Vol. 697 No. 3
35 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for Transport the progress of the DART underground project; the associated works that have been completed; when the project will be fully finished; the method chosen for financing this project; the cost to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45934/09]
The National Transport Authority or NTA was formally established on the 1st of December 2009. The functions of the Authority, pursuant to section 11 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, include securing the provision of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area. Statutory responsibility for securing the delivery of infrastructure projects, such as the DART Underground, is now a matter for the NTA.
As is the case with the National Roads Authority, the NTA has appointed an Oireachtas Liaison Officer to respond to questions raised by Deputies. The Oireachtas Liaison Officer is Matt Benville and he may be contacted at 604 1098 or at The National Transport Authority, 59 Dawson Street, Dublin 2.
36 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Transport the details on an internal Iarnród Éireann report arising from a reference in the Baker Tilly Report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45923/09]
I refer the Deputy to my earlier reply to Question No. 28 which sets out the position in relation to the follow up to the Baker Tilly Ryan Glennon report generally. The report, which I expect to receive shortly from the Board of CIE addresses areas of expenditure such as those referred to by the Deputy not covered in the Baker Tilly Ryan Glennon report.
37 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Transport if he has met with representatives of the travel and tourism industry in view of the further recent job losses in the industry and the plummeting volumes of passengers in the aviation sector; his plans for transport facilities for visitors to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45881/09]
I have not recently met with or been directly briefed by representatives of the travel and tourism industry. However, the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism brings any necessary matters to my attention so I am fully aware of the negative impact that the current difficult economic situation is having on the aviation sector and am closely monitoring developments.
My Department is liaising with the Department of Arts Sport & Tourism in the context of implementing a recommendation concerning enhanced air access contained in the Report of the Tourism Renewal Group, which was published recently by my colleague Martin Cullen T.D. Minister for Arts Sport and Tourism.
Last year, I asked the Commission for Aviation Regulation to review the regulatory framework for licensing and bonding the travel trade. I fully support certain recommendations made in their report, which will reduce the administrative burden on the sector.
While the wider air transport industry is currently faced with significant challenges arising from the global economic downturn, the Government will continue to support the development of an innovation-friendly, pro-competition regulatory framework for aviation.
The continued roll-out of DAA's investment programme and introduction of US preclearance facilities will greatly enhance the experience of customers using Irish airports and will provide airlines with opportunities to develop and grow new services.
The Government, through its residual role as a minority shareholder in Aer Lingus, will continue to support strong competition between airlines.
The development and growth in Ireland's air transport links played a significant part in our economic success since the mid-1990s. Investment, connectivity and competition between airlines serving the Irish market will help to ensure that air transport plays an even greater role in our economic recovery.
38 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Transport if he has had discussions with officials of the Department of Finance regarding the Metro North project; when he expects the hearings of An Bord Pleanála to conclude; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45947/09]
54 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Transport when a decision will be made between the two final bidders (details supplied) for Metro North; if he will make available a revised indicative timetable for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45866/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 54 together.
The National Transport Authority or NTA was formally established on the 1st of December 2009. The functions of the Authority, pursuant to section 11 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, include securing the provision of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area. Statutory responsibility for securing the delivery of infrastructure projects, such as Metro North, is now a matter for the NTA.
As is the case with the National Roads Authority, the NTA has appointed an Oireachtas Liaison Officer to respond to questions raised by Deputies. The Oireachtas Liaison Officer is Matt Benville and he may be contacted at 6041098 or at The National Transport Authority, 59 Dawson Street, Dublin 2.
My Department has had regular contact during the course of the year with the Department of Finance in relation to Metro North. As confirmed in the Renewed Programme for Government, Metro North remains a priority in the transport investment programme.
39 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Transport when pre-clearance facilities will be fully operational in Dublin and Shannon Airports; which airline carriers are using the pre-clearance facilities and if any new business has been generated at Irish airports due to pre-clearance facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45879/09]
Operational decisions about the use of preclearance facilities are a matter for the Airport Authority, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the airlines concerned.
In the case of Shannon Airport, I understand from the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) that the US Preclearance facility for commercial aviation at Shannon Airport has been fully operational since 5 August last and that Continental Airways, Delta Airways and U.S. Airways, operating from Shannon, have used the facility since then. Currently Continental is the only carrier operating direct services from Ireland that uses the facility but I understand that Delta will resume use when its summer schedule commences in May next year. In relation to new business, British Airways is availing of the facility in respect of a twice-daily service from London City to New York (JFK) that stops at Shannon for that purpose.
The next phase of preclearance at Shannon is to extend its use to general aviation traffic. The necessary infrastructure is in place and my Department, in conjunction with the Shannon Airport Authority, is working closely with the U.S. authorities with a view to having this phase of preclearance operational as quickly as possible.
As to Dublin Airport, the preclearance facility there will form part of Terminal Two and is due to commence operations when the terminal opens in November 2010. It is understood from the DAA that all the U.S. carriers, operating out of Dublin Airport, expect to take advantage of preclearance when it becomes available.
40 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Transport the role his Department has in the promotion and rollout of the national electric car and vehicle programme; the number of hybrid electric buses funded by his Department; his plans to encourage delivery and service vehicles to switch to low CO2 and electric power vehicles; the size of the national electric vehicle fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45888/09]
In February I launched Smarter Travel, Ireland's new sustainable transport policy. It contains a commitment that electric cars will form 10% of the market by 2020. The most recent figures available to my Department indicate (November 2009) that just over 0.2% of vehicles — 4,066 — are a declared fuel-type of hybrid electric cars. This gives some idea of the scale of our ambition to increase this figure significantly.
The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, in conjunction with the ESB, is leading on the national deployment and roll out of Electric Vehicles. Officials in my Department are members of the Interdepartmental Working Group on the Electric Vehicles.
My Department has funded a pilot scheme to deploy a prototype Hybrid bus as part of the Dublin Bus fleet, since December 2008, with the purpose of testing and evaluating the benefits of hybrid bus deployment. The hybrid bus has undergone continuous monitoring since its deployment and improvements are being made.
41 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Transport if he has requested and received copies of all internal audit reports into CIE companies from CIE as promised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45987/09]
I have not asked CIE for copies of all internal audit reports into CIE but I have asked the Board of CIE for a report on the circumstances giving rise to the Baker Tilly Ryan Glennon report on procurement practices in Irish Rail, the extent to which progress has been made in implementing the recommendations in the report and the measures being taken to ensure adequate controls in expenditure areas not covered in the report.
I expect that this report will address the adequacy of the internal audit arrangements in place in CIE.
42 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Transport if he has received a copy of the Deloitte report from a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45974/09]
I refer the Deputy to my response to priority Question No. 23 for answer today.
43 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Transport the status of the LUAS line BX; when works will commence on LUAS line BX; when will the line be fully operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45869/09]
The National Transport Authority or NTA was formally established on the 1st of December 2009. The functions of the Authority, pursuant to section 11 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, include securing the provision of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area. Statutory responsibility for securing the delivery of infrastructure projects, such as Luas Line BX, is now a matter for the NTA.
As is the case with the National Roads Authority, the NTA has appointed an Oireachtas Liaison Officer to respond to questions raised by Deputies. The Oireachtas Liaison Officer is Matt Benville and he may be contacted at 6041098 or at the National Transport Authority, 59 Dawson Street, Dublin 2.
44 Deputy Shane McEntee asked the Minister for Transport his views on his recent direction to the Aviation Regulator to set passenger charges at Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45994/09]
61 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which all airport charges and other costs for airlines operating from airports in this jurisdiction compare with the costs in other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45902/09]
72 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding terminal two at Dublin Airport; when terminal two will be operational; the estimated number of passengers that will use terminal two in its first year of operation; if he will explain his recent announcements on the funding of terminal two and on the aviation regulations; his views on reports of an estimated 12.55% decline in passenger numbers at Dublin Airport in the first nine months of 2009, the estimated reductions of approximately 17% in Cork and 9% in Shannon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45863/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 44, 61 and 72 together.
I have been informed by the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) that the construction of terminal 2 (T2) will be completed early next year and that the terminal will become operational, on a phased basis, in 2010. DAA estimate that approximately 35%-40% of total passengers at Dublin Airport will use T2 in its first year of operation.
In relation to the funding of T2, DAA operates under a clear commercial mandate and its capital investment programme, including T2, is funded without exchequer support. The remuneration of investment in T2 is dependent on the overall level of airport charges at Dublin airport, as determined by the Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR), which regulates airport charges at Dublin Airport.
On 27 October I issued a general policy direction to CAR under Section 10 of the Aviation Regulation Act 2001. In it I drew the Commissioner's attention to stated Government policy on the development of T2. CAR's final determination on airport charges has now been published and I note that the Commission is satisfied that the determination complies with my direction. I understand that the DAA are now reviewing the determination to assess its likely impact on the operation of the airport.
Airport charges at Cork and Shannon Airports are set by the relevant airport authority while charges at the six regional airports, which are owned and operated independently, are a matter for each airport concerned.
In relation to comparative charges at airports outside this jurisdiction, I have been informed by the DAA that independent research indicates that charges at Dublin are towards the lower end of a broad comparison group of the top airports in Europe. Data extracted from the independently produced Jacobs ‘Review of Airport Charges 2008' Report, which ranks charges from most to least expensive, show that Dublin Airport's charges are ranked 29th of 50 in its European airport survey. I also understand from the DAA that charges at Cork and Shannon also compare favourably with European benchmarks.
I have no function in relation to airline operating costs.
I understand from the DAA that passenger numbers for the first nine months of 2009 are down 12.5%, 8% and 16% at Dublin, Shannon and Cork airports respectively. This decline in traffic reflects the continued fallout from the global financial crisis and the severe decline in the Irish economy.
45 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport the State agencies and bodies under the aegis of his Department; the funding each has received from his Department in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45903/09]
The Exchequer funding allocated under Vote 32 to the agencies under the aegis of my Department in 2009 is as follows:
|
State body |
Funding provided by Department in 2009 |
|
€000 |
|
|
CIE Group |
726,808 |
|
Railway Safety Commission |
2,014 |
|
Railway Procurement Agency |
177,797 |
|
National Roads Authority |
1,470,009 |
|
Dublin Transportation Office |
38,472 |
|
Road Safety Authority |
32,835 |
|
Medical Bureau of Road Safety |
4,363 |
|
Marine Casualty Investigation Board |
200 |
A sum of €3.699m is also paid out to various port companies and harbour commissioners in respect of capital works on regional harbours.
46 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Transport the measures he has established with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of Finance to address the problem of car clocking which according to a recent investigation has increased by 400% since March 2009; if he is aware of the implications of car and vehicle clocking for road safety in view of the role of computerised systems in modern transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45891/09]
As the issue of car clocking relates to commercial trading it is a matter for the National Consumer Agency in relation to the Consumer Protection Acts.
I understand that the Consumer Protection Act 2007 makes it an offence for a trader to engage in a misleading commercial practice, which would include the provision of false information in relation to a "products usage or prior history" to the extent that the information would be likely to cause the average consumer to make a transactional decision that the average consumer would not otherwise make.
I understand that the National Consumer Agency enforces this legislation and provides advice for prospective buyers in its Guide to Buying a Car.
47 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Transport if he has engaged in consultations with An Garda Síochána and the Courts Service on the proposed changes to the fixed charge penalty processing system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45943/09]
Consultations with all interested parties, including An Garda Síochána and the Courts Service took place during the drafting of the Road Traffic Bill, 2009.
I published the Road Traffic Bill, 2009 on 30 October 2009. It contains proposed changes aimed at improving the fixed charge processing system.
48 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport the expected timetable for the introduction of mutual recognition of penalty points here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45982/09]
70 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the recent conclusion of the agreement with the United Kingdom on the mutual recognition of disqualified drivers; the way in which the new mechanism will work; when it will come into force; the position regarding the development of a system of the mutual recognition of penalty points; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45876/09]
75 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport the action he will take to address the abuse of the penalty points system by those not holding an Irish or UK driving licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45810/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 48, 70 and 75 together.
The Road Traffic Bill 2009 which I published on 30 October 2009 amends driving licence provisions, to ensure that penalty points and disqualifications can be applied to non-national driving licences, and to give the Gardai powers to seize a licence where the driver has been disqualified or where the licence has been fraudulently obtained or is forged or altered.
Ireland and the United Kingdom co-ordinated the making of their respective Declarations to the EU Council on 30th October 2009 for the purposes of implementing the European Union Convention on Driving Disqualifications (1998).
This means that, with effect from 28 January 2010, disqualifications imposed on Irish drivers in the UK for certain road traffic offences will be notified to the RSA, who will notify the relevant licensing authority who may apply to the Courts to have the disqualification recognised.
The bilateral arrangements will similarly provide for the RSA to notify the UK authorities of disqualifications imposed on UK drivers by an Irish Court.
The mutual recognition of penalty points is a longer term project. As separate penalty point systems operate in each of the three jurisdictions, this is a much more complex legal and administrative issue than the mutual recognition of driver disqualifications, and will require the passage of primary legislation in both jurisdictions in due course.
49 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport the companies and agencies which are directly or indirectly funded under the remit of his Department are not subject to Freedom of Information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45969/09]
The following are the bodies under the aegis of my Department that are not covered by the Freedom of Legislation legislation:
|
Agency Name |
|
Irish Aviation Authority |
|
Railway Safety Commission (RSC) |
|
Road Safety Authority (RSA) |
|
Port of Cork Company |
|
Drogheda Port Company |
|
Dublin Port Company |
|
Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company |
|
Dundalk Port |
|
Galway Harbour Company |
|
New Ross Port Company |
|
Shannon Foynes Port Company |
|
Waterford Harbour Company |
|
Wicklow Port |
|
Dublin Airport Authority |
|
Shannon Airport Authority |
|
Cork Airport Authority |
|
Córas Iompair Éireann |
|
Bus Atha Cliath |
|
Bus Éireann |
|
Iarnród Éireann |
|
Arklow Harbour Commissioners |
|
Baltimore & Skibbereen Harbour Commissioners |
|
Bantry Bay Harbour Commissioners |
|
Kinsale Harbour Commissioners |
|
Tralee & Fenit Pier and Harbour Commissioners |
|
Wexford Harbour Commissioners |
Of the above, I understand that work is well advanced in the Department of Finance to extend the Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation to both the RSA and the RSC.
Work is also well advanced in that Department to extend the FOI legislation to the Advisory Council to the Commission for Taxi Regulation and the Railway Safety Advisory Council.
With regard to the other bodies listed above, it is not proposed at this stage to bring them under Freedom of Information legislation on grounds of commercial, safety, restructuring and competition considerations.
50 Deputy Kieran O’Donnell asked the Minister for Transport the salary scales of the chief executives and senior executives within all bodies, companies and agencies under the remit of his Department in 2008 and in 2009 and the awarding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45956/09]
It is the responsibility of the Boards of the relevant bodies under the aegis of my Department to agree terms and conditions (including remuneration) of their respective Chief Executives. Details of remuneration are generally published in the Annual Reports.
51 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Transport the support he will provide for the construction of a Dublin canals cycle lane system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46000/09]
The potential role that canals can play in delivering both a sustainable transport future and a culture of cycling in Ireland is recognised in the Smarter Travel policy document and in Ireland's First National Cycle Policy Framework.
The planning and development of canal-based cycle lanes in the Dublin city area is a matter for Dublin City Council in conjunction with Waterways Ireland and other relevant agencies. A good start has been made on the development of a canal-based route in the city through the Council's plans for an off-road cycle route via the Grand Canal, the new Samuel Beckett Bridge and the Royal Canal to provide a link from Portobello to Fairview Park. I announced my intention in September last to provide financial assistance of up to €10 million to the project in view of its potential not only to facilitate cyclists but also in view of the associated works which will significantly improve pedestrian safety at eleven junctions along the route.
At the same time, South Dublin County Council is developing, with financial assistance from my Department, an exemplary cycling route between Adamstown and Inchicore.
The City Council is now surveying, with some funding from my Department, the potential canal-based route between Portobello and Inchicore. Such a stretch represents the missing element in creating a first class cycleway from Adamstown to the city.
Any detailed proposals that emerge in relation to further canal-based cycle routes will be considered in the context of progress with the Portobello to Fairview Park and Adamstown to Inchicore projects, proposals by other local authorities and competing demands for scarce financial resources.
52 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport the list and the amount spent on public awards contracts by companies and agencies under the remit of his Department in 2008 and to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45971/09]
Procurement and expenditure activities of the agencies operating under the aegis of my Department are a day-to-day operational matter for the agencies concerned, and I have no function in these matters.
53 Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Transport if he has carried out a separate inquiry in relation to a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45978/09]
I refer the Deputy to my response to priority Question No. 23 for answer today.
55 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Transport if he will instigate an audit of the road surfaces of all non-national roads in conjunction with the local authorities; if he has received correspondence from the European Commission or any other EU body on the issue of road surfaces arising from complaints from bereaved families of road death victims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45870/09]
As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme element of Transport 21. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is a statutory function of each road authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993, to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants.
A national Pavement Condition Study of the regional and local road network was carried out in 1996 and a second Pavement Condition Study of the network was completed in 2005. On foot of the findings of the second study, significant grants have been made available to county councils under the pavement restoration programme for restoration improvement and restoration maintenance.
The application of a suitable Pavement Management System is being developed and any further audit/pavement studies will be examined as part of this.
No correspondence has been received by my Department from the European Commission or any other EU body on the issue of road surfaces.
56 Deputy George Lee asked the Minister for Transport the details of the communications he has had with Aer Lingus with regard to their present difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45988/09]
I have had no direct contact with Aer Lingus with regard to the detail of their restructuring plans. I am receiving regular briefing from officials in my Department who are closely monitoring developments at the airline.
This is clearly a very challenging time for everyone involved at Aer Lingus. From an aviation policy perspective, I would encourage all stakeholders to continue to lend their full support to the airline to ensure that it has a viable independent future.
The services of the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) and the National Implementation Body (NIB) will continue to be available to assist management and staff representatives in finding a solution to the financial difficulties of the company.
57 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport will he publish the reports into the crash between a Luas and a Dublin Bus on O’Connell Street, Dublin as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45875/09]
The publication of investigative reports into the crash referred to by the Deputy is a matter for the Garda and the Railway Accident Investigation Unit (RAIU) who are conducting separate investigations into the incident.
58 Deputy Pádraic McCormack asked the Minister for Transport if he has received representations for additional funding for road repairs as a result of recent flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45992/09]
I have received a number of representations following the recent flooding.
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is a matter for the relevant local authority, to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants paid by my Department. The initial selection of works to be funded from these grants is also a matter for the local authority. Funding of national roads is a matter for the National Roads Authority.
When road grants for regional and local roads are allocated each year, my Department does not hold back a reserve allocation at central level to deal with weather contingencies. Such an arrangement would mean a reduction across all local authorities in the road grant allocations made to them at the beginning of each year.
The allocations made to local authorities are inclusive of a weather risk factor. Local authorities are expressly advised that they should set aside contingency sums from their overall regional and local roads resources to finance necessary weather related works. That stipulation is contained clearly in the circular letter which is sent to each local authority with the yearly road grant allocations.
In 2009, grants totalling €447.477 million were allocated to local authorities for works on regional and local roads. This allocation included a Discretionary Maintenance grant of €29.560 million and a Discretionary Improvement grant of €12.500 million. These monies are available, at the discretion of county councils, to fund contingency works arising from weather conditions.
My Department would also be prepared to consider, sympathetically, any request from local authorities to adjust their multi-annual restoration programmes or revise their specific grant applications in order to prioritise work necessitated by severe weather conditions. In 2009, local authorities have been allocated a total of €144.951 million in Restoration Improvement grants and €85.000 million in Restoration Maintenance grants.
Local authorities are still assessing the extent of flood damage in their regions. Because these assessments cannot be completed until the flooding subsides, I expect that it will take some time before all the authorities concerned can quantify the damage sustained to their regional and local road networks and cost the repairs.
The Deputy will appreciate that I cannot, at this time, indicate what funding might be either needed or available to address damage caused to the regional and local road network by recent flooding. My officials are keeping in contact with local authorities affected by flooding. The current difficulties being faced by those authorities are being monitored and will be taken into account in the 2010 regional and local road grant allocations, to the extent that resources will allow.
59 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Transport if he has reviewed the transcript of the recent appearance of a person (details supplied) before the Joint Committee on Transport on the alleged operation of a bus service (details supplied) between Dublin and Galway without a licence; his views on the opinions that were expressed by a person at the Joint Committee on Transport; the position regarding his Department’s investigation into the operation of this alleged unlicensed service; the date on which the Public Transport Regulation Act will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45884/09]
I am fully aware of the discussions that recently took place before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport in relations to the bus service in question.
The position in relation to the operation of that service was clearly set out to the Committee by an official of my Department. The service is being operated without the support of a bus route licence under the Road Transport Act 1932. That matter is currently the subject of an investigation by An Garda Síochána.
The Public Transport Regulation Act 2009 was enacted on 27 November 2009. While the Act provides that certain sections of the Act may commence by order, Part 1 and sections 42(1), 45 and Schedule 1 commenced automatically on the date of enactment.
I have recently signed the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009 (Sections 5, 23 and 29) (Commencement) Order 2009 (S.I. No. 466 of 2009), which provides that sections 5, 23 and 29(1)(b), (c) (other than paragraphs (e) and (f) of the amendment effected by that paragraph), (e), (g) to (k) and (2) of the Act came into operation on 1 December 2009. These sections relate to the making of the commencement orders, the drawing up of guidelines by the National Transport Authority in relation to the licensing of public bus passenger services and amendments to the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008. I have also signed the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009 (National Transport Authority) (Appointed Day) Order 2009 (S.I. No. 467 of 2009), which changes the name of the Dublin Transport Authority to the National Transport Authority with effect from 1 December 2009.
I will determine the dates for the commencement of the remaining provisions of the Act as I deem appropriate having regard to the circumstances in each case.
60 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the August 2009 report by the United Kingdom’s Office of Fair Trade on local bus services in the deregulated UK bus market outside London and Northern Ireland; his views on whether further legislation may be necessary to ensure that predatory and private monopolistic practices such as salami slicing, gaming and exclusivist timetabling that are referenced in the report are avoided in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45885/09]
I am aware of the recent UK Office of Fair Trading market study and report on local bus services, mainly outside London and Northern Ireland, where the bus industry has been deregulated.
The Deputy will be aware that the bus sector is not deregulated in this country and this position has been further reinforced by the recent enactment of the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009. Part 2 of the Act establishes a new framework for the licensing of commercial public bus passenger services with the objective of promoting regulated competition in the public interest, as well as the promotion of integrated, well-functioning and cost efficient public passenger transport services.
The Act establishes a clear structure against which applications for bus route licences will be considered by the National Transport Authority. In particular, it introduces the demand test in section 10 which in effect places the consumer at the heart of the process in that the intention is to match service demand with service provision rather than to protect the existing or prospective service providers.
The section also allows the Authority to consider the impact of proposed bus services on contracted public passenger transport services, including subvented services, where appropriate. These provisions will enable the Authority to protect against "cherry-picking" or other inappropriate activity such as that referred to by the Deputy.
Section 23 of the Act provides that the Authority must produce guidelines for the licensing of public bus passenger services under Part 2 of the Act as a whole. Those guidelines must set out the approach that the Authority proposes to apply to the consideration of applications under section 10. The Act also introduces a modern system of penalties and associated powers for revocation of licences where a licence holder has not met the conditions under which the licence was granted.
I am confident that the provisions of the Act will deliver a new robust bus licensing regime to benefit stakeholders and consumers.
62 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Transport if he will legislate for the graduated driver licence scheme which is Action 72 of the 2007 to 2012 Road Safety Strategy with a target completion date of the third quarter of 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45883/09]
The Road Safety Strategy 2007–2012 outlines a range of measures to be considered in relation to a Graduated Driver Licensing System (GDLS). The driver licensing regulations made in October 2007, which provided for the introduction of a learner permit to replace the provisional licence and for some other measures, were the first step in the introduction of a GDLS.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) undertook a consultation process on a GDLS in 2009, which contained a number of possible measures. The RSA has been considering the responses from the public and interested bodies and I understand that recommendations will be made to me shortly. It is too soon to say what the timeframe will be or whether new legislation will be required.
63 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport if he has responsibility for the allocation of funding towards regional and county road networks here; the degree to which such funds are being made available or are likely to be made available for the alleviation of flooding and the elimination of accident blackspots thereby contributing to the safety of motorists and pedestrians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45901/09]
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. The carrying out of works on these roads is a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of projects to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
Local authorities may submit applications for funding projects to eliminate accident blackspots, under my Department's Low Cost Safety Improvement Works scheme of grants for regional and local roads. This scheme of grants was introduced in 2000 as an extension of the scheme operated on national roads under the auspices of the National Roads Authority (NRA).
The NRA assesses applications for grant assistance under the scheme on behalf of my Department. The criteria for grant approval are based on accident data, inspection of sites, locations showing demonstrable hazard and discussions between the local authority and the NRA.
When Exchequer grants for regional and local roads are allocated each year, my Department does not hold back a reserve allocation, at central level, to deal with weather contingencies such as flooding. Holding back such an allocation would mean a reduction in the road grant allocations made to all local authorities at the beginning of each year.
The allocations made to local authorities are inclusive of a weather risk factor. Local authorities are expressly advised in the annual road grants circular letter that they should set aside contingency sums from their overall regional and local roads resources to finance necessary weather related works.
My Department would be prepared to consider, sympathetically, any request from local authorities to adjust their multi-annual restoration programmes or revise their specific grant applications, in order to prioritise work in 2010 necessitated by the recent flooding.
Local authorities are still assessing the extent of flood damage in their regions. Because these assessments cannot be completed until the flooding subsides, I expect that it will take some time before all the authorities concerned can quantify the damage sustained by their regional and local road networks and cost repair work.
