Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:11 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will continue with the CLÁR programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7986/11]
Written Answers
The following are questions tabled by Members for written response and the ministerial replies as received on the day from the Departments [unrevised].
Questions Nos. 1 to 10, inclusive, answered orally.
Departmental Programmes
As the Deputy will be aware, with the reduced funding made available to my Department, the CLÁR programme, which was targeted at tackling infrastructure and services deficits in depopulated rural areas, has been wound down. From an out-turn of the order of €24m in 2008, the allocation for the programme for 2011 was reduced in last December's Budget to €0.5m. This will be used to meet existing commitments arising during this year.
I am advised that no funding applications have been accepted since August 2008 under the main CLÁR programme measures. In view of the difficulties with the public finances, it is not currently proposed to open the programme to new applications. The Deputy will also be aware that the Capital Expenditure Review, prepared by the Department of Finance in July 2010, stated that such investment needs should be funded in the future by the Government Departments with primary sectoral responsibility in the areas concerned.
Community and Voluntary Sector
Sandra McLellan
Question:12 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will ring-fence €50 million per year from the dormant accounts fund for the community and voluntary sector. [7974/11]
The Dormant Accounts Acts provide for an annual transfer by credit institutions and insurance undertakings of monies in accounts determined to be dormant into the Dormant Accounts Fund (DAF). Since its establishment in April 2003 to the end of February 2011, the transfers to the DAF have totalled some €589m, which includes interest earned of some €35m. Funds reclaimed in that period by account holders amounted to approximately €208m.
Allocations from the DAF — in accordance with Part 6 of the Dormant Accounts (Amendment) 2005 Act — are focussed on programmes or projects to assist:
the personal and social development of persons who are economically or socially disadvantaged;
the educational development of persons who are educationally disadvantaged; or
persons with a disability.
The value of the DAF at the end of February 2011, net of liabilities, was some €52.5m. This figure excludes €49.4m maintained in a Reserve Account to meet future reclaims by account holders and to cover expenses associated with the operation of the DAF. A summary of the status of the DAF is available on my Department's website at www.pobail.ie and I am arranging for a copy to be sent to the Deputy in the coming days.
With regard to the question of ring-fencing moneys from the Fund, the Deputy will appreciate that given its focus, as set down in the legislation, a significant proportion of the funding disbursed to date from the DAF is already channelled through community and voluntary groups under the existing arrangements. This is in addition to the other substantial supports provided by my Department to that sector annually through other programmes and schemes.
The intention has always been to ensure that there is a broad and balanced range of potential beneficiaries from dormant accounts disbursements. I believe that this should continue into the future, rather than focussing on any particular sector. In any event, given the reduced levels of funding available for disbursement from the DAF, ring-fencing annually the amount suggested by the Deputy would not be feasible.
In this context, it should also be noted that, in the light, inter alia, of the reduced levels of funding available, proposals had been under consideration by the previous administration to dissolve the Dormant Accounts Board and to make appropriate arrangements for the transfer of its functions to my Department. I anticipate that this, and related matters relating to future disbursements, will be considered by Government in the near future.
Finally, the Deputy should note that moneys disbursed from the Fund increase Government debt levels as the money belongs to the account holder, who can reclaim it at any time, and not to the State. Consequently, every euro spent from the Fund is regarded in accounting terms as a potential Government liability. In the current fiscal climate, our priority, therefore, must be to ensure that funding is targeted on a needs basis and spent efficiently and effectively. This is the Government's intention in the context of dormant accounts disbursements and in the case of supports for the community and voluntary more generally.
Departmental Programmes
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:13 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will continue with the RAPID programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7987/11]
As the Deputy is aware, the RAPID Programme aims to ensure that priority attention is given to tackling the spatial concentration of poverty and social exclusion within designated RAPID areas nationally. It is a matter for individual Departments to report on the provision of funding and progress on delivery with regard to projects under their responsibility in the different RAPID areas.
