Vol. 701 No. 3
136 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Taoiseach if the expert private sector panel set out in the revised programme for Government has been established; the list of the members of the expert private sector panel; the number of meetings held by the panel to date; the decisions that were taken at those meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6067/10]
This commitment in the Programme for Government was made in the context of the ongoing work of the Innovation Taskforce which is looking at opportunities for Ireland to strengthen its position as a location for innovation and commercialisation in order to support sustainable employment in the context of ongoing investments under the Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation. The Taskforce is due to report shortly and its recommendations will inform how this commitment is implemented.
137 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Taoiseach the companies that have been granted contracts for projects worth more than €10 million in the period 2000 to 2010. [6152/10]
139 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Taoiseach the companies that have been granted contracts for projects worth more than €15 million in the period 2000 to date in 2010. [6324/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 139 together.
No company has been granted a contract for projects worth more than the amounts stated above by my Department in the period 2000 to 2010.
138 Deputy Damien English asked the Taoiseach the number of external consultants currently working for or in his Department; the work they are carrying out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6206/10]
At present there are two consultancy firms working in my Department. The Organisational Review Programme (ORP) engaged the services of IPSOS MRBI for the administration and analysis of survey questionnaires to all staff of the four organisations (Central Statistics Office, Department of Health and Children, Office of the Revenue Commissioners and the Property Registration Authority) being reviewed under the second phase of the ORP. This work is close to completion.
Fitzpatrick Associates Economic Consultants were contracted to carry out a case study of the Garda Boundary Realignment Project. The case study will document the processes involved in implementing the boundary realignment and the learning achieved. It is intended that the case study will be shared with other relevant agencies and will support the pursuit of a standardised approach to the local structuring of public service management and delivery in line with the Government's Statement on Transforming Public Services.
140 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach if all the portable electrical equipment in his Department and related offices have portable appliance test certificates as required by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulation S.I. No. 299 of 2007; if not, the reason for same; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a PAT must be carried out on all moveable electrical equipment in offices, centres and so on, to ensure the safety and welfare of both employees and employers; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that records of all such tests must be kept for at least five years to allow the Health and Safety Authority to carry out random spot checks and that insurance companies and underwriters are already seeking proof of compliance prior to renewal of policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6458/10]
It is the policy of my Department and NESDO that all portable electrical equipment used complies fully with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations, Statutory Instrument No. 299 of 2007. A programme of regular inspections in relation to portable electrical equipment covered by the scope of the regulations is in place in my Department and NESDO where necessary to ensure that all relevant equipment is safe to use and certified in accordance with the Regulations.
141 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Taoiseach the number of civil and public servants that have signed up for the cycle to work scheme; the cost of the scheme to date in 2010. [7580/10]
Seven civil servants have signed up for the Cycle to Work scheme in my Department. There is no discernible cost to my Department's vote in administering the cycle to work scheme to date in 2010. The bicycles and equipment are paid for by way of salary sacrifice by those acquiring the bicycles. There are minor costs in processing forms and in carrying the up-front costs until such time as those are offset by the gradual deductions from salary. Neither of these is quantifiable. The only material cost of the scheme to the State is the tax relief inherent in the scheme. The total amount sanctioned to date by way of cycle purchases for staff of my Department is €3,722.92.
142 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding plans to establish an international content services centre here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6066/10]
The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources is responsible for this matter.
143 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when redundancy payments will issue to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and the reason for delay. [6115/10]
My Department administers the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) in relation to redundancy matters on behalf of the Department of Social and Family Affairs. There are two types of payment made from the SIF — rebates to those employers who have paid statutory redundancy to eligible employees, and statutory lump sums to employees whose employers are insolvent and/or in receivership/liquidation. I can confirm that my Department received a statutory lump sum claim for the individual concerned on 16 September, 2009 claiming inability to pay on behalf of the employer. In respect of lump sum payments paid directly to employees, such as in this instance, the Section is, in general, processing claims dating from July 2009.
Given the unprecedented increase in Redundancy Payment claims lodged with my Department since late 2008 it has proved impossible to maintain the customer service targets that previously obtained. The scale of the challenge is evident from the statistics that show incoming redundancy claims with a cumulative figure for 2009 of 77,001. This figure exceeds the claims lodged for 2008 (40,607) by 90% and 2008 was, of itself, an exceptional year as compared with earlier years when claims received were of the order of 25,000. Efforts continue to be made by my Department to deliver more acceptable turnaround processing times for redundancy payments given the difficulties that this gives rise to for both individual employees and the business community. Measures already taken include:
the reassignment of 26.7 additional staff (full time equivalents) from other areas of the Department to the Redundancy Payments area since early 2009 with ongoing review of trends and demands. The current number of staff serving in the Redundancy Payments Section in terms of full time equivalents is 52.5;
the prioritisation of the Department's overtime budget towards staff in the Redundancy Payments Section to tackle the backlog outside normal hours;
the establishment of a special call handling facility to deal with the huge volume of telephone calls from people and businesses who are naturally concerned about their payments, using the facilities and cooperation of the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA). This centre has received an average of 12,500 calls per month this year with an estimated 60% relating to redundancy payments;
The provision of better quality information relating to current processing times on the Department's website;
Engagement with the Revenue Commissioners to facilitate the offset of redundancy rebate payments by employers against outstanding tax liabilities with the Revenue Commissioners.
The Tánaiste and I are monitoring closely the impact of these changes against the continuing influx of redundancy claims and it is clear that additional measures are required to help reduce the backlog of claims which currently stands in excess of 40,000. The Department is currently actively engaged in efforts to secure up to 16 additional staff resources deployed to the area in the first quarter of 2010.
144 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the companies that have been granted contracts for projects worth more than €10 million in the period 2000 to 2010. [6145/10]
154 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the companies that have been granted contracts for projects worth more than €15 million in the period 2000 to date in 2010. [6317/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 154 together.
In the time available it is not possible to provide the information requested.
145 Deputy Damien English asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the cost associated with setting up and running the National Consumer Agency since its establishment to date in 2010; the breakdown on the cost of salaries, market research and publication of reports. [6174/10]
Following the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act 2007, the National Consumer Agency was established on a statutory basis on 1st May 2007. A total of €18,217,628 was incurred in the period from 1st May 2007 to 31st December 2009 in respect of the operation of the Agency. This included €8,378,777 in respect of salary costs, €536,636 in respect of market research costs and €197,716 in respect of the cost of the publication of reports.
146 Deputy Damien English asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses that have received financial grant aid from each county and city enterprise board in 2008 and 2009; the average grant paid to same; the number of employment opportunities that have been created from each in tabular form. [6177/10]
In the time available it is not possible to provide the information requested.
147 Deputy Damien English asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of external consultants currently working for or in her Department; the work they are carrying out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6199/10]
In the time available it is not possible to provide the information requested.
148 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the full-time staffing and full-time trainee numbers within the FÁS training centre at Tallaght, Dublin 24 on 31 January in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010; the breakdown of the figures by persons engaged in centre management, manager, assistant managers and so on, administration, training instructors, general operatives, temporary instructors and trainees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6226/10]
149 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the full-time staffing and full-time trainee numbers within the FÁS training centre at Finglas, Dublin 11 on 31 January in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010; the breakdown of the figures by persons engaged in centre management, manager, assistant managers and so on, administration, training instructors, general operatives, temporary instructors and trainees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6227/10]
150 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the full-time staffing and full-time trainee numbers within the FÁS training centre at Athlone, County Westmeath on 31 January in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010; the breakdown of the figures by persons engaged in centre management, manager, assistant managers and so on, administration, training instructors, general operatives, temporary instructors and trainees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6228/10]
151 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the full-time staffing and full-time trainee numbers within the FÁS training centre at Sligo, on 31 January in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010; the breakdown of the figures by persons engaged in centre management, manager, assistant managers and so on, administration, training instructors, general operatives, temporary instructors and trainees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6229/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 148 to 151, inclusive, together.
The following four tables set out the full time staffing numbers in respect of the FÁS training centres at Tallaght, Finglas, Athlone and Sligo for each of the years in question. The fifth and final table indicates the number of trainees as at 31 January from 2007 to 2010.
|
Grade |
2007 Total |
2008 Total |
2009 Total |
2010 Total |
|
6 |
1.00 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
7 |
3.00 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
8 |
27.00 |
21 |
21 |
17 |
|
9 |
6.00 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
|
10 |
4.00 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
|
11 |
7.72 |
9 |
8 |
8 |
|
13 |
6.00 |
6 |
3 |
3 |
|
Total |
50.72 |
44 |
41 |
37 |
|
Grade |
2007 Total |
2008 Total |
2009 Total |
2010 Total |
|
6 |
1.0 |
1 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
7 |
2.0 |
3 |
3.0 |
3.0 |
|
8 |
24.5 |
22 |
20.0 |
21.0 |
|
9 |
4.5 |
4 |
3.0 |
3.0 |
|
10 |
5.0 |
4 |
7.5 |
3.5 |
|
11 |
6.0 |
5 |
6.0 |
7.0 |
|
13 |
4.0 |
4 |
4.0 |
4.0 |
|
Total |
43 |
42 |
40.5 |
42.5 |
|
Grade |
2007 Total |
2008 Total |
2009 Total |
2010 Total |
|
6 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
1.0 |
|
7 |
3.00 |
3.00 |
4.00 |
4.0 |
|
8 |
25.00 |
22.00 |
24.00 |
23.0 |
|
9 |
6.00 |
5.00 |
4.00 |
3.0 |
|
10 |
7.00 |
9.00 |
13.00 |
4.0 |
|
11 |
6.31 |
8.31 |
8.51 |
8.8 |
|
13 |
5.00 |
5.00 |
6.00 |
4.0 |
|
Total |
50.31 |
46.31 |
51.51 |
47.8 |
|
Grade |
2007 Total |
2008 Total |
2009 Total |
2010 Total |
|
6 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
7 |
1.00 |
2.00 |
2.00 |
2.00 |
|
8 |
12.66 |
12.66 |
10.66 |
10.66 |
|
9 |
2.00 |
1.00 |
2.00 |
1.00 |
|
10 |
5.00 |
5.00 |
8.20 |
4.00 |
|
11 |
5.00 |
4.00 |
4.00 |
4.00 |
|
13 |
7.50 |
7.50 |
5.80 |
5.80 |
|
Total |
29.66 |
30.66 |
28.96 |
27.96 |
|
Grade |
Staff |
|
6 |
Manager |
|
7 |
Assistant Manager |
|
8 |
Certs & Standards Officer, Curriculum Officer, Development Officer, Instructor, Apprenticeship Instructor, ProjectCo-Ordinator, Training Officer/Adviser |
|
9 |
Instructor, Apprenticeship Instructor, Training Officer |
|
10 |
Administration Assistant, Assistant Curriculum Officer, Instructor, Apprenticeship Instructor, Senior Storeperson |
|
11 |
Canteen Supervisor, Clerical Officer, Cook, Occupational Health Nurse, Storeperson |
|
13 |
General Assistant |
|
Training Centre |
31.01.2007 |
31.01.2008 |
31.01.2009 |
31.01.2010 |
|
Tallaght |
533 |
427 |
382 |
767 |
|
Finglas |
941 |
966 |
872 |
813 |
|
Athlone |
1,757 |
2,007 |
1,875 |
1,730 |
|
Sligo |
882 |
912 |
953 |
857 |
|
Total |
4,113 |
4,312 |
4,082 |
4,167 |
152 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of persons who applied for positions on the board of FÁS; the number short-listed; the number interviewed; the dates on which interviews took place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6230/10]
Following the publication of an advertisement, the Department received 127 expressions of interest in relation to membership of the Board of FÁS. A selection process was put in place in my Department, which resulted in a short-list of 28 persons. Following consultation with the Minister for Social and Family Affairs and the Minister for Education and Science, as required by the Labour Services (Amendment) Act 2009, I appointed the members to the Board of FÁS.
153 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the assistance available to self-employed persons who are struggling yet wish to continue in self-employment due to future contract plans; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6302/10]
In the time available it is not possible to provide the information requested.
155 Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, further to Parliamentary Question No. 209 of 3 November 2009, if payment of statutory redundancy will be awarded to the person (details supplied) in view of the fact that further information requested from the employer has been submitted. [6401/10]
My Department administers the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) in relation to redundancy matters on behalf of the Department of Social and Family Affairs. There are two types of payment made from the SIF — rebates to those employers who have paid statutory redundancy to eligible employees, and statutory lump sums to employees whose employers are insolvent and/or in receivership/liquidation. I can confirm that my Department received lump sum applications in respect of the individuals concerned on 13 July, 2009. I understand that their claims have been processed and that payment is expected to issue within the next two weeks.
156 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when a statutory redundancy payment will be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6448/10]
My Department administers the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) in relation to redundancy matters on behalf of the Department of Social and Family Affairs. There are two types of payment made from the SIF — rebates to those employers who have paid statutory redundancy to eligible employees, and statutory lump sums to employees whose employers are insolvent and/or in receivership/liquidation. The Redundancy Payments System of my Department does not have on record any redundancy claim on behalf of the individual referred to. If the Deputy is in a position to provide further details, I would be happy to pass these on to my Department or, alternatively, contact could be made by the individual directly with my Department.
157 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of new work permits issued in each of the past five years; the number approved in each year for persons already resident here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6451/10]
Employment Permit Statistics for each of the last 5 years are shown in the table below. Information in relation to those approved for persons already resident in the State is not readily identifiable and will be supplied to the Deputy at a later date.
|
New Permits |
Renewals |
Group |
Issued |
|
|
2005 |
7,354 |
18,970 |
812 |
27,136 |
|
2006 |
7,298 |
16,600 |
956 |
24,854 |
|
2007 |
10,134 |
13,457 |
13 |
23,604 |
|
2008 |
8,481 |
5,086 |
13,567 |
|
|
2009 |
4,024 |
3,938 |
7,962 |
158 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if all the portable electrical equipment in her Department, funding groups and subsidiary companies have portable appliance test certificates as required by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulation S.I. No. 299 of 2007; if not, the reason for same; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a PAT must be carried out on all moveable electrical equipment in offices, centres and so on, to ensure the safety and welfare of both employees and employers; if her further attention has been drawn to the fact that records of all such tests must be kept for at least five years to allow the Health and Safety Authority to carry out random spot checks and that insurance companies and underwriters are already seeking proof of compliance prior to renewal of policies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6457/10]
According to the definition of portable electrical equipment in the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007, the only portable electrical equipment used by my Department and the Offices of my Department would be floor cleaning equipment such as vacuum cleaners and buffers. For this type of electrical equipment there is an obligation on the Department and other employers to ensure that any such equipment, which is exposed to conditions likely to cause deterioration and consequent danger, undergoes a visual check by the user/employee and is periodically inspected by a person competent to assess the ongoing safety of the equipment.
Not all portable electrical equipment used at a workplace requires a test certificate according to the Health & Safety Authority. In cases where the equipment is subject to conditions causing deterioration then the equipment and associated leads and plug tops must be tested and certified by a person competent to carry out such tests. If the certificate issued by the competent person indicates that the equipment is unsafe to use, then that equipment must not be used until it has been made compliant and has been certified as such.
Following advice received from an outside competent person in the Health & Safety area, the relevant staff of my Department and the Offices of my Department have been required for the past few years to carry out visual checks prior to using portable electrical equipment in order to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that such equipment is safe to use. It is the policy of my Department to ensure that a competent person carries out inspections on any portable equipment used by relevant staff in the Department and the Offices of the Department following a visual check by a staff member who may have concerns on safety grounds or following a Risk Assessment and any such equipment is not used by staff of the Department until it has been certified as safe to use by the competent person.
159 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will respond to correspondence received from an individual (details attached) in relation to a proposal to organise a seminar associated with securing employment. [6473/10]
I am aware of the correspondence enclosed with the Deputy's question, which was sent separately to the Department. It is being studied and will be replied to substantively in due course. Regarding the specific issue of the DELL and related redundancies in Raheen in January 2009, FÁS has provided guidance service and training courses to over 1,500 workers made redundant. Enterprise Ireland and the local Vocational Education Committees also continue to promote and offer their business advice, grant aid and educational services. A number of affected workers have already enrolled on training courses and in further and third level education at institutions in the Mid-West region to date.
To ensure that all relevant supports across all service providers are coordinated in a timely and effective manner any private service provider seeking to assist DELL workers — as referred to in the attachments to the Deputy's question — should in the first instance contact the FÁS European Globalisation Fund Coordination Unit (FECU) on 061 487900.
160 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, further to Parliamentary Question No. 189 of 2 February 2010, her plans to rectify the issue outlined in the question. [6612/10]
As I said in my earlier reply, FÁS training allowances are aligned to a person's entitlement to supports for jobseekers and Department of Social and Family Affairs rules. Consequently, where a trainee is entitled to a DSFA benefit at course commencement, he/she will receive a FÁS training allowance for the duration of the training course. If a trainee is not entitled to a DSFA benefit at the commencement of the training course then he or she will not receive a training allowance.
161 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the fact that workers here are being denied their rights due to the inadequate transposition of the EU directive on part-time work; the steps she will take to ensure that clause 5.3 of the directive is implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6658/10]
I am satisfied that Clause 5.3 of Council Directive 97/81/EC concerning the Framework Agreement on part-time work concluded by UNICE, CEEP and the ETUC, has been correctly transposed by way of the Protection of Employees (Part-Time Work) Act 2001. I note that this is confirmed by a 2003 report on the implementation of the Directive undertaken by the European Commission's services. Clause 5.3 of the Framework Agreement is not a mandatory provision. It requires that, as far as possible, an employer should give consideration to a request by workers to transfer from full-time work to part-time and vice-versa. Ireland has, accordingly, met its responsibilities in relation to transposition of this clause of the Framework Agreement by way of a Code of Practice implemented under Section 13 of the Protection of Employees (Part-Time Work) Act 2001.
The Labour Relations Commission prepared a code of practice, based on the provisions in Section 13 of the Protection of Employees (Part-Time Work) Act 2001, following consultation with the social partners. It was deemed to be a code of practice and implemented, in 2006, by the Industrial Relations Act 1990 (Code of Practice on Access to Part-Time Working) (Declaration) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 8 of 2006). Under Section 42(4) of the Industrial Relations Act 1990, the code is admissible in evidence in any proceedings before a court, the Labour Court, the Labour Relations Commission, the Employment Appeals Tribunal or the Equality tribunal.
162 Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a company (details supplied) refuses to comply with the Labour Court recommendations, the next steps that can be taken by the employees’ union; if there is any recourse for companies that refuse to comply with Labour Court recommendations, having gone through the process; if not, the reason for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6715/10]
The industrial dispute involving workers from the company in question resulted from workers' concerns over the company's cost cutting proposals, involving redundancies and the introduction of new contracts of employment for the remaining workforce. The issues were referred to the Labour Court under section 20(1) of the Industrial Relations Act 1969 and the union undertook to be bound by the Court's recommendation. The Labour Court hearing took place on the 28th September, 2009. The company did not attend the Court hearing, but provided a written statement setting out its position on the matters in dispute. The Labour Court issued its recommendation on 12 October 2009.
The Labour Court recommended that the company should pay redundancy terms of 6 weeks pay per year of service, inclusive of statutory entitlement. Any outstanding issues that could not be agreed between the parties, including the issue of selection criteria for redundancy, should be referred to an Arbitrator for final decision. I understand that the company agreed to accept the Labour Court Recommendation. Subsequently, a resolution to several issues in dispute was achieved at talks between the company and the union. In November 2009, the Labour Court nominated Mr Finbarr Flood as Arbitrator to consider the remaining outstanding issues. The Arbitrator met with the parties and issued his final and binding decision to the parties.
The Labour Court is a court of last resort in the industrial relations process, and it is expected that the parties come to the process in good faith and consequently are prepared to give serious consideration to the Court's recommendations. Ultimately, however, responsibility for the resolution of trade disputes is a matter for the parties involved. In my view, the experience and expertise of the Labour Court undoubtedly offers the best avenue for resolving the issues in this difficult dispute. In this context, I would urge the company to give positive consideration to the Court's recommendation on the dispute and to abide by the final decision made by the arbitrator appointed by the Court in this matter. In view of renewed contacts that I understand to have been pursued in a constructive spirit between the parties subsequent to the Labour Court's recommendation, I would urge all concerned to bring that same spirit to bear on the current situation.
163 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will ascertain from FÁS if the changes announced in the budget 2010 regarding FÁS training allowances apply to course participants that were on training courses prior to the changes being introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6737/10]
FÁS trainee allowances are directly linked to Department of Social and Family Affairs (DSFA) benefits received by those persons who are unemployed. Consequently, any change to the rate of DSFA benefits is also applied to FÁS trainees, including those who may have already been enrolled on a FÁS training course prior to the 2010 Budget adjustments.
164 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, further to Parliamentary Question No. 213 of 26 January 2010, her views on creating an exemption to such a requirement in the usage of the Small Claims Court procedure by limited companies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6782/10]
A consequence of the corporate right to sue and be sued is that a company cannot appear in court except through its solicitor or counsel, (unless the company is being prosecuted on indictment when it may appear in court by a representative appointed by the company). In the Battle v Irish Art Promotion Centre Ltd [1968] IR252, the Supreme Court refused such an application on the basis that the company was a different person, separate and distinct from its controlling shareholder. The Court also said that "a limited company cannot be represented in court proceedings by its managing director or other officer or servant. This is an infirmity of the company which derives from its very own nature. The creation of the company is the act of its subscribers; the subscribers, in discarding their own personae for the persona of the company, doubtless did so for the advantages which incorporation offers to traders. In seeking incorporation they thereby lose the right of audience which they would have as individuals; but the choice has been their own."
As I indicated in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 213 of 26 January 2010, the Supreme Court decision in the Battle's case is settled law here for some time, I am reluctant to undertake any review of the matter in the absence of some compelling grounds or demonstrated need for doing so. Notwithstanding the foregoing I understand that my colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law reform has with effect from 11 January 2010, introduced new Court Rules to extend the current remit of the Small Claims Court procedure to include certain business claims. The new rules will facilitate claims from a business against another business in respect of goods or services not exceeding €2,000.
165 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if FÁS records the educational attainment of those individuals entering community employment schemes; if so, if she will detail the educational attainment of individuals entering community employment schemes in 2007, 2008 and 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6792/10]
The table below sets out by number the educational attainment levels of those individuals entering Community Employment schemes in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
|
Education |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
|
Primary/none/no information |
5,248 |
4,413 |
3,686 |
|
Junior |
3,514 |
3,196 |
3,429 |
|
Leaving |
2,329 |
2,357 |
2,593 |
|
Level 6 Higher Certificate |
1,112 |
1,052 |
1,008 |
|
Level 7 Ord. Bachelor Degree |
442 |
368 |
383 |
|
Level 8 Hon. Bachelor Degree |
299 |
276 |
288 |
|
Level 9 Masters Degree/Post Grad Dip. |
22 |
49 |
90 |
|
Level 10 Doctoral Degree/Higher Doctorate |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
12,967 |
11,712 |
11,478 |
166 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of civil and public servants that have signed up for the cycle to work scheme; the cost of the scheme to date in 2010. [7573/10]
The number of staff in my Department and in the Offices of my Department who have signed up for the cycle to work scheme is 28. While the scheme is cost neutral to my Department, the total paid to date amounts to €20,988.79. I have no information about the take up of the scheme in the State Agencies that come under the aegis of my Department as that is a day to day administrative matter for each of the State Agencies.
167 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Finance if he has had any discussions on the ring-fencing of the tax on betting for the purpose of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund; his views whether it would be appropriate to ring-fence the moneys accruing from the Criminal Assets Bureau activities to the Exchequer for the purposes of community development or drugs projects in the areas affected by criminal drugs gangs and their activities. [6356/10]
186 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Finance his views on the ring-fencing of the tax on betting for the purposes of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund; his further views whether it would be appropriate to ring-fence the moneys accruing from Criminal Assets Bureau activities to the Exchequer for the purposes of community development or drugs projects in the areas affected by criminal drugs gangs and their activities. [6357/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 186 together.
The Deputy may wish to note that the 2009 Budget publications announced that arrangements would end whereby the annual payment to the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund would be automatically calculated by reference to the previous year's betting duty or the contribution to the Fund in the year 2000 adjusted for inflation. On the general question of ring-fencing funds, earmarking revenues for a specific expenditure programme would, in general, constrain the government in the implementation of its overall expenditure policy. In addition, if certain revenues were earmarked for particular projects any projects thus funded would be dependent on actual revenue collected from that source. Therefore, a fall in revenue generated by that source could imply a fall in expenditure on such projects.
I should point out that the proceeds from CAB are returned to the Exchequer. These funds are held in the Central Fund which is provided for under Article 11 of the Constitution. This fund, except where provided otherwise by law, is the destination of all State revenues and the source of all Government spending. It is not the policy to earmark funds from particular sources for specific projects. Furthermore, it is indeed a matter for Ministers in the first instance to prioritise their spending programmes in a cost effective way within the resources allocated to them.
168 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Finance if he will respond to a proposal (details supplied) that is designed to generate revenue for the Exchequer and promote enterprise opportunities for Irish purveyors of such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6061/10]
I have no plans to introduce a port tax on international lorries coming into the state.
169 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Finance the percentage of civil and public servants that have moved location under the decentralisation programme; the absolute number of civil and public servants that have moved location; the locations of all decentralised civil and public service offices to date; the position regarding the decentralisation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6063/10]
Just over 3,000 posts have relocated to date under the decentralisation programme, to almost 40 locations. Moves to Buncrana (Department of Social and Family Affairs) and to Trim (OPW) are under way at present and the buildings at Wexford (Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government) and Newbridge (Department of Defence) are expected to be ready for occupation by the Summer. This will bring the total number of staff moved under the programme to approximately 3,400 during the first half of this year. The project in Roscommon Town has commenced and I am hopeful that project in Tipperary Town and Portlaoise will commence in 2010.
In light of the budgetary constraints and affordability issues, I decided in the context of the Budget in December 2009 to defer proceeding with permanent accommodation in respect of the following priority projects: Carlow (Department of Enterprise Trade & Employment); Mullingar (Department of Education & Science); The Curragh (Defence Forces); Claremorris (Office of Public Works); Charlestown (Department of Community Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs); and Drogheda ( Department of Social & Family Affairs). All deferred locations will be considered as part of an overall review of the programme in 2011. Full details in respect of the total number of posts due to move, the posts moved and the posts deferred, as well as the property status of each project, are set out in the attached table. The Government's policy on public service numbers has impacted on overall numbers and has led to a reduction in numbers across individual locations.
|
Location |
Organisation |
Total Posts |
Total Posts deferred |
Posts Moved |
Posts yet to Move |
% moved at December 2009 |
Property Status |
|
Arklow |
NSAI |
124 |
124 |
0% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
Athlone |
Education & Science |
88 |
88 |
100% |
Complete |
||
|
Athlone |
Higher Education Authority |
64 |
64 |
0% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
Athy |
Office of the Revenue Commissioners |
253 |
180 |
73 |
29% |
Advance party in place — to be reviewed in 2011 |
|
|
Ballina |
Road Safety Authority |
62 |
62 |
100% |
Complete |
||
|
Ballinasloe |
National Roads Authority |
110 |
110 |
0% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
Birr |
FÁS |
398 |
378 |
20 |
5% |
Advance party in place — to be reviewed in 2011 |
|
|
Buncrana |
Social & Family Affairs |
102 |
87 |
15 |
85% |
Complete |
|
|
Carlow |
Enterprise Trade & Employment |
257 |
154 |
103 |
40% |
Advance party in place — to be reviewed in 2011 |
|
|
Carrick-on-Shannon |
Central Fisheries Board |
54 |
54 |
0% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
Carrick-on-Shannon (Phase I) |
Social & Family Affairs |
159 |
159 |
100% |
Complete |
||
|
Carrick-on-Shannon (Phase II) |
Social & Family Affairs |
90 |
90 |
0% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
Carrickmacross |
Social & Family Affairs |
85 |
85 |
0% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
Cavan |
Communications, Energy & Natural Resources |
301 |
244 |
57 |
19% |
Advance party in place — to be reviewed in 2011 |
|
|
Cavan/Portlaoise/Galway |
HIQA |
80 |
80 |
0% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
Charlestown |
Community Rural & Gaeltacht |
164 |
64 |
100 |
61% |
Advance party in place — to be reviewed in 2011 |
|
|
Claremorris (Phase I) |
Office of Public Works |
104 |
73 |
31 |
30% |
Advance party in place — to be reviewed in 2011 |
|
|
Claremorris (Phase II) |
Office of Public Works |
38 |
38 |
0% |
Deferred |
||
|
Clifden |
Pobal |
42 |
17 |
25 |
60% |
Advance party in place — to be reviewed in 2011 |
|
|
Clonakilty |
Agriculture, Fisheries & Food |
86 |
85 |
1 |
99% |
Complete |
|
|
Clonakilty |
BIM |
90 |
18 |
72 |
20% |
Complete |
|
|
Clonakilty |
Sea Fisheries Protection Authority |
47 |
47 |
100% |
Complete |
||
|
Cork |
HIQA |
100 |
44 |
56 |
44% |
Complete |
|
|
Curragh |
Defence Forces |
413 |
413 |
0% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
|
Location |
Organisation |
Total Posts |
Total Posts deferred |
Posts Moved |
Posts yet to Move |
% moved at December 2009 |
Property Status |
|
Donegal |
Social & Family Affairs |
258 |
258 |
0% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
Drogheda |
Transport |
37 |
37 |
0% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
Drogheda |
Citizens Information Board |
49 |
49 |
0% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
Drogheda |
Local Government Computer Service Board |
101 |
101 |
0% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
Drogheda |
Railway Safety Commission |
16 |
16 |
0% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
Drogheda |
Social & Family Affairs |
499 |
499 |
0% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
Dundalk |
Sustainable Energy Ireland |
34 |
23 |
11 |
32% |
Advance party in place — to be reviewed in 2011 |
|
|
Dungarvan |
OSI |
206 |
206 |
0% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
Edenderry |
FETAC |
44 |
44 |
0% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
Edenderry |
HETAC |
34 |
34 |
0% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
Edenderry |
NQAI |
18 |
18 |
0% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
Enniscorthy |
Bord Bia |
76 |
76 |
0% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
Fermoy |
Agriculture Fisheries & Food |
100 |
100 |
0% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
Gaoth Dobhair (Phase I) |
Foras Na Gaeilge |
5 |
5 |
0% |
Approved by Government to proceed |
||
|
Gaoth Dobhair (Phase II) |
Foras na Gaeilge |
25 |
25 |
0% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
Kanturk |
Office of Public Works |
88 |
88 |
0% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
Kildare |
Office of the Revenue Commissioners |
380 |
380 |
0% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
Kildare (Naas) |
Finance — CMOD |
30 |
30 |
0% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
Kilkenny |
Environment, Heritage & Local Government |
62 |
62 |
0% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
Kilkenny |
Arts Council |
49 |
49 |
0% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
Killarney |
Arts, Sports & Tourism |
103 |
79 |
24 |
77% |
Complete |
|
|
Killarney |
Irish Sports Council |
31 |
31 |
0% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
Kilrush |
Office of the Revenue Commissioners |
57 |
57 |
100% |
Complete |
||
|
Limerick |
Foreign Affairs |
134 |
134 |
100% |
Complete |
||
|
Listowel |
Office of the Revenue Commissioners |
52 |
52 |
100% |
Complete |
|
Location |
Organisation |
Total Posts |
Total Posts deferred |
Posts Moved |
Posts yet to Move |
% moved at December 2009 |
Property Status |
|
Longford |
Irish Prison Service |
133 |
133 |
100% |
Complete |
||
|
Loughrea |
Road Safety Authority |
40 |
40 |
100% |
Complete |
||
|
Loughrea |
Transport |
10 |
10 |
100% |
Complete |
||
|
Macroom |
Agriculture Fisheries & Food |
100 |
100 |
0% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
Mallow |
Fáilte Ireland |
163 |
163 |
0% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
Mitchelstown |
CIÉ Group |
200 |
200 |
0% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
Monaghan |
Combat Poverty Agency |
25 |
25 |
0% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
Mullingar |
Education & Science |
297 |
290 |
7 |
2% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
|
|
Na Forbacha |
Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs |
13 |
12 |
1 |
92% |
Complete |
|
|
Naas |
IAASA |
13 |
12 |
1 |
92% |
Complete |
|
|
Naas |
Health Service Executive |
300 |
300 |
0% |
Deferred |
||
|
Navan |
Coroners Service |
4 |
4 |
100% |
Complete |
||
|
Navan |
Garda Civilian HR Division |
38 |
38 |
100% |
Complete |
||
|
Navan |
National Property Services Regulatory Authority |
9 |
9 |
100% |
Complete |
||
|
Navan |
Office of the Director of Probation Service |
15 |
15 |
100% |
Complete |
||
|
Navan |
Office of the Revenue Commissioners |
100 |
100 |
100% |
Complete |
||
|
New Ross |
Environment, Heritage & Local Government |
125 |
125 |
0% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
Newbridge |
Defence |
201 |
201 |
0% |
Approved by Government to proceed |
||
|
Newbridge |
Defence Forces HQ |
43 |
43 |
0% |
Approved by Government to proceed |
||
|
Newcastlewest |
Office of the Revenue Commissioners |
52 |
52 |
100% |
Complete |
||
|
Portarlington |
Data Protection Commissioner |
23 |
23 |
100% |
Advance party in place — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
Portarlington (advance party in Portlaoise) |
Equality Tribunal (civil service) |
42 |
34 |
8 |
19% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
|
Location |
Organisation |
Total Posts |
Total Posts deferred |
Posts Moved |
Posts yet to Move |
% moved at December 2009 |
Property Status |
|
Portarlington (advance party in Portlaoise) |
NCCA (civil service) |
37 |
25 |
12 |
32% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
|
|
Portarlington |
NEWB |
14 |
14 |
0% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
Portlaoise |
Agriculture, Fisheries & Food |
595 |
310 |
285 |
52% |
Approved by Government to proceed |
|
|
Roscommon |
Property Registration Authority |
230 |
77 |
153 |
33% |
Approved by Government to proceed |
|
|
Roscrea |
Equality Authority |
41 |
25 |
16 |
39% |
Advance party in place — to be reviewed in 2011 |
|
|
Roscrea |
Garda Ombudsman Commission |
23 |
23 |
0% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
Shannon |
Enterprise Ireland1 |
292 |
226 |
66 |
23% |
Advance party in place — to be reviewed in 2011 |
|
|
Shannon |
Irish Aviation Authority |
102 |
102 |
0% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
Sligo |
Social & Family Affairs |
88 |
72 |
16 |
82% |
Complete |
|
|
Thomastown |
Health and Safety Authority |
116 |
83 |
33 |
28% |
Advance party in place — to be reviewed in 2011 |
|
|
Thurles |
Garda HQ — Fixed Charge Processing Section |
132 |
66 |
66 |
50% |
Advance party in place — to be reviewed in 2011 |
|
|
Thurles |
Garda HQ — Garda Central Vetting Office |
67 |
67 |
100% |
Advance party in place — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
Tipperary Town |
Private Security Agency |
32 |
32 |
100% |
Complete |
||
|
Tipperary Town |
Justice, Equality & Law Reform |
186 |
63 |
123 |
34% |
Approved by Government to proceed |
|
|
Trim |
OPW |
334 |
222 |
112 |
66% |
Complete |
|
|
Tullamore |
Finance |
130 |
122 |
8 |
94% |
Complete |
|
|
Waterford |
Environment, Heritage & Local Government |
225 |
225 |
0% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
Wexford |
National Building Agency |
63 |
63 |
0% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
Wexford |
Environment, Heritage & Local Government |
270 |
128 |
142 |
47% |
Approved by Government to proceed |
|
|
Youghal |
Public Appointments Service |
100 |
100 |
0% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
Youghal |
Valuation Office |
100 |
100 |
0% |
Deferred — to be reviewed in 2011 |
||
|
10,922 |
6,583 |
3,081 |
1,258 |
28% |
1Includes 40 Shannon Development posts absorbed into EI.
170 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will support a matter (details supplied). [6121/10]
195 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Finance his plans for persons who cannot repay their mortgage and are unable to sell their homes to clear their debt while building societies and banks want loans paid at high level fixed rates regardless of affordability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6503/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 170 and 195 together.
Home repossession should be and generally is the last resort for the lender. The preferred method of dealing with cases of arrears should be early intervention and engagement. In the revised Programme for Government we have stated that we will be:
Introducing new measures to protect families having difficulties with their home mortgage payments;
Examining ways of expanding the existing options available for dealing with debt situations;
Examining ways of expanding existing state sponsored mortgage-support measures.
I approved the setting up of the Inter-Departmental Mortgage Arrears Review Group, chaired by one of my officials, for the purpose of bringing together all relevant information in Departments and examining options, including initiatives in other jurisdictions, in relation to the matter of support for home owners facing the problems of mortgage arrears and repossessions. The Law Reform Commission (LRC) which is under the aegis of my colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality, and Law Reform is addressing the issues of debt management and enforcement. In addition I have been discussing with Cabinet colleagues possible further initiatives in this matter and will in due course be bringing proposals to Government.
Other arrangements in place to assist consumers who have fallen into arrears or are in danger of falling into arrears include the Mortgage Interest Supplement Scheme, which provides assistance where the mortgage relates to a person's principal private residence, and MABS which provides a national, free, confidential and independent service. The Financial Regulator's Consumer Protection Code requires that a regulated entity must contact the consumer as soon as it becomes aware that a mortgage account is in arrears and that it must have in place a procedure for handling accounts in arrears.
In response to the continuing difficulties being faced by mortgage holders, the Financial Regulator has written to all mortgage lenders informing them that with effect from 17 February 2010, the Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears has been amended to require that lenders must now wait twelve months from the time arrears first arise before applying to the courts to commence enforcement of any legal action on repossession of a borrower's primary residence. Contraventions of the Code may be subject to the imposition of administrative sanctions by the Financial Regulator. The requirements of the Consumer Protection Code, including those on mortgage arrears, continue to apply. The updated code and letter issued to institutions on Friday is available on the website at http://www.financialregulator.ie/processes/consumer-protection-code/Pages/codes-of-conduct.aspx.
171 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Finance the companies that have been granted contracts for projects worth more than €10 million in the period 2000 to 2010. [6147/10]
182 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Finance the companies that have been granted contracts for projects worth more than €15 million in the period 2000 to date in 2010. [6319/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 182 together.
The table below sets out the details of contracts granted by my Department and by the offices under its aegis, for projects worth more than €10 million in the period 2000 to date in 2010.
|
Office |
Date |
Company Name |
Contract Value |
Brief outline of the project |
|
Office of the Minister for Finance |
08/05/2002 |
Consortium comprising eircom and Vodafone |
Not possible to quantify as it is a drawdown facility but aggregated drawdowns likely to significantly exceed €10m |
5 year central drawdown contract for all public bodies to source voice and data telecommunications services. |
|
Office of the Minister for Finance |
01/05/2008 |
Tetra Ireland |
Not possible to quantify as it is a drawdown facility but aggregated drawdowns likely to significantly exceed €10m |
10-year central drawdown contract for all emergency and security services to source highly secure digital radio voice and data communications |
|
Office of the Revenue Commissioners |
2003-2006 |
Accenture |
€18m |
Root and branch redesign of the PAYE Employees and P35 systems and their related interfaces internally and to other departments. Re-platforming of the new system off the legacy mainframe computer and on to open servers. Incorporation in Revenue Integrated Taxation Services and Revenue On-Line Services frameworks. |
The State Laboratory, the Office of the Appeals Commissioner, the Valuation Office, the Public Appointments Service and the Commission for Public Service Appointments did not grant any such contracts during the period in question. In the time available the Office of Public Works was unable to provide the information requested. The information is being collated by that office and will issue directly to the Deputy.
172 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Finance the functions of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; the business loans which Ireland has with the bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6155/10]
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) was established in 1991 to provide finance to help build market economies in the former Soviet Bloc countries following the fall of Communism. In more recent times the mandate of the Bank has been expanded to allow lending in Mongolia and Turkey. The EBRD provides project finance and equity for banks, industries and businesses, both new ventures and existing companies. It also works with publicly-owned companies to support privatisation, the restructuring of state-owned firms and the improvement of infrastructure. Ireland joined the EBRD as a founding member in 1991 but cannot borrow from the Bank in view of the Bank's mandate.
173 Deputy Kieran O’Donnell asked the Minister for Finance the implications for parents intending to transfer ownership of a site or land to their children on foot of proposed changes in this area under the Finance Bill 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6159/10]
Transfers from a parent to a child of a site not exceeding one acre in size and €500,000 in value are exempt from both Capital Gains Tax and Stamp Duty, where the site is to be used to build the child's only or main residence. The Commission on Taxation recommended the abolition of these exemptions (recommendation 8.20). The Government considered this and other recommendations of the Commission in the context of Budget 2010 and Finance Bill 2010 but it was decided not to address these matters at this stage.
174 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the number of decisions he has taken under section 6 of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009 by direction to exempt a particular public servant or a class or group of public servants from the operation of section 2 of that Act or to modify the operation of that section, indicating the particular public servant or class or group of public servants involved; the nature of the exemption or modification involved; the dates on which any relevant decision was made; the nature of submissions made to him in relation to such decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6164/10]
178 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance his views on section 6 of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009 regarding the position of contract researchers in the higher education sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6225/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 178 together.
I refer to my reply to Questions Nos. 4758/10, 5095/10 and 5137/10 on 2 February 2009. I directed under Section 6 of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest No. 2 Act 2009 that the pay adjustments should be modified in respect of Assistant Secretary, Deputy Secretary and related grades in the civil and public service on 22 December 2009 and on 18 January 2010, and that an exemption from the pay reductions should apply in respect of public service employees that may be paid at or near the statutory minimum wage on 27 January 2010.
175 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Finance, further to Parliamentary Question No. 89 of 3 December 2009, the way a person with a disability ensures that their attention is drawn to vacancies and when they must apply in order that they are considered under the 3% target for employment in the public service for persons with disability. [6169/10]
As stated in my reply to the Deputy on 3 December 2009, the position in relation to the opportunities for employment to the Public Service generally is limited by the recruitment and promotion moratorium which was announced on 27 March last year, but the moratorium does not apply to the "Willing, Able, Mentoring Programme" and the 3 per cent target for employment for persons with disabilities. Recruitment to positions in the Civil and Public Service is carried out by the Public Appointments Service, the central recruitment agency for the Civil and Public Service and conducted in strict compliance with the Codes of Practice set out by the Commission for Public Service Appointments. Codes include the "Code of Practice governing the External and Internal Appointments of Persons with Disabilities to Positions in the Irish Civil Service and Certain Public Bodies".
All posts are advertised on the Public Appointments Service website www.publicjobs.ie and in relevant national newspapers. Candidates interested in pursuing a career in the Civil and Public Service may register as a member of the Public Jobs website. They can apply for jobs online and register for updates on new Public Service opportunities. Once registered they can receive job alerts matching their requirements via email and/or SMS text alerts. Candidates with a disability can apply for any post for which they are eligible. When registering with the website, applicants can indicate if they have any special needs and every attempt is made to provide the accommodations that might be required during the assessment process. All vacancies specify in the advertisement the closing date for receipt of applications.
The Deputy may wish to note that the Public Appointments Service has an Access Officer who can provide or arrange for and co-ordinate the provision of assistance and guidance to persons with disabilities accessing its service. I can assure the Deputy that the Government gives a high priority to policy on the employment of people with disabilities. All reasonable measures to promote and support the employment of people with disabilities continue.
The Public Appointment Service, on behalf of the Civil Service, has held recruitment competitions confined to persons with disabilities. The most recent competition was at Executive Officer level advertised in March 2007. In an effort to attract as many applicants as possible for this recruitment competition the advertisement was sent to a number of voluntary organisations representing people with disabilities. It was also advertised on the Public Jobs website, in national newspapers and was issued to each Government Departments' Disability Liaison Officer.
Officials in my Department consult with organisations that provide sheltered and supported employment to persons with disabilities. As a practical example, all Government Departments and Offices in the Civil Service participated in the Irish Association of Supported Employment Annual Job Shadow Initiative 2009. This national project is designed to bring together people with disabilities and local employers in the spirit of collaboration to enable job seekers explore the world of work. The initiative gives people with disabilities the unique opportunity to shadow a workplace mentor as he/she goes through their working day. It is envisaged that through exposure to a work setting, job seekers throughout Ireland will learn more about job requirements and employers expectations.
In addition, a number of Government Departments and Offices in the Civil Service are involved in a work experience graduate programme for persons with disabilities, known as "Willing, Able, Mentoring" (WAM) for the past six years. This programme gives practical effect to Government and Civil Service policy on improving employment prospects for persons with disabilities. This programme is not subject to the moratorium.
As the Deputy is aware the 3 per cent target for employment of persons with disabilities in the Public Service remains in place, notwithstanding the recruitment and promotion moratorium. The recent 2008 report published by the National Disability Authority stated that all Government Departments in the Civil Service achieved or exceeded the 3 per cent employment target in compliance with Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005. In relation to other areas of the Public Sector, each Minister is responsible for compliance with and reporting on the target set in the Disability Act 2005 for the employment of persons with disabilities in public bodies under his or her aegis.
176 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Finance the buildings that his Department is renting and leasing for which a building energy rating certificate has been issued; a building energy rating certificate has not been issued; and the rating for each building where a certificate has been issued. [6186/10]
All buildings offered for rent or lease from 1 January 2009 require a Building Energy Rating (BER) certificate. In addition to this requirement, all large Public Service buildings require a BER certificate in a prescribed form, so called Display Energy Certificate (DEC). For a building being offered for rent or lease it is the responsibility of the Landlord or his Agent to provide the BER certificate. Schedule 1 attached, lists the buildings leased by the Office of Public Works (OPW) since 1 January 2009. The OPW does not hold records of the BER Certificates for these buildings. The OPW has prepared Display Energy Certificates for the large rented/leased buildings listed in Schedule 2. Large leased/rented buildings for which Display Energy Certificates are currently being compiled are listed in Schedule 3.
|
Building Name |
Location |
|
Carlow CRO Storage |
Carlow |
|
Cavan Temp DSFA Office |
Cavan |
|
Westpark Business Campus Build 4000 |
Shannon |
|
Cork HIQA Decent Office |
Cork |
|
Bunbeg Temporary Garda Station |
Donegal |
|
Dublin Port Crosbies Yard DAF |
Dublin 3 |
|
Smithfield Office of Film Classification |
Dublin 7 |
|
Dublin Airport Terminal Building |
Dublin |
|
Swords Temporary DSFA Office |
Swords |
|
Swords National Museum Storage |
Swords |
|
Ballybane Garda Community Office |
Galway |
|
Lettermore GS Temporary |
Galway |
|
Portlaoise Agriculture Gandon Court |
Portlaoise |
|
Limerick Estuary House |
Limerick |
|
Monaghan Revenue MTEK |
Monaghan |
|
Wexford Temporary Dec Office 2 DEHLG |
Wexford |
|
Wexford DTC |
Wexford |
|
Building Name |
Department |
Rating |
|
29-31 Adelaide Road |
Communications, Energy & Natural Resources |
E1 |
|
6-7 Hanover St |
Justice, Equality & Law Reform |
D1 |
|
85-93 Lower Mount St |
Revenue Commissioners |
E2 |
|
Ashtowngate |
Revenue Commissioners |
E2 |
|
Carrick-on-Shannon DSFA |
Social & Family Affairs |
C3 |
|
Clondalkin SWO |
Social & Family Affairs |
C3 |
|
Customs House |
Environment, Heritage & Local Government |
C3 |
|
Davitt House |
Enterprise, Trade & Employment |
E |
|
Dept Justice Clonmel St |
Justice, Equality & Law Reform |
C3 |
|
Dockgate Galway |
Defence |
D1 |
|
Gandon House |
Social & Family Affairs |
E2 |
|
Harcourt St (76-78) |
Foreign Affairs |
F |
|
Houston Hall |
Agriculture, Fisheries & Food |
D1 |
|
Joyce House |
Social & Family Affairs |
E2 |
|
Kildare St (44) & Setanta Building |
Transport & Revenue Commissioners |
C2 |
|
Letterkenny High Road |
Revenue Commissioners |
E1 |
|
Mespil Road |
Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs |
D2 |
|
Oisín House |
Social & Family Affairs |
F |
|
Revenue Furry Park Santry |
Revenue Commissioners |
C1 |
|
Revenue Johns House Tallaght |
Revenue Commissioners |
D1 |
|
Roscrea Civil Defence School |
Defence |
D2 |
|
Building Name |
Department |
|
Atlas House — Tralee |
Refugee & Integration |
|
Balbriggan Passport Office |
Justice, Equality & Law Reform |
|
Burgh Quay (13-14) |
Justice, Equality & Law Reform |
|
Carlow Decentralised Offices |
Enterprise, Trade & Employment |
|
Clare St (22-25) |
Transport |
|
Clonmel Government Offices |
Social & Family Affairs |
|
Phoenix House |
Courts Service |
|
Dept. Education Punches Cross Limerick |
Education & Science |
|
Dún Laoghaire SWO |
Social & Family Affairs |
|
Ely Place (7-8) |
Environment, Heritage and Local Government |
|
Finglas SWO |
Social & Family Affairs |
|
Garda Harcourt Square |
Garda Síochána |
|
Harcourt Road (4-5) |
Comptroller & Auditor General |
|
Hatch St (13-15) |
Justice, Equality & Law Reform |
|
Hibernian House Cork |
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food |
|
Hynes Building Galway |
Social & Family Affairs |
|
Kings Inn St SWO |
Social & Family Affairs |
|
Lansdowne House |
Revenue Commissioners |
|
Limerick Revenue Warehouse |
Revenue Commissioners |
|
Listowel Revenue |
Revenue Commissioners |
|
Lower Grand Canal St |
Dept. Justice |
|
Mullingar SWO |
Social & Family Affairs |
|
Navan Government Offices |
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food |
|
NEPS Mullingar |
Education & Science |
|
NEPS Naas |
Education & Science |
|
Parnell House |
Companies Office |
|
Passport Office Molesworth St |
Foreign Affairs |
|
River House — Limerick |
Revenue Commissioners |
|
St. Stephen’s Green (94) |
Justice, Equality & Law Reform |
|
Thomas St SWO |
Social & Family Affairs |
|
Timberley House/Ballaugh House |
Finance/Refugees Appeals Tribunal |
|
Townsend St (157-164) |
Social & Family Affairs |
|
Wicklow Government Offices |
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food |
177 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Finance the number of external consultants currently working for or in his Department; the work they are carrying out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6201/10]
The details of the external consultants currently working for or in my Department/the offices under its aegis, together with a brief outline of the work they are carrying out, is set out in the table:
|
Office |
Details |
|
Office of the Minister for Finance |
Arthur Cox has an acknowledged expertise in the field of commercial law and its size allows it to dedicate sufficient resources to the unfolding financial issues of relevance to the section. Arthur Cox Solicitors were initially engaged on 24 September 2008 to provide legal advice in connection with the drafting of the Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Act 2008 and drafting and execution of the Guarantee Acceptance Deeds under the Scheme. Thereafter resources have been concentrated on matters arising in relation to the Scheme following its introduction, the nationalisation of Anglo Irish Bank, NAMA, the Recapitalisation Scheme and the draft legislation on the Building Societies Act. |
|
PwC are currently undertaking work for the department on reviewing the Restructuring Plans submitted by BoI, AIB and Anglo Irish Bank to the EUCommission in 2009 and which are subject to ongoing negotiation with the Commission. |
|
|
Valuation Office |
Advice is being received on the preparation of the Appropriation Accounts and the implementation of a new software package |
|
Office of the Commission for Public Service Appointments |
Matheson Ormsby Prentice are providing legal adviceInstitute of Public Administration are providing training and production of an audit manual |
|
Tierney & Associates are providing accountings services |
|
|
Noel Ryan & Associates are providing internal audit services |
|
|
Office of the Revenue Commissioners |
There are currently four firms engaged by the Revenue Commissioners to carry out consultancy services in the following areas: |
|
Consultancy services in respect of the valuation of motor vehicles and other related services. |
|
|
Consultancy on various HR issues. |
|
|
A Lean Six Sigma review of certain data processing functions. |
|
|
Office of Public Works |
Brooker Consultants are providing services relating to a Quality Management System for our Architectural Services Division. |
|
The details provided are in relation to specific consultancies paid for from Subhead A7 — Consultancy. In the course of its normal business activity, the Office of Public Works engages technical consultants on many of its projects, primarily architectural and engineering. The costs of these consultants would be included in the overall project cost. |
The Public Appointment Service, the Office of the Appeals Commissioner and the State Laboratory currently have no external consultants working for them.