64 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Transport his views on the feasibility study on the Leinster outer orbital route which was submitted to his Department by the National Roads Authority in 2007; if he has been briefed by the NRA or Meath County Council on this matter; if he expects planning or works on the proposal to begin in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45871/09]
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme element of Transport 21. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads, including the Leinster Orbital Route, is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Act 1993 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
The NRA completed an updated feasibility study, which built on a study completed in 2001. This study, which was presented to me in April 2007, looked at the costs and benefits of such a route. The study finds that there is merit in constructing an Orbital Route linking Drogheda/Navan/Naas. Overall, the study concludes that the route is economically viable, technically feasible and strategically beneficial.
Neither Transport 21 nor the National Development Plan provide any funding for a Leinster Orbital Route. The Government has already made it clear that under Transport 21, its priorities for the national roads investment programme, after the completion of the major inter-urban network in 2010, will be the Atlantic Road Corridor as well as the improvement of other key national primary routes and the targeting improvement of certain national secondary routes.
It is clear that, in the current economic climate, further progress on projects such as the Leinster Orbital Route will only be possible as and when resources become available.
65 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Transport his plans to bring forward legislation to amalgamate the Commission for Aviation Regulation and the regulatory functions of the Irish Aviation Authority into the new National Transport Authority; the reason for the proposed amalgamation; the implications of subsuming the CAR and IAA into the NTA for staff of both bodies and for aviation regulation here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45878/09]
I announced my intention to amalgamate the Commission for Aviation Regulation and the regulatory functions of the Irish Aviation Authority with the planned new National Transport Authority on 1st October concurrent with the publication of the Government Statement on Economic Regulation.
The amalgamation of these functions into the planned National Transport Authority will contribute to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of Ireland's regulatory environment and bring greater coherence to the regulatory framework for transport, in particular.
Detailed proposals to implement the decision are currently being considered. The decision will obviously have implications for staff of both organisations and I have written to both the Commissioner for Aviation Regulation and the Chairman of the Irish Aviation Authority to assure them that there will be full consultation with both organisations as these proposals are developed.
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) will conduct a comprehensive audit of Ireland's system for safety oversight of civil aviation early in 2010. I do not propose to publish detailed proposals for the amalgamation in advance of the audit as some recommendations may emerge from the audit that could be implemented in tandem with the legislation that will be necessary to provide for the amalgamation of functions.
66 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Transport if he has been briefed by management or unions at Bus Éireann on current cost-cutting proposals for jobs, services and fleets at the national bus company; his views on the impact of such cost-cutting proposals on services for commuters particularly on carriage routes linking towns and villages on the national Bus Éireann network and for the jobs of public transport workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45873/09]
I have been briefed by Bus Éireann management on the deterioration in its financial position due in the main to declining demand and revenue and increased costs, and on the measures necessary to maintain its financial viability. Earlier this year, in February, I was also briefed by the unions on the issues involved.
Decisions in relation to service rationalisations are a matter for the company itself. I understand that the Labour Court recently issued a recommendation relating to Bus Éireann's cost recovery plans and that this recommendation is now under consideration by the parties concerned.
Every effort should be made by all involved to maintain services to the maximum extent possible and to ensure the financial viability of the company.
67 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Transport if he has been contacted by any agency including the Railway Procurement Agency, workers’ representatives or communities in relation to crime and anti-social activity on public transport vehicles targeting both passengers and public transport workers; if he is considering any proposals in conjunction with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform to address this problem including garda patrols on public transport vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45872/09]
I have been briefed by the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) in relation to the escalation of anti-social behaviour on trams and at Luas lines. The safety and security of passengers including arrangements to deal with anti–social behaviour is a matter for the transport operator in conjunction, as appropriate, with the Garda.
68 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Transport when the full integrated ticketing scheme will commence; the estimated cost for developing and implementing integrated ticketing annually since its commencement; his views on whether 10 years for the roll out of this project could be considered a success; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45938/09]
The Integrated Ticketing project is being introduced in the Greater Dublin Area on a phased basis, based on smartcard technology. A progressive approach is being adopted to allow customers to familiarise themselves with using the new system and to permit transport operators to undertake the necessary testing with the integration of the technologies involved. The project is now firmly in the implementation phase and extensive testing of elements of the system is already under way.
Subject to successful in-house testing, the single smartcard will be rolled out initially to a small number of Dublin Bus testers for live consumer testing of the Dublin Bus/Luas integrated annual ticket, and then to a small number of customers in early 2010.
The system will be progressively rolled out on Dublin Bus and Luas services, such that, by end-2010, smartcards with a "pay-as-you-go" function will be available to some 75% of public transport customers in the GDA. Private bus operators are also participating in the scheme and it is anticipated that a number of these operators, along with DART and commuter rail services and Bus Éireann on a pilot basis, will join the scheme by end-2011.
The annual capital cost of the integrated ticketing system since 2002 is as follows:
|
Year |
€m |
|
2002 |
0.349 |
|
2003 |
1.866 |
|
2004 |
4.852 |
|
2005 |
2.410 |
|
2006 |
1.528 |
|
2007 |
1.499 |
|
2008 |
4.760 |
|
2009 (to end-November) |
6.176 |
This expenditure encompasses project management, design and development costs and operator contributions for the development of the single smartcard.
Whilst progress in the delivery of the project has been slower than desired, good progress is now being made by the transport agencies in the delivery of this complex I.T. project. The project remains on target to deliver real and tangible benefits to public transport users on a progressive basis during 2010.
69 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Transport if he has made recommendations to the Department of Finance regarding the Public Service obligation subsidy for regional airports in view of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes on public sector costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45893/09]
The Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes on Public Sector Costs (An Bord Snip) recommended that the Public Service Obligations for air services should be discontinued after the ending of the present contracts.
This proposal has been considered as part of the discussions with the Department of Finance relating to the Estimates for 2010 and later years. The current PSO contracts commenced on 22 July 2008 and are due to expire on 20 July 2011. The contracts have been awarded for services linking Dublin Airport with the regional airports at Derry, Donegal, Sligo, Ireland West Airport Knock, Galway and Kerry Airports. In 2010 there will be sufficient funds available to maintain the operations of existing PSO Air Services contracts.
Under updated EU legislation governing these services, more stringent conditions will apply to future PSO arrangements (i.e. from July 2011), having regard for example, to the availability of other transport connections and especially rail services with a travelling time of three hours or less.
I expect that a Value for Money review of regional airports being carried out within my Department will assist me in evaluating the appropriate scale of a regional airports programme in subsequent years bearing in mind my aviation policy objectives, the improved surface transport links under the NDP and Transport 21 and the need to address the difficulties with our public finances.
71 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the International Energy Agency’s report Transport, Energy and CO2: Moving Toward Sustainability; his views on whether the report has implications for sustainable transport planning here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45890/09]
I have considered the IEA report Transport, Energy and CO2 and its recommendations.
The report sets out pathways for emissions reduction from the global transport sector by 2050. Its recommendations are similar to the policy measures I have put forward in the government policy Smarter Travel: A Sustainable Transport System for Ireland which I launched in February this year.
The IEA report highlights that CO2 savings of up to 40% on 2005 levels can be made by 2050 with a combination of energy efficiency measures, use of alternative, low carbon fuels, deployment of electric vehicles, and modal shift. Smarter Travel addresses each of these policy areas and proposes a target for reducing emissions from transport by between 4-8MT CO2 by 2020.
Good progress is being made on delivering the Smarter Travel programme. This Government is negotiating strongly in the EU for tougher limits on CO2 emissions from cars and light duty vehicles. We have also introduced a new taxation system that incentivises the purchase of more energy efficient cars. My colleague the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has recently announced that bio-fuels will make up 4% of transport fuel in 2010. My officials are leading on a number of objectives that will reduce the need to travel by car, and encourage people to switch to more sustainable travel patterns, walking, cycling or using public transport. A number of Smarter Travel project, including better cycle facilities, workplace travel plans, and school travel plans are already being delivered. The first Smarter Travel Areas will be launched in 2010, and these will showcase the potential we have in Ireland for moving to a more sustainable transport system and significantly reducing our emissions from transport.
73 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the status of his Department’s report into the collapse of the Broadmeadow railway viaduct, County Dublin; when will this report be published; if he will also undertake any other independent review of the performance of the Railway Safety Commission in view of the alleged flaws in safety monitoring systems prior to the collapse of the bridge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45874/09]
My Department is not preparing a report on the collapse of the Malahide viaduct, which is being investigated by the Railway Accident Investigation Unit (RAIU) in accordance with Section 58 of the Railway Safety Act 2005. This will address all matters, including safety monitoring, relevant to the incident. The RAIU is required to publish its report not later than 12 months after the date of the occurrence.
74 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport if has received the Road Safety Authority’s draft regulations for the introduction of compulsory basic training for motor cyclists; the reason he has missed the deadline for introducing compulsory basic training for motorcyclists as mandated under the road safety strategy 2007 to 2012; his views on the continuing high casualties in road collisions involving motor cyclists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45861/09]
The issue of compulsory basic training (CBT) for motorcyclists is primarily a matter for the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
I am aware that motorcyclists are vulnerable road users and I believe that CBT for motorcyclists will improve road safety not only for this group but for all road users.
I understand that the RSA undertook a pilot programme to prepare for the introduction of CBT for motorcyclists, which was completed earlier this year. Other necessary conditions for the introduction of a full CBT programme are, I understand, also now in place including the availability of a good supply of approved driving instructors.
Draft regulations are now being finalised within the RSA with a view to submitting them shortly to my Department for examination.
76 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Transport the action he proposes to take to carry out a new strategic review of Irish port capacity and operations to 2030 and beyond; the position regarding the Bremore port proposal; if his attention has been drawn to reports of deficits in some port pension plans and the effect of this on port operators and workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45892/09]
In August 2009, the Dublin Port National Development Plan Study carried out by Indecon Economic Consultants was published on my Department's website, www.transport.ie.
I commented at the time that the report is an important analysis not just of the future of Dublin Port, but also provides a useful insight into the capacity challenges that face the sector as a whole.
The report forecasts traffic demands over the medium to long term and is clear in its conclusion that the sector will face renewed capacity constraints from approximately 2025 onwards.
As stated in the report, these capacity constraints will be such that the development of a significant additional capacity project will be required, such as that envisaged at Bremore or at Dublin Port. Dublin Port Company's proposed development is currently the subject of an oral hearing before An Bord Pleanála.
With regard to the Bremore project, Drogheda Port Company together with their partners, Castlemarket Holdings, are continuing to progress their plans to develop a deepwater port facility at Bremore.
I understand that preplanning consultations have taken place with An Bord Pleanála. However, to date no planning application has been lodged in respect of the development.
The turbulence experienced in financial markets over the last 18-24 months has had a detrimental impact on most pension funds, and the port companies are no different.
Port company pensions schemes are regulated like other company pension schemes under the Pension Act. Defined benefit schemes that fail to meet the Minimum Funding Standard are required to make a funding proposal to the Pensions Board for meeting the standard within a defined period.
77 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the action which is being taken to secure continued funding for the rural transport programme under budget 2010; the way the programme can be enhanced in 2010 and the expansion he envisages post 2013; if he will introduce legislation for rural transport services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45882/09]
80 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport his plans for the rural transport initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45809/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 80 together.
The House is aware that the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes recommended the termination of the Rural Transport Programme. The Government has considered all of the recommendations in the Special Group's Report in the context of the Budget for 2010, which will be presented to the House later today.
On rural transport generally, it is important that existing resources in this area are utilised as cost-effectively as possible and in that context a number of initiatives are currently underway in the country exploring the potential for improved synergies between existing transport providers, namely, the Health Service Executive for health transport, the Department of Education and Science for school transport, Bus Éireann, Pobal for Rural Transport Programme services and other transport providers, such as the Irish Wheelchair Association. These initiatives involve pilot transport projects in the North East and North West, an exercise to map all transport services in County Louth and a cross-border pilot rural community transport project under the auspices of the British/Irish Council. The outcome of these initiatives will feed into the process for developing rural transport policy into the future.
The Public Transport Regulation Act 2009 introduces a modern framework for public transport services, including rural public transport services.
78 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Transport if discussions are taking place as proposed in the special group on public service numbers and expenditure programmes regarding a merger between the National Roads Authority and the Road Safety Authority; if he will give a briefing on the new role of the National Roads Authority regarding the non-national and secondary roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45894/09]
There is no proposal in the report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes regarding the merger of the National Roads Authority and the Road Safety Authority.
The position from 1st September last, the NRA began undertaking certain functions regarding regional and local road grants. This is being done on foot of an agreement negotiated by officials of my Department and the NRA and approved by me and the Board of the Authority. A copy of the agreement between the Authority and my Department is available in the Dáil Library. The role of the Authority is set out in that agreement.
The new arrangement was concluded on an administrative basis so as not to affect my statutory role or that of the local authorities in any way.
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads remains the statutory responsibility of road authorities under section 13 of the Roads Act 1993, and is not affected by the new administrative arrangements. The NRA is not being given any new statutory powers similar to those it has in relation to national roads.
Under section 82 of the Roads Act the Minister for Transport is empowered to pay grants to road authorities and under this power I allocate regional and local road grants to these authorities each year to supplement expenditure from their own resources. This power is also unaffected by the revised administrative arrangements and I will continue to decide on grants policy and on the grant allocations to each individual road authority.
This decision was taken on grounds of administrative efficiency, particularly in circumstances where there is increasing pressure on staffing and financial resources. It makes sense to use one organisation to administer all road grant payments and to monitor the expenditure of these road grants.
The NRA already had very effective systems in place to administer the national road improvement and maintenance programme and it was therefore concluded that the most logical and efficient approach was to use that NRA expertise to administer regional and local road grants as well.
Because there is no change in my statutory power I will continue to be accountable to the Oireachtas as at present and will continue to reply to appropriate Parliamentary Questions on regional and local road grants.
79 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Transport his estimates for transport capital spending in 2010 to 2013, inclusive; the recommendations he is making to the Minister for Finance for transport capital spending for budget 2010; his transport priorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45868/09]
The capital funding allocation for my Department for 2010 will be announced later today as part of the Budget.
The priorities for future investment in transport are set out in the Renewed Programme for Government. Transport 21 will continue to provide the strategic framework for capital spending on transport infrastructure. Projects will commence subject to relevant statutory, procurement and contract award processes, and as the necessary funding becomes available.
81 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the debt at Cork Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45904/09]
Much of the Cork Airport debt was incurred in financing the new terminal and other infrastructure at the airport. In the event of full separation of Cork Airport, under the State Airports Act, 2004 my position has always been that the sharing of this debt between the Cork and Dublin Airport Authorities would have to take account of what is commercially and financially feasible for both authorities.
Following mediation on the matter in 2008 it was agreed that the Cork Airport Authority will take responsibility for €113 million of the debt in return for the transfer to it of net assets of €220 million, on the separation of the airport under the State Airports Act 2004. The Deputy will be aware that, having regard to the impact of the recession on the aviation sector, I have postponed a decision on airport separation until 2011.
82 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport his plans to amend the Merchant Shipping Bill or any other legislation to increase the retirement age for maritime pilots; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45887/09]
As I indicated to the House during the passage of the Harbours (Amendment) Act 2009, my officials examined the issue of the compulsory retirement age for marine pilots in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General.
My Department has been in communication with the Association of Marine of Pilots of Ireland throughout this process.
It is my intention to introduce an amendment to section 69 of the Harbours Act 1996 to increase the age of retirement from 60 to 65 during the forthcoming Committee Stage of the Merchant Shipping Bill 2009.
83 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the proposed forum on rail freight that was mandated to be set up in the policy framework, Smarter Travel, A Sustainable Transport Future 2009 — 2020; the persons who will be members of the forum; the remit of the forum; when a policy document will issue on rail freight; when a target for the development of rail freight here will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45889/09]
I propose to establish a forum on the movement of goods, as set out in the SMARTER TRAVEL policy paper, in 2010. My Department is currently undertaking preparatory work on the membership, tasks and timescales for the forum, which will include a North-South dimension. In that regard, discussions are taking place with the relevant Northern Ireland authorities. The forum will address both economic competitiveness and environmental matters within the context of a sustainable freight industry in relation to the movement of goods by air, sea, rail and road.
The potential for rail freight and its role within an integrated freight transport strategy will be among the matters explored by the forum.
84 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport if he has given directions to the medical bureau of road safety on the recalibration or replacement of breathalyzer and evidential breath-testing machines in the context of the Road Traffic Bill 2009; the number of machines which will be completely replaced; the number of same which will be recalibrated; the estimated cost of the recalibration or replacement of all the machines; if his attention as been drawn to the concerns raised by road safety campaigners in relation to aspects of his proposal for mandatory testing of all drivers involved in road collisions; his views on the continuing high casualties in road collisions involving motorcyclists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46095/09]
I have already instructed the MBRS to commence the procurement process for the new EBT instruments. It is intended to increase their number from the current 64 to 86 instruments.
The cost of the machines will not be fully known until the procurement process is finished. In keeping with current practice I will not speculate on the cost until the procurement process is finished.
I believe that the provision included in the recently published Road Traffic Bill, 2009 in relation to the mandatory testing of drivers involved in collisions where injury occurs is an important new road safety measure, particularly focused on intoxicated driving.
I am aware of the high number of motorcyclists involved in road collisions and it is vital to maintain the momentum in the Road Safety Strategy to further reduce fatalities and injuries for all road users.
85 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Taoiseach the number of State boards, agencies, regulators or other bodies under his remit; the cost of these bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46058/09]
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table:
|
Name |
Cost to Date in 2009 |
|
€ |
|
|
National Economic and Social Development Office |
3,401,066 |
|
Law Reform Commission |
3,183,487 |
|
National Statistics Board |
30,798 |
86 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Taoiseach the number of persons employed in his private office and his constituency office; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses in regard to each office in tabular form; the number of persons employed in the private and constituency offices of the Ministers of State in his Department; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses in regard to each office in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46384/09]
The information requested by the Deputy is detailed in the following table.
|
Office |
No. of Staff |
Salaries including Overtime & Allowances |
Expenses |
|
€ |
€ |
||
|
Taoiseach’s Private Office |
12 |
688,076 |
984 |
|
Taoiseach’s Constituency Office |
7 |
341,954 |
Nil |
|
Government Chief Whip’s Private Office |
4 |
254,077 |
Nil |
|
Government Chief Whip’s Constituency Office |
5 |
154,346 |
Nil |
|
*Minister of State for European Affairs’ Private Office |
3 |
136,937 |
1,907 |
*The Minister of State for European Affairs does not have a Constituency Office in my Department.
87 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of State boards, agencies, regulators or other bodies under her remit; the cost of these bodies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46051/09]
The following table lists the Offices, agencies, regulators and other bodies currently under the aegis of my Department. The table also sets out the funding allocated to each of these entities by my Department in 2009. The allocations include Exchequer funding and, where appropriate, National Training Fund monies.
Some of the agencies also receive funding from other sources, such as fees, property rental, grant refunds, and from other Departments or bodies. Funding from these sources is not included in the table. Bodies under the aegis of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and 2009 funding allocations
|
2009 Allocation |
|
|
€000 |
|
|
Offices |
|
|
Labour Court |
3,115 |
|
Labour Relations Commission |
6,286 |
|
Companies Registration Office and Registrar of Friendly Societies |
8,912 |
|
Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement |
5,535 |
|
National Employment Rights Authority |
8,731 |
|
Patents Office 1 |
|
|
Employment Appeals Tribunal1 |
|
|
Agencies |
|
|
County & City Enterprise Boards (35 in existence) |
27,812 |
|
Competition Authority |
5,568 |
|
Enterprise Ireland |
199,972 |
|
FÁS |
1,063,936 |
|
Forfás |
37,164 |
|
Health & Safety Authority |
22,638 |
|
IDA Ireland |
117,971 |
|
InterTradeIreland2 |
8,499 |
|
Irish Auditing & Accounting Supervisory Authority (IAASA)3 |
1,532 |
|
National Consumer Agency |
8,588 |
|
National Standards Authority of Ireland |
8,241 |
|
2009 REV Allocation |
|
|
€000 |
|
|
Personal Injuries Assessment Board4 |
— |
|
Science Foundation Ireland |
170,524 |
|
Shannon Development |
957 |
|
Other Bodies5 |
|
|
Skillnets |
16,595 |
|
Joint Labour Committees |
135 |
|
Company Law Review Group |
113 |
|
Sales Review Group |
20 |
|
Business Regulation Group |
60 |
Notes
1 The Employment Appeals Tribunal and the Patents Office are funded from the Department’s central Administrative Budget and do not have separate budgetary allocations.
2 InterTradeIreland is co-financed by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland. The figure provided on the table refers to the contribution of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
3 Irish Auditing & Accounting Supervisory Authority (IAASA) is co-financed by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and industry associations. The figure provided on the table refers to the contribution of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
4 Start-up funding was provided to the Personal Injuries Assessment Board in 2004 and 2005. The Board’s statutory activities have been self-financing since 2006.
5 In addition to the entities shown on the above table, the following bodies/groups that come under the aegis of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment are funded through the Department’s agencies:
Crafts Council of Ireland
National Competitiveness Council
Expert Group on Future Skills Needs
The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs reports jointly to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Minister for Education and Science.
88 Deputy George Lee asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the FÁS training centres here in 2008; the number of persons who underwent training at each of these centres in 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46060/09]
89 Deputy George Lee asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the FÁS training centres here in 2007; the number of persons who underwent training at each of these centres in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46061/09]
90 Deputy George Lee asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the FÁS training centres here in 2006; the number of persons who underwent training at each of these centres in 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46062/09]
91 Deputy George Lee asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the FÁS training centres here in 2005; the number of persons who underwent training at each of these centres in 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46063/09]
92 Deputy George Lee asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the FÁS training centres here in 2004; the number of persons who underwent training at each of these centres in 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46064/09]
93 Deputy George Lee asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the FÁS training centres here in 2003; the number of persons who underwent training at each of these centres in 2003; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46065/09]
94 Deputy George Lee asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the FÁS training centres here in 2002; the number of persons who underwent training at each of these centres in 2002; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46066/09]
95 Deputy George Lee asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the FÁS training centres here in 2001; the number of persons who underwent training at each of these centres in 2001; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46067/09]
96 Deputy George Lee asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the FÁS training centres here in 2000; the number of persons who underwent training at each of these centres in 2000. [46068/09]
97 Deputy George Lee asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the FÁS training centres here in 1999; the number of persons who underwent training at each of these centres in 1999; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46069/09]
98 Deputy George Lee asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the FÁS training centres here in 1998; the number of persons who underwent training at each of these centres in 1998; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46070/09]
99 Deputy George Lee asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the FÁS training centres here in 1997; the number of persons who underwent training at each of these centres in 1997; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46071/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 88 to 99, inclusive, together.
I understand that FÁS is currently collating the information requested by the Deputy. I will contact the Deputy once this has been completed.
100 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason the fishery sector is excluded from the employment subsidy scheme in view of the fact that this is a major growth area for employment in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46082/09]
The objective of the Employment Subsidy Scheme (Temporary) is to provide an employment subsidy to vulnerable but viable enterprises in order to maintain as many jobs as possible within these enterprises.
The Employment Subsidy Scheme is being operated in accordance with the EU Temporary Aid Framework, and under paragraph 4.2.2(d) of the Temporary Community Framework on State Aid, aid to firms in the fisheries sector is excluded.
101 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if efforts have been made to create training courses funded by FÁS through rapid areas to the extent of €2 million in Dublin by the end of 2009; if this money has been spent; if so, the specific courses or training opportunities involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46117/09]
I understand that FÁS, in conjunction with local RAPID Groups, is organising basic training and work experience opportunities for 18 to 25 year old unemployed people from RAPID areas around the country. FÁS is investing €2 million nationally in the RAPID programme of which approximately a third is concentrated on schemes within the Dublin area.
Most of the initiatives have started and it is planned to have between 30 and 50 young people engaged in each RAPID area. The programme is scheduled for completion in April/May 2010 at which point it will be reviewed.
The table sets out the 16 programmes currently in progress in the Dublin area:
|
RAPID Area |
Programme Description |
|
Northside — Darndale / Belcamp |
Bright Future — Through Retail Sales &Visual Merchandising |
|
South East Inner City — Pearse Street |
Career Awareness Programme |
|
South East Inner City — Charlemont Street |
Career Awareness Programme |
|
North East Inner City |
Employment Skills / Administration Skills Development |
|
North West Inner City |
Digimedia Programme |
|
South Inner City |
Health & Related Fitness |
|
South Inner City |
Digimedia Programme |
|
South Inner City — Canals/ Kimmage/Crumlin |
Digimedia Programme |
|
South Inner City — Canals/ Kimmage/Crumlin |
Personal & Career Development / Health & Beauty / Sport & Recreation/ Retail Sales |
|
Ballyfermot |
Warehouse Course |
|
Ballyfermot |
Delivery Driver |
|
North Clondalkin |
Learning for Education, Employment and Progression (LEEP) |
|
South Dublin |
Skills Sampling |
|
South Dublin |
Entrepreneurship |
|
South Dublin |
Personal & Career Development |
|
South Dublin |
Green Energy |
102 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of employees in the private sector who received wage increases in 2008 and to date in 2009; if any of the banks operating here have given wage increases to their employees in 2008 or to date in 2009; if so, the nature of these increases; if semi State employees have paid the pension levy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46143/09]
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of employees in the private sector who received wage increases in 2008 and 2009 is not collected by my Department. Such increases would be a matter for negotiation between individual employers and employees. Aggregate data in relation to earnings in different sectors of the economy are collected by the Central Statistics Office and published regularly. The most recent figures in relation to average hourly earnings are available at:
http://www.cso.ie/releasespublications/documents/earnings/current/earnlabcosts.pdf.
Similarly, my Department has no information available with regard to wage increases given to staff working in banks.
I do not have any function with regard to the payment of the Pension Levy by semi State employees generally, as this is a matter for the Minister for Finance. However, I can confirm that employees in all State agencies under the auspices of my Department are subject to the terms of the Pension Levy.