My Department administers the RAPID Leverage Schemes, which seek to support small-scale projects identified locally by Area Implementation Teams in each of the RAPID areas. These schemes have been co-funded by the relevant agencies and projects have focused on estate enhancement, graffiti removal, traffic calming, community closed-circuit television, health and sports facilities and the provision of play groups.
The Deputy will appreciate that the RAPID Programme faces significant challenges, given that the capital budget for the RAPID Leverage Schemes has fallen from an out-turn of €9 million in 2009 to an allocation of €2.5 million in 2011. In order to ensure the continued relevance of RAPID, my Department is assessing the case for changing the policy direction of the programme, with a greater focus, inter alia, on the coordination and local consultation roles of the programme, and enhancing the opportunities for input by residents in disadvantaged areas.
Question No. 14 answered with Question No. 6.
Question No. 15 answered with Question No. 9.
Plean Gaeltachta
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:16 D’fhiafraigh Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cad é atá beartaithe maidir le plean Fhine Gael chun Gaeltacht a bhunú ar Oileán Chliara. [7965/11]
Faoi láthair, tá teorainneacha na Gaeltachta sainithe faoin Acht Airí agus Rúnaithe (Leasú) 1956. Faoi Ordú na Limistéar (Gaeltacht) 1956, aithníodh 84 toghroinn cheantair iomlán agus codanna de 58 toghroinn cheantair eile sa Ghaeltacht i gcontaetha Dhún na nGall, Mhaigh Eo, Ghaillimh, Chiarraí, Chorcaí agus Phort Láirge. Cuireadh leis na teorainneacha sin trí huaire ó shin trí Orduithe éagsúla.
Tá míniú tugtha sa réamhrá leis na hOrduithe sin ar an gcúis gur bronnadh aitheantas Gaeltachta orthu:
De bhrí gur limistéir ar Gaeilgeoirí mórchuid de na daoine iontu nó limistéir ina n-aice sin ar dóigh leis an Rialtas gur cheart iad a áireamh sa Ghaeltacht d'fhonn an Ghaeilge a chaomhnú agus a leathnú mar ghnáthurlabhra na limistéar a shonraítear sa Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Ordú seo.
Mar is eol don Teachta, tá gealltanas tugtha i gClár an Rialtais go mbeidh an Rialtas ag tacú leis an Straitéis agus go gcuirfear na cuspóirí indéanta sa Straitéis i bhfeidhm. Tá an Coiste Rialtais faoin nGaeilge agus faoin nGaeltacht athbhunaithe ag an Rialtas faoi chathaoirleacht an Taoisigh. Bhí an chéad chruinniú den Choiste Rialtais ann ar maidin. Glactar sa Straitéis le treo ginearálta na moltaí sa Staidéar Cuimsitheach Teangeolaíoch ar Úsáid na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht maidir le stádas Gaeltachta a bheith bunaithe ar chritéir teanga. Deirtear sa Straitéis freisin go ndéanfar ceantair ina bhfuil ‘Gaeltacht gréasáin’ a aithint i reachtaíocht nua le forbairt a dhéanamh ar phobail teanga nua lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht mar atá sí faoi láthair. Ach reachtaíocht den chineál sin a bheith achtaithe, tá súil agam go mbeidh pobal Chliara sásta a bheith páirteach san iarracht náisiúnta chun an teanga a láidriú.
Departmental Bodies
Gerry Adams
Question:17 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the recommendations of the task force on active citizenship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7776/11]
Gerry Adams
Question:31 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will report on her role in the implementation of the recommendations of the task force on active citizenship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6579/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 31 together.
The Taskforce on Active Citizenship was established by Government in 2006 to review the evidence regarding trends in citizen participation across the main areas of civic, community, cultural, occupational and recreational life in Ireland. Following a consultation process, the Taskforce compiled a set of recommendations to enhance active citizenship in Ireland. The main recommendations relate to increasing participation in the democratic process; improving the interaction between the citizen and state institutions at local and national level, measures to promote a greater sense of community and community engagement; further education on the issues around active citizenship; and measures that provide increased opportunities for the inclusion of ethnic and cultural minorities in an increasingly diverse society.