179 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance the designated positions of employment added to the schedule since the Ethics in Public Office (Designated Position in Public Bodies) Regulations 2004; the designated positions of employment deleted by virtue of the Ethics in Public Office (Designated Position in Public Bodies) (Amendment) Regulations 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6237/10]
The schedule to S.I. No. 698 of 2004 (Ethics in Public Office (Designated Positions in Public Bodies) Regulations 2004) lists positions of employment in departments and offices that are prescribed for the purposes of the definition of "designated position of employment" in section 18 of the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995. Typically, these are positions that interface with the commercial sector, or are involved in public procurement, contracts, etc. This means the Ethics Acts apply, as appropriate, to persons who occupy such positions. Regulation 4 of S.I. No. 698 of 2004 also prescribes for the purposes of "designated position" all positions of employment in departments and offices, in respect of which the maximum salary is not less than the maximum salary of a principal (general service grade, Class B PRSI) in the Civil Service. This means some positions will not appear by name in either the 2004 or the 2010 statutory instruments, as the position is prescribed with reference to its remuneration and not by name.
Each year since the regulations were issued, the schedule has been updated to reflect organisational changes in the Civil Service and to bring within the remit of the Ethics Acts positions of employment in order to ensure, where a conflict of interest could arise between the public interest and an interest of a jobholder, a function will not be performed without the disclosure of that interest. Departments and offices inform my Department of the positions to be prescribed on this basis. This updating process, which keeps the remit of the Ethics Acts up-to-date, has been welcomed by the Standards in Public Office Commission in its annual reports. This annual update process results in the replacement of the Schedule to S.I. No. 698 of 2004 with a new schedule.
Appendix 1 lists positions of employment included in the schedule to the Ethics in Public Office (Designated Positions in Public Bodies) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 5 of 2010) that are not included in the schedule to the Ethics in Public Office (Designated Positions in Public Bodies) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 698 of 2004).
Appendix 2 lists positions of employment included in the schedule to the Ethics in Public Office (Designated Positions in Public Bodies) Regulations 2004 that are not included in the schedule to the Ethics in Public Office (Designated Positions in Public Bodies) (Amendment) Regulations 2010.
The inclusion of a position of employment in Appendix 2 does not necessarily mean that the position, or that the functions associated with the position, are no longer within the scope of designated positions of employment under the Ethics Acts. For example, certain positions would now be designated under separate regulations made under the Ethics Acts that are applicable to public bodies (i.e. S.I. No. 15 of 2010 (Ethics in Public Office (Prescribed Public Bodies, Designated Directorships Of Public Bodies and Designated Positions in Public Bodies) (Amendment) Regulations 2010). Certain positions may also be described differently in the schedule to S.I. No. 5 of 2010 or may now be prescribed by regulation 4 of S.I. No. 698 of 2004, while other positions may no longer exist.
|
Appendix 1 |
|
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food/An Roinn Talamhaíochta, Iascaigh agus Bia |
|
Assistant Principal Officers, Administrative Officers and Higher Executive Officers dealing with Animal Feedingstuffs, Pesticides, Genetic Resources and the Apiculture Programme in Crop Production and Safety Division and engaged in the recommending or approving of contracts or in the processing of tenders |
|
Assistant Principal Officers, Administrative Officers and Higher Executive Officers in Meat Policy Division |
|
Assistant Principal Officers, Administrative Officers and Higher Executive Officers in Personnel Division, Milk Policy Division and Animal Health and Welfare Division engaged in the recommending or approving of contracts or in the processing of tenders |
|
Assistant Principals in Seafood Policy and Development Division and Higher Executive Officers in Seafood Policy and Development Division whose duties involve fisheries resources management |
|
Assistant Principals and Higher Executive Officers in Services, Health & Safety Division engaged in the recommending or approving of contracts or in the processing of tenders. |
|
Assistant Principal Officers and Higher Executive Officers in Erad Division/Veterinary Medicines Division, Food Safety Liaison Division, National Beef Assurance Scheme, Corporate Affairs Division, Finance Division and Laboratory Administration Unit engaged in the recommending or approving of contracts or in the processing of tenders |
|
Assistant Principal Officers and Higher Executive Officers dealing with applications, payments and contracts in the Forest Service |
|
Assistant Principal Officers and Higher Executive Officers in Livestock Division involved in making grants in aid to Agri-Food Organisations |
|
Assistant Principal Officers and Higher Executive Officers in On Farm Investments, Subsidies and Storage Division |
|
Assistant Principal Officers and Higher Executive Officers in Internal Audit Unit |
|
Assistant Principal Officers and Higher Executive Officers in the Suckler Herds Section engaged in the recommending, approving of contracts or in the processing of tenders |
|
Superintending Surveyors, Assistant Principal Officers and Higher Executive Officers in the Single Payment Division, engaged in the recommending or approving of contracts or in the processing of tenders |
|
Assistant Principal Officers in the Accounts Division, Meat Hygiene Section and Animal By-Products Section |
|
Assistant Principal Officers, Higher Executive Officers, Area Superintendents and Agricultural Inspectors in the Agriculture Appeals Office |
|
Veterinary Inspectors in the Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy and Animal By-Products Division engaged in the recommending or approving of contracts or in the processing of tenders |
|
Agricultural Inspectors, Assistant Agricultural Inspectors, Forestry Research Manager and Forestry Research Coordinator engaged in the recommending of funding under the Food Institutional Research Measure, Stimulus Research Fund and COFORD/Forestry Research Programmes |
|
Tree Improvement and Silviculture Officer |
|
Agricultural Inspectors and Assistant Agricultural Inspectors in Feedingstuffs, Fertilisers, Grain, Pigs and Poultry Division, engaged in the recommending or approving of contracts or in the processing of tenders |
|
Agricultural Inspectors and Assistant Agricultural Inspectors in Integrated Controls Division, engaged in the recommending or approving of contracts or in the processing of tenders |
|
Forestry Inspectors Grade I |
|
Forestry Inspectors Grade II |
|
Forestry Inspectors Grade III |
|
Ecologist Grade III |
|
Archaeologist Grade III |
|
Engineer Grade I |
|
Engineer Grade II |
|
Engineer Grade III |
|
Veterinary Inspectors, Supervisory Agricultural Officer, Technical Agricultural Officers and Market Support Officers carrying out approvals/inspections at meat establishments |
|
District Superintendents engaged in the procurement of factories for the slaughter of reactors and the procurement of hauliers for the transport of reactors |
|
Agricultural Inspectors and Assistant Agricultural Inspectors engaged in the evaluation of varieties under the Crop Variety Evaluation Programme and who also engage in the recommendation of tenders and the purchase of essential equipment for the evaluation programme |
|
Agriculture Inspector engaged in the registration of varieties in the National Catalogue of Agricultural Plant Varieties and in the publication of The Official Journal of National Plant Variety Rights |
|
Agricultural Inspectors in the Potato Centre, Raphoe, the Seed Testing Laboratory and Crops Laboratory engaged in the recommending or approving of contracts or in the processing of tenders |
|
Agricultural Inspectors and Assistant Agricultural Inspectors in Horticulture and Plant Health Division, engaged in the recommending or approving of contracts/grant aid or in the processing of tenders |
|
Agricultural Inspectors and Assistant Agricultural Inspectors in Pesticide Registration and Control Division engaged in the recommending or approving of contracts or in the processing of tenders |
|
Agricultural Inspectors and Assistant Agricultural Inspectors in Pesticide Residues, Plant Health and Seed Testing Laboratory Division engaged in the recommending or approving of contracts or in the processing of tenders |
|
Agricultural Inspectors and Assistant Agricultural Inspectors in the Dairy Science Laboratories at Backweston, Cork and Limerick |
|
Agricultural Inspectors and Assistant Agricultural Inspectors in Seed Testing and Plant Pathology Laboratories |
|
The Chief Technologists, Deputy Chief Technologists, Quality Managers and Senior Seed Analysts |
|
Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism/An Roinn Ealaíona, Spóirt agus Turasóireacht |
|
Professional Accountant |
|
Assistant Principal, Corporate Support Unit |
|
Assistant Principal, Arts Capital Grants |
|
Assistant Principal, Director Grants Programmes, Culture Ireland |
|
Assistant Principal, Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme |
|
Assistant Principals, Tourism Development |
|
Assistant Principals, Tourism Marketing Policy and Impact Assessment |
|
Assistant Principal, Arts, Film and Music |
|
Assistant Principals, Cultural Institutions |
|
Assistant Principal, Cultural Institutions Special Projects |
|
Assistant Principal, Stadium/Sports Campus/Major Projects |
|
Assistant Principals, Sports Capital Review |
|
Assistant Principal, Sports Section |
|
Assistant Principal, Internal Audit Unit |
|
Assistant Principal, Director of Major Projects and Communications Culture Ireland |
|
Higher Executive Officer, Corporate Support Unit |
|
Higher Executive Officer, Arts Capital Grants |
|
Higher Executive Officer, Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme |
|
Higher Executive Officers, Tourism Development |
|
Higher Executive Officers, Tourism Marketing Policy and Impact Assessment |
|
Higher Executive Officer, Culture Ireland |
|
Higher Executive Officers, Arts, Film and Music |
|
Higher Executive Officers, Cultural Institutions |
|
Higher Executive Officer, Sports Unit |
|
Higher Executive Officer, Internal Audit Unit |
|
The National Archives/An Chartlann Náisiúnta |
|
ICT Manager |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
|
Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources/An Roinn Cumarsáide, Fuinnimh agus Acmhainní Nádúrtha |
|
Assistant Principals (Corporate Planning & Finance Unit) |
|
Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs/An Roinn Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta |
|
Administrative Officers |
|
Agricultural Inspector |
|
Assistant Agricultural Inspector |
|
Engineer Grade I |
|
Engineer Grade II |
|
Chief Placenames Officer |
|
Higher Placenames Officer |
|
Placenames Officer |
|
Translator |
|
Accountant Grade I |
|
Department of Education and Science/An Roinn Oideachais agus Eolaíochta |
|
Assistant Principals, Higher Executive Officers, Executive Officers Information Technology Unit |
|
Assistant Principals and Higher Executive Officers Accommodation & Services Unit |
|
Assistant Principals and Training Officer, Staff Training and Development Unit |
|
Assistant Principals and Higher Executive Officers Personnel Section |
|
Assistant Principals and Higher Executive Officers Finance Unit |
|
Higher Executive Officers Internal Audit Unit |
|
Engineers, Planning and Building Unit |
|
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment/An Roinn Fiontar, Trádála agus Fostaíochta |
|
Office of Science and Technology |
|
Assistant Principal — Industrial Research & Commercialisation Committee |
|
ESF (European Social Fund) Policy and Operations Unit |
|
Assistant Principal — Head of ESF Managing Authority |
|
Assistant Principal — Head of EQUAL (EQUAL Community Initiative in Ireland) Managing Authority |
|
Personnel, Training and Development Unit |
|
Assistant Principal — Training and Development |
|
Higher Executive Officer — Training and Development |
|
Assistant Principal — Personnel |
|
Assistant Principal — HR Policy |
|
EU Affairs and Competitiveness Unit |
|
Accountant Grade 1/Tax Policy Specialist |
|
Information Technology Unit |
|
Higher Executive Officer/Administrative Officer posts |
|
Internal Audit Unit |
|
Assistant Principal and equivalent posts |
|
Higher Executive Officer and equivalent posts |
|
European Social Fund (ESF) Financial Control Unit |
|
Assistant Principal and equivalent posts |
|
Higher Executive Officer and equivalent posts |
|
Organisation Unit |
|
Assistant Principal and equivalent posts |
|
Higher Executive Officer and equivalent posts |
|
Executive Officer posts |
|
Information/Quality Customer Service (QCS) and Health and Safety Unit |
|
Assistant Principal |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
|
Industrial Relations Unit |
|
Assistant Principal, Social Partnership |
|
Higher Executive Officer, Social Partnership |
|
Patents Office/Oifig na bPaitinní |
|
Senior Examiner of Patents, Patents Office |
|
Examiner of Patents, Patents Office |
|
Assistant Principal, Trade Marks Branch, Patents Office |
|
Assistant Principal, Patents Administration, General Administration and Copyright |
|
National Employment Rights Authority/an tÚdarás Náisiúnta Cearta Fostaíochta |
|
Legal Advisor |
|
Assistant Principal, Strategic Affairs |
|
Assistant Principals, Inspection Services |
|
Assistant Principal, Information Services |
|
Accountant |
|
Labour Court/An Chúirt Oibreachais |
|
Administration Manager |
|
Higher Executive Officer, Secretariat and Support Services Section |
|
Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government/An Roinn Comhshaoil, Oidhreachta agus Rialtais Áitiúil |
|
Inspector (Environment) Grade I |
|
Inspector — Building Standards Section |
|
Engineering Inspector (Housing Inspectorate) |
|
Supervising Inspectors (Housing Inspectorate) |
|
Housing Inspectors (Housing Inspectorate) |
|
Senior Building Inspectors (Housing Inspectorate) |
|
Architectural Inspectors (Housing Inspectorate) whose duties involve advising on design quality and technical aspects of various social housing programmes |
|
Planning Inspector — engaged in the recommending or approving of research contracts in relation to the Irish Spatial Data Infrastructure |
|
Assistant Principal (Franchise Section) — responsible for procurement in relation to the storage/disposal of electronic voting machines |
|
Higher Executive Officer/Administrative Officer (Franchise Section) — responsible for procurement in relation to the storage/disposal of electronic voting machines |
|
Assistant Principal (Franchise Section) — responsible for procurement of the annual advertising campaign in relation to the register of electors |
|
Higher Executive Officer (Franchise Section) — responsible for procurement of the annual advertising campaign in relation to the register of electors |
|
Senior Meteorologist (IT Division, Met Éireann) whose duties involve the management of ICT-related capital and current expenditure at Met Éireann with respect to ICT procurement and associated contracts with ICT suppliers and service providers |
|
Senior Meteorologist (Instrumentation and Environmental Monitoring Division, Met Éireann) |
|
Senior Meteorologist (Commercial Division, Met Éireann) |
|
Assistant Principal (Planning System and Spatial Policy) whose duties involve the procurement of consultants and assessment of European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funding applications from planning authorities |
|
Assistant Principal (Corporate Development-Accommodation) whose duties involve the award of service contracts |
|
Assistant Principal (Corporate Development- Decentralisation) whose duties involve the award of service contracts |
|
Assistant Principal (Corporate Development-Organisation/Training) whose duties involve the procurement of office equipment and the procurement of training |
|
Higher Executive Officer (Corporate Development-Organisation/Training) whose duties involve the procurement of training |
|
Higher Executive Officer (Corporate Development-Organisation/Training) whose duties involve the procurement of office equipment |
|
Assistant Principal (ICT Unit) |
|
Technical Officer (ICT Unit) |
|
GIS (Geographical Information Systems) Manager (ICT) |
|
Senior Architect (Architectural Heritage Advisory Unit) who acts on behalf of the Minister as statutory consultee under Part IV Planning and Development Act 2000 |
|
Senior Architect (Strategic Development Unit) who acts on behalf of the Minister as statutory consultee under Part IV Planning and Development Act 2000 |
|
Senior Architect (National Inventory of Architectural Heritage) whose duties involve the management and development of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage |
|
Assistant Principal (Heritage Policy and Architectural Protection Section) whose duties involve the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage |
|
Engineering Inspector (Water Inspectorate) whose duties involve the assessment of local authority tender award recommendations for both services and works contracts |
|
Assistant Principal (National Monuments Service) whose duties involve the authorisation or procurement of archaeological services |
|
Archaeologists whose duties involve in the provision of strategic input and recommendations on planning approvals, and in procurement or authorisation of archaeological services |
|
Quantity Surveyor Inspector (Environment) |
|
Senior Assistant Fire Adviser |
|
Assistant Fire Adviser |
|
Department of Finance/An Roinn Airgeadais |
|
Financial Services Division — Assistant Principals/Higher Executive Officers/Administrative Officers |
|
Financial Stability Social Finance Initiative — Assistant Principals/Higher Executive Officers/Administrative Officers |
|
Consolidation/Modernisation of Financial Services Legislation and Advisors Forum — Assistant Principals/Higher Executive Officers/Administrative Officers |
|
National Lottery Section — Administrative Officers |
|
Internal Audit Unit — Administrative Officers |
|
Accommodation and Services — Assistant Principal/Higher Executive Officers |
|
Departmental Training Unit- Assistant Principal/Higher Executive Officers |
|
Central Expenditure Evaluation Unit — Expenditure Evaluator/Assistant Principals |
|
Civil Service Training & Development Centre (CMOD) — Assistant Principals/Higher Executive Officer |
|
Common Systems Unit HRMS, CMOD — Assistant Principal |
|
Office of Public Works/Oifig na hOibreacha Poiblí |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
|
Senior Architect |
|
Engineer Grade I |
|
Valuer Grade I |
|
Quantity Surveyor Grade I |
|
Professional Accountant Grade I |
|
Chief Technical Officer (Government Supply Agency) |
|
Higher Executive Officers |
|
Architect |
|
Engineer Grade II |
|
Valuer Grade II |
|
Quantity Surveyor Grade II |
|
Professional Accountant Grade II |
|
Librarian |
|
Works Manager |
|
Materials Control & Purchasing Manager |
|
Assistant Chief Technical Officer |
|
Superintendent, Furniture Branch |
|
Chief Inspector of Stores |
|
Inspector of Textiles |
|
National Public Procurement Operations Unit |
|
Director |
|
Principal Officers |
|
Assistant Principal Officers and equivalent |
|
Higher Executive Officers |
|
Executive Officers |
|
Department of Foreign Affairs/An Roinn Gnóthaí Eachtracha |
|
Assistant Principal/First Secretary Outsourcing, Corporate Development Section, Development Cooperation Directorate |
|
Assistant Principal/First Secretary, Procurement Section, Corporate Services Division |
|
Assistant Principal/Procurement Officer, Irish Aid |
|
Assistant Principal, Procurement Unit (Vote 28) |
|
Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform/An Rionn Dlí agus Cirt, Comhionannais agus Arthchóirithe Dlí |
|
Financial Shared Services |
|
Assistant Principal with responsibility for IT/Personnel/Corporate Services/Financial Accounting |
|
Assistant Principal in Customer Service Unit |
|
Higher Executive Officers — IT Division |
|
Higher Executive Officer — Corporate Services |
|
Corporate Services Division |
|
Assistant Principal |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
|
Information Technology |
|
Assistant Principals |
|
Administrative Officer |
|
Higher Executive Officers |
|
Human Resources Division (Recruitment) |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
|
Human Resources Division (Training) |
|
Assistant Principal |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
|
COSC — The National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence |
|
Strategy, Support and Communications Unit — Assistant Principal |
|
Head of Administration, Assistant Principal |
|
Researchers: Higher Executive Officer and equivalent |
|
Irish Youth Justice Service |
|
Assistant Principals with authority to purchase |
|
Accountant |
|
Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service |
|
Assistant Principal Officer with power to purchase |
|
Higher Executive Officers with power to purchase |
|
Executive Officers with power to purchase |
|
The Equality Tribunal/An Binse Comhionannais |
|
Executive Officer — general purchases |
|
Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner/Oifig an Choimisinéara Iarratas Dídeanaithe |
|
Organisation & Finance |
|
Assistant Principal |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
|
Executive Officer |
|
IT Unit/AISIP (Asylum and Immigration Strategic Integration Programme) |
|
Assistant Principal |
|
Higher Executive Officers |
|
Corporate Office |
|
Assistant Principal |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
|
Human Resources/Training |
|
Assistant Principal |
|
Higher Executive Officers |
|
Office of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal/Oifig an Bhinse Achomhairc do Dhídeanaithe |
|
Organisation & Finance/IT/Corporate Office/HR/Training |
|
Assistant Principal |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
|
Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission/Coimisiún Ombudsman an Gharda Síochána |
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Corporate Services: |
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Assistant Principal Officers, Higher Executive Officers and Executive Officers with powers of purchase |
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Secretariat and Policy: |
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Assistant Principal Officer |
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HR/Training: |
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Higher Executive Officer |
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Irish Prison Service/Seirbhís Príosún na hÉireann |
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Assistant Principals with authority to purchase in the IT Directorate |
|
Higher Executive Officers with authority to purchase in the IT Directorates |
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Pharmacist in the Healthcare Directorate |
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Governor Grade II |
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Governor Grade III |
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Deputy Governors, Assistant Governors, Mechanical Inspectors and Electrical Inspectors in the Building Services Division |
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The Probation Service/An tSeirbhis Phromhaidh |
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All Assistant Principals with authority to purchase |
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All Higher Executive Officers with authority to purchase |
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Reception and Integration Agency/An Áisíneacht Fháilte agus Comhtháite |
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Assistant Principals with responsibility for procurement of transport services, procurement of accommodation in the commercial sector and with responsibility for dealing with contracts of services with State owned properties |
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Administration Officers with responsibility for procurement of accommodation in the commercial sector |
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State Pathology Service |
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Senior Scientist |
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Executive Officer |
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The Parole Board |
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Assistant Principal |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
|
The Courts Service/An tSeirbhís Chúirteanna |
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Assistant Principal Officers and Higher Executive Officers with responsibility for placing and managing external contracts |
|
Department of Social and Family Affairs/An Roinn Gnothaí Sóisialacha agus Teaghlaigh |
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Assistant Principals and Higher Executive Officers in ISD (Information Systems Division) with authority to purchase and with authority to enter into contracts |
|
Assistant Principal, Higher Executive Officers and Executive Officers in Quality Customer Services with authority to purchase and with authority to enter into contracts |
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Assistant Principal and Administrative Officer in Website Customer Contact Channel Strategy and eGovernment Strategy with authority to purchase and with authority to enter into contracts |
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Assistant Principals, Higher Executive Officers and Executive Officers in Information Services with authority to purchase and with authority to enter into contracts |
|
Press Officer |
|
Assistant Principals and Higher Executive Officers in Facilities Management Unit with authority to purchase and with authority to enter into contracts |
|
Assistant Principal in Business Architect Section with authority to purchase and with authority to enter in contracts |
|
Assistant Principal in Child Benefit Section with authority to purchase and with authority to enter into contracts |
|
Assistant Principals in Corporate Development Unit with authority to purchase and with authority to enter into contracts |
|
Assistant Principal and Higher Executive Officers in Systems Support Unit, Personnel Branch with authority to purchase and with authority to enter into contracts |
|
Assistant Principals and Higher Executive Officers in Staff Development Unit with authority to purchase and with authority to enter into contracts |
|
Assistant Principals on the Service Delivery Modernisation Team in Social Welfare Services, Sligo, with authority to purchase and with authority to enter into contracts |
|
Assistant Principals in charge of VFM Studies in the Programme Evaluation Unit with authority to purchase and with authority to enter into contracts |
|
Assistant Principals and Higher Executive Officers in Accounts Branch with authority to purchase and with authority to enter into contracts |
|
Assistant Principal and Higher Executive Officers in Household Benefits and Free Travel, with authority to purchase and with authority to enter into contracts |
|
Assistant Principal and Higher Executive Officers in Procurement/Project Governance Services with authority to purchase and with authority to enter into contracts |
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Assistant Principals and Higher Executive Officers in Client Identity Service with authority to purchase and with authority to enter into contracts |
|
Assistant Principal in Client Eligibility Services with authority to purchase and with authority to enter into contracts |
|
Assistant Principals and Higher Executive Officers in Employment Support Services, with authority to purchase and with authority to enter into contracts |
|
Department of Transport/An Roinn Iompair |
|
Assistant Principals with authority to enter into contracts and with authority to purchase |
|
Higher Executive Officers with authority to enter into contracts and with authority to purchase |
|
Surveyors within the meaning of the European Communities Merchant Shipping (Port State Control) Regulations 1998 and under the Merchant Shipping Acts 1894 to 1992 |
|
Ships Surveyors |
|
Engineering Surveyors |
|
Nautical Surveyors |
|
Marine Radio Surveyors |
|
Aeronautical Officer |
|
Transport Planner |
|
Sustainability Adviser |
|
Search and Rescue (SAR) Operations Manager (Irish Coast Guard) |
|
Pollution and Salvage Manager (Irish Coast Guard) |
|
Voluntary Services and Training Manager (Irish Coast Guard) |
|
Divisional Controller (Irish Coast Guard) |
|
Operations & Training Officer (Irish Coast Guard) |
|
Electronics Officers (Irish Coast Guard) |
|
Hydrographic Officer (Marine Survey Office) |
|
Office of the Attorney General/Oifig an Ard-Aighne |
|
Advisory Counsel Grade III |
|
Assistant Principal (Finance & Deputy Head of Administration) |
|
Assistant Principal (HR Manager) |
|
Assistant Parliamentary Counsel Grade II |
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Professional Accountant |
|
Central Statistics Office/An Phríomh-Oifig Staidrimh na hÉireann |
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Assistant Principals with authority to enter into contracts and with authority to purchase |
|
Statisticians with authority to enter into contracts and with authority to purchase |
|
Higher Executive Officers with authority to enter into contracts and with authority to purchase |
|
Executive Officers with authority to enter into contracts and with authority to purchase |
|
Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions/Oifig an Stiúrthóra Ionchúiseamh Poiblí |
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All positions of employment, in respect of which the maximum salary is not less than the maximum salary of a higher executive officer (general service grade, Class B PRSI) in the Civil Service |
|
Appendix 2 |
|
Department of Agriculture and Food |
|
Assistant Principals and Higher Executive Officers dealing with (a) Animal Feeding stuffs and Pesticides in Crop Production and Safety Division and (b) in Animal Health and Welfare Division, Beef Public Storage Division, Accommodation Division, Agricultural Structures Division, Milk Policy Division, Erad Division and Food Safety Division engaged in the recommending or approving of contracts or in the processing of tenders, |
|
Assistant Principals in Beef Export Refunds and On Farm Investments Division, Animal By-Products Section, Area Aid Division and Other Market Supports Division engaged in the recommending or approving of contracts or in the processing of tenders, |
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Chief Technologist |
|
Senior Forestry Inspectors |
|
Head of Forest Protection Service (Forest Service Section) |
|
Forestry Inspectors Grade 1 |
|
Forestry Inspectors Grade 11 |
|
Forestry Inspectors Grade111 |
|
Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism |
|
Corporate Support Division |
|
Assistant Principal in Training Unit |
|
Higher Executive Officer in Training Unit |
|
Line Divisions |
|
Assistant Principal in ACCESS Grants Unit |
|
Higher Executive Officer in ACCESS Grants Unit |
|
National Museum |
|
Head of Conservation |
|
Head of Marketing |
|
Head of Irish Antiquities Division |
|
Head of Arts and Industry Division |
|
Head of Natural History Division |
|
Keeper/Manager Museum of Country Life |
|
Assistant Principal (Administration) |
|
Facilities Manager |
|
Senior Graphic Artist |
|
Senior Photographer |
|
Education Officer |
|
Registrar |
|
The National Library |
|
Keeper |
|
Keeper — Administration |
|
Library Administration Officer (Higher Executive Officer) |
|
Office of the Attorney General |
|
Advisory Counsel Grade 111 |
|
Assistant Parliamentary Counsel Grade 11 (Statute Law Revision Unit) |
|
Assistant Principal (Deputy Head of Administration) |
|
Assistant Parliamentary Counsel Grade 11 |
|
Central Statistics Office |
|
Assistant Principal — Census Support, Dublin |
|
Assistant Principal — Training and Development, Cork |
|
Higher Executive Officer — Training and Development, Cork |
|
Higher Executive Officer — Training Policy and Support, Cork |
|
Higher Executive Officer — PMDS, Cork |
|
Assistant Principal — Personnel, Cork |
|
Higher Executive Officer — Personnel, Cork |
|
Assistant Principal/Analyst — Information Technology, Dublin |
|
Assistant Principal — Industry, Cork |
|
Statistician — Industry, Cork |
|
Assistant Principal — Information, Cork |
|
Higher Executive Officer — Information, Cork |
|
Assistant Principal — Administration, Dublin |
|
Assistant Principal — Finance, Cork |
|
Higher Executive Officer — Administration, Dublin |
|
Assistant Principal — Office Services, Cork |
|
Higher Executive Officer — Office Services, Cork |
|
Assistant Principal — Methodology and Development, Cork |
|
Statistician — Methodology and Development, Dublin |
|
Assistant Principal — Database Administrator, Cork |
|
Assistant Principals/Analysts — Systems Development Section (SDS), Cork |
|
Higher Executive Officers/Analysts — SDS, Cork |
|
Executive Officers/Analysts — SDS, Cork |
|
Assistant Principal — Networks Manager, Cork |
|
Assistant Principal — Networks Manager, Dublin |
|
Higher Executive Officers — Computer Support, Cork |
|
Higher Executive Officers — Computer Support, Dublin |
|
Statistician — Computer Support, Cork |
|
Public Appointments Service |
|
Senior Psychologist |
|
Assistant Principal, IT Manager |
|
Assistant Principal, Project Office Manager |
|
Assistant Principal, Recruitment Specialist |
|
Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources |
|
Engineers — Grade I |
|
Engineers — Grade II |
|
Engineers — Grade III |
|
SAR Operations Manager (Irish Coast Guard) |
|
Pollution and Salvage Manager (Irish Coast Guard) |
|
Voluntary Services and Training Manager (Irish Coast Guard) |
|
Surveyors within the meaning of the European Communities Merchant Shipping (Port State Control) Regulations 1998 and under the Merchant Shipping Acts 1894 to 1992) |
|
Ships Surveyors |
|
Engineering Surveyors |
|
Nautical Surveyors |
|
Marine Radio Surveyors |
|
Senior Sea Fishery Officers |
|
Sea Fishery Officers |
|
Sea Food Control Manager |
|
Assistant Principal (Corporate Planning & Finance MIF Units) |
|
Assistant Principal — Foreshore Leases & Licences (Coastal Zone Management Division) |
|
Assistant Principal — Aquaculture Licences (Coastal Zone Management Division) |
|
Assistant Principals — Chairs of grant-aid approval boards (Seafood Policy and Development Division) |
|
Assistant Principal — Deciding Officer on Sea Fishing Boat Licensing & Registration (Sea Fisheries Administration Division) |
|
Registrar General of Fishing Boats appointed under S.I. No. 294 of 1997 |
|
Appeals Officer(s) appointed under section 6 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2003 |
|
Higher Executive Officers — Deciding Officers on Sea Fishing, Boat Licensing & Registration (Sea Fisheries Administration Division) |
|
Director of Public Prosecutions |
|
Professional Officer Grade IV |
|
Prosecution Solicitor |
|
Deputy Principal Legal Executive |
|
Assistant Principal Legal Executive |
|
Higher Legal Executive |
|
Law Librarian |
|
Assistant Principal |
|
Assistant Principal/Information Technology |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
|
Higher Executive Officer/Systems Analyst |
|
Department of Education and Science |
|
Assistant Principals with responsibility for the procurement of information technology equipment, Information Technology Unit |
|
Higher Executive Officers with responsibility for the procurement of information technology equipment, Information Technology Unit (Operations Section) |
|
Higher Executive Officers with responsibility for the procurement of furniture/equipment/services, Accommodation and Services Section |
|
Assistant Principals with the responsibility for the procurement of furniture/equipment/services, Change Management Unit |
|
Higher Executive Officers with responsibility for the procurement of furniture/equipment/services, Change Management Unit |
|
Assistant Principal, Staff Training and Development Unit |
|
Training Officer, Staff Training and Development Unit |
|
Higher Executive Officers with responsibility for the procurement of furniture/equipment/services, Personnel Section |
|
Engineer Grade I and II, Planning and Building Unit |
|
Quantity Surveyor, Planning and Building Unit |
|
Architectural Assistants, Planning and Building Unit |
|
Assistant Principal, National Educational Psychological Service |
|
Higher Executive Officer, National Educational Psychological Service |
|
Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government |
|
Assistant Principal (Organisation Unit) |
|
Assistant Principal (IT Unit) |
|
Assistant Principal (Personnel — dealing with accommodation issues) |
|
Department of Finance |
|
Assistant Principal — Semi State Bodies Section |
|
Higher Executive Officer — Semi State Bodies Section |
|
Inspector of Taxes (Higher Grade) — International Financial Services Centre Section |
|
Assistant Principals — Human Resource Development Section, CMOD |
180 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance if he will reintroduce the three-year career break for civil servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6241/10]
As the Deputy will be aware that the Special Civil Service Incentive Career Break Scheme 2009 was introduced as a once-off measure that was included in the Supplementary Budget on 7 April 2009. There is no current proposal to extend the scheme.
181 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to means, such as internal audit reports or risk registers, of an agency under his Department’s remit that paid for travel for at least 52 non-staff members on a single trip that was referenced in a recent Comptroller and Auditor General report; the monitoring arrangements that are in place by his Department to ensure agency compliance with his Department’s foreign travel guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6260/10]
I understand that the Deputy is referring to the Central Bank and Financial Service Authority of Ireland. Under the Central Bank Acts and the Statute governing the European System of Central Banks the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland (the Bank) is an independent institution not subject to direction by either the Minister for Finance or the Government in the discharge of its functions. The management of travel arrangements for the staff of the Bank is determined by the executive and the Board of the Bank. I acknowledge the swift action taken by the Governor of the Bank in ending the practice of payment of travel costs to spouses of staff of the Bank accompanying them to overseas events.
183 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance his plans to ensure that the moratorium on housing repossessions and the code of conduct on mortgage arrears will be extended for those 6,400 households who have failed to pay their mortgages for a year or more and will be open to repossession of their homes from March 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6333/10]
On 27 February 2009 a Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears (the Code) was introduced for all mortgage lenders. This Code contained a requirement that lenders must wait six months from the time arrears first arise before applying to the courts to commence enforcement of any legal action on repossession of a borrower's primary residence. In response to the continuing difficulties being faced by mortgage holders, the Financial Regulator has written to all mortgage lenders informing them that with effect from 17 February 2010, the Code has been amended to require that lenders must now wait twelve months from the time arrears first arise before applying to the courts to commence enforcement of any legal action on repossession of a borrower's primary residence.
Contraventions of the Code may be subject to the imposition of administrative sanctions by the Financial Regulator. The requirements of the Financial Regulator's Consumer Protection Code, including those on mortgage arrears, continue to apply. The updated code and letter issued to institutions on Friday 5 February 2010 is available on the website at http://www.financialregulator.ie/processes/consumer-protection-code/Pages/codes-of-conduct.aspx.
While the extension of the statutory code to 12 months is a welcome development, it should be noted that it does not necessarily follow that legal action will commence once the statutory 12 month timeframe has elapsed. The revised Code on Mortgage Arrears mandates that the lender “must not seek repossession of the property until every reasonable effort has been made to agree an alternative repayment schedule with the borrower”. Further, even where legal action is being taken to obtain an order for repossession, the Code mandates the lender to maintain contact with the borrower and, if agreement can be reached “the lender must enter into repayment arrangements and put on hold proceedings in the event of agreed regular repayments being maintained.”
In addition, the Irish Bankers Federation published a Statement of Intent in November 2009 which provides further reassurance to homeowners who find themselves genuinely unable to maintain repayments on their principal private residence. The Statement of Intent has been agreed and supported by all IBF members. The IBF Oversight Committee on the implementation of the Statement of Intent will include a representation from the Money Advice and Budgeting Service. Overall, I am satisfied that the new arrangements in place provide strong protections to all mortgage-holders who are genuinely unable to meet their mortgage commitments.
184 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance the works to be undertaken at Kilkenny Castle, during the course of 2010 and in particular the work to be carried out in the long hall; his plans to use the castle grounds and long hall for events such as dinners and receptions in conjunction with local business and the hospitality sector; if the manager of events at the castle will promote the use of the castle and the parade tower locally, nationally and at international level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6340/10]
The Office of Public Works as part of an ongoing programme of improvement works at Kilkenny Castle, plans to carry out major safety upgrading works to the electrical systems in the castle. These are necessary to enable the venue to be used for suitable public events. Kilkenny Castle is recognised as a very important National Historic Property and the Office of Public Works remains committed to maintaining, managing and presenting it to the best effect. In this regard the OPW will continue to cooperate with interested external parties.
185 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Finance the implications of the EU ruling that local authority services will have VAT added in the future. [6351/10]
The Finance Bill, which was published on Thursday 4 February, includes provision to make public bodies subject to VAT in accordance with the European Court of Justice ruling against Ireland of 16 July 2009 in Case C-554/07. In summary, the VAT Act is being amended to provide that public bodies, including local authorities, are made subject to VAT where they engage in activities that could lead to a distortion of competition with private operators. More specifically, they will become subject to VAT where they engage in activities (a) other than in their capacity as a public authority (e.g. regulatory functions); (b) in the case of their capacity as a public authority when their treatment as non-taxable could lead to a distortion of competition; and (c) as outlined in Annex I of the EU VAT Directive, unless otherwise exempted, and unless the activity is carried out on such a small scale as to be negligible.
Services that will become liable to VAT include such services as waste collection, landfill and recycling services; off-street parking; toll roads; the operation of leisure facilities; rent from certain lettings of commercial property; and the supply of staff and data. It should be noted that such services are already subject to VAT if provided by a private operator. The standard or the reduced VAT rates will apply as appropriate. The changes will apply from 1 July 2010.
However, other services operated by public authorities are not being made subject to VAT by the Finance Bill provision, as they are otherwise exempted. In that context, for example, the supply of water, education, health and passenger transport services are not being made subject to VAT as they are otherwise exempted from VAT. Examples of the types of activities by public bodies where a charge applies which will remain outside the scope of VAT, include parking fines, fees for passports, driving licences etc, development levies, casual trading licences and certificates of compliance. These are purely regulatory functions.
Business customers that charge VAT will not be affected by this change as they can claim deduction for any VAT charged by a public body. The impact on private individuals, VAT exempt entities and other non-registered bodies, will depend on whether, and the degree to which, the VAT is passed on by the public bodies, which in any event should be limited somewhat since public bodies providing the service will have entitlement to deduct VAT on their inputs.
187 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance, further to Parliamentary Question No. 238 of 26 January 2010, the reason a formal reply has not yet been issued; and if he is now in a position to furnish a reply to the question. [6389/10]
Section 6 of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009 provides that, in certain limited circumstances, the Minister for Finance may by direction exempt or vary the application of the pay reductions provided for in the Act to public servants, or groups of public servants. The Minister has directed that an exemption from the pay reductions in the legislation should apply where those reductions would reduce the pay rate of public servants to, at, or below the statutory minimum wage. The direction will apply only to a small number of very atypical employments in the public service, normally linked to employment as part of intellectual disability support programmes. This exemption will apply in the case raised by the Deputy.
188 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the procedures that are in place or are proposed to be put in place following the passing of the Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Act 2005 for the appointment of civil servants to Departments and their promotion; the powers that are to be delegated by Ministers to their Secretaries General; the powers that are to be retained in regard to Civil Service regulation; the powers that will be retained in relation to the appointment, removal and discipline of Secretaries General; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6403/10]
The Deputy will be aware that the appointment and promotion of civil servants in Government Departments is regulated by the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004. The Minister for Finance is responsible for all matters relating to recruitment in the Civil Service, including: eligibility criteria, staffing numbers, grading, pay and all working conditions of civil servants. The recruitment and promotion moratorium announced on Friday 27th March 2009 applies to the civil service; the Minister for Finance has the authority to allow for the filling of some vacancies in very exceptional circumstances through recruitment or promotion.
The Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Act 2005 was enacted on 9th July 2005. The Act amended the Civil Service Regulation Act 1956 to allow the management framework set out in the Public Service Management Act 1997 to take effect. Under this framework, each Secretary General or Head of a Scheduled Office is responsible, by virtue of being the appropriate authority, for managing all matters pertaining to appointments, performance, discipline and dismissal of civil servants below Principal Officer level. Each Minister is the appropriate authority for civil servants at and above Principal level. The Government will continue to dismiss directly a civil servant who is the Head of a Scheduled Office or a civil servant who holds a position as a Revenue Commissioner.
The Act also introduced a number of other Human Resources Management (HRM) changes. These include the following:
civil servants, other than those dismissed directly by Government, were brought within the scope of the Unfair Dismissals Acts and the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts;
disciplinary action may be taken in cases of underperformance;
any suspension pending the conclusion of a disciplinary investigation will be suspension on full pay;
the range of possible disciplinary sanctions have been broadened to include suspension without pay;
people aged over 65 years may be engaged as civil servants provided they are new entrants.
The practical procedures to give effect to the 1956 Regulation Act are included in a Disciplinary Code which is agreed with the staff side under the Conciliation and Arbitration scheme. With the new Act, a new Disciplinary Code was required to take account of the emphasis on performance. This revised Code was officially agreed in June 2006.
Turning to the delegation of powers and functions under section 5 of the Civil Service Regulation Acts 1956-2005, the practical implementation of the powers in relation to the dismissal of staff envisaged in the Public Service Management Act 1997 was constrained by the Civil Service Regulation Act 1956, which provided that all established civil servants hold office at the will and pleasure of the Government; and therefore only the Government has authority to dismiss them.
However, the 1997 Act provided for amendments to the 1956 Act, subsections 5(2) and 5(3). This means that, although the Government retains ultimate dismissal authority, the Government can delegate this authority. The amended section 5(2) provides that the Government may authorise a Minister to exercise its powers of dismissal in relation to an officer at Principal level and above (who is not a Head of a Scheduled Office, or a Revenue Commissioner); while the amended section 5(3) provides that a Secretary General or Head of a Scheduled Office may exercise the power to dismiss staff below Principal level. An added protection is put in place for officers at and above Principal level, in that section 5(6) provides that a Minister cannot dismiss such an officer without having received a written recommendation to do so from the Secretary General or Head of Scheduled Office in which the officer works.
189 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Finance if employees who are absent due to maternity leave but are in continuous employment should be liable for the income levy on their maternity benefit payment when it is paid as part of their wages; if the rebate of the levy comes from their employer or the Revenue Commissioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6405/10]
The position is that maternity benefit, in common with other social welfare payments, is not subject to the income levy. If income levy has been deducted from the wages of an employee in respect of maternity benefit, the employer may deal with any levy refund arising when the employer is carrying out the end of year reconciliation. For income levy deducted and not refunded by an employer, the employee may make a claim to the Revenue Commissioners for any repayment that may be due.
190 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Finance if an unregistered farmer can make a VAT refund claim in respect of VAT incurred in the construction of a wind turbine, in view of the fact that the structure is set in concrete and therefore does alter the farm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6406/10]
Farmers who are not registered for VAT are not in the normal course entitled to credit for, or repayment of, VAT incurred by them on their business inputs. The Value-Added Tax (Refund of Tax) (No. 25) Order, 1993provides for refunds to unregistered farmers for tax borne on the “construction, extension, alteration or reconstruction of any building or structure which is designed for use solely or mainly for the purposes of a farming business”. However, while the installation of an alternative energy generator may be the construction of a structure, such a structure is not “designed for use solely or mainly for the purposes of a farming business”. It is designed rather to generate electricity for wherever required. Consequently, the installation of alternative energy generators does not come within the scope of the VAT refund order.
191 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Finance if all the portable electrical equipment in his Department and subsidiary companies have portable appliance test certificates as required by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulation S.I. No. 299 of 2007; if not, the reason for same; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a PAT must be carried out on all moveable electrical equipment in offices, centres and so on, to ensure the safety and welfare of both employees and employers; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that records of all such tests must be kept for at least five years to allow the Health and Safety Authority to carry out random spot checks and that insurance companies and underwriters are already seeking proof of compliance prior to renewal of policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6456/10]
I am aware of the requirement under section 81 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulation S.I. No. 299 of 2007 of the requirement to have certain portable electrical equipment, inspected and certified. I am advised that not all portable electrical equipment used at the workplace requires a test certificate. Under the General Application Regulations 2007, employers must ensure that portable equipment which is exposed to conditions likely to cause deterioration and consequent danger, undergoes a visual check by the user and is periodically inspected by a person competent to assess the ongoing safety of the electrical equipment. My Department has made arrangements to have the necessary inspections, and certification where relevant, carried out.
As regards the Government Offices which come under the aegis of my Department, I am informed as follows. The Office of the Revenue Commissioners has no portable electric equipment as queried by the Deputy.
In the Office of Public Works the requirements of S.I. No. 299 of 2007, Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations, are complied with and all portable equipment is maintained in a manner fit for safe use throughout the Department. The specific requirements of S.I. No. 299 for portable appliance testing of equipment exposed to conditions causing deterioration liable to result in danger is complied with in such circumstances as this applies under Safety, Health and Welfare procedures. The use of electrical equipment below a rated voltage of 125volts is in many cases a preference in areas where such dangers are anticipated. Precise information on portable appliance test certificates is not available.
The Valuation Office is not aware that any portable equipment in the Office is exposed to conditions causing deterioration liable to result in danger. The Office holds no portable appliance test certificates. The Public Appointment Service does not have portable electric equipment, which is exposed to conditions causing deterioration, requiring testing and certification. The Office of the Ombudsman is not aware that any portable equipment in the Office is exposed to conditions causing deterioration liable to result in danger, and it holds no portable appliance test certificates. All portable electric equipment in the State Laboratory has the necessary certification under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulation S.I. No. 229 of 2007. In accordance with Public Financial Procedures the Exchequer carries its own insurance.
192 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the payment of the 8% coupon rate to the Government by banks (details supplied) further to the recapitalisation of both institutions in 2009. [6474/10]
As a condition of State Aid approval, in relation to the recapitalisation by the Irish Government of both AIB and Bank of Ireland, the EU Commission required that the two banks each prepare and present restructuring plans to the Commission. The plan for Bank of Ireland was submitted on 30 September 2009 and the plan for AIB was submitted on 13 November 2009. The restructuring plans must comply with EU guidelines in this regard and have regard to EU State aid rules.