103 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of ongoing and completed investigations regarding irregularities in the granting of certificates, examinations and other qualifications by FÁS; if she will provide a list of same; if, in each case, they pertain to training provided directly by FÁS or by an outsourced provider; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46150/09]
I understand that FÁS is currently undertaking a comprehensive internal review in this matter. I will contact the Deputy when all the information has been collated.
104 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of persons employed in her private office and her constituency office; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses in regard to each office in tabular form; the number of persons employed in the private and constituency offices of the Ministers of State in her Department; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses in regard to each office in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46377/09]
The tables below outline the number of staff, broken down by grade, in my private and constituency office and in those of each Minister of State within my Department. The cost of each office in terms of salary and expenses from 1st Jan 2009 to 30th November 2009 is also included. These figures include ministerial salaries and expenses.
|
Private Office |
Constituency Office |
|
2 Special Advisers |
1 Personal Assistant |
|
1 Press Adviser |
1 Personal Secretary |
|
1 Private Secretary |
1 Executive Officer |
|
2 Executive Officers |
2.8 Clerical Officers |
|
5 Clerical Officers |
1 Temp. Clerical Officer |
|
Period |
Salaries, Wages and Allowances* |
Travel & Subsistence** |
Ministerial Allowance |
Miscellaneous |
Total |
|
1 Jan-30 Nov |
1,016,749.38 |
30,945.82 |
10,826.47 |
2,179.25 |
1,060,700.92 |
|
Private Office |
Constituency Office |
|
1 Private Secretary |
1 Personal Assistant |
|
1 Executive Officer |
1 Personal Secretary |
|
2 Clerical Officers |
1 Clerical Officer (up until 22nd April ’09) |
|
2 Civilian Drivers |
|
Period |
Salaries, Wages and Allowances* |
Travel & Subsistence** |
Ministerial Allowance |
Miscellaneous |
Total |
|
1 Jan-30 Nov |
412,428.11 |
66,441.28 |
10,863.61 |
657.25 |
490,390.25 |
|
Private Office |
Constituency Office |
|
1 Private Secretary |
1 Personal Assistant |
|
1 Staff Officer |
1 Personal Secretary |
|
1 Clerical Officer |
2 Secretarial Assistants (up until 22nd April ‘09) |
|
1 Clerical Officer |
|
|
2 Civilian Drivers |
|
Period |
Salaries, Wages and Allowances* |
Travel & Subsistence** |
Ministerial Allowance |
Miscellaneous |
Total |
|
1 Jan-30 Nov |
512,774.10 |
53,348.44 |
11,890.61 |
183.95 |
578,197.10 |
|
Private Office |
Constituency Office |
|
1 Private Secretary |
1 Special Adviser (up until 22nd April ’09) |
|
1 Executive Officer |
1 Personal Assistant |
|
1 Clerical Officer |
1 Personal Secretary |
|
1 Executive Officer (from 22nd April ’09) |
|
|
1 Clerical Officer |
|
|
2 Civilian Drivers |
|
Period |
Salaries, Wages and Allowances* |
Travel & Subsistence** |
Ministerial Allowance |
Miscellaneous |
Total |
|
1 Jan-30 Nov |
468,934.67 |
76,253.37 |
10,876.41 |
— |
556,064.45 |
*The totals provided for Salaries, Wages and Allowances include Overtime and Employer's PRSI.
**The totals provided for Travel and Subsistence Expenses include the cost of flights invoiced directly to the Department.
There are also two additional Ministers of State who have responsibility in this Department however; they do not have offices in the Department. The Ministers concerned are the Minister for Equality, Disability and Mental Health at the Department of Health and Children and the Minister for Lifelong Learning at the Department of Education and Science.
105 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance the amount of money raised through the national lottery in 2007, 2008 and to date 2009; and if he can confirm the money that raised was used for community projects. [46083/09]
The National Lottery surplus is allocated to a number of Government Departments in the context of the annual Estimates process. The copies of Appendix 1 of the Revised Estimates for the Public Services in each of the years 2007 to 2009, set out below, give a breakdown by Department of subheads which were part-funded by the surplus from the National Lottery.
The total outturn for all part-funded subheads in 2007 was €444m, of which €230m was funded from the National Lottery surplus. The total outturn for all part-funded subheads in 2008 was €472m, of which €265m was funded from the National Lottery surplus. The total allocation for all part-funded subheads in 2009 is €419m, of which €275m is profiled to be surrendered from the National Lottery surplus.
Community projects are supported by the Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs via its Grants for Community and Voluntary Programmes and Local and Community Development Programmes subheads, which are both part-funded by the surplus from the National Lottery. The level of expenditure under these two subheads was €101m in 2007 and €103m in 2008, of which €53m (2007) and €58m (2008) came from the National Lottery surplus. The Revised Estimates for Public Services for 2009 shows that the profile for the present year for these two subheads is a total expenditure of €90m, involving €58m of funding from the Lottery surplus.
|
2005 Provisional Outturn |
2006 Estimate |
|||||
|
Vote/Subhead |
Current |
Capital |
Total |
Current |
Capital |
Total |
|
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
|
6. Office of the Minister for Finance |
||||||
|
L. — Payments to the Promoters of certain Charitable Lotteries |
7,729 |
— |
7,729 |
8,618 |
— |
8,618 |
|
25. Environment, Heritage and Local Government |
||||||
|
B.3 — Fund for Task Force on Special Housing Aid for the Elderly |
— |
11,024 |
11,024 |
— |
12,141 |
12,141 |
|
B.4 — Communal Facilities in Voluntary Housing Schemes |
— |
2,066 |
2,066 |
— |
1,977 |
1,977 |
|
E.2 — Grant for An Chomhairle Oidhreachta (Heritage Council) |
1,891 |
4,863 |
6,754 |
1,699 |
4,313 |
6,012 |
|
Subtotal:— |
1,891 |
17,953 |
19,844 |
1,699 |
18,431 |
20,130 |
|
26. Education and Science. |
||||||
|
B.1 — Grant-in-aid Fund for general expenses of Adult Education Organisations |
782 |
782 |
701 |
— |
701 |
|
|
B.9 — Grant-in-aid Fund for general expenses of youth and sport organisations and other expenditure in relation to youth activities |
31,267 |
— |
31,267 |
28,087 |
— |
28,087 |
|
B.10 — Grants to Colleges providing courses in Irish |
1,046 |
— |
1,046 |
978 |
— |
978 |
|
B.14 — Grant-in-aid Fund for general expenses of Cultural, Scientific and Educational Organisations |
234 |
234 |
218 |
218 |
||
|
Publications in Irish |
64 |
64 |
— |
— |
||
|
Subtotal:— |
33,393 |
— |
33,393 |
29,984 |
— |
29,984 |
|
27. Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs |
||||||
|
C. — Payments to Ciste na Gaeilge |
3,016 |
— |
3,016 |
2,781 |
2,781 |
|
|
K1. — Grants for Community and Voluntary Service. |
29,552 |
— |
29,552 |
30,033 |
— |
30,033 |
|
Subtotal:— |
32,568 |
— |
32,568 |
32,814 |
— |
32,814 |
|
2005 Provisional Outturn |
2006 Estimate |
|||||
|
Vote/Subhead |
Current |
Capital |
Total |
Current |
Capital |
Total |
|
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
|
35. Arts, Sport and Tourism |
||||||
|
C.1 — Grants for sporting bodies and the provision of sports and recreational facilities |
52,395 |
52,395 |
— |
45,858 |
45,858 |
|
|
C.4 — Irish Sports Council — General Assistance to Sports Organisations and other expenditure in relation to sports activities (Grant-in-Aid) |
30,056 |
— |
30,056 |
31,539 |
— |
31,539 |
|
D.7 — An Chomhairle Ealaíon (Grant-in-Aid) |
21,223 |
18,504 |
990 |
19,494 |
||
|
Subtotal:— |
30,056 |
52,395 |
103,674 |
50,043 |
46,848 |
96,891 |
|
36. Defence |
||||||
|
Y. — Coiste an Asgard (Grant-in-Aid) |
1,036 |
— |
1,036 |
606 |
— |
608 |
|
39. Health and Children |
||||||
|
B.2 — Grants to Health Agencies and other similar organisations |
3,434 |
— |
3,434 |
3,085 |
— |
3,084 |
|
40. Health Service Executive |
||||||
|
B.11 — Grants to Health Agencies and other similar organisations |
6,476 |
— |
6,476 |
5,818 |
— |
5,813 |
|
C.2 — Building, Equipping and Furnishing of Health Facilities |
— |
2,343 |
2,343 |
— |
2,053 |
2,053 |
|
Subtotal:— |
6,476 |
2,343 |
8,819 |
5,818 |
2,053 |
7,871 |
|
Grand Total:— |
116,583 |
210,497 |
132,667 |
67,333 |
200,000 |
|
Vote/Subhead |
2005 Provisional Outturn |
2006 Estimate |
||||
|
Current |
Capital |
Total |
Current |
Capital |
Total |
|
|
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
|
6. Office of the Minister for Finance |
||||||
|
L. — Payments to the Promoters of certain Charitable Lotteries |
7,730 |
— |
7,730 |
8,618 |
— |
8,618 |
|
25. Environment, Heritage and Local Government |
||||||
|
B.3 — Task Force on Special Housing Aid for the Elderly |
— |
11,948 |
11,948 |
— |
17,012 |
17,012 |
|
B.4 — Communal Facilities in Voluntary Housing Schemes |
— |
2,240 |
2,240 |
— |
2,445 |
2,445 |
|
E.1 — Grant for An Chomhairle Oidhreachta (Heritage Council) |
3,717 |
5,270 |
8,987 |
3,862 |
7,108 |
10,970 |
|
Subtotal:— |
3,717 |
19,458 |
23,175 |
3,862 |
26,565 |
30,427 |
|
26. Education and Science. |
||||||
|
B.1 — Grant-in-aid Fund for general expenses of Adult Education Organisations |
848 |
— |
848 |
891 |
— |
891 |
|
B.9 — Grant-in-aid Fund for general expenses of Youth Organisations and other expenditure in relation to youth activities |
33,885 |
— |
33,885 |
36,728 |
— |
36,728 |
|
B.10 — Grants to Colleges providing courses in Irish |
1,134 |
— |
1,134 |
1,175 |
— |
1,175 |
|
B.14 — Grant-in-aid Fund for general expenses of Cultural, Scientific and Educational Organisations |
254 |
— |
254 |
269 |
— |
269 |
|
Publications in Irish |
69 |
— |
69 |
— |
— |
— |
|
Subtotal:— |
36,190 |
— |
36,190 |
39,063 |
— |
39,063 |
|
27. Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs |
||||||
|
C. — Payments to Ciste na Gaeilge |
3,352 |
— |
3,352 |
4,354 |
100 |
4,454 |
|
K.1 — Grants for Community and Voluntary Programmes |
14,000 |
— |
14,000 |
11,548 |
— |
11,548 |
|
L.1 — Local and Community Development Programmes |
70,396 |
— |
70,396 |
74,381 |
— |
74,381 |
|
Subtotal:— |
87,748 |
— |
87,748 |
90,283 |
100 |
90,383 |
|
Vote/Subhead |
2005 Provisional Outturn |
2006 Estimate |
||||
|
Current |
Capital |
Total |
Current |
Capital |
Total |
|
|
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
|
35. Arts, Sport and Tourism |
||||||
|
C.1 — Grants for sporting bodies and the provision of sports and recreational facilities |
— |
56,782 |
56,782 |
— |
62,724 |
62,724 |
|
C.3 — Irish Sports Council (Grant-in-Aid) |
34,425 |
— |
34,425 |
40,914 |
— |
40,914 |
|
D.7 — An Chomhairle Ealaíon (Grant-in-Aid) |
62,645 |
3,588 |
66,233 |
68,640 |
3,670 |
72,310 |
|
97,070 |
60,370 |
157,440 |
109,554 |
66,394 |
175,948 |
|
|
36. Defence |
||||||
|
Y. — Coiste an Asgard (Grant-in-Aid) |
1,123 |
— |
1,123 |
749 |
— |
749 |
|
39. Health and Children |
||||||
|
B.2 — Grants to Health Agencies and other similar organisations |
3,722 |
— |
3,722 |
3,815 |
— |
3,815 |
|
40. Health Service Executive |
||||||
|
B.11 — Grants to Health Agencies and other similar organisations |
7,018 |
— |
7,018 |
7,193 |
— |
7,193 |
|
C.2 — Building, Equipping and Furnishing of Health Facilities |
— |
2,539 |
2,539 |
— |
2,539 |
2,539 |
|
Subtotal:— |
7,018 |
2,539 |
9,557 |
7,193 |
2,539 |
9,732 |
|
244,318 |
82,367 |
326,685 |
263,137 |
95,598 |
358,735 |
*The total expenditure of €326.685 million in 2005 was financed by €210.5 million from the National Lottery; the balance was funded by the Exchequer. In 2006, estimated total expenditure of €358.735 million will be financed by €200 million from the National Lottery and the balance by the Exchequer.
|
Vote/Subhead |
2006 Provisional Outturn |
2007 Estimate |
||||
|
Current |
Capital |
Total |
Current |
Capital |
Total |
|
|
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
|
6. Office of the Minister for Finance |
||||||
|
L. — Payments to the Promoters of certain Charitable Lotteries |
8,618 |
— |
8,618 |
8,618 |
— |
8,618 |
|
25. Environment, Heritage and Local Government |
||||||
|
B.1.14 — Communal Facilities in Voluntary Co-Operative Housing Schemes |
— |
2,624 |
2,624 |
— |
2,700 |
2,700 |
|
B.2.4 — Private Housing Grants |
— |
63,011 |
63,011 |
— |
66,221 |
66,221 |
|
E.1 — Grant for An Chomhairle Oidhreachta (Heritage Council) |
3,862 |
5,526 |
9,388 |
4,485 |
7,315 |
11,800 |
|
Subtotal:— |
3,862 |
71,161 |
75,023 |
4,485 |
76,236 |
80,721 |
|
26. Education and Science. |
||||||
|
B.1 — Grant-in-aid Fund for general expenses of Adult Education Organisations |
891 |
— |
891 |
929 |
— |
929 |
|
B.9 — Grant-in-aid Fund for general expenses of Youth Organisations and other expenditure in relation to youth activities |
36,693 |
— |
36,693 |
42,617 |
— |
42,617 |
|
B.10 — Grants to Colleges providing courses in Irish |
1,228 |
— |
1,228 |
1,256 |
— |
1,256 |
|
B.14 — Grant-in-aid Fund for general expenses of Cultural, Scientific and Educational Organisations |
229 |
— |
229 |
230 |
— |
230 |
|
Subtotal:— |
39,041 |
— |
39,041 |
45,032 |
— |
45,032 |
|
27. Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs |
||||||
|
C. — Payments to Ciste na Gaeilge |
4,251 |
— |
4,251 |
4,352 |
100 |
4,452 |
|
K.1 — Grants for Community and Voluntary Programmes |
11,145 |
— |
11,145 |
26,548 |
— |
26,548 |
|
L.1 — Local and Community Development Programmes |
71,972 |
— |
71,972 |
81,500 |
— |
81,500 |
|
Subtotal:— |
87,368 |
— |
87,368 |
112,400 |
100 |
112,500 |
|
Vote/Subhead |
2006 Provisional Outturn |
2007 Estimate |
||||
|
Current |
Capital |
Total |
Current |
Capital |
Total |
|
|
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
|
35. Arts, Sport and Tourism |
||||||
|
C.1 — Grants for sporting bodies and the provision of sports and recreational facilities |
— |
55,053 |
55,053 |
— |
49,250 |
49,250 |
|
C.3 — Irish Sports Council (Grant-in-Aid) |
40,914 |
— |
40,914 |
54,025 |
— |
54,025 |
|
D.7 — An Chomhairle Ealaíon (Grant-in-Aid) |
71,140 |
11,170 |
82,310 |
75,000 |
5,000 |
80,000 |
|
Subtotal:— |
112,054 |
66,223 |
178,277 |
129,025 |
54,250 |
183,275 |
|
36. Defence |
||||||
|
Y. — Coiste an Asgard (Grant-in-Aid) |
749 |
— |
749 |
879 |
— |
879 |
|
39. Health and Children |
||||||
|
B.2 — Grants to Health Agencies and other similar organisations |
3,757 |
— |
3,757 |
3,903 |
— |
3,903 |
|
40. Health Service Executive |
||||||
|
B.11 — Grants to Health Agencies and other similar organisations |
6,344 |
— |
6,344 |
7,358 |
— |
7,358 |
|
C.2 — Building, Equipping and Furnishing of Health Facilities |
— |
— |
— |
— |
2,539 |
2,539 |
|
Subtotal:— |
6,344 |
— |
6,344 |
7,358 |
2,539 |
9,897 |
|
Total:— |
261,793 |
137,384 |
399,177 |
311,700 |
133,125 |
444,825 |
*The total expenditure of €399,122 million in 2006 was financed by €200 million from the National Lottery; the remainder was funded by the Exchequer. In 2007, estimated total expenditure of €444.825 million will be financed by €205 million from the National Lottery and the remainder by the Exchequer
|
Vóta/Fo-mhírcheann |
2006 Caiteachas Sealadach |
2007 Meastachán |
||||
|
Reatha |
Caipitil |
Iomlán |
Reatha |
Caipitil |
Iomlán |
|
|
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
|
6. Oifig an Aire Airgeadas |
||||||
|
L. — Íocaíochtaí le Tionscnóirí Crannchur Carthanach Áirithe |
8,618 |
— |
8,618 |
8,618 |
— |
8,618 |
|
25. Comhshaol, Oidhreacht agus Rialtas Áitiúil |
||||||
|
B.1.14 — Saoráidí comhchoiteanna i Scéimeanna Tithíochta Deonacha agus Comharchumainn |
— |
2,624 |
2,624 |
— |
2,700 |
2,700 |
|
B.2.4 — Deontais Tithíochta Príobháidí |
— |
63,011 |
63,011 |
— |
66,221 |
66,221 |
|
E.1 — Deontas don Chomhairle Oidhreachta |
3,862 |
5,526 |
9,388 |
4,485 |
7,315 |
11,800 |
|
Fo-Iomlán |
3,862 |
71,161 |
75,023 |
4,485 |
76,236 |
80,721 |
|
26. Oideachas agus Eolaíocht |
||||||
|
B.1 — Ciste Deontas-i-gCabhair le hAghaidh Costas Gineareálta Eagraíochtaí Oideachas Aosaigh |
891 |
— |
891 |
929 |
— |
929 |
|
B.9 — Ciste Deontas-i-gCabhair le hAghaidh Costas Ginearealta Eagraíochtaí Óige agus Costas eile maidir le Gníomhaíochtaí Óige |
36,693 |
— |
36,693 |
42,617 |
— |
42,617 |
|
B.10 — Deontais do Chóláistí a Thughann Cúrsaí i nGaeilge |
1,228 |
— |
1,228 |
1,256 |
— |
1,256 |
|
B.14 — Ciste Deontas-i-gCabhair le hAghaidh Costas Gineareálta Eagraíochtaí, Culturtha Eolaíochta agus Oideachais |
229 |
— |
229 |
230 |
— |
230 |
|
Fo-Iomlán |
39,041 |
— |
39,041 |
45,032 |
— |
45,032 |
|
27. An Roinn Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta |
||||||
|
C. — Íocaíocht le Ciste na Gaeilge |
4,251 |
— |
4,251 |
4,352 |
100 |
4,452 |
|
K1. — Deontais Phobail agus Cláir Dheonach |
11,145 |
— |
11,145 |
26,548 |
— |
26,548 |
|
L1. — Cláir Forbartha Áitiúla agus Pobail |
71,972 |
— |
71,972 |
81,500 |
— |
81,500 |
|
Fo-Iomlán |
87,368 |
— |
87,368 |
112,400 |
100 |
112,500 |
|
Vóta/Fo-mhírcheann |
2006 Caiteachas Sealadach |
2007 Meastachán |
||||
|
Reatha |
Caipitil |
Iomlán |
Reatha |
Caipitil |
Iomlán |
|
|
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
|
35. Ealaíona, Spórt agus Turasóireacht |
||||||
|
C.1 — Deontais le hAghaidh Comhlachtaí Spóirt agus Soláthar Áiseanna Spóirt agus Caitheamh Aimsire |
— |
55,053 |
55,053 |
— |
49,250 |
49,250 |
|
C.3 — Comhairle Spóirt na hÉireann (Deontas-i-gCabhair) |
40,914 |
— |
40,914 |
54,025 |
— |
54,025 |
|
D.7 — An Chomhairle Ealaíon (Deontas-i-gCabhair) |
71,140 |
11,170 |
82,310 |
75,000 |
5,000 |
80,000 |
|
Fo-Iomlán |
112,054 |
66,223 |
178,277 |
129,025 |
54,250 |
183,275 |
|
36. Cosaint |
||||||
|
Y. — Coiste an Asgard (Deontas-i-gCabhair) |
749 |
— |
749 |
879 |
— |
879 |
|
39. Sláinte agus Leanaí |
||||||
|
B.2 — Deontais do Ghníomhaireachtaí Sláinte agus d’eagraíochtaí eile cosúil leo |
3,757 |
— |
3,757 |
3,903 |
— |
3,903 |
|
40. Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte |
||||||
|
B.11 — Deontais do Ghníomhaireachtaí Sláinte agus d’eagraíochtaí eile cosúil leo |
6,344 |
— |
6,344 |
7,358 |
— |
7,358 |
|
C.2 — Tógáil, Trealmhú agus Feistiú Saoráidí Sláinte |
— |
— |
— |
— |
2,539 |
2,539 |
|
Fo-Iomlán |
6,344 |
— |
6,344 |
7,358 |
2,539 |
9,897 |
|
Iomlán:— |
261,793 |
137,384 |
399,177 |
311,700 |
133,125 |
444,825 |
*In 2006 maoiníodh an caiteachas de €399.112 milliún le €200 milliún ón gCrannchur Náisiúnta; maoiníodh an t-iarmhéid as an Státchiste. In 2007, maoineofar an caiteachas measta iomlán de €444.825 milliún, €205 milliún ón gCrannchur Náisiúnta agus an t-iarmhéid as an Státchiste.