In March 2007 the work of the Taskforce was successfully completed with the acceptance in principle by Government of the Taskforce recommendations. In 2008, the Government appointed a Steering Group on Active Citizenship to advise on the implementation of the Taskforce recommendations. My Department, in carrying out its role in relation to active citizenship, is supported by the Steering Group, whose members have a wealth of experience of working to develop community engagement.
The Government, for its part, continues to work with communities and organisations to highlight and promote the importance of increasing civic engagement by citizens, including voluntary and philanthropic activities that strengthen the fabric of community life across Ireland. I believe that a strong, vibrant community infrastructure is vital in order to maximise our potential to provide a better quality of life for all, despite the significant economic challenges that we now face.
My Department is also playing an active role in promoting the European Year of Volunteering 2011, in conjunction with Volunteering Ireland, the national coordinating body for the Year. Central to the Year is the concept of active citizenship, of which volunteering is just one part. At EU level, Ireland has been to the forefront of identifying active citizenship as a policy area which needs to be addressed and strengthened.
Progressing the recommendations of the Taskforce is a matter for several Departments, as well as my own. I am pleased that a number of the recommendations have been advanced to date, including the following:
Audits of existing community facilities have been completed and appropriate arrangements are being made by local authorities to make them available at local level.
The Taskforce recommended the strengthening of local civic participation, which informed the preparation of the Green Paper on Local Government. The White Paper, which was subsequently produced, is now being considered in the light of the Government's aims and priorities.
The Department of Education and Skills has encouraged schools to make their premises available for community use. In addition, a scheme funded under the Dormant Accounts (Educational Disadvantage Fund) is enabling the 22 DEIS Band 1 schools in Limerick City to open after school hours to maximise community use of school premises and facilities. There are approximately 200 after-school activities running in all 22 schools.
At second level senior cycle, the NCCA (National Council for Curriculum Assessment) is developing a syllabus for a full optional exam subject called ‘Politics and Society' as an extension of the current Civic, Social and Political Education (CSPE) subject in Junior Cycle, which currently gives students practical experience of active citizenship.
In relation to the adult education sector, a range of Further and Adult Education programmes are geared towards enabling participants to contribute more fully to the social, cultural and economic life of this country, through education and information courses.
Active citizenship was a key theme of the Social Inclusion Week arranged by local authorities late last year as part of the Irish national programme of activities supporting the EU Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion 2010. My Department also supported an all-island conference on "Combating Rural Poverty and Social Exclusion". In this regard, the Steering Group liaised with my Department and the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and advised on active citizenship awareness around the country.
Community and Voluntary Sector
Martin Ferris
Question:18 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she plans to modify the funding mechanism for the community and voluntary sector in order to rectify the unacceptable situation in which voluntary organisations must survive on bank overdrafts despite having funding approved. [7973/11]
Martin Ferris
Question:25 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will reverse the cuts in funding to the community and voluntary sector and move towards a multi-annual minimum funding. [7972/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 25 together.
The Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector commenced in 2008 with the aim of providing multi-annual funding to national organisations which provide coalface services to disadvantaged target groups. The three-year contracts came to an end on 31 December 2010. On 16 December 2010, applications were invited publicly under a new round of funding, which will provide multi-annual funding (subject to availability of funding) to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. The closing date for applications was 24 January 2011.
On 2 December 2010, organisations funded under the previous scheme were offered an extension to their contract until 31 March 2011. However, in light of the changes currently underway in relation to Departmental functions, I have decided to roll-over the current interim funding for a further month to allow sufficient time for decisions on the allocations under the new scheme to be made by the end-April 2011. The relevant organisations were informed of this revised timescale on 25 March 2011 and payment has issued where appropriate. All applicants will be contacted once the decision-making process for the new round of funding is finalised.