The commitment to burden sharing by the institution is a key consideration of the EU requirements for restructuring plans. Drawing on this, the EU issued guidelines in October 2009 aimed at clarifying their position on burden sharing, in particular in relation to the non-payment of discretionary coupons for hybrid capital instrument holders. The basis to the Commission's policy is to ensure that the amount of State aid should not exceed the minimum necessary and to achieve appropriate burden sharing with bond holders. Commission practice in this area is guided by the principle that transactions such as coupon payments reduce the total regulatory capital of an institution and this is incompatible with a situation where those same institutions are still reliant on State aid to fulfil regulatory capital requirements.
In response to the Commission's policy in this area, AIB and Bank of Ireland have both had to announce to the market that they cannot make discretionary coupon payments on Tier 1 and upper Tier 2 capital instruments. Non-payments of these coupons gives rise to a so-called "dividend stopper" which prevents payments on a range of other hybrid capital instruments held by the two institutions including the cash coupon on the State's Preference Shares. This would result in the activation of an alternative payment mechanism which would give rise to issuance of ordinary shares related to the cash amount of the dividend that would otherwise have been payable.
I am determined, in the context of ongoing discussions with the European Commission to secure agreement on the banks' restructuring plans, to resolve this issue to ensure that the State receives appropriate remuneration for the State's recapitalisation of these banks. Importantly, the European Commission is also open to finding a solution particularly since payment of a cash dividend on the State's Preference Shares was an important element of the Commission's approval for the State aid provided to the banks. I will keep the Deputy updated on progress in this matter.
193 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if merchants who provide credit to farmers are regulated by the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority; if there are any upper limits on the rate of interest which such merchants can charge. [6498/10]
Entities regulated by the Financial Regulator that provide credit include banks, building societies, credit unions, retail credit firms, home reversion (equity release) firms and moneylenders. These entities, excluding credit unions, must comply, inter alia, with the requirements of the Financial Regulator's Consumer Protection Code, with the exception of moneylenders who must comply with the requirements of the Regulator's Consumer Protection Code for Licensed Moneylenders. The Codes set out a number of general principles requiring regulated entities to act in the best interests of consumers and to treat consumers honestly, fairly and professionally and also include specific rules in relation to the provision of credit.
There may be other entities, outlets or arrangements through which consumers, including farmers, may receive credit. These include friendly societies, retail shops where in-store credit is provided and hire purchase arrangements. In these cases, the credit facilities provided would be outside the terms of the Consumer Protection Code and would not be regulated by the Financial Regulator. Friendly societies fall under the remit of the Registrar of Friendly Societies while credit intermediaries fall under the remit of the National Consumer Agency. Examples of credit intermediaries include garages and retailers who arrange loans, leasing and hire purchase for consumers.
The Financial Regulator has no statutory role in the setting of retail interest rates and there are no interest rate caps in relation to the industry categories which the Financial Regulator supervises in this jurisdiction, apart from the interest rate cap imposed on the credit union sector. Interest rates and products are not regulated so each institution determines the rate it charges its customers, depending on a number of factors such as cost of funds and commercial considerations such as competition, risk pricing and the impact on deposit rates.
The principal legislation under which credit unions are regulated in Ireland is the Credit Union Act 1997 as amended. One of the objects referred to in the conditions of registration of a credit union is the "creation of sources of credit for the mutual benefit of its members at a fair and reasonable rate of interest". In relation to interest on loans under Section 38 of the Credit Union Act, a credit union may charge interest on loans made to its members under certain conditions, one of which is that the interest on the loan shall not at any time exceed one per cent per month on the amount of the loan outstanding at that time. The interest on the loan shall in every case include all the charges made by the credit union in making that loan. The rate of interest charged on any class of loans granted at a particular time shall be the same for all loans of the class.
Moneylending firms in Ireland are authorised by the Financial Regulator under the Consumer Credit Act 1995. Interest rate caps for moneylenders are not provided for in this Act and the Financial Regulator does not have the power to cap interest rates on an industry wide basis. However, the Consumer Director of the Financial Regulator may form an opinion on whether the cost of credit charged by a firm is excessive. A person must not conduct moneylending unless they hold a licence and maintain a business premises which is not a residence.
194 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Finance if he will amend the policy whereby the public service pay cut is applied to civil servants on a split week basis as follows, 5% reduction on earnings up to €15,000 and 7.5% reduction on earnings above €15,000 per year; and his views whether the current policy is inequitable. [6502/10]
I refer to my reply to Question No. 4890/10 on 2 February 2010.
196 Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the recommendations of the report of the Commission on Taxation, changes will be made to the capital acquisitions tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6676/10]
The Commission on Taxation recommended the reduction of Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) business relief and agricultural relief from 90% to 75%, and an overall cap on the reduction via these reliefs of €3 million (Recommendations 8.70 and 8.71). The Commission also recommended that the two reliefs be amalgamated (recommendation 8.72). In the context of Budget 2010 and Finance Bill 2010 the Government considered these and other recommendations of the Commission but it was decided not to address these matters at this stage. The Finance Bill, which was published last Thursday, 4 February, contains proposals to reform and modernise the administration of CAT, including provisions that certain complex reliefs, including business relief and agricultural relief, can only be claimed electronically. This is in line with recommendation 5.42 of the Commission on Taxation report, that taxpayers should be required to file returns electronically where detailed data is needed to evaluate tax expenditures.
197 Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Finance the number of civil servants that availed of the cost neutral early retirement scheme for each year since 2000 to date in 2010; the number of civil servants that availed of the incentivised scheme for early retirement in 2009 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6686/10]
The number of civil servants who availed of the cost neutral early retirement scheme for each year since 2000 is as follows:
|
Year |
Number |
|
2000 |
0 |
|
2001 |
0 |
|
2002 |
0 |
|
2003 |
0 |
|
2004 |
7 |
|
2005 |
93 |
|
2006 |
70 |
|
2007 |
59 |
|
2008 |
52 |
|
2009 |
74 |
|
2010 |
1 |
|
Total |
356 |
(Please note that, as cost neutral early retirement, only came into effect in April 2004, there could be no take-up during the years from 2000 to 2003).
The number of civil servants who availed of the incentivised scheme for early retirement in 2009 and to date in 2010 is as follows:
|
Year |
Number |
|
2009 |
751 |
|
2010 |
49 to date |
|
Total |
800 |
198 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance the amount of revenue that has been generated arising from memorandums of understanding and the anti-contraband and anti-counterfeit agreements between the Government and tobacco companies in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6700/10]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the sum of $1,359,995.81 (€907,329.25) was received on 7 December 2009 in respect of Ireland's portion of the phased payments due for 2009 under Article 8 of the International Agreement concluded with Japan Tobacco International (JTI). The sum in question was transferred to the Exchequer on 22 December 2009. As previously stated Ireland does not qualify for similar payments under the International Agreement that was concluded with Philip Morris International (PMI) as Ireland was not one of the initial signatories to the Agreement, to whom such payments are confined.
Furthermore, no seizure payments were received from either of these companies in 2009 because the cigarettes seized by Ireland did not qualify for payment either because they were below the minimum threshold, or were in free circulation in the European Union or they were counterfeit. As regards, Memoranda of Understanding (MOU), while no revenue or payments flow directly from such MOUs, the tobacco manufacturers continue to co-operate and share information with Revenue in tackling cigarette smuggling.
199 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Finance if he has estimated the amount that will be raised per annum by the proposed universal social contribution when it replaces PRSI, pension and health levies; the amount forecast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6704/10]
200 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Finance the average contribution per taxpayer per annum to the proposed universal social contribution when it replaces PRSI, pension and health levies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6705/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 199 and 200 together.
The position is that, as announced in the Budget, it is my objective to introduce in 2011 a new system of just two charges on income as follows:
A new universal social security contribution will replace employee PRSI, the Health Levy and the Income Levy. It will be paid by everyone at a low rate on a wide base as a collective contribution to public services.
Income Tax will apply on a progressive basis to those with higher incomes reflecting their capacity to make a greater contribution.
Work has already commenced on this project in my Department in consultation with the relevant Government Departments and the Revenue Commissioners. This work will of course include consideration of the potential yield as well as the required contributions of individual taxpayers. The details relating to this initiative will be announced in the context of the 2011 Budget.
201 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Finance if and when a decision will be made to install a single authority to oversee the management of the River Shannon and its tributaries in an effort to reduce the incidence of unnecessary flooding causing untold hardship to so many rural families; if such authority will be empowered to impose regulations over the various constituent bodies such as Waterways Ireland, fisheries board, ESB, national parks and wildlife service, the Office of Public Works and other stakeholders that use the Shannon navigation system irrespective of their present mandates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6731/10]
A number of agencies, including the ESB, Shannon Regional Fisheries Board, relevant local authorities and Waterways Ireland have a specific statutory function or a responsibility in relation to aspects of the control and management of the Shannon basin and its water levels. The National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government also has a role in relation to managing environmental aspects of the catchment. Future management of the Shannon must take account of relevant EU legislation relating to rivers, in particular, the Water Framework Directive and the Floods Directive.
The Water Framework Directive, which is primarily concerned with water quality, is the responsibility of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, operating through a network of River Basin District committees containing representatives of major stakeholders. The Floods Directive requires that the level of flood risk in each catchment in the country, including the Shannon, should be identified and that a prioritised plan of measures be drawn up to address the risk in areas where it is significant. This is to be done by undertaking a Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study (CFRAM) for each catchment. These studies must be completed by 2015, and must be reviewed every 6 years thereafter.
The Office of Public Works will take the lead coordinating role in the carrying out of the Shannon FRAM. The study, which is expected to commence in mid-2010, will involve consultation with all of the main stakeholders, including the ESB, Waterways Ireland, National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Fisheries Board and relevant Local Authorities. The EU requires that the implementation of the Floods Directive and the Water Framework Directive should be closely coordinated in each Member State. This provides the basis for the development of an integrated, coordinated approach to the management of all matters relating to the River Shannon. The Floods Directive will be transposed into Irish law by Statutory Instrument shortly. The effect of this is, rather than creating a single agency as suggested by the Deputy, to give to the OPW the necessary statutory authority to ensure the participation of the stakeholders in the process of effectively managing flood risk in the Shannon catchment.
202 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance, further to parliamentary Question No. 83 of 21 January 2010, the extent to which he has evaluated the areas in County Kildare which have been subjected to severe flooding in the past three months; the extent to which it is intended to implement the necessary measures to ensure protection against a recurrence thereby minimising future damage to property in the areas in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6744/10]
In 2009 the Office of Public Works (OPW) introduced two new initiatives relating to the provision of minor flood alleviation works for rivers and for coastal protection and under this initiative, provided funding to Kildare County Council to complete a programme of flood relief works for the River Toni in Celbridge, Co. Kildare. These works were completed in 2009 and as a result Celbridge experienced no fluvial flooding during the recent flooding. I should also mention that I have recently extended the aforementioned scheme and increased the funding that will be made available by OPW this year. An initial allocation of €6 million is being made available for works and studies to address flooding and coastal protection which can be undertaken in 2010 compared to approximately €2 million which was allocated in 2009.
My Officials continue to meet regularly with Kildare County Council to discuss how best to prioritise the areas in the county which have a history of flooding and/or been subjected to recent flooding. As a result of these meetings Kildare County Council will be submitting flood relief proposals from other locations in the county for inclusion in the programme of minor works for 2010. It should be noted that all applications for funding of minor works will be considered by OPW and prioritised as part of the overall strategy for dealing with flooding throughout the country and it will also be a prerequisite that any works considered will take cognisance of the Liffey Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) study that forms part of the National CFRAM programme, which is being rolled out in 2010.
Furthermore, the Commissioners of Public Works have agreed to allocate funding to complete a programme of flood alleviation works in the Johnstown area, and Kildare County Council has been successful in obtaining planning approval in accordance with Part 8 of the planning and development regulations for this scheme. It is envisaged that the scheme will get underway later this year subject to the Local Authority being able to resolve outstanding issues in relation to land acquisition and site investigation.
203 Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding income tax for a person resident and working here but employed by a Northern Irish company and paid in sterling; the position regarding excise duties in view of the fact that the person would be provided with a car registered in Northern Ireland as a company car to drive here in the course of their employment. [6786/10]
The position is that an individual resident in the State is chargeable to income tax here on his or her worldwide income. In addition, even if the individual were not resident here, he or she is chargeable to tax here in respect of income and benefits arising from an employment exercised in the State. In the case outlined by the Deputy, the salary arising from the individual's employment is chargeable to income tax here under what is known as Schedule E, with the employer making deductions at source under the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system here.
Where a car is made available to an individual by reason of their employment, a charge to income tax arises in respect of this benefit in kind and the employer must also make the appropriate deductions under the PAYE system from the "cash equivalent" of the private use of the company car. Where an employer has to convert sterling to euro for the purpose of applying the PAYE system, Revenue will accept the exchange rate at either:
(a) the date of calculation, in the Employer's records, of the tax liability related to the payment, or
(b) the actual date of payment,
provided that the method chosen is used on a consistent basis, and where the rate at (a) is used, the date of calculation of the tax liability is not later than the date of payment. In addition, a vehicle provided by a Northern Irish company to an individual resident in the State for the purposes of that individual carrying out the duties here of his or her employment here must be registered in the State and the necessary Irish vehicle registration tax (VRT) paid.
The Deputy may be aware that there is a VRT and registration exemption in respect of cars temporarily imported into the State by persons established outside the State. However, from the information supplied by the Deputy, the car in question is not a temporary import and, therefore, does not qualify for VRT exemption and must be registered in the State.
204 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance, further to Parliamentary Question No. 235 of 26 January 2010, regarding the payment to interview board members, the persons who were board members, the amount they were paid in each instance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6795/10]
The information requested cannot be provided in respect of the estimate for 2010, as the number and composition of interview boards will depend on the number and nature of the positions for which interviews will be held during the year. However, a total of €334,000 was paid to individuals and organisations in respect of Interview Board Members fees in 2009. This represents 631 interview days and 70 individuals or organisations were in receipt of payments. The pay rates for Interview Board Members are determined, from time to time, by my Department and the rates were reduced by 10% in May 2009. Payments are not made to serving Civil or Public Servants who act on Interview Boards. The Public Appointments Service strives to use serving officers to act on Interview Boards, however this is not always possible.
205 Deputy Joe Behan asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the tax relief arrangements on medical expenses in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6954/10]
The position is that tax relief will continue to be granted at the marginal rate (up to 41%) in respect of nursing home fees for 2010. The person concerned may make a claim to have this included as a tax credit for the current year and should contact his local tax district in that regard.
206 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the Irish commitment at a recent meeting of the G20 to contribute to a special fund addressed to the needs of indebted countries; if the fund is to be led by the International Monetary Fund; if so, the guiding principles that exists for the fund; and if they will include debt cancellation. [6962/10]
I understand the Deputy is referring to the International Monetary Fund's New Arrangements to Borrow (NAB) which has not, however, been designed to deal with debt cancellation. The NAB is essentially a set of credit arrangements between the IMF and member countries and institutions to provide supplementary resources to the IMF to forestall or cope with an impairment of the international monetary system or to deal with an exceptional situation that poses a threat to the stability of that system. Arrangements for a new and expanded NAB are currently under negotiation.
In April 2009, G20 Leaders agreed to increase the resources available to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) by up to USD500bn, thereby tripling the total pre-crisis lending resources of the IMF to USD750, to support growth in emerging market and developing countries. This agreement was endorsed by the International Monetary and Financial Committee, the European Council and Ecofin Ministers. The increase in IMF resources is to be made in two steps:
(i) through the immediate provision of bilateral loans up to USD250bn from IMF member countries to the IMF; and
(ii) by subsequently rolling over these loans and making additional provision into an expanded and more flexible New Arrangements to Borrow NAB), increased by up to USD500 bn.
At the Spring Council 2009, the EU agreed to provide temporary bilateral loans of €75bn to the IMF. Ireland agreed to provide its share — a loan facility of €1.3bn — based on Ireland's new IMF quota. On 17 September 2009, EU Heads of State agreed to further increase support to the IMF by increasing the €75bn to €125bn (approx USD175bn) by rolling over EU bilateral loans into the new NAB and making further financial commitments to NAB. The result of this agreement for Ireland is that our share of the new and expanded NAB (based on Ireland's IMF quota) would be approximately €2bn, inclusive of Ireland's bilateral loan of €1.3bn.
On 13 January 2010, the Government decided in principle to approve Ireland's participation in the IMF's New Arrangements to Borrow (NAB), for increasing IMF resources, and Ireland's provision to the NAB of a loan facility of approximately €2bn, subject to agreement on terms and conditions. Like a number of EU countries, Ireland's provision of the bilateral loan to the IMF and participation in NAB will be met using Central Bank resources. Legislative provision for the bilateral loan and Ireland's participation in NAB will be required.
207 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance if an ex gratia sum payment which is payable to employees who take redundancy is subject to income tax; the position regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7009/10]
Statutory redundancy payments are exempt from income tax. In addition, ex-gratia redundancy payments in excess of the statutory redundancy amount are exempt from income tax up to certain limits namely—
a basic exemption of €10,160 plus €765 per complete year of service in excess of the statutory redundancy;
or
Standard Capital Superannuation Benefit i.e. 1/15th of the person's annual income (average of the last three years) for each year of employment less any tax-free lump sum which is received or receivable under any approved or statutory pension scheme.
The basic exemption from income tax as outlined above can be further increased by up to €10,000 if the person is not a member of an occupational pension scheme. This can only be claimed if the person has not made any claims in respect of a lump sum received in the previous 10 tax years. It is open to the taxpayer to choose whichever relief is of most benefit. Any amount of redundancy payment in excess of whichever exemption applies, is liable to income tax.
208 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance further to his press release of 2 February 2010 regarding the delegation of banking functions to the National Treasury Management Agency, the legislative basis on which this order is or will be based; if this order has been signed; the date on which this occurred; if not, when he will sign such an order; the date when he expects to lay this document before the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7010/10]
As indicated in my press release, the form of a draft order is currently being discussed with the Attorney General's Office. This order will provide for the delegation under the National Treasury Management Agency Act 1990 of certain banking functions to the National Treasury Management Agency. I expect these discussions to be completed shortly. Arising from these discussions an order will be made by Government which will be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as practicable thereafter.
209 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Finance the number of civil and public servants that have signed up for the cycle to work scheme; the cost of the scheme to date in 2010. [7575/10]
The number of bikes purchased by my Department and the bodies under the aegis of my Department in 2009 to date in 2010 is 278. The only material cost of the scheme to the State is the tax relief inherent in the scheme. The total amount sanctioned to date by way of cycle purchases for staff of my Department and the bodies under the aegis of my Department is €193,710.
210 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health and Children her views of the important role of an association (details supplied) in the delivery of public health services; her further views on increasing the amount of funding to that foundation annually; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6131/10]
248 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to a recent study carried out by an organisation (details supplied); the policy of her Department regarding these matters; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6599/10]
250 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will direct the Health Service Executive to meet with a foundation (details supplied) to discuss its cost and outcomes analysis of alternative models of care for young children with severe disabilities here; if she will meet it to examine this report and help the foundation further develop its care for young children in the home to the age of six years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6606/10]
274 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will agree to an early meeting with the Jack and Jill Foundation to discuss the provision of care for severely disabled children. [6793/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 210, 248, 250 and 274 together.
The current challenging budgetary situation does not permit the funding of new developments other than through a reallocation of existing resources. The HSE currently engages with Jack and Jill on a quarterly basis and will include consideration of this report during 2010, in the context of the development of integrated services for children with a disability. The HSE provided funding of €585,000 to the Jack and Jill Foundation in 2009.
211 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if the AMI Montessori qualification is recognised as justifying the higher rate of payment in recognition of higher staff skills under the preschool subsidy scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6635/10]
I have responsibility for the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme, which was introduced in January 2010. A higher capitation rate of €75 per week (€2,850 p.a.) is available to sessional playschool services in which all childcare workers have qualification levels above the minimum requirements for the scheme. To qualify for the higher capitation rate all pre-school leaders in the service must hold a qualification in a relevant discipline at a minimum of Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and have 3 years experience working in the sector. All pre-school assistants must hold a relevant FETAC level 5 qualification or its equivalent.
The AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) Montessori College offer both a 2 year and a 3 year Montessori course with entry to the third year being dependent on a student achieving a distinction at the end of year 2. Neither of these courses are currently placed on the NFQ although I understand that the College has applied to the Higher Education and Training Awards Council to have them accredited and placed on the NFQ. In the meantime, as the Department of Education and Science gives restricted recognition to AMI Montessori qualifications awarded on completion of the 3 year full time course, this qualification is being accepted by my Office as meeting the qualification criterion for the higher capitation rate.
212 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will support a matter (details supplied). [6769/10]
218 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps she will take to curtail or ban the opening of head shops here; if her attention has been drawn to the strong community campaign to have such a ban put in place; the legislative proposals she has in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6077/10]
233 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 123 of 21 January 2010, when, in view of the increased urgency and concern, the secondary legislation under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 in relation to control of substances currently being sold in head shops will be before Dáil Éireann. [6236/10]
235 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding discussions in respect of the banning of substances sold in head shops. [5540/10]
283 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the timeframe for the secondary legislation under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 to deal with substances being sold in head shops. [6855/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 212, 218, 233, 235 and 283 together.
The Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 and its associated regulations control the import, export, production, supply and possession of a range of named narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances listed in the Schedules to the Act. Substances are scheduled under the Act in accordance with Ireland's obligations under international conventions and/or where there is evidence that the substances are causing significant harm to public health in Ireland. The list of scheduled substances is kept under ongoing review. For example, in 2006 psychotropic ("magic") mushrooms were banned and their possession and sale is now illegal. On 31 March 2009, BZP was similarly subjected to legislative control measures and criminal sanctions.
In the light of the health risks associated with some of the products being sold in so-called "head shops", I intend to make regulations before the end of June which will introduce controls, similar to those introduced recently in the UK, on a range of substances which are currently on sale in head shops. These regulations will make the possession and sale of these substances illegal and subject to criminal sanctions. Some of the substances in question have legitimate uses — for example, in the production of plastics and industrial solvents. It will be necessary to assess the level of use of these substances by industry in Ireland and the implications for industry of placing these substances under the ambit of Misuse of Drugs legislation. In accordance with EU law, it may also be necessary to notify the Commission of the proposed regulations in case they impact on legitimate industrial activities and this imposes a 3 month stand still period on implementation of the regulations.
Minister of State John Curran, who has responsibility for co-ordinating the National Drugs Strategy, has identified head shops as an area of concern, and is currently considering the options available to more effectively control the activities of head shops. A Research Advisory Group (RAG) has been established to identify possible options for the regulation of head shops. The RAG held its first meeting on 13 January 2010. It has representatives from the National Advisory Committee on Drugs, the Departments of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Health and Children, the Health Research Board, Revenue Custom's Service, the Forensic State Laboratory and other relevant stakeholders. The RAG will report incrementally until its work is complete.
213 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children if an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7002/10]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
214 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide the funding necessary to allow persons (details supplied) in Dublin 16 to move to insulin pump therapy through Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, Dublin 12; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6058/10]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
215 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of hospitals with medical assessment units; the number of new medical assessment units added to the hospital system since 2005 to date in 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6069/10]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
216 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of new hospices established since 2006 to date in 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6070/10]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
217 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children if BreastCheck will be made available for women over 64 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6071/10]
BreastCheck provides free mammograms to all women aged 50-64. Since October 2009 Breastcheck has been available in all counties. During 2009 over 122,000 women were screened and this number will increase during 2010. It is my intention to extend Breastcheck to women in the 65-69 age group as soon as resources and capacity allow. In the meantime women of any age who have concerns about breast cancer should seek the advice of their GP who will, if appropriate, refer them to the symptomatic breast services in one of the eight designated specialist cancer centres.
The National Cancer Screening Service has been asked to review the potential for efficiencies and cost savings in areas identified in the HIQA Report of the evaluation of the use of resources in the national population based cancer screening programmes and associated services. Any savings identified may be used to meet the costs of further development of screening services, including the BreastCheck programme. The immediate priority for the National Cancer Screening Service is to ensure that preparatory work for the national colorectal screening programme takes place this year and in 2011 in order for screening to commence in early 2012 for men and women in the 60 to 69 age group.
219 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo was not notified when their medical card was withdrawn; and if the card will be reinstated. [6080/10]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
220 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will assist in having a medical card approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork on medical grounds. [6082/10]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
221 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Longford has had three dates for surgery at the Mater Hospital, Dublin, cancelled in January 2010, in view of the commitment by her Department to give priority to patients from counties Longford and Westmeath, when the cancer unit was taken from the Midlands Regional Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6085/10]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
222 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Health and Children the treatment services in place for cocaine users; the number of cocaine treatment clinics operating here; if new treatment projects and clinics will open in 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6101/10]
As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
223 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the review of the supply of prosthetic limbs in County Cork; if the persons using a prosthetic limb will be consulted as part of the review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6107/10]
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
224 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health and Children if a replacement medical card will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6113/10]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
225 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6114/10]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
226 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if the drugs repayment scheme operates on a monthly basis or on the basis of 28 days; and the reason some pharmacists supply medicines for 28 days and others operate a 30 day system. [6127/10]
I understand that some drugs and medicines are supplied by manufacturers in 28 day packages. However, the position in relation to the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS) is that no family or individual need pay in excess of the monthly threshold which is currently €120, in respect of medication for use in any calendar month. The Health Service Executive Primary Care Reimbursement Service, formerly the GMS (Payments) Board, which is responsible for reimbursing community pharmacists under the DPS, so advised all community pharmacists in 1999 on the establishment of the DPS.
227 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the decision regarding an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and the breakdown of calculations. [6136/10]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
228 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health and Children the companies that have been granted contracts for projects worth more than €10 million in the period 2000 to 2010. [6149/10]
237 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health and Children the companies that have been granted contracts for projects worth more than €15 million in the period 2000 to date in 2010. [6321/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 228 and 237 together.
Details of the information requested by the Deputy has been forwarded to three of the agencies under my Department's remit for direct reply to him. These are the Health Service Executive; the National Treatment Purchase Fund and the National Cancer Screening Service. The remainder of the information requested by the Deputy is not readily available but will be forwarded to him as soon as it has been collated.
229 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health and Children the background and rationale to the decision to centralise the medical card application service to the primary care reimbursement service; the connection of this centralisation to the budget 2009 decision to means test all persons applying for a medical card aged 70 years and over which is enshrined in the Health Act 2008; the preparation undertaken and consideration given to the initiative prior to the announcement to centralise on 24 December 2008; the effect of the centralisation on persons over 70 years; the success of the centralisation; if problems have been encountered to date in 2010; the extent to which the medical card application process has been improved to be more efficient and faster; the extent to which it has deteriorated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6167/10]
Following the change in medical card eligibility for persons aged 70 and over in the Health Act 2008, the Health Service Executive (HSE) through its Service Plan for 2009, advised the Department of its decision to centralise the processing of all medical card and GP visit card applications and renewals to the Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) in Dublin. The HSE has indicated that this decision was taken in the context of the Executive's requirements to make efficiencies in business practices that could realise savings in a very challenging economic environment and provide a modern service to the public within sustainable levels of expenditure.
I fully support the HSE's decision to centralise the processing of all medical card applications and reviews. I wrote to all Oireachtas members on 19th January 2010 outlining a range of measures being employed by the Executive to address issues arising from this initiative and I also referred to the various enhancements that this process will facilitate upon completion.
230 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children if an appointment will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6168/10]
The scheduling of patients for hospital treatment is a matter for the consultant concerned in each case and is determined on the basis of clinical need. Should the patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he/she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant involved.
231 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of external consultants currently working for or in her Department; the work they are carrying out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6203/10]
The information requested regarding external consultants currently working for or in my Department is set out in the attached document, a copy of which has issued directly to the Deputy. The information set out relates to external contracts placed by my Department related to the provision of services including the provision of advice and expertise, and the undertaking of studies, surveys and other services.
|
No. |
Consultants currently working for/in the Department |
Details of work being carried out |
|
1 |
Coyle Hamilton Willis |
Actuarial, accounting, insurance & economic advice services in relation to the health insurance market, as & when required |
|
2 |
Life Strategies Ltd |
Actuarial, accounting, insurance & economic advice services in relation to the health insurance market, as & when required |
|
3 |
CRA International UK Ltd |
Actuarial, accounting, insurance & economic advice services in relation to the health insurance market, as & when required |
|
4 |
Mercer Ireland Ltd |
Actuarial, accounting, insurance & economic advice services in relation to the health insurance market, as & when required |
|
5 |
The study is being conducted by UCD and lead by Professor Cecily Kelleher |
The All-Ireland Traveller Health Study (AITHS) is a comprehensive study of the health and social status of the Traveller community in Ireland. The findings of the study will be used to evaluate progress to date with regard to Traveller health and to plan future policy in the area. Final report of the study is due in June 2010. |
|
6 |
Peter Cassells Consulting Limited |
Chairing the Alcohol Marketing Communications Monitoring Body |
|
7 |
Economic and Social Research Institute |
Research commissioned on: National Longitudinal Study of Children in Ireland (NLSCI) |
|
8 |
Dr. Satya Brink, HR Development Canada |
International expertise provided to the National Longitudinal Study of Children in Ireland Steering Group |
|
9 |
Professor Ann Sanson, Network coordinator, Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. |
International expertise provided to the National Longitudinal Study of Children in Ireland Steering Group |
|
10 |
Child and family research centre, National University of Ireland, Galway |
Children as Carers — A study of the extent to which children undertake inappropriate care roles |
|
11 |
Professor Robbie Gilligan, The Children’s Research Centre, Trinity College, Dublin |
Research commissioned on: A follow up study on the educational and social support experiences of young people in long term foster care |
|
12 |
Dr. Evelyn Mahon, Trinity College, Dublin |
Research commissioned on: A study of parent-child contact agreements andArrangements based on Court Records |
|
13 |
Jim Halley, 2 Collaborate |
Survey of clients of the Office of the Disability Appeals Officer (ODAO) to ascertain level of satisfaction with our communication process. |
|
14 |
Fiona Keogh, Dunlaoghaire, Co. Dublin |
Research Support for the Disability Sector VFM Expert Reference Policy Group |
|
15 |
Carole C Devaney, Monkstown, Co. Dublin |
Editing of Report — “National Policy and Strategy for the Provision of Neuro-Rehabilitation Services 2010-2015” |
|
16 |
William Fry Solicitors |
Provision of independent legal advice to the National Oversight Committee for Repayment Scheme for Long Stay Charges. |
|
17 |
Cnag ar an Doras |
Evaluation and Report of the Comhairle na nOg Development Fund 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 and Inclusion Programme 2008 |
|
18 |
Cnag ar an Doras |
Evaluation and Report of the Inclusion Programme 2009 |
|
19 |
Cnag ar an Doras |
Project Manager for the national consultation with Children Living in the Care of the State |
|
20 |
Cnag ar an Doras |
Evaluation and Report on the work of the Children and Young Peoples Advisory Forum |
|
21 |
Liz Harper |
Support for the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Inclusion Programme participant organisations |
|
22 |
Liz Harper |
Evaluator of the Dáil na nÓg Council |
|
23 |
Anna Gunning |
Support and facilitation for the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Children and Young People’s Forum meetings |
|
24 |
Niamh McCrea |
Support and facilitation for the OMCYA Children and Young People’s Forum meetings |
|
24 |
Irish Heart Foundation |
Provision of Nutrition Policy advice |
232 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if a patient who is in a nursing home sacrifices the 15% cap on the contribution towards nursing home costs from the family home if they sell the home while in the nursing home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6232/10]
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme aims to prevent people from having to sell their family home to fund their long-term care. If, however, a person applies for the Nursing Home Loan but subsequently chooses to sell the family home, the amount loaned on the basis of that asset up to that point must be repaid within six months of the sale. Thereafter, the proceeds of the sale would be treated as Cash Assets and would not be subject to the 7.5% (member of a couple) or 15% (single person) cap on property/land, as appropriate. Cash Assets are taken into account at a rate of 5% per annum for as long as the person remains in nursing home care.
234 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children if the proposed Adoption Bill will recognise direct adoptions from Hague ratified contracting states where such adoptions are legislated for and administered in line with the Hague Convention good practice guidelines; if she will table an amendment to the Bill giving recognition to such adoptions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6269/10]
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.
With regard to the issue of "independent" adoptions, I would draw the Deputy's attention to the provisions set out in Part 13 of the Adoption Bill which identify the restrictions on a person in seeking to make arrangements for adoptions. It also identifies the particular role of accredited authorities in this regard.
236 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for bed closures at a hospital (details supplied) in County Clare; her plans to extend surgical facilities at this hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6303/10]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
238 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when a medical procedure will be carried out on a person (details supplied) from County Mayo. [6349/10]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
239 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will report on the timeframe for the capital development programme at a hospital (details supplied) in County Clare; if a project manager has been appointed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6382/10]
I am committed to ensuring that all necessary developments are put in place at the hospital to support the ongoing reconfiguration within the region. My Department is currently reviewing the HSE's draft capital plan for the period 2010-2014 and following up with the Executive where further details may be required. The plan requires my approval with the consent of the Minister for Finance. Details of the plan will be published by the HSE following its approval.
240 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the processing of medical card applications for persons over 70 years is taking a long time; the further reason the system is not made easier for elderly applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6386/10]
Following the change in medical card eligibility for persons aged 70 and over in the Health Act 2008, the Health Service Executive (HSE) through its Service Plan for 2009, advised the Department of its decision to centralise the processing of all medical card and GP visit card applications and renewals to the Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) in Dublin. The HSE indicated that this decision was taken in the context of the Executive's requirements to make efficiencies in business practices that could realise savings in a very challenging economic environment and provide a modern service to the public within sustainable levels of expenditure.
I fully support the HSE's decision to centralise the processing of all medical card applications and reviews. I wrote to all Oireachtas members on 19 January 2010 outlining a range of measures being employed by the Executive to address issues arising from this initiative and I also referred to the various enhancements that this process will facilitate upon completion. As aspects of the Deputy's question refer to operational matters, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to address these matters and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
241 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be seen by an occupational therapist. [6444/10]
Subject to overall parameters set by Government, the Health Service Executive has the responsibility for determining the composition of its staffing complement. In that regard, it is a matter for the Executive to manage and deploy its human resources to best meet the requirements of its Annual Service Plan for the delivery of health and personal social services to the public. With regard to the provision of occupational therapy services, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
242 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare has been referred to the National Treatment Purchase Fund for orthopaedic intervention; when surgery will take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6449/10]
The scheduling of patients for hospital treatment is in each case determined on the basis of clinical need. Therefore should the patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, then he/she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant involved. The primary remit of the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) is to facilitate treatment for those public patients waiting longest for surgery. I have asked the Fund to respond to the Deputy in relation to the particular case raised.
243 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the Health Service Executive and the Health Information and Quality Authority are not carrying out the portable appliance test of all moveable electrical equipment in offices, hospitals, centres and so on as required by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulation S.I. No. 299 of 2007, to ensure the safety and welfare of both employees and employers; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that records of all such tests must be kept for at least five years to allow the Health and Safety Authority to carry out random spot checks and that insurance companies and underwriters are already seeking proof of compliance prior to renewal of policies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6452/10]
The Health Information and Quality Authority have indicated that they have no such equipment that requires to be tested under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Regulation. In respect of the Health Service Executive, as this is a service matter it has been referred to them for direct reply.
244 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children if all the portable electrical equipment in her Department has a portable appliance testing certificate as required by Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulation S.I. No. 299 of 2007; if not, the reason for same. [6453/10]
245 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children if all the portable electrical equipment in her Department and subsidiary or grant aided companies has portable appliance test certificates as required by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulation S.I. No. 299 of 2007; if not, the reason for same; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a PAT must be carried out on all moveable electrical equipment in offices, centres and so on, to ensure the safety and welfare of both employees and employers; if her further attention has been drawn to the fact that records of all such tests must be kept for at least five years to allow the Health and Safety Authority to carry out random spot checks and that insurance companies and underwriters are already seeking proof of compliance prior to renewal of policies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6468/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 244 and 245 together.
S.I. No. 299 requires that equipment exposed to conditions causing deterioration liable to result in danger and supplied at a voltage exceeding 125 volts alternating current is visually checked by the user before use and is periodically checked by a competent person, appropriated to the nature, location, and use of the equipment. In general, portable equipment in use in the Department of Health and Children would not fall within the scope of S.I. No. 299. However, it is our standard practice to adhere to prescribed maintenance arrangements for electrical and other equipment.
246 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be called for a procedure at University College Hospital, Galway. [6504/10]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
247 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will put the National Quality Standards: Residential Settings for People with Disabilities published by the Health Information and Quality Authority in 2009 on a statutory footing; if she will implement mandatory inspections of residential institutions for all persons with disabilities and not just children; when she will do same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6598/10]
My Department is currently working closely with HIQA and the HSE with the view to commencing the Health Act 2007 to allow for the independent registration and inspection of all residential centres and respite services for children with a disability. The intention is to have this registration and inspection system in place by December 2010, as committed to in the Ryan Commission report Implementation Plan.
Children with disabilities in generic residential centres under the Child Care Act 1991, are already covered by the standards and inspection regimes applying to those centres. The new registration and inspection system will incorporate all centres providing residential or respite care to children with disabilities, including those centres run by voluntary organisations that are currently excluded from inspection under the Child Care Act 1991.
In respect of residential services for adults with disabilities, I will shortly be bringing detailed proposals to Government with regard to the protection of vulnerable adults with disabilities who are currently in institutional care.
As Deputies will be aware, "National Quality Standards: Residential Settings for People with Disabilities" have been published by HIQA. Following a public consultation process initiated by HIQA they were formulated by a Standards Advisory Group that comprised officials of HIQA, my Department, the HSE, service providers, organisations representing people with disabilities and service users. These standards will provide a national framework for quality, safe services for persons with disabilities in a residential setting. At present the standards apply only to adult services but work is at an advanced stage to develop standards for children's services.
Given the current economic situation, to move to full statutory implementation of the standards, including regulation and inspection, presents significant challenges at this time. However, notwithstanding the difficulties of immediate statutory implementation, my Department, the HSE and HIQA have agreed that progressive non-statutory implementation of the Standards will now commence, and that they will become the benchmark against which the HSE assesses both its own directly operated facilities and other facilities that the HSE funds. Discussions are ongoing regarding the development of self-assessment tools, providing awareness training for service providers and the introduction of an appropriate level of external validation for relevant settings.
A number of preliminary processes are already in place within the HSE to facilitate this work. For example, compliance with the HIQA standards is included in the Service Level Arrangements being implemented between the HSE and service providers. As part of the ongoing review of Service Level Arrangements, service providers will now be required to demonstrate compliance with the standards through the provision of audit outcomes. I am informed by the HSE that the majority of service providers have already commenced a review of their services within the context of the HIQA standards and many service providers have also achieved external accreditation over the past number of years.
In addition, I am assured by the HSE that it has a robust system in place to deal with any complaints made in relation to the treatment of persons with disabilities in residential care. This includes ensuring that all HSE funded service providers of residential care have appropriate complaints procedures that are in line with HSE policy.
249 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health and Children when funding will be available in order for the renal service at the Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore, County Offaly, to be fully commissioned and staffed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6600/10]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
251 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be renewed in view of the fact that all the necessary information has been submitted. [6623/10]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
252 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health and Children the focus and thrust of the reviews that are being conducted in respect of under review countries; the outcome of the adoption laws if these countries are deemed to be incompliant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6626/10]
The reviews undertaken by the Adoption Board in relation to foreign adoptions are reviews of legal compatibility between Ireland and the country concerned. In the event that the legislation is found to be incompatible the inter-country adoption may not be recognised as a foreign adoption under section 1 of the Adoption Act 1991. This provision is carried forward in the Adoption Bill 2009.
253 Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that some pharmacists charge above the agreed mark-up and dispensing fee in relation to prescribed medicines; if she has a monitoring or reporting system in place to deal with such breaches and to ensure redress for aggrieved pharmacy customers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6627/10]
On 1 July last, I made regulations under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009 to specify the fees and other payments to be made to pharmacists who dispense drugs and medicines under the GMS (medical card), the Drug Payment Scheme (DPS), the Long Term Illness Scheme (LTI) and other community drugs schemes. The main changes were: A new dispensing fee structure based on a sliding scale as follows: €5 for first 20,000 items, €4.50 for next 10,000 items and €3.50 for the remaining items. Retail Mark-up was reduced from 50% to 20%. Wholesale Mark-up was reduced from 17.66% to 10% of the ex-factory price of drugs.
It is my view that the fees and mark-ups set out in the regulations should be applied to all transactions where a person produces a DPS card, including transactions where expenditure has not reached the €120 monthly threshold under the DPS scheme. I have been disappointed to learn that some pharmacists are not applying the fees and mark-ups in this manner. I have raised this matter with the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) and intend to pursue it further.
254 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will review services that are provided to sufferers of cystic fibrosis; if she plans to change existing services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6630/10]
I have consistently emphasised the need to improve facilities and services to persons with cystic fibrosis. Following publication of the Pollock Report in 2005, the Health Service Executive established a Working Group to undertake a detailed review of cystic fibrosis services. The Group, which was multi-disciplinary in its composition and included representation from the Department of Health and Children, was asked to review the current configuration and delivery of services to persons with cystic fibrosis in Ireland. The report was published in October 2009. Many of its recommendations had already been implemented.
Some 50 additional staff including consultant, nursing and allied health professionals, have been appointed across the hospital system in recent years to enhance the level of services provided for persons with cystic fibrosis. The HSE was asked to place a particular focus on the development of services at the National Adult Tertiary Referral Centre at St. Vincent's Hospital. The hospital currently treats over 50% of the CF adult population. A number of capital projects have been completed at the hospital and have helped to improve facilities. These include a new ambulatory care centre, the refurbishment of St. Camillus Ward, and a new Emergency Department which includes single room accommodation.
The refurbishment of accommodation to provide eight single en-suite rooms for patients with cystic fibrosis was completed in August 2008 and the beds are now operational. This brings the total level of in-patient accommodation for the treatment of respiratory patients (including people with CF) at the hospital to 63 beds.
A new ward block to replace existing accommodation is being developed at the hospital. This facility will provide single room en-suite in-patient accommodation (100 rooms) and a dedicated day unit for people with CF, including 10 single day treatment rooms with en-suite sanitary facilities. Tenders for this development are currently under consideration. It is estimated that the construction, equipping and commissioning of this block will take approximately 18 months. It is intended that the development will become operational as early as possible in 2011. The new facility will include accommodation for cystic fibrosis patients with appropriate isolation facilities for the treatment of their condition. The HSE is now working with St. Vincent's to identify opportunities for patients who do not require tertiary level care to be treated close to home where adult services have been developed in the other specialist centres.
A number of other significant capital developments are being progressed for cystic fibrosis patients throughout the country, including in Beaumont Hospital. Capital funding has been provided for the development of outpatient facilities for patients with CF treated at Beaumont Hospital. The project is in two phases and the first phase (decanting) was completed at the end of 2009. The second phase is due for completion in the second quarter of 2010. HSE funding enabled the construction of a three storey building consisting of two floors each of 14 single rooms, and 8 bed HDU and two additional ICU rooms (within existing ICU).
Services for patients with cystic fibrosis are also provided at Our Lady's Hospital, Crumlin, Children's University Hospital, Temple Street, Tallaght Hospital, Cork University Hospital, Waterford Regional Hospital, Mid Western Regional Hospital, Limerick, University College Hospital Galway and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. The Cystic Fibrosis Registry of Ireland (CFRI) receives support funding from the HSE. Ireland is the only European country to commit public funding to a CF registry. The CFRI is now in a position to produce relevant data on 90% of people with CF in Ireland. The average enrolment of people with CF in other country registries is approximately 80%.
The Newborn Screening for Cystic Fibrosis Steering Group was established in June 2009 under the Chairmanship of Professor Gerry Loftus, Professor of Paediatrics, Galway. This group has a broad membership from key stakeholders and experts in the field of cystic fibrosis. The screening programme will commence implementation in 2010 provided all the necessary general and specific screening programme governance arrangements are in place. The Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland has made representations to the HSE in respect of people with Cystic Fibrosis living in Donegal for whom attendance at the CF centre in Belfast might be more convenient. The HSE is pursuing this through Co-operation and Working Together (CAWT).
I am conscious that further improvements are required, including the need to develop community outreach services to facilitate the treatment of patients outside of a hospital setting where appropriate. Taken together, the planned developments represent a tangible improvement in the quality of services for people with cystic fibrosis.
255 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the requirements a private business must meet in order to be recognised by the Health Service Executive as a provider of home care services for older persons here; the steps such a business must undertake to secure the relevant approval. [6639/10]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
256 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the rights of children with disabilities to attend preschool and to have a special needs assistant if one is required; if a child (details supplied) in County Limerick will be allocated a special needs assistant in order that they will have the equivalent access to preschool education as other children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6644/10]
All pre-school services are required to make reasonable accommodation for children with special needs, as required under the Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2004. The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme, which was introduced in January this year, and provides for a free pre-school year for all eligible children in the year prior to commencing primary school, includes a number of provisions specifically intended to assist children with special needs. One of these is that, while the age range in which children qualify for the scheme is, generally, between 3 years 3 months and 4 years 6 months in September of the relevant year, exceptions are allowed where a child has been assessed as having a special need which will delay his or her entry to primary school. In such cases, the pre-school year relevant to such children will be taken as their qualifying year.
Additionally, the general requirement under the ECCE scheme that a child would be expected to attend 4 or 5 days each week will not apply to children with special needs where a shorter week would be more appropriate to their needs. Many specialist pre-school services arrange for children attending their services to also attend a mainstream service for 1, 2 or 3 days a week. As a result, 1 full week place in the mainstream service could cater for 2 or more children with special needs on a pro-rata basis. Where appropriate, children with special needs attending a mainstream pre-school service on a pro-rata basis can avail of a second free pre-school year. Should additional flexibility in the arrangements for the scheme be required by specialist pre-school services for children with special needs, these will also be considered.
As the Deputy's question also relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
257 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of patients in County Louth treated for foot ulcerations, which did not require a full or partial lower limb amputation in 2007 and 2008; the number of those patients who had diabetes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6651/10]
258 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of patients under 65 years residing in County Louth treated for foot ulcerations, which did not require a full or partial limb amputation in 2007 and 2008; the number of those patients who had diabetes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6652/10]
259 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of full or partial lower limb amputations carried out on patients residing in County Louth in 2007 and 2008; the number of those patients who had diabetes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6653/10]
I propose to takes Questions Nos. 257 to 259, inclusive, together.
The information requested is contained in the table:
|
Area of Residence |
||||
|
Louth |
National Total |
|||
|
2007 |
2008 |
2007 |
2008 |
|
|
Number of admissions with a diagnosis of foot ulcerations and without a full or partial lower limb amputation |
148 |
94 |
3,826 |
3,777 |
|
— Number of these patients with a diagnosis of diabetes |
35 |
37 |
1,361 |
1,298 |
|
Number of admissions aged under 65 with a diagnosis of foot ulcerations and without a full or partial lower limb amputation |
70 |
27 |
1,100 |
987 |
|
— Number of these patients with a diagnosis of diabetes |
13 |
11 |
412 |
421 |
|
Number of full or partial lower limb amputations |
24 |
19 |
703 |
667 |
|
— Number of these patients with a diagnosis of diabetes |
12 |
10 |
334 |
338 |
Source: Hospital Inpatient Enquiry.
Note: Data refer to discharges from publicly funded acute hospitals. Private hospitals are not included.
The HSE is currently developing a programme for diabetes which will establish an integrated diabetic service between community and hospital. Its objective is to improve specific targets to reduce both acute and chronic complications. It will also include effective foot care to reduce severe infection and amputation in diabetes. The recommendations of the Expert Advisory group will be progressed within the context of the Diabetes programme.
260 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay in opening a facility (details supplied) in County Dublin which was granted a derogation from the moratorium on recruitment but has not yet been granted despite the fact that the building has been completed since July 2009; and if her attention has been drawn to the very acute needs of the proposed residents. [6657/10]
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
261 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Health and Children the cost of security at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, County Louth in each of the past five years; the number of security personnel employed in each of the past five years; if security personnel at this hospital have certificates from the Private Security Authority; if security personnel are employed directly by the Health Service Executive or agency workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6659/10]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
262 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children the substances in products sold in head shops that are currently banned. [6679/10]
The Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 and its associated regulations control the import, export, production, supply and possession of a range of named narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances listed in the Schedules to the Act. Substances are scheduled under the Act in accordance with Ireland's obligations under international conventions and/or where there is evidence that the substances are causing significant harm to public health in Ireland.
The list of scheduled substances is kept under ongoing review. For example, in 2006 psychotropic ("magic") mushrooms were banned and their possession and sale is now illegal. On 31 March 2009, BZP was similarly subjected to legislative control measures and criminal sanctions. The Department is currently examining how the substances contained in SPICE, the BZP derivatives and others can be controlled under the Misuse of Drugs legislation. It is my intention to make the necessary regulations before the end of June.