|
PROV OUTTURN 2006 |
REV 2007 |
|||||
|
Current |
Capital |
Total |
Current |
Capital |
Total |
|
|
V6 — DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE (NET) |
88,565 |
7,938 |
96,503 |
88,424 |
9,076 |
97,500 |
|
L — PAYMENTS TO THE PROMOTERS OF CERTAIN CHARITABLE LOTTERIES |
8,618 |
8,618 |
8,618 |
8,618 |
||
|
Total V6:— |
8,618 |
0 |
8,618 |
8,618 |
0 |
8,618 |
|
V25 — ENVIRONMENT AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (NET) |
805,253 |
1,866,156 |
2,671,409 |
872,227 |
2,022,397 |
2,894,624 |
|
13. Sustainable Communities Fund |
8,000 |
8,000 |
||||
|
4. Private Housing Grants |
63,011 |
63,011 |
66,221 |
66,221 |
||
|
Total V25:— |
63,011 |
63,011 |
8,000 |
66,221 |
74,221 |
|
|
V26 — EDUCATION AND SCIENCE (NET) |
6,999,106 |
648,161 |
7,647,267 |
7,662,731 |
722,600 |
8,385,331 |
|
B.1 — G-I-A FOR GEN EXP OF ADULT EDUCATION (NAT LOTTERY) |
891 |
891 |
929 |
929 |
||
|
B.9 — G-I-A FOR GEN EXPS OF YOUTH ORGS (NAT LOTTERY) |
36,693 |
36,693 |
42,617 |
42,617 |
||
|
B.10 — GRANTS TO COLLEGES — COURSES IN IRISH (NAT LOTTERY) |
1,228 |
1,228 |
1,256 |
1,256 |
||
|
B.14 — G-I-A FOR GEN EXP OF SCIENTIFIC & EDUC ORGS (NAT LOTTERY) |
229 |
229 |
230 |
230 |
||
|
Total V26:— |
39,041 |
39,041 |
45,032 |
45,032 |
||
|
V27 — AN ROINN GNÓTHAÍ POBAIL, TUAITHE AGUS GAELTACHTA (NET) |
276,549 |
134,702 |
411,251 |
342,000 |
133,000 |
475,000 |
|
C — ÍOCAÍOCHT LE CISTE NA GAEILGE (CRANNCHUR NÁISIÚNTA) |
4,251 |
4,251 |
4,352 |
100 |
4,452 |
|
|
K.1 — GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTARY PROGRAMMES (MAINLY NATIONAL LOTTERY) |
11,145 |
11,145 |
26,548 |
26,548 |
||
|
L.1 — LOCAL AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES (PART FUNDED BY NAT LOTT) |
71,972 |
71,972 |
81,500 |
81,500 |
||
|
Total V27:— |
87,368 |
87,368 |
112,400 |
100 |
112,500 |
|
PROV OUTTURN 2006 |
REV 2007 |
|||||
|
Current |
Capital |
Total |
Current |
Capital |
Total |
|
|
V35 — ARTS, SPORT AND TOURISM (NET) |
363,656 |
163,729 |
527,385 |
397,470 |
251,805 |
649,275 |
|
C.1 — GRANTS FOR SPORTING BODIES (NAT LOTT) |
55,053 |
55,053 |
49,250 |
49,250 |
||
|
C.3 — IRISH SPORTS COUNCIL ADMIN (PART FUNDED BY NAT LOTT(G-I-A) |
40,914 |
40,914 |
54,025 |
54,025 |
||
|
D.7 — AN CHOMHAIRLE EALAÍON — PART NAT LOTT (GIA) |
71,140 |
11,170 |
82,310 |
75,000 |
5,000 |
80,000 |
|
Total V35:— |
112,054 |
66,223 |
178,277 |
129,025 |
54,250 |
183,275 |
|
V36 — DEFENCE (NET) |
731,283 |
21,601 |
752,884 |
767,130 |
30,000 |
797,130 |
|
Y — COISTE AN ASGARD (GRANT-IN-AID) (NATIONAL LOTTERY) |
749 |
749 |
879 |
879 |
||
|
Total V36:— |
749 |
0 |
749 |
879 |
0 |
879 |
|
V39 — HEALTH AND CHILDREN (NET) |
346,541 |
17,171 |
363,712 |
437,022 |
41,450 |
478,472 |
|
B.2 — GRANTS TO HEALTH AGENCIES & OTHER ORGS (NAT LOTTERY) |
3,757 |
3,757 |
3,903 |
3,903 |
||
|
Total V39:— |
3,757 |
0 |
3,757 |
3,903 |
0 |
3,903 |
|
Grand Total:— |
257,931 |
129,234 |
387,165 |
315,215 |
123,110 |
438,325 |
|
V40 — HEALTH SERVICE EXECUTIVE (NET) |
9,580,944 |
450,146 |
— |
10,935,459 |
538,950 |
— |
|
B.11 — GRANT TO HEALTH AGENCIES (NAT LOTTERY) |
6,344 |
6,344 |
7,358 |
7,358 |
||
|
C.2 — BUILDING AND EQUIPMENT (NAT LOTTERY) |
2,539 |
2,539 |
||||
|
Total V40:— |
6,344 |
6,344 |
7,358 |
2,539 |
9,897 |
|
Vote/Subhead |
2005 Provisional Outturn |
2006 Estimate |
||||
|
Current |
Capital |
Total |
Current |
Capital |
Total |
|
|
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
|
6. Office of the Minister for Finance |
||||||
|
L. — Payments to the Promoters of certain Charitable Lotteries |
7,729 |
— |
7,729 |
8,618 |
— |
8,618 |
|
25. Environment, Heritage and Local Government |
||||||
|
B.3 — Fund for Task Force on Special Housing Aid for the Elderly |
— |
11,024 |
11,024 |
— |
12,141 |
12,141 |
|
B.4 — Communal Facilities in Voluntary Housing Schemes |
— |
2,066 |
2,066 |
— |
1,977 |
1,977 |
|
E.2 — Grant for An Chomhairle Oidhreachta (Heritage Council) |
1,891 |
4,863 |
6,754 |
1,699 |
4,313 |
6,012 |
|
Subtotal:— |
1,891 |
17,953 |
19,844 |
1,699 |
18,431 |
20,130 |
|
26. Education and Science. |
||||||
|
B.1 — Grant-in-aid Fund for general expenses of Adult Education Organisations |
782 |
782 |
701 |
— |
701 |
|
|
B.9 — Grant-in-aid Fund for general expenses of youth and sport organisations and other expenditure in relation to youth activities |
31,267 |
— |
31,267 |
28,087 |
— |
28,087 |
|
B.10 — Grants to Colleges providing courses in Irish |
1,046 |
— |
1,046 |
978 |
— |
987 |
|
B.14 — Grant-in-aid Fund for general expenses of Cultural, Scientific and Educational Organisations |
234 |
234 |
218 |
218 |
||
|
Publications in Irish |
64 |
64 |
— |
— |
||
|
Subtotal:— |
33,393 |
— |
33,393 |
29,984 |
— |
29,984 |
|
27. Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs |
||||||
|
C. — Payments to Ciste na Gaeilge |
3,016 |
— |
3,016 |
2,781 |
2,781 |
|
|
K1. — Grants for Community and Voluntary Service |
29,552 |
— |
29,552 |
30,033 |
— |
30,033 |
|
Subtotal:— |
32,568 |
— |
32,568 |
32,814 |
— |
32,814 |
|
Vote/Subhead |
2005 Provisional Outturn |
2006 Estimate |
||||
|
Current |
Capital |
Total |
Current |
Capital |
Total |
|
|
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
|
35. Arts, Sport and Tourism |
||||||
|
C.1 — Grants for sporting bodies and the provision of sports and recreational facilities |
52,395 |
52,395 |
— |
45,858 |
45,858 |
|
|
C.4 — Irish Sports Council — General Assistance to Sports Organisations and other expenditure in relation to sports activities (Grant-in-Aid) |
30,056 |
— |
30,056 |
31,539 |
— |
31,539 |
|
D.7 — An Chomhairle Ealaíon (Grant-in-Aid) |
21,223 |
18,504 |
990 |
19,494 |
||
|
Subtotal:— |
30,056 |
52,395 |
103,674 |
50,043 |
46,848 |
96,891 |
|
36. Defence |
||||||
|
Y. — Coiste an Asgard (Grant-in-Aid) |
1,036 |
— |
1,036 |
606 |
— |
608 |
|
39. Health and Children |
||||||
|
B.2 — Grants to Health Agencies and other similar organisations |
3,434 |
— |
3,434 |
3,085 |
— |
3,084 |
|
40. Health Service Executive |
||||||
|
B.11 — Grants to Health Agencies and other similar organisations |
6,476 |
— |
6,476 |
5,818 |
— |
5,813 |
|
C.2 — Building, Equipping and Furnishing of Health Facilities |
— |
2,343 |
2,343 |
— |
2,053 |
2,053 |
|
8,819 |
||||||
|
Subtotal:— |
6,476 |
2,343 |
8,819 |
5,818 |
2,053 |
7,871 |
|
Grand Total:— |
116,583 |
2,343 |
210,497 |
132,667 |
67,333 |
200,000 |
|
Vote/Subhead |
2005 Provisional Outturn |
2006 Estimate |
||||
|
Current |
Capital |
Total |
Current |
Capital |
Total |
|
|
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
|
6. Office of the Minister for Finance |
||||||
|
L. — Payments to the Promoters of certain Charitable Lotteries |
7,730 |
— |
7,730 |
8,618 |
— |
8,618 |
|
25. Environment, Heritage and Local Government |
||||||
|
B.3 — Task Force on Special Housing Aid for the Elderly |
— |
11,948 |
11,948 |
— |
17,012 |
17,012 |
|
B.4 — Communal Facilities in Voluntary Housing Schemes |
— |
2,240 |
2,240 |
— |
2,445 |
2,445 |
|
E.1 — Grant for An Chomhairle Oidhreachta (Heritage Council) |
3,717 |
5,270 |
8,987 |
3,862 |
7,108 |
10,970 |
|
Subtotal:— |
3,717 |
19,458 |
23,175 |
3,862 |
26,565 |
30,427 |
|
26. Education and Science. |
||||||
|
B.1 — Grant-in-aid Fund for general expenses of Adult Education Organisations |
848 |
— |
848 |
891 |
— |
891 |
|
B.9 — Grant-in-aid Fund for general expenses of Youth Organisations and other expenditure in relation to youth activities |
33,885 |
— |
33,885 |
36,728 |
— |
36,728 |
|
B.10 — Grants to Colleges providing courses in Irish |
1,134 |
— |
1,134 |
1,175 |
— |
1,175 |
|
B.14 — Grant-in-aid Fund for general expenses of Cultural, Scientific and Educational Organisations |
254 |
— |
254 |
269 |
— |
269 |
|
—Publications in Irish |
69 |
— |
69 |
— |
— |
— |
|
Subtotal:— |
36,190 |
— |
36,190 |
39,063 |
— |
39,063 |
|
27. Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs |
||||||
|
C. — Payments to Ciste na Gaeilge |
3,352 |
— |
3,352 |
4,354 |
100 |
4,454 |
|
K.1 — Grants for Community and Voluntary Programmes |
14,000 |
— |
14,000 |
11,548 |
— |
11,548 |
|
L.1 — Local and Community Development Programmes |
70,396 |
— |
70,396 |
74,381 |
— |
74,381 |
|
Subtotal:— |
87,748 |
— |
87,748 |
90,283 |
100 |
90,383 |
|
Vote/Subhead |
2005 Provisional Outturn |
2006 Estimate |
||||
|
Current |
Capital |
Total |
Current |
Capital |
Total |
|
|
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
|
35. Arts, Sport and Tourism |
||||||
|
C.1 — Grants for sporting bodies and the provision of sports and recreational facilities |
— |
56,782 |
56,782 |
— |
62,724 |
62,724 |
|
C.3 — Irish Sports Council (Grant-in-Aid) |
34,425 |
— |
34,425 |
40,914 |
— |
40,914 |
|
D.7 — An Chomhairle Ealaíon (Grant-in-Aid) |
62,645 |
3,588 |
66,233 |
68,640 |
3,670 |
72,310 |
|
97,070 |
60,370 |
157,440 |
109,554 |
66,394 |
175,948 |
|
|
36. Defence |
||||||
|
Y. — Coiste an Asgard (Grant-in-Aid) |
1,123 |
— |
1,123 |
749 |
— |
749 |
|
39. Health and Children |
||||||
|
B.2 — Grants to Health Agencies and other similar organisations |
3,722 |
— |
3,722 |
3,815 |
— |
3,815 |
|
40. Health Service Executive |
||||||
|
B.11 — Grants to Health Agencies and other similar organisations |
7,018 |
— |
7,018 |
7,193 |
— |
7,193 |
|
C.2 — Building, Equipping and Furnishing of Health Facilities |
— |
2,539 |
2,539 |
— |
2,539 |
2,539 |
|
Subtotal:— |
7,018 |
2,539 |
9,557 |
7,193 |
2,539 |
9,732 |
|
244,318 |
82,367 |
326,685 |
263,137 |
95,598 |
358,735 |
The total expenditure of €326.685 million in 2005 was financed by €210.5 million from the National Lottery; the balance was funded by the Exchequer. In 2006, estimated total expenditure of €358.735 million will be financed by €200 million from the National Lottery and the balance by the Exchequer.
|
Vote/Subhead |
2006 Provisional Outturn |
2007 Estimate |
||||
|
Current |
Capital |
Total |
Current |
Capital |
Total |
|
|
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
|
6. Office of the Minister for Finance |
||||||
|
L. — Payments to the Promoters of certain Charitable Lotteries |
8,618 |
— |
8,618 |
8,618 |
— |
8,618 |
|
25. Environment, Heritage and Local Government |
||||||
|
B.1.14 — Communal Facilities in Voluntary Co-Operative Housing Schemes |
— |
2,624 |
2,624 |
— |
2,700 |
2,700 |
|
B.2.4 — Private Housing Grants |
— |
63,011 |
63,011 |
— |
66,221 |
66,221 |
|
E.1 — Grant for An Chomhairle Oidhreachta (Heritage Council) |
3,862 |
5,526 |
9,388 |
4,485 |
7,315 |
11,800 |
|
Subtotal:— |
3,862 |
71,161 |
75,023 |
4,485 |
76,236 |
80,721 |
|
26. Education and Science. |
||||||
|
B.1 — Grant-in-aid Fund for general expenses of Adult Education Organisations |
929 |
— |
929 |
959 |
— |
959 |
|
B.9 — Grant-in-aid Fund for general expenses of Youth Organisations and other expenditure in relation to youth activities |
42,617 |
— |
42,617 |
43,733 |
— |
43,733 |
|
B.10 — Grants to Colleges providing courses in Irish |
1,178 |
— |
1,178 |
1,256 |
— |
1,256 |
|
B.14 — Grant-in-aid Fund for general expenses of Cultural, Scientific and Educational Organisations |
230 |
— |
230 |
235 |
— |
235 |
|
Subtotal:— |
44,954 |
— |
44,954 |
46,183 |
— |
46,183 |
|
27. Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs |
||||||
|
C. — Payments to Ciste na Gaeilge |
18,500 |
— |
18,500 |
26,047 |
— |
26,047 |
|
K.1 — Grants for Community and Voluntary Programmes |
82,869 |
— |
82,869 |
83,450 |
— |
83,450 |
|
L.1 — Local and Community Development Programmes |
4,058 |
214 |
4,272 |
4,365 |
1,000 |
5,365 |
|
Subtotal:— |
105,427 |
214 |
105,641 |
113,862 |
1,000 |
114,862 |
|
Vote/Subhead |
2006 Provisional Outturn |
2007 Estimate |
||||
|
Current |
Capital |
Total |
Current |
Capital |
Total |
|
|
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
|
35. Arts, Sport and Tourism |
||||||
|
C.1 — Grants for sporting bodies and the provision of sports and recreational facilities |
— |
49,882 |
49,882 |
— |
56,000 |
56,000 |
|
C.3 — Irish Sports Council (Grant-in-Aid) |
54,025 |
— |
54,025 |
57,631 |
— |
57,631 |
|
D.7 — An Chomhairle Ealaíon (Grant-in-Aid) |
77,000 |
6,000 |
83,000 |
77,102 |
5,000 |
82,102 |
|
Subtotal:— |
131,025 |
55,882 |
186,907 |
134,733 |
61,000 |
195,733 |
|
36. Defence |
||||||
|
Y. — Coiste an Asgard (Grant-in-Aid) |
879 |
— |
879 |
803 |
— |
803 |
|
39. Health and Children |
||||||
|
B.2 — Grants to Health Agencies and other similar organisations |
3,901 |
— |
3,901 |
3,985 |
— |
3,985 |
|
40. Health Service Executive |
||||||
|
B.11 — Grants to Health Agencies and other similar organisations |
7,702 |
— |
7,702 |
7,513 |
— |
7,513 |
|
C.2 — Building, Equipping and Furnishing of Health Facilities |
— |
2,539 |
2,539 |
— |
2,539 |
2,539 |
|
Subtotal:— |
7,702 |
2,539 |
10,241 |
7,513 |
2,539 |
10,052 |
|
Total:— |
306,368 |
129,796 |
436,164 |
320,182 |
140,775 |
460,957 |
*The total expenditure of €399,122 million in 2006 was financed by €200 million from the National Lottery; the remainder was funded by the Exchequer. In 2007, estimated total expenditure of €444.825 million will be financed by €205 million from the National Lottery and the remainder by the Exchequer.
|
PROV OUTTURN 2007 |
REV 2008 |
|||||
|
Current |
Capital |
Total |
Current |
Capital |
Total |
|
|
V6 — DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE (NET) |
82,717 |
4,669 |
87,386 |
80,165 |
7,565 |
87,730 |
|
K — PAYMENTS TO THE PROMOTERS OF CERTAIN CHARITABLE LOTTERIES |
8,618 |
8,618 |
8,618 |
8,618 |
||
|
Total V6:— |
8,618 |
0 |
8,618 |
8,618 |
0 |
8,618 |
|
V25 — ENVIRONMENT, HERITAGE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (NET) |
863,444 |
1,983,435 |
2,846,879 |
950,739 |
2,232,931 |
3,183,670 |
|
13. Sustainable Communities Fund |
551 |
551 |
5,000 |
5,000 |
||
|
4. Private Housing Grants |
67,342 |
67,342 |
69,221 |
69,221 |
||
|
Total V25:— |
551 |
67,342 |
67,893 |
5,000 |
69,221 |
74,221 |
|
V26 — EDUCATION AND SCIENCE (NET) |
7,666,427 |
811,152 |
8,477,579 |
8,246,852 |
806,600 |
9,053,452 |
|
B.1 — G-I-A FOR GEN EXP OF ADULT EDUCATION (NAT LOTTERY) |
929 |
929 |
959 |
959 |
||
|
B.9 — G-I-A FOR GEN EXPS OF YOUTH ORGS (NAT LOTTERY) |
42,617 |
42,617 |
43,733 |
43,733 |
||
|
B.10 — GRANTS TO COLLEGES — COURSES IN IRISH (NAT LOTTERY) |
1,178 |
1,178 |
1,256 |
1,256 |
||
|
B.14 — G-I-A FOR GEN EXP OF SCIENTIFIC & EDUC ORGS (NAT LOTTERY) |
230 |
230 |
235 |
235 |
||
|
Total V26:— |
44,954 |
44,954 |
46,183 |
46,183 |
||
|
V27 — AN ROINN GNÓTHAÍ POBAIL, TUAITHE AGUS GAELTACHTA (NET) |
331,431 |
119,605 |
451,036 |
372,594 |
136,000 |
508,594 |
|
B.1 — GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTARY PROGRAMMES (NAT LOTT) |
18,500 |
18,500 |
26,047 |
26,047 |
||
|
B.3 — LOCAL AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES (NAT LOTT) |
82,869 |
82,869 |
83,450 |
83,450 |
||
|
F.1 — CISTE NA GAEILGE (NAT LOTT) |
4,058 |
214 |
4,272 |
4,365 |
1,000 |
5,365 |
|
Total V27:— |
105,427 |
214 |
105,641 |
113,862 |
1,000 |
114,862 |
|
PROV OUTTURN 2007 |
REV 2008 |
|||||
|
Current |
Capital |
Total |
Current |
Capital |
Total |
|
|
V35 — ARTS, SPORT AND TOURISM (NET) |
399,266 |
222,749 |
622,015 |
424,542 |
275,620 |
700,162 |
|
C.1 — GRANTS FOR SPORTING BODIES (NAT LOTT) |
49,882 |
49,882 |
56,000 |
56,000 |
||
|
C.3 — IRISH SPORTS COUNCIL ADMIN (PART FUNDED BY NAT LOTT(G-I-A) |
54,025 |
54,025 |
57,631 |
57,631 |
||
|
D.7 — AN CHOMHAIRLE EALAÍON — PART NAT LOTT (GIA) |
77,000 |
6,000 |
83,000 |
77,102 |
5,000 |
82,102 |
|
Total V35:— |
131,025 |
55,882 |
186,907 |
134,733 |
61,000 |
195,733 |
|
V36 — DEFENCE (NET) |
766,411 |
26,653 |
793,064 |
845,011 |
30,100 |
875,111 |
|
Y — COISTE AN ASGARD (GRANT-IN-AID) (NATIONAL LOTTERY) |
879 |
879 |
803 |
803 |
||
|
Total V36:— |
879 |
0 |
879 |
803 |
0 |
803 |
|
V39 — HEALTH AND CHILDREN (NET) |
403,435 |
30,839 |
434,274 |
508,832 |
20,450 |
529,282 |
|
B.2 — GRANTS TO HEALTH AGENCIES & OTHER ORGS (NAT LOTTERY) |
3,901 |
3,901 |
3,985 |
3,985 |
||
|
Total V39:— |
3,901 |
0 |
3,901 |
3,985 |
0 |
3,985 |
|
Grand Total:— |
303,057 |
125,977 |
429,034 |
320,697 |
133,760 |
454,457 |
|
V40 — HEALTH SERVICE EXECUTIVE (NET) |
10,936,114 |
517,781 |
11,453,895 |
11,743,325 |
586,720 |
12,330,045 |
|
B.11 — GRANT TO HEALTH AGENCIES (NAT LOTTERY) |
7,702 |
7,702 |
7,513 |
7,513 |
||
|
C.2 — BUILDING AND EQUIPMENT (NAT LOTTERY) |
2,539 |
2,539 |
2,539 |
2,539 |
||
|
Total V40:— |
7,702 |
2,539 |
10,241 |
7,513 |
2,539 |
10,052 |
|
Vote/Subhead |
2007 Provisional Outturn |
2008 Estimate |
||||
|
Current |
Capital |
Total |
Current |
Capital |
Total |
|
|
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
|
6. Office of the Minister for Finance |
||||||
|
K. — Payments to the Promoters of certain Charitable Lotteries |
8,618 |
— |
8,618 |
8,618 |
— |
8,618 |
|
25. Environment, Heritage and Local Government |
||||||
|
B.1.14 — Communal Facilities in Voluntary Co-Operative Housing Schemes |
— |
1,922 |
1,922 |
— |
3,000 |
3,000 |
|
B.2.4 — Private Housing Grants |
— |
67,342 |
67,342 |
69,221 |
69,221 |
|
|
G.1 — Grant for An Chomhairle Oidhreachta (Heritage Council) |
4,485 |
9,051 |
13,536 |
5,529 |
7,874 |
13,403 |
|
Subtotal:— |
4,485 |
78,315 |
82,800 |
5,529 |
80,095 |
85,624 |
|
26. Education and Science. |
||||||
|
B.1 — Grant-in-aid Fund for general expenses of Adult Education Organisations |
929 |
— |
929 |
959 |
— |
959 |
|
B.9 — Grant-in-aid Fund for general expenses of Youth Organisations and other expenditure in relation to youth activities |
42,617 |
— |
42,617 |
43,733 |
— |
43,733 |
|
B.10 — Grants to Colleges providing courses in Irish |
1,178 |
— |
1,178 |
1,256 |
— |
1,256 |
|
B.14 — Grant-in-aid Fund for general expenses of Cultural, Scientific and Educational Organisations |
230 |
— |
230 |
235 |
— |
235 |
|
Subtotal:— |
44,954 |
— |
44,954 |
46,183 |
— |
46,183 |
|
27. Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs |
||||||
|
B.1 — Supports for Community and Voluntary Sector |
18,500 |
— |
18,500 |
26,047 |
— |
26,047 |
|
B.3 — Local and Community Development Programmes |
82,869 |
— |
82,869 |
83,450 |
— |
83,450 |
|
F.1 — Payments to Ciste na Gaeilge |
4,058 |
214 |
4,272 |
4,365 |
1,000 |
5,365 |
|
Subtotal:— |
105,427 |
214 |
105,641 |
113,862 |
1,000 |
114,862 |
|
Vote/Subhead |
2007 Provisional Outturn |
2008 Estimate |
||||
|
Current |
Capital |
Total |
Current |
Capital |
Total |
|
|
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
|
35. Arts, Sport and Tourism |
||||||
|
C.1 — Grants for sporting bodies and the provision of sports and recreational facilities |
— |
49,882 |
49,882 |
— |
56,000 |
56,000 |
|
C.3 — Irish Sports Council (Grant-in-Aid) . |
54,025 |
— |
54,025 |
57,631 |
— |
57,631 |
|
D.7 — An Chomhairle Ealaíon (Grant-in-Aid) |
77,000 |
6,000 |
83,000 |
77,102 |
5,000 |
82,102 |
|
Subtotal:— |
131,025 |
55,882 |
186,907 |
134,733 |
61,000 |
195,733 |
|
36. Defence |
||||||
|
Y. — Coiste an Asgard (Grant-in-Aid) |
879 |
— |
879 |
803 |
— |
803 |
|
39. Health and Children |
||||||
|
B.2 — Grants to Health Agencies and other similar organisations |
3,901 |
— |
3,901 |
3,985 |
— |
3,985 |
|
40. Health Service Executive |
||||||
|
B.11 — Grants to Health Agencies and other similar organisations |
7,702 |
— |
7,702 |
7,513 |
— |
7,513 |
|
C.2 — Building, Equipping and Furnishing of Health Facilities |
— |
2,539 |
2,539 |
— |
2,539 |
2,539 |
|
Subtotal:— |
7,702 |
2,539 |
10,241 |
7,513 |
2,539 |
10,052 |
|
Total:— |
306,991 |
136,950 |
443,941 |
321,226 |
144,634 |
465,860 |
*The total expenditure of €443.941 million in 2007 was financed by €230 million from the National Lottery; the remainder was funded by the Exchequer. In 2008, estimated total expenditure of €465.860 million will be financed by €250 million from the National Lottery and the remainder by the Exchequer.
|
Vóta/Fo-mhírcheann |
2007 Caiteachas Sealadach |
2008 Meastachán |
||||
|
Reatha |
Caipitil |
Iomlán |
Reatha |
Caipitil |
Iomlán |
|
|
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
|
6. Oifig an Aire Airgeadas |
||||||
|
L. — Íocaíochtaí le Tionscnóirí Crannchur Carthanach Áirithe |
8,618 |
— |
8,618 |
8,618 |
— |
8,618 |
|
25. Comhshaol, Oidhreacht agus Rialtas Áitiúil |
||||||
|
B.1.14 — Saoráidí comhchoiteanna i Scéimeanna Tithíochta Deonacha agus Comharchumainn |
— |
1,922 |
1,922 |
— |
3,000 |
3,000 |
|
B.2.4 — Deontais Tithíochta Príobháidí |
— |
67,342 |
67,342 |
— |
69,221 |
69,221 |
|
G.1 — Deontas don Chomhairle Oidhreachta |
4,485 |
9,051 |
13,536 |
5,529 |
7,874 |
13,403 |
|
Fo-Iomlán |
4,485 |
78,315 |
82,800 |
5,529 |
80,095 |
85,624 |
|
26. Oideachas agus Eolaíocht |
||||||
|
B.1 — Ciste Deontas-i-gCabhair le hAghaidh Costas Gineareálta Eagraíochtaí Oideachas Aosaigh |
929 |
— |
929 |
959 |
— |
959 |
|
B.9 — Ciste Deontas-i-gCabhair le hAghaidh Costas Ginearealta Eagraíochtaí Óige agus Costas eile maidir le Gníomhaíochtaí Óige |
42,617 |
— |
42,617 |
43,733 |
— |
43,733 |
|
B.10 — Deontais do Chóláistí a Thughann Cúrsaí i nGaeilge |
1,178 |
— |
1,178 |
1,256 |
— |
1,256 |
|
B.14 — Ciste Deontas-i-gCabhair le hAghaidh Costas Gineareálta Eagraíochtaí, Culturtha Eolaíochta agus Oideachais |
230 |
— |
230 |
235 |
— |
235 |
|
Fo-Iomlán |
44,954 |
— |
44,954 |
46,183 |
— |
46,183 |
|
27. An Roinn Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta |
||||||
|
B.1 — Tacaí don Earnáil Phobail agus Dheonach |
18,500 |
— |
18,500 |
26,047 |
— |
26,047 |
|
B.3 — Cláir Forbartha Áitiúla agus Pobail |
82,869 |
— |
82,869 |
83,450 |
— |
83,450 |
|
F.1 — Íocaíocht le Ciste na Gaeilge |
4,058 |
214 |
4,272 |
4,365 |
1,000 |
5,365 |
|
Fo-Iomlán |
105,427 |
214 |
105,641 |
113,862 |
1,000 |
114,862 |
|
Vóta/Fo-mhírcheann |
2007 Caiteachas Sealadach |
2008 Meastachán |
||||
|
Reatha |
Caipitil |
Iomlán |
Reatha |
Caipitil |
Iomlán |
|
|
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
|
35. Ealaíona, Spórt agus Turasóireacht |
||||||
|
C.1 — Deontais le hAghaidh Comhlachtaí Spóirt agus |
||||||
|
Soláthar Áiseanna Spóirt agus Caitheamh Aimsire |
— |
49,882 |
49,882 |
— |
56,000 |
56,000 |
|
C.3 — Comhairle Spóirt na hÉireann (Deontas-i-gCabhair) |
54,025 |
— |
54,025 |
57,631 |
— |
57,631 |
|
D.7 — An Chomhairle Ealaíon (Deontas-i-gCabhair) |
77,000 |
6,000 |
83,000 |
77,102 |
5,000 |
82,102 |
|
Fo-Iomlán |
131,025 |
55,882 |
186,907 |
134,733 |
61,000 |
195,733 |
|
36. Cosaint |
||||||
|
Y. — Coiste an Asgard (Deontas-i-gCabhair) |
879 |
— |
879 |
803 |
— |
803 |
|
39. Sláinte agus Leanaí |
||||||
|
B.2 — Deontais do Ghníomhaireachtaí Sláinte agus d’eagraíochtaí eile cosúil leo |
3,901 |
— |
3,901 |
3,985 |
— |
3,985 |
|
40. Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte |
||||||
|
B.11 — Deontais do Ghníomhaireachtaí Sláinte agus d’eagraíochtaí eile cosúil leo |
7,702 |
— |
7,702 |
7,513 |
— |
7,513 |
|
C.2 — Tógáil, Trealmhú agus Feistiú Saoráidí Sláinte |
— |
2,539 |
2,539 |
— |
2,539 |
2,539 |
|
Fo-Iomlán |
7,702 |
2,539 |
10,241 |
7,513 |
2,539 |
10,052 |
|
Iomlán:— |
306,991 |
136,950 |
443,941 |
321,226 |
144,634 |
465,860 |
106 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance when he will implement the EU directive on flood control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46139/09]
The Draft Regulation to transpose Directive 2007/60/EC is complete, and is awaiting a clarification on a single legal point from the Office of the Attorney General.