In regard to my Department's Local and Community Development Programme, which provides multi-annual funding to local development companies, urban-based partnerships and other community groups, the Deputy should note that the 2011 funding allocations to companies has been maintained at close to 2010 levels. The actual reduction in most cases is of the order of 3%. I am confident that this will allow for the continuation of important supports for people in disadvantaged communities and will allow for the key, essential, front-line services delivered through the programme to be maintained for 2011.
National Drugs Strategy
Micheál Martin
Question:19 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the person to whom she has assigned responsibility for co-ordinating policy on drugs. [5809/11]
Responsibility for coordinating policy on drugs is at present assigned to the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Government has agreed, with effect from 1 May 2011, to transfer the functions of the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs in relation to the National Drugs Strategy to the Minister for Health and Children.
Question No. 20 answered with Question No. 10.
Question No. 21 answered with Question No. 9.
Question No. 22 answered with Question No. 6.
Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta
Dessie Ellis
Question:23 D’fhiafraigh Dessie Ellis don Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé i gceist aige fiosrúchán a dhéanamh maidir leis an aighneas atá ag dul ar aghaidh faoi láthair i Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta. [7967/11]
Cuirtear cistíocht ar fáil ó mo Roinnse do Mheitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta (MFG) d'fhonn raon seirbhísí a sheachadadh faoi Chlár Forbartha Áitiúil agus Pobail mo Roinne. Is buiséad measta de €1.82m atá ar fáil i mbliana do MFG don Chlár sin.
Is comhlacht neamhspleách é MFG, a bhfuil bord bainistíochta, agus meamraim agus airteagail chomhlachais, dá chuid féin aige. Is ar an mbord sin atá an fhreagracht maidir le maoirseacht chuí an chomhlachta. Sa chomhthéacs sin, ní miste don Teachta a nótáil nach bhfuil aon ról ag mo Roinnse i bhfeidhmíocht inmheánach na gcomhlachtaí forbartha áitiúla/páirtnéireachta agus, dá réir sin, nach bhfuil ról aici i ndáil le cúrsaí foirne — ar cheisteanna iad sin do bhoird na gcomhlachtaí mar fhostóirí.
Ní miste don Teachta a nótáil, áfach, go raibh cruinniú ann inné idir Pobal (a dhéanann bainistiú ar an gClár Forbartha Áitiúil agus Pobail thar ceann mo Roinne) agus MFG. Ag an gcruinniú sin, chuir Pobal in iúl don chomhlacht go bhfuil siad chun feidhmeannach neamhspleách a ainmniú le hoibriú le MFG agus le scrúdú a dhéanamh ar an mbealach ina fheidhmítear an Clár Forbartha Áitiúil agus Pobail. Beidh ar an bhfeidhmeannach tuairisciú ar ais laistigh de thrí mhí le moltaí maidir le seachadadh an Chláir ag MFG amach anseo.
National Drugs Strategy
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:24 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the situation regarding the three community development posts at locations (details supplied) has been resolved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7968/11]
Each Local Drugs Task Force (LDTF) has an annual funding allocation from my Department for community-based drugs initiatives. From that allocation, each Task Force has the discretion to allocate funding to projects and initiatives based on the priorities it has identified for its respective area. Funding for these projects is channelled through a designated Department or State Agency.
I am advised that, in January 2001, following an evaluation of projects under Round 1 interim funding, project funding for three part-time community development worker posts in the communities referred to by the Deputy was mainstreamed to the Department of the Environment and Local Government, which was then responsible for the continued funding of this service. However, in April 2001, under Round 2, additional funding was approved to increase the level of service provided by making these posts full-time. The channel of funding for the project was Dublin City Council. However, in May 2005 the additional funding was discontinued by the former National Drugs Strategy Team (NDST), which managed the funding at that time, on the basis that the funding had not been drawn down. The Canal Communities LDTF then submitted proposals, which were accepted by the NDST, to re-allocate this funding to other measures. Dublin City Council continued to fund the full-time posts until December 2010. The Council has recently indicated that it cannot continue to provide the additional funding and can only support part-time posts. Accordingly, it is a matter for the Task Force to consider, having regard to current priorities, whether to maintain funding for full-time posts in the context of its 2011 allocation of €1.6m.