263 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children the policy regarding the sale and use of pseudoephedrine. [6680/10]
Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant used in the treatment of colds and flu. The sale and supply of medicinal products containing pseudoephedrine is covered in the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply Regulations) 2003 as amended. Products containing pseudoephedrine are exempt from prescription control at the low doses specified in the Regulations; however, under Regulation 6(1) such products are sold in pharmacies under conditions where the supply is effected by or under the personal supervision of a pharmacist.
Pseudoephedrine is also controlled by the EU Regulations 273/2004 and 111/2005 on Drug Precursors and the European Communities (Control of Precursors) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 558 of 2009). This legislative framework lays down rules for the monitoring of trade in drug precursors (such as pseudoephedrine) within the EU and with Third Countries. This legislation places obligations on operators (including manufacturers and distributors) to obtain a licence to possess or place drug precursors on the market.
264 Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive the necessary tests and treatment in view of their difficult medical situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6685/10]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
265 Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Health and Children the payments made to date and the payment yet to be made by her Department to a child care group in respect of a new child care facility (details supplied) in County Laois; if she is satisfied that all funds paid to date have been used in respect of the child care facility; if outstanding grant payments will be used for this purpose; if she is further satisfied with the financial arrangements regarding the provision of the new child care facility paid for by a grant from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6687/10]
I have responsibility for implementing the National Childcare Invention Programme 2005-2010 (NCIP), under which capital grant funding is made available to community and commercial child care providers for the development of child care facilities. I understand that the company in question was approved capital grant funding under the NCIP of up to €1 million in March 2007, to develop a child care facility and that the facility in question is at an advanced stage. I also understand from Pobal, who assist my Office in administering the NCIP, that €910,494 of the capital grant has been paid to the company to date and all reporting requirements in relation to eligible expenditure under the NCIP have been complied with.
266 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [6708/10]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
267 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding foreign adoptions and in particular in relation to persons who have been waiting years to complete the adoption process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6650/10]
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 inter-country adoption arrangements will be governed by the terms of the Adoption Bill 2009 when enacted.
The current policy position, as set out in the Adoption Bill 2009, is that for an adoption to be registered under the Bill it must be effected in a contracting State to the Hague Convention or in a country with which Ireland has a bilateral agreement. For non-Hague countries only those adoptions effected prior to the commencement of the new law can be registered on the Register of Inter-Country Adoptions to be established under the Bill.
I announced on 26 January my intention to bring forward on Committee Stage an amendment to the Adoption Bill 2009 that will enable prospective adoptive parents to proceed with an adoption from a non-Hague or non-bilateral country, if prior to the establishment date, they have been issued with a Declaration of Eligibility and Suitability to adopt. The proposed amendment requires that the Adoption Authority (to be set up under the Act) would be satisfied that the particular adoption meets all the standards of the Hague Convention.
Applicants for inter-country adoption must undergo a detailed statutory assessment process, which is undertaken by professional social workers, and must be approved by the Adoption Board before a Declaration of Eligibility and Suitability to adopt abroad can be issued to them from the board.
I acknowledge that persons applying for inter-country adoption are currently experiencing unacceptably long delays as regards waiting times for assessment. Requests for assessment for inter-country adoption are continuously increasing and Ireland currently has one of the highest rates for inter-country adoption in Europe. The Health Service Executive has responsibility for the assessments of applicants for adoption through its social work service. I have asked the Health Service Executive to do everything possible to reduce waiting times and assessment times for prospective adopters which currently are excessively long. In addition, Part 13 of the Adoption Bill 2009 provides for the registration of accredited bodies to carry out aspects of the adoption process, including assessment.
268 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding an appeal lodged in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [6743/10]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
269 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if it will be processed. [6755/10]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
270 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children when section 39 funding allocations will be announced. [6780/10]
I have referred this matter to the HSE for direct reply.
271 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children if the Health Service Executive is required to produce a national service plan for 2010; and when this will be available. [6781/10]
Under section 31(1) of the Health Act 2004, the HSE is required to prepare an annual National Service Plan. The plan must indicate the type and volume of health and personal social services to be provided by the HSE. I approved the HSE National Service Plan 2010 on 5 February 2010 under section 31(8) of the Health Act 2004. In approving the plan, I highlighted to the HSE the necessity that it delivers at a minimum, the levels of service set out in the plan as well as operating within the limits of its Voted allocation. During 2010, the HSE will provide me with detailed information related to service activity levels by way of monthly performance reports against the plan. The plan was laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas on Monday, 8 February 2010 in line with section 31(13) of the Health Act 2004 and was subsequently published on the HSE's website at www.hse.ie.
272 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children the persons entitled to receive the HPV vaccine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6784/10]
273 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide the HPV vaccine to girls over 12 years who would be at risk for family reasons of contracting cervical cancer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6785/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 272 and 273 together.
I have always accepted the consensus view of the relevant expert bodies that the introduction of a universal high uptake vaccination programme in young girls, in conjunction with population based cervical screening, could significantly reduce overall cervical cancer incidence. The issue was not, therefore, whether the case for a cervical cancer vaccination programme was accepted by myself and the Government — because it always was — but how to place such a programme in order of clinical priorities for the allocation of scarce resources available for public health services and for the cancer programme in particular.
Recently I requested the HSE to initiate a tendering process for the procurement of a HPV vaccine with a view to commencing a HPV vaccination programme for all girls in first year in secondary school and until this process was completed I was not in a position to say if or when I would introduce this programme. This tendering process for the vaccine is now complete. We can now purchase the vaccine at a price much lower than we expected to pay in 2008 and at a price much closer to what is being paid in other countries. In these circumstances, the programme can now be delivered from the extra resources committed in this year's budget to the overall cancer programme.
The HSE is committed to starting this campaign during the current school year. This will involve the free vaccination of up to 30,000 girls mainly in school settings and an announcement of the details of the full programme involved will be made by the HSE in the near future. The programme will continue with vaccine being offered to all girls in first year in secondary school each year but it is not proposed to extend the vaccination programme to other classes at present.
275 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children when she expects the Adoption Bill 2009 to be enacted. [6796/10]
The Adoption Bill 2009 was published in January 2009 and completed all stages in the Seanad by May 2009. Second Stage was commenced in Dáil Éireann on 18 November 2009 and completed on 21 January 2010. Committee Stage is scheduled to commence on 17 February 2010 and it is hoped that the Bill will complete its passage through both Houses shortly thereafter.
276 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the list of countries that are currently Hague compliant in terms of inter-country adoption; the implications for couples intending to adopt from non-Hague countries who will not have received their declaration of eligibility prior to the enactment of the Bill. [6797/10]
The Adoption Board has provided a list of countries/territories that are compliant/non-compliant with Hague and/or Irish Adoption Law. Details are available on the Adoption Board website at www.adoptionboard.ie. 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 inter-country adoption arrangements will be governed by the terms of the Adoption Bill 2009 when enacted.
The current policy position, as set out in the Adoption Bill 2009, is that for an adoption to be registered under the Bill it must be effected in a contracting State to the Hague Convention or in a country with which Ireland has a bilateral agreement. In addition I announced on 26 January my intention to bring forward on Committee stage an amendment to the Adoption Bill 2009 that will enable prospective adoptive parents to proceed with an adoption from a non-Hague or non-bilateral country, if prior to the establishment date, they have been issued with a Declaration of Eligibility and Suitability to adopt. The proposed amendment requires that the Adoption Authority (to be set up under the Act) would be satisfied that the particular adoption meets all the standards of the Hague Convention.
277 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide information regarding public hospital waiting lists (details supplied). [6800/10]
The management of out-patient waiting lists is a matter for the HSE and the individual hospitals concerned. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the Executive for direct reply.
278 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide information regarding public hospital waiting lists for surgery (details supplied). [6801/10]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
279 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the Health Service Executive plans for a house (details supplied) in Dublin 4; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6802/10]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
280 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the regulatory regime for psychotherapists. [6804/10]
The ongoing regulatory programme undertaken by my Department has seen the introduction of the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005, providing for statutory registration for 12 designated health and social care professional grades. The structure of the system of statutory registration will comprise a registration board for each of the professions to be registered, a health and social care professionals council with overall responsibility for the regulatory system and a committee to deal with disciplinary matters.
As a first step in the implementation of the system of statutory registration, I launched the Health and Social Care Professionals Council in March 2007. The CEO and an administrative staff member were appointed in 2008 and an additional two senior administrative staff took up duty with the council in late 2009. These appointments will greatly assist the council in its ongoing work in preparing for the establishment of the individual registration boards, the first of which (the Social Work Registration Board) is to be established shortly. The council is currently working to put in place the necessary structures for registration, education and fitness to practise for the 12 health and social care professions designated in the Act and it is hoped to bring additional registration boards on stream in late 2010.
The Health and Social Care Professionals Council will enable health and social care professionals to practise in a regulated, controlled and safe environment and in a manner which will ensure the provision of high-quality interventions, meeting the challenges of increasingly complex and evolving care for service users. While the proposed system of statutory registration applies, in the first instance to 12 health and social care professions, the legislation empowers the Minister for Health and Children to include, on the basis of specific criteria, additional health and social care professions in the regulatory system by regulation over time, as appropriate. However, the priority for the Health and Social Care Professionals Council is to establish statutory registration for the 12 designated health and social care professions in the first instance. The issue of inclusion of other grades, such as psychotherapists, within the scope of statutory registration will be considered after the initial designated 12 professional grades have been fully dealt with.
281 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health and Children if a medical card will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6842/10]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
282 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will introduce legislation to protect human embryos outside the womb. [6854/10]
The Supreme Court recently decided in the RvR (frozen embryos)case that the frozen embryos at issue in the case do not have the constitutional protection of Article 40.3.3 of the Constitution. It is my intention to bring forward proposals to Government later this year with a view to drafting legislation to govern the area of Assisted Human Reproduction and related practices. The work involved in developing these proposals will examine and consider — among other things — the issues arising from the frozen embryos Supreme Court judgment.
284 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of repayments made under the Health (Repayment Scheme) Act 2006 to date; the number of cases in which funds have been deposited into patient private property accounts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6949/10]
The Health Service Executive has responsibility for administering the Health Repayment Scheme in conjunction with the appointed scheme administrator KPMG accountants and McCann Fitzgerald solicitors. A total of 35,300 claims have been received for the scheme. In excess of 35,000 or 99.3 % of all claims have been concluded. To date a total of 18,898 repayments of maintenance charges to the value of €423 million have been processed under the scheme. This includes 4,463 repayments deposited to patient private property accounts valued at €112 million. The remaining claims are being progressed currently and it is expected that these will be finalised in the coming weeks.
285 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children when it is proposed to close Heatherside Hospital, County Cork; if consideration has been given to retaining the hospital within the Health Service Executive with a view to changing its use to cater to the local population as a community facility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7001/10]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
286 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will support the introduction of traffic light colour coding for food packaging to indicate the relative healthiness of the food product; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3852/10]
The issue of the presentation of the mandatory nutrition declaration is currently being considered in the context of the EU proposal for a regulation on the provision of food information to consumers. This proposal was introduced in January 2008. Since then, it has been discussed at an EU working group, on which Ireland is represented by the Department of Health and Children and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.
The proposal makes allowance for a mandatory nutrition declaration. This will compel the Food Business Operator to display the food's energy value, the amounts of fat, saturates, carbohydrates, sugars, proteins and salt. During the course of the working group's discussions, consideration has been given to the best way in which to present the declaration. Two of the main forms of presentation are Traffic Lights and Guideline Daily Amounts (GDAs). The former involves the use of red, yellow and green colours on the label to indicate if a product is healthy or not. The latter is a more detailed system, involving the display of the percentage of the consumer's Guideline Daily Amount contained in the food, for each of the main nutrients.
The group considers that it is difficult to determine a preference for one method of presentation over the other. While the proposal may not be finalised until late 2010 at the earliest, it seems likely that the group will recommend that both schemes of presentation should be permitted. Ireland considers this to be the best course of action.
287 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the level of orthodontic services based in St. Finbarr’s Hospital, Cork; the number of orthodontists employed in the Cork region; the number of patients on the waiting lists for orthodontic services in the Cork region; the length of waiting time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7015/10]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
288 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of civil and public servants that have signed up for the cycle to work scheme; the cost of the scheme to date in 2010. [7577/10]
Under the cycle to work scheme, the Department advances the cost of the cycle and equipment to the relevant staff members, who then repay the cost net of tax by way of deduction from salary over 12 months. The principal cost of the scheme to the State is the tax relief given to participants. To date 26 staff in my Department have availed of the cycle to work scheme and in 2010 staff have purchased cycles to the value of €1,362.00 under the scheme.
289 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the completion of the Sutton to Sandycove cycle and walking track, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6300/10]
My Department meets with Dublin City Council on a regular basis in relation to a number of cycling projects, including the Sutton to Sandycove route, which I am anxious to progress. I am pleased to report that progress is being made on the route. A key section of the Sutton to Sandycove route (i.e. from Sir John Rogerson's Quay via the Samuel Beckett Bridge to Fairview) forms part of the Dublin City premium cycle route from Portobello to Fairview Park that I have pledged to support in 2010. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is also providing funding for this section.
With regard to other sections of the route I have previously expressed my concern to Dublin City Council about the potential cost of proposals that are emerging in relation to some of these. I am particularly concerned in relation to any expectation that the provision of premium cycling infrastructure along this route must necessarily involve very substantial costs associated with design approaches which are not appropriate to the current economic circumstances or are primarily related to coastal protection works. My officials will continue to engage with Dublin City Council to get solutions which offer the best value for money for cycling and walking.
290 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport if funding is available for schools wishing to erect a bicycle shelter on campus. [6098/10]
My Department, through the then Dublin Transportation Office, supported in 2008 and 2009 the provision of cycling parking facilities in schools which actively participated in An Taisce's Green-Schools Travel Programme and which demonstrated a commitment to the promotion of cycling. 790 spaces in 39 schools were provided in 2008 and a further 1,790 spaces in 114 schools were provided in 2009.
Data from that programme indicates that the best results are achieved from providing cycle parking in schools in conjunction with cycling training — which, along with other alternative sustainable travel options, my Department also supports through the programme. Where this was done, a six-fold increase in cycling rates was achieved in urban schools and almost a three-fold increase in rural schools. I envisage that support for cycle parking in schools in 2010 will be channelled through the Green Schools Travel Programme and through a number of projects that will be delivered with support from the Smarter Travel Projects Fund. I am pleased to say that I am making €2 million available this year to support the Green Schools Travel Programme.
291 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Transport the companies that have been granted contracts for projects worth more than €10 million in the period 2000 to 2010. [6153/10]
294 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Transport the companies that have been granted contracts for projects worth more than €15 million in the period 2000 to date in 2010. [6325/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 291 and 294 together.
CHC Ireland Limited have been granted a contract for more than €15 million for the provision of search and rescue helicopter services for the Irish Coast Guard.
292 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Transport the number of external consultants currently working for or in his Department; the work they are carrying out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6207/10]
There are currently seven external consultants working for my Department. The work they are carrying out is contained in the following table:
|
The Work being carried out |
|
EU Article 4 checks on Irish rail expenditure under the ESIOP. |
|
Aviation Adviser for the Irish Coast Guard Search & Rescue Helicopter service |
|
Process Auditor for new Irish Coast Guard Search & Rescue Helicopter service tender procedure. |
|
To assess the quality and robustness of project development and implementation of selected Transport 21 projects with regard to compliance with the appraisal and procurement guidelines. |
|
To give advice on the financial, economic and technical aspects of the Transport 21 Capital Investment Programme |
|
To review compliance by the State Agencies responsible for the delivery of transport infrastructure with the appraisal and procurement guidelines during the project appraisal stage |
|
Review of DoT Guidelines on Common Appraisal Framework, reviewing Transport 21 Project Business Cases and drafting post project review methodology |
|
Due Diligence Report on Arklow Harbour |
293 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport when the stretch of road between Ballindine and Miltown on the N17 will be improved in view of the fact that this was the scene of a tragic accident in November 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6308/10]
310 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport the measures taken to prevent such tragedies as the 17 November 2009 incident, in which four young persons lost their lives on the N17 between Mayo and Galway, from happening in the future; if he will sign an on-line petition in support of the families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6956/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 293 and 310 together.
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 N17 between Ballindine and Miltown, is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
295 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport the number of kilometres of the rail network here that are electrified; the way this compares with railway electrification in states across the EU; the measures he proposes to increase the level of rail electrification here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6443/10]
Matters relating to the development of the rail network, including electrification, are a matter for Iarnród Eireann in the first instance. I have asked the company to respond directly to the Deputy with the statistical information sought. The DART underground programme will involve a significant expansion in the number of kilometres of electrified track. The Deputy will be aware that since 1 December 2009 rail investment in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including the development of the DART underground programme, is a matter which comes under the remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA). There are currently no plans for additional electrification of rail lines other than the works under the DART underground programme.
296 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport if all the portable electrical equipment in his Department and subsidiary companies have portable appliance test certificates as required by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulation S.I. No. 299 of 2007; if not, the reason for same; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a PAT must be carried out on all moveable electrical equipment in offices, centres and so on, to ensure the safety and welfare of both employees and employers; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that records of all such tests must be kept for at least five years to allow the Health and Safety Authority to carry out random spot checks and that insurance companies and underwriters are already seeking proof of compliance prior to renewal of policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6454/10]
My Department implements an ongoing PAT programme in order to ensure that portable equipment used in Departmental premises is maintained in a manner fit for safe use. Comprehensive reports were prepared by an external consultant engaged for this purpose in 2007 in respect of the Department's main premises at 25 Clare Street, 44 Kildare Street, Frederick Buildings (South Frederick Street) and 59 Dawson Street, Dublin 2. These buildings house the great majority of the Department's staff. A number of minor issues arose from these tests and appropriate remedial action was taken. Records of this programme are retained.
It is planned to test portable equipment in remaining Department premises later this year and in the event of any safety issues arising remedial action will again be taken to eliminate any safety concerns. In so far as agencies under the aegis of my Department is concerned, this is a matter for direct attention by the agencies themselves.
297 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Transport the Department to whom responsibility for keeping roads passable lies in the event of adverse weather conditions; the Minister in overall charge; the person who has authority to call on the assistance of the Army; if the National Roads Authority is responsible for providing and spreading gritting materials on national primary roads; his views on whether one authority should take responsibility for all roads here in the event of a major weather emergency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2459/10]
Local authorities have statutory responsibility for the maintenance of all public roads under section 13 of the Roads Act 1993 and this includes winter maintenance. Funding for winter maintenance of national roads is allocated to local authorities by the National Roads Authority (NRA). I provide grants in respect of regional and local roads to supplement local authorities' own resources. These allocations are inclusive of a weather risk factor and local authorities are expressly advised to set aside contingency sums to finance weather related works.
My Department has commenced a review of the transport aspects of the recent severe weather and that will include consideration of whether there should be any organisational changes of the type referred to by the Deputy. During the recent severe weather the Defence Forces were available on request to assist local authorities. While the priority was to provide assistance for emergencies the Defence Forces were available to assist in other ways including with transport and personnel. Under the Strategic Emergency Planning Guidance the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has the lead role in co-ordinating the national response to severe weather and my Department has a major support role in relation to the transport-related aspects of that response.
298 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Transport the cost to date of the Kildare route project; and the expected expenditure to complete the project in full. [6625/10]
Since 1 December 2009, this is a matter which comes under the remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA). The Oireachtas Liaison Officer for the NTA is Mr. Matt Benville, The National Transport Authority, 59 Dawson Street, Dublin 2.
299 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport if he has been briefed by Bus Éireann on the recently announced programme of cutbacks to routes and services; if his attention has been drawn to the cancellation of the morning Bus Éireann service from Carrigans via St. Johnston and Raphoe in County Donegal which affects many communities in east Donegal; the steps he is taking to address the problem of the public transport gap in rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6738/10]
I have been briefed on the measures being taken by Bus Eireann to ensure its financial viability. Decisions in relation to individual services are matters for the company with the approval, where necessary in the case of subvented services, of the National Transport Authority.
300 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the degree to which he will encourage and develop sea transport with reference to the development of the ports and harbours, roll-on roll-off services and increased frequency and location of ferry services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6806/10]
As Minister for Transport I feel it is important that the market offers a diverse range of viable maritime links in and out of the State. This is vital to facilitate trade and tourism. Ireland has one of the most extensive short sea networks in Europe with multiple operators and various alternative modes of shipping available. Our roll-on roll-off and ferry services between Ireland and the UK are amongst the most frequently served services in Europe. Any new services must be market driven. Over the past decade we have seen a 68% increase in the amount of freight capacity services serving the Ireland to UK and European markets.
Ireland is well served by ferry links to the UK and continental Europe. These links are frequent and competitive. The services can be viewed on an interactive map on the website of the Irish Maritime Development Office (www.imdo.ie). The Irish Government encourages intra and inter port competition for ferry services which has been facilitated by the infrastructural and capacity developments at our ports. Shipping operates in a highly liberalised global market environment, which has enhanced competition on the key Irish routes. The ongoing development of our shipping network has provided the Irish market with more competition, choice and frequency in accessing the global market place.
My Department through its agency the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) continues to support and assist Irish and foreign owners establish new shipping services, providing them with expert market intelligence and analysis.
301 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the intended investment and expenditure on the expansion of all sections of the rail service, current and proposed, in the next three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6807/10]
Since 1 December 2009, rail investment in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) is a matter which comes under the remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA). In regard to rail investment outside the GDA, we have made clear in our renewed programme for Government that we remain committed to the provision of a safe and efficient network of rail services. A major focus of rail investment in the coming years will be continued investment in the safety of the rail network through the Third Railway Safety Programme, 2009-2013, and I am pleased to say that I have been able to allocate €96 million to this programme in 2010.
In general, given the current difficult funding environment, it will not be possible to progress all the projects in Transport 21 in accordance with the ambitious timescale envisioned at its launch. I am committed however to maintain investment to the maximum amount possible, and to progress planning where possible so that we are in a position to move swiftly to construction as and when funding becomes available. This applies in particular to phases 2 and 3 of the Western Rail Corridor, and to the second phase of the Cork commuter rail project, on the Cork-Mallow line.
302 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the number of road accident blackspots currently publicly identified on the various road networks throughout the country; if requests have been received for funding to address this issue from either the National Roads Authority or the local authorities as appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6808/10]
303 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport if, from his Department’s Vote, head or subhead, it might be appropriate to allocate funding to the National Roads Authority or the local authorities for the specific purpose of addressing road accident blackspots throughout the country; the extent to which funding has been requested for that purpose in the past; the degree to which he will respond in the future having regard to the public comment on the issue. [6809/10]
I propose to take Questions 302 and 303 together.
The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. I understand that the NRA each year provides funds for safety related works on national roads. The selection and prioritisation of projects to be funded is a matter for the NRA in conjunction with the relevant the local authority.
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.
Since 2000, road grants have been paid from my Department's regional and local road grant allocations to local authorities under the Low Cost Safety Improvement Works Scheme for regional and local roads. Funding is allocated to locations which show possible contributory factors or accident patterns which may respond to low cost road improvements. In 2009, grants totalling €5.86 million were paid under the scheme to local authorities. I will announce the 2010 regional and local road grant allocations shortly.
304 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which airport charges here compare with the charges in other airports at similar locations throughout Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6810/10]
As I have previously informed the Deputy, the Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR) regulates airport charges levied at Dublin Airport. Charges at Cork and Shannon are set by the airport authority. Passenger charges levied at the six regional airports, which are owned and operated independently, are a matter for each airport concerned. In relation to comparable charges at other European Airports, I have been informed by the Dublin Airport Authority (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. I also understand from the DAA that charges at Cork and Shannon also compare favourably with European benchmarks.
305 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which the Transport 21 proposals previously announced by him have been affected or are expected to be affected by the revised programme for Government; the way this compares with the previously announced programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6811/10]
In Transport 21, the Government identified the programmes and projects in the national roads, public transport and regional airports sectors that it wished to see prioritised for implementation in the ten-year period from 2006 to 2015 within an overall capital provision of €34 billion. These projects and programmes can be found on the Transport 21 website (www.transport21.ie). However, in the light of the changed economic circumstances, it has been necessary to review investment priorities across all Government Departments. The results of this review are reflected in the Renewed Programme for Government and my Department’s Transport 21 priorities for the coming years are as follows:
for national roads, the priorities are:
the completion by end 2010 of the five major inter-urban motorways and the M50 upgrade
the progression of the Atlantic Road Corridor.
for public transport, the priority is to deliver significantly increased long term capacity to the network through:
the construction of Metro North
the construction of DART Underground and the implementation of the associated electrification, signalling and rolling stock investments
investment in buses, bus priority and real time passenger information, subject to the implementation of the recent cost efficiency reviews and the availability of subvention
it is important that we continue planning other projects to enable their earliest possible delivery when the economic situation improves.
These priorities for investment are set out in the Renewed Programme for Government.
It is unlikely that all of the projects originally identified in Transport 21 will be completed by 2015. However, no projects have been cancelled and Transport 21 continues to provide the strategic framework for capital spending on transport infrastructure into the future.
306 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the way he envisages the recently announced 30 km/h speed limit for certain parts of Dublin city affecting transport costs if replicated throughout the country in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6813/10]
Statutory responsibility for the application of special speed limits through the making of special speed limit bye-laws is vested in the elected members of county councils and city councils. In setting a special speed limit a local authority must assess various factors with the primary focus being on road safety. It is, quite appropriately, a matter for the local authority to assess the various local factors at play in setting a special speed limit including any potential transport costs.
307 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport his proposals for investment in each segment of the transport sector over the next three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6814/10]
Transport 21 continues to provide the strategic framework for capital spending on transport infrastructure in the areas of national roads, public transport, and regional airports into the future. However, in the light of the changed economic circumstances, it has been necessary to review investment priorities across all Government Departments. The results of this review are reflected in the Renewed Programme for Government and in my Department's transport priorities for the coming years which are as follows:
Roads
My Department's priorities for national roads are the completion of the major inter-urban network and the M50 upgrade by end 2010 and the progression of the Atlantic Road Corridor. The priority for regional and local roads will be to maintain the current level of funding and to focus that expenditure on protecting existing investment on these roads.
Public Transport
In addition to completing a number of important projects which are already underway, the priority for public transport is to deliver significantly increased long term capacity to the network through:
the construction of Metro North;
the construction of Dart Underground and the implementation of the associated electrification, signalling and rolling stock investments;
investment in buses, bus priority and real time passenger information, subject to the implementation of the recent cost efficiency reviews and the availability of subvention.
Airports
State airport investment is funded by the Dublin Airport Authority without recourse to the Exchequer. The priority for Exchequer investment in regional airports is the completion of existing contractual commitments.
Sustainable Travel
The priority for sustainable travel is the completion of a number of projects that are currently under construction. Further projects will be started in 2010. In particular, schemes will be selected from the Smarter Travel Demonstration Areas Fund and the Smarter Travel Demonstration Projects Fund competitions. Details of these will be available on www.smartertravel.ie as progress is made.
Maritime Transport
Government ports policy states that the commercial port companies should fund capital investment projects from their own resources without recourse to the Exchequer. However the Department will continue to fund remedial works at regional harbours.
Planning
We will also continue planning other investment projects across the sector to enable their earliest possible delivery when the economic situation improves.
308 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport if moneys from the Vote for his Department under any heading or subheading have been allocated or awarded to any body, group or agency including the National Roads Authority or Kildare County Council; if mention was made to address the urgent need for road restoration following the recent weather conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6815/10]
I assume that the Deputy is referring to grant allocations made in respect of roads. The 2010 allocations for national roads were announced on 1st February 2010, the details of which are set out in the National Roads Authority document entitled: "Grant Allocations to local authorities for National Roads — 2010", a copy of which I recently had placed in the Oireachtas Library. Included in that document is a detailed breakdown of the allocations made to each local authority, including Kildare County Council, to fund both the improvement and the maintenance of national roads during the year. I will shortly announce the 2010 regional and local road grant allocations.
309 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Transport if he has received a set of recommendations from Mayo County Council in respect of changes to the speed limit that apply in the county; when this proposal will be acted upon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6950/10]
I have not received recommendations from Mayo County Council in respect of changes to the speed limits that apply in that county. Statutory responsibility for the application of special speed limits through the making of special speed limit bye-laws is vested in the elected members of county councils and city councils.
311 Deputy John O’Donoghue asked the Minister for Transport if the second factory acceptance test on equipment for marine rescue in respect of an area (details supplied) in County Kerry which was due to start in early December 2009 has in fact commenced; if the said equipment which was expected prior to the end of December 2009 has been delivered; and when work will commence on the adaptation of this building. [6960/10]
The second factory acceptance test on all the Integrated Communications System (ICS) equipment was successfully completed in November 2009. The equipment for Valentia currently resides in the main Coast Guard Stores in Dublin. My Department is awaiting a report on the scale and cost of the works required at Malin Head and Valentia. This report will determine the order in which the work will be done. I will review the matter in the second quarter of 2010 with an intention that, subject to funding, work will commence on at least one of the Rescue Coordination Centres this year.
312 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding child maintenance and arrears outstanding; if he is committed to ensuring that maintenance payments are made when due; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6380/10]
I refer the Deputy to the reply to her Question No 369 on 2nd February 2010.
313 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the issue of paternity leave; and if he has had discussions with the Department of Social and Family Affairs on the issue. [6772/10]
My Department, in consultation with the social partners, is examining the issue of paternity leave as part of a review of maternity, parental and paternity leave as promised in the Agreed Programme for Government and the Social Partnership agreement "Towards 2016". I can confirm that officials from my Department have had discussions on the matter with the Department of Social and Family Affairs.
The issue of the introduction of a statutory entitlement to paternity leave was examined before, in 2002, by a working group made up of representatives of the social partners and relevant State bodies, as part of the review of the Parental Leave Act 1998. The working group could not reach a consensus on the issue. The possibility of introducing an entitlement to paternity leave has recently been raised at EU level at the European Parliament in the context of a review of maternity leave entitlements. My Department continues to examine the issue of maternity, parental and paternity leave, taking into account also developments at EU level.
314 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the Property Registration Authority’s move towards the e-conveyancing of land certificates, specifically pertaining to documents that have been saved and the location at which they are being kept; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6955/10]
I would like to refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 366 of 2 February, 2010 which sets out the position in relation to this matter.
315 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath for review of a decision, in respect of the refusal to grant them the appropriate rights pursuant to the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, will be heard; if same will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6075/10]
I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that the person concerned made an application for residence in the State based on his marriage to a British national on 30 January 2009. The person referred to by the Deputy was informed of the decision to refuse his application on 7 July 2009. A request by the applicant and his spouse for a review of this decision was received on 8 September 2009. All applications for review are dealt with in chronological order of date of receipt and the decision to refuse this application remains under review.
316 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will support the case of a person (details supplied). [6122/10]
The persons concerned, a mother and two children, arrived in the State in late 2007 and formally applied for asylum on 27 November 2007. The two children were included as dependants in the mother's asylum application meaning that any decision made in relation to her case applied equally to the children. The asylum application was refused following the consideration of the application by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. A third child was born in the State in early 2008 and this child's application was also refused following consideration of her case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.
Arising from the refusal of the asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, the persons concerned were informed, by letter dated 6 March 2009, that the Minister proposed to make Deportation Orders in respect of them. They were given the options, to be exercised within a period of 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to deportation or of submitting written representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why Deportation Orders should not be made against them. They were also notified of their entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with the provisions of the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006. The persons concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection and also submitted representations pursuant to Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999. The application for Subsidiary Protection was examined following which a decision was taken to refuse the application. This decision was communicated to the persons concerned by letter dated 20 May 2009.
The case of the persons concerned was then examined under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 on the prohibition of refoulement. Consideration was given to all representations submitted by and on behalf of the persons concerned and due regard was had for all national and international jurisprudence in terms of the humanitarian aspects of this case. On 27 May 2009 Deportation Orders were signed in respect of the persons concerned.
Section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) provides the Minister with powers to amend or revoke a Deportation Order. An application to revoke the Orders in respect of this family was made by its legal representatives on 1 February 2010. For such an application to be successful it would need to set out new facts or circumstances which have arisen and which were not capable of being advanced at the time the decision to deport was made. This application will be considered as soon as possible and a decision will be taken to either affirm or revoke the Orders based on all the information at my disposal. Once such a decision has been made, this decision, and the consequences of the decision, will be conveyed in writing to the persons concerned.
317 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the companies that have been granted contracts for projects worth more than €10 million in the period 2000 to 2010. [6150/10]
336 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the companies that have been granted contracts for projects worth more than €15 million in the period 2000 to date in 2010. [6322/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 317 and 336 together.
I am not in a position to provide the information sought by the Deputy at this time, but will do so as soon as the information is available.
318 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of promotional posts within the Garda Síochána that remain unfilled because of budgetary cutbacks; the number of such posts that have been filled but remain unpaid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6154/10]
As of 31st December 2009 the strength of the force was 14,547 with an additional 232 students in training. While some 700 members of the force retired in 2009 over 900 students were attested as sworn members in the same period. The Deputy will be aware that I recently secured sanction from the Minister for Finance for a significant derogation from the moratorium on recruitment and appointments in the public service. As a result of this some 170 positions will be filled in An Garda Síochána in the very near future. The Commissioner is in the process of organising competitions from which successful candidates will be promoted to fill vacancies throughout the force and it is expected that this process will be completed as soon as is practicable.
319 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Garda officers who are community gardaí; the percentage of the force that are community gardaí; if he will establish a promotional path for community gardaí within An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6156/10]
Policing in local communities, either rural or urban, is a matter for all Gardaí and not just those assigned to the roles of community policing. It is worth noting, however, that the number of Gardaí exclusively assigned to community policing has increased considerably in recent times. The figures available at the end of 2009 show that there are 1,058 members of the Garda Síochána specifically assigned to community policing, out of a total attested strength of 14,547. By comparison, at the end of 2007, 630 members were assigned to community policing, and the present number represents an increase of almost 68% on that figure. Personnel attached to Community Policing are eligible to go forward for promotion through a competitive process which is regulated by the terms of the Garda Síochána (Promotion) Regulations (Statutory Instrument No 485 of 2006). There is no provision for a special promotion system for Community Gardaí.
320 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that important information is being lost as a result of the shredding of documents as a result of the Property Registration Authority’s move towards e-conveyancing; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that such documents are of enormous benefit to persons wishing to research their family tree; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6162/10]
I take it that the Deputy is referring to a newspaper article which appeared in the "Irish Times” on 23 December, 2009. I would like to refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 366 of 2 February, 2010 which sets out the position in relation to this matter.
321 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will be given on an application for a visa in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6163/10]
I regret to advise the Deputy that it is not possible to provide a response to his Question at this time. The information sought by the Deputy will be provided at a later date.
322 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of external consultants currently working for or in his Department; the work they are carrying out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6204/10]
I am not in a position to provide the information sought by the Deputy at this time, but will do so as soon as the information is available.
323 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the criteria that determine the allocation of community gardaí to an area; if it is as a percentage of population, the number of gardaí attached to a station or the status of the station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6223/10]
The allocation of Garda resources, including the distribution of personnel, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner and senior Garda management. They are aided in this by a distribution model which indicates the most effective means of distributing Garda personnel and acts as a guide to Garda management decision making. It takes into account different policing variables, including crime trends, socioeconomic factors, and census information.
Policing in local communities, either rural or urban, is a matter for all Gardaí and not just those assigned to the role of community policing. It is worth noting, however, that the number of Gardaí exclusively assigned to community policing has increased considerably in recent times. The figures available at the end of 2009 show that there are 1,058 members of the Garda Síochána specifically assigned to community policing, out of a total attested strength of 14,547. By comparison, at the end of 2007, 630 members were assigned to community policing, and the present number represents an increase of almost 68% on that figure.
All members who are assigned to community policing operate on a full-time basis. These members are specifically tasked with the duty of liaising with communities within their policing Districts. The new Garda Síochána National Model of Community Policing was launched early in 2009. This new model is about renewing, re-invigorating and re-structuring the community policing function within the Garda Síochána to deliver a consistent national structure to the community policing function; a more coordinated and efficient Garda service to the community; and the spread of good practices and quality service in community policing on a national basis. The national strategies for Neighbourhood Watch and Community Alert, both of which were launched in 2007, will also inform the organisation on how best to implement future crime prevention programmes and community policing programmes.
A National Community Policing Office has been established within Garda Community Relations Section to develop and oversee the implementation programme. The model is being rolled out nationwide in line with an action plan which has been developed for implementation. Training is ongoing and it is intended that every District Officer throughout the country will take ownership of community policing within his or her area of responsibility. The Garda Síochána National Model of Community Policing Report is available on the Garda website www.garda.ie.
324 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of community gardaí attached to the new Kildare division of An Garda Síochána; the stations that they are attached to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6231/10]
I regret that the information requested by the Deputy is not readily to hand. I will write to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
325 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he is satisfied that gardaí will provide proper services to a town (details supplied) in County Kildare in view of the fact that the Garda complement of numbers as allocated for the specific area is short a sergeant and five gardaí due to retirements, promotions, transfers and so on; if the embargo will be lifted to provide the replacements to ensure a full complement of staff for the area to overcome the undue stress that is being placed on the present staff due to such shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6238/10]
The allocation of Garda resources, including the distribution of personnel, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner and senior Garda management. They are aided in this by a distribution model which indicates the most effective means of distributing Garda personnel and acts as a guide to Garda management decision making. It takes into account different policing variables, including crime trends, socioeconomic factors, and census information.
The Deputy will be aware that I recently secured sanction from the Minister for Finance for a significant derogation from the moratorium on recruitment and appointments in the public service. The Commissioner is in the process of organising competitions from which successful candidates will be promoted to fill vacancies in the force and it is expected that this will be completed as soon as is practicable. In relation to the specific issue raised by the Deputy, this will be taken into account by Garda Management when they are considering the distribution of resources in the area in question.
326 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a local authority (details supplied) has made an application for funding to his Department regarding the provision of closed circuit television for a town within its area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6239/10]
I regret that the specific information requested in relation to the local authority referred to by the Deputy is not readily to hand. I will write to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
327 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to individuals to whom bench warrants have been issued and are still outstanding who continue to claim social welfare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6267/10]
The matter referred to by the Deputy has not been brought to my attention. I will revert to the Deputy when relevant information becomes available.
328 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of garda retirements in every rank in the new Galway Garda division in 2008 and 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6278/10]
I regret that the information requested by the Deputy is not readily to hand. I will write to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
329 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding a visa application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath. [6279/10]
I regret to advise the Deputy that it is not possible to provide a response to his question at this time. The information sought by the Deputy will be provided at a later date.
330 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will expedite an application for naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6281/10]
I regret that the information requested by the Deputy is not readily to hand. I will write to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
331 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when an application for citizenship will be concluded in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6285/10]
I regret that the information requested by the Deputy is not readily to hand. I will write to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
332 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress of an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; when the process will be concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6286/10]
I regret that the information requested by the Deputy is not readily to hand. I will write to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
333 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6289/10]
I regret to advise the Deputy that it is not possible to provide a response to his Question at this time. The information sought by the Deputy will be provided at a later date.
334 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in Cork who is awaiting subsidiary protection and leave to remain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6292/10]
I regret to advise the Deputy that it is not possible to provide a response to his Question at this time. The information sought by the Deputy will be provided at a later date.
335 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the cost to the Exchequer of cash in transit escorts for security companies over the past five years; the changes he has recently made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6299/10]
The situation with regard to cash escorts and the recovery of costs from the banking industry has developed over the last few years from a situation whereby the banks made a flat contribution, regardless of costs, to the situation that currently obtains, whereby an agreed formula is used to calculate the costs incurred by the State and a mechanism employed which secures close to full recovery of these costs from the banking industry. In 2005 the costs incurred by the Garda Síochána in respect of cash escorts were in the order of €6.1 million. The flat contribution made by the banking industry to these costs was €4.25 million (this amount was paid in 2006 — the banks' contribution to the costs of one year is paid in arrears the following year). The net cost to the Exchequer in respect of cash escorts in 2005 was therefore in the order of €1.85 million.
In respect of the costs of cash escorts incurred in 2006 onwards, these are dealt with by the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the then Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform in May 2007. This MoU allows for the recovery of the costs of cash escorts from the banks. The costs are calculated using a formula which takes into account a number of factors including pay and allowances, subsistence, overtime, fuel and transport costs. The total arrived at is then discounted by 10%. This discount was agreed on the basis that the Government has always taken the view that there is a public interest issue in relation to the secure movement of cash. In addition, the decision to provide an escort is made by the Gardaí on an operational basis, not at the request of the banks and the discount acknowledges this.
The amounts received from the banking industry since the MoU was signed, in respect of the banks' contribution to the costs of Garda cash escorts, as calculated using the formula described above, are listed below:
2006 — €4,997,126;
2007 — €4,881,265;
2008 — €4,823,000.
Please note that, as with the 2005 figure of €4.25 million, these payments were all received in the following year to that in which the costs were incurred. The figure for 2009 is not yet available.
337 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will assist a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15 to regain their Garda national immigration bureau stamp four; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6327/10]
I regret to advise the Deputy that it is not possible to provide a response to his Question at this time. The information sought by the Deputy will be provided at a later date.
338 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [6342/10]
It has not been possible to ascertain the position on this issue in the time available for reply. The information will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
339 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of prison officers appointed to the Prison Service in 2009; the number of prison officers in Portlaoise Prison; the number who were appointed to Portlaoise Prison in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6346/10]
It has not been possible to provide the information required in the time available for reply. The information will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
340 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount of money the operations of the Criminal Assets Bureau cost annually since its foundation. [6353/10]
I regret to advise the Deputy that it is not possible to provide a response to his Question at this time. The information sought by the Deputy will be provided at a later date.
341 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount of moneys and the value of assets seized by the Criminal Asset Bureau annually; and the amount of money that has been returned to the Exchequer annually since its inception. [6354/10]
The Criminal Assets Bureau, pursuant to its statutory remit, has pursued the proceeds of crime by using powers granted under the relevant Proceeds of Crime legislation and provisions under the Revenue and Finance Acts, and legislation and regulations under the Department of Social & Family Affairs. The following tables show the monies and estimated value of assets seized under each of the relevant headings from 1996 to 2008. The figures for 2009 are currently being compiled.
|
Section 2 Interim Orders |
Section 3 Interlocutory Orders |
Section 4 and 4A |
Section16(b) |
|
|
1996 |
£2,101,000.00 |
£2,048,000.00 |
||
|
1997 |
£2,334,680.00 |
£1,496,180.00 |
||
|
1998 |
£1,682,544.65 |
£1,091,412.62 |
||
|
1999 |
£1,500,000.00 |
£813,659.00 |
||
|
2000 |
£838,536.00 |
£1,641,215.00 |
||
|
Stg£52,230.00 |
||||
|
2001 |
£1,872,654.72 |
£1,342,951.10 |
||
|
(€2,377,781.00) |
(€1,705,196.15) |
|||
|
Stg£491,114.09 |
Stg£279,635.70 |
|||
|
Total 1996-2001 |
IR£10,329,415.37 |
IR£8,433,417.72 |
— |
|
|
Euro Equivalent |
€13,115,652.02 |
€10,708,231.61 |
— |
|
|
2002 |
€3,709,086.00 |
€2,504,669.00 |
||
|
Stg£17,802,004.00 |
Stg£1,993,094.00 |
|||
|
US$ 5,558,377.00 |
US$ 5,247,821.00 |
|||
|
2003 |
€3,045,842.00 |
€71,699.00 |
||
|
Stg£12,150.00 |
Stg£557,070.00 |
|||
|
2004 |
€1,027,152.18 |
€1,688,651.63 |
€275,875.43 |
|
|
Stg£6,115 |
Stg£375.00 |
|||
|
2005 |
€5,860,335.00 |
€1,200,525.57 |
€2,002,738.41 |
|
|
US$314,619.54 |
Stg£26,760 |
|||
|
US$130,000 |
||||
|
2006 |
€2,836,479.97 |
€726,350.94 |
€2,459,864.79 |
€53,000,000 |
|
Stg£294, 289.39 |
||||
|
2007 |
€9,804,193.14 |
€9,848,432.84 |
€1,435,340.59 |
|
|
Stg30,690.00 |
|
|||
|
2008 |
€5,022,050.89 |
€2,501,802.57 |
€2,802,460.37 |
|
|
Stg4,860.00 |
Stg150,314.76 |
|||
|
Totals 1996-2007 |
€44,420,791.20 |
€29,250,363.16 |
€8,976,279.59 |
€53,000,000 |
|
Stg£18,693,452.48 |
Stg£3,007,249.46 |
|||
|
US$5,872,996.54 |
US$5,377,821.00 |
|
Year Ending |
Taxes Assessed |
Taxes & Interest Demanded |
Taxes Collected |
|
31/12/1996 |
£3,151,893.00 |
£3,443,998.00 |
£0.00 |
|
31/12/1997 |
£6,258,169.00 |
£5,210,687.00 |
£198,230.00 |
|
31/12/1998 |
£6,544,047.00 |
£10,794,598.00 |
£621,749.00 |
|
31/12/1999 |
£7,853,356.00 |
£13,454,013.00 |
£2,361,280.00 |
|
31/12/2000 |
£9,935,088.00 |
£4,858,216.00 |
£6,769,218.00 |
|
31/12/2001 |
£14,678,657.00 |
£6,571,986.00 |
£18,556,321.00 |
|
Total 1996-2001 Irish Punts |
£48,421,210.00 |
£44,333,498.00 |
£28,506,798.00 |
|
Euro Equivalent |
€61,482,254.14 |
€56,291,930.00 |
€36,196,166.00 |
|
31/12/2002 |
€9,954,554.00 |
€12,830,763.00 |
€10,003,816.00 |
|
31/12/2003 |
€7,405,114.00 |
€7,198,272.00 |
€9,991,022.00 |
|
31/1220/04 |
€5,519,473.75 |
€5,497,448.58 |
€16,408,649.08 |
|
31/12/2005 |
€14,078,811.95 |
€4,888,817.85 |
€16,376,598.71 |
|
31/12/2006 |
€13,720,476.72 |
€16,473,749.55 |
€19,192,906.56 |
|
31/12/2007 |
€18,370,867.10 |
€19,130,179.43 |
€10,009,459.27 |
|
31/12/2008 |
€23,435,212.28 |
€13,922,430.83 |
€5,891,624.85 |
|
Total |
€153,966,763.94 |
€136,233,591.24 |
€124,070,242.47 |
|
Year |
Overpayments Assessed |
Savings |
Sums Recovered |
|
1996 |
£33,234.75 |
£0.00 |
|
|
1997 |
£185,769.30 |
£233,618.64 |
|
|
1998 |
£281,072.63 |
£221,474.00 |
|
|
1999 |
£327,755.00 |
£268,974.00 |
|
|
2000 |
£0.00 |
£108,011.30 |
|
|
2001 |
£249,976.00 |
£151,845.00 |
€166,279.82 |
|
Total 1996-2001 Irish Punts |
£1,077,807.68 |
£983,922.94 |
|
|
Euro equivalent |
€1,368,533.45 |
€1,249,324.42 |
|
|
2002 |
€350,347.00 |
€155,481.00 |
€51,909.36 |
|
2003 |
€518,885.00 |
€109,654.00 |
€199,702.77 |
|
2004 |
€262,048.84 |
€222,921.40 |
€273,073.61 |
|
2005 |
€338,296.00 |
€216,054.00 |
€293,948.00 |
|
2006 |
€439,703.77 |
€297,743.80 |
€139,524.42 |
|
2007 |
€531,957.71 |
€550,976.80 |
€136,623.59 |
|
2008 |
€358,725.63 |
€712,615.60 |
€182,198.30 |
|
Total |
€4,168,497.40 |
€3,514,771.02 |
€1,443,259.87 |
The amounts of moneys returned to the exchequer under the Proceeds of Crime Act are listed as follows:
|
Year |
€ |
|
Total for 2003 |
82,437.32 |
|
Total for 2004 |
341,023.95 |
|
Total for 2005 |
2,008,938.41 |
|
Total for 2006 |
2,970,589.51 |
|
Total for 2007 |
254,651.94 |
|
Total for 2008 |
6,129,313.63 |
342 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the value of assets and moneys currently held by the Criminal Assets Bureau or awaiting court orders allowing disposal of properties; the amount of money expected to be transferred to the Exchequer from the CAB in 2010 and into the near future. [6355/10]
The Criminal Assets Bureau, pursuant to its statutory remit, has pursued the proceeds of crime by using powers granted under the relevant Proceeds of Crime legislation and provisions under the Revenue and Finance Acts, and legislation and regulations under the Department of Social & Family Affairs. Monies collected under the provisions of the relevant revenue and Social Welfare legislation are returned to their respective Departments with other monies being returned to the Exchequer.