It is expected that the transposition will be completed within a few weeks and I am informed that this timing is in concert with many other Member States.
The Report of the Flood Policy Review Group (2004), approved by Government, recommended that the OPW should be the lead agency within the State for all matters concerned with flood risk management.
Directive 2007/60/EC of the European Parliament and the Council on the Assessment and Management of Flood Risk (EU Floods Directive), is primarily concerned with the assessment and management of flood risks, with the aim of reducing adverse consequence for human health, the environment, cultural heritage and economic activities associated with floods in the European Community.
There is an alignment between the recommendations of the Report of the Floods Policy Review Group 2004 and the requirement of the EU Floods Directive. The outputs from Flood Mapping and Flood Risk Assessment and Management studies programmes, which commenced on foot of the national flood policy, adopted by Government in 2004, will satisfy the requirements of the Floods Directive. Accordingly, the process of implementing the flood risk assessment programmes under national policy is taking place in conjunction with the transposition of the EU Floods Directive into Irish Law.
107 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Finance the provision of flooding defence that will be put in place for Carrick-on-Shannon. [46228/09]
I visited the Carrick-on-Shannon area on Tuesday 1 December, and witnessed at first hand the level of devastation experienced in the area. While it is too early to comment on what flood alleviation measures can be usefully provided in this area, I should point out that the Engineering Division of the Office of Public Works (OPW) has met with Leitrim County Council in relation to this matter.
Further meetings are planned with the Local Authority, and it is anticipated that Leitrim County Council will submit proposals to the Commissioners of Public Works for priority flood alleviation works under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works Scheme, where funding of up to 90% of the cost of qualifying works or studies would be provided by the OPW, provided the proposed works meet specific economic and environmental criteria.
The Shannon Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) study will identify flood risk areas throughout the catchment and will produce a comprehensive plan of measures for dealing with the risk, where it is considered significant. The plan may recommend non-structural, as well as structural measures. The procurement process for this study has already begun, and it is expected that the study will be commissioned by mid-2010.
The OPW will lead the CFRAM, but will undertake the study in partnership with the local authorities, and will involve all stakeholders (particularly ESB and Waterways Ireland) in assessing the issues, constraints and objectives, and in developing solutions. Two meetings have already been held with local authorities to initiate the process and identify the areas where the study will focus on (this will obviously take into account the current flooding event). Further public and stakeholder consultation will take place at various stages throughout the study to facilitate broad input to the measures that will be taken forward.
108 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Finance the number of State boards, agencies, regulators or other bodies under his remit; the cost of these bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46053/09]
The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the tables below. Table A lists the State Bodies under the aegis of my Department in receipt of Exchequer funding and their Budget allocation for 2009. Table B lists other State Bodies under the aegis of my Department not in receipt of Exchequer funding and as such information on budgets is not included.
|
Body |
Budget for 2009 |
|
€ |
|
|
Decentralisation Implementation Group |
28,150 |
|
Public Appointments Service |
13,100,000 |
|
Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal (DDMA) |
371,500 |
|
Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) |
*3,762,000 |
|
Valuation Tribunal |
300,000 |
|
Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector |
55,000 |
|
Committee for Performance Awards |
48,000 |
|
Civil Service Arbitration BoardCivil Service Disciplinary Code Appeal BoardIndependent Mediator for the Civil Service |
70,000 |
|
Outside Appointments Board |
20,000 |
|
**National Treasury Management Agency |
***43,000,000 |
|
National Treasury Management Agency Advisory Committee |
|
|
National Pensions Reserve Fund |
|
|
National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission |
|
|
State Claims Agency |
|
|
State Claims Agency Policy Commission |
|
|
National Development Finance Agency |
|
|
Board of the National Development Finance Agency |
|
|
National Asset Management Agency |
*The total budget for the running costs of Special EU Programmes Body in 2009 is €3.762m of which the Department of Finance is responsible for funding €1.709m. This figure represents a higher than average funding figure as the costs associated with the relocation of the Special EU Programmes Body's Belfast Office have been included.
**The NTMA acts as the State Claims Agency, the Manager of the National Pensions Reserve Fund and is the body through which the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) performs its functions. Staff working in the areas of the State Claims Agency are NTMA employees who are assigned to these business activities.
***Exchequer cost which includes staff costs of NTMA, including staff assigned to State Claims Agency, National Pensions Advisory Committee, National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission, State Claims Agency Policy Committee and Board of NDFA. In addition, costs of approximately €27 million were incurred in respect of management of National Pensions Reserve Fund and were charged directly to the Fund.
|
Name of Body |
|
Interim Board of the Civil Service Childcare Initiative |
|
Disciplinary Appeals Board |
|
Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland |
|
Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority (Financial Regulator) |
|
Irish Financial Services Appeals Tribunal |
|
Financial Services Ombudsman Council |
|
Financial Services Ombudsman |
|
Financial Services Consultative Consumer Panel |
|
Financial Services Consultative Industry Panel |
|
Investor Compensation Company Ltd. |
|
An Post National Lottery Company |
As the Deputy may be aware, €4bn in capital was provided to Anglo Irish Bank from Exchequer funds in 2009 to protect the economy from the wider losses that would have occurred in the event of a failure of the Bank.Costs incurred in the provision of capital to Anglo are recoupable under the terms of the Subscription Agreement concluded with the Bank. Also, costs incurred by the State in relation to Anglo under the Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Act 2008 and the Anglo Irish Bank Act 2009 are recoupable under the terms of each Act.
109 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will support the case of a person (details supplied). [46076/09]
The decision to provide any specific form of insurance cover and the price at which it is offered is a commercial matter based on the assessment an insurer will make of the risks involved. This risk assessment process which insurance companies apply is essential if a company is to be able to provide its services over the longer term and continue to remain solvent. Unfortunately, this means on occasions they have difficulty approving certain types of business because the risk of claims based on previous experience is too high. The availability of loan protection insurance or death benefit insurance for credit union savers is a matter for each credit union to arrange for its members. I understand that a number of insurance companies provide Loan Protection & Life Savings insurance for credit unions. The Deputy might advise the person enquiring that he should contact his own credit union for details of the insurance products available that are most suited to his case. Alternatively, he could contact one of the credit union representative bodies directly — contact details of which are set out below.
|
Contact Details |
|
|
Head of Insurance Services Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) 33-41 Lower Mount Street Dublin 2 Telephone (01) 6146960 |
Representative Affairs and Member Support Manager Credit Union Development Association (CUDA) Unit 3013, Lake Drive Citywest Business Campus Dublin 24 Telephone (01) 4693343 |
110 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance if he was briefed before the awarding of a pension package to the former chief executive of the Financial Regulator; if he approved of the extra payments granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46151/09]
The Chief Executive of the Financial Regulatory Authority holds office on such conditions of employment as are specified in the person's contract of appointment or are later agreed between the person and the other members of the Regulatory Authority. However, the Regulatory Authority has informed me that pension benefits to the former Chief Executive are payable in accordance with the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Superannuation Scheme. This Scheme has terms and conditions which allow, in certain circumstances, for the payment of full pension benefits in cases where less than 40 years service is accrued.
I am informed that the former Chief Executive had two years remaining on his contract. I am also informed that, having regard to strong independent legal advice, the Authority agreed to the payment of an additional €151,500 to the former Chief Executive, equivalent to six months remuneration, plus an additional two months salary, in return for which he agreed to make himself available exclusively available to the Authority for a period of three months.
111 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance the number of pension packages he has approved since June 2007; the number of these that involved extra payments for time not served; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46152/09]
The number of pension packages which have been approved since June 2007 is twenty six, twenty five of which included an award of notional service. This figure excludes commercial State Bodies and any retirements under the ill-health provisions, the Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement and the Cost Neutral Early Retirement Scheme. It also excludes individuals e.g. Secretaries General of Government Departments and CEOs of non-commercial State Bodies who exited within the approved terms of their pension/severance arrangements.
112 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the extent of challenges by US Internal Revenue to pricing arrangements between Irish based affiliates of US corporations and related corporations based in the US; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that successful challenges to pricing arrangements in these circumstances can result in a refund or downward adjustment having to be made by the Revenue Commissioners of corporation tax already paid on profits reported under Article 9 of the taxation treaty between the two countries; the number of such pricing challenges made by US Internal Revenue for the years 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008; the number of cases finalised to date in 2009; the yearly amounts of tax repaid or agreed to be repaid for each year or where applicable, downward adjustments of Irish tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46210/09]
I am aware that the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) routinely carries out transfer pricing audits of US multinational groups to check that the prices being charged between the US group companies and their non-resident affiliates represent those that would be charged between unrelated parties acting at arms-length. This may result in an adjustment of the amount of profits charged to tax in the US.
As the Deputy has pointed out, Article 9 of the Ireland-US Double Taxation Convention provides for the making of such adjustments. Article 9 also provides that where one country makes an upward adjustment to the profits of a company resident in it, in relation to transactions with an associated company resident in the other country, the other country should make a corresponding downward adjustment, in the profits of its company, if it agrees that the adjustment by the first country was justified. This can give rise to a reduction of tax paid in the other country, which is necessary to avoid double taxation of the same profits. The terms of Article 9 of the Ireland-US Double Taxation Convention fully reflect the OECD standard treatment of this issue in international agreements for the relief of double taxation.
In terms of the overall numbers of such transfer pricing adjustments carried out by the US IRS, the number of cases involving Ireland is small. In relation to your request for specific information, while full data on the numbers of such cases and the amounts of the corresponding adjustments to Irish tax which have been made since 2005 is not immediately to hand, it is being compiled by the Revenue Commissioners who will forward it to you shortly, as soon as it is complete.
113 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Finance his plans regarding public transport providers paying the proposed carbon tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46224/09]
I am committed to the introduction of a carbon tax, however, I would draw to the Deputy's attention that it is the usual practice for the Minister for Finance not to speculate or comment in advance of the Budget on what it will contain and I do not propose to deviate from that practice.
114 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons employed in his private office and his constituency office; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses in regard to each office in tabular form; the number of persons employed in the private and constituency offices of the Ministers of State in his Department; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses in regard to each office in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46379/09]
The staffing of my private and constituency office is set out below:
|
Title |
Number |
Annual Salary Range |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
1 |
€46,558 – €59,097 (plus allowance as Private Secretary to Minister of €20,687 p.a.) |
|
Executive Officer |
2 |
€30,566 – €50,510 |
|
Staff Officer |
1 |
€34,941 – €46,655 |
|
Clerical Officer* |
5 |
€23,174 – €40,417 |
*Including 1 work sharing.
|
Title |
Number |
Annual Salary Range |
|
Clerical Officer |
2 |
€23,174 – €40,417 |
|
Personal Assistant |
1 |
€46,558 – €55,030 |
|
Personal Secretary |
1 |
€23,181 – €44,726 |
Salary and related allowance payments in my office amounted to €562,648 in 2009. The amount paid in expenses for foreign and domestic travel, official entertainment and miscellaneous for the same period was €14,263. This expenditure covers costs incurred on behalf of staff in the offices and by the Minister during that period. The financial reporting system currently in use in my Department does not differentiate between costs incurred in the Private and Constituency Offices.
I should point out that the staffing level in both my Private Office and Constituency Office is well below the Guidelines on the Staffing of Ministerial Offices.
As Minister of State assigned to more than one Department, Minister Mansergh is authorised under the Guidelines a maximum number of 9 staff in the Private Office and no more than 5 staff in his Constituency Office. The Minister of State may also appoint 2 civilian drivers (additional to the numbers above). Within these parameters, the Minister of State may appoint only 1 Personal Secretary, 1 Personal Assistant. Currently, Minister Mansergh has 1 Private Secretary and 3 staff, giving a total of 4 staff in his Private Office. In his Constituency Office, he has 1 Personal Secretary and 1 Personal Assistant. The Minister has also appointed 2 civilian drivers. I am advised by the Office of Public Works that the following staff are employed in the Private and Constituency Offices of Minister of State, Martin Mansergh:
|
Grade |
Number |
Annual Salary Range |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
1 |
€46,558 – €59,097 |
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
€30,566 – €48,504 |
|
Clerical Officer |
2 |
€24,397 – €39,558 |
|
Grade |
Number |
Annual Salary Range |
|
Personal Secretary |
1 |
€30,566 – €50,410 |
|
Personal Assistant |
1 |
€46,558 – €59,097 |
The Minster of State employs 2 civilian drivers at an annual salary of €34,826 each.
Note: All staff working in the Private Offices of both minister and Minister of State are established Civil Servants.
115 Deputy George Lee asked the Minister for Health and Children if an exception to the age criteria of the early childhood care and education scheme will be allowed in respect ofa child (details supplied) in Dublin 16; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46135/09]
I have responsibility for the implementation of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme which is being introduced in January 2010. Children will qualify for the free pre-school year where they are aged between 3 years 3 months and 4 years 6 months at the start of each academic year. The application of the age range is being interpreted as generously as possible, to include children who are aged more than 3 years 2 months and less than 4 years 7 months at 1 September each year. This will mean that, in January 2010, children born on or after 2 February 2005 or on or before 30 June 2006 will qualify. Children born between 2 February 2006 and 30 June 2007 will qualify for the free pre-school year in September 2010. In the case in question, I understand that the child referred to by the Deputy was aged 3 years 1 month in September of this year and will not, therefore, be eligible for the free pre-school year in January 2010 but would be eligible to qualify in September 2010.
116 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of State boards, agencies, regulators or other bodies under her remit; the cost of these bodies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46055/09]
The information requested is being compiled by my Department and will be forwarded to the deputy when available.
117 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Health and Children if every hospital admitting patients with acute stroke has a properly staffed and fully resourced stroke unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46102/09]
119 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Health and Children if the appointment of more consultant stroke physicians to provide greater expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of stroke is proposed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46104/09]
120 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Health and Children if emergency services will be equipped to deal with acute strokes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46105/09]
121 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to bring forward the development of a national stroke register; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46106/09]
122 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Health and Children if social and vocational supports will be available to enable stroke patients to achieve the best possible post-stroke quality of life; if State assistance will be available to ensure that persons who have had a stroke will have access to a properly-resourced support group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46107/09]
123 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the appointment of regional stroke co-ordinators with responsibility for ensuring that stroke services in every community are meeting the needs of people who have had a stroke; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46108/09]
124 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps she will take to eliminate age discrimination from stroke services and that they will always be provided on the basis of individual need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46109/09]
125 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to establish a public health educational programme to increase awareness of stroke warning signs with a view to reducing the risk of stroke or transient ischaemic attack; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46110/09]
126 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Health and Children if social, emotional and practical needs of carers in supporting stroke survivors will be adequately addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46111/09]
127 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to ensure the adoption of a charter to inform all stroke patients, their families and carers of their entitlements in relation to hospital treatment, care and rehabilitation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46112/09]
128 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Health and Children if every stroke patient will be entitled to appropriate levels of short and long-term rehabilitation in hospital and in the community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46113/09]
129 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Health and Children if the Health Service Executive complies with European stroke organisation guidelines in the delivery of a national network of stroke units; if she will arrange for continual monitoring of their compliance with these standards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46114/09]
130 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Health and Children if the 24/7 availability of thrombolysis clot-busting therapy will be available to all suitable stroke patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46115/09]
131 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to provide consultant-led rapid access transient ischaemic attack clinics that will be open seven days a week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46116/09]
138 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46197/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 117, 119 to 131, inclusive, and 138 together.
In September 2007, I established a National Cardiovascular and Stroke Policy Group to review policy in this area and to draw up a new policy framework for the development of all aspects of cardiovascular health, including stroke. The Group considered the findings of the Irish National Audit of Stroke Care 2008 and addressed the issues raised, including awareness of stroke and recognition of symptoms, prevention of stroke, stroke treatment including emergency thrombolysis, stroke units and rehabilitation.
The Report of the Policy Group is being finalised at present. My Department is working closely with the Health Service Executive on an implementation plan. This will include a Health Service Executive Stroke Programme to support improvements in all aspects of stroke care. The aims of this programme will be to prevent stroke and to deliver high quality care to all patients with stroke, with a view to reducing the number of deaths and the number of patients with severe disability. Once approved by Government, this implementation plan will be published in conjunction with the Policy Report. Both these reports are expected to be brought to Government shortly.
118 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Health and Children if the right of each patient to a planned and timely transition from hospital to their home or residential care, and long-term institutional care can be provided on the basis of medical and social need rather than inadequate community services or supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46103/09]
The Deputy will be aware that it is Government Policy in relation to support older people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. The overall emphasis is on promoting a high quality service, delivered to those who require it, in the most appropriate setting and to ensure that the needs of patients and clients are met as much as possible in a community setting and, where this is not possible, through residential services.
In 2008 the Health Service Executive launched a Code of Practice for Integrated Discharge Planning. The Code acts as a guide to the required standards of practice in the management of integrated discharge planning in the HSE and in any facility providing services on behalf of the HSE with a view to improving the processes for accessing community and long stay supports and changing the way we care and treat older persons. In this regard, Joint Implementation Groups have been established in each region to drive implementation across primary and secondary care services.
The Deputy will be aware that the new Nursing Homes Support Scheme commenced on 27 October. The Scheme encompasses a care needs assessment which identifies whether or not a person requires long-term nursing home care. Its purpose is to ensure that long-term nursing home care is necessary and is the right choice for the particular person. The assessment takes into account both medical and social factors and considers whether a person can be supported to continue living at home or whether long-term nursing home care is appropriate.
Earlier this year my colleague the Minister for Health and Children approved the national standards for all residential care settings for older people under section 10(2) of the Health Act, 2007. Amongst other things, the standards govern the procedure for moving to long-term residential care. These Standards are underpinned by the Health Act, 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2009.
The development of community based services remains a priority for the Government. During 2009 the Health Service Executive expects to deliver almost 12 million home helps hours benefiting over 54,500 clients, provide 21,600 Day Care Places benefiting an estimated 80,000-100,000 people annually and provide over 700 designated Respite Care Beds benefiting 19,000 people annually, based on an average length of stay of 2 weeks per person. In addition the HSE provides home care packages to approximately 11,500 recipients over the course of the year. These packages are an additional support over and above existing mainstream community services. They are designed to be flexible and are particularly targeted at those at risk of inappropriate admission to either long-term residential care or acute hospital, or those requiring discharge home, from an acute hospital.
132 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the consent form for the administration of the swine flu vaccine (details supplied); if it complies with the Health Service Executive guidelines for obtaining consent for non-emergency treatment or services from parents of children and young persons under the age of 18 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46118/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
133 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will expedite an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46119/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
134 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health and Children when a decision will be made in respect of the review of a medial card in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [46125/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
135 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children if swine flu vaccine will be made available to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46130/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply
136 Deputy Rory O’Hanlon asked the Minister for Health and Children the new reciprocal arrangements which will be put in place to facilitate Irish persons visiting Jersey, Guernsey and, after 1 January 2010, the Isle of Man and for citizens of those Crown dependencies visiting here in view of the fact that citizens of the three islands will no longer be automatically entitled to treatment under the National Health Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46137/09]
There are no reciprocal healthcare arrangements in place between Ireland, the Channel Islands (which include Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, Sark and Herm) and the Isle of Man. I currently have no plans to introduce such arrangements. Irish people visiting these islands should always ensure they have travel insurance to cover any medical treatment they may need.
137 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parlimentary Question No. 96 on 21 May 2009, the overall figure on the number of acute beds in the hospital system in 2006; the number of beds in 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46138/09]
The national average number of acute hospital beds available in public hospitals in 2007, the latest year for which validated data has been compiled by the HSE, is 13,688. This includes both in patient beds and day places. The national average number of acute hospital beds available in public hospitals in 2006 was 13,528. This shows an increase year on year of 160.
My Department has requested the HSE to provide validated data on the national average number of acute hospital beds available in 2008 to the Deputy as soon as this becomes available.
139 Deputy Jimmy Devins asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Sligo will be called for an operation in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9. [46200/09]
The management of waiting lists generally is a matter for the Health Service Executive and the individual hospitals concerned. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the Executive for direct reply.
140 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children if she is satisfied that there is no differentiation in the care provision, care practices, care priorities, standards or protocols between separated asylum children and children who normally reside here by the end of 2010; if the Health Service Executive’s key deliverables for separated children within the 2009 service plan will be achieved by the end of 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46209/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
141 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding an application for subvention in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46213/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
142 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding persons who wish to adopt children from Vietnam; if an interim agreement will be put in place with Vietnam to accommodate applicants who had registered to adopt prior to 1 May 2009; if the Hague convention is ratified, will Irish persons be prohibited from adopting children from non-Hague or non-bilateral countries; if the Adoption Bill 2009 has allowed for the appropriate transition measures particularly for those who have already invested time and money; and if she will outline the statutory rights of sole applicants. [46216/09]
The Adoption Bill, 2009, is designed to give force of law to the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption. The new legislation, which incorporates the provisions of the Hague Convention, is designed to provide a framework to ensure that appropriate procedures have been followed and that all adoptions are effected in the best interests of the child. Future intercountry adoption arrangements will be governed by the terms of the Adoption Bill 2009 when enacted. The issue of transitional measures for prospective parents who are at a definable stage in the adoption process when the Bill is enacted and who wish to continue to adopt a child from a non-Hague, non-bilateral country, is being examined. Prospective adoptive parents have waited a long time and it is my intention to be as flexible as possible in relation to applicants.
I recently received the UNICEF report ‘ Adoption from Vietnam: Problems and Challenges’ carried out by the International Social Service (ISS). I discussed the findings of the report yesterday with a number of groups representing persons wishing to adopt from Vietnam. I indicated that the report will be considered by Government and that a decision will be made in the near future with regard to future adoptions from Vietnam.
143 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure that budget 2010 protects funding to voluntary bodies providing services for those with an intellectual disability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46225/09]
Planned expenditure levels for my Department will be considered as part of the Estimates and budgetary process for 2010. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage pending the outcome of these deliberative processes.
144 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the medical card of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath has been withdrawn; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46320/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
145 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the measures she will undertake to ensure that A Vision for Change is rolled out and fully funded in 2010; if all proceeds from the sale of buildings and land of former psychiatric institutions will be ring-fenced for mental health services; the amount of such proceeds that have been allocated to mental health to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46346/09]
The modernisation of mental health services in line with A Vision for Change ’is the responsibility of the HSE and in this regard an implementation planfor the five year period 2009 — 2013 was approved by the HSE Board in April 2009. While the estimated additional cost of the implementation of A Vision for Change is €150 million over 7–10 years, and additional development funding has been provided to the HSE in recent years, the position is that implementation is largely dependent on the reallocation and remodelling of existing resources. Substantial resources are already invested in mental health services; overall spending on these services amounts to an estimated €1 billion annually.
One of the key priorities for mental health in the revised programme for Government, is the use of the proceeds of the sale of psychiatric lands to fund new mental health capital developments. This commitment reflects the recommendation in A Vision for Change that a plan to bring about the closure of all psychiatric hospitals should be drawn up and implemented and that the resources released by these closures should be re-invested in the mental health service. The HSE has disposed of a small number of psychiatric properties in recent years and the proceeds of these sales, which amount to just over €42 million, have been surrendered to the Exchequer. The HSE Mental Health Capital Programme, which will be funded from the proceeds of these and future sales, is under consideration in the context of budget 2010 and I expect to make an announcement imminently.
146 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of people attending the emergency department of Galway University Hospital who required isolation due to underlying medical conditions such as cystic fibrosis, neutropenia and so on who would be very susceptible to MRSA, VRE and C. difficile; the number of these patients who were isolated; the number this represents as a percentage of those who require isolation but were not from January to September 2009; the figures on a monthly basis for the number of persons who required isolation and the number of persons who actually were isolated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46349/09]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
147 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will support the case of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 11, whose medical cards were revoked as a result of a clerical error; if she will ensure that this error is rectified and the applications processed. [46355/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
148 Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health and Children the status of an application for a medical card by a person (details supplied) in County Meath. [46362/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
149 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the negotiation of a new bilateral inter-country adoption agreement between Ireland and Vietnam; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46363/09]
The Adoption Bill 2009, is designed to give force of law to the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption. The new legislation, which incorporates the provisions of the Hague Convention, is designed to provide a framework to ensure that appropriate procedures have been followed and that all adoptions are effected in the best interests of the child. Future intercountry adoption arrangements will be governed by the terms of the Adoption Bill 2009 when enacted.
