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351 Questions— 22 February 2005. Written Answers 352[Éamon Ó Cuív.]The provision of this once-off funding to theHealth Service Executive by my Department forthis improved service represents another positiveand significant measure in the practical implementationof the recommendations of Coimisiúnna Gaeltachta and will help to ensure that thelanguage is carried forward in the Gaeltacht as aliving spoken language to the next generation. Itshould be noted that the grant was sanctioned onthe understanding that the Health Service Executivewould assume full responsibility for fundingthe initiative after the first year.Proposed Legislation.49. Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Community,Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the status ofthe promised charities legislation; the proposalscontained in this legislation; when it will be published;and if he will make a statement on thematter. [5820/05]Minister of State at the Department of Community,Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Mr. N.Ahern): In accordance with the commitment inAn Agreed Programme for Government, a comprehensivereform of the law relating to charitieswill be brought forward to regulate the sector forthe first time in Ireland. As I informed the Houseon 14 December 2004, the content of the draftlegislation would be likely to reflect the proposalsin the Government-approved Consultation Paperon Establishing a Modern Statutory Frameworkfor Charities, which received a broad overallendorsement in the public consultation phaselast year.While it would not be possible at this stage forme to predict with certainty that the best estimatewhich I gave last year of end 2005 for publicationof the draft Bill can be met on the nail, I canassure the Deputy that work on preparation ofthe draft legislation is proceeding as speedily aspossible, and that it is being given priority withinmy Department. In the context of the overalltimeframe, I might also recall that I advised theHouse on the same occasion last December thatthe draft legislation would involve statute lawrevision and restatement, in addition to the newregulatory provisions. Going forward, therefore,we would be looking at a future charities regulationBill of substance in vision, content and size.Income Support Scheme.50. Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Community,Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the publicpolicy initiative he has taken that will result inmuch needed income other than from mainstreamfarming for the many medium and smallscale farm families who will need this income ifthey are to stay in the countryside; and if he willmake a statement on the matter. [5805/05]Minister for Community, Rural and GaeltachtAffairs (Éamon Ó Cuív): The rural social schemewas introduced in 2004 to provide directlyimproved rural services and at the same time toensure an income and employment support forfarmers who can no longer make a viable livingon the land, within a working arrangement compatiblewith farming.The scheme was designed specifically for farmfamilies and its operations and structures areoperated in a farmer-friendly manner. Thescheme recognises that farmers have a wealth ofexperience and talents that need to be preservedfor future generations and these talents are beingharnessed for the good of the community. Thisscheme focuses on the provision of direct servicesin the community.There are 1,114 participants on the scheme atpresent. There are 36 implementing bodiesthroughout the country and of those 27 have commencedprojects under the rural social scheme todate. I expect the participant numbers will continueto increase and that all 2,500 places will beavailed of in the near future.Departmental Investigations.51. Mr. McCormack asked the Minister forCommunity, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if hisdepartmental investigation into allegations ofunprofessional conduct in Irish Waterways hasbeen completed; the findings of the investigation;if he intends publishing the report; and if he willmake a statement on the matter. [5831/05]Minister for Community, Rural and GaeltachtAffairs (Éamon Ó Cuív): As I outlined to theHouse in my reply to Question 38 of 14December 2004, a joint investigation into allegationsof bullying and harassment and relatedmatters in Waterways Ireland was carried out,with the consent of the parties involved, by independentinvestigators appointed by my Departmentand the Department of Culture, Arts andLeisure in the North. The report of the investigatorswas submitted to the Departments andactions to be taken on foot of the report havebeen agreed with the chief executive of WaterwaysIreland.The issue of a joint statement by the Departmentsin the matter is under consideration. I willarrange for a copy of any such statement to besupplied to the Deputy.I welcome this opportunity to again acknowledgethe efforts of the chief executive and staffof Waterways Ireland in advancing the work ofthis important North-South body, often in complexand difficult circumstances. As I stated in theHouse last December, the promotion of North-South co-operation in areas within my Department’sremit remains a high priority for me and Iwill continue, in particular, to support the workof the North-South bodies responsible for inlandwaterways and language matters in every waypossible.Questions Nos. 52 and 53 answered with QuestionNo. 10.