It is not possible to predict the amount of monies which will be transferred to the Exchequer during 2010 until an Order has been perfected by the High Court or money has been collected under the Taxes or Social Welfare Acts. The following table shows the monies and estimated value of assets seized under each of the relevant headings from 1996 to 2008. Figures for 2009 are currently being compiled.
|
Section 2 Interim Orders |
Section 3 Interlocutory Orders |
Section 4 and 4A |
Section 16(b) |
|
|
1996 |
£2,101,000.00 |
£2,048,000.00 |
||
|
1997 |
£2,334,680.00 |
£1,496,180.00 |
||
|
1998 |
£1,682,544.65 |
£1,091,412.62 |
||
|
1999 |
£1,500,000.00 |
£813,659.00 |
||
|
2000 |
£838,536.00 |
£1,641,215.00 |
||
|
Stg£52,230.00 |
||||
|
2001 |
£1,872,654.72 |
£1,342,951.10 |
||
|
(€2,377,781.00) |
(€1,705,196.15) |
|||
|
Stg£ 491,114.09 |
Stg£ 279,635.70 |
|||
|
Total 1996-2001 |
IR£10,329,415.37 |
IR£8,433,417.72 |
— |
|
|
Euro Equivalent |
€13,115,652.02 |
€10,708,231.61 |
— |
|
|
2002 |
€3,709,086.00 |
€2,504,669.00 |
||
|
Stg£17,802,004.00 |
Stg£1,993,094.00 |
|||
|
US$5,558,377.00 |
US$5,247,821.00 |
|||
|
2003 |
€3,045,842.00 |
€71,699.00 |
||
|
Stg£12,150.00 |
Stg£557,070.00 |
|||
|
2004 |
€1,027,152.18 |
€1,688,651.63 |
€275,875.43 |
|
|
Stg£6,115 |
Stg£375.00 |
|||
|
2005 |
€5,860,335.00 |
€1,200,525.57 |
€2,002,738.41 |
|
|
US$314,619.54 |
Stg£26,760 |
|||
|
US$130,000 |
||||
|
2006 |
€2,836,479.97 |
€726,350.94 |
€2,459,864.79 |
€53,000,000 |
|
Stg£294,289.39 |
||||
|
2007 |
€9,804,193.14 |
€9,848,432.84 |
€1,435,340.59 |
|
|
Stg30,690.00 |
||||
|
2008 |
€5,022,050.89 |
€2,501,802.57 |
€2,802,460.37 |
|
|
Stg4,860.00 |
Stg150,314.76 |
|||
|
Totals 1996-2008 |
€44,420,791.20 |
€29,250,363.16 |
€8,976,279.59 |
€53,000,000 |
|
Stg£18,693,452.48 |
Stg£3,007,249.46 |
|||
|
US$5,872,996.54 |
US$5,377,821.00 |
|
Year Ending |
Taxes Assessed |
Taxes & Interest Demanded |
Taxes Collected |
|
31/12/1996 |
£3,151,893.00 |
£3,443,998.00 |
£0.00 |
|
31/12/1997 |
£6,258,169.00 |
£5,210,687.00 |
£198,230.00 |
|
31/12/1998 |
£6,544,047.00 |
£10,794,598.00 |
£621,749.00 |
|
31/12/1999 |
£7,853,356.00 |
£13,454,013.00 |
£2,361,280.00 |
|
31/12/2000 |
£9,935,088.00 |
£4,858,216.00 |
£6,769,218.00 |
|
31/12/2001 |
£14,678,657.00 |
£6,571,986.00 |
£18,556,321.00 |
|
Total 1996-2001 Irish Punts |
£48,421,210.00 |
£44,333,498.00 |
£28,506,798.00 |
|
€ Equivalent |
€61,482,254.14 |
€56,291,930.00 |
€36,196,166.00 |
|
31/12/2002 |
€9,954,554.00 |
€12,830,763.00 |
€10,003,816.00 |
|
31/12/2003 |
€7,405,114.00 |
€7,198,272.00 |
€9,991,022.00 |
|
31/12/2004 |
€5,519,473.75 |
€5,497,448.58 |
€16,408,649.08 |
|
31/12/2005 |
€14,078,811.95 |
€4,888,817.85 |
€16,376,598.71 |
|
31/12/2006 |
€13,720,476.72 |
€16,473,749.55 |
€19,192,906.56 |
|
31/12/2007 |
€18,370,867.10 |
€19,130,179.43 |
€10,009,459.27 |
|
31/12/2008 |
€23,435,212.28 |
€13,922,430.83 |
€5,891,624.85 |
|
Total |
€153,966,763.94 |
€136,233,591.24 |
€124,070,242.47 |
|
Year |
Overpayments Assessed |
Savings |
Sums Recovered |
|
1996 |
£33,234.75 |
£0.00 |
|
|
1997 |
£185,769.30 |
£233,618.64 |
|
|
1998 |
£281,072.63 |
£221,474.00 |
|
|
1999 |
£327,755.00 |
£268,974.00 |
|
|
2000 |
£0.00 |
£108,011.30 |
|
|
2001 |
£249,976.00 |
£151,845.00 |
€166,279.82 |
|
Total 1996-2001 Irish Punts |
£1,077,807.68 |
£983,922.94 |
|
|
Euro equivalent |
€1,368,533.45 |
€1,249,324.42 |
|
|
2002 |
€350,347.00 |
€155,481.00 |
€51,909.36 |
|
2003 |
€518,885.00 |
€109,654.00 |
€199,702.77 |
|
2004 |
€262,048.84 |
€222,921.40 |
€273,073.61 |
|
2005 |
€338,296.00 |
€216,054.00 |
€293,948.00 |
|
2006 |
€439,703.77 |
€297,743.80 |
€139,524.42 |
|
2007 |
€531,957.71 |
€550,976.80 |
€136,623.59 |
|
2008 |
€358,725.63 |
€712,615.60 |
€182,198.30 |
|
Total |
€4,168,497.40 |
€3,514,771.02 |
€1,443,259.87 |
343 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of vacant positions in all ranks in the Clare Garda division; his plans to fill these vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6381/10]
I regret that the information requested by the Deputy is not readily to hand. I will write to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
344 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of prisoners sentenced to eight months imprisonment or under, that have been released on licence since 1 January 2009 and to date in 2010; the length of the sentence that has been served in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6391/10]
I wish to advise the Deputy that the gathering of all the detailed information requested would require a disproportionate and inordinate amount of staff time and effort and could not be justified in current circumstances where there are other significant demands on resources. I have been advised that on 5th February 2010 there were 613 prisoners in total serving sentences of definite duration on temporary release. The numbers of such prisoners on temporary release fluctuates on a daily basis and to date in the year 2010, the numbers have fluctuated between slightly above 500 to slightly above 600.
The Criminal Justice Act 1960 as amended by the Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Act 2003 sets out the framework for the temporary release of prisoners. Prisoners may be granted temporary release to assess a person's ability to reintegrate into society, to prepare him or her for release, to assist the Gardaí, on grounds of health, on other humanitarian grounds, to ensure the good government of prison and to maintain good order and humane and just management of the prisons. All prisoners on temporary release are subject to conditions and are returned to prison if their behaviour gives rise to concern. Public safety is the paramount consideration in any decision on granting temporary release.
345 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the longest waiting time to date for a final decision on an asylum application in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6394/10]
I regret to advise the Deputy that it is not possible to provide a response to his Question at this time. The information sought by the Deputy will be provided at a later date.
346 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if all the portable electrical equipment in his Department and subsidiary or grant aided companies such as the Courts Service of Ireland, An Garda Síochána, Irish Prison Service and so on, have portable appliance test certificates as required by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulation S.I. No. 299 of 2007; if not, the reason for same; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a PAT must be carried out on all moveable electrical equipment in offices, centres and so on, to ensure the safety and welfare of both employees and employers; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that records of all such tests must be kept for at least five years to allow the Health and Safety Authority to carry out random spot checks and that insurance companies and underwriters are already seeking proof of compliance prior to renewal of policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6466/10]
S.I. No. 299 of 2007 does not require the issue of a certificate for all portable electrical equipment but only for portable electrical which falls under section 81(1)(c)(i) and (ii). I can inform the Deputy that my Department uses competent qualified electricians to carry out appropriate maintenance on all electrical equipment.
347 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6497/10]
I regret to advise the Deputy that it is not possible to provide a response to his Question at this time. The information sought by the Deputy will be provided at a later date.
348 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has initiated a review of the national disability strategy; if so, the terms of reference of the review; the agency or person who is carrying out the review; when the review will be complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6611/10]
Irefer the Deputy to my reply to his Question No. 78 of 10 November 2009. I have nothing further to add to the details of that reply.
349 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the national property services regulatory authority; the cost to date in 2010 and the ongoing costs of the NPSRA; the number of personnel employed; the expenditure on salaries and the location of their offices; the expenditure and the actual function of the NPSRA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6636/10]
I can inform the Deputy that the Auctioneering/Estate Agency Review Group recommended the establishment of the Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA) and that the Government decided that the Authority should be established on a statutory basis. The Property Services (Regulation) Bill 2009, which will give effect to this, is currently before the Houses of the Oireachtas awaiting Seanad Committee Stage. In the meantime, the PRSA continues to discharge appropriate functions on a non-statutory basis.
The main functions of the new Authority include:
Establishing and administering a comprehensive licensing system covering all providers of property services, (i.e. Auctioneers, Estate Agents, Letting Agents and Property Management Agents — collectively known as Property Services Providers). This extended system will replace the current licensing system for Auctioneers and House Agents under the Auctioneers and House Agents Acts 1947 to 1973;
Setting and enforcing standards for grant of licences (e.g. educational/training standards; levels of professional indemnity insurance) as well as standards to be observed in the provision of property services by licensees;
Establishing and administering a system of investigation and adjudication of complaints relating to the provision of property services, including imposition of sanctions as appropriate;
Conducting audits and inspections of Property Services Providers as part of a general compliance and enforcement function;
Developing and enforcing Codes of Practice;
Promoting increased consumer protection and public awareness (where appropriate in liaison and cooperation with other statutory bodies and professional and consumer bodies) of property services in general and the cost to consumers, risks and benefits associated with the provision of those services;
Producing guidance material for the industry and the public;
Establishing, maintaining and administering a Compensation Fund to compensate parties who lose money as a direct consequence of the dishonesty of a licensee;
Enforcing licensees obligations under the legislation through general investigations, inspections and court prosecutions;
Liaison and cooperation with overseas Authorities;
Acting as "State Competent Authority" for the purpose of Money Laundering legislation.
The PSRA is currently located in Abbey Buildings, Abbey Road, Navan, Co. Meath. In addition to its Chief Executive designate there are six full-time and two part-time staff. Expenditure by the Authority to date in 2010 is €38,715 (Pay: €36,089, Non-Pay: €2,626).
350 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, further to Parliamentary Question No. 54 of 10 December 2009, if the six departmental disability sectoral plan progress reports have been completed; the action taken as a result of the reports; when they will be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas as per commitments in the Disability Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6629/10]
The reports on progress on implementation of the Sectoral Plans were laid before both Houses on 5 February 2010 following approval of them by the Government.
351 Deputy Bernard Allen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when an application for family reunification will be decided upon in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [6695/10]
I regret that the information requested by the Deputy is not readily to hand. I will write to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
352 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the consideration given to designating the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg and the European Court of Justice sitting in Luxembourg as prescribed bodies to which section 40(7)(b) of the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004 apply and to ask that the aforesaid courts be so prescribed by an order of the Minister pursuant to the 2004 Act to ensure that no difficulty arises in the giving of information or evidence given in proceedings to which section 40 of the 2004 Act applies which result in a related hearing taking place in either of the aforementioned European courts. [6711/10]
One designation only has been made by Order of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform under section 40(7) of the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004 and no other designations are in contemplation at present. However, the operation of section 40 of the Act of 2004 continues to be reviewed by my Department.
353 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress that has been made on an application for naturalisation by persons (details supplied) in County Limerick; when he expects a decision to be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6712/10]
I regret that the information requested by the Deputy is not readily to hand. I will write to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
354 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Garda personnel, by grade, in County Wicklow that have applied to retire in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6760/10]
I regret that the information requested by the Deputy is not readily to hand. I will write to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
355 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Garda Operation Feather is still active; if so the number of persons arrested and charged to date under this operation; the number of gardaí involved; the cost of the operation to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6794/10]
I regret to advise the Deputy that it is not possible to provide a response to his Question at this time. The information sought by the Deputy will be provided at a later date.
356 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the cost of operating the Garda age card in 2009; the number of cards issued in 2009; the waiting time for processing applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6798/10]
I regret that the information requested by the Deputy is not readily to hand. I will write to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
357 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of prisoners who died by suicide in 2007, 2008 and 2009 under headings (details supplied). [6803/10]
All deaths in prison custody are the subject of a Garda investigation and an inquest held in a Coroner's Court. The cause of death is determined by a jury on the basis of the information presented to the Court. There are strategies and plans in place in all institutions for the prevention of suicides. The circumstances of each death in prison custody are also examined by a multi-disciplinary group in each institution. Their objective is to identify, where possible, measures which might be implemented to contribute to a reduction in the risk of deaths in the future. In addition, the Irish Prison Service Steering Group for the Prevention of Self-Harm and Death in the Prison Population provides a forum for collating the reports of the local groups and disseminating significant findings throughout the prison system.
The number of suicides recorded in Irish prisons for the years 2007 and 2008 are 7 and 11 respectively. Statistics for 2009 are not currently available and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
358 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, further to Parliamentary Question No. 633 of 19 January 2010, the way this case is affected by a recent court decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6818/10]
The person concerned was removed from the State on foot of a valid deportation order on 3rd February, 2010.
359 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6820/10]
I regret that the information requested by the Deputy is not readily to hand. I will write to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
360 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6821/10]
I regret to advise the Deputy that it is not possible to provide a response to his Question at this time. The information sought by the Deputy will be provided at a later date.
361 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6825/10]
I regret that the information requested by the Deputy is not readily to hand. I will write to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
362 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if all enclosures submitted but not available at the time of original decision not to grant reunification were or will be reviewed in the application for family reunification in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6826/10]
I regret that the information requested by the Deputy is not readily to hand. I will write to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
363 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6829/10]
I regret to advise the Deputy that it is not possible to provide a response to his Question at this time. The information sought by the Deputy will be provided at a later date.
364 Deputy Jimmy Devins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to provide alternative accommodation and-or upgrade the existing building in view of the inadequate facilities at Sligo Garda station. [6961/10]
The Garda accommodation programme is based on agreed priorities established by An Garda Síochána and it is brought forward in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works, which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. Garda accommodation requirements are considered in the context of the Garda Síochána's identified accommodation priorities and in light of available resources. I regret that the information requested by the Deputy is not readily to hand. I will write to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
365 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of civil and public servants who have signed up for the cycle to work scheme; and the cost of the scheme to date in 2010. [7578/10]
To date a total of 90 staff in my Department have availed of the Cycle-to-Work Scheme. The operation of the Scheme does not incur a direct cost on the Department, as the cost of the bicycle and equipment purchased is recouped from the individual staff member's salary. The administration of the scheme has been carried out within existing resources and no additional costs have arisen in that respect.
366 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the unwillingness of the passport office to process passport applications from the Houses of the Oireachtas during the current industrial action, he will establish a temporary passport office in the north west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6645/10]
The Passport Office provides a comprehensive range of options for citizens to apply for passports. In addition to the public counter service in Dublin and Cork applications may be made by express post through some 1,000 post offices across the country, including 67 in the Deputy's county of Donegal, and some 70 postoffices in Northern Ireland. A guaranteed 10 working day service is available for such applications which are complete and in order. Less urgent applications can also be made by ordinary post. Given the current financial pressures on my Department, I have no plans to open additional regional passport offices.
367 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the countries with which Ireland has tax treaties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6064/10]
Ireland has signed Double Taxation Agreements with 56 countries, of which 48 are in effect. These Agreements cover direct taxes, which in the case of Ireland are income tax, corporation tax and capital gains tax. The purpose of these Agreements is essentially to eliminate double taxation and to promote trade and investment.
Double Taxation Agreements are currently in effect with: Australia; Austria; Belgium; Bulgaria; Canada; Chile; China; Croatia; Cyprus; the Czech Republic; Denmark; Estonia; Finland; France; Germany; Greece; Hungary; Iceland; India; Israel; Italy; Japan; Korea; Latvia; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Macedonia; Malaysia; Malta; Mexico; Netherlands; New Zealand; Norway; Pakistan; Poland; Portugal; Romania; Russia; Slovak Republic; Slovenia; South Africa; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; the United Kingdom; the United States; Vietnam; and Zambia.
Agreements have been signed, but have not yet entered into force with: Albania (signed 16th October 2009 — not yet in force); Bahrain (signed 29th October 2009 — not yet in force); Belarus (signed 3rd November 2009 — not yet in force); Bosnia & Herzegovina (signed 3rd November 2009 — not yet in force); Georgia (signed 20th November 2008 — not yet in force); Moldova (signed 28th May 2009 — not yet in force); Serbia (signed 23rd September 2009 — not yet in force); and The Republic of Turkey (signed 24th October 2008 — not yet in force). These Agreements will enter into force once both countries have notified each other of the completion of their internal procedures.
Ireland has also concluded Tax Information Exchange Agreements with Anguilla; Antigua and Barbuda; Bermuda; the British Virgin Islands; the Cayman Islands; the Cook Islands; Gibraltar; Liechtenstein; Samoa; Guernsey; the Isle of Man; Jersey; St. Vincent and theGrenadines; and the Turks and Caicos Islands. The purpose of Tax Information Exchange Agreements is to allow the Revenue Commissioners to request information which is relevant to an Irish tax investigation, directly from their counterparts in other countries and territories. In addition, Ireland has concluded Agreements for affording relief from double taxation with respect to certain income of individuals and establishing mutual agreement procedures in connection with the adjustment of profits of associated enterprises, with Guernsey, the Isle of Man and Jersey.
Ireland's comprehensive network of tax treaties is a key element of our clear and transparent corporate tax system. The business community has expressed interest in increasing the number of double taxation conventions with other countries in order to facilitate international trade and investment. In this context the Department of Foreign Affairs will continue to work closely with the Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners, who have primary responsibility for the substance and negotiation of tax treaties, to further extend our tax treaty network.
368 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the companies that have been granted contracts for projects worth more than €10 million in the period 2000 to 2010. [6148/10]
370 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the companies that have been granted contracts for projects worth more than €15 million in the period 2000 to date in 2010. [6320/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 368 and 370 together.
The following table sets out the information requested by the Deputy for the period in question:
|
Contracts over €10 million |
Contracts over €15 million |
|
DLRS Limited (Formerly De La Rue Smurfit Limited) |
Bearingpoint Ireland Limited |
|
Sagem Identification BV (Formerly SDU Identification BV) |
The contract with DLRS is for the provision of passport booklets. The contracts with Bearingpoint relate to the development, support and maintenance of the Automated Passport System. The contract with Sagem involves the provision of data pages with the capacity to record biometric features for inclusion in passport booklets.
369 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of external consultants currently working for or in his Department; the work they are carrying out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6202/10]
The Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for two Votes — Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs), and Vote 29 (International Cooperation) under which most of Ireland's expenditure on Official Development Assistance (ODA) is provided, and which is administered by Irish Aid, the Development Co-operation Division of my Department. In the case of Vote 28, there are currently three (3) external consultants who provide the following services:
Bianconi Research Limited (trading as RITS) provides the Department with high-level expert advice on ICT and communications security which is critical to maintaining the security and integrity of the Department's ICT and communications infrastructure.
Long Road Productions Limited provides the services of a cultural coordinator who advises and assists the Department in planning and organising cultural events linked to State and Official visits abroad.
Professor Richard Sinnott is carrying out an analysis of survey data on opinions and attitudes to the European Union.
In the case of Vote 29, at present there are thirty eight (38) consultants under contract to Irish Aid. These provide independent appraisal, audit, monitoring and evaluation of Irish Aid's programmes and projects which involve a wide range of areas and activities. Some of them also provide highly specialised knowledge and advice on matters such as HIV/AIDS, tropical agriculture and climate and other sectors relevant to development cooperation with a focus on African experience.
I am very conscious of the need to achieve value for money on consultancy expenditure. The Department commissions consultancies only where specialised knowledge and/or skills are not available within the Department and, particularly in the case of Irish Aid where an independent evaluation of programmes and projects is required. Given the overall scale of the Irish Aid Programme, this level of monitoring, review and evaluation is both prudent and proportionate.
371 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will respond to a query (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6373/10]
The query referred to by the Deputy relates to funding under the Government's aid programme for an Irish Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), which received funding of €200,900 from Irish Aid in 2004 for a two-year training programme to benefit young adults with disabilities in Eastern Europe. In response to concerns about how aspects of the programme were being managed, Irish Aid carried out a detailed evaluation and audit review, which was completed in February 2007.
The evaluation and audit review highlighted a number of management issues and found that a proportion of the Irish Aid funding had not been sufficiently accounted for. All the recommendations in the report were followed up in detail with the NGO, resulting in the reallocation of funding identified as not allowable under the terms of the original grant, to support substantial additional training programmes agreed with Irish Aid. These programmes were completed in August 2009. Final reports have been received by Irish Aid, and all funding has been fully accounted for.
In this case, the evaluation and audit review initiated by Irish Aid found no evidence of misappropriation of funds, or of fraud. Irish Aid, which is managed by the Development Cooperation Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs, operates on the basis of very rigorous audit procedures, which are designed to ensure that all funding under the aid programme is used for the purpose intended, achieving value for money for the taxpayer. The Irish Aid internal audit unit is an independent unit which operates to the highest professional standards and in accordance with best international practice. Its work programme is shared with the Comptroller and Auditor General and is overseen by the independent Audit Committee of the Department of Foreign Affairs, which also follows up on the implementation of audit recommendations.
The Fraud Policy of the Department of Foreign Affairs requires that, following investigation, and where appropriate, instances of suspected fraud are reported to the Garda, the Comptroller and Auditor General, or to the relevant authorities in other countries.
372 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if all the portable electrical equipment in his Department and subsidiary companies have portable appliance test certificates as required by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulation S.I. No. 299 of 2007; if not, the reason for same; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a PAT must be carried out on all movable electrical equipment in offices, centres and so on, to ensure the safety and welfare of both employees and employers; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that records of all such tests must be kept for at least five years to allow the Health and Safety Authority to carry out random spot checks and that insurance companies and underwriters are already seeking proof of compliance prior to renewal of policies. [6455/10]
I regret that it is not possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy at this time. I will be happy to provide a reply with the information when it is possible to do so.
373 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if funding is available for the construction of the Irish World Heritage Centre in Manchester, England; and the amount available in 2010. [6501/10]
The Irish World Heritage Centre in Manchester is operated by the Irish Diaspora Foundation Ltd. (IDF). The organisation is in the process of developing a new facility intended to replace the existing Irish Centre in the Cheetham Hill area of Manchester. The Government has provided extensive capital funding totalling €2.01million to the organisation for this project over recent years. This included separate grants provided under the Emigrant Support Programme of €775,000 and €600,000 in 2007 and 2008 respectively.
Funding was not provided in 2009 as progress in advancing the project slowed against the background of the difficult financial and economic situation. This decision was in line with benchmarks set as part of the previous grant allocations. Our Embassy in London is in regular contact with the Irish World Heritage Centre and has reported that significant progress has been achieved over recent months. Applications for the 2010 Emigrant Support Programme grant round can be submitted on-line between mid-March and mid- April. The precise opening and closing dates will be advertised in due course. The organisation referred to by the Deputy will have an opportunity to submit an application for additional funding through this process and all applications will be given full consideration by this Department.
374 Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the abduction of a person (details supplied) who has been missing almost a year; if he has expressed this position to the Chinese Embassy here. [6718/10]
I am deeply concerned about the disappearance of Mr. Gao Zhisheng, a prominent Chinese human rights lawyer. As has been reported in this House on many previous occasions, human rights issues in China, including individual cases, are regularly discussed on a bilateral basis with the Chinese Government, both in Beijing and in Dublin. The Government continues to stress at such meetings the great importance attached by Ireland to human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, and to urge the Chinese authorities to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
A broad-ranging EU-China human rights dialogue enables the EU to engage with China on such issues as freedom of expression, the death penalty, the independence of the judiciary, prison conditions, freedom of religion and minority rights as well as individual cases. I note with deep concern that Mr. Gao Zhisheng has now been missing for over a year from his home in Shaanxi province and that on the two occasions on which he has been sighted since that time, the last of which was June 2009, he was accompanied by police officers. Since June, it has not been possible for either members of his family or his professional colleagues to make contact with him. In the period since his disappearance, the EU has repeatedly called on the Chinese authorities to reveal his whereabouts. His case has been raised during the last two meetings of the EU-China Human Rights dialogue, held in Prague on 14 May 2009 and in Beijing on 20 November 2009 respectively. We have called on the Chinese authorities to give Mr Gao Zhisheng access to legal advice and to allow him to maintain contact with his family. We have urged them to clarify without delay his present situation and to open a fully independent and transparent investigation into his disappearance.
Unfortunately, no firm response has been received from the Chinese authorities to our representations. Mr. Gao Zhisheng's current location and physical condition remain unknown, a year after contact with him was first lost. I am very concerned about this case and have instructed that it be raised bilaterally with the Chinese authorities.
375 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the measures that his Department is engaging in or will engage in regarding the difficulties of obtaining legitimate visas that allow internationals to work and volunteer in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory in view of the amount of EU aid that is provided to Israel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6957/10]
NGOs operating in the Occupied Palestinian Territories perform a vital role in trying to mitigate and ease the burden of the occupation on the Palestinian people, provide for their physical well-being in circumstances where economic life and opportunities are severely constrained, and attempt to redress some of the injustices of occupation policies. Without their work the likelihood of the increasing pressures resulting in renewed violence would be very much greater, and they are therefore clearly of benefit to both the Palestinian and Israeli peoples, and help provide the breathing space in which the current search for a peaceful settlement can take place.
Experienced and highly qualified international staff form the backbone of international NGOs and UN operations, and international staff and volunteers contribute strongly to the work of Israeli and especially Palestinian NGOs. Despite difficulties, in general it has been possible up to now for staff working with international NGOs to obtain B1 visas, allowing them to work in Israel and Palestine, but staff with Palestinian NGOs have had to work under much more varied and irregular status, or sometimes none.
In recent months I have become aware of reports of more restricted practices by the Israeli authorities in issuing visas to staff of international NGOs. They are being issued, often with considerable delays, with B2 visas entitling them to visit but not to work in Israel, with the implication being that working in Palestinian areas is a matter for the Palestinian Authority.
In addition to the increased bureaucracy and lack of transparency of the changed system, which seems to reflect a greater pressure generally on NGOs, the issuing of B2 visas causes a real difficulty in relation to East Jerusalem, which is considered by the Israeli authorities to be part of Israel. Many NGOs work among the predominantly Palestinian population of East Jerusalem, while international staff working in other parts of the West Bank often live there. The position of both NGOs and staff, and movements through the maze of restrictions around the greater Jerusalem area, are made considerably more difficult by this change.
The Irish Missions in Tel Aviv and Ramallah have been closely following this development in concert with our EU partners and through contacts with the NGO community. The exact scope and effect of the new rules are still being established. Together with our EU partners we are considering what action we can take. A very important consideration in this regard is that we should be careful that any action in this highly complex area does not make matters worse. The basic position of principle is quite clear: for as long as Israel remains in occupation of the Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, it should facilitate unhindered access to those areas by international staff seeking to help the Palestinian people living under that occupation.
376 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether the establishment of a public centre detailing the history and culture of the communities of Northern Ireland may enhance understanding here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6958/10]
The consolidation of peace in Northern Ireland and the promotion of partnership and co-operation between both traditions on the island of Ireland is a key policy priority for the Irish Government. In this regard, mutual understanding of the history and culture of the two main traditions is an important building block in fostering reconciliation on the island. This rich historical and cultural heritage is not the exclusive preserve of the communities in the North alone but is also shared on an island-wide basis. This is manifested in the numerous historical buildings, local museums and interpretative centres, many of which are owned and operated by the State.
The Government is committed to deepening the understanding of our shared history. Of particular importance has been the construction of a visitor centre at the Battle of the Boyne site in Oldbridge, Co. Meath, in recognition of the historical significance of the site. The Centre was opened on 6 May 2008 and has already made a significant contribution towards breaking down the barriers of misunderstanding and mistrust and fostering lasting reconciliation between the traditions on the island.
In addition to the Government investment in the Oldbridge site, the Reconciliation Fund, administered by my Department, aims to assist organisations involved in reconciliation work and efforts to create better understanding between people on the island of Ireland and between Ireland and Britain. Some of the projects funded in recent years have explored the history and culture of the two main traditions on the island. Examples include:
The Saint Patrick Centre, a permanent exhibition in Downpatrick dedicated to Ireland's Patron Saint, which provides reconciliation and education programmes to thousands of children in Northern Ireland every year as well as running cross border and international youth programmes.
Support for organisations such as Cooperation Ireland, Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation, Meath Peace Group and the Irish Peace Institute, which facilitates cross border exchange programmes that explore cultural differences between the communities on the island.
The Commemoration Initiative Fund, operated by the Department of the Taoiseach, provides funding to assist individuals or groups in organising the commemoration of individuals or events of historic importance. Funding under this scheme in 2009 was committed towards the cost of the Mayo Peace Park, a publication to mark the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, the commemoration of the bicentenary of the birth of William Gladstone and a conference on the plural Protestant traditions in Ireland. Previous initiatives included marking the 90th anniversary of the Easter Rising and the Battle of the Somme.
Finally, as the island moves into a decade marking the centenary of historical events which have been seminal in the evolution of the history and culture of the two main traditions on the island, the Department of the Taoiseach is engaged with other Departments and agencies on the preparation of a centenary commemorative programme. While centred on the Easter Rising, it will also include the centenary of the start of World War I in 2014 and the centenary of the Battle of the Somme in 2016. The Minister for Defence is chair of the Oireachtas all-party consultation group on centenary commemorations.
377 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of civil and public servants that have signed up for the cycle to work scheme; the cost of the scheme to date in 2010. [7576/10]
The Finance (No. 2) Act 2008 provided for the introduction of an exemption from income tax in respect of a benefit-in-kind arising from a bicycle or associated safety equipment being supplied by an employer to an employee for the purposes of commuting to work. Since the introduction of the Cycle to Work Scheme, 23 officers in my Department have applied to avail of this tax exemption. In each case, the bicycles and equipment are purchased by the Department on the officer's behalf and an amount equivalent to the cost is deducted from the officer's salary over the course of one year. There is, therefore, no cost to the Department as a result of its participation in the Scheme.
378 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the companies that have been granted contracts for projects worth more than €10 million in the period 2000 to 2010. [6140/10]
381 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the companies that have been granted contracts for projects worth more than €15 million in the period 2000 to date in 2010. [6312/10]
I propose to take Parliamentary Questions Nos. 378 and 381 together.
Since its establishment in June 2002, the Department (including the National Archives) has not granted any contracts for projects worth more than €10 million.
379 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of external consultants currently working for or in his Department; the work they are carrying out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6194/10]
There is one external consultant currently working for or in the Department (including the National Archives), as set out in tabular form below:
|
External Consultant |
Nature of Work |
|
HR Benchmarking Enterprises Ltd. |
To assist with a human resource management issue. |
380 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will be in a position to allocate funding and sponsorship towards a festival (details supplied) in County Cork in 2010. [6234/10]
My Department will make a decision on applications for funding in 2010 in due course.
382 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the grants available for public swimming pools and the conditions therein. [6358/10]
Under the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme, which is administered by the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism grant aid to a maximum of €3.8 million is provided to Local Authorities towards the capital costs of new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools, subject in both cases to the total grant not exceeding 80% of the eligible cost of the project or, in the case of projects located in disadvantaged areas, 90% of the eligible cost. Proposals must comply with the standards set out in the Department's "Procedures for the Planning, Approval and Financing of Swimming Pools and Technical Guidelines."
Under the Guidelines there are four principal stages in a swimming pool project following the submission of a feasibility study. These, in order of progress, are: Preliminary Report; Contract Documents; Tender and Construction. Grant-aid is allocated only when tenders have been approved for the project and is capped at the time of allocation. The Department and its technical advisors, the Office of Public Works, evaluate each stage and Local Authorities cannot proceed to the next stage of a project unless prior approval issues from the Department of Arts, Sport & Tourism. The current round of the programme has been closed to new applicants since July 2000. An allocation of €7.5m has been provided to meet commitments under the current round arising in 2010. No decision has been taken on the timing of a new round of the programme.
383 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the amount of each grant for swimming pools issued by his Department for each of the past 15 years; and the location of each pool which benefitted from the grant. [6359/10]
The information requested by the Deputy is attached in tabular form and will be circulated with the official report. Prior to 1998 the swimming pool programme was operated by the Department of Environment and Local Government. Payments are shown in the table from 1998-2002 when the programme was operated by the Department of Tourism Sport and Recreation and from 2002-2010 when the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism was established.
|
Payments by the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation (D/Arts, Sport and Tourism since 2002) for the years 1998 to 2010 |
||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(exchange rate: 0.787564 for years 1998 to 2000) |
||||||||||||||
|
County |
*1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 to end Dec |
2009 |
2010 |
Total Paid |
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|||
|
Clare (Ennis) |
203,665 |
0 |
2,570,713 |
0 |
146,020 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2,920,398 |
|||||
|
Cork City (Churchfield) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3,618,753 |
190,461 |
3,809,214 |
|||||
|
Cork Co (Youghal) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
460,485 |
959,915 |
2,198,353.49 |
190,461 |
3,809,214 |
|||
|
Cork Co (Cobh) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
273,489 |
1,105,961 |
2,239,304 |
190,461 |
3,809,214 |
|||
|
Donegal (Ballyshannon) |
97,440 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
97,440 |
|||||
|
Donegal (Letterkenny) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
882,143 |
927,198 |
1,618,952 |
380,921 |
3,809,214 |
|||
|
Dublin City (Finglas) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1,222,357 |
2,396,397 |
0 |
190,462 |
3,809,215 |
|||||
|
Dublin City (Ballymun) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3,618,753 |
0 |
190,461 |
3,809,214 |
||||
|
Dublin City (Ballyfermot) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
395,397 |
1,346,979 |
1,876,377 |
3,618,753 |
||||
|
Dublin (St. Michaels House) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
445,842 |
2,222,220 |
661,938 |
370,000 |
3,700,000 |
|
|
Dublin (St. Joseph’s School) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
270,000 |
30,000 |
300,000 |
||
|
DunLaoghaire Rathdown (Dundrum) |
3,428,293 |
3,428,293 |
||||||||||||
|
Dublin South (Jobstown) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
256,920 |
1,416,642 |
1,754,730 |
380,921 |
3,809,214 |
|||
|
Dublin South (Clondalkin) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
311,570 |
2,745,861 |
370,862 |
380,921 |
3,809,214 |
||
|
Galway (Renmore) |
0 |
203,158 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
203,158 |
|||||
|
Galway (Ballinasloe) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1,275,193 |
2,343,560 |
0 |
190,461 |
0 |
3,809,214 |
||||
|
Galway (Tuam) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2,050,678 |
1,568,075 |
0 |
190,461 |
3,809,214 |
|||
|
Kerry (Tralee Aquadome) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
86,400 |
0 |
0 |
86,400 |
|||||
|
Kerry (Tralee Sports Centre) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1,379,339 |
2,239,415 |
190,461 |
0 |
3,809,214 |
||||
|
Kerry (Ballybunion) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
295,105 |
1,339,354 |
2,148,436 |
3,782,896 |
|||
|
Kerry (Killarney) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
504,248 |
1,137,768 |
1,784,991 |
3,427,007 |
|||
|
Kildare (Athy) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
893,790 |
2,534,502 |
3,428,293 |
||
|
Kildare (Naas) |
1,161,459 |
2,266,834 |
3,428,293 |
|||||||||||
|
Kilkenny (Kilkenny) |
2,134,015 |
1,294,277 |
3,428,292 |
|||||||||||
|
Laois (Portlaoise) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
985,564 |
2,442,728 |
380,921 |
3,809,214 |
||
|
Laois (Portarlington) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1,345,565 |
2,076,189 |
387,460 |
3,809,214 |
|||
|
Limerick (Askeaton) |
7,877 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7,877 |
|||
|
Limerick (Newcastlewest) |
0 |
12,697 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
12,697 |
||||
|
Limerick (Askeaton-replace) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1,446,354 |
1,981,940 |
380,921 |
3,809,215 |
|
Payments by the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation (D/Arts, Sport and Tourism since 2002) for the years 1998 to 2010 —continued |
||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(exchange rate: 0.787564 for years 1998 to 2000) |
||||||||||||||
|
County |
*1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 to end Dec |
2009 |
2010 |
Total Paid |
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|||
|
Limerick City (Grove Island) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2,108,526 |
1,510,227 |
190,461 |
3,809,214 |
|||||
|
Longford |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1,437,798 |
1,990,494 |
380,921 |
3,809,213 |
||
|
Louth (Dundalk) |
0 |
0 |
1,844,381 |
1,774,371 |
0 |
0 |
190,462 |
0 |
3,809,214 |
|||||
|
Louth (Drogheda) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
523,195 |
3,095,558 |
0 |
190,461 |
3,809,214 |
|||
|
Mayo (Claremorris) |
1,762,624 |
1,665,668 |
3,428,293 |
|||||||||||
|
Meath (Navan) |
241,250 |
1,471,868 |
1,168,463 |
0 |
0 |
158,717 |
0 |
0 |
3,040,298 |
|||||
|
Monaghan Town (refurbish) |
30,443 |
272,804 |
0 |
0 |
77,674 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
380,922 |
|||||
|
Monaghan Town (replace) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2,188,846 |
1,239,446 |
380,921 |
3,809,214 |
|||
|
Offaly (Birr) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1,260,000 |
88,380 |
149,820 |
1,498,200 |
||
|
Offaly (Clara, Edenderry) |
11,428 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
11,428 |
|||
|
Offaly (Tullamore) |
1,517,415 |
1,910,878 |
3,428,293 |
|||||||||||
|
Roscommon Town |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2,724,246 |
894,488 |
0 |
190,480 |
0 |
3,809,214 |
|||||
|
Tipperary Town (Sean Treacy pool) |
50,790 |
77,453 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
128,242 |
|||||
|
Tipperary (Clonmel) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
336,600 |
1,223,237 |
0 |
82,097 |
1,641,934 |
||||
|
Tipperary (Thurles) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
580,171 |
2,538,210 |
309,911 |
380,921 |
3,809,213 |
|
|
Tipperary (Roscrea) |
1,345,936 |
2,082,356 |
3,428,292 |
|||||||||||
|
Waterford (Crystal) £112,996 IR pd 1997 to DoE = €143,476 |
913,264 |
752,637 |
95,230 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1,761,131 |
|||||
|
Westmeath (Mullingar) |
95,230 |
44,959 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
140,189 |
|||||
|
Wexford Ferrybank |
2,815,907 |
333,130 |
3,149,037 |
|||||||||||
|
Wexford (Gorey/Courtown) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3,618,754 |
0 |
190,461 |
0 |
0 |
3,809,214 |
|||||
|
Wexford (Enniscorthy) |
983,208 |
500,965 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
152,369 |
0 |
1,636,541 |
||||||
|
Wicklow (Arklow) |
103,415 |
1,620,626 |
382,341 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
117,451 |
2,223,833 |
||||||
|
Wicklow Town |
238,711 |
756,653 |
1,295,041 |
266,645 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2,557,051 |
||||||
|
Wicklow (Bray) |
1,714,983 |
1,713,309 |
380,921 |
3,809,214 |
||||||||||
|
Wicklow (Greystones) |
1,088,597 |
2,339,695 |
380,921 |
3,809,213 |
||||||||||
|
Overall Total |
2,976,721 |
5,713,821 |
7,356,169 |
8,117,371 |
3,882,377 |
9,000,000 |
17,586,003 |
14,101,019 |
22,772,361 |
27,786,790 |
20,448,420 |
11,670,434 |
333,130 |
151,744,616 |
|
Pool |
County |
Total allocated to pool project |
|
|
€ |
|||
|
1 |
*Arklow |
Wicklow |
2,349,015 |
|
2 |
*Ballyshannon |
Donegal |
2,038,472 |
|
3 |
*Askeaton |
Limerick |
96,759 |
|
4 |
*Newcastlewest |
Limerick |
36,187 |
|
5 |
*Mullingar |
Westmeath |
1,180,074 |
|
6 |
*Navan |
Meath |
3,174,345 |
|
7 |
*Offaly (Birr, Clara, Edenderry) |
Offaly |
239,980 |
|
8 |
*Tipperary Town |
Tipperary |
1,341,096 |
|
9 |
*Waterford (Waterford Crystal) |
Waterford |
1,904,607 |
|
10 |
*Wicklow Town |
Wicklow |
2,679,147 |
|
11 |
Askeaton (replace) |
Limerick |
3,809,214 |
|
12 |
Ballinasloe |
Galway |
3,809,214 |
|
13 |
Ballybunion |
Kerry |
3,782,896 |
|
14 |
Ballyfermot |
Dublin City |
3,809,214 |
|
15 |
Ballymun |
Dublin City |
3,809,214 |
|
16 |
Churchfield |
Cork City |
3,809,214 |
|
17 |
Clondalkin |
South Dublin |
3,809,214 |
|
18 |
Clonmel |
Tipperary |
1,641,934 |
|
19 |
Cobh |
Cork County |
3,809,214 |
|
20 |
Courtown/Gorey |
Wexford |
3,809,214 |
|
21 |
Drogheda |
Louth |
3,809,214 |
|
22 |
Dundalk |
Louth |
3,809,214 |
|
23 |
Ennis |
Clare |
2,920,398 |
|
24 |
Enniscorthy |
Wexford |
2,693,565 |
|
25 |
Finglas |
Dublin City |
3,809,214 |
|
26 |
Renmore |
Galway |
203,158 |
|
27 |
Jobstown |
South Dublin |
3,809,214 |
|
28 |
Killarney |
Kerry |
3,809,214 |
|
29 |
Letterkenny |
Donegal |
3,809,214 |
|
30 |
Longford |
Longford |
3,809,214 |
|
31 |
Limerick (Grove Island) |
Limerick |
3,809,214 |
|
32 |
Monaghan |
Monaghan (refurbish) |
380,921 |
|
33 |
Monaghan |
Monaghan (replace) |
3,809,214 |
|
34 |
Portlaoise |
Laois |
3,809,214 |
|
35 |
Portarlington |
Laois |
3,809,214 |
|
36 |
Roscommon |
Roscommon |
3,809,214 |
|
37 |
Tralee (Aquadome) |
Kerry |
86,400 |
|
38 |
Tralee (Clonalour) |
Kerry |
3,809,214 |
|
39 |
Tuam |
Galway |
3,809,214 |
|
40 |
Youghal |
Cork County |
3,809,214 |
|
Total |
114,360,876 |
*Grants were allocated prior to 1998, but part of the grants were drawn down in 1998 and in ensuing years.
|
County |
Pool |
Total allocation to swimming pool project |
|
|
€ |
|||
|
1 |
Clare |
Ennis |
2,920,398 |
|
2 |
Cork County |
Cobh |
3,809,214 |
|
3 |
Cork County |
Youghal |
3,809,214 |
|
4 |
Cork City |
Churchfield |
3,809,214 |
|
5 |
Donegal |
*Ballyshannon |
2,038,472 |
|
6 |
Donegal |
Letterkenny |
3,809,214 |
|
7 |
Dublin City |
Finglas |
3,809,214 |
|
8 |
Dublin City |
Ballymun |
3,809,214 |
|
9 |
Dublin City |
Ballyfermot |
3,809,214 |
|
10 |
Galway |
Galway (Renmore) |
203,158 |
|
11 |
Galway |
Ballinasloe |
3,809,214 |
|
12 |
Galway |
Tuam |
3,809,214 |
|
13 |
Kerry |
Tralee (Aquadome) |
86,400 |
|
14 |
Kerry |
Tralee (Clonalour) |
3,809,214 |
|
15 |
Kerry |
Ballybunion |
3,782,896 |
|
16 |
Kerry |
Killarney |
3,809,214 |
|
17 |
Laois |
Portlaoise |
3,809,214 |
|
18 |
Laois |
Portarlington |
3,809,214 |
|
19 |
Limerick |
*Newcastlewest |
36,187 |
|
20 |
Limerick |
*Askeaton |
96,759 |
|
21 |
Limerick |
Limerick (Grove Island) |
3,809,214 |
|
22 |
Limerick |
Askeaton (replace in 2005) |
3,809,214 |
|
23 |
Longford |
Longford |
3,809,214 |
|
24 |
Louth |
Dundalk |
3,809,214 |
|
25 |
Louth |
Drogheda |
3,809,214 |
|
26 |
Meath |
*Navan |
3,174,345 |
|
27 |
Monaghan |
Monaghan Town (refurbish) |
380,921 |
|
28 |
Monaghan |
Monaghan Town (replace) |
3,809,214 |
|
29 |
Offaly |
*Offaly (Birr, Clara, Edenderry) |
239,980 |
|
30 |
Roscommon |
Roscommon |
3,809,214 |
|
31 |
South Dublin |
Jobstown |
3,809,214 |
|
32 |
South Dublin |
Clondalkin |
3,809,214 |
|
33 |
Tipperary |
*Tipperary Town |
1,341,096 |
|
34 |
Tipperary |
Clonmel |
1,641,934 |
|
35 |
Waterford |
*Waterford (Waterford Crystal) |
1,904,607 |
|
36 |
Westmeath |
*Mullingar |
1,180,074 |
|
37 |
Wexford |
Enniscorthy |
2,693,565 |
|
38 |
Wexford |
Courtown/Gorey |
3,809,214 |
|
39 |
Wicklow |
*Wicklow Town |
2,679,147 |
|
40 |
Wicklow |
*Arklow |
2,349,015 |
|
Total |
114,360,876 |
*Grants were allocated prior to 1998, but part of the grant-aid was drawn down in 1998 and in ensuing years.
384 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has had communications in the past five years with Dublin City Council regarding Crumlin swimming pool, Dublin 12 and the need for refurbishment or rebuilding; the extent of the exchange; the outcome of same. [6360/10]
385 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Dublin City Council proposed to close Crumlin swimming pool, Dublin 12, a public swimming pool due to lack of the funds required to refurbish or rebuild the facility; his views on the importance of keeping such facilities open to encourage active participation in the sport of swimming. [6361/10]
386 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he had communications in the past five years with Dublin City Council regarding the Coolock swimming pool, Dublin, a public swimming pool in need of refurbishment or rebuilding; the extent of the exchange; and the outcome of same. [6362/10]
387 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Dublin City Council proposed to close the Sean McDermott Street swimming pool, Dublin due to the lack of the funds required to refurbish or rebuild the facility; his views on the importance of keeping such facilities open to encourage active participation in the sport of swimming. [6363/10]
388 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he had communications in the past five years with Dublin City Council regarding the Sean McDermott Street swimming pool, Dublin 1, which is in need of refurbishment or rebuilding; the extent of the exchange; and the outcome of same. [6364/10]
389 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Dublin City Council proposed to close Coolock swimming pool, Dublin due to lack of the funds required to refurbish or rebuild the facility; his views on the importance of keeping such facilities open to encourage active participation in the sport of swimming. [6365/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 384 to 389, inclusive, together.
Under the current round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme which closed to applicants on 31 July, 2000, no application was received from Dublin City Council on behalf of Crumlin, Coolock or Sean McDermott Street swimming pools. Since then a number of discussions have taken place with Dublin City Council relating to a number of pool projects, which the Council wish to develop in the event of a new round of the Programme being opened.
The question of the management of these swimming pools is entirely a matter for Dublin City Council. The current round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme, operated by my Department, provides grant aid to a maximum of €3.8m to Local Authorities, towards the capital cost of new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools. As already stated, the current round of the programme closed to applicants on 31 July 2000. Under the programme, 45 pools have been opened throughout the country with a further 12 pools at various stages of development. In the administrative area of Dublin City Council, new pools have been opened in Finglas, Ballyfermot, St. Michael's House, Belcamp Lane Dublin 24, Ballymun and work is underway on a new pool at Rathmines. No decision has been taken on the timing of a new round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme. When a new round of the Programme is launched it will be open to all Local Authorities, including Dublin City Council on behalf of Crumlin, Coolock and Sean McDermott Street Swimming Pools, to submit an application under the terms that will apply.
390 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if all the portable electrical equipment in his Department and subsidiary or grant aided companies such as An Comhairle Ealaíona, Bord Na gCon, Bord Fáilte and so on have portable appliance test certificates as required by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulation S.I. No. 299 of 2007; if not, the reason for same; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a PAT must be carried out on all moveable electrical equipment in offices, centres and so on, to ensure the safety and welfare of both employees and employers; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that records of all such tests must be kept for at least five years to allow the Health and Safety Authority to carry out random spot checks and that insurance companies and underwriters are already seeking proof of compliance prior to renewal of policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6461/10]
The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulation S.I. No. 299 of 2007 and in particular Part 3 of said Regulation dealing with Electricity matters sets out the required levels of compliance in relation to the operation of electrical systems and appliances. Section 75 of this Regulation specifies to whom it applies. As it relates to this Department there are two applicants. In relation to the design, installation and maintenance of electrical systems for the Department's office premises, the Office of Public Works have responsibility for ensuring that all electrical installations conform to the required standards and for testing and certification of these installations as necessary.
Regarding the general usage of electrical equipment and, more specifically, portable electrical equipment, the Regulation also applies to staff of the Department. In accordance with Section 81 of the Regulation, which addresses portable electrical equipment, the Department ensures that such equipment is maintained in a manner fit for safe use and is not used for work activities precluded under the Regulation. The Department has engaged external risk assessors to consider all aspects of health and safety, including the usage of such equipment, as part of the production of the required Safety Statements for its offices and has appropriately addressed issues as highlighted.