I recently received the UNICEF report ‘ Adoption from Vietnam: Problems and Challenges’ carried out by the International Social Service (ISS). I discussed the findings of the report yesterday with a number of groups representing persons wishing to adopt from Vietnam. I indicated that the report will be considered by Government and that a decision will be made in the near future with regard to future adoptions from Vietnam.
150 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will examine the discrepancies in access to home care packages as cited by a group (details supplied), who claim that access to home care packages are inconsistent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46368/09]
The Department of Health and Children earlier this year commissioned an independent evaluation of Home Care Packages (HCPs) by PA Consulting Group. This report was published on the Department website on 3 December last. The report indicates that, while significant progress has been achieved in relation to the original objectives of these packages, a more standardised approach to provision is required nationally, including the question of access. The Department is at present working closely with the HSE on an Action Plan to address, in 2010, the particular issue raised by the Deputy, and the other implications arising from this evaluation.
151 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons employed in her private office and her constituency office; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses in regard to each office in tabular form; the number of persons employed in the private and constituency offices of the Ministers of State in her Department; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses in regard to each office in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46381/09]
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
|
Minister/Minister of State |
Office |
No’s WTE |
Annual Salary |
Expenses to Date 2009 |
|
Minister Harney |
Private |
10.0 |
642,554 |
7,774 |
|
Constituency |
2.0 |
98,952 |
— |
|
|
Minister Andrews |
Private |
5.6 |
363,487 |
3,145 |
|
Constituency |
3.0 |
127,005 |
— |
|
|
Minister of State Brady |
Private |
5.0 |
219,659 |
5,613 |
|
Constituency |
4.0 |
171,819 |
— |
|
|
Minister of State Moloney |
Private |
5.8 |
244,287 |
25,716 |
|
Constituency |
3.0 |
137,184 |
— |
|
|
Minister of State Sargent |
Private |
1.0 |
*39,825 |
— |
|
Total |
39.4 |
2,004,947 |
42,248 |
It should be noted that:
The figures provided for salary are exclusive of Employers PRSI and Employers Superannuation Costs;
There is one officer in Minister Harney's Private Office who is currently on maternity leave;
There is one additional officer working in Minister Andrews Private Office and one additional officer working in Minister of State Moloney's Private Office who are on loan from the Department of Education and Science (and are not included in the above table);
My Department has loaned an officer (listed above) to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food who is working for Minister of State Sargent, the salary figure provided for this officer represents the mid-point of the scale;
The figures provided for Minister Andrew's Private Office are inclusive of one officer who is on a temporary transfer into the Office to provide cover for maternity leave.
The expenses listed relate to the personal expenses incurred by individual staff members (e.g. subsistence payments) and do not take account of official expenses such as air travel or bills paid by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
152 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Transport the number of US troops bound for Afghanistan who have passed through Shannon Airport to date in 2009; if he anticipates an increase in numbers in view of the recent announcement by the US administration of the deployment of more troops in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46196/09]
The Department of Transport does not collate information with regard to the number of military troops onboard civilian aircraft. However I am informed by the Shannon Airport Authority that some 243,000 US troops have passed through Shannon Airport in 2009 to date. My Department does not have information on the final destination of US soldiers on civilian aircraft that have stopped at Shannon Airport.
It is a matter for the carriers concerned as to where they choose to make a transit stop. It is not possible to say if the US administration's recent announcement will have any impact on numbers of troops transiting through Shannon.
153 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the details of an internal Iarnróid Éireann report arising from a reference in the Baker Tilly report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46221/09]
I have sought a full report from the Board of CIE on the circumstances giving rise to the Baker Tilly Ryan Glennon report, the extent to which progress has been made in implementing the recommendations in the report and the measures being taken to ensure adequate controls in expenditure areas not covered by the report. I expect to receive this comprehensive report shortly. The CIE Board have been asked to address areas of expenditure such as those referred to by the Deputy, not covered in the Baker Tilly Ryan Glennon report. In the meantime the Chairman and the CEO's of the CIE companies have confirmed that the CIE companies are adhering to national and EU procurement rules and to their own internal procurement policies and procedures.
I will, in light of the report from the Board, consider any necessary action on my part including the need to put in place additional measures beyond those in the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies relating to procurement and auditing practices in CIE.
154 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the number of State boards, agencies, regulators or other bodies under his remit; the cost of these bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46059/09]
The agencies under my remit are listed below, with details of any funding made available towards the cost of their administration in 2008 and 2009 Department funds the general administrative expenses of the following agencies and the estimates costs in 2008 and 2009 are set out below:
|
State Body |
2008 |
2009 |
|
€million |
€million |
|
|
CIE Group — Bus Átha Cliath |
Nil |
Nil |
|
CIE Group — Bus Éireann |
Nil |
Nil |
|
CIE Group — Iarnród Éireann |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Railway Safety Commission |
2.1 |
2.0 |
|
Railway Procurement Agency |
11.0 |
10.6 |
|
National Roads Authority |
16.3 |
15.9 |
|
Dublin Transportation Office |
1.1 |
1.0 |
|
Road Safety Authority |
22.7 |
32.8 |
|
Medical Bureau of Road Safety |
3.3 |
4.3 |
|
Marine Casualty Investigation Board |
0.2 |
0.2 |
|
Dublin Airport Authority |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Shannon Airport Authority |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Cork Airport Authority |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Commission for Taxi Regulation |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Commission for Aviation Regulation |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Irish Aviation Authority |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Port of Cork Company |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Drogheda Port Company |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Dublin Port Company |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Dundalk Port Company |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Galway Harbour Company |
Nil |
Nil |
|
New Ross Port Company |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Shannon/Foynes Port Company |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Port of Waterford Company |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Wicklow Port Company |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Arklow Harbour Commissioners |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Baltimore Harbour Commissioners |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Bantry Bay Harbour Commissioners |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Kinsale Harbour Commissioners |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Tralee and Fenit and Harbour Commissioners |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Wexford Harbour Commissioners |
Nil |
Nil |
|
State Agency |
2008 |
2009 |
|
€m |
€m |
|
|
National Roads Authority |
16.3 |
15.9 |
|
Road Safety Authority |
22.7 |
32.8 |
|
Medical Bureau of Road Safety |
3.3 |
4.3 |
|
Railway Procurement Agency |
11.0 |
10.6 |
|
Railway Safety Commission |
2.1 |
2 |
|
Dublin Transportation Office |
1.1 |
1 |
|
Marine Casualty Investigation Board |
0.2 |
0.2 |
155 Deputy George Lee asked the Minister for Transport the person responsible for providing park and ride facilities at Luas stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46134/09]
The National Transport Authority or NTA was formally established on the 1st of December 2009. The functions of the Authority, pursuant to section 11 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, include securing the provision of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area. Statutory responsibility for securing the delivery of infrastructure projects, such as park and ride facilities at Luas stations, is now a matter for the NTA. As is the case with the National Roads Authority, the NTA has appointed an Oireachtas Liaison Officer to respond to questions raised by Deputies. The Oireachtas Liaison Officer is Matt Benville and he may be contacted at 6041098 or at the National Transport Authority, 59 Dawson Street, Dublin 2.
156 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 256 to 261, inclusive, 265 and 268 of 21 February 2007, the position regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46331/09]
The National Transport Authority or NTA was formally established on the 1st of December 2009. The functions of the Authority, pursuant to section 11 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, include securing the provision of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area. Statutory responsibility for commuter rail services in the Greater Dublin Area is now a matter for the NTA.
As is the case with the National Roads Authority, the NTA has appointed an Oireachtas Liaison Officer to respond to questions raised by Deputies. The Oireachtas Liaison Officer is Matt Benville and he may be contacted at 6041098 or at the National Transport Authority, 59 Dawson Street, Dublin 2.
157 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport if he will increase the funding to Kildare County Council for road restoration in the aftermath of severe weather conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46332/09]
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. The carrying out of works on these roads is a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants.
The initial selection and prioritisation of projects to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
When Exchequer grants for regional and local roads are allocated each year, my Department does not hold back a reserve allocation, at central level, to deal with weather contingencies such as flooding. Holding back such an allocation would mean a reduction in the road grant allocations made to all local authorities at the beginning of each year.
The allocations made to local authorities are inclusive of a weather risk factor. Local authorities are expressly advised in the annual road grants circular letter that they should set aside contingency sums from their overall regional and local roads resources to finance necessary weather related works.
My Department would be prepared to consider, sympathetically, any request from Kildare County Council to adjust their multi-annual restoration programme or revise their specific grant applications, in order to prioritise work in 2010 necessitated by the recent flooding.
As the Deputy will appreciate, local authorities, including Kildare County Council, are still assessing the extent of flood damage in their regions. Because these assessments cannot be completed until the flooding subsides, I expect that it will take some time before the damage sustained by regional and local road networks in recent days and the cost of their repair can be quantified.
158 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport if consideration has been given to the restoration of the rail link between Sallins and Naas, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46333/09]
The National Transport Authority or NTA was formally established on the 1st of December 2009. The functions of the Authority, pursuant to section 11 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, include securing the provision of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area. Statutory responsibility for the re-opening of closed railway lines in the Greater Dublin Area is now a matter for the NTA.
As is the case with the National Roads Authority, the NTA has appointed an Oireachtas Liaison Officer to respond to questions raised by Deputies. The Oireachtas Liaison Officer is Matt Benville and he may be contacted at 6041098 or at the National Transport Authority, 59 Dawson Street, Dublin 2.
159 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which the various projects identified by his Department in the context of the national development plan are on time and within cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46335/09]
Substantial progress has been made to date on the transport projects contained in the National Development Plan. The major inter urban roads programme, linking Dublin with Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford and the Border with Northern Ireland, is on target for full completion in 2010. The upgrade of the M50 motorway is also on target for completion in 2010.
On public transport, new railway stations have opened on the Kildare line and Irish Rail has completely modernised its intercity rolling stock under Transport 21. I opened the Cork commuter rail line from Glounthaune to Midleton earlier this year and the Luas line extension to the Docklands opened on the 8th December. Both Phase 1 of the Western Rail Corridor and the Kildare Rail Project will open early in the New Year. Construction continues on other projects such as the Luas lines to Cherrywood and Citywest, and the first phase of the Navan rail line between Clonsilla and Pace.
The start and completion dates for National Development Plan projects that have not yet commenced will be subject to the relevant statutory and procurement and contract award processes and will also be determined by the funding allocation available during the current difficult economic climate, having regard to the priorities for transport investment set out in the Renewed Programme for Government.
The vast majority of National Development Plan projects completed to date have come in on or under budget. A small number of projects ran over budget largely due to changes in the scope of those projects.
160 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which he expects to meet budgetary requirements arising from road development proposals contained in the national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46336/09]
Under the National Development Plan and Transport 21, the priority up to the end of 2010 is on the completion of the five major interurban routes (MIUs) linking Dublin to Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford.
The projects are on target for completion by the end of 2010. The M1 to the border is already complete and I expect the final section of the M6 to Galway to open before the end of this year.
The priority for the roads investment programme after the completion of the major interurban network will be on the Atlantic Road Corridor, where construction is already underway, as well as the improvement of other key national primary routes and targeted improvement of certain national secondary routes. Decisions to proceed with individual projects will be taken by the National Roads Authority from time to time in the light of the Renewed Programme for Government and available Exchequer resources.
161 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the number of drivers who have lost their licences arising from incurring the maximum number of penalty points; the number whose licences have been restored or renewed since the introduction of the regime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46337/09]
Since the commencement of the penalty points system in 2002 a total of 877 drivers have been disqualified from holding a licence having reached the 12 penalty points limit. The disqualification period has ended for 689 drivers and 188 drivers are currently disqualified.
162 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport if he proposes to offer or has offered capital funding to Kildare County Council or other local authorities in respect of payments in Transport 21; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46338/09]
Transport 21 provides for investment in national roads, public transport and regional airports. Funding for national roads is allocated to local authorities by the National Roads Authority. Funding has been and will continue to be provided to local authorities in respect of traffic management and bus priority measures. No public transport funding has been provided directly to Kildare County Council, though the county will benefit from investment by the relevant public transport agencies in projects such as the Kildare rail upgrade.
On national roads, the construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads, including those within Kildare County Council's administrative area, is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in consultation with that local authority.
163 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent of EU funding received for the provision of road, rail, air and seaport transport facilities or installations in each of the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46339/09]
164 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent of EU financial aid received for major or minor road works, rail or bus services or installations in each of the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46340/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 163 and 164 together.
The information requested by the Deputy is being compiled and will be forwarded as soon as possible.
165 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons employed in his private office and his constituency office; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses in regard to each office in tabular form; the number of persons employed in the private and constituency offices of the Ministers of State in his Department; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses in regard to each office in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46385/09]
The number of persons employed and the annual amount paid in salaries in my private and constituency offices are outlined in the table. The annual amount paid in respect of expenses in regard to my private and constituency offices is €47,261.
All information provided is in respect of the year 2009 to date.
|
Office |
Number of staff |
Salaries (including allowances) |
|
€ |
||
|
Constituency Office |
4 |
200,153 |
|
Private Office |
10 |
452,557 |
There is no Minister of State in my Department.
166 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason no arrangements have been made for the counselling and medical needs of the families of the deceased victims or the survivors of the Stardust fire disaster, despite the passing unanimously of a motion in the Dáil and a promise to the families of the deceased victims. [46098/09]
I can inform the Deputy that there has been ongoing contact with the Victims Committee's legal advisor with a view to identifying the level of demand for services referred to by him. As this process had yet to produce sufficient information to allow arrangements be made and so as to avoid having to intrude on the privacy of those victims or bereaved who might not welcome direct contact, a public information notice appeared in newspapers on 27 October 2009 asking those who wish to access such services through this channel to register their interest. The responses to this notice have now been compiled and arrangements for the provision of these services will be finalised in the very near future.
167 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of State boards, agencies, regulators or other bodies under his remit; the cost of these bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46056/09]
I can inform the Deputy that the main bodies within the remit of my Department include An Garda Síochána, the Courts Service, the Irish Prison Service and the Property Registration Authority in addition to twenty four other bodies, details of which can be found in the appendices to my Department's most recent Annual Report available at www.justice.ie and also in the Oireachtas Library. Full details of costs associated with all the bodies concerned are contained in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2009 available at www.finance.irlgov.ie and in the Oireachtas Library.
168 Deputy Bernard Allen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the activities that are being undertaken at a centre (details supplied)in County Cork; the numbers and categories of staff at the centre; the number of young offenders passing through the centre on a daily basis; the projected growth within the next five years; if the activities at the facility at Cove Street are being transferred to Patrick’s Hill. [46126/09]
I wish to inform the Deputy that the premises in question have been used by the Probation Service for over 25 years. It previously operated as a hostel and day centre for young persons under probation supervision in the community, but ceased being used as a hostel a number of years ago. It currently operates under the responsibility of the Young Persons Probation Division (YPP) of the Probation Service. It is used as a base for probation officers working with YPP and for offices of the Le Chéile Mentoring Project, an Irish Youth Justice Service/ YPP funded community programme. The premises are also used a Day Centre training and activities facility for a separate IYJS/YPP funded community programme operated by Ógra Chorcaí.
It is estimated that there would be some 30 young people using the centre on a weekly basis at different times, with less than 10 young people visiting over the full course of the day. These young people who are from Cork city come to the premises, sometimes with their parents, to meet with their probation officer or to attend Day Centre training and activities. However the majority of probation officer/client meetings take place in the client's home. The Le Chéile project does not engage in direct mentoring services on the premises, but it trains mentors who then participate in mentoring services off-site. The total number of personnel operating out of the premises is 16, made up of:
probation officers (9)
clerical officer (1),
Ógra Chorcaí youth workers (4)
Le Chéile staff (2).
While the numbers using the premises fluctuate according to court referrals, it is not expected to grow substantially above these estimates over the next 5 years. Only the young persons' activities in Cove Street have moved to the premises in question. The Probation Service continues to offer a service to adults in Cove Street.
169 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied). [46132/09]
A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in April 2009. All valid applications are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants.The average processing time from application to decision is now at 24 months. More complicated cases can at times take more than the current average, while an element of straight forward cases can be dealt with in less than that timescale.
The length of time taken to process each application should not be classified as a delay, as the length of time taken for any application to be decided is purely a function of the time taken to carry out necessary checks. There is a limit to the reduction in the processing time that can be achieved as applications for naturalisation must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure that it is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria.
170 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will make a statement on the existence or otherwise of a non-attendance form for lawyers involved in tribunal hearings. [46217/09]
I assume the Deputy is referring to a system of verification of attendance by lawyers at Tribunals of Inquiry for the purpose of payment of fees. While the matter is one for the Tribunal I can say that the role of each relevant Department in relation to a Tribunal is to account for its overall expenditure.
171 Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the draft heads of the Bill for the regulation of the gaming sector will be published in the first quarter of 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46233/09]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 204 and 205 of 1 December last in which I outlined progress on the review of gambling being undertaken by my Department. The Deputy will note that the review of gambling is not yet completed. The Deputy will appreciate that developing a revised gambling code that is capable of generating broad public support is a complex task. Notwithstanding that, I have instructed the Casino Gaming Control Section of my Department to make every effort to provide me and the Government with policy options for a new gambling architecture, including a Draft Bill, within the time frame mentioned by the Deputy. The policy options will lead to the publication of a draft Bill. Ultimately, of course, it will be for Government to agree the policy approach to be legislated for in this area.
172 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin. [46347/09]
I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that the person concerned made an application for residence in the State based on her marriage to a German National on 15 November 2008. The person referred to by the Deputy was informed of the decision to refuse this application on 18 May 2009. A request by the applicant and their spouse for review of this decision was received on 26 May 2009 and the decision to refuse this application is currently under review.
173 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to implement changes in the interest of transparency within An Garda Síochána, in view of allegations that it is one of the most secretive police forces in the world. [46366/09]
The loaded description of the Garda Síochána as one of the most secretive police forces in the world simply does not stand up to scrutiny. In fact, the Garda Síochána Act 2005 has extensive provisions on the accountability and transparency of the Force. Under the Act, the Minister sets policing priorities each year which must be taken into account by the Garda Commissioner when drawing up the annual policing plan and the 3 year Garda strategy statement. All of these documents are laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas, and the Commissioner attended a meeting of the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights in January this year to discuss the 2009 policing plan. The Commissioner now also attends meetings of the Public Accounts Committee as accounting officer for the Garda Vote, and answers detailed questions relating to the Force.
Under the Act, the Commissioner is also fully accountable to Government for all aspects of the Garda Síochána. Furthermore, the Garda Ombudsman Commission has independent oversight of the investigation of complaints against members of the Garda Síochána, and designated officers of the Ombudsman Commission have Garda powers in carrying out any investigations. The Garda Inspectorate now also carries out inspections and inquiries into aspects of the operation and administration of the Force, and reports to the Minister on how best to achieve the highest levels of efficiency and effectiveness. These reports are also laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
Bearing in mind that the Garda Síochána is not only our national police force but also our national security and intelligence agency, this is a level of accountability, openness and transparency which compares well to comparable agencies abroad.
174 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress regarding an estate (details supplied) in Dublin 24 being served by one Garda station; if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of the residents association of the estate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46370/09]
I am advised by the Garda Authorities that, at present, the area referred to by the Deputy is covered by the Tallaght Garda District and the Clondalkin Garda sub-district. I am informed that there is excellent liaison and communication between the respective Community Policing Units, which are specifically tasked with policing the area, with monthly meetings between the relevant personnel taking place. In addition, regular meetings are held with Residents' Groups from the area, the most recent of which took place on Thursday, 3rd December, 2009.
I am further advised that the area is subject to regular patrols by both uniform and plain-clothes personnel, including the Garda Mountain Bike Units, District Detective and Drug Unit personnel, supplemented as necessary by the Divisional Crime Task Force and Traffic Corps personnel. Current policing plans for the area are designed to address crime and public order issues, crime prevention and the maintenance of an environment conducive to the improvement of quality of life for the residents of the area. Community policing is a central feature and core value of this policing policy. Senior Garda Management are, as part of the ongoing review of Divisional and District Boundaries, examining areas that span different Garda Districts and Divisions within the Dublin Metropolitan Area including the area referred to by the Deputy.
175 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons employed in his private office and his constituency office; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses in regard to each office in tabular form; the number of persons employed in the private and constituency offices of the Ministers of State in his Department; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses in regard to each office in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46382/09]
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 647 on 27 January 2009. There has been no change in the position in the meantime. The offices of the Ministers of State attached to my Department are staffed by the other Departments in which they are based.
176 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in addition to the Defence Forces members in the International Security Assistance Force, there are Irish civilians involved in Afghanistan; and if so, the cost of same. [46195/09]
At present, two Irish civilians are seconded by the Department of Foreign Affairs to positions in Afghanistan. One of these works as a Rule of Law Outreach Officer with the EU Police Mission to Afghanistan (EUPOL Afghanistan), which is contributing to the establishment of sustainable and effective civilian policing arrangements under Afghan ownership and in accordance with international standards. Her period of secondment runs from 30 August 2009 until 31 March 2010 at an estimated cost of €44,000. Previously, another civilian expert was seconded to the Mission, also as a Rule of Law Outreach officer, for 3 months from 28 February 2009 at a cost of €21,320.
One member of the Irish Aid Rapid Response Initiative has been working in Afghanistan as a Reporting Officer with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) since 10 September 2009 and is currently scheduled to finish up on 9 March 2010. The estimated total cost for this officer's term of work is €52,122.70. I am aware that seven Irish persons are directly contracted by EUPOL Afghanistan. However, they are not seconded by the Department of Foreign Affairs, and no expenditure arises to the State from their activities.
177 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of State boards, agencies, regulators or other bodies under his remit; the cost of these bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46054/09]
There are no state boards, agencies or regulatory bodies operating under the responsibility of my Department. However, there are currently three bodies; two Advisory Committees and one Educational Commission, which operate under the aegis of my Department. All members serving on these bodies do so in a voluntary capacity and are not in receipt of a salary or fee.
The Development Education Advisory Committee was established in 2003 following the recommendations of the Ireland Aid Review Committee. Its purpose is to advise the Minister, the Minister of State and Irish Aid on development education policy. This Advisory Committee has no distinct budget and administrative support is provided by the Irish Aid division of my Department. A small amount of travel related costs are incurred by member's attendance at committee meetings, approximately €2,500 annually.
The Government Emigrant Services Advisory Committee (previously known as Díon) was set up in 1984 to advise the Government on the welfare of the Irish community in Britain. The Committee’s primary role is to advise on the distribution of Government support to voluntary agencies providing front line services and community care to Irish people in Britain. This Advisory Committee has no distinct budget and administrative support is provided by the Irish Embassy in London. A small amount of travel related costs are incurred by members attendance at committee meeting, approximately €1,000 annually.
The Fulbright Commission (The Board of the Ireland — United States Commission for Educational Exchange) finances study, research, teaching and other educational activities between Ireland and the United States of America. As Minister for Foreign Affairs, I have some statutory obligations in regard to this organisation, including the appointment of four members of the eight-member Commission. My Department makes an annual grant in aid payment to the Commission which in 2008 was €254,000, a figure which represented approximately 25% of the Commission's budget for that year.
178 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the cuts to date in funding to each of the multilateral agencies supported by Irish Aid and to each sector of our bilateral aid to our priority partner countries. [46146/09]
Last year the Government provided a total budget of €920 million on Official Development Assistance (ODA). This represented approximately 0.59 % of our Gross National Product (GNP), making Ireland the sixth most generous aid donor internationally in per capita terms. This year, the Government had to take the regrettable decision to reduce the allocation for ODA. Total ODA is expected to reach €696 million in 2009, which, on current projections, will represent approximately 0.52% of GNP.
In making adjustments across the aid programme this year, the Government ensured that programmes in our priority countries were protected to the extent possible. Ireland provides bilateral development assistance to over ninety countries worldwide. Nine have been designated as Programme Countries, where we have a commitment to long term strategic assistance. These are Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Timor Leste, Uganda, Vietnam, and Zambia. Irish Aid provided direct programme funding of €220 million to these countries in 2008. This year, €198 million is being provided. Breaking these figures down by Programme Country:
In Ethiopia, €36 million was provided in 2008 and €27.8 million in 2009.
In Lesotho, €9.1 million was provided in 2008 and €11.4 million in 2009.
In Malawi, almost €10 million was provided in 2008 and €8.8 million in 2009. I have recently approved funding of a further €2 million for the fight against hunger in Malawi.
In Mozambique, €34 million was provided in 2008 and €40.5 million in 2009.
In Tanzania, €38 million was provided in 2008 and €33.5 million in 2009.
In Timor Leste, €5 million was provided in 2008 and €3.42 million in 2009. In addition, over €1 million was allocated in 2008 and €990,000 in 2009 for a programme of conflict resolution activities in Timor Leste.
In Uganda, €42 million was provided in 2008 and €35.5 million in 2009.
In Vietnam, €21 million was provided in 2008 and €13.75 million in 2009.
In Zambia, €23.5 million was provided in 2008 and €23.2 million in 2009.
Additional funding is channelled to the Programme Countries in response to emergencies and humanitarian disasters, as necessary, and through Irish Aid funding for the activities of Non-Governmental Organisations and international agencies. The development objectives for each of the Programme Countries are outlined in country strategy papers, typically covering a period of five years. These strategies identify the key sectors in which the bilateral programmes focus. For example, education is at the heart of Ireland's current strategy in Zambia, while the programme in Tanzania concentrates on the sectors of governance, agriculture and health. All strategies are agreed with partner countries in the context of their own programmes for poverty reduction. In making the budget adjustments, we have in all cases ensured that the continuity of our programmes will be maintained. In some cases, funding timeframes have been extended and disbursement rates modified, but the planned final outputs will be delivered, even if they have been delayed somewhat.