353 Questions— 22 February 2005. Written Answers 354Question No. 54 answered with QuestionNo. 18.Question No. 55 answered with QuestionNo. 10.Departmental Programmes.56. Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Community,Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if, havingaccepted that Ballyfermot was wrongly excludedfrom strand 1 of the RAPID programme, he hasaddressed the situation to allow for its inclusion;if he has any further plans to expand the RAPIDprogramme; and if he will make a statement onthe matter. [5801/05]Minister for Community, Rural and GaeltachtAffairs (Éamon Ó Cuív): I have no plans atpresent to expand the geographical boundaries ofRAPID areas. However, as I have stated previously,there appears to be an anomaly inrelation to Ballyfermot, which despite meetingthe criteria for inclusion in strand I of the programme,was omitted due to its inclusion in theURBAN II programme. I have met representativesfrom Ballyfermot in relation to this issueand I am awaiting their proposal.Question No. 57 answered with QuestionNo. 10.Consultancy Contracts.58. Mr. Durkan asked the Taoiseach thenumber, cost and status of all public relationsconsultancies, contracts or procurements enteredinto by or on behalf of his Department or itsagencies or agencies in the past three years; theterms of reference in each such appointment; theperson to whom such persons report and fromwhom they receive instructions; if any such personor groups had any previous contracts, commitmentsor employment with either of theGovernment parties; and if he will make a statementon the matter. [5543/05]The Taoiseach: The total number of PR consultancycontracts entered into by or on behalf ofthis Department in the past three years was 13 —three by my Department and ten by bodies underthe aegis of my Department. Details of the contractsawarded by my Department are listed inAppendix 1, and details in respect of bodiesunder the aegis of the Department are listed inAppendix 2.The PR consultancies listed were not engagedpreviously by this Department during the lifetimeof the current Government.Appendix 1. PR contracts awarded by the Department of the Taoiseach1. Grayling GilmoreLength of Contract: July 2003-January 2004Cost: \60,000Terms of Reference:Instructed by:Status:To promote and sustain awareness of Ireland’s hosting of the EU Presidency and it’spositive implications for the country. To highlight the calendar of events in advanceof the Presidency and to explain the implications of our hosting of the Presidencydomestically and internationally. To assist the Government Press Office with theeffective communication of how and why decisions are made at European level, toencourage our citizens to engage in the processes that shape our lives. To promoteand sustain awareness of Ireland’s hosting of the Presidency and it’s positiveimplications for the country. July 2003: To organise a National Launch of Ireland’sPresidency logo in tandem with the launch of the EU Event Calendar, involving theTaoiseach, Tánaiste and senior Ministers. August 2003: The organisation andmanagement of a 4 week publicity campaign that would highlight the mainMinisterial meetings and how they impact on the lives of citizens in those regions.December 2003: To promote and increase awareness immediately prior to our takeoverof the EU Presidency by positively engaging the public both locally andnationally in the importance and significance of the role.Grayling Gilmore reported to and received instructions from the Government PressSecretary and the Press and Information Office in the Department of the TaoiseachCompleted2. Carr CommunicationsLength of Contract: May 2004-July 2004Cost: \12,100Terms of Reference:Instructed by:Status:A contract for PR consultancy services was entered into by this Department in respectof the publication of the National Disability Strategy. The contract was completedwith the publication of the Strategy on 21st September 2004. Its purpose was: Toensure consistency and quality across the Outline Sectoral Plans; to advise on thearrangements for publication of the Disability Bill, the Comhairle (Amendment) Billand the Outline Sectoral Plans; to support and advise on a common approach topublic information in the case of the aboveCarr Communications reported to the Department’s Social Policy Unit working closelywith the Department of Justice, Equality and Law ReformCompleted
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