The Department, through its Health and Safety structures and mechanisms, also carries out its own periodic risk assessments and the results of these assessments are available to staff and State or other authorities as required. In respect of the agencies under the aegis of the Department, the question as raised is an operational matter for the agencies themselves.
391 Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding funding for the continued employment of sports inclusion disability officers by sports partnerships in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6771/10]
As I have previously informed the House, special funding of €2.5 million was allocated from the dormant accounts fund for the appointment of Sports Inclusion Development Officers (SIDOs) in 20 Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) in 2008. The SIDOs were appointed on two-year contracts to provide opportunities for persons with a disability to participate in sport and physical activity.
A network of 33 LSPs have been set up throughout the country by the Irish Sports Council (ISC) to coordinate and promote sport at local level especially amongst specific target groups such as older people, girls and women, people with disabilities, unemployed people, and those who live in identified disadvantaged communities. The special dormant accounts funding was in addition to the annual funding provided to the LSPs by the ISC for programmes and initiatives aimed at increasing participation in recreational sport. Of the €2.5 million allocated from the dormant accounts fund for the SIDO scheme, €800,000 was provided through my Department's Vote in 2008 and over €1.3 million in 2009. The final provision of €395,000 from the dormant accounts allocation is included in the 2010 Vote of my Department. The continued funding of the SIDO scheme is being considered by the ISC in the context of the distribution of its budget for 2010.
392 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of civil and public servants who have signed up for the cycle to work scheme; the cost of the scheme to date in 2010. [7568/10]
Since the introduction of the cycle to work scheme in my Department a total of 8 civil servants have signed up to avail of the scheme. All staff who availed of the scheme signed up in 2009. There is no discernible cost to the Department's vote in administering the scheme. The bicycles and equipment are paid for by way of salary sacrifice. There would be minor costs in processing forms and in carrying the upfront costs until such time as those are offset by the gradual deductions from salary. Neither of these is quantifiable. The only material cost to the State is the tax relief inherent in the scheme. The total amount sanctioned to date by way of cycle purchases for staff of this Department is €5,133.
393 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has secured a commitment from the nine funding sources contributing to the funding of the National Drugs Strategy 2009 to 2016 to sustain their financial commitment. [6088/10]
Expenditure on various aspects of the National Drugs Strategy in 2009, across a range of Departments and agencies, was in the region of €275m. All of the organisations involved are committed to the implementation of the Strategy and, in this context, my Department will be monitoring the overall implementation of the Strategy through progress on individual actions.
Departments and agencies are in the process of finalising their allocations to the relevant areas of the National Drugs Strategy at present and my Department is pursuing the completion of this process. With reductions in the level of public spending generally, it is likely that the overall spend in the drugs area in 2010 will be marginally down on the 2009 level. However, through my co-ordination role across the Strategy, I am working to ensure that the optimum use is made of the available resources, which will again total a substantial amount. As part of this, every effort will be made to protect front-line services to the greatest extent possible.
394 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount of money his Department has spent over the past three years on financial aid for the teaching of or research on the Irish language in foreign countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6329/10]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 57 of 16 Nollaig 2009, in which I outlined that in 2006 my Department established a dedicated fund under Ciste na Gaeilge to provide funding for the teaching of Irish in 3rd level institutions overseas. Prior to the establishment of this fund, my Department had provided funding to a number of individual universities for this purpose. Details are set out below, in tabular form, on the total amount of funding provided by my Department for the promotion and teaching of Irish in 3rd level institutions abroad for the period 2007-09.
|
Year |
Amount |
|
€ |
|
|
2007 |
609,893 |
|
2008 |
760,840 |
|
2009 |
992,658 |
Some 40 3rd level colleges and universities have been supported with this funding, including Harvard, Cambridge, Oxford, New York State, St. Thomas Heuston, Poznan, Mannheim and Marburg University in Germany, and — for the first time — University Beijing in China. The average annual grant is €20,000.
This funding initiative has proved extremely successful in raising the profile and perceived status of the Irish language at home and abroad, and in opening up opportunities for personal and career development for young Irish language teachers and other professionals. It also develops positive links at Governmental and university level between Ireland and other participating countries, as well as the interpersonal contacts that are so important in the long-term in ensuring a positive awareness of Ireland among our EU partners and further afield.
I would mention in particular the two-way exchanges promoted via our participation in the Fulbright Commission's programme and in partnership with the Ireland-Canada University Foundation. Aside from the value in terms of promotion of the language, there is a direct economic return in cultural tourism terms, as many of the international students who study Irish in their home institutions will continue their studies here in Ireland.
395 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if funding for 2010 for the administration budget of Kilkenny Leader partnership will be released shortly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6773/10]
My Department is responsible for the delivery of Axes 3 & 4 of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP) for which overall funding of the order of €425m is available. The €40m allocation for 2010 represents an increase of approximately 120% on expenditure in 2009. In order to maximise the impact of the funding available to communities on the ground, the administration/animation budget has been capped at €12m this year. In overall terms, this is roughly 10.5% less than that available for 2009. As a result, all groups will see a percentage decrease in the level of such funding available to them this year and, while I accept that this may present a challenge to some groups, my Department will continue to keep the matter under review.
The Deputy will appreciate that it is imperative, particularly in the current economic climate, that the RDP maximises the funding available for projects on the ground that will improve the quality of life in rural areas and will ensure the diversification of the rural economy. In this regard, my Department is working very closely with individual Local Action Groups to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of the RDP. I am confident that with prudent financial management, groups can continue to deliver an efficient and effective service to their local communities within the administration/animation funding that has been made available to them.
Co. Kilkenny LEADER Partnership Ltd has been allocated administration/animation funding of €345,712 for 2010 and was notified of this funding on 1st February last. Taking account of unspent 2009 administration/animation funds retained by the group, the overall 2010 allocation amounts to approximately €366k, which represents a decrease of a little over 8%. Payments of administration/animation funding commenced to all groups in early January and will continue on a regular basis throughout the year. Payments for projects are continuing on an ongoing basis as claims are submitted and I expect that all project commitments properly made for 2010 will be met.
396 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the companies that have been granted contracts for projects worth more than €10 million in the period 2000 to 2010. [6142/10]
398 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the companies that have been granted contracts for projects worth more than €15 million in the period 2000 to date in 2010. [6314/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 396 and 398 together.
My Department was established in June 2002 and this reply covers the period from that date onwards. No companies have been granted contracts by my Department for projects worth €10 million or more in the period in question. However, for the sake of completeness, I should inform the Deputy that my Department has entered into certain contracts with aggregate values of over €10 million with a number of Local Action Groups under the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, but such contracts relate to programme measures, rather than to individual projects.
In addition, my Department has paid amounts in excess of €10 million in total to both Galway and Mayo County Councils towards the development of Caladh Mór pier, Inis Meáin, and Cill Rónáin pier, Inis Mór, in Co. Galway, and Clare Island and Inishturk Island piers in Co. Mayo. In those cases, the relevant contracts to the companies carrying out the works were awarded by the local authorities, rather than by my Department. A breakdown of this expenditure on an annual basis is provided in the table. It should be noted that further payments will issue to Galway County Council in 2010 in respect of Cill Rónáin pier, where works are ongoing.
|
Year |
Amounts paid to Mayo County Council |
Amounts paid to Galway County Council |
|
€ |
€ |
|
|
2003 |
249,053 |
|
|
2004 |
7,891,933 |
|
|
2005 |
2,597,769 |
|
|
2006 |
847,455 |
|
|
2007 |
26,549 |
7,726,920 |
|
2008 |
21,911,110 |
|
|
2009 |
13,317,711 |
|
|
To date in 2010 |
699,103 |
|
|
Totals |
€11,612,759 |
€43,654,844 |
If the Deputy requires any further information in relation to the foregoing, I will be glad to provide it to him.
397 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of external consultants currently working for or in his Department; the work they are carrying out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6196/10]
My Department has made available on its website details regarding consultancies (excepting those of minor value, i.e., less than €5,000 excluding VAT) from June 2002 to end-December 2009. The relevant link, which will take the Deputy directly to these details, including the information sought by him, is as follows:
www.pobail.ie/en/CorporateSupportServices/Finance/Consultancies.
The Deputy will note from the database that there are 3 external consultancies in progress in my Department at present working towards the following objectives:
to assist with the tendering process for the provision of management services in respect of airstrips located off the west and north-west coast of Ireland;
to advise and report on the employment needs and development potential of islands with populations in excess of 55 people; and
to advise and report, in the context of the INTERREG Programme, on infrastructure costs and design for a number of ferry routes serving remote communities off the Scottish and Irish coasts.
399 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if all the portable electrical equipment in his Department and subsidiary or grant aided companies such as community development programmes, local area partnerships, Udarás na Gaeltachta and so on have portable appliance test certificates as required by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulation S.I. No. 299 of 2007; if not, the reason for same; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a PAT must be carried out on all moveable electrical equipment in offices, centres and so on, to ensure the safety and welfare of both employees and employers; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that records of all such tests must be kept for at least five years to allow the Health and Safety Authority to carry out random spot checks and that insurance companies and underwriters are already seeking proof of compliance prior to renewal of policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6467/10]
In line with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulation (S.I. No. 299 of 2007), my Department is undertaking the process of testing all portable appliances and I am advised that this should be completed shortly. I am also advised that a copy of the Regulation has been provided to each of the bodies funded from within my Department's Vote Group for implementation, as appropriate.
400 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when the current contract to operate the Cape Clear ferry in County Cork expires; if the new contract will be put out to public tender; if any expressions of interest have been made known to his Department to date; if there has been any discussion between himself and the current ferry operator regarding the renewal of the contract; if he envisages that the current operator will seek to renew the contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6634/10]
On 4 February 2010, I announced that I had approved the release of the company Tithe Saoire Chléire Teo from its contract with my Department to provide subsidised passenger and cargo ferry services to Cléire with effect from 28 February 2010. The decision to terminate the contract was taken on foot of an application made by the company itself and had regard to my Department’s assessment of the feasibility of seeking to enforce the continuation of the contract or, alternatively, of making other arrangements for the provision of the ferry service.
In this regard, I also announced on the same day that an interim arrangement has been made by my Department with the consortium Naomh Ciarán II Oileán Chléire Teo/Thar Tonn Teo to provide a ferry service for Cléire for a nine month period from 1 March to 30 November 2010 at a total cost of €209,322. Naomh Ciarán 11 Oileán Chléire Teo had provided a subsidised ferry service for the island prior to the existing contract coming into effect on 1st March 2007 and was the only other company to compete for it at the time. It is my Department’s intention to seek public tenders during the interim period in order to put a long-term ferry contract in place for the island from 1 December 2010.
It is my view that the interim service, together with a grant of €35,000 approved by me in 2009 to enable the Sherkin Island Development Society to establish a new heavy cargo service for Cléire, Sherkin, Heir and Long Islands, will ensure that the Cléire community enjoys ferry services on a par with those provided to other islands off our coast. I understand that the heavy cargo service commenced late last month.
401 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if there are plans to provide additional funding to the Tallaght drugs task force, Dublin, for the dial to stop drug dealing campaign; if his attention has been drawn to the success of the campaign to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6638/10]
As the Deputy will be aware, the Dial-to-Stop Drug Dealing Campaign ran across 15 Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces areas, including Tallaght, in 2008 and 2009. At the end of 2009, nearly 5,770 calls were made to the confidential phone number, generating almost 1,600 reports to Gardaí. Due to the success of the campaign, I have again made funding available in 2010 to keep the phone line open and, already this year, there have been a further 138 calls. Over the coming months I will be reviewing various options for further promotional campaigns, perhaps through a more centralised approach or though potential linkages with other campaigns and fora.
402 Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will lift the capping of the administration and animation budget available to a partnership (details supplied) in County Kilkenny which is already reduced by 21.5% in 2010; if he will arrange for payment to be made early in the programme to ensure that staff are retained and its 2010 project commitments are met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6643/10]
My Department is responsible for the delivery of Axes 3 & 4 of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP) for which overall funding of the order of €425m is available. The €40m allocation for 2010 represents an increase of approximately 120% on expenditure in 2009. In order to maximise the impact of the funding available to communities on the ground, the administration/animation budget has been capped at €12m this year. In overall terms, this is roughly 10.5% less than that available for 2009. As a result, all groups will see a percentage decrease in the level of such funding available to them this year and, while I accept that this may present a challenge to some groups, my Department will continue to keep the matter under review.
The Deputy will appreciate that it is imperative, particularly in the current economic climate, that the RDP maximises the funding available for projects on the ground that will improve the quality of life in rural areas and will ensure the diversification of the rural economy. In this regard, my Department is working very closely with individual Local Action Groups to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of the Programme. I am confident that with prudent financial management, groups can continue to deliver an efficient and effective service to their local communities within the administration/animation funding that has been made available to them.
The group to which the Deputy refers has been allocated administration/animation funding of €345,712 for 2010 and was notified of this funding on 1st February last. Taking account of unspent 2009 administration/animation funds retained by the group, the overall 2010 allocation amounts to approximately €366k, which represents a decrease of a little over 8%. Payments of administration/animation funding commenced to all groups in early January and will continue on a regular basis throughout the year. Payments for projects are continuing on an ongoing basis as claims are submitted and all project commitments properly made for 2010 will be met.
403 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will provide details of all cross-Border programmes, initiatives, areas of co-operation and so on which his Department is engaging in, or about to engage in, with its counterparts in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6777/10]
North/South co-operation is a strategic priority for my Department, particularly in the context of the Good Friday and St. Andrew's Agreements. My Department supports and co-funds two North/South Implementation Bodies within its ambit — Waterways Ireland and An Foras Teanga (comprising Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency/Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch) — along with the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) in Northern Ireland. Both Implementation Bodies engage in an extensive range of activities in line with their remits with the support of substantial funding from my Department and DCAL. In this context, I participate regularly in meetings of the North/South Ministerial Council in both the Waterways and Language Sectoral Formats.
My Department is also active in a number of other areas of North/South co-operation that come within its remit. These include—
participation in the British-Irish Council, both in the context of the Sectoral Group on the Misuse of Drugs, which is chaired by the Minister of State at my Department, Mr. John Curran, T.D., and the Sectoral Group on Indigenous Languages;
the joint undertaking by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs and the Department of Health and Public Safety in Northern Ireland of the Drugs Use in Ireland and Northern Ireland — Drug Prevalence Survey (the 3rd such survey will be undertaken in 2010/2011);
provision of co-funding under PEACE III 2007-13 (a contribution of €18.13m in respect of the €50m Priority 1/Theme 2 programme with a focus on reconciling communities in Northern Ireland and the 6 border counties of Ireland with a theme of "acknowledging and dealing with the past") and INTERREG IV 2007-13 (a contribution of €4m in respect of the €10m rural development sub-theme for territorial co-operation covering Northern Ireland, the border region of Ireland and Western Scotland);
participation in meetings of the North/South Ministerial Council in Agriculture Sectoral Format, as well as information exchange on common issues in relation to rural development, including cross-border network events in co-operation with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Northern Ireland;
engagement, both formally, particularly through the UK & Ireland Charities Regulators Forum, and informally, on an ongoing basis, with the recently established Charities Commission for Northern Ireland on matters of common interest relating to the regulation of charities operating on the island of Ireland;
participation in the Small Ferries Project, supported by an EU INTERREG grant of some £230,000 STG, to establish how best to design and build a fleet of small ferries to serve remote communities off the Scottish and Irish/Northern Irish coastlines; and
provision of support (some €87,800 in 2009) to a cross-border volunteering initiative with the Department for Social Development in Northern Ireland, involving the GAA, Voluntary Arts Ireland and the Church of Ireland, with the objective of piloting action research in the area of volunteer recruitment.
404 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of civil and public servants that have signed up for the cycle to work scheme; and the cost of the scheme to date in 2010. [7570/10]
9 civil servants in my Department have signed up for the cycle to work scheme to date. The total amount sanctioned to date by way of cycle purchases for these staff is €5,439. There is no discernible cost to my Department's Vote in administering the cycle to work scheme, as those participating pay for the bicycles and equipment by way of salary sacrifice. There are minor costs arising in the context of processing applications received and in carrying the up-front costs until such time as those are offset by the gradual deductions from salary. Neither of these is quantifiable.
405 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will reconsider the decision to refuse supplementary welfare allowance to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6383/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
406 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the contributions raised in PRSI in each of the past five years in each of the PRSI classes and categories in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6703/10]
An analysis of PRSI collected in each of the last five years under the general headings of employer, employee and self employed persons is set out in the following table:
|
Year 2009 Provisional 11 months to 30/11/09 |
2008 Final |
2007 Final |
2006 Final |
2005 Final |
|
|
€ million |
€ million |
€ million |
€ million |
€ million |
|
|
Employers |
5,175 |
5,945 |
5,762 |
5,167 |
4,512 |
|
Employees |
1,444 |
1,634 |
1,539 |
1,380 |
1,218 |
|
Self-employed |
310 |
405 |
421 |
374 |
380 |
|
Total |
6,929 |
7,984 |
7,722 |
6,921 |
6,110 |
The figures shown above are net of the health contribution and the training fund levy. A breakdown of social insurance by PRSI class is currently not available. It would require significant analytical work to establish with accuracy the amounts recorded under each class and category.
407 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a decision will issue on a family income supplement application in respect of a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6055/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
408 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will issue a companion travel pass to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [6057/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
409 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is entitled to maternity leave payment under the number of contributions they have paid both as a self-employed person and as a PAYE employee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6059/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
410 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason, in the context of a person making an application for jobseeker’s allowance, that a person’s partner’s income is not reduced by the amount of mortgage that is being paid, together with VHI payments, travel expenses and other such expenses, whereby the failure to allow such expenses deprives people of application for jobseeker’s allowance, where it is properly due, since if such expenses were allowed, the level of household income available is negligible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6074/10]
Jobseeker's Allowance is a means tested social assistance scheme operated by my Department. For means test purposes, account is taken of the income and assets of both the claimant and his or her spouse/partner including the earnings of the spouse.
Where a spouse/partner has earnings from employment, earnings less PRSI contributions, pension contributions and trade union subscriptions are assessed as means. In addition, the first €20 per day is also disregarded, subject to a maximum of €60 per week and 60% of the balance is assessed where a claimant or a spouse/partner has income from employment. This means, for example where a spouse/partner is working three days a week and earning €200 per week, only €84 is assessed as means thereby ensuring that there is always an incentive to take up, or remain in, employment. The provision of any further disregards in relation to health insurance premiums or travel expenses would have to be considered in a Budgetary context and having regard to the level of existing incentive to take up employment.
No account is taken of mortgage repayments in calculating means for social assistance schemes generally, including jobseeker's allowance. This would be inappropriate given that there is a specific social assistance scheme, the mortgage interest supplement scheme, which provides, subject to certain conditions, support for people who have difficulty meeting their mortgage repayments and whose means are insufficient to meet their needs. The mortgage interest scheme takes into account all of the person's income, including social welfare income when calculating levels of entitlement. Accordingly, the net effect of disregarding mortgage interest repayments in calculating means for jobseeker's allowance purposes would be to reduce the level of entitlement to mortgage interest supplement as the income of the person would be higher due to a higher level of jobseeker's allowance being in payment. Mortgage Interest Supplement is not payable to people in full time employment.
There are no plans to change the assessment of means for jobseeker's allowance or any other scheme so as to take mortgage interest repayments into account and it is appropriate that the mortgage interest supplement scheme remains the primary mechanism for supporting people who have difficulty making their repayments.
411 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will furnish confirmation of the amount of old age pension that a person (detail supplied) in County Westmeath is awarded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6076/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
412 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an application for disability allowance appeal will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6079/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
413 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding the application for a State pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare. [6083/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
414 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if an appeal for supplementary welfare will be expedited in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [6093/10]
Under Section 201 of the 2005 Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, the Community Welfare division of the Health Service Executive (HSE) may make a single payment to meet an exceptional need to people on social welfare or health board payments. These payments are known as Exceptional Needs Payments (ENPs) and are made to assist with any essential, once-off cost which the applicant is unable to meet from his/her own resources. There is no automatic entitlement to this payment. Each application is determined by the Executive based on the particular circumstances of the case.
The person concerned was refused an ENP in November 2009 as in the opinion of the CWO the person concerned did not have an exceptional need at the time of the application. The person concerned was advised of her right to appeal the decision to the designated Appeals Office of the HSE. To date no appeal has been received. The person concerned should contact the local HSE Appeals Office, 8 O'Connell Street, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary. (phone: 052-6125758) should she wish to appeal the original decision to refuse an ENP.
415 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if an appeal will be arranged in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny regarding their State contributory pension and her Department’s decision to cease payment; if a reasonable expectation of continued payment of this pension was created following acceptance by the Department of payment of PRSI contributions and thereafter the payment by her Department to the person of pension arrears and a weekly pension; if she will reconsider the reason for refusal and determine a solution to the issue in order to allow the pension. [6094/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
416 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason payment of a State contributory pension has ceased in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if payment will be resumed in view of the fact that all PRSI contributions have been paid up-to-date and that an outstanding amount requested by her Department has also been paid; if she will bring about the reason for the refusal so that full pension payments will be resumed. [6095/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
417 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason she has ceased payment of a State pension contributory in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if the pension will be restored in view of her Department’s acceptance of payment from the person of PRSI contributions; if she is now obliged to continue payments having accepted on investigation the person’s right to the pension and thereafter entering into the agreement; and if an agreed solution to the issue will be found. [6096/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide information sought by the Deputy.
418 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if an appeal for supplementary allowance will be expedited and granted in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny while they await the outcome of their appeal for jobseeker’s allowance; if they will be considered to be habitually resident here in view of their ties to family, community and school in Kilkenny and the fact that they have been resident here over one year and 16 years in the common travel area; and if she will expedite the matter. [6097/10]
The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme is administered on behalf of the department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive (HSE). A person may qualify for basic supplementary welfare allowance if s/he is living in the State, satisfies a means test, has applied for any other benefit or allowances s/he may be entitled to, for example, one-parent family payment, jobseeker's allowance, has registered for work with FÁS if s/he is of working age satisfies the habitual residence condition (HRC).
However, a number of categories are specifically excluded from receiving assistance. These are people in full-time work, people in full-time education and people involved in trade disputes. Additionally SWA cannot at any time be viewed as a temporary or interim means of income support available independently of HRC, while an applicant awaits the outcome of either a decision — or an appeal against a decision — on a claim for a social welfare payment from the Department. The HRC main factors to be considered in determining whether a person is habitually resident are as follows:
Length and continuity of residence in Ireland or in any other particular country;
Length and purpose of any absence from Ireland;
Nature and Pattern of employment;
Applicant's main centre of interest;
Future intentions of applicant as they appear from all the circumstances.
These factors are not exhaustive and no single factor is conclusive.
The person concerned was refused SWA on 23 September 2009 as she was not deemed to be habitually resident in the state on the basis of the examination of her claim taking these factors into account. The HSE has advised that the person concerned appealed against the decision to refuse her SWA to the HSE Appeals Officer. The HSE Appeals Officer upheld the decision in December 2009 to refuse SWA and the person concerned was advised of her right to appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). She lodged an appeal with the SWAO in December 2009. The person concerned will be advised of the outcome as soon as a decision has been given in this case. In the meantime, SWA is not payable.
419 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will support the case of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [6106/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
420 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when the household benefits package will be restored in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [6109/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
421 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Limerick will receive child benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6116/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
422 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is entitled to a jobseeker’s allowance payment for a period of time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6117/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
423 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason for the delay in responding to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6118/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
424 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive a contribution towards funeral expenses under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6120/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
425 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a decision on a carer’s allowance appeal has been made in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6123/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
426 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if an application for illness benefit that is on appeal will be dealt with in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [6126/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
427 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will investigate the return of social insurance contributions made in error in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6137/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
428 Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an application for jobseeker’s allowance was received in her Department in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; if an entitlement to a payment has been established; when the person will receive payment of an entitlement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6138/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
429 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the companies that have been granted contracts for projects worth more than €10 million in the period 2000 to 2010. [6151/10]
452 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the companies that have been granted contracts for projects worth more than €15 million in the period 2000 to date in 2010. [6323/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 429 and 452 together.
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
430 Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding an application for family income supplement in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath. [6160/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
431 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding an application for household benefits in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6171/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
432 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of external consultants currently working for or in her Department; the work they are carrying out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6205/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
433 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will reverse the €32,000 cut in provision to a community centre (details supplied) in County Kerry. [6240/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
434 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon. [6250/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
435 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her attention has been drawn to individuals to whom bench warrants have been issued and are still outstanding who continue to claim social welfare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6268/10]
A person who fulfils all of the statutory provisions for a given contingency based social welfare scheme is entitled to that payment for the duration of the period they continue to satisfy those requirements. In addition, the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme provides support for persons who are unable to meet their needs. If entitlement to this payment was to be removed, this would mean that the welfare system would not be in a position to provide support to a person even when they were unable to meet their basic needs in a given period. Such a step would represent a major change to the underlying principles of the SWA scheme.
In cases initiated for legal proceedings by the Department reviews are carried out on a regular basis by the Department's Central Prosecution Service where there are bench warrants outstanding. Where the Department is aware that the client has a new address or has applied/re-applied for a social welfare payment, his/her address is conveyed to the local state solicitor who in turn notifies the local Garda Superintendent's Office. The execution of the bench warrant is a matter for the Gardaí.
436 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the way a father can be the parent who receives child benefit in a situation where the mother of the child agrees to this and where the parents live together; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6270/10]
Child benefit is payable to the person with whom a qualified child normally resides. The detailed rules in relation to ‘normal residence' as set out in article 159 of the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations, 2007. In summary, child benefit is normally payable to the mother (or stepmother). However, where the child is living full-time with the father (or stepfather) only, then child benefit will be payable to the father. Where the parents reside in separate households child benefit is payable to the parent with whom the child resides the majority of the time.
There are very few child benefit claims in payment to the father in situations where the parents live together. (Approx. 40-50) These payments are made in circumstances such as where the mother is terminally ill or is an alcoholic or drug addict. Since June 2008, with the introduction of EIT payments, this is facilitated by issuing a letter to the spouse allowing him to collect the payments at the Post Office using the mother's Social Services Card. He has to produce this letter and the SS card at the Post Office in order to collect the payment. In EFT cases, the spouse would normally have access to the bank account or the mother would agree to transfer the payment to his account.
437 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of persons who received supplementary welfare allowance in the expectation that their disability benefit claim, when processed, would be awarded but subsequently, whose claim was refused when assessed; the value of such claims for 2007, 2008 and 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6272/10]
438 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of persons who received supplementary welfare allowance in the expectation that their jobseeker’s allowance claim, when processed, would be awarded but subsequently, whose claim was refused when assessed; the value of such claims for 2007, 2008 and 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6273/10]
439 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of people who received supplementary welfare allowance in the expectation that their jobseeker’s benefit claim, when processed, would be awarded but subsequently, whose claim was refused when assessed; the value of such claims for 2007, 2008 and 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6274/10]
440 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of persons who received supplementary welfare allowance in the expectation that their disability allowance claim, when processed, would be awarded but subsequently, whose claim was refused when assessed; the value of such claims for 2007, 2008 and 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6275/10]
441 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of persons who received supplementary welfare allowance in the expectation that their one parent family allowance claim, when processed, would be awarded but subsequently, whose claim was refused when assessed; the value of such claims for 2007, 2008 and 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6276/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 437 to 441, inclusive, together.
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
442 Deputy Seán Ardagh asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the age limit and conditions for qualification for receipt of child benefit; if there are allowances for families in receipt of welfare payments or family income supplement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6282/10]
Child Benefit is payable to the parents or guardians of children under 16 years of age, or under 18 years of age if the child is in full-time education, undertaking FÁS Youthreach training or has a disability.
Qualifying Conditions
The child must be a qualified child. The applicant must be a qualified person. To qualify for Child Benefit the applicant must satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition.
Qualified Child
A child is a qualified child for Child Benefit if s/he is:
Under 16 years of age;
Aged 16, 17 or 18 and either in full-time education or incapable of self-support by reason of long-term physical or mental disability;
Ordinarily resident in the State;
Not detained in a reformatory, industrial school or in legal custody.
Full-Time Education
This involves attending on a full-time basis a course of full-time instruction by day at an institute of education. This does not include courses:
a. run by FÁS if an allowance is payable (other than "Youthreach" courses).
b. which form part of an employment or apprenticeship or work experience programme.
c. which arise from employment.
d. where the period of paid work experience exceed the time spent in the classroom.
e. run by Teagasc where, in an academic year, the period of work experience exceeds the time spent in the classroom.
School Holidays
A child will be regarded as continuing to receive full-time education for periods during the academic year where the school is closed due to holidays or other temporary interruptions.
Disability
If a child over 16 and under 19 is medically certified as incapable of self-support by reason of physical or mental disability, and is likely to remain so for a prolonged period, the child is a qualified child for child benefit purposes. The Deciding Officer will seek the advice of the Chief Medical Officer as to the acceptability of the certification.
Residence of the Child
The child must be ordinarily resident in the State. This requirement is deemed to be satisfied in cases of:
members of the Irish Defence Forces or the Irish Civil Service serving abroad,
volunteer development workers, or
persons temporarily employed abroad by an Irish employer and paying Irish social insurance contributions.
Changes to the age criteria for Child Benefit were introduced in Budget 2009. From January 2010, payment of Child Benefit will cease when the child reaches 18. A compensatory payment will be paid during 2010 to certain families with children aged 18 in full time education or with a disability. This payment is made to families whose child(ren) aged 18 are getting a Disability Allowance or if:
In receipt of a social welfare payment which includes an increase for the child aged 18;
In receipt of Family Income Supplement.
The compensatory payment is €15 per week and will be paid on the 3rd Monday of each month by the Child Benefit section. Budget 2010 revised downwards the rates of payment of Child Benefit. In compensation for this reduction, an increase of €3.80 per week in Qualified Child Increase for people who are dependent on a weekly social welfare payment was also introduced, thereby ensuring that overall child related payments to these customers remained the same. Further information is available on my Department's website, www.welfare.ie.
443 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a decision will be made on a social welfare appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6284/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
444 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if once off exceptional needs payment will be made to alleviate hardship in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6287/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
445 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) will receive their unemployment allowance. [6290/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
446 Deputy Bernard Allen asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has being refused illness benefit, disablement benefit and disability allowance. [6297/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
447 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the assistance available to self-employed persons who are struggling yet wish to continue in self-employment due to future contract plans; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6301/10]
The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme is administered on behalf of the department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive (HSE). A person may qualify for basic supplementary welfare allowance:
if s/he is living in the State;
satisfies a means test;
has applied for any other benefit or allowances s/he may be entitled to, for example, one-parent family payment, jobseeker's allowance;
has registered for work with FÁS if s/he are of working age;
satisfies the habitual residence condition (HRC).
A person will not normally qualify for Supplementary Welfare Allowance if they are:
in full time education;
in full time work, that is working for more than 30 hours per week;
involved in a trade dispute.
Claims under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, which includes the Mortgage Interest Supplement Scheme, are dealt with by the Community Welfare Service of the Health Service Executive. Each claim under the SWA scheme is decided by the Community Welfare Officer based on the particular circumstances of each case. A person who is not satisfied with the decision of the Community Welfare Officer can appeal the decision to the HSE Appeals Office. The person, if not satisfied with the decision of the HSE Appeals Office may make a further appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office in most instances.
In relation to jobseekers allowance a self-employed person is not required to cease trading before they can qualify for jobseekers allowance. A self-employed person can apply for Jobseekers Allowance if their business ceases or if their income falls as a result of a downturn in demand for their services. Jobseekers allowance is a means-tested payment and any person who satisfies the means test and the other conditions of entitlement will qualify for a payment. As with claims under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme it is open to an individual, if he or she is dissatisfied with a decision made on their jobseekers allowance claim to appeal the decision. In the case of jobseekers allowance claims, the appeal can be made to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
Family income supplement (FIS) is designed to provide income support for employees on low earnings with families. This preserves the incentive to remain in employment in circumstances where the employee might only be marginally better off than if he or she were unemployed and claiming other social welfare payments. Self employed people do not qualify for FIS. Any extension of FIS to other categories of persons such as self-employed persons would have to be considered in a budgetary context. There are no plans for such an extension in present circumstances.
448 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding a rent allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6304/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
449 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the basis on which non-national parents are being selected for the three monthly checks on child benefit; and if parents are selected on the basis of their surname or nationality details held by her Department. [6305/10]
The Child Benefit (CB) scheme has, in recent years, experienced significant expansion in the volume of claims received, the rates of payment and the diversity of the customer base. The primary reason for the various types of review is to ensure that CB customers are made aware of their obligations with regard to their continued entitlement. A fraud and error survey on child benefit highlighted in the case of 500 Irish Nationals surveyed, the extent of fraud that arose was 1.7% as compared to 13.9% in the case of 500 non-Irish Nationals surveyed, giving an overall level of fraud of 2.3% when weighted against the scheme client base.
The control policy for the child benefit scheme was reviewed to ensure that controls against fraud and abuse of the scheme continue to be effective and relevant. As a result of this review, enhanced and updated control measures have been devised, which include the automated issue of forms (certificates) to sub-sets of selected groups of customers for completion to confirm they continue to satisfy the conditions for receipt of Child Benefit. Employment certificates are issued every three months, to everyone paid under EU regulation 1408/71, irrespective of nationality (and including Irish nationals), to ensure that such customers continue to qualify for Child Benefit from this State. Residency certificates are issued every three months to all non-Irish national claimants, living with their children in Ireland and to all nationalities who are paid Irish Child Benefit based on their entitlements under EU regulation 1408/71. Information on a customer's nationality is provided by the customer.
450 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) will receive their child benefit. [6307/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
451 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork is receiving a reduced rate of disability allowance. [6309/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
453 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive child benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6330/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
454 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will qualify for a free travel pass; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6332/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
455 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if old age contributory pension will be processed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [6337/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
456 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a decision will issue on an application for State contributory pension in respect of a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6338/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
457 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason social welfare allowance has ceased in respect of a person (details supplied). [6339/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
458 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Clare is not in receipt of schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6343/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
459 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an application for invalidity allowance will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6345/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
460 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an application for disability allowance will be awarded and paid in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [6350/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
461 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will expedite a jobseeker’s allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6374/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
462 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding an invalidity pension appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6375/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
463 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason for the delay in awarding carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [6376/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
464 Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding an application for child benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6377/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
465 Deputy Beverley Flynn asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the years that self-employed contributions were paid retrospectively by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; the way income earned by a spouse of a contributory pension recipient working as a home help for the Health Service Executive is treated when considering an application for an adult dependent allowance. [6378/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide information sought by the Deputy.
466 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason social welfare allowance has ceased in respect of a person (details supplied) and when it will be reinstated. [6379/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
467 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding a person (details supplied); if all entitlements and payments are currently being made to them; if child benefit is being awarded for three children; if it is nominally in the person’s name and if payment can be made direct to them as they are currently not in receipt of same; if child dependant allowance for each of the three children is being awarded; if so, if payment can be made direct to them as they are currently not receiving same; and if the person is in receipt of the household benefits package and fuel allowance. [6387/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
468 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding an unemployment benefit application in respect of a person (details supplied) who is seeking to have their application backdated. [6388/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
469 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 is in receipt of their correct payments and entitlements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6393/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
470 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if an application for one parent family payment will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6398/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
471 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her views on the decision to rescind the contributory pension of self-employed spouses working on the farm who had successfully applied for a contributory pension on the basis of the existence of a partnership. [6399/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide information sought by the Deputy.
472 Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding an appeal on a decision for disability benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; when the decision on the appeal will be completed; the reason this person is forced to appeal a decision based on the lack of knowledge of their condition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6400/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
473 Deputy P. J. Sheehan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive a decision on their appeal against refusal of their application for jobseeker’s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6445/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
474 Deputy P. J. Sheehan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will have their application for carer’s allowance processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6446/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
475 Deputy P. J. Sheehan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will have their application for non-contributory State pension processed which they submitted in April 2009; when they will be informed of a decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6447/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
476 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, further to Parliamentary Question No. 524 of 2 February 2010, when the information requested will be supplied to this Deputy. [6450/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
477 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if all the portable electrical equipment in her Department and subsidiary or grant aided companies have portable appliance test certificates as required by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulation S.I. No. 299 of 2007; if not, the reason for same; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a PAT must be carried out on all moveable electrical equipment in offices, centres and so on, to ensure the safety and welfare of both employees and employers; if her further attention has been drawn to the fact that records of all such tests must be kept for at least five years to allow the Health and Safety Authority to carry out random spot checks and that insurance companies and underwriters are already seeking proof of compliance prior to renewal of policies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6462/10]
The statutory requirement is that equipment "exposed to conditions causing deterioration liable to result in danger" and with a rated voltage exceeding 125 volts, requires testing. Typical office equipment used in the Department would not fit into this category. The Department has the matter under review, however, having regard to the degree of risk involved and will put a more formal system of inspection in place if this is proven to be necessary. In the meantime, the Department has in place a system of risk assessment designed to identify at an early stage equipment which is not fit for purpose and which should either be taken completely out of service or repaired.
With regard to agencies operating under the aegis of the Department or entities to which it gives grant aid, implementation of the provisions of the regulation is a matter for the relevant agencies as part of their normal operational activities. In accordance with Department of Finance Public Financial Procedures, the Exchequer carries its own insurance and the State Claims Agency manages delegated claims and counterclaims on behalf of the Department.
478 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason for the delay in the payment of child benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; when the payment will be awarded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6469/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
479 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a decision will be made on a disability allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the reason for the delay. [6476/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
480 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a decision is expected to issue in respect of an application for invalidity pension by a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [6483/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
481 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the date from which the restrictions on eligibility for treatment benefit will apply during 2010. [6500/10]
Changes to the Treatment Benefit scheme were announced in Budget 2010. From 1st January 2010, treatments available under the scheme are limited to a free Optical and Dental examination together with the payments previously available under the medical appliance scheme, namely grants towards the purchase of hearing aids and contact lenses required for medical reasons. People who, at 31st December 2009, were undergoing a course of treatment or who had applied for approval to commence treatment, will have their applications for optical and dental benefit processed under the rules which operated prior to January 1st 2010.
482 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a refund will be made in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny under the back to work scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6601/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
483 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a decision will be made on an application for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath that was submitted in May 2009; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6607/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
484 Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding an application for State pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath. [6608/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
485 Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding a review of an application for pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath. [6609/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide information sought by the Deputy.
486 Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding an application for family income supplement in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath. [6610/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
487 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will make a statement on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [6613/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
488 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding a jobseeker’s allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6615/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
489 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of persons in receipt of family income supplement at the most recent date for which statistics are available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6618/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
490 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of persons who are currently waiting to have an application for jobseeker’s benefit processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6619/10]
491 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of persons waiting to have their applications for jobseeker’s allowance processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6620/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 490 and 491 together.
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
492 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a decision will be made on a carer’s allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6624/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
493 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding an appeal against the decision for back to education allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6631/10]
517 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding an appeal for domiciliary care in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6728/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 493 and 517 together.
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
494 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the assistance that will be given to a person (details supplied) in County Meath; if their application for back to education allowance will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6654/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide information sought by the Deputy.
495 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason child benefit has not been awarded in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6656/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
496 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) has been successful in their appeal. [6668/10]
497 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) has been successful in their appeal. [6669/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 496 and 497 together.
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
498 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a jobseeker’s allowance claim will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [6670/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
499 Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an application for child benefit was received from a person (details supplied) in County Wexford whose spouse has lived here for approximately five years; if the application has been processed to completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6671/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
500 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Cork last applied for the household benefits package; and the reason the application was refused. [6673/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
501 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding the calculation of contributory State pension entitlement in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6674/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
502 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding a respite care grant appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [6675/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
503 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied); the reason for delay in same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6677/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
504 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a split child benefit payment cannot be accommodated in the circumstances where estranged parents have joint custody of a child; the specific statutory provision which sets down that the payment must be provided to the mother in these circumstances; her views on whether this is consistent with equality legislation; if she will intervene in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal to ensure that a split payment is provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6681/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
505 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is not in receipt of a fuel allowance in view of the fact that their spouse is also in receipt of a social welfare payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6683/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
506 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if it is possible for a person to claim family income supplement as well as jobseeker’s benefit, where the person is on a three day week and works three days and receives jobseeker’s benefit for the other three days. [6684/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
507 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a decision will be expected regarding an application for jobseeker’s payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6690/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
508 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has not received child benefit for the month of February 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6696/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
509 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Laois can expect to be granted their one parent family allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6697/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
510 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a payment will be restored in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6699/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
511 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding an application for an invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6701/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
512 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding an application for child benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6709/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
513 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an illness benefit payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be restored. [6710/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
514 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a decision will issue on an application for family income supplement in respect of a person (details supplied). [6716/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
515 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding an application for carer’s allowance in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Cork. [6726/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
516 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Cork has repaid an overpayment. [6727/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
518 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a pension officer will call to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in relation to their claim for the State non-contributory pension and the reassessment of the farm profit. [6756/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
519 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, further to Parliamentary Question No. 504 of 2 February 2010, when a reply will issue. [6757/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
520 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, further to Parliamentary Question No. 430 of 2 February 2010, when a reply will issue. [6758/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
521 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, further to Parliamentary Question No. 449 of 2 February 2010, when a reply will issue. [6759/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
522 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a decision will issue on an application for jobseeker’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6762/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
523 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding an application for jobseeker’s benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6763/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
524 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding an application for farm assist in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6765/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
525 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15 is in receipt of all their proper entitlements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6766/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
526 Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when arrears of illness benefit will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6770/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
527 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an application for jobseeker’s allowance will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6778/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
528 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a State pension will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the reason for the delay in payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6779/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
529 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the way income from the interest on savings is assessed in the means test for family income supplement. [6783/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
530 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, further to Parliamentary Question No. 435 of 2 February 2010, if she is now in a position to provide an answer to the question posed. [6791/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
531 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if the financial assessment of an application for family income supplement takes into account family outgoings such as mortgage payments, car loan and so forth or if it is based on gross income. [6799/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
532 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when child benefit will be restored in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6817/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
533 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, further to Parliamentary Question No. 440 of 26 January 2010, if an oral hearing will be granted to facilitate an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6822/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
534 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, further to Parliamentary Question No. 435 of 26 January 2010, if this parliamentary question will be accepted as an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [6823/10]
A request to open an appeal in this case will be made to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. Whether the appeal is accepted, due to the time lapse since the decision issued in September 2009, is a matter for the Chief Appeals Officer. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
535 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if persons (details supplied) in County Kildare will qualify for family income supplement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6828/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide information sought by the Deputy.
536 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if back to education allowance will be awarded in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6830/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide information sought by the Deputy.
537 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the permissible hours of work for employment to which a person on reduced rate of one parent family allowance with one child is entitled without loss of part or all of payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6831/10]
Entitlement to One-parent Family Payment is determined based on the level of earnings from employment or self employment and not on the number of hours worked while in employment. A person receiving one-parent family payment can have earnings from employment or self employment of up to €146.50 gross per week without the income affecting the rate of their payment. S/he may earn up to €425.00 gross per week and continue to receive a reduced rate of payment, providing s/he has no other income or means. If a person is receiving One-parent Family Payment for a continuous period of at least 52 week and their weekly earnings increase to more than €425.00 per week, s/he will continue to qualify for a transitional payment equal to half of their One-parent Family Payment for a period of 6 months.
538 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a psychological report was taken into consideration before determination of domiciliary care application in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if this file be reviewed at an early date. [6832/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
539 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when full rate of child benefit will be awarded in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6833/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
540 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6841/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
541 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will investigate the reason incorrect information was given out in response to a previous parliamentary question (details supplied). [6851/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
542 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the social welfare entitlements of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [6853/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
543 Deputy John O’Donoghue asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be advised of the outcome of their application for household benefits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6858/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
544 Deputy John O’Donoghue asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a decision will issue on an application for increased disability benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [6860/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
545 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6951/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide information sought by the Deputy.
546 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will expedite an appeal for increased rent allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [6959/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
547 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when it is envisaged that appropriate arrears in relation to the underpayment for a period will be awarded in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7003/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide information sought by the Deputy.
548 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the steps she will take to expedite an application for jobseeker’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; when a decision will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7004/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide information sought by the Deputy.
549 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the steps she will take to have an application for jobseeker’s allowance reviewed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7005/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide information sought by the Deputy.
550 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath has not been awarded illness benefit in view of the fact that they have submitted consistent, detailed and comprehensive medical evidence in relation to their claim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7006/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
551 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will expedite an application for carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7007/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
552 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the steps she will take to expedite an application for jobseeker’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; when a decision will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7008/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
553 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of civil and public servants that have signed up for the cycle to work scheme; the cost of the scheme to date in 2010. [7579/10]
Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
554 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Defence the companies that have been granted contracts for projects worth more than €10 million in the period 2000 to 2010. [6143/10]
556 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Defence the companies that have been granted contracts for projects worth more than €15 million in the period 2000 to date in 2010. [6315/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 554 and 556 together.
Details of all contracts in excess of €10 million in value awarded by my Department in the period 2000 to date are set out below.
|
Year |
Name of Company |
Project |
Contract value, inclusive of VAT. |
|
€m |
|||
|
2000 |
Appledore Shipbuilders Ltd., UK |
Purchase of new Naval Service Ship — LE Niamh. |
25.0 |
|
2002 |
Mowag GmbH, Switzerland. |
Purchase of Armoured Personnel Carriers. |
33.2 |
|
2003 |
Bombardier Aerospace, USA. |
Purchase of Learjet. |
10.1 |
|
Pilatus Aircraft Limited, Switzerland. |
Purchase of Trainer aircraft. |
60.1 |
|
|
Eurocopter, Germany. |
Purchase of 2 Helicopters. |
12.8 |
|
|
Raytheon Lockheed Martin, USA. |
Weapon system. |
12.5 |
|
|
2005 |
Bell/Agusta Aerospace Corporation, Italy. |
Purchase of 4 Helicopters. |
48.4 |
|
Mowag GmbH, Switzerland. |
Purchase of Armoured Personnel Carriers. |
36.5 |
|
|
2006 |
EADS Casa, Spain. |
Upgrade on 2 Casa Maritime Patrol aircraft. |
16.5 |
|
Bell/Agusta Aerospace Corporation, Italy. |
Purchase of 2 Helicopters. |
25.8 |
|
|
2008 |
BAE Systems Land Systems OMC, South Africa. |
Light Tactical Armoured Vehicles. |
19.5 |
555 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Defence the number of external consultants currently working for or in his Department; the work they are carrying out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6197/10]
The information sought is set out below:
1. Magnum Opus is currently working for my Department providing project support services for the National Emergency Coordination Centre which is managed by the Office of Emergency Planning.
2. FGC Consulting was engaged by my Department to undertake a Value for Money Review of Military Training Lands. The draft report is currently being finalised and upon subsequent completion of the Quality Assurance process, the report will be published.
3. Fujitsu (Ireland) is engaged by my Department to supply consultancy and maintenance services for the organization's Oracle eBusiness Suite and related applications. The consultants provide ongoing analysis and development resources to build enhancements to the core suite. The contract will end on December 31st 2010.
4. Colonel E.V. Campion, (Rtd.) is a member of the Army Equitation School's Horse Purchase Board and he offers expert advice to the Board in their deliberations following the inspection of horses that are being considered for purchase.
557 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Defence if the Curragh prison was recently reopened for military prisoners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6385/10]
The Curragh Place of Detention was used by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform for civilian purposes from 1996 to 2003. The facility was returned to the Department of Defence in 2008. While it has been available as a military detention facility since November 2009, no military prisoner has been detained in the facility to date.
558 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence if all the portable electrical equipment in his Department and in the Defence Forces have portable appliance test certificates as required by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulation S.I. No. 299 of 2007; if not, the reason for same; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a PAT must be carried out on all moveable electrical equipment in offices, centres and so on, to ensure the safety and welfare of both employees and employers; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that records of all such tests must be kept for at least five years to allow the Health and Safety Authority to carry out random spot checks and that insurance companies and underwriters are already seeking proof of compliance prior to renewal of policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6460/10]
It is the policy of my Department and the Defence Forces to comply with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007, S.I. No. 299 of 2007. Monthly safety inspections in all places of work are conducted at Unit level in the Defence Forces and where repairs/works are identified the issue is brought to the attention of higher commanders for resolution. Currently the Defence Forces are conducting Workshop Risk Reviews in all formations of fixed electrical equipment operated in Defence Forces workshops.
As part of the Works Programme for 2010 a programme for the inspection, by a competent person, of Portable Electrical Equipment will be conducted in accordance with Regulation 81 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 S.I. No. 299 of 2007 and the Guide to the Maintenance, Inspection and Testing of Portable Equipment (Electrical Appliances and Tools) in the workplace (ET 215:2008) as issued by Electro-Technical Council of Ireland. In addition to internal monitoring the State Claims Agency conducts annual audits, to OHSAS 18001: 2007 standard, on all Formation HQ's and twelve randomly selected Units throughout the Defence Forces annually.