In relation to the multilateral agencies, I regret that it was necessary this year to reduce by 50% Ireland's planned voluntary contributions to United Nations Agencies. Nonetheless, the Government has provided €40.5 million to the UN agencies for their development activities in 2009. This includes core funding of €8.7 million to the UN Development Programme (UNDP), €8 million to the UN Fund for Children (UNICEF), €6 million to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), €3 million to UNAIDS, €3 million to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), and €2 million to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Significant additional funding has been channelled through the UN agencies in response to emergency and humanitarian needs.
Other multilateral funding provided by Irish Aid this year included contributions to help developing countries take advantage of the global trading system and represent their interests more effectively in international trade negotiations. In this regard, the Government's support for the World Trade Organisation Technical Assistance programmes, the International Trade Centre, and the Advisory Centre on WTO Law amounted to €3.3 million in 2009, an overall reduction of €2.9 million on 2008 levels.
Finally, it is important to note that Ireland's overall assessed contribution to the European Union Development Fund was not reduced in 2009, remaining at €21.9 million.
179 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of persons employed in his private office and his constituency office; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses in regard to each office in tabular form; the number of persons employed in the private and constituency offices of the Ministers of State in his Department; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses in regard to each office in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46380/09]
The number and grades of staff in my Private and Constituency Offices are set out in the following tabular format.
|
Grade |
Number of staff |
|
First Secretary |
1.0 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
1.0 |
|
Executive Officer |
1.0 |
|
Staff Officer |
1.0 |
|
Clerical Officer |
2.9 |
|
Special Advisor |
2.0 |
|
Total |
8.9 |
|
Grade |
Number of staff |
|
Executive Officer |
1.0 |
|
Clerical Officer |
1.8 |
|
Personal Assistant |
1.0 |
|
Personal Secretary |
1.0 |
|
Total |
4.8 |
The following table gives the annual salary costs for each office for 2009.
|
Private Office |
Constituency Office |
|
€532,252 |
€149,971 |
The following tables set out the number and grades of staff employed in the Private and Constituency Offices of each Minister of State in my Department.
|
Grade / Position |
Number |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
1 |
|
Clerical Officer |
2 |
|
Special Advisor |
1 |
|
Total |
4 |
|
Grade / Position |
Number |
|
Staff Officer |
1.0 |
|
Clerical Officer |
2.8 |
|
Personal Assistant |
1.0 |
|
Personal Secretary |
1.0 |
|
Total |
5.8 |
|
Grade / Position |
Number |
|
First Secretary |
1 |
|
Staff Officer |
1 |
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
|
Special Advisor |
1 |
|
Total |
4 |
|
Grade / Position |
Number |
|
Clerical Officer |
3 |
|
Personal Assistant |
1 |
|
Personal Secretary |
1 |
|
Total |
5 |
The following table gives the annual salary costs for each Minister of State's office for 2009.
|
Private Office |
Constituency Office |
|
€245,021 |
€252,116 |
|
Private Office |
Constituency Office |
|
€262,945 |
€181,300 |
In the time available, it is not possible to provide precise information in relation to the travel, subsistence and overtime expenses attributed to the above offices. However, I can confirm that any such expenses would be processed in full compliance with the standard Civil Service regulations governing overtime, travel and subsistence.
180 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the way an association (details supplied) will be recognised here as a national sports organisation. [46120/09]
The Irish Sports Council (ISC), which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body responsible for the promotion, development and coordination of sport which includes responsibility for dealing with the recognised sporting organisations and allocation of funding to same.
The ISC was established on a statutory basis on 1st July, 1999, and the functions of the Council are outlined in Section 6 of the Irish Sports Council Act 1999. Section 6 (1)(a) states that one of the functions of the Council shall be "to encourage the promotion, development and coordination of competitive sport and the achievement of excellence in competitive sport." Section 6.1 (b) states, as one of the functions of the Council, that the ISC has responsibility for developing "strategies for increasing participation in recreational sport and to coordinate their implementation by all bodies (including public authorities and publicly funded bodies) involved in promoting recreational sport and providing recreational facilities".
This includes recognition, for purposes of funding or for any other reason, of any sporting or recreational activity, including dealing with sporting organisations and allocation of funding to same. The Department provides funding to the ISC and the ISC allocates funding to the sporting organisations (including the Federation of Irish Sport, the Olympic Council of Ireland, the Paralympic Council and the National Governing Bodies of sport), at the discretion of the ISC and based on ISC criteria. As this matter falls within the day to day responsibilities of the ISC I have asked the Council to provide the Deputy with the information sought.
181 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will support a matter (details supplied). [46133/09]
The organisation in question has received very generous funding under various rounds of the Sports Capital Programme. Since 1999 the club has received over €1,000,000 in funding towards the development of facilities. All of this funding has been drawn down.
182 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the report by a company (details supplied) in March 2008 which indicates that the economy here could realise €58 million in gross additional tourism receipts as a result of the 2012 Olympic Games by pre-games sports training and event related tourism activity, additional visitors here during the periods of the games being hosted and post-games legacy benefits through repeat business; the measures he has taken to date; the additional actions he intends to take in order to capitalise on this financial opportunity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46140/09]
183 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if the efforts of the London 2012 task force have been successful here in attracting teams participating in the summer Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in view of the fact that Northern Ireland is seeking to attract ten countries or teams for pre-games training; the number of such teams he has identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46141/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 182 and 183 together.
The London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics Task Force was established in August 2006 to ensure Ireland could identify and maximise the complete range of opportunities arising from our proximity to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London 2012. The Task Force included experts from the sport, tourism, cultural and business sectors and was supported by staff within my Department.
The Task Force report, which was published last February, makes a number of recommendations arising from an audit carried out of high quality sports facilities in Ireland and the findings of a report by Indecon International Economic Consultants on the economic evaluation of the benefit to the island of Ireland of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games.
Irrespective of the sporting facilities we have to offer, it is unlikely that there will be a significant number of international teams and athletes coming to Ireland in the lead up to the 2012 Games. Some individual competitors in specific sports may come here for particular reasons. However, there are a number of opportunities on the tourism and cultural sides which can be pursued.
I have recently established a high-level London 2012 coordinating group, chaired by my Department and comprising of representatives of the arts, sports, tourism and cultural agencies, to explore and develop initiatives and opportunities across the various sectors to capitalise on the proximity of the London Games. The discussions of the group will take into account the current economic situation and the findings of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics Task Force Report. The first meeting of the group took place on 30th November 2009.
184 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of persons employed in his private office and his constituency office; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses in regard to each office in tabular form; the number of persons employed in the private and constituency offices of the Ministers of State in his Department; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses in regard to each office in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46372/09]
There are four full time established civil servants in my Private Office, i.e. my Private Secretary at Higher Executive Officer level and three Executive Officers. The staffing of my constituency Office consists of one fulltime established civil servant (Staff Officer), and local constituency office staff of 3 comprising of a Personal Assistant at Higher Executive Officer level, a Constituency Assistant at Higher Executive Officer level and a Personal Secretary at Secretarial Assistant level. All the above staff are paid at the appropriate civil service pay scales for these grades. My Private Secretary is also paid the normal Private Secretary allowance, currently €21,775 and my Personal Secretary is paid an attraction allowance of 10% of salary. The expenses to date in 2009 in respect of my private office total €5,965 and in respect of my constituency office total €4,551.
The Minister of State at this Department, Dr. Martin Mansergh, T.D, does not have a private office or a constituency office in the Department. However, expenses totaling €595 were incurred to date in 2009 in relation to the operation by the Minister of State of his functions in respect of this Department. The above staff numbers are in line with Department of Finance guidelines on staffing of private and constituency offices.
185 D’fhiafraigh Deputy Dinny McGinley den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil iarratas déanta maidir le cuidiú a chur ar fáil do phobal áirithe (sonraí tugtha) le haghaidh stáisiún dóiteáin a thógáil; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [46199/09]
Is féidir liom a dheimhniú don Teachta nach bhfuil iarratas faighte ag mo Roinnse ar chúnamh faoi na Scéimeanna Gaeltachta d'fhorbairt stáisiúin dóiteáin don phobal atá luaite aige. Is gnó don Roinn Comhshaoil, Oidhreachta agus Rialtais Áitiúil maoiniú a dhéanamh ar a leithéid. Níl aon scéim ag mo roinn faoin a bhféadfaí a leithéid a mhaoiniú.
186 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has received a submission from a local authority (details supplied); his views regarding same; if he will make funding available for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46326/09]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No 411 of 20 October2009.
My Department has received a submission from the relevant local authority in regard to the facility referred to by the Deputy. While I am positively disposed towards the proposed development, I am not in a position to commit financial assistance towards it at present due to substantial existing commitments that fall to be honoured in 2010.
187 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of persons employed in his private office and his constituency office; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses in regard to each office in tabular form; the number of persons employed in the private and constituency offices of the Ministers of State in his Department; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses in regard to each office in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46374/09]
The details requested by the Deputy in relation to my private and constituency offices are set out in the following table. For completeness, details relating to my Special Advisor and Media Advisor are included in the figures provided in respect of my private office.
|
Office |
Number of Staff |
Salary (inclusive of Employers PRSI) for 2009 |
Expenses to date in 2009 |
|
€ |
€ |
||
|
Private Office |
9* |
491,707 |
11,039 |
|
Constituency Office |
5 |
205,946 |
236 |
*Current staff level, following a reduction of 1.6 in April 2009.
The details requested in relation to the staffing in the private and constituency offices of Mr John Curran, T.D., Minister of State at this Department, are set out in the following table.
|
Office |
Number of Staff |
Salary (inclusive of Employers PRSI) for 2009 |
Expenses to date in 2009 |
|
€ |
€ |
||
|
Private Office |
4.4 |
189,188 |
1,038 |
|
Constituency Office |
2.0 |
131,607 |
Nil |
188 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her plans to introduce changes in legislation to ensure that there is an obligation on the father of a child to be identified on the birth certificate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46128/09]
The current position in relation to births registrations is that no man can be named as the father of a child in an entry unless he consents to do so or unless he is found to be the father of the child by the Courts, in proceedings relating to guardianship or maintenance or by way of a declaration of parentage, made under section 35 of the Status of Children Act, 1987.
Under the provisions of the Civil Registration Act, 2004, where the parents are not married to each other at the time of the birth, the father's particulars can be registered if the parents make a joint application to do so, or if either makes an application, accompanied by a statutory declaration from the other parent, naming the father, or if either parent makes an application accompanied by a court order naming the father.
Where a father's details are not registered initially, the parents may re-register the birth to add his details. The procedures for such re-registrations are similar to those for registrations. Also, if the parents marry each other following the birth, they are legally obliged to re-register the birth, under the provisions of section 24 of the Act.
The Houses of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Social and Family Affairs has strongly recommended that it should be made compulsory for the father's name to be registered on a child's birth certificate (First Report — October 2009).
In September last, the Law Reform Commission (LRC) issued a discussion document on Legal Aspects of Family Relationships, which included the issue of the registration of the father's particulars. They have invited submissions from interested parties and will, in due course, issue recommendations in a further report. Any recommendation in relation to the compulsory registration of the father's details on a birth record will be of considerable significance and will be seriously considered, especially in light of the Joint Committee's recommendation on the registration of the father's particulars.
189 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of State boards, agencies, regulators or other bodies under her remit; the cost of these bodies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46057/09]
The four statutory bodies operating under the aegis of the Department are the Pensions Board, the Citizens Information Board, the Family Support Agency and the Social Welfare Tribunal. In addition the Pensions Ombudsman comes under the remit of the Department.
From 1 July 2009, the Combat Poverty Agency integrated with the former Office for Social Inclusion within the Department of Social and Family Affairs, to form the new Social Inclusion Division within the Department. The budget estimate for these bodies in 2009 is set out as follows:
|
Name of Agency/Board |
Budget Estimate in 2009 |
|
Social Welfare Tribunal |
€6,000 |
|
Citizens Information Board |
€28.7m |
|
Money Advice and Budgeting Service* |
€17.9m |
|
Total: €46.6m |
|
|
Family Support Agency |
€35.707m |
|
Pensions Board** |
€8.74m (incl. allocation of €500,000 from DSFA in respect of the National Pensions Awareness Campaign) |
|
Pension’s Ombudsman |
€974,000 |
*Since 13 July 2009 MABS has been integrated into the Department.
**The operations of the Pensions Board are largely financed by annual fees payable to it by occupational pension schemes and by providers of Personal Retirement Savings Accounts.
190 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason she will not inquire into a person’s British national insurance record to determine a pension entitlement in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [46079/09]
The Medical Appliance Benefit Scheme provides assistance towards the cost of a hearing aid. The Department will pay up to half the cost of a hearing aid or repairs to a hearing aid, subject to a fixed maximum contribution of €760 per aid.
To qualify for Medical Appliance Benefit you must satisfy certain PRSI conditions. A person aged 66 or over must have a total of 260 paid PRSI contributions since first starting work and either (i) 39 paid or credited PRSI contributions in either of the two relevant tax years on which the claim is based OR (ii) 26 paid PRSI contributions in both the relevant tax year and the tax year immediately before the relevant tax year. If you satisfy the PRSI conditions when you reach age 60, you will remain qualified for life.
As per the records of the Department, the person concerned has no post-1953 PRSI contributions and so does not qualify for Medical Appliance Benefit. A pre-1953 record is not sufficient on its own to qualify for this scheme; the person concerned would also need to have made Irish contributions within two years of their 60th birthday or retirement at age 66 years.
Neither can their UK insurance record be counted, as they did not pay PRSI in Ireland following their return from the UK. In these circumstances, the UK remains the competent state for insurance based benefits and the person concerned may have an entitlement in the UK, as this was the last country in which they paid PRSI contributions.
The person concerned may have an entitlement in Ireland under the Medical Card scheme. Any queries in this regard should be directed to the Department of Health and Children.
191 Deputy George Lee asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 905 of 3 November 2009, when the review will be completed; if she will provide this Deputy with a copy of the report after it is completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46136/09]
The review of the Disability Allowance scheme is examining the objectives of the scheme and their compatibility with the overall strategy of the Department, in particular the policy objective of supporting people of working age into employment, and the extent to which the objectives have been achieved. It is envisaged that the review will be finalised early in 2010.
193 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason she has reduced the annual fees payable by occupational pension schemes to the Pensions Board; and the cost of this reduction to the board in a full year. [46356/09]
Section 25 of the Pensions Act 1990 (as amended) provides for the payment of annual fees by occupational pension schemes and PRSAs to the Pensions Board. Fees generated fund the day-to-day operations of the Board. The level of fees is reviewed each year and, on average, they have been revised every five years with the last increase occurring in 2003.
As the Pensions Board has a surplus for some years, the Board recommended to me that fees should be reduced by 7.5%. I strongly welcomed this recommendation as it reflects both the current financial position of the Board as well as providing a welcome respite to pension schemes which have been under strain. The fee reduction will be implemented from January 2010. The total estimated cost to the Board of the 7.5% fee reduction is €296,000 in 2010.
194 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an application for domiciliary allowance will be processed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46357/09]
In order to qualify for Domiciliary Care Allowance a child must have a disability so severe that the child needs care and attention and/or supervision substantially in excess of another child of the same age. This care and attention must be given by another person, effectively full time, so that the child can deal with the activities of daily living. The child must be likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 months.
The person in question has made applications for Domiciliary Care Allowance in respect of each of her twins boys. An application for Domiciliary Care Allowance was received by the Department on 15th July 2009 in respect of her son "C". This application was referred to one of the Departments Medical Assessors who found that the child in question did not meet the medical criteria to qualify for Domiciliary Care Allowance.
A letter issued to the person in question on 27th August 2009 advising her of the decision to refuse Domiciliary Care Allowance. In the case of an application which is refused on medical grounds, the applicant may submit additional information and/or ask for the case to be reviewed by a different Medical Assessor specially designated for this task.
The person in question requested a review of the decision to refuse Domiciliary Care Allowance and the application was reviewed by a different Medical Assessor on the 25th November 2009 who found that the child in question was not medically eligible for Domiciliary Care Allowance. A letter issued to the person in question on 1st December 2009 advising of this decision.
An application for Domiciliary Care Allowance was received by the Department on 1st October 2009 in respect of her son "E". This application was referred to one of the Departments Medical Assessors who found on 19th October 2009 that the child in question was not medically eligible for Domiciliary Care Allowance.
Further information was received prior to the formal decision being issued and the application was returned for a review to a different Medical assessor. This Medical Assessor found that the child in question was not medically eligible for Domiciliary Care Allowance. A letter issued to the person in question on 1st December 2009 advising of this decision.
Where a person is not satisfied with the decision of a Deciding Officer, they may appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. Additional information was received and forwarded to the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 4th December 2009. The Social Welfare Appeals Office have been requested to register an appeal in relation to each application, they will be in contact directly with the person in question in due course.
195 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the length of time taken to decide appeals cases; her plans to address the problem in view of the hardship that persons are experiencing due to the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46358/09]
196 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a decision will issue on an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare in view of the hardship they are enduring due to the length of time taken for the appeal to be decided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46359/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 195 and 196 together.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that, following receipt of the relevant Departmental papers including comments on the grounds of appeal, the appeal from the person concerned has been referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that during 2008 the average time taken to process all appeals (i.e. those decided summarily and by way of oral hearing) was 22 weeks. However, if allowance was made for the 25% most protracted cases, the average time fell to just over 14 weeks. These processing times replicate those for 2007 notwithstanding the fact that there was an increase of 27% in the number of appeals received during 2008. Although, there are no figures for the processing times to date in 2009, there has been an increase of a further 45% in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office to the end of November 2009 and I am very concerned about the likely effect of these increases on processing times.
The Chief Appeals Officer is keeping current processes under continuous review with a view to achieving a more effective throughput of appeals having regard to due process in terms of the rights of appellants and adherence to the requirements of natural justice. The matter of assigning additional Appeals Officers is also kept under constant review but any consideration of extra assignments must be taken in the context of overall government policy on civil service numbers.
197 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her plans to tackle the increasing risk of fuel poverty in view of significant increases in unemployment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46367/09]
The Department's role is to assist social welfare recipients with heating costs, both through their basic payments and through the fuel allowance scheme and the household benefits package of electricity and gas allowances. These schemes have been improved significantly in recent years.
The national fuel allowance scheme assists householders on long-term social welfare or health service executive (HSE) payments with meeting the cost of their heating needs during the winter season. The allowance represents a contribution towards a person's normal heating expenses. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Fuel allowance is payable for 32 weeks a year, up from 30 weeks a year in 2007. The standard allowance is €20 a week while the rate in smokeless zones is €23.90 a week, up by €2 a week from 2008. The scheme benefits almost 320,000 people a year at an estimated cost of €217 million in 2009.
Electricity and gas allowances under the household benefits package, are payable throughout the year to almost 380,000 pensioners, people with disabilities, and carer households towards their heating, light and cooking costs at an estimated cost of €200m in 2009. The electricity allowance covers standing charges plus VAT and up to 2,400 units of electricity in each billing period, increased from 1,800 units in January 2007. The gas allowance covers a cash equivalent amount. The supplementary welfare allowance scheme can also be used to assist people in certain circumstances with specific heating needs due to infirmity or a particular medical condition.
Government policy in recent years has focused on increasing primary social welfare rates significantly to ensure that people on social welfare can meet their basic living costs, including heating, throughout the year. Since December 2001, overall inflation has increased by 19% while energy product prices have increased by over 50%. However, increases in social welfare payments have been between 78% and 95% in the same period.
Any improvement to social welfare programmes to assist with heating costs would have considerable cost implications and would have to be considered in the light of resources available for improvements in social welfare payments generally. Income support is only part of the answer in terms of addressing fuel poverty. Proper household insulation is absolutely vital. Initiatives such as the Warmer Homes Scheme, operated by Sustainable Energy Ireland, under the aegis of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources have a very valuable role to play in that regard, as does funding from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to improve the quality of existing local authority housing.
The Government is committed to protecting vulnerable households from the impact of energy costs through a combination of supports, investment in improving the energy efficiency of the housing stock and the availability of advice such as "The Keep Well and Warm booklet" and accompanying associated website. Some 132,000 copies of the booklet have been distributed in 2009.
The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has overarching responsibility for the energy portfolio and has convened an inter- Departmental/Agency Group on Affordable Energy, co-chaired by the Social Inclusion Division of the Department of Social and Family Affairs, to coordinate and drive Government policy in this area. The Group includes officials of the departments of the Taoiseach, Finance, Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Health and Children, the Commission for Energy Regulation, Sustainable Energy Ireland, the ESB and Bord Gais. The objective is to ensure shared understanding of the challenges and actions underway and to ensure a fully cohesive strategic approach to delivery of affordable energy initiatives and programmes. The Inter Departmental/Agency Group has been asked to draw up an Energy Affordability Strategy for consultation by January 2010. This strategy will set out existing and future approaches to addressing energy affordability.
The Group will report to the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion, Children and Integration and the Cabinet Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security Infrastructure.
198 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of persons employed in her private office and her constituency office; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses in regard to each office in tabular form; the number of persons employed in the private and constituency offices of the Ministers of State in her Department; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses in regard to each office in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46383/09]
The details the Deputy has requested in respect of the staffing of my private and constituency offices are shown in the tabular statement. There has been no Minister of State formally assigned to my Department. However, Minister of State, Áine Brady, who is Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, has special responsibility for older people, areas of which fall under the remit of my Department. There are no staff assigned to her office from my Department.
|
Ministerial Appointments |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Grade |
Salary Scale |
Allowance Annual |
|
€ |
||
|
1 Special Adviser |
100,191 |
|
|
1 Press Officer |
77,731 |
(civil servant on loan from the Central Statistics Office for period of Minister's term of office).
The total expenses incurred by these officers in 2008 was €470.37. No overtime costs were incurred by these officers who are on call on a seven day per week basis.
|
Grade |
Salary Scale |
Allowance Annual |
|
€ |
€ |
|
|
1 Higher Executive Officer (Private Secretary) |
46,558 – 59,097 |
20,669 |
|
1 Executive Officer |
30,566 – 48,504 |
|
|
2 Clerical Officers |
23,174 – 37,584 |
|
|
1 Clerical Officer |
24,397 – 39,558* |
Overtime and expenses incurred by these officers in 2008 was €4,698.79.
|
Ministerial Appointments |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Grade |
Salary Scale |
Allowance |
|
€ |
€ |
|
|
1 Personal Assistant |
55,030 |
|
|
1 Personal Secretary |
42,391 |
10% Attraction Allowance |
Overtime costs incurred by these officers in 2008 were €7,653.44 and €1,290.66 respectively.
|
Grade |
Salary Scale |
Allowance |
|
€ |
€ |
|
|
1 Executive Officer |
32,179 – 51,054* |
|
|
2 Clerical Officers |
24,397 – 39,558* |
|
|
1 Clerical Officer |
23,174 – 37,584 |
No overtime or expenses were incurred by these officers in 2008.
*Class A PRSI applies as employment commenced after 6 April 1995
199 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence the number of State boards, agencies, regulators or other bodies under his remit; the cost of these bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46049/09]
The bodies under the aegis of my Department are the Civil Defence Board, the Army Pensions Board and the Board of Coiste an Asgard. The information in respect of 2009 is as follows:
|
Payable To |
2009 Estimates Provision |
Expenditure to end of November 2009 |
|
€ |
€ |
|
|
Civil Defence Board |
6,148,000 |
5,197,000 |
|
Army Pensions Board |
110,000 |
96,000 |
|
Coiste an Asgard |
830,000 |
305,986 |
My Department also provides support services (finance, IT, human resources) to all three of these bodies.
200 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Defence the number of persons employed in his private office and his constituency office; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses in regard to each office in tabular form; the number of persons employed in the private and constituency offices of the Ministers of State in his Department; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses in regard to each office in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46375/09]
The information requested by the Deputy is set out as follows.
|
Grade/Position |
Number |
Current Salary Scale |
|
Special Adviser (Non-established) |
1 |
Principal Officer standard scale €86,168 – €106,582 |
|
Press Adviser (Non-established) |
1 |
Principal Officer standard scale €86,168 – €106,582 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
1 |
Higher Executive Officer standard scale €46,558 – €59,097 |
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
Executive Officer standard scale €30,566 – €48,504 |
|
Staff Officer |
1 |
Staff Officer €34,941 – €46,655 |
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
Clerical Officer PPC scale €24,397 – €39,558 |
|
Grade/Position |
Number |
Current Salary Scale |
|
Personal Assistant (Non-established, based in constituency) |
1 |
Higher Executive Officer standard scale €46,558 – €55,030 (excludes long service increments) |
|
Personal Secretary (Non-established, based in constituency) |
1 |
Secretarial Assistant contract scale €23,182 – €44,726 |
|
Staff Officer |
1 |
Staff Officer PPC scale €36,779 – €49,104 |
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
Clerical Officer higher scale €24,255 – €38,397 |
|
Clerical Officer |
2 |
Clerical Officer PPC standard scale €24,397 – €39,558 |
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
Clerical Officer standard scale €23,174 – €37,584 |
Minister of State, Mr. Pat Carey, T.D.
There is one staff member assigned to cover both the private office and the constituency office of the Minister of State. He is located in the Minister of State's Private Office. His salary details are as follows:
|
Grade/Position |
Number |
Current Salary Scale |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
1 |
Higher Executive Officer standard scale €46,558 – €59,097 |
The employment contract of the non-established officers referred to in these tables is coterminous with the appointment of the relevant office holder. Overtime, travel and subsistence expenses are paid in accordance with normal Civil Service regulations. Personal Pension Contribution (PPC) scales apply where officers were employed since 6 April 1995, pay class A rate of PRSI and make a personal pension contribution.