Question No. 25 answered with Question No. 18.
Community and Voluntary Sector
Jonathan O'Brien
Question:26 Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will affirm her commitment to the independence of the community sector; if she will detail any planned reforms that will affect the sector; the form that consultation will take in advance of any such reforms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7971/11]
The independence of the community voluntary sector has long been a principle underpinning the relationship between the State and the Community and Voluntary Sector. This was set out in the White Paper on a Framework for Supporting Voluntary Activity, published in 2000, and re-affirmed under the Towards 2016Partnership Agreement in 2006.
To give effect to commitments under Towards 2016 to engaging with the community & voluntary sector to deepen the partnership between statutory bodies and community and voluntary organisations, my Department has been seeking to develop a structured dialogue process with the 17 members of the Community and Voluntary Pillar. It has been proposed that the dialogue process would be undertaken initially on a bilateral basis and, subject to good progress being made, that other Departments would be invited to engage on cross-cutting issues. A draft proposal has been circulated to the members of the Community and Voluntary Pillar along these lines.
In relation to planned reforms of the sector, the Deputy will be aware that the Charities Act 2009 is designed to reform the law in relation to charities in this country. The Act is structured in such a way as to allow for commencement, by Ministerial Order, of its individual provisions on different dates, over a period of time. To date, a number of sections of the Act have commenced — to regulate the sale of pre-signed Mass cards and to make provision to grant powers in any proceedings to the courts to grant relief to charity trustees from personal liability for breach of trust, where the opinion of the court is that the trustee concerned acted in good faith and ought to be excused.
While commencement of the majority of the Act is contingent on a Charities Regulatory Authority and a Charity Appeals Tribunal being in place, a number of initiatives to regulate and enhance the transparency of the sector have been progressed since the legislation was enacted. A critical aspect of the implementation process involves delivering on the commitment to consult with the charities sector in relation to the type of financial and activity reporting that they will be required to make to the new Authority. It is hoped that a public consultation process on this matter will be initiated over the coming months. My Department has also been providing funding and working in partnership with the charities sector to develop a scheme to implement and monitor a voluntary Code of Practice for Fund-raising by charities. In this context, Guiding Principles for Fund-raising were recently produced and have been disseminated to the charities sector. A Monitoring Group, which will include representation from my Department, is also being established to monitor adherence to the codes and to generally review their operation over a three-year period.
Question No. 27 answered with Question No. 10.
Coláistí Samhraidh
Dessie Ellis
Question:28 D’fhiafraigh Dessie Ellis don Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cén plean atá ag an rialtas chun na ciorruithe a chuir an rialtas deireanach i bhfeidhm ar na Coláistí Samhraidh, a aisiompú. [7966/11]
Ar an gcéad dul síos, tá áthas orm a rá go leanfar ag íoc deontas i mbliana faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge le teaghlaigh sa Ghaeltacht a choinníonn foghlaimeoirí Gaeilge ar iostas, fad agus atá siad ag freastal ar choláistí Gaeilge aitheanta.
Mar is eol don Teachta, laghdaíodh an deontas laethúil a íoctar faoin scéim seo le dhá bhliain anuas. Níl i gceist aon athrú a dhéanamh ar an deontas laethúil faoin scéim i mbliana. É sin ráite, déanfar athbhreithniú ar an gcúnamh a chuirtear ar fáil ó mo Roinnse tar éis cúrsaí na bliana seo sna coláistí Gaeilge. Ar ndóigh, beidh mo Roinn ag tabhairt gach cúnamh gur féidir chun breis forbartha agus feabhais a chur ar gach gné de chóras na gcoláistí Gaeilge sa todhchaí. Tá ról tábhachtach ag na coláistí Gaeilge do chaomhnú na Gaeilge agus d