559 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if adequate time will be provided to find alternative accommodation in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who has recently received Notice of Eviction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6819/10]
A limited number of Married Quarters are available for serving members of the Permanent Defence Force. Defence Forces Regulations specify that the quarters must be vacated within 15 days of leaving the service. It is the policy of my Department that the use of Married Quarters should be discontinued in a managed and orderly fashion. This person referred to in the Deputy's question is not, and never has been, a member of the Permanent Defence Force. In the circumstances, my Department wrote to him recently requesting him to vacate the premises and to make his own arrangements for alternative living accommodation. Whilst it is essential that the quarters be vacated, the Department is prepared to allow a reasonable period of time for the individual in question to make alternative arrangements.
560 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Defence the number of civil and public servants that have signed up for the cycle to work scheme; the cost of the scheme to date in 2010. [7571/10]
25 members of staff of my Department and 757 members of the Defence Forces have signed up for the cycle to work scheme. There is no discernible cost to this Department's vote in administering the cycle to work scheme. The bicycles and equipment are paid for by way of salary sacrifice by those acquiring the bicycles. There would be minor costs in administering the scheme and in carrying the up-front costs until such time as those are offset by the gradual deductions from salary. Neither of these are of such significance that would warrant quantification.
561 Deputy Pádraic McCormack asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding social housing through long-term leasing in rented accommodation; the level at which the leasing arrangements will be set; if the person occupying the house will still remain on the housing waiting list, when the properties are advertised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6133/10]
The intention of the Social Housing Leasing Initiative is to widen the range of supply options available to authorities to meet housing need and to maximise the level of social housing that can be delivered from within available public resources. Under the initiative housing authorities and approved housing bodies can procure properties on long term leases of 10 to 20 years in order to meet housing need.
The procedure for allocating units acquired under the leasing initiative will be the standard allocations procedure used for the letting of any local authority housing — the local authority's "Scheme of Letting Priorities." The only exception to this will be where an approved housing body has agreed with the local authority to let the properties via a choice based lettings model. In these cases the approved body will advertise the leased properties to eligible households once the lease agreement has been finalised and signed. Households accommodated under the leasing arrangements, as with any social housing, will be deemed to have had their housing need met and therefore households will not remain on the local authority housing waiting lists. Notwithstanding this, households will be able to apply to transfer to alternative local authority properties, including housing provided for the Incremental Purchase Scheme.
In relation to the cost or level of payment that is allowed for under the leasing initiative, the cost to a local authority of a leased unit is determined by a variety of factors, including type and size, location and the average rent of properties in the area. The primary focus in negotiating leasing costs is the delivery of value for money and I expect that authorities should be able to secure leasing costs of at least 20% below market value. This reflects the element of risk, such as the vacancies and management and maintenance responsibilities, being transferred to the housing authority. The property owner will remain responsible for any structural matters.
562 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will support the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17. [6662/10]
Under the terms of the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, which is administered by the local authorities, grants of up to €30,000 may be available for the provision or adaptation of accommodation to meet the needs of people with a disability. It is a matter for individual authorities to determine what works are eligible and to prioritise them in line with their systems of prioritisation.
563 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of employees who applied for the cycle to work scheme in his Department; if the scheme has ceased or changed as a result of budget 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7211/10]
599 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of civil and public servants that have signed up for the cycle to work scheme; the cost of the scheme to date in 2010. [7574/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 563 and 599 together.
A total of 63 employees in my Department have availed of the Cycle to Work Scheme since its introduction — 45 in 2009, with a further 18 availing of the scheme to date in 2010. Some €13,375 has been spent by departmental employees under the scheme to date in 2010. This amount is being recouped from the individuals concerned as a salary sacrifice under the terms of the Scheme. Tax, PRSI or income levies are not payable on this sacrificed remuneration. The scheme has not been changed as a result of Budget 2010 and will continue to operate in the Department this year.
564 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the funding and development options for an environmentally friendly cross-Border project (details supplied); his views that this project has commercial potential in view of the fact of its proximity to the fourth largest city here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6056/10]
I am advised that this proposal, while interesting, is not one that is normally eligible for funding by my Department. Funding is provided for projects under Interreg IV and the Peace and Reconciliation programme subject to projects meeting the criteria of the programmes. The programmes are managed by the Special EU Programmes Body. Its website, www.seupb.org, gives its contact details along with information on programmes and eligibility.
565 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if funding will be provided in 2010 for the refurbishment of a housing estate (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6060/10]
My Department has recently granted approval for this project and the council may now proceed to advanced planning and tender stage. A provisional allocation of €1.5 million for 2010 has been advised to the local authority to assist in undertaking remedial works at this location.
566 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when an application will be processed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6062/10]
Having regard to available resources, priority is being given under the bog purchase scheme to those wishing to sell their interest in the 32 raised bog sites which were nominated for designation as Special Areas of Conservation in 1999. For these sites, the ten-year derogation given by the Government, which allowed the continuation of turf cutting for personal domestic use, has now expired. The person in question owns land within a Special Area of Conservation designated in 2002, and the 10-year derogation period will not expire until 2012. Land transactions within this area, accordingly, do not qualify for priority attention at present.
567 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will reply to a submission (details supplied); if he will take cognisance of its recommendations when finalising the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6081/10]
The Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 completed Second Stage in the Seanad on 3 February 2010. I have received the submissions of the animal welfare organisations to which the question refers and I will continue to consider them in the context of the Bill passing through the Houses of the Oireachtas. Regulations will be introduced following the Bill's enactment and these will set out the detailed criteria for dog breeding establishments guidelines for dog breeding establishments to meet the requirements of the legislation will be introduced by way of regulations following enactment of the Bill. The draft regulations will be subject to consultation with interested parties, including the animal welfare organisations. to meet the requirements of the legislation.
568 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when funding will be released for a voluntary housing project (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6100/10]
I recently announced funding of €157 million, under my Department's capital funding schemes for voluntary and co-operative housing, for some 75 individual projects at various locations around the country, including the project being advanced by Rural Resettlement Ireland at Tullycrine and Knockadereen. Clare County Council will advise the housing body with regard to the procedures for drawing down the funding in accordance with the terms and conditions of the relevant schemes.
569 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will have an investigation made into the dispute regarding allegations of inappropriate housing allocations in Dublin City Council; if he will request Dublin City Council to publish the council’s audit committee report. [6105/10]
Housing allocations are made by a local authority in accordance with an allocation scheme, the making of which is a reserved function of the authority. The legislation governing local authority allocations precludes ministerial involvement in the allocation of housing in individual cases. I understand from Dublin City Council that the matter in question is subject to ongoing examination. Publication of an audit committee report is a matter for the local authority concerned.
570 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the companies that have been granted contracts for projects worth more than €10 million in the period 2000 to 2010. [6146/10]
574 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the companies that have been granted contracts for projects worth more than €15 million in the period 2000 to date in 2010. [6318/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 570 and 574 together.
The information requested in relation to the one relevant contract entered into by my Department is as follows: a contract worth over €15 million was entered into with Powervote Ireland Limited and Nedap NV in 2003 for the purpose of the acquisition of electronic voting equipment and related services.
571 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of external consultants currently working for or in his Department; the work they are carrying out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6200/10]
The information requested in relation to consultancies currently underway in my Department is set out in the table.
|
Consultant |
Project/Work |
|
Aegis Archaeology |
Conservation Study in County Sligo |
|
David Hickie, Environmental and Planning Consultant |
Preparation of 4th Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity |
|
DKM Economic Consultants |
Quarterly and Annual Construction Industry research reports |
|
DTZ Sherry Fitzgerald |
Examination of individual lease arrangements for the local storage of electronic voting equipment |
|
Elizabeth Cogan, B.L. and Wesley Farrell, B.L |
European Communities (Birds and Habitats) Regulations 2010. |
|
Environmental Systems Research Institute |
Preparation of National Parks and Wildlife Service Data Management Framework Development Proposal and Study |
|
Grant Thornton |
Organisational Review of National Parks and Wildlife Service |
|
Headland Archaeology |
Battlefields Project |
|
M.J. O’Connell & Company |
Examination of Final Accounts for Water Services Investment Programme schemes |
|
Murphy Consulting |
Examination of Final Accounts for Water Services Investment Programme schemes |
|
RPS Group |
Project management of implementation of the Market Development Programme for Waste Resources 2007-2011 |
|
Tobin Consulting Engineers |
National Litter Pollution Monitoring System |
572 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, further to Questions Nos. 967 of 6 October 2009, 273 of 14 October 2009 and 265 of 21 October 2009, if he will note that the information sought has not been supplied by the local authority concerned; the number of households accommodated under the rental accommodation scheme by Kildare County Council in each month in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6242/10]
Kildare County Council has advised my Department that the information sought has now been issued to the Deputy.
573 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when approval will be given to a scheme (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6298/10]
The Lough Leane Catchment Sewerage Scheme (Kilcummin, Barraduff) was included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009. The Barraduff Sewerage Scheme is under construction. Kerry County Council's revised proposal for the Kilcummin scheme is under examination in my Department. A decision will be conveyed to the Council as soon as possible in the light of the finalisation of the Water Services Investment Programme for 2010-2012. Local authorities were asked in July 2009 to submit an assessment of needs for water and sewerage services to my Department by 23 October 2009. My Department is considering these assessments, which 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. I expect to publish the Water Services Investment Programme 2010 to 2012 early this year.
575 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the foreshore licence applications currently under consideration by his Department, by the date of application, the address of the proposed works, the applicant’s name and a brief description of the works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6331/10]
Following the enactment of the Foreshore and Dumping at Sea (Amendment) Act 2009, my Department assumed responsibility on 15 January 2010 for a range of foreshore functions including all foreshore energy-related developments including oil, gas, wind, wave and tidal energy. Details of foreshore applications that are subject to Environmental Impact Assessment and under consideration are set out on my Department's website at www.environ.ie/en/foreshore. The information requested on other applications is not readily available in the format requested. My Department will compile the information and forward it to the Deputy as soon as possible.
576 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to road safety concerns regarding access roads to the new secondary schools currently under construction at Portlaoise, County Laois; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that the schools will have projected enrolment of up to 2,000 students and over 100 members of staff and that the roads serving the school area are unsuitable; his views on the need for an upgrade and realignment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6336/10]
Responsibility for roads policy including road safety matters rests with the Minister for Transport, in the first instance. The issue of the adequacy or otherwise of local transport infrastructure to cater for new development, and inter alia in relation to schools infrastructure, is a matter for planning authorities and where relevant An Bord Pleanála in determining such planning applications pursuant to their functions as planning authorities under planning legislation, taking account of roads and transport policies and legislation for which the Minister for Transport is responsible and the policies of the relevant agencies under the aegis of the Department of Transport.
577 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the implications of the EU ruling on charging VAT on local authority services in the future; the discussions he has with city and county managers regarding this matter; if he has had discussions on the EU ruling with the Department of Finance; the options that exist for local authorities or the public paying the VAT to be given a rebate on the VAT paid in these instances in the future. [6352/10]
The European Court of Justice in July 2009 delivered its judgment in a case against Ireland in respect of the charging of VAT by public bodies on certain economic activities. The court ruled that public bodies must charge VAT on a range of services to avoid distorting the market between private and public operators. The judgment has implications for all public bodies in Ireland, including local authorities. The Finance Bill 2010 includes legislation to amend the current legal provisions in this area and the proposed commencement date is 1 July 2010.
My Department is participating in an interdepartmental group, chaired by the Department of Finance and including the Revenue Commissioners, on the interpretation of the judgment and its implications for local authorities. A working group of departmental and local authority Finance Officers has been established also to deal with implementation issues in the local government sector. Businesses that are registered for VAT are entitled to recover VAT incurred on their business inputs. Consequently, the extension of VAT to local authority provided services will have no impact on those businesses. Local authorities will be entitled also to deduct VAT on their inputs from the commencement date which should enable them to minimise increases in service costs to be passed on to their customers.
578 Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in view of current economic circumstances, he will include in the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009 an extension to the duration of planning permissions granted specifically since mid-2008 where it has not been possible to commence a development within the period originally specified in a planning permission, which would benefit persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6372/10]
It should be noted that planning permission granted since mid-2008 would generally remain valid for a period of five years, beginning on the date of the grant of permission. Section 42 of the Planning and Development Acts 2000–2009 provides that the duration of a planning permission may be extended, subject to certain conditions, where substantial works have been carried out before the expiration of the original permission. The Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill amends section 42 to provide, subject to certain conditions, for the possibility of an extension of permission, for a period of up to five years, in circumstances where substantial works have not been carried out, but there are commercial, economic or technical considerations, beyond the control of the applicant, which substantially militated against either the commencement of development or the carrying out of substantial works. It is intended that this provision should apply to applications for extension of permission received after the commencement of the said provision of the Act.
579 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of money being allocated to each county council home improvement grant distinguishing the allocations under housing aid, mobility aid, monthly aids and Housing Adaptation (Disability) 2010; if the county councils have indicated the expected level of take up of these grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6396/10]
I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 339 to 341, inclusive, of 3 February 2010. The position remains unchanged.
580 Deputy Michael D’Arcy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the time schedule for the extension for a waste water treatment plant (details supplied) in County Wexford to be built and commissioned. [6402/10]
My Department is finalising its assessment of the Contract Documents for the waste water treatment plant element of the Gorey Sewerage Scheme which was included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009. A decision on the contract documents for this scheme will be notified to Wexford County Council as soon as possible in the light of the finalisation of the Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012. 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 is considering these assessments, which 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. I expect to publish the Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012 early this year.
581 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the status of the home choice loan scheme; the budget for this scheme for 2009; the budget provided for loans under this scheme in 2009; the number of staff employed to operate this scheme in 2009; the number of persons who applied for loans under this scheme in 2009; the number of loans approved in 2009; the value of the loans approved in 2009; if the scheme will be reformed in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6404/10]
More than 1,400 prospective purchasers formally registered interest on the dedicated home choice loan website with 44 applications being made over the course of 2009. Of these, four loan applications were approved with a combined value in excess of €800,000. In terms of available budget for the scheme, it is important to note the scheme is demand led. As such, no budget has been set and no moneys that could be deployed elsewhere have been ring fenced for the scheme. The extent of the loan book arising will depend solely on the level of uptake over the duration of the scheme.
Loan finance is drawn down, as appropriate, by local authorities from the Housing Finance Agency and on-lent to successful applicants. Costs of approximately €280,000 were incurred in 2009 in establishing the scheme, including the setting up of the central processing unit within the Affordable Homes Partnership. These costs were met fully from within existing resources within the partnership. A total of four people across the entire system, which covers all local authority areas, have been employed to roll-out the scheme. A significant element of the staffing costs was incurred in the development of the loan processing model which applies to the Home Choice Loan but which has also now been used in the development of revised systems for processing and credit checking of normal local authority house purchase loan applications under other schemes such as affordable housing, shared ownership etc.
The scheme has already been revised this year with the inclusion, as of 1 January 2010, of second hand houses to reflect the recent shift in first time buyer preferences, possibly as a result of improved affordability given price decreases and historically low interest rates. I also reduced income limits from €40,000 to €35,000 for single applicants and from €50,000 to €45,000 for joint applicants. I do not expect additional administrative costs to arise from the extension of the scheme. I will continue to review and monitor all aspects of the scheme. Once I am satisfied that the current constrained mortgage market has improved the scheme will be discontinued.
582 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if all the portable electrical equipment in his Department and subsidiary or grant aided companies, local authorities and so on have portable appliance test certificates as required by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulation S.I. No. 299 of 2007; if not, the reason for same; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a PAT must be carried out on all moveable electrical equipment in offices, centres and so on, to ensure the safety and welfare of both employees and employers; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that records of all such tests must be kept for at least five years to allow the Health and Safety Authority to carry out random spot checks and that insurance companies and underwriters are already seeking proof of compliance prior to renewal of policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6463/10]
My Department is aware of the requirements for portable appliance testing and the keeping of records for such tests in accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007. Where necessary, these requirements are addressed as part of overall compliance management processes, including through the adoption of safe operating procedures and the conduct of regular risk assessments undertaken as part of the Department's health and safety programme. A number of officers in the Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service — where the need for PAT tests may arise more frequently — are qualified testers.
With regard to state bodies under the aegis of the Department, and local authorities, this is a matter for the bodies themselves as part of their day-to-day activities. In accordance with Department of Finance Public Financial Procedures, the Exchequer carries its own insurance.
583 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of houses purchased for social housing purposes by each local authority in each of the past seven years; the cost of such purchases by each local authority in each of the past seven years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6470/10]
I refer to the reply to Question Nos. 285 and 286 of 27 January, 2010.
584 Deputy Seán Connick asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, further to Parliamentary Question No. 256 of 26 November 2009, the position regarding an application for funding under the capital assistance scheme for voluntary housing associations from an organisation (details supplied) in County Wexford; when a decision on this application will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6506/10]
I recently announced the approval of funding for some 75 voluntary and co-operative housing projects at various locations around the country, including a project being advanced by Rathangan Senior Citizens Housing Association at Rathangan, Co. Wexford. Wexford County Council will advise the housing body with regard to the procedures for drawing down the funding in accordance with the terms and conditions of the relevant scheme.
585 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when turf cutting will cease on the 32 designated raised bogs as outlined in the EC natural habitats regulations 1997; the measures that will be put in place to enforce his decision regarding the cessation of turf cutting. [6663/10]
586 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the findings of the cessation of turf cutting working group will be available. [6664/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 585 and 586 together.
Following the end of 10-year derogation, turf cutting is now due to cease on 32 raised bog Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). Within the coming weeks, I expect to receive a report from the inter-departmental working group that I established last year to make recommendations on managing the cessation of turf cutting within these sites. I will conclude my consideration of these recommendations as rapidly as possible, and will then be in touch with affected individuals and representative groups in regard to the position.
587 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if there is a facility where persons planning to open establishments such as bookmakers, sex shops and head shops must apply to the council for a special class of planning permission. [6678/10]
While there are no special planning requirements for the type of shops referred to in the Question, local authorities can use the powers currently available to them under the planning code, such as the development plan process, to ensure that late night and adult entertainment venues are not inappropriately located. The Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy has asked me to look at how the planning system might support the Department of Health regulatory response to the issue of so-called "head shops"; the issue is currently under consideration in my Department.
In relation to so-called sex shops, my Department established a task force in 2007 to examine how the planning system might support the wider regulatory context around the siting and location of adult entertainment venues. The task force was chaired by my Department and comprised representatives from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform; the Office of the Revenue Commissioners; An Garda Síochána; and Dublin City Council. The task force has now finalised its work and I expect its report will be published shortly.
In relation to bookmakers shops, the Betting Act 1931, as amended, which comes under the aegis of the Minister for Finance, governs all matters relating to betting, including the licensing of bookmakers and betting shops by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners. A major review of gambling (which includes betting) is currently being undertaken under the auspices of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and is aimed at developing a new and comprehensive legal and organisational framework governing gambling.
588 Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the payments made in respect of site acquisition and other costs in relation to a project (details supplied) in County Laois; if he will make a statement regarding the position of the project. [6689/10]
No payments have been made by my Department in relation to this project. Applications for funding under my Department's Capital Assistance Scheme are considered in the light of, inter alia, the available funding for 2010 and the relative priority afforded to the project by Laois County Council.
589 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the plans for the election of a mayor of Dublin; the schedule that is now being followed in the matter; if a date for the election has been set; if consultation has taken place with the local authorities in the Dublin region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6736/10]
596 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the system of directly elected mayors will be introduced; when the first such election will be held; if this system will be extended beyond Dublin; if so, when it will be introduced into areas outside Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7012/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 589 and 596 together.
The election for a regional Mayor for Dublin will be held this year. A date has not yet been fixed for the election. The necessary legislation to provide for the Mayor and to address the electoral arrangements involved is being advanced as a priority. I intend to publish the general scheme of the legislation for consultation purposes as soon as possible, and then to engage with the Dublin local authorities on practical implementation issues. The issue of democratic local government leadership elsewhere will be addressed as part of the wider approach to local government which will be presented in the White Paper on Local Government. The approach to the White Paper is currently under consideration by Government.
590 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will announce the allocations for group water schemes within County Mayo in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6742/10]
I expect to notify local authorities, including Mayo, of my Department's block grant allocations under the 2010 Rural Water Programme shortly. Responsibility for the administration of the Rural Water Programme, which includes funding for group water schemes, has been devolved to local authorities since 1997. Under the devolved arrangements, local authorities are responsible for the approval and funding of group water scheme proposals.
591 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on recent submissions to his Department from Carlow County Council regarding the negative impact the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009 will have on the county and reports in the local media regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6774/10]
I have received correspondence from a number of stakeholders regarding certain aspects of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009 and proposing specific amendments; these are under consideration in my Department. The Bill is currently at Second Stage in the Dáil and may be further amended as it passes through the remaining stages in the Houses of the Oireachtas. The interaction between the Planning and Development Act and the Regional Planning Guidelines (RPGs), which are currently being reviewed, is set out in reply to Question No. 598 on today's order paper. I have also recently written to the Cathaoirligh of all regional and local authorities regarding the ongoing review of the RPGs and addressing concerns regarding the impact of the new RPGs on future growth across the regions.
592 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide details of all cross-Border programmes, initiatives, areas of co-operation and so on in which his Department is engaging, or in which it is about to engage, with its counterparts in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6776/10]
There is ongoing co-operation between my Department and the Department of Environment in Northern Ireland and other relevant agencies in a wide range of areas. Information on 12 such areas of activity is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
593 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his Department has had correspondence from Cork County Council in relation to the proposed closure of the landfill site at Youghal, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6999/10]
My Department is not aware of any correspondence from Cork County Council on this matter. In any event closure of this landfill is an operational issue for which Cork County Council has statutory responsibility.
594 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has had correspondence from Cork County Council in relation to the construction of a material recovery facility for Bottlehill landfill site in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7000/10]
My Department is not aware of any correspondence from Cork County Council regarding the construction of a material recovery facility at the location in question.
595 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the Special Report on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes recommendation to merge local authorities and reduce the number from 34 to 22 is being considered by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7011/10]
The White Paper on Local Government will address a broad suite of local government issues, including in relation to the structure of local government. The approach to the White Paper is under consideration by Government. In addition, the Local Government Efficiency Review Group is currently examining the scope for enhanced efficiency in local government.
597 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to reform the current system of regional authorities and regional assemblies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7013/10]
The renewed Programme for Government, agreed in October 2009, commits to the provision of democratic leadership for regional authorities and to the strengthening of their strategic role across a range of functions, in addition to their realignment to reflect the National Spatial Strategy Gateways. The issues involved are being considered by Government in the context of current deliberations on the proposed White Paper on Local Government. It should also be noted that the Mayor for Dublin will have a strong strategic role across the Dublin Region.
598 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the measures he will take to review the regional planning guidelines for the Cork and Kerry region in view of the empty units in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7014/10]
The Planning and Development (Regional Planning Guidelines) Direction 2008 which issued on 19 December 2008 under section 21 of the Planning Acts, instructed regional authorities to review and update Regional Planning Guidelines (RPGs) for their regions. The review and update is due to be completed with the adoption of new RPGs within each region by mid-2010, including for the south-west region. These guidelines will set a strategic planning framework for development plans within each regional authority area over the 12-year period from 2010 to 2022.
The Planning and Development Act requires that the RPGs must address, inter alia, projected population trends and in this context the 2004 RPGs, having regard to the population scenarios set out in the National Spatial Strategy, proposed population distributions for key urban centres in the respective regions in order to guide development within the overall regional and national strategic policy framework.
To inform the review process and assist regional authorities, my Department published new national population projections in January 2009 including regional population targets for the years 2010, 2016 and 2022 which take account of the changed economic climate and the likely impact of reduced in-migration, rising unemployment and a more constrained financial situation on demographic trends. In October 2009, my Department published specific Gateway and Hub population targets which were derived from the January 2009 national and regional population targets.
It is a matter for each Regional Authority together with the constituent City and County Councils to determine population targets for county towns, other smaller towns, villages and rural areas, within their respective regional targets, which will in turn inform the demand for housing over the period and the requirements for development land, taking account of such matters as available vacant housing units within their area.
600 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the establishment of energy research and technology centres by international institutions here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6068/10]
The Report of the Irish Energy Research Council identified the need for Irish research funders and researchers to engage in co-ordination, networking, and collaboration in relation to their energy research activities. The Council recommended that the development of such links with relevant institutions and bodies should be encouraged and promoted on the island, at both EU and IEA level and internationally. Irish energy researchers collaborate internationally on an ongoing basis and, in some cases, Irish third level institutions are partners in formal arrangements with such international institutions for the purposes of specific research projects, particularly where EU research funding is concerned.
The establishment of energy research and technology centres in Ireland by international institutions and entities, is a development to be welcomed from both an energy policy and enterprise perspective. I am supportive of such initiatives based on a fully cohesive approach which ensures complementarity and added value in terms of enhancing Ireland's energy research capability.
601 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the companies that have been granted contracts for projects worth more than €10 million in the period 2000 to 2010. [6141/10]
I regret to advise the Deputy that it is not possible to provide a response to his Question at this time. I will write to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
602 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of external consultants currently working for or in his Department; the work they are carrying out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6195/10]
I regret to advise the Deputy that it is not possible to provide a response to his Question at this time. I will write to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
603 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the broadband service will be improved so that the population who do not have access to broadband will have same; when fibre-optic broadband will be rolled out in the Muckross area of Killarney, County Kerry. [6233/10]
I regret to advise the Deputy that it is not possible to provide a response to his Question at this time. I will write to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
604 Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding applications for the warmer homes scheme made by persons (details supplied) in County Meath. [6277/10]
I regret to advise the Deputy that it is not possible to provide a response to his Question at this time. I will write to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
605 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the companies that have been granted contracts for projects worth more than €15 million in the period 2000 to date in 2010. [6313/10]
I regret to advise the Deputy that it is not possible to provide a response to his Question at this time. I will write to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
606 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if all the portable electrical equipment in his Department and subsidiary or grant aided companies such as An Post, RTÉ, Coillte and so on have portable appliance test certificates as required by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulation S.I. No. 299 of 2007; if not, the reason for same; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a PAT must be carried out on all moveable electrical equipment in offices, centres and so on, to ensure the safety and welfare of both employees and employers; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that records of all such tests must be kept for at least five years to allow the Health and Safety Authority to carry out random spot checks and that insurance companies and underwriters are already seeking proof of compliance prior to renewal of policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6464/10]
I am aware of the requirements of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and in particular the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulation S.I. No. 299 of 2007. The issue of Portable Appliance Testing and certification of all relevant equipment in my Department is in the process of being implemented. Proposals for the invitation of tenders to carry out this work are being prepared at present and it is hoped to have the process completed and the testing carried out before the middle of the current year. When completed all certificates will be retained for inspection as required. The issue as it relates to bodies under the aegis of my Department is a day to day matter for those agencies and one in which I have no role.
607 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the outcome of the EU climate change committee meeting for an agreement on new entrants reserve 300 funding on 2 February 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6706/10]
The New Entrant Reserve (NER) 300 is a budget of 300 million EU emission unit allowances (EUAs) allocated in December 2008 to finance innovative demonstration projects in the fields of carbon capture and storage (CCS) and Renewable Energy. As the Deputy will be aware, the purpose of the meeting on the 2nd of February was to decide on the Draft Commission Decision, which included eligibility criteria that will be used to select projects under the NER 300 programme. My officials have been fully engaged with this process since its inception, and are actively involved in trying to bring this process to a successful conclusion.
The Climate Change Committee voted in favour of the revised Commission Decision on the 2nd of February, subject to a number of amendments. These amendments include the inclusion of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) included under "Ocean" subcategory, the inclusion of the words "smart grids" inserted in the "Distributable Renewable Management" subcategory, along with the provision that the decision can be amended with a view to ensuring geographical and technical balance in the second round of projects seeking funding. It is expected that the process will now move to the invitation for projects stage.
608 Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding an application for the home energy savings scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath. [6707/10]
I regret to advise the Deputy that it is not possible to provide a response to his Question at this time. I will write to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
609 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason for refusal of an application under the warmer homes scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6824/10]
I regret to advise the Deputy that it is not possible to provide a response to his Question at this time. I will write to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
610 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the erection of wind turbines, the restrictions and or the prohibitions on such turbines being erected in built up or residential areas; if he will indicate if there are any height restrictions in place in relation to the erection of such wind turbines and their proximity to dwelling houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6857/10]
There is currently 1,260 MW+ of wind power generating plant connected to the national grid. These projects have already secured planning permission and connection offers. The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) Decision on the "Gate 3" process provides for a further connection offers for 3900 MWs of additional renewable electricity capacity (mainly wind power). Connection offers for Gate 3 began to issue in December 2009 and will continue until mid 2011.
Matters relating to planning permission for wind turbines are the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government. I can however, inform the Deputy that in February 2007 exemptions from the requirement to apply for planning permission were introduced for small wind turbines under Statutory Instrument S.I. No. 83 of 2007 "Planning and Development Regulations 2007"). A number of restrictions applied to these exemptions which are set out below.
The Statutory Instrument amends Part 1 of Schedule 2 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 600 of 2001) by the substitution of the following for Class 2:
(b) The construction, erection or placing within the curtilage of a house of a wind turbine.
1. The turbine shall not be erected on or attached to the house or any building or other structure within its curtilage.
2. The total height of the turbine shall not exceed 13 metres.
3. The rotor diameter shall not exceed 6 metres.
4. The supporting tower shall be a distance of not less than the total structure height (including the blade of the turbine at the highest point of its arc) plus one metre from any party boundary.
5. No more than one turbine shall be erected within the curtilage of a house.
6. No such structure shall be constructed, erected or placed forward of the front wall of a house.
The Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government published a Consultation paper on additional proposed planning exemptions for micro-renewable energy technologies for industrial, commercial, public and agricultural buildings in October 2007. Following consultation, Statutory Instrument 235 of 2008 ("Planning and Development Regulations 2008") introduced further exemptions for certain classes of renewable energy and CHP installations. These further exemptions for wind generators and related restrictions are as follows:
CLASS 56
(c) The construction, erection or placing within the curtilage of an industrial building or light industrial building, or business premises of a wind turbine.
1. The turbine shall not be erected on or attached to the premises or building or any other structure within the curtilage of the building or premises.
2. The total height of the turbine shall not exceed 20 metres.
3. The rotor diameter shall not exceed 8 metres.
4. The supporting tower shall be a distance of not less than the total structure height. (including the blade of the turbine at the highest point of its arc) plus:
(a) 5 metres from any party boundary,
(b) 5 metres from any non-electrical overhead cables,
(c) 20 metres from any 38kV electricity distribution line,
(d) 30 metres from the centre-line of any electricity transmission line of 110kV or more.
5. The turbine shall not be located within 5 kilometres of the nearest airport or aerodrome, or any communication, navigation and surveillance facilities designated by the Irish Aviation Authority, save with the consent in writing of the Authority and compliance with any condition relating to the provision of aviation obstacle warning lighting.
6. Not more than one turbine shall be erected within the curtilage of the premises or building.
7. The turbine shall not be located within an Architectural Conservation Area.
CLASS 18
(b) The construction, erection or placing within an agricultural holding of a wind turbine.
1. The turbine shall not be erected on or attached to a building or other structure.
2. The total height of the turbine shall not exceed 20 metres.
3. The rotor diameter shall not exceed 8 metres.
4. The supporting tower shall be a distance of not less than:
(a) one and a half times the total structure height (including the blade of the turbine at the highest point of its arc) plus 1 metre from any party boundary.
(b) The total structure height (including the blade of the turbine at the highest point of its arc) plus:
(i) 5 metres from any non-electrical overhead cables,
(ii) 20 metres from any 38kV electricity distribution line,
(iii) 30 metres from the centre-line of any electricity transmission line of 110kV or more.
5. The turbine shall not be located within:
(a) 100 metres of an existing wind turbine.
(b) 5 kilometres of the nearest airport or aerodrome, or any communication, navigation and surveillance facilities designated by the Irish Aviation Authority, save with the consent in writing of the Authority and compliance with any condition relating to the provision of aviation obstacle warning lighting.
6. Not more than one turbine shall be erected within the agricultural holding.
611 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of civil and public servants that have signed up for the cycle to work scheme; the cost of the scheme to date in 2010. [7569/10]
I regret to advise the Deputy that it is not possible to provide a response to his Question at this time. I will write to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
612 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if all targets for the millennium forests planted in 1999 were met; if the 16 forests planted still remain intact; the number of household certificates that were distributed by Coillte; the follow-up work that has been carried out in relation to the millennium forests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6170/10]
The People's Millennium Forests Project was a flagship Millennium project sponsored by the National Millennium Committee and AIB and managed by Coillte in association with Woodlands of Ireland. Coillte, the project managers, advise that all of the targets for the millennium forests were met. In relation to the 16 sites included in the project, 14 were in the Republic of Ireland and two were in Northern Ireland. Of the fourteen sites in the Republic, a combination of native woodland restoration work and new planting was carried out at thirteen sites while restoration work only was carried out at one site. An audit of the sites during Autumn 2007 indicated that sites were well managed and forests planted in 2000 are progressing well. Coillte advises that certificates were distributed to 1.2 million households.
613 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if Bord Bia falls within the remit of the Office of the Ombudsman; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6054/10]
An Bord Bia does not fall within the scope of the Ombudsman Act 1980. Any questions relating to the Ombudsman's remit are primarily a matter for that Office.
614 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment will issue under the animal welfare scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6084/10]
The person named has six animals for consideration under the 2008 Suckler Welfare Scheme. To date, aid amounting to €320.00 has been paid for four of the animals. Queries arose in the case of the remaining two animals but these are now resolved and payment will issue to the applicant shortly.
615 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of REPS 4 applicants that have been approved in tabular form in counties Mayo, Galway, Sligo and Roscommon; the number of same that have been paid; the number that await payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6099/10]
REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007–13 and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before the first payments issue. Those applicants in Counties Mayo, Galway, Sligo and Roscommon who cleared the administrative checks have been paid, as detailed below. However queries arose on a significant number of applications, in the course of the administrative checks. My Department is continuing to process applications with a view to payment as soon as possible and, in this context, will be in touch with the applicants where necessary, to resolve outstanding issues.
|
County |
REPS 4 applicants 2007, 2008 and 2009 |
Paid for 2009 up to 8 February 2010 |
|
Galway |
2,753 |
1,441 |
|
Mayo |
2,695 |
1,276 |
|
Sligo |
917 |
573 |
|
Roscommon |
1,395 |
999 |
616 Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the process that will be carried out and the options available to a person (details supplied) in County Sligo, regarding the thinning or cutting of a forest owned by them; the way this asset can be best availed of; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6130/10]
I am advised that the person in question should contact his local Teagasc Forestry Advisor regarding advice in relation to the management of his forest. He should contact Teagasc Forestry Development Unit for a list of Forestry Advisors and contact numbers at Mellows Centre, Athenry, Co. Galway, phone number 091 845200. Alternatively he could contact Forest Service, Johnstown Castle Estate, Wexford at 1890 200 223 for a list of registered private foresters.
617 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of 2009 Donegal REP scheme payments that remain unpaid as of 1 February 2010 at 5.30 p.m.; when these payments will be awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6132/10]
Due to industrial Action by staff in my Department, I am not in a position to provide a reply to this question.
618 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the companies that have been granted contracts for projects worth more than €10 million in the period 2000 to 2010. [6139/10]
624 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the companies that have been granted contracts for projects worth more than €15 million in the period 2000 to date in 2010. [6311/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 618 and 624 together.
The following is the information requested by the Deputy:
|
Year contract awarded |
Name of Company |
Value of contract |
Description of Project |
|
€M |
|||
|
2008 |
SWS Business Process Outsourcing |
10,494,668 |
The Provision Of A Bovine Animal Birth Registration System And Passport Issue System (2008 to date) |
|
2007 |
Carillion Irishenco Ltd., Hartwell Upper, Kill, Co. Kildare |
12,827,718.26 |
Civil Engineering Works: Pier construction at Castletownbere Harbour |
|
2004 |
South Western Services |
17,945,349 |
Provision of a Bovine Animal Birth and Importation Registration and Passport Issue System (2004 to 2007 inclusive) |
|
2002 |
John Mowlem and Company PLC. Foundation House, Eastern Road, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 2UZ, United Kingdom. |
38,094,436.54 |
Civil Engineering Works: Killybegs New Harbour Development |
|
Awarded in 2001 (continued to 2006) |
Accenture |
16,793,939.43 |
Mid-Term Review (MTR)/Internet Mapping & Area Payments (IMAP)/ Forestry Computer System (iForis). |
|
2000 |
South Western Services Co-Op Society |
12,916,063 |
The Provision Of A Bovine Animal Registration And Document Issue System (2000 to 2003 inclusive) |
619 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding entitlement to payment under the REPS 4 and queries which have arisen from the large number of applications in relation to the interaction of the REPS 4 with the nitrates directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6157/10]
REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007–13 and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before the first payments issue. Payments have issued to those applicants whose applications cleared the administrative checks. The administrative checks are carried out manually in the Department's local offices and queries in relation to nutrient management planning arose on some 2,000 applications in the course of the checking procedure. These applications are being returned to the applicant requesting that the accuracy of the nutrient management planning be confirmed or that an amended plan be submitted. Payment will issue once satisfactory replies or amended plans have been received.
620 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason for the delay in the issue of REPS payments in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; when payment will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6158/10]
REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007–13 and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before the first payments issue. Payments have issued to those applicants whose applications cleared the administrative checks. The administrative checks are carried out manually in the Department's local offices and queries arose on a significant number of applications in the course of the checking procedure, including the plan belonging to the person named. This query related to chemical phosphorus levels. The application will now be returned to the applicant requesting that the accuracy of this element of the nutrient management plan be confirmed or that an amended plan be submitted. Payment will issue as soon as a satisfactory reply or amended plan has been received.
621 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of external consultants currently working for or in his Department; the work they are carrying out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6193/10]
The following is the information requested by the Deputy:
|
Name of external consultants currently working for or in Department |
Description of the consultancy work being carried out |
|
Dr. Noel Cawley |
Chair of Seafood Strategy Implementation Group and Common Fisheries Policy Review Group |
|
Deloitte and Touche |
To provide independent certification as required by EU Regulations of the Department’s European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) and European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) annual accounts and compliance with EU accreditation criteria (specific administration and accounting requirements). |
|
Haskoning (UK) Limited, Rightwell House, Bretton, Peterborough PE3 8DW, United Kingdom. |
Engineering Services relating to design of Greencastle Harbour Development |
|
Mott MacDonald Engineering Consultants,5 Eastgate Avenue,Little Island, Corkin association withJacobs Engineering Consultants UK Limited, Jacobs House, 427 London Road, Reading, Berkshire RG6 1LB, UK. |
Provision of Engineering Services on Castletownbere Harbour Development — Dinish Wharf Development |
|
Mott MacDonald Ireland Ltd., South Block, Rockfield, Dundrum, Dublin 16. |
Rossaveel Harbour Development, Ferry Terminal Pontoon Piers: — Supervision of a design and build contract to install pontoons. |
|
Espion |
Biannual independent security review of the Department’s IT infrastructure and Quarterly independent assessment of the Department’s IT Security Measures. |
|
Mazars |
Provision of IT Audit Expertise. |
622 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the measures he has in place to assist potato growers in County Kerry who were unable to plant or harvest potatoes due to the recent weather conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6235/10]
I am aware that due to very wet conditions in November 2009 a proportion of the total national area of potatoes remained unharvested at the end of the year. Since Christmas Ireland has experienced very severe frost conditions which have resulted in losses to potatoes. Following a preliminary assessment of the crop losses caused by the severe weather conditions, last week I announced the introduction of a limited scheme of financial assistance to certain potato and vegetable growers who have suffered significant losses of produce due to frost damage.
623 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a REPS 4 will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6291/10]
REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007–13 and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before the first payments issue. Payments have issued to those applicants whose applications cleared the administrative checks. The administrative checks are carried out manually in the Department's local offices and queries arose on a significant number of applications in the course of the checking procedure, including the plan belonging to the person named. This query related to chemical phosphorus levels. The application will now be returned to the applicant requesting that the accuracy of this element of the nutrient management plan be confirmed or that an amended plan be submitted. Payment will issue as soon as a satisfactory reply or amended plan has been received.
625 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment of REP scheme will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [6326/10]
Due to industrial Action by staff in my Department, I am not in a position to provide a reply to this question.
626 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, further to Parliamentary Question No. 319 of 21 January 2010, the queries arising from an application under REPS 4 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if payment will be awarded. [6341/10]
Due to industrial Action by staff in my Department, I am not in a position to provide a reply to this question.
627 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork in respect of a REP scheme. [6384/10]
My officials are considering an appeal received from the person named in December 2009 and will contact him shortly.
628 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if all the portable electrical equipment in his Department and related semi-State companies have portable appliance test, PAT, certificates as required by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulation S.I. No. 299 of 2007; if not, the reason for same; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a PAT must be carried out on all moveable electrical equipment in offices, centres and so on to ensure the safety and welfare of both employees and employers; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that records of all such tests must be kept for at least five years to allow the Health and Safety Authority to carry out random spot checks and that insurance companies and underwriters are already seeking proof of compliance prior to renewal of policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6459/10]
In my Department arrangements are in place to carry out portable appliance testing and the keeping of records for such tests in accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations S.I. No. 299 of 2007. Such arrangements to state bodies under the aegis of my Department are a matter for the bodies themselves as part of their day–to–day activities. In accordance with Department of Finance Public Finance Procedures the Exchequer carries its own insurance.
629 Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if a person (details supplied) in County Sligo will receive their young farmer installation aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6603/10]
The person concerned is an applicant under the Young Farmers' Installation Scheme. The application has been approved for payment and the grant-aid will be paid shortly to the applicant by my Department.
630 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if plans are in place to set up planning permission procedures for roads in forestry plantations; when the Forestry Act 1946 will be amended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6617/10]
Forest road development is exempt from the planning process under Section 4(1)(i) of the Planning and Development Act 2000. However, the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009, which is currently before the Houses of the Oireachtas, proposes to amend Section 4(1) of the Act. My Department is in discussions with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government regarding this amendment and the proposed new Forestry Bill which is currently being drafted by the Office of the Attorney General.
631 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, further to Parliamentary Question No. 976 of 19 January 2010, the progress to date regarding an application for REPS 4 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6632/10]
Payment will issue to the person named within ten working days.
632 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6672/10]
The application from the person named cannot be processed further until a response is received to the letter issued by my officials on 12 January 2010.
633 Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment of REPS 4 will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [6691/10]
Due to industrial Action by staff in my Department, I am not in a position to provide a reply to this question.
634 Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment of REPS 4 will be awarded in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [6692/10]
REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007–13 and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before the first payments issue. Payments have issued to those whose applications required no further examination following the administrative checks. However queries arose on a significant number of applications, including that of the person named, in the course of the administrative checks. My Department is continuing to process applications with a view to payment as soon as possible and, in this context, will be in touch with the applicant's planner shortly.
635 Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment of REPS 4 will be awarded in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [6693/10]
Payment issued to the person named on 1 February 2010.
636 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a single farm payment will be processed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; the penalties that will be incurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6702/10]
The position regarding penalties that may be applied in respect of the application of the person named under the 2009 Single Payment Scheme has yet to be finalised; an official of my Department will shortly be in direct contact with the person named in this regard.
637 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their REP scheme payment. [6721/10]
Due to industrial Action by staff in my Department, I am not in a position to provide a reply to this question.
638 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a farm improvement scheme application will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [6722/10]
The person concerned is an applicant under the Farm Improvement Scheme. The application for grant-aid under the Scheme is currently being examined and a decision will be made as soon as possible.
639 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their REP scheme payment. [6723/10]
Due to industrial Action by staff in my Department, I am not in a position to provide a reply to this question.
640 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when applicants who are awaiting their REPS 4 payments will receive them as many are still awaiting their 2009 payments and are being refused feed stuffs by suppliers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6729/10]
REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007–13 and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before the first payments issue. Payments have issued to those whose applications required no further examination following the administrative checks. However queries arose on a significant number of applications in the course of the administrative checks. My Department is continuing to process applications with a view to payment as soon as possible and, in this context, will be in touch with the applicants where necessary to resolve outstanding issues.
641 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their REP scheme payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6753/10]
Payment will issue to the person named within ten working days.
642 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their REP scheme payment; if this file has been passed by the local office; the position regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6754/10]
Due to industrial Action by staff in my Department, I am not in a position to provide a reply to this question.
643 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway has not received their full cow welfare scheme for 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6761/10]
The person named has nine animals for consideration under the 2009 Suckler Welfare Scheme. To date, aid amounting to €38.80 has been paid for one of the animals. Queries have arisen in the case of the remaining eight animals, and the person named will be written to in due course by my Department, with a view to having them resolved.
644 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a REP scheme payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6764/10]
REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007–13 and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before the first payments issue. Payments have issued to those applicants whose applications cleared the administrative checks. The administrative checks are carried out manually in the Department's local offices and queries arose on a significant number of applications in the course of the checking procedure, including the plan belonging to the person named. This query related to chemical phosphorus levels. The application will now be returned to the applicant requesting that the accuracy of this element of the nutrient management plan be confirmed or that an amended plan be submitted. Payment will issue as soon as a satisfactory reply or amended plan has been received.
645 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason for the delay in publishing the Animal Health and Welfare Bill; if heads of the Bill have been approved; the general areas of reform that the Bill will address; when the Bill will be published and be before Dáil Éireann. [6787/10]
Drafting of the Animal Health and Welfare Bill, which gives effect to commitments in the Programme for Government and the Renewed Programme for Government on issues relating to animal health and welfare is ongoing in my Department. The legislation will amend and consolidate legislation in the area of animal health, particularly to reflect the changed disease status of our animals. Existing legislation will also be updated to ensure that the welfare of all animals, including non-farm animals, is properly protected and that the penalties for offenders are increased significantly. The Bill will provide any necessary statutory basis to give effect to the commitment in the Programme for Government that the responsibility for the welfare of all animals (including non-farm animals) will be consolidated in my Department. I intend to submit the proposed heads of this Bill to the Government at an early date this year.
646 Deputy John O’Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will receive their REPS 4 payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6845/10]
REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007–13 and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before the first payments issue. Payments have issued to those whose applications required no further examination following the administrative checks. However queries arose on a significant number of applications, including that of the person named, in the course of the administrative checks. My Department is continuing to process applications with a view to payment as soon as possible and, in this context, will be in touch with the person named shortly.
647 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of civil and public servants that have signed up for the cycle to work scheme; the cost of the scheme to date in 2010. [7567/10]
My Department has been operating the Cycle-to- Work scheme since June 2009 and, to date expenditure on the scheme is €57,640.81 for 81 applications. This will be recouped from the salaries of the participating officers.
648 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the cutbacks imposed on a project (details supplied) in Dublin 17 in view of the negative effect they will have on individuals, families and the community concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6839/10]
649 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the amount of funding received by a project (details supplied) over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6840/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 648 and 649 together.
My Department provides funding for thirty eight projects in Local Drugs Task Force areas, including the project specifically referred to by Deputy Flanagan. Allocations for this project over the past five years, and for 2010, are as follows:
2005 — €175,662;
2006 — €231,622;
2007 — €200,000;
2008 — €206,000;
2009 — €205,534;
2010 — €138,847.
Arising from Budget 2010, it was decided that funding for these projects was to be reduced from €3,643,000 in 2009 to €2,461,000 in 2010 and to cease from 2011. I acknowledge the difficulties arising for projects and my Department is currently reviewing the implications of this decision for the individual projects concerned. The review, which involves a detailed examination of all 38 projects, is not as yet completed.
650 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the estimated cost of abolishing fees for part-time undergraduate degrees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6065/10]
There are currently some 21,000 part-time undergraduate students enrolled in the university and institute of technology sectors. It is not known how many of these students would qualify under any extension of the Free Fees Initiative as this would be determined by the eligibility criteria that would apply to such a scheme, including for example, residency, nationality, previous higher education attainment etc. The availability of free fees would also be likely to impact on future demand for access to higher education on a part-time basis.
Accordingly, the Deputy will appreciate that any estimate of costs is very tentative depending on the range of variables referred to. The annual revenue that is currently generated by part-time tuition fees amounts to some €40 million. In addition, taking into account the associated unit funding cost implications for colleges as well as the likely growth in numbers, it is tentatively estimated that such factors could bring costs up to €100 million per annum.
651 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of applied behavioural analysis schools in receipt of funding from his Department; the number of ABA schools which have applied for funding from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6073/10]
I am assuming that the Deputy is referring to the Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) pilot scheme funded by my Department which funds 13 stand-alone autism centres. The scheme was set up in the absence of the current national network of autism-specific special classes in our schools. The Deputy will be aware of my commitment to ensuring that all children including those with autism can have access to an education appropriate to their needs preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network. This facilitates access to individualised education programmes, fully qualified professional teachers who may draw from a range of autism-specific interventions, including ABA, special needs assistants, and the appropriate school curriculum with the option where possible of full/partial integration and interaction with other pupils. As each child with autism is unique it is important that children have access to a range of interventions so their broader needs can be met.