201 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of State boards, agencies, regulators or other bodies under his remit; the cost of these bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46052/09]
The information requested is set out in the following table and is in respect of funding being provided directly by my Department to the agencies in 2009. Agencies and bodies referred to may be funded solely by my Department or through a combination of income from my Department, local authorities, other funds including their own resources and fees. Certain regulatory functions arising from my Department's mandate are also undertaken directly by local authorities.
|
Name of body/board |
Funding Provided by DEHLG in 2009 |
|
€ |
|
|
Affordable Homes Partnership |
2,405,000 |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
13,581,000 |
|
Building Regulations Advisory Board |
20,000 |
|
An Chomhairle Leabharlanna |
None |
|
Comhar Sustainable Development Council |
*537,000 |
|
Designated Areas Appeals Advisory Board |
50,000 |
|
Dublin Docklands Development Authority |
None |
|
Environmental Protection Agency |
**51,070,000 |
|
Fire Services Council |
300,000 |
|
The Heritage Council |
10,142,000 |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
None |
|
Irish Water Safety |
556,000 |
|
Limerick Northside Regeneration Agency |
2,600,000 (for both agencies) |
|
Limerick Southside Regeneration Agency |
See above |
|
Local Government Computer Services Board |
None |
|
Local Government Management Services Board |
None |
|
National Building Agency |
None |
|
Private Residential Tenancies Board |
1,000,000 |
|
Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) |
3,945,000 |
|
The Rent Tribunal |
27,750 |
*Environment Fund.
**Vote and Environment Fund.
202 Deputy John O’Donoghue asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if funding will be made available in 2010 for the provision of a new sewage scheme (details supplied) in County Kerry. [46077/09]
203 Deputy John O’Donoghue asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if funding will be made available in 2010 for the provision of a new sewage scheme (details supplied) in County Kerry. [46078/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 202 and 203 together.
Kerry County Council is undertaking a strategic study with a view to optimising the delivery of wastewater infrastructure in up to 90 towns and villages in the county, including Castlegregory. My Department will consider the Council's Preliminary Report for the Castlegregory Sewerage Scheme in the light of the study recommendations. The Kerry Villages Sewerage Schemes — Phase 1, which will provide improved wastewater infrastructure to fourteen villages including Boolteens, is included in the Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 — 2009 at an estimated cost of €8.75m. Kerry County Council's Preliminary Report for the Boolteens Sewerage Scheme is awaited in my Department.
The NSS Hub Cluster Sewerage Scheme, which will provide improved wastewater infrastructure to nine villages including Castlemaine, is also included in the Programme at an estimated cost of €18m. Kerry County Council's Preliminary Report for the Castlemaine Scheme is under examination in my Department. Local authorities were asked in July 2009 to submit an assessment of needs for water and sewerage services to my Department by 23 October last. My Department has commenced consideration of these assessments, which will form a key input to the development of the 2010 to 2012 Water Services Investment Programme. In conducting their assessments, local authorities were asked to prioritise schemes and contracts for progression over the coming years based on key environmental and economic criteria. It is anticipated that the Water Services Investment Programme 2010 to 2012 will be published in early 2010.
204 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the funding announced in respect of a project (details supplied) for County Mayo is still ring-fenced. [46080/09]
I refer to the reply to Question Nos. 387 and 388 of 13 October 2009. The position is unchanged in relation to the proposals for the network improvements, but I understand that Mayo County council signed the contract for the new Wastewater Treatment Plant last month.
205 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to radio advertisements by an organisation (details supplied) denigrating, as incompetent, architects who are not registered with that body; if his further attention has been drawn to the negative impact of such advertisements on experienced architects in legitimate practice who are in the process of registration; if he will take steps to prevent this unfair practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46129/09]
I have no function in regard to the placing of radio advertisements by the organisation referred to in the Question.
206 Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the arrangements that have being made to improve fire fighting services in the Ballyshannon and Bundoran area, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46142/09]
The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of premises is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981. My Department's role is one of supporting and assisting local authorities in delivering fire services through the provision of funding under the fire service capital programme and through setting of general policy. Approval in principle for the replacement of the fire stations in Ballyshannon and Bundoran was conveyed to the Donegal County Council in July 2009. Proposals from the Council are awaited.
207 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will make a statement on the promise of gateway funding for the Cork docklands project and in particular for the eastern gateway bridge. [46350/09]
208 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question Nos 71 and 91 of 24 November 2009, the main findings and recommendations of the Cork docklands development forum report in the public domain; if he has officially published this report; if not, the reason for same; when he will publish this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46351/09]
I propose to take Question Nos. 207 and 208 together.
The Cork Docklands Development Forum Report envisages very significant investment in public infrastructure, including the provision of an Eastern Gateway Bridge and the re-location of the port to Ringaskiddy. Due to the prevailing budgetary conditions, decisions in relation to the bridge, enabling link roads and port re-location, for which funding had been sought under the Gateway Innovation Fund, have been deferred. Future decisions will be subject to the overall capital funding position to be determined as part of the annual estimates process. Regarding the reply to Question Nos. 71 and 91 of 24 November 2009, the position is as set out in that reply.
209 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of persons employed in his private office and his constituency office; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses in regard to each office in tabular form; the number of persons employed in the private and constituency offices of the Ministers of State in his Department; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses in regard to each office in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46378/09]
The following table sets out details of the number of staff currently serving in my private and constituency office and the amounts paid in respect of pay and expenses for the year to date (up to end November 2009):
|
Office |
Number of Staff (FTE) |
Pay Cost to end November 2009 |
Expenses to end November 2009 |
|
€ |
€ |
||
|
Private Office |
6.5 |
248,104 |
4,063 |
|
Constituency Office |
4.0 |
189,335 |
Nil |
|
Special Advisers |
2.0 |
184,949 |
2,846 |
The following table sets out details of the number of staff currently serving in Minister of State Michael Finneran's private and constituency offices and the amounts paid in respect of pay and expenses for the year to date (up to end November 2009):
|
Office |
Number of Staff (FTE) |
Pay Cost to end November 2009 |
Expenses to end November 2009 |
|
€ |
€ |
||
|
Private Office |
5 |
189,938 |
4,629 |
|
Constituency Office |
4 |
140,803 |
169 |
|
Civilian Driver |
2 |
80,914 |
25,584 |
210 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to move the Inland Fisheries Ireland headquarters to Carrick-on-Shannon where a building for this purpose lies empty; if he will end the position where premises in Swords have been rented since 2004 at more than €1,000,000; if he will expedite the move as promised in 2002. [46229/09]
The Decentralisation Programme as originally announced in December 2003, included the proposal to relocate the Headquarters of the Central Fisheries Board to Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim. As announced by the Minister for Finance in his statement of 14 October 2008, the Government has deferred decisions on the timing of the implementation of elements of the Decentralisation Programme including that of the Central Fisheries Board, pending a review in 2011. Issues relating to the possible purchase of a site in Carrick-on-Shannon for the proposed decentralisation and to the cost of rental of offices generally for the Board are matters for the Office of Public Works (OPW). However I understand, from liaison between officials in my Department and OPW, that while a number of site and property options have been investigated, no interest in any property has yet been acquired by OPW for the proposed decentralisation in Carrick-on-Shannon.
211 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason the old headquarters for Inland Fisheries Ireland in Glasnevin which has been vacant since 2004 has not been sold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46230/09]
I am advised that the Central Fisheries Board vacated the building and site, referred to by the Deputy, in 2005 due to health and safety concerns. While the Government decided in April 2008 to release the building and site in question to the Affordable Housing Initiative, more recently an interest was expressed by a voluntary education group. Any question of an alternative development of the site would be a matter for the appropriate authorities.
212 Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the provision of broadband in an area (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46328/09]
My Department has entered into a contract with "3", a Hutchison Whampoa company, for the delivery of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS). 3 is required to provide services to all residences and businesses that are within the NBS area and which seek a service. The company is progressing its network roll-out and services have gone live in a number of areas. The entire NBS area must be covered by September 2010. The general area of Cresslough, County Donegal, will be covered by the NBS. The current service status of each NBS area is available at www.three.ie/nbs.
213 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of persons employed in his private office and his constituency office; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses in regard to each office in tabular form; the number of persons employed in the private and constituency offices of the Ministers of State in his Department; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses in regard to each office in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46373/09]
There is a full time equivalent total of 11.9 staff currently employed in my private and constituency offices and 3.8 staff employed in the private office of the Minister of State. The Minister of State does not have any staff engaged on constituency matters in my Department. Further information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the following tables:
|
Office |
Number of Staff |
Annual salaries |
Expenses paid 1 Dec 2008 to 30 Nov 2009 (includes overtime) |
|
€ |
€ |
||
|
Private Office |
9.6 |
496,008.00 |
4,469.34 |
|
Constituency Office |
2.3 |
97,318.20 |
253.30 |
|
Office |
Number of Staff |
Annual salaries |
Expenses paid 1 Dec 2008 to 30 Nov 2009 (includes overtime) |
|
€ |
€ |
||
|
Private Office |
3.8 |
215,011.00 |
1,352.45 |
214 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the person who has rights or jurisdiction over the Lough Foyle fishery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46081/09]
I understand that the Deputy's question relates to the regulation of aquaculture in Lough Foyle. My Department is responsible for the regulation of aquaculture in the State. However, the governing legislation, the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1997, does not apply to the Moville area within the meaning of the Foyle Fisheries Act, 1952. The Foyle and Carlingford Irish Lights Commission (the Loughs Agency) will be empowered to regulate aquaculture in Lough Foyle on commencement of Part 2 of the Foyle and Carlingford Fisheries Act, 2007 and the relevant portions of the equivalent legislation in Northern Ireland, the Foyle and Carlingford Fisheries (Northern Ireland) Order 2007.
215 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) will receive their REPS 4 payment. [46144/09]
The REPS 3 payment due to the person named will issue within the next 10 days.
216 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a REP scheme payment will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46208/09]
REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007–2013 and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications, including plan checks, to be completed before the first 2009 payments issue. Processing of applications, including that of the person named, is at an advanced stage.
I hope to be in a position to release the 75% payment due on valid applications in mid-December and the remaining 25% once the last of the on-the-spot inspections for 2009 has taken place.
217 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the financial package that will be made available to farmers. [46227/09]
The information sought by the Deputy will be published in the context of the 2010 Budget, details of which are being announced by the Minister for Finance this afternoon.
218 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of persons employed in his private office and his constituency office; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses in regard to each office in tabular form; the number of persons employed in the private and constituency offices of the Ministers of State in his Department; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses in regard to each office in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46371/09]
The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
219 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food further to Parliamentary Question No. 301 of 18 November 2009, when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their disadvantaged area scheme payment for 2009. [46386/09]
As indicated in my previous reply of 18 November, an application under the 2009 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 15 May 2009. Payments under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme commenced on 22 September, with payments issuing in respect of those cases cleared for payment at that stage. Payments have continued to issue, as outstanding issues are resolved. While it had been indicated in my previous reply that the application of the person named had been fully processed, thereby allowing payment to issue the following week, due to technical difficulties this did not happen. These issues have now been resolved and payment will issue within the coming days, directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
220 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of State boards, agencies, regulators or other bodies under his remit; the cost of these bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46050/09]
The information requested by the Deputy is currently being collated and will be forwarded to him as soon as possible.
I can confirm to the Deputy that there are no regulators under the control of my Department.
221 Deputy George Lee asked the Minister for Education and Science the tendering process used for the information communication and technology infrastructure grant scheme 2009 for primary schools; if schools must buy from one of five nominated suppliers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46100/09]
The Deputy will be aware that €22 million in ICT grants was issued to primary schools at the end of November, with the priority on ensuring that there is a teaching computer and digital projector in every classroom. Purchase of this ICT equipment will be under public procurement operations carried out by the schools.
The purchase of ICT equipment and associated products and services by the public sector was identified under the National Public Procurement Policy Framework as one of those areas where economies could be achieved. EU Directive 2004/18/EC provides for the use of Framework Agreements by the public sector. The public sector utilises such frameworks to facilitate greater flexibility in the acquisition of goods and services, and support more responsive pricing mechanisms that deliver better value for money. In this regard, four distinct National Frameworks for the supply of specific categories of ICT equipment to public sector bodies have been set up by the Department of Finance. The categories in question are PCs, Notebooks (laptops), Mono Laser Printers and Colour Laser Printers. The number of Suppliers on each Framework varies; the number of suppliers for PCs and Notebooks is five (5) and six (6) respectively, and all suppliers were selected following an open competitive tendering exercise in compliance with EU and national procurement rules.
In the interests of achieving best value for money, schools are required to use the Frameworks for the purchase of ICT equipment under the relevant categories. Schools can run a mini competitive tendering process by a simple email "Request for Quotation" to a single central email address, setting out their requirements. In addition to the core products of PCs and Notebooks, schools can also request quotations for associated services such as installation. While delivering competitive prices, the Frameworks are also all covered by a three year on-site next business day warranty and support. Operation of the Frameworks is governed by Vendor Participation Agreements, through which schools are able to benefit from a range of favourable terms and conditions, agreed in the aggregate for eligible non-commercial public sector bodies.
For procurement outside these four categories, where Frameworks do not exist, schools are required to carry out normal competitive tendering processes under general public procurement rules. All schools who received ICT grants have also been issued with a letter outlining the requirement to purchase from the Frameworks and to comply with public procurement rules. Additional specific guidance for schools regarding procurement and the Frameworks is available through the National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE).
In addition to the four Frameworks mentioned above, a Framework for Digital Projectors for schools is in the process of being established, and is currently at tender evaluation phase. It is expected that this Framework will become available to schools in the next few weeks.
222 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans he has to finalise the Student Support Bill; if his attention has been drawn to concerns of the student unions here regarding the delay in completing the Bill; if he met with the student unions regarding the delay; if not, if he will agree to meet with them to alleviate their concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46101/09]
The Deputy will be aware that a number of amendments to the Bill in relation to legal and policy issues which have arisen since Second Stage are being advanced by my Department in close consultation with the Office of the Attorney General.
The Bill makes provision for the transfer of responsibility for student grants to the VEC sector. In the existing budgetary situation, resources are not currently available to advance transition to new administrative arrangements in the immediate future. However, it is not possible to say definitively at this point when new administrative arrangements can be put in place and I am anxious, in light of the commitment to put all student grants on a statutory footing, to provide a statutory basis for all student grants for the intervening period.
Therefore, I am endeavouring to progress to a single scheme of grants as provided for in the Bill at the earliest possible date. While the current financial situation may necessitate retention of the existing administrative structures in the immediate term, I am assessing organisational options for the grants administration function in the longer run, with a view to streamlining operations and achieving more effective administrative efficiencies. Possible options for a more significant aggregation of functions are now being explored in the context of budgetary considerations and the Government's overall programme of public service reform.
These developments also require consideration of a complex set of legal options in relation to further amendment of the Bill and my Department is working closely with the Office of the Attorney General to explore the issues in that regard. Subject to any technical, drafting and legal considerations arising, I hope to be in a position to have these amendments advanced sufficiently in order to progress to Committee as soon as possible.
My Department engages on the on-going basis with the Union of Students of Ireland (USI) in relation to my Department's Programme of Legislative and Administrative Reform of Student Grants. Officials of my Department met with USI on the 18th November, 2009 to alleviate their concerns and provide an update in relation in relation to the Bill.
223 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the moratorium on posts of responsibility in community and comprehensive schools, that when a director of adult education retires a replacement will not be made; his views regarding flexibility on this position in view of the importance of adult education and the level of expenditure on the part of his Department in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46127/09]
Following the Government decision on the moratorium on promotions in the public service my Department issued a circular to all schools indicating that with effect from 27 March, 2009 schools may no longer make any appointment to a post of responsibility including those that may have fallen vacant on or before 27 March, 2009. The post referred to by the Deputy is subject to this moratorium. It is a matter for the school authority to re-organise and prioritise the appropriate duties for the post of responsibility holders in the context of implementing the moratorium.
224 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science when he will award the capitation grants to schools; if he will direct his officials to pay the full grant to schools at the beginning of the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46156/09]
Capitation grants to primary schools are paid in two instalments. The first instalment is based on 70% of the grant due from enrolment figures for the previous school year. This payment is made in January. The second instalment is the balance due to the schools based on enrolment in the current school year. This payment is made in June.
In the case of Post-Primary schools capitation grants are paid in three instalments. The first moiety issues in September, followed by payments in January and April. The final payment in April takes account of any variation in a schools' enrolment from the previous year. Payment of the capitation grant in the manner suggested by the Deputy would result in many schools being under or over paid, as the enrolment figures in the majority of schools vary from year to year. I do not propose therefore to change the schedule set out above in respect of the payment of capitation grants to schools.
225 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to any initiatives for skilled professionals such as in architecture or information technology who see no immediate prospect of re-employment getting the opportunity for supported career change either through a once-off grant or through a back-to-education type scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46198/09]
Since the beginning of the year the Government has launched a number of new initiatives to support unemployed people return to education and engage in upskilling. In the higher education sector this includes the provision of 2,500 places to enable unemployed people to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate courses on a part-time basis. All 2,500 places are on courses that support the goals of the "Smart Economy" and particularly those relating to specific skills needs of exporting sectors identified by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs. The scheme is open to people who have been on the Live Register for at least six months or who have been awarded statutory redundancy. Participants on the scheme are not required to pay the €1,500 registration fee and, while postgraduate students may be required to pay a nominal charge, students are not charged tuition fees. Participants who continue to meet all Department of Social and Family Affairs criteria on eligibility for Job Seekers Benefit and Job Seekers Allowance are entitled to retain their payments while studying on these programmes.
The scope to introduce further labour market activation initiatives is under consideration by my Department in the context of ongoing discussions with other Government Departments on developing appropriate upskilling training and education responses for unemployed people. Under the terms of my Department's student grant and free fees schemes, students who are entering approved courses for the first time are eligible for grants and free tuition fees where they satisfy the prescribed conditions of the individual schemes, including those relating to progression. In general, students who previously pursued a course of study are not eligible for grant assistance or free tuition fees in respect of a second period of study at the same level, irrespective of whether or not a grant or tuition fees were paid previously. The main objective of this policy is to assist as many students as possible in obtaining one undergraduate degree and in progressing, where appropriate, to a postgraduate course of study. Subject to the conditions of the individual schemes, free tuition and grants are available where students are progressing to a course at a higher level.
An approved course for the purposes of the Schemes means a full-time undergraduate course of not less than two years duration and a full-time postgraduate course of not less than one year duration pursued in an approved institution. There are no plans at present to change the current progression requirements of the existing schemes.
The Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) is a second chance education opportunities scheme designed to encourage and facilitate people on certain social welfare payments to improve their skills and qualifications and therefore, their prospects of returning to the workforce. Eligibility for the Back to Education Allowance and associated payments is determined and administered by the Department of Social and Family Affairs and is primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs.
226 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will review a decision to remove funding from a project (details supplied) in Dublin 8; if his attention has been drawn to the level of disadvantage in the area referred to and the importance of the programme to the pupils and their families; the negative outcomes for the pupils if they can not avail of this programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46226/09]
The project to which the Deputy refers is among a number of Theatre and Arts groups that received funding from my Department over the last ten years or so. This support was drawn from my Department's educational disadvantage budget which is primarily focussed on assisting schools in their efforts to cater for the specific educational needs of children from disadvantaged backgrounds. With the introduction of the DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) programme in 2006, significant additional capitation funding was made and continues to be made available to the 881 schools in DEIS. All of the schools involved with this particular project are included in DEIS which is designed to ensure that schools serving the most disadvantaged communities benefit from the maximum level of support available.
There is a need to focus targeted resources on the schools in most need and this approach is in line with the broad thrust of the recommendations of the Comptroller and Auditor General which are set out in his report on Primary Disadvantage of 2006, which recommended that the Department should focus its educational disadvantage measures on those schools serving the most disadvantaged communities.
In light of the current economic downturn my Department's focus is to retain mainstream resources on core interventions in schools. Support for the Theatre and Arts Groups is not consistent with this focus and such spending can not be regarded as a priority. While it is appreciated that the discontinuation of these resources will impact on the groups, given the extremely challenging economic circumstances, difficult decisions had to be made in order to contain public sector spending.
My Department fully appreciates the importance of arts and culture to children's education and personal development. The arts help to promote a child's self esteem and enjoyment of learning. They also provide an important vehicle for personal enrichment and cultural expression, as well as creating awareness and respect for other cultures. Working through the arts helps to nurture and develop cognitive, communicative, emotional, imaginative, aesthetic, social, and spiritual intelligences and skills. Learning through guided activity and discovery, with children as active agents in their own learning and enrichment, is a vital part of this process. This is why arts education, through Music, Visual Arts, and Drama, and of course, through language, forms an integral part of the primary curriculum. Schools in DEIS are particularly aware of the importance of the arts in addressing disadvantage, and in promoting success in learning. Many schools in DEIS use the flexible budgets they receive to promote integrated links with community arts organisations and to offer enrichment programmes in support of the curriculum.
227 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will approve the inclusion of a school (details supplied) in County Cavan on the list of schools to receive information and communication technology funding under the recently announced €4.2 million package for schools, both new build and with extensions in view of the extensive work undertaken at this school which has been transformed at significant cost, including a substantial contribution from the local community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46329/09]
In October of this year I announced the provision of €4.2 million in grants for high-tech equipment as part of the Government's continuing efforts to make technology an integral part of the learning process. Schools where major construction work was completed this year and last year will each get €5,000 per classroom to buy computer hardware, software and digital equipment. The allocation amounted to €5,000 in respect of each occupied permanent classroom built this year and last year. The school referred to by the Deputy did not qualify for this grant as it had no new classroom build.
Earlier this year I set up the Joint Advisory Group to explore, with industry, possible recommendations of the Advisory Group have been published in the "Smart Schools = Smart Economy" Report which the Taoiseach launched on 16 November last. The Advisory Group Report recommends an initial investment package of €150m over the next 3 years and I am committed to making funding available for ICT in schools over these years. As a first step, €22 million in grants was issued to primary schools last month, with the priority on ensuring that there is a teaching computer and digital projector in every classroom. The total amount of funding to be made available for ICT equipment next year is being considered as part of the overall Capital allocation that is to be agreed by Government. The school referred to by the Deputy received €3,844.58 under this grant scheme.
228 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when a decision will be made on foot of an educational grant appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [46343/09]
A reply has issued to the correspondence referred to by the Deputy by the Higher Education — Equity Of Access Unit of my Department.
229 Deputy Christy O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science the options that are available to a person (details supplied) whose child has been referred to the national educational psychological service and has been informed that only one referral can take place in a school year and in view of the fact that this has already been allocated it will be at least September 2010 before this child will be assessed. [46345/09]
I can inform the Deputy that all primary and post primary schools have access to psychological assessments either directly through my Department's National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) or through the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA) which is administered by NEPS.
NEPS in common with other psychological services encourages a staged assessment process whereby each school takes responsibility for initial assessment, educational planning and remedial intervention, in consultation with their assigned NEPS psychologist. Only if there is a failure to make reasonable progress in spite of the school's best efforts, will a child be referred for individual psychological assessment. This system allows the psychologists to give early attention to urgent cases and also to help many more children indirectly than could be seen individually.
The introduction of the General Allocation model for primary schools in 2005/06 means that children with high incidence special needs can get access to extra support without having to undergo an individual assessment. Children who manifest very special or urgent needs in school and who have not been previously assessed by a psychologist and are brought to the attention of a NEPS psychologist by the Principal teacher will usually be assessed by the psychologist within that school term. Normally, principals of schools prioritise those children in need of psychological assessment in consultation with the assigned psychologist. Should school authorities have specific difficulties with regard any of the foregoing I would suggest that they contact the relevant local NEPS Regional Director (in this instance NEPS Southern Regional Office, Tel: 021- 4536358) to discuss the matter.
230 Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 1109 of 3 November 2009, if Bus Éireann has provided the required background information; if this matter has been examined in view of such information; the outcome of such examination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46360/09]
My Department has consulted with Bus Éireann which operates the school transport scheme. Bus Éireann is satisfied that the terms of the scheme have been applied in this case. However, if the Deputy has any additional information regarding other pupils in the area I will be glad to have the case examined further.
231 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46365/09]
I wish to advise the Deputy that my officials visited the location in question recently. The information sought by the Deputy will be forwarded to him in the coming days.
232 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of persons employed in his private office and his constituency office; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses in regard to each office in tabular form; the number of persons employed in the private and constituency offices of the Ministers of State in his Department; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses in regard to each office in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46376/09]
There are currently 8 officers in my Private Office as follows:
2 Special Advisers, one of whom has responsibility for press and communications;
1 Higher Executive Officer;
2 Executive Officers;
3 Clerical Officers.
Their total annual salaries in 2009 are approximately €445,766 and their expenses to date in 2009 are €17,276.
There are currently 4.8 officers in my Constituency Office as follows:
1 Personal Assistant;
1 Personal Secretary;
1 Higher Executive Officer;
0.80 Staff Officer;
1 Clerical Officer.
Their total annual salaries in 2009 are approximately €178,344 and nil expenses to date in 2009.
There are currently 7 officers in the Private Office of the Minister of State at my Department as follows:
1 Higher Executive Officer/Private Secretary
1 Executive Officer
3 Clerical Officers
2 Civilian Drivers
Their total annual salaries in 2009 are approximately €285,713 and their expenses to date in 2009 are €11,950.
There are currently 3.8 officers in the Constituency Office of the Minister of State at my Department as follows:
1 Personal Assistant
Personal Secretary
0.80 Staff Officer
1 Clerical Officer
Their total annual salaries in 2009 are approximately €169,632 and their expenses to date in 2009 are €13.71.
In addition, 2 Executive Officers have been assigned by my Department to the offices of Mr Barry Andrews, T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Children and Youth Affairs and of Mr John Moloney, T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Equality, Disability Issues and Mental Health. Their total annual salaries in 2009 are approximately €87,627.
The above staffing levels are within the Department of Finance Guidelines for the staffing of the Private and Constituency offices of a Minister and Minister of State. The salaries paid to the Civil Servants are in accordance with the Department of Finance salary scales for the relevant grades. The salaries paid to the non-civil servant staff are in accordance with the Department of Finance Instructions relating to the Appointment of Ministerial Private Office Staff.
