prior to its referral for comment to the health boards. [27368/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen): I am prepared to make available the first drafts of the inspector's reports for 1998. Perhaps the Deputy would contact my office to make the necessary arrangements.

Special Educational Needs.

62. Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will have arrangements made with the South Eastern Health Board to have a care assistant made available for a person (details supplied) who cannot attend school until this appointment is approved. [27369/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen): Responsibility for the provision of educational services to children with special educational needs, including the provision of child care-special needs assistants to assist children in the classroom, is the responsibility of the Department of Education and Science.

I have asked the South Eastern Health Board to give whatever information and assistance it can to that Department to ensure that the child in question is placed in an appropriate educational setting.

Health Care Managers.

63. Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if his Department promotes the recruitment of people with, or the participation by existing health managers to obtain, a masters in health care management; and the posts which explicitly specify the desirability of such a qualification or its equivalent in recruitment. [27370/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen): The recruitment of staff in the health services is a matter for the individual health board or hospital. There is no statutory requirement on the part of health care managers to hold or obtain a Masters in health care management. However, my Department encourages management development at all levels and to this end the Office of Health Management was established in March 1997.

Mental Health Services.

64. Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the acute shortage of residential and respite beds for persons with an intellectual disability in north Dublin; the number of these beds which are currently at planning stage for the northside; and whether these will be funded from the recent budget allocation. [27371/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen): The Government recognises the needs of people with an intellectual disability and is committed to meeting those needs within a defined timeframe of three years, starting with a major acceleration of investment - both capital and revenue- in 2000.

The additional funding being provided in 2000 is designed to support the opening of additional services, including residential, respite and day services, with an annual cost of £35 million. Because of the timeframe involved in bringing all of the new services planned for 2000 on stream, the actual cost of these services in 2000 will be £28 million. This funding is in addition to the £10.7 million already allocated to the services in 2000 to meet the full year costs of the 1999 developments and identified needs in existing services. This brings the total additional revenue funding provided in 2000 for the services to £38.7 million, increasing to £45.7 million on 1st January, 2001.

I am also making available £80 million capital over the next three years to accelerate the process of putting in place the necessary infrastructure to support these services. A total of £30 million will be made available in 2000, £40 million in 2001 and the balance of £10 million in 2002. In accordance with normal practice, a revenue allocation commensurate with the capital investment in the services will also be made over this period.

Additional funding amounting to £10.5 million in 2000, with a full year cost of £11.870 million in 2001, has been provided to the Eastern Health Board region specifically for the provision of new residential, respite and day services, 56 new respite places, 265 new residential and 280 new day places are to be provided from this funding. Discussions are now taking place with the various service providers in relation to the precise details regarding the location of the new services. I understand from the board however that the development of services on the northside of Dublin has been prioritised by both the board and the other service providers.

In addition to the funding outlined above, a further £0.700 million increasing to £0.800 million in 2001, has also been allocated to the board for the ongoing development of health related services to children with autism and the provision of other specialist services.

65. Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if it is standard practice to require audited accounts for self-employed medical card applicants in the Eastern Health Board; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that even the Revenue Commissioners do not demand the employment of an auditor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27372/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen): Entitlement to health services in Ireland is primarily based on means. Under the Health Act, 1970, determination of eligibility for medical cards is the responsibility of the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board. I, as Minister for Health and Children, do not have a function in the issue of medical cards to individuals.

Medical cards are issued to persons who, in the opinion of the chief executive officer, are unable to provide general practitioner medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependants without undue hardship. Income guidelines are drawn up to assist in the determination of a person's eligibility and these are revised annually in line with the Consumer Price Index. However the guidelines are not statutorily binding and even though a person's income exceeds the guidelines, a medical card may still be awarded if the chief executive officer considers that his-her medical needs or other circumstances would justify this.

In relation to self-employed persons, I am advised that the Eastern Health Board would normally request tax office returns or tax assessment means tests to determine income. If these are not available audited accounts would then be sought.

National Lottery Funding.

66. Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Health and Children when a decision will be made on an application for lottery funding for a hospital (details supplied). [27466/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen): The organisation referred to submitted an application for a grant from the 1999 health allocation of national lottery funds on the 14 April 1999.

This application for funding towards the cost of renovating the building and developing the grounds is under consideration for a grant from my Department. The organisation will be informed as soon as a decision has been made.

Hospital Waiting Lists.

67. Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath is admitted to Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, to have a lung removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27471/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen): The provision of medical treatment in this case is the responsibility of Beaumont Hospital in the first instance. I have asked the chief executive officer of the Hospital to investigate this case and to reply to the Deputy directly as a matter of urgency.

Child Abuse.

68. Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of reported cases of sexual and physical child abuse between 1994 and 1999, including those where a prosecution did not take place. [27474/99]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. Fahey): The figures sought by the Deputy are laid out in the following table. Statistics relating to 1999 will not be available until early next year. The Deputy should be aware that figures in respect of 1998 are provisional. My Department does not have information relating to prosecutions arising from reported cases of child abuse.

* Figures are not available from the Southern Health Board in respect of 1996, and 1997

** Figures in respect of 1998 are provisional

Orthodontic Service.

69. Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be called for orthodontic treatment. [27489/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen): As the provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons in County Mayo is the statutory responsibility of the Western Health Board I have asked the chief executive officer of the Western Health Board to investigate the position in relation to this case and to reply to the Deputy directly as a matter of urgency.

Medical Cards.

70. Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Health and Children if the holder of a medical card is entitled to all optical services from the South Eastern Health Board; and, if so, if he will give details of the services available. [27490/99]

Hospital Report.

71. Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will order a report from the management of St. James's Hospital, Dublin 8, as to the reason it cannot confirm to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny the exact situation regarding the organs of his late sister who died in 1994; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27491/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen):The management of post mortem examinations in this instance is the responsibility of St James Hospital. I have asked the chief executive officer of the hospital to investigate the position in relation to this case and to reply to the Deputy directly.

Hospital Waiting Lists.

72. Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will report on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork who has serious psychiatric problems and for whom no residential placement is available; if he will make arrangements to ensure that this person receives the professional treatment which he requires and is not at liberty to cause abuse to other children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27493/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen): The provision of services in this case is a matter for the Southern Health Board. I understand that the board has been working with the family concerned for some time to ensure that the appropriate support services and interventions are provided. I have also been informed that the situation is being reassessed by the board and that all necessary action will be taken to ensure that the current needs of this child are fully met.

Water Pollution.

73. Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will report on the recent pollution leakage from the landfill site at Terrinamera, Newport, County Mayo, into Lough Beltra; the action, if any, taken since the leak; the studies, if any, carried out on fish life in the lough and the Black Oak River as a consequence of this pollution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27203/99]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. D. Wallace): The operation by Mayo County Council of the landfill site at Derrinumera, Newport, County Mayo is primarily a matter for the council, including any remedial measures necessary consequential on any leakage of leachate or otherwise arising from such operation. The Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, has functions under the Waste Management Act 1996 in relation to the licensing of waste disposal facilities and under the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 in relation to the supervision of the performance by local authorities of their environmental protection functions. The monitoring of water quality is a matter for the local authorities and the EPA.

Studies in relation to fish life are primarily a matter for the fisheries research centre of the Marine Institute and in the case of waters in County Mayo, the Western Regional Fisheries Board.