In excess of 380 autism-specific classes have now been approved around the country at primary and post primary level by my Department in conjunction with National Council Special Education (NCSE), while more are being set up as required. At primary level there are a maximum of six children in each special class with a teacher and at least two special needs assistants. Extra assistants are provided where the children need them on a case by case basis. In addition, there are in the region of 3,300 children with autism who are receiving additional teaching and/or special needs assistant support in mainstream schools.
The Deputy will be aware that the 2007/2012 Programme for Government commits to the long-term funding for the centres that are currently in the ABA pilot scheme subject to agreement with my Department on standards that will enable them to be supported as primary schools for children with autism. I am pleased to advise that broad agreement has been reached on the core conditions to enable these centres to be recognised as special schools for children with autism and applications have been received for special school recognition from the centres in question. These schools, once recognised, will provide education for children with autism in line with my Department's policy. Detailed modalities relating to the transfer of staff are under consideration.
652 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has assessed the implications of his decision to withdraw funding from 38 community drug projects including a project (details supplied) on clients and their families. [6086/10]
698 Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Education and Science his proposed reductions to projects run through local drugs task forces in Dublin in 2010, with a cessation of this funding in 2011; if there has been any review of these proposals; and or if there are any plans to review these proposals. [6633/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 652 and 698 together.
My Department provides funding for thirty eight projects in Local Drugs Task Force areas, including the project specifically referred to by Deputy Bruton. These projects, through a variety of programmes and activities, seek, in the main, to encourage young people not to engage in drug-taking. My Department originally took on responsibility for funding these projects through a mainstreaming process, whereby projects on interim funding were assigned to a number of departments and State agencies. Thirty five of the projects are administered by the three VECs in Dublin City, Dublin County and in Dún Laoghaire, while the remaining three projects are funded directly by my Department.
Arising from Budget 2010, it was decided that funding for these projects was to be reduced from €3,643,000 in 2009 to €2,461,000 in 2010 and to cease from 2011. I acknowledge the difficulties arising for projects and my Department is currently reviewing the implications of this decision for the individual projects concerned. The review, which involves a detailed examination of all 38 projects, is not as yet completed.
653 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if contract researchers in universities have to pay the pension levy and take the recent pay cut, even though these posts are funded by private money and are not eligible for a public service pension. [6089/10]
For the purposes of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009, Universities are public service bodies. A public servant is defined in the Act as a person who is employed by, or holds any office or other position in, a public service body. Consequently, employees of Universities are comprehended by the Act. Remuneration payable by or on behalf of a public service body to its employees, irrespective of funding source or employment status, falls to be reduced in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
654 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the funding application for the replacement school by a school (details supplied) in Dublin 18; when a decision will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6092/10]
The project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an early stage of architectural planning. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction is dependent on the prioritisation of competing demands on the funding available under the Department's capital budget. The proposed building project will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme for 2010 and subsequent years. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of my Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the delivery of the project at this time.
655 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will support a matter (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [6102/10]
701 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will support a matter (details supplied). [6661/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 655 and 701 together.
I presume the Deputy is referring to the premises where Greendale Community school was located prior to its closure in 2007. The City of Dublin VEC, is charged by my Department on a caretaker basis with regularising the status and implementation of any arrangements for the use of the premises. It is therefore more appropriate that the matter in question be referred to the VEC for consideration. My officials have been advised by the VEC that it is not aware of any difficulties regarding the use of the premises referred to by the Deputy. My Department will now liaise with the VEC in the coming months to put in place the formal legal arrangements.
656 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will support a matter (details supplied). [6103/10]
711 Deputy Joe Behan asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of pupils at primary and second level who have lost the services of a special needs assistant in the period from 1 September 2009 to 1 February 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6788/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 656 and 711 together.
The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is at present carrying out a review of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) allocations in all schools with a view to ensuring that the criteria governing the allocation of such posts, as outlined in my Department's Circular 07/02, are properly met. This is an exercise in identifying surplus posts which are in the system and which do not meet the current criteria — posts that have been retained when a pupil's care needs have diminished or where the pupil has left.
The allocation for any school, and any adjustments to that allocation, depends on a number of factors such as the number of pupils with care/medical needs leaving, the number of new pupils, the changing needs of the pupils and any surplus identified. Furthermore, schools can make applications at any time with the result that the individual situation of any school can change and allocations are not static for a school year in the same way as are, for example, classroom teaching posts. The NCSE is independent in the making and issuing of its decisions relating to SNA allocations. The NCSE has advised that the review will be completed by end March 2010. At that point, the NCSE will provide me with a report on the outcome of the review. I wish to assure the Deputy that SNA support will continue to be made available to schools which have enrolled pupils who qualify for such support.
657 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will support the case of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [6104/10]
As part of the expansion of the Permanent Accommodation Scheme 2007, a grant was allocated to St. Brigid's National School to enable the management authority to provide 3 additional mainstream classrooms. I understand that some difficulties arose between the school and the design team/contractor. However, as this is a devolved project it is a matter for the school authority.
658 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the provision of a new school (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6110/10]
I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has made an application to the Department for major capital funding. The application has been assessed in accordance with published prioritisation criteria for large scale projects and assigned a band 1 rating. As part of the assessment process, the long term projected staffing was determined as Principal plus 8 assistant mainstream class teachers. This was notified to the school authorities in January 2007.
Following a site visit to the school, it was decided that the existing school site could not accommodate a new 8 classroom school and that a new school was required. The Patron has advised that parish land to the rear of the existing school site will be made available to accommodate the provision of the new 8 classroom school. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of the current competing demands on the capital budget, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.
659 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Education and Science when the new rules for the administration of early total immersion education in gaelscoileanna will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6111/10]
660 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will hold a consultation process with teachers and other interested education parties in regard to the drawing up of new guidelines for the administration of early total immersion education in gaelscoileanna; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6112/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 659 and 660 together.
Having considered submissions regarding proposals to prescribe the primary school curriculum by regulation and following discussions with Irish language interests, I am proposing to introduce a regulation that will prescribe the primary curriculum. The regulation will stipulate that the teaching of English may be delayed in Irish-medium schools up to the end of the first term of senior infants, subject to the approval of the school's board of management and following consultation with the patron, teachers and parents' association. However, Irish-medium schools will be required to provide the stipulated provision for English for children whose parents request that provision.
The approach that is being adopted seeks to strike a balance that ensures that the practice of Irish-medium schools in providing immersion programmes can continue while at the same time respecting the position of those parents who seek to have access the national curriculum in English. I intend to provide a copy of the draft regulation to the education partners and Irish language organisations prior to laying it before the Houses of the Oireachtas over the coming weeks. This will be done when legal work on the preparation of the regulation is completed. It is envisaged that the regulations would be effective from September 2010.
661 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of secondary schools here that offer transition year to students; the percentage of secondary schools that offer transition year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6119/10]
720 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of second level schools which offer transition year; the number of students currently in transition year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7503/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 661 and 720 together.
The number of students taking the Transition Year programme is extracted from the returns made by post-primary schools of students enrolled as at 30th September each year. There were 732 recognised post-primary schools in 2008/09 of which 553 (76%) offered the Transition Year programme. The number of students enrolled in the Transition Year programme during 2008/2009 was 28,350. The processing of 2009/2010 enrolments as at 30th September is currently under way and therefore final figures are not available at this time.
662 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the delay in processing grant applications by the County Dublin Vocational Education Committee in respect of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 16; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6128/10]
County Dublin Vocational Education Committee has confirmed to my Department that it has provisionally awarded grants to the candidates referred to by the Deputy, subject to receipt of confirmation of registration on an approved course at an approved institution.
663 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Education and Science the details of enterprise education in second level schools; if he will review and extend the enterprise education programme outside of current programmes; his views on whether enterprise education should be a compulsory part of secondary level education in view of the demands of the smart economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6129/10]
Enterprise Education forms part of the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme Link Modules, and is an examinable part of the Leaving Certificate taken by some 15000 students annually. In addition, as part of the Transition Year Programme, mini-company activities are supported whereby students plan, develop and manage a mini enterprise or organise a major event such as a trade fair or fashion show. Teamwork, multi-disciplinary learning, interpersonal and communications skills, planning, evaluation, and mastery of business concepts are all part of this process. The Transition Year Programme, which is taken by 50% of the student cohort, provides key opportunities for these types of skills to be developed through other measures also, such as school musicals. Some 5000 students annually take part in the Young Social Innovators Programme which promotes these skills as well as social awareness and active citizenship.
In a further development the Student Enterprise Awards run by the County and City Development Board has a participation of some 10,500 students annually under which students plan, market and operate a real business. The Smart Economy strategy provides for a major strengthening, expansion and marketing of mini-company and student enterprise awards under the title of the Sean Lemass Award.
The Leaving Certificate Business syllabus, which is studied by some 18400 students annually, also places a strong emphasis on enterprise. The syllabus covers the relationships of people in a business environment, handling conflict, identifying, marketing and starting a business, the domestic and international environment, entrepreneurs and enterprise skills, and their application to different situations. The BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition is also testament to the investigative and innovative skills of students in our schools, with over 1,135 students and 509 projects taking part in the 2010 exhibition.
As part of its ongoing work, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment is embedding key skills in all senior cycle subject areas. The key skills identified are information processing, communicating, critical and creative thinking, working with others and being personally effective. The Council has also developed a short course in Enterprise Education for consultation. The proposals for reform of the junior certificate programme will provide more opportunities for embedding key skills, and for school-based innovation and creativity. I agree that it is vitally important that all students develop key skills and engage in innovative learning, creative and entrepreneurial activity. Opportunities to develop these skills are already embedded in various programmes and subjects. This work will be further strengthened, while at the same time meeting the diverse needs of the student cohort. EU policy in promoting enterprise as one of the 8 key competencies which students should develop, takes a wider view of enterprise as being a willingness to welcome change, take responsibility, set objectives and meet them, plan, organise, evaluate, manage a project, and work effectively and flexibly with others.
664 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will avail of school transport. [6135/10]
Under the terms of the Primary School Transport Scheme, only eligible children qualify for free transport. In order to be eligible, children must live at least 3.2 kilometres from, and be attending, their nearest national school as determined by my Department. Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport scheme, on behalf of my Department, have advised that the pupil referred to by the Deputy, in the details supplied, resides 1.9 KM from the school of attendance and is therefore not eligible for free school transport. Pupils who reside less than 3.2 kilometres from their school of eligibility may avail of fare-paying concessionary transport to that school, provided there are spare seats on an existing service and they pay the annual charge. Concessionary pupils from families with valid medical cards are not exempt from this charge.
665 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Science the companies that have been granted contracts for projects worth more than €10 million in the period 2000 to 2010. [6144/10]
676 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Science the companies that have been granted contracts for projects worth more than €15 million in the period 2000 to date in 2010. [6316/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 665 and 676 together.
The following companies have been granted contracts for projects worth more than €10 million and €15m in the period 2000 to 2010:
|
Project |
Company |
|
Ballinteer Community School |
P.J. McLoughlin & Sons Ltd. |
|
St. Nessan’s Community College |
Martins Construction Ltd. |
|
Malahide Community School |
McInerney Contracting Ltd. |
|
Ratoath Community College |
Midland Construction & Engineering Ltd. |
|
Youghal Community School |
John F Supple Ltd. |
|
Colaiste Bride, Clondalkin |
Glenman Corporation Ltd. |
|
Muckross Park College |
Duggan Brothers Ltd. |
|
Portlaoise Vocational School |
JSL Group |
|
Cherry Orchard National School |
Townlink Construction Ltd. |
|
Project |
Company |
|
Pilot Schools |
Schools Public Private Partnership (Ireland) Limited |
|
National Maritime College |
Focus Education (NMC) Limited |
|
Cork School of Music |
Cork School of Music PPP Services Limited |
|
1st Bundle PPP Schools |
Macquarie Partnership for Ireland Schools 1 Limited |
|
Phibblestown Primary & Post Primary |
P.J. Hegarty and Sons |
666 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science, further to Parliamentary Question No. 628 of 26 January 2010, the number of primary schools that are renting premises from private landlords; the name and address of each school; the name and address of each landlord; the rent paid by each school per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6165/10]
The information requested by the Deputy is being compiled by officials in the Planning and Building Unit of my Department. While it may not be possible to provide information on the address of each landlord due to Data Protection legislation all other available information will be forwarded to the Deputy shortly.
667 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science, further to Parliamentary Question No. 624 of 26 January 2010, when the information will be available to answer the question as originally asked; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6166/10]
I refer the Deputy to my replies of the 19th and 26th of January where I provided details of the 57 primary school projects and 21 post-primary projects. The estimated construction cost of the 78 projects is €300m. Further details on these projects are available on my Department's website at www.education.gov.ie. I am currently in the process of reviewing the school building and modernisation programme with my officials in the context of the funds available for 2010 and I will be making a further announcement on the programme when that review has been completed.
668 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of external consultants currently working for or in his Department; the work they are carrying out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6198/10]
The information requested must be compiled from details supplied by line sections within my Department. The details in question have been sought from all line sections and a response will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as the relevant information is to hand.
669 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of post-leaving certificate places which exist within the further education sector; if more places will be provided in 2010; the number of places in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6224/10]
For the academic years 2007/2008 and 2008/2009, there were 30,188 approved Post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) places. An additional 1,500 places were approved as part of the Budget of 7 April 2009. This increased the total number of approved PLC places for the 2009/2010 academic year to 31,688. Actual enrolments have exceeded this figure by some 6,800. The level of approved provision will be maintained for the 2010/2011 academic year.
670 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the special needs assistants for a school (details supplied) in County Mayo; if the school will be allowed to retain its full complement of 13 SNAs in view of the fact that they are working with children who have various needs as identified and approved by special educational needs organisers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6244/10]
As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie. I have arranged for the details supplied to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply. I wish to assure the Deputy that SNA support will continue to be made available to schools which have enrolled pupils who qualify for such support.
671 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will extend the contract of the chief executive officer of the National Education Welfare Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6245/10]
The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) is established under the Education (Welfare) Act 2000 as the statutory body with responsibility for school attendance. The CEO post is provided for under Section 36 of the Act with responsibility to manage and control the administration and business of the Board and is accountable to the Board. The term of appointment for the CEO of the NEWB expires in June 2010. The CEO post, as with all posts in the NEWB and the wider public sector, is subject to the moratorium on recruitment and promotions in the public service. The moratorium applies to the filling of all posts. My Department has already commenced consultation with the Board of the NEWB on arrangements for filling the post and it has commenced consultation with the Department of Finance on the implications of the moratorium on the future of the CEO post. Decisions in respect of this post will be made on completion of these consultations.
672 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps he will take regarding the findings of the Comptroller and Auditor General in respect of the National Education Welfare Board. [6246/10]
The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) is established under the Education (Welfare) Act 2000 as the statutory body with responsibility for school attendance. The Act provides a comprehensive framework which promotes regular school attendance and tackles the problems of absenteeism and early school leaving. The general functions of the Board are to ensure that every child attends a recognised school or otherwise receives a certain minimum education.
Special Report No. 8 of the Comptroller and Auditor General published in 2007 dealt with lapses in internal controls at the National Educational Welfare Board. The lapses identified in the Special Report occurred at the earliest phase of the development of administrative structures within the NEWB. Since the publication of the Special Report my Department has taken steps to reduce the risk of similar lapses occurring in the State Sponsored Bodies and Agencies under its aegis in the future. In this regard, my Department issued correspondence to the Bodies under its aegis highlighting the need for the Bodies to ensure, through internal audit and by other means that all necessary controls are in place and that procedures are documented and are implemented in keeping with guidelines on governance for the body. My Department also highlighted the requirement for each agency to be compliant with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, the necessity for the relevant authority to be fully aware of its responsibility with regard to its oversight role in the disbursement of moneys and that the Chief Executive Officer/Director is the person accountable to the Board.
I would like to advise the Deputy that the revised and updated Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies issued to the NEWB in June 2009. The revised code sets out the agreed governance framework for the internal management as well as the internal and external reporting relationships, of commercial and non-commercial State Bodies. My Department has advised the NEWB that the Board is required to comply with the content of the revised code and that all internal procedures should be reviewed and updated as required to ensure compliance with the new provisions in the revised code.
673 Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Science if children (details supplied) in County Meath are entitled to the allocation of a special needs assistant from the National Council for Special Education; and if so, the hours they are entitled to receive. [6283/10]
As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie. I have arranged for the details supplied to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
674 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of special needs assistants employed in schools here in September 2009. [6293/10]
There were a total of 10,236 special needs assistant employed in all primary and second level schools at the end of September 2009.
675 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of special needs assistants employed in schools here as and from January 2010. [6294/10]
There were a total of 10,342 special needs assistants employed in all primary and second level schools at the end of December 2009.
677 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Science when a decision will issue on a building project (details supplied) in County Donegal; the timetable for the decision making process in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6328/10]
The building project at the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning and has been assigned a band 1.1 rating. An enabling works contract to provide a new sewage plant and filtration bed at the school was approved in 2009. The progression of all large-scale building projects, including this project, is dependent on prioritisation of the competing demands on my Department's capital budget. The building project for this school will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual school building and modernisation programme for 2010 and subsequent years. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of my Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the delivery of the project at this time.
678 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the concerns of a primary school (details supplied) in County Waterford regarding circular 0064/2009 in the matter of the imposition of metered water charges, he will revert to the per capita charge which operated on an interim basis prior to January 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6334/10]
705 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on increasing the capitation grant per child to offset water charges that are being imposed on schools here; his further views on whether schools should be exempt from commercial water rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6698/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 678 and 705 together.
Under the Water Framework Directive, the payment of water charges is required with effect from 1 January 2010. The legal advice available to the Government is that schools, like other non-domestic water services users, must pay the full cost of water services used on a metered basis. The Directive required that transitional measures be in place up to 2010 to move towards full cost recovery. It is not possible to maintain these per capita transitional rates.
Circular 64/2009, to which Deputy O'Shea refers, advises schools that data from local authorities indicates that water consumption levels in many schools remains too high. With the introduction of full metered water charges, costs may increase substantially if schools do not put in place water conservation measures. The circular details also the benefits to the school if it reduces water consumption to a recommended per capita usage of 2.1 cubic metres. Schools were advised of actions they could take to reduce water consumption in Circular 46/2008, which was issued by my Department in April 2008. They were advised to develop a water management plan, in order that they would be familiar with the water distribution systems serving the school and the areas where water is used along with potential areas for wastage and leakage. Practical suggestions for reducing water consumption, along with examples of best practice, were also included.
I wish to draw the Deputies' attention also to Circular 57/2009, which is available on my Department's website. Circular 57/2009 outlines the funding available through the Summer Works Scheme 2010 for water conservation measures, which will have the effect of reducing schools' water charges and of contributing to environmental sustainability. The Deputy will be aware that my Department, as is the case for all Government Departments, has had to identify efficiencies in all areas of its budget. Schools can play a role in that regard also by reducing their water consumption and thereby their water charges. I do not propose to provide a specific increase in capitation to take account of metered water charges.
679 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science when a school (details supplied) in County Meath will be granted permission to build a new purpose built school; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the local council has zoned the land for education purposes and that the site is ready to be built upon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6335/10]
I wish to advise the Deputy that the Department is in discussions with the agent representing the land owner with a view to acquiring a suitable site for the school in question. In this regard, the Department has recently received a counter proposal on foot of the Department's initial offer to acquire the site which is being considered in the Department. Due to the commercial sensitivities pertaining to the acquisition of school sites generally, it is not possible for me to comment further at this time.
680 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals he has to introduce more equity into entitlement to third level maintenance grants regarding employees and the self-employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6344/10]
The student maintenance grant is the main financial support available to students in higher education. Students who are entering approved courses are eligible for financial assistance where they satisfy the relevant conditions including those relating to residence, means, age, nationality and previous academic attainment. The assessment of means under my Department's student maintenance grant schemes is based on gross income from all sources. Therefore, all income is assessed from the same starting point, eliminating any distortion which might arise from different spending decisions. The income thresholds are stated on a gross income basis — the average industrial wage by reference to which the thresholds are calculated represents gross pay before any deductions for income tax or PRSI. The means test arrangements of the student maintenance grant schemes are applied nationally. In the case of both employed and self-employed applicants, gross income is assessed with certain specified social welfare and health service executive payments excluded. I have no plans at present to depart from the above practice in respect of the determination of income.
681 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the financial assistance available to a student attending a private college in the United Kingdom. [6347/10]
The Higher Education Grants Schemes operate under the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts 1968 to 1992. Each year, the scheme specifies a list of approved institutions for grants purposes. The approved institutions mainly comprise of public funded third level institutions. Private colleges are not approved for grants purposes. There are no plans at present to extend the scope of the student support schemes to private colleges. However, Section 473A, Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997 provides for tax relief, at the standard rate of tax, for tuition fees paid in respect of approved full/part-time courses in both private and publicly funded third level Colleges and Universities in the State and any other E.U. Member State. Further details and conditions in relation to this tax relief are available from a candidate's local tax offices or on Revenue's website at http://www.revenue.ie.
682 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will review the pension arrangements for a person (details supplied) in County Dublin whose career in the European Schools has had unforeseen impacts upon his pension entitlements; if he will reassess the entitlement of this person’s pension provision in relation to Article 40.C of the Regulations for the Seconded Staff in the European Schools (1987); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6348/10]
I understand that in relation to the individual referred to by the Deputy, his seconded service with the European Schools has been taken into account for pension purposes in accordance with the terms and conditions of his pension scheme. I also understand that his pensionable remuneration reflected the grade on which he was originally seconded to the European Schools.
On the question of Article 40(c) of the 1987 European School Regulations for members of the teaching staff of the European Schools, this Article provides that “A Headmaster who served as a secondary school teacher in a European School, prior to his appointment shall, when his period of appointment expires, be re-integrated by his national authorities, who shall ensure that his record at the European School is not overlooked in his subsequent national career”. This provision has no application in this instance. I wish to advise the Deputy that this case was raised by the Pensions Ombudsman with my Department in July 2008 and no basis was established to amend the awarded pension.
683 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science if all portable electrical equipment in his Department and subsidiary or grant-aided companies have portable appliance test certificates as required by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulation S.I. No. 299 of 2007; if not, the reason for same; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a PAT must be carried out on all moveable electrical equipment in offices, centres and so on, to ensure the safety and welfare of both employees and employers; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that records of all such tests must be kept for at least five years to allow the Health and Safety Authority to carry out random spot checks and that insurance companies and underwriters are already seeking proof of compliance prior to renewal of policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6465/10]
My Department is committed to a policy of maintaining a safe and healthy working environment for all its employees. In pursuance of this policy and in compliance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, systems have been put in place to ensure that equipment and machinery are properly maintained and that adequate training is provided in the use of equipment/machinery where this is appropriate.
I am aware that a portable appliance test (PAT) must be carried out on all movable electrical equipment as required by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007. The Health and Safety Unit in my Department is currently organising a PAT programme in cooperation with the Office of Public Works to ensure compliance with the regulations as set out by the Health and Safety Authority. It is a matter for subsidiary/grant-aided companies to ensure they are in compliance with health and safety legislation.
684 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will respond to correspondence received from a person (details supplied) concerning the future of the National University of Ireland. [6472/10]
I have responded to the letter in question.
685 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Education and Science when a new national school will commence construction in County Limerick. [6475/10]
My Department is currently awaiting receipt of the Supplementary Tender Report from the Board of Management. When the Supplementary Tender Report has been received and provided there are no issues arising there from, the school will be authorised to proceed to the construction stage.
686 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Science the meetings, dates and discussions between his Department or its representatives and the trustees of a school (details supplied) or their representatives regarding the future of this school. [6477/10]
687 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the trustees of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick have informed the board of management of the school that they propose to close the school at or before the end of academic year 2012/13; and if he will reassure parents of pupils that places in the three County Limerick schools in the same locality will be available for their children to enable them to continue their education up to the leaving certificate. [6478/10]
688 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Science, in view of the fact that the trustees of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick have informed the board of management of the school that they propose to close the school at or before the end of academic year 2012/13, if departmental resources will be made available to parents of pupils to facilitate the relocation of their children to other schools in the locality to enable them to continue their education up to the leaving certificate. [6479/10]
689 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Science, in view of the fact that the trustees of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick have informed the board of management of the school that they propose to close the school at or before the end of academic year 2012/13, if he will reassure parents of pupils attending primary schools in the area that places in the three County Limerick schools in the same locality will be available for their children to enable them to continue their education up to the leaving certificate. [6480/10]
690 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Science, in view of the fact that the trustees of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick have informed the board of management of the school that they propose to close the school at or before the end of academic year 2012/13, if he will provide guidance to parents of pupils applying for entry into the school as a first year in the academic year 2010/11; if they should continue with this application or if they should apply to other schools in the locality; and if places will be available in those schools for all potential students. [6481/10]
691 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Science the potential future plans for the site currently occupied by a school (details supplied) in County Limerick once the trustees have ceased using it as a school. [6482/10]
697 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress that has been made in planning for the future of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6621/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 686 to 691, inclusive, and 697 together.
Officials in my Department met with the Trustees of the school to which the Deputies refer on 23 October and 21 December 2009. The Trustees expressed some concern about the future of the school and it is my understanding that they are considering a number of options in this regard. The Department understands that the Trustees have met with the Board of Management, staff and representatives of parents from the school to inform them of their concerns on its viability. Officials from my Department contacted the Trustees to clarify their intentions in December and are awaiting the outcome of their deliberations. When the Trustees have formally notified the Department of their intentions in relation to the future of the school, the matter will be considered further.
692 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if funding for third level access programmes in the Dublin universities for students from disadvantaged backgrounds are affected by budgetary cuts; the funding from his Department to each of the Dublin universities under this heading; the number of pupils assisted in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6499/10]
The Third Level Access Measure provides support for disadvantaged students through two sub-priorities: the Student Assistance Fund and the Fund for Students with Disabilities. The objective of the Student Assistance Fund, is to assist students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise, due to their financial circumstances, be unable to continue their third level studies. The Fund for Students with Disabilities provides funding to both further and higher education institutions for the provision of services and supports for full-time students with disabilities. The fund is managed by the Higher Education Authority on behalf of my Department and is funded under the National Development Plan, with assistance from the European Social Fund.
The Deputy will be aware that the need for budgetary adjustment has made it necessary to discontinue the Millennium Partnership Fund from the 2010/11 academic year. The fund was disbursed by local Partnership Companies, mostly in the form of small grants to individual students to cover costs of items such as books and travel. Most students in receipt of support from the fund will continue to be supported under the means-tested student maintenance grant schemes and many will benefit from the significantly higher special rate of grant. In addition, third level students in difficult financial circumstances will continue to have access to the Student Assistance Fund.
The Higher Education Authority also provides institutions with recurrent funding to develop the necessary infrastructure and programmes to support wider access for people with a disability, mature students and young people from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The table below outlines the funding provided under the Student Assistance Fund to Dublin-based institutions for the 2009/10 academic year.
|
Institution |
€ |
|
DIT |
379,872 |
|
ITB |
12,168 |
|
IT Tallaght |
76,176 |
|
DLIADT |
55,008 |
|
UCD |
607,500 |
|
TCD |
464,832 |
|
DCU |
247,824 |
|
St. Pat’s Drumcondra |
73,044 |
|
Marino College |
13,176 |
|
COI College |
3,348 |
|
Froebel College |
9,432 |
|
National College Ireland |
35,172 |
|
RCSI |
18,252 |
|
Mater Dei |
13,068 |
|
NCAD |
31,644 |
693 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of children that were transferred to a Magdalene laundry from a State-regulated institution; the number of applications received by the Residential Institutions Redress Board which claim redress on the basis of section 1(3) of the Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6505/10]
695 Deputy Tom Kitt asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of children who were transferred to a Magdalene laundry from a State-regulated institution; the number of survivors that have applied to the Residential Institutions Redress Board on the basis of section 1(3) of the Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002. [6604/10]
696 Deputy Tom Kitt asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will enter into dialogue with the four religious congregations involved with the Magdalene laundries in order that they will make available their records for all women and children entering Magdalene laundries after 1 January 1900. [6605/10]
715 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will account for each child confined to a Magdalene laundry since the foundation of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6836/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 693, 695, 696 and 715 together.
As the Deputies are aware the Magdalen Laundries were privately owned and operated institutions which were not subject to State regulation or inspection and, as a consequence, are not scheduled institutions for the purposes of the Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002. However, in recognition of the fact that some children were transferred from institutions specified for the purposes of the Schedule to the Act, to laundries, section 1(3) of the Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002 provides that a child who was resident in a scheduled institution and who was transferred to a laundry where they suffered abuse while so resident, will be deemed, at the time of the abuse to have been resident in the scheduled institution.
My Department does not hold information on the number of applications made to the Residential Institutions Redress Board where applicants were transferred from scheduled institutions to laundries. The Board is entirely independent in the performance of its functions.
My Department does not have details of every child who was placed in a laundry. In relation to the number of children that were transferred to a Magdalen Laundry from a State regulated institution (scheduled institution), my Department only maintains records on those children who were admitted to Industrial & Reformatory Schools via the Courts. Some of these records may indicate instances of children being transferred to Laundries. My Department is currently reviewing these records in an attempt to identify the incidence of this practice within the records available to the Department. My Department does not generally hold any records in relation to children who may have been otherwise placed in the Industrial and Reformatory schools, e.g. voluntary placements, Health Authority referrals, etc. nor indeed would my Department hold any records in respect of former residents of the remaining scheduled institutions. Consequently, any records which my Department holds would not be a true reflection of the numbers involved and could not be relied upon to accurately quantify the numbers.
I wish to advise the Deputies however that officials at my Department recently met with a delegation representing the Justice for Magdalenes Group. At that meeting, my Department indicated its willingness to facilitate requests from individuals who were transferred to a Laundry from either an Industrial or Reformatory School subject to confidentiality requirements for personal data.
Turning to the question of records held by the religious congregations who owned and operated the Magdalen Laundries, like my colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I have no legal authority to instruct them to provide full access to their records. It is a matter for each individual congregation, having regard to any requirements of the data protection legislation. The Deputies will be aware that when recommending the continuation of family tracing services, the Commission noted that the right of access to personal documents and information must be recognised and afforded to ex-residents of institutions. In this context, my Department continues to provide individuals access to their personal records under the terms of the Freedom of Information Acts.
As can be seen from the above, while it is not possible for my Department to account for each child confined to a Magdalen Laundry since the foundation of the State, my Department will assist individuals in respect of whom it may hold records. My officials are continuing to liaise with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform regarding its ongoing inquiries in relation to the role of the criminal justice system in referring individuals to Magdalen Laundries.
694 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason 1,500 applicants for higher education grants from Cork County Council have yet to be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6602/10]
As at 5 February 2010 Cork County Council had received a total of 2,140 grant applications for the academic year 2009/2010. This is an increase in applications of 32%. A decision has been reached on 1,107 applications. A total of 85 applications have yet to be assessed and these applications were received after the closing date. A significant number of outstanding grant applications (948 applicants) have not been processed in full because the applications were incomplete or further information was required.
699 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will sanction funding for the provision of a required extension to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare. [6655/10]
I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has made an application to my Department for large scale capital funding. The application have been assessed in accordance with the published criteria for large scale capital projects and has been assigned a Band 2 rating. Information in respect of the current school building programme along with assessed applications for major capital works, including the project referred to by the Deputy, are now available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.
The progression of all large scale building projects, including the project in question, from initial design through to construction phase will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of my Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.
700 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will respond to a query (details supplied). [6660/10]
In 2009, it was estimated that the budget for building projects in schools and higher education institutions had the capacity to sustain almost 5,000 direct jobs in the construction sector. This was based on an estimate by industry analysts that 9.3 is the average number of direct jobs created annually by €1 million of investment. The specific project to which the Deputy refers is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. Representatives from the school and its design team recently attended a briefing by my Department on the requirements for completing stage 2(b) of architectural planning, following which the project was approved to progress to stage 2(b).
The proposed building project will be considered in the context of the Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme for 2010 and subsequent years. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the delivery of the project at this time.
702 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of special needs assistants that have been relieved of their posts from a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; his views on reversing the cutback in view of the fact that many pupils require one to one attention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6666/10]
The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is at present carrying out a review of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) allocations in all schools with a view to ensuring that the criteria governing the allocation of such posts, as outlined in my Department's Circular 07/02, are properly met. This is an exercise in identifying surplus posts which are in the system and which do not meet the current criteria — posts that have been retained when a pupil's care needs have diminished or where the pupil has left.
The allocation for any school, and any adjustments to that allocation, depends on a number of factors such as the number of pupils with care/medical needs leaving, the number of new pupils, the changing needs of the pupils and any surplus identified. Furthermore, schools can make applications at any time with the result that the individual situation of any school can change and allocations are not static for a school year in the same way as are, for example, classroom teaching posts. The NCSE is independent in the making and issuing of its decisions relating to SNA allocations. The NCSE has advised that the review will be completed by end March 2010. At that point, the NCSE will provide me with a report on the outcome of the review. I wish to assure the Deputy that SNA support will continue to be made available to schools which have enrolled pupils who qualify for such support.
703 Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will appoint a design team to progress the application for an extension and refurbishment works to a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny in view of the fact that the population in the catchment area has increased by 70% on the previous census and the increase of pupils attending this school has warranted the appointment of an additional teacher from September 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6682/10]
I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has made an application to my Department for large scale capital funding. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published criteria for large scale capital projects and has been assigned a Band 2 rating. Information in respect of the current school building programme along with assessed applications for major capital works, including the project referred to by the Deputy, are now available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.
The progression of all large scale building projects, including the project in question, from initial design through to construction phase will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of my Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time. In the meantime, it is open to the school authority to apply for temporary accommodation, if the need arises, pending the delivery of its large scale building project.
704 Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Science if he is satisfied that all payments in respect of a contract signed by his Department in respect of a project (details supplied) in County Laois have been fully utilised directly on the project; if there is a mechanism in place to ensure that all persons who are suppliers for the project will be paid in respect of material and services provided for the project which is the subject of a contract signed by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6688/10]
My Department entered into a contract with the main contractor to deliver a new school building for the school referred to by the Deputy. All certificates for payment which have been presented to my Department have been paid to the main contractor in accordance with the contract. No contractual relationship exists between my Department and any of the sub-contractors on this project. In this regard it is a matter for sub-contractors to agree terms and conditions for payment with the main contractor or other sub-contractors on this project.
706 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for Education and Science if financial assistance will be available for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick pursuing a full-time course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6714/10]
Under the terms of the Third Level Student Support Schemes, a student is not eligible for grant assistance in respect of a second period of study at the same level, irrespective of whether or not a grant was paid previously. The decision on eligibility for student grants is a matter for the relevant assessing authority, i.e. the Local Authority or VEC. These bodies do not refer individual applications to my Department except, in exceptional cases, where, for example, advice or instruction regarding a particular clause in the relevant scheme is required.
If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a maintenance grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to the relevant local authority or VEC. Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down, in writing, by the assessing authority, and remains of the view that the body has not interpreted the schemes correctly in her/his case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to my Department. No appeal has been received by my Department to date from the candidate referred to by the Deputy.
Support may be available through the Student Assistance Fund which is designed to assist students who, having commenced a third-level course, experience financial hardship that may render them unable to continue their third-level studies. Information on the Fund is available from the Access Officer at the candidate's College. In addition, Section 473A Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides for tax relief on tuition fees, at the standard rate of tax in respect of approved courses at approved colleges of higher education including certain approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses in EU and non-EU member states. Further details on claiming this relief are available from the candidate's local tax offices or on Revenue's website at http://www.revenue.ie.
707 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of teachers, broken down by male and female, that are in receipt of a pension in the 55 to 60 years, 60 to 70 years, 70 to 80 years and over 80 years age group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6717/10]
The information sought by the Deputy, on the age and gender of categories of pensioned primary, secondary, community and comprehensive teachers is set out in a Tabular Statement. The figures for second level teacher do no not include pensioned VEC teachers where the retirement awards are made by the relevant VEC.
|
Age Category |
Retired Primary Teachers |
Total number of retired Primary Teachers in Category |
Retired Secondary, Community & Comprehensive Teachers |
Total number of Retired Secondary, Community & Comprehensive Teachers in Category |
||
|
Female |
Male |
Female |
Male |
|||
|
Age 55 years but under Age 60 |
929 |
401 |
1,330 |
665 |
432 |
1,097 |
|
Age 60 years but under age 70 |
3,359 |
1,143 |
4,502 |
1,822 |
1,987 |
3,809 |
|
Age 70 years but under age 80 |
2,914 |
768 |
3,682 |
981 |
891 |
1,872 |
|
Age 80 years and over |
1,099 |
238 |
1,337 |
568 |
183 |
751 |
|
Total |
8,301 |
2,550 |
10,851 |
4,036 |
3,493 |
7,529 |
708 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a family (details supplied) that moved to Dublin from Cork in December 2009 has been unable to obtain school places for their children having applied to seven second level schools in the vicinity of their home in Dublin 16 and that the earliest places offered to the children are for September 2010; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that these children have now not attended school for two months; the educational facilities that will be provided for these children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6741/10]
The question of enrolment in individual schools is the responsibility of the managerial authority of those schools. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking places. This may result, however, in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998. In this regard a Board of Management may find it necessary to restrict enrolment to children from a particular area or a particular age group or, occasionally, on the basis of some other criterion. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. Under section 15(2)(d) of the Education Act 1998, each school is legally obliged to disclose its enrolment policy and to ensure that as regards that policy that principles of equality and the right of parents to send their children to a school of the parents choice are respected.
Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, provides parents with an appeal process where a Board of Management of a school or a person acting on behalf of the Board refuses enrolment to a student. Where a school refuses to enrol a pupil, the school is obliged to inform parents of their right under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 to appeal that decision to either the relevant Vocational Educational Committee or to the Secretary General of my Department.
The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. If the NEWB is furnished with the family's contact details, the Board will contact the parents in this regard. The Board can be contacted at National Educational Welfare Board, National Headquarters, 16-22 Green Street, Dublin 7 or by telephone at 01-8738700. Home Tuition support may be provided, on application, as a temporary interim measure, for pupils who do not have a school placement or are unable to secure a school place.
709 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of north Tipperary schools that have applied for and are awaiting capital funding for school building projects; the band rating and stage of these projects; the works that are to be carried out; the date of first application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6767/10]
Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works are now available on the Department's website at www.education.ie. Details are attached for the particular schools to which the Deputy refers. The priority attaching to individual projects is determined by published prioritisation criteria, which were formulated following consultation with the Education Partners. There are four band ratings under these criteria, each of which describes the extent of accommodation required and the urgency attaching to it. Band 1 is the highest priority rating and Band 4 is the lowest. Documents explaining the band rating system are also available on the Department’s website.
The progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction will be considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme. However, in view of the level of demand on the Department's capital budget, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of individual school projects at this time.
|
County |
Roll Number |
School Name |
Current Status |
Application For |
Band Rating |
|
Tipperary |
65240L |
Presentation Secondary School, Ballingarry, Thurles |
In advanced Architectural Planning |
Extension/Refurb |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
65440T |
Our Lady’s Secondary School, Templemore |
In early Architectural Planning |
Extension/Refurb |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
65470F |
Ursuline Secondary School, Thurles |
In advanced Architectural Planning |
Extension/Refurb |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
72370P |
Borrisokane Community College, Borrisokane, Co. Tipperary |
In advanced Architectural Planning |
Extension/Refurb |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
72430H |
Scoil Ruaine, Killenaule |
In advanced Architectural Planning |
PE Hall |
4 |
|
Tipperary |
72440K |
Nenagh Vocational School |
In advanced Architectural Planning |
Extension/Refurb |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
00590A |
Borrisoleigh BNS |
Application |
Extension/Refurb |
3 |
|
Tipperary |
01594N |
St. Johns Roscrea |
Application |
Extension/Refurb |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
04005G |
SN Naomh Peadar Horse and Jockey |
Application |
Extension/Refurb |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
09190G |
Boher NS, Ballina |
Design Team to be appointed |
Extension & SNU |
1 |
|
Tipperary |
12540B |
Clonmore NS, Templemore |
Application |
Extension/Refurb |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
14460N |
Killea NS, Templemore |
Application |
Extension/Refurb |
3 |
|
Tipperary |
15560W |
Bishop Harty NS, Ballinree |
Application |
Extension/Refurb |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
16211C |
Two Mile Borris NS |
Application |
Extension |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
16276H |
Carrig NS, Ballycommon, Nenagh |
Design Team to be appointed |
Extension/Refurb |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
16344V |
St. Mary’s Jnr BNS, Nenagh |
Application |
Extension/Refurb |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
16810B |
Eochaille Ara, NS, Newtown |
Application |
Extension/Refurb |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
16835R |
SN Naomh treasa, Borrisoleigh |
Application |
Extension/Refurb |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
17244W |
SN Naomh Ruadhain, Lorrha |
Application |
Extension/Refurb |
3 |
|
Tipperary |
17296S |
SN Baile Na Hinse, Birdhill |
Application |
Extension/Refurb |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
17703F |
SN Ard Croine, Nenagh |
Application |
Extension/Refurb |
3 |
|
Tipperary |
18135W |
Scoil Angela, Ursuline Convent |
Application |
Extension/Refurb |
2 |
|
County |
Roll Number |
School Name |
Current Status |
Application For |
Band Rating |
|
Tipperary |
18213Q |
SN Leamhach, Thurles |
Application |
Extension/Refurb |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
18322V |
Sn An Droma, Thurles |
Application |
Extension/Refurb |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
18345K |
SN iosaf Noafa, Cor An Bhile |
Application |
Extension/Refurb |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
18369B |
Kilruane NS, Nenagh |
Application |
GP Hall |
4 |
|
Tipperary |
18379E |
Barnane NS, Templemore |
Application |
Extension/Refurb |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
18435L |
Sacred Heart Primary School, Roscrea |
Design Team to be appointed |
Extension/Refurb |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
18443K |
Sn Iosef Naofa, Eaglais |
Application |
Extension/Refurb |
3 |
|
Tipperary |
18775M |
Sn Micheal Noafa |
Application |
Extension/Refurb |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
19370O |
St. Annes Special School, Roscrea |
Application |
Extension/Refurb |
1 |
|
Tipperary |
19422H |
Cloughjordan No. 1 NS |
Application |
Extension/Refurb |
4 |
|
Tipperary |
19937R |
Gaelscoil Aonach Bothar Noamh Chonlain |
Application |
Extension/Refurb |
3 |
|
Tipperary |
20062K |
Scoil Mhuire Borrisokane |
Application |
Extension/Refurb |
3 |
|
Tipperary |
20198M |
Templemore NS |
Application |
Extension/Refurb |
1 |
|
Tipperary |
65380E |
St. Mary’s Secondary School, Nenagh |
Application |
Extension/Refurb |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
65460C |
Presentation Secondary School, Thurles |
Application |
Extension/Refurb |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
72450N |
St. Joseph’s College, Newport |
Application |
Extension/Refurb |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
72470T |
St. Sheelan’s College, Templemore |
Application |
Extension/Refurb |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
72490C |
Vocational School Castlemeadows |
Application |
Extension/Refurb |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
76069P |
Colaiste Phobáil, Roscrea |
Application |
Extension/Refurb |
2 |
710 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the provision of a primary school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; his views on a submission sent to him via e-mail outlining the reason there is a need for a school in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6768/10]
The Forward Planning Section of my Department is in the process of carrying out detailed analysis of over 40 locations of highest population growth in order to identify the school accommodation requirements up to and including the school year 2014/2015. When the required reports have been completed for these initial areas selected the Forward Planning Section will continue to work on preparing reports on a priority basis for the remainder of the country. Overall primary accommodation requirements in Tipperary, including the area referred to by the Deputy will be considered in this regard.
712 Deputy Joe Behan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will instigate a pilot scheme to allow schools the option to top up the social welfare income of special needs assistants who have been made redundant thereby allowing the schools to retain the services of the special needs assistant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6789/10]
I have no plans to instigate a pilot scheme along the lines suggested by the Deputy. There has been no change to the scheme under which posts of Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) are allocated to schools to enable them to support the care needs of pupils with disabilities. Schools, which have enrolled pupils who qualify for support under this scheme, will continue to be allocated SNA posts. However, where the pupils concerned have left the school or where the care needs of the pupils have diminished, the SNA posts will be suppressed.
713 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he or his Department has received an application for extra temporary classroom accommodation urgently required by a school (details supplied) in County Kildare in view of the fact that it has 30 extra students on the waiting list who are in the school catchment area and are entitled to a place there; his plans to address this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6816/10]
My Department has recently received an application for additional temporary accommodation, from the authorities, of the school in question. This application is currently under consideration and the school authorities will be contacted when a decision has been made.
714 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if medical or psychological assessment will be undertaken in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if, in conjunction with his general practitioner, information will be obtained as to whether this behaviour was in any way attributable to their medication or alteration to his medication together with the Department’s psychological service and or the Health Service Executive; if he will offer the necessary facilities to ensure that the student will sit his leaving certificate examination and that every possible support will be availed of to enable him to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6827/10]
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 student be referred for individual psychological assessment. This system allows the psychologists to give early attention to urgent cases and also to help many more students indirectly than could be seen individually.
Students 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 as soon as practicable. Normally, principals of schools prioritise those students in need of psychological assessment in consultation with the assigned psychologist. I have checked on the matter with the NEPS service and the student in question has not been brought to the attention of the assigned psychologist by current school authorities. I would suggest that an approach be made to the relevant school principal in the first instance in this connection. Obviously the exchange of any information in relation to the student's education or medical condition would be a matter for the student, his parents, the school authorities and the relevant medical practitioner(s).
The Deputy will be aware, that under Section 29(1) of the Education Act 1998, where a school Board of Management permanently excludes a student from school, suspends a pupil from attendance at a school for a period as prescribed in the Act (20 days), the parent of the student may appeal that decision to the Secretary General of the Department of Education, and have that appeal heard by a committee appointed for that purpose.
716 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the cutbacks imposed on a service (details supplied) in Dublin 17 in view of the negative effect they will have on individuals, families and the community concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6837/10]
717 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the amount of funding received by a service (details supplied) in Dublin 17 over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6838/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 716 and 717 together.
My Department provides funding for thirty eight projects in Local Drugs Task Force areas, including the project specifically referred to by Deputy Flanagan. Allocations for this project over the past five years, and for 2010, are as follows:
2005 — €166,363;
2006 — €175,036;
2007 — €182,038;
2008 — €182,038;
2009 — €182,038;
2010 — €151,091.
Arising from Budget 2010, it was decided that funding for these projects was to be reduced from €3,643,000 in 2009 to €2,461,000 in 2010 and to cease from 2011. I acknowledge the difficulties arising for projects and my Department is currently reviewing the implications of this decision for the individual projects concerned. The review, which involves a detailed examination of all 38 projects, is not as yet completed.
718 Deputy Joe Behan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has received the report of the review of the role and operation of special schools and special classes; if he has been briefed on its content and conclusions; when he will publish the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6953/10]
I understand that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) expects to be in a position shortly to send me a copy of the research it has commissioned concerning the role of special schools and special classes. While the NCSE has funded this research, it states clearly on its website, and the final research item will state, that the views and opinions contained in such research reports are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the NCSE. Ultimately, it is expected that advice received from the NCSE will assist my Department with policy formulation in relation to the role of special schools and special classes. I look forward to receiving the report from the NCSE.
719 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science if the information, communication and technology needs assessment was carried out in individual primary or secondary schools prior to the development of the smart schools equal smart economy plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7016/10]
The "Smart Schools = Smart Economy Report", published late last year, builds on the 2008 ICT Strategy Group Report "Investing Effectively in Information and Communications Technology in Schools" which was produced by a Strategy Group comprised in the main of education professionals who were working on a daily basis in schools and colleges; in addition the group consulted widely. This Strategy Group Report provides a clear direction to inform actions to further the integration of ICT into teaching and learning in our schools.
The Framework for Sustainable Economic Renewal, Building Ireland's Smart Economy, re-iterates Government policy to enhance the role of ICT in the education system, working in partnership with industry, to invest further in the provision of equipment and connectivity. The Joint Advisory Group was set up with industry to explore initiatives in regard to this. The Joint Advisory Group, in producing the Smart Schools = Smart Economy Report, did not carry out individual ICT needs assessments but reviewed the Strategy Group Report and drew on existing verified data regarding level and use of ICT in schools, in reaching its conclusions. In particular, the Group reviewed the following studies — the European Commission's 2006 survey on the use of computers and the internet in schools, the 2005 census of schools carried out by the National Centre for Technology in Education, and the OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 6 study in 2006 which contained some questions on computer use in schools.
I am in the process of setting up an ICT Steering Group to oversee and advise on the implementation of the recommendations of the Smart Schools Report. I have invited nominees from a broad cross-section of the education sector as well as the relevant Government Departments to participate in this group and to contribute to addressing the ICT needs of schools.
721 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of civil and public servants that have signed up for the cycle-to-work scheme; the cost of the scheme to date in 2010. [7572/10]
My Department introduced the Cycle to Work Scheme in July 2009 and to date 37 staff members have participated in the scheme. The administrative cost to my Department is minimal having regard to the number of participants in the scheme and the fact that payment to the suppliers and salary deductions are performed electronically. Information in relation to applications received from teaching and non teaching staff is not currently available. Relevant information will be forwarded to the Deputy directly when it becomes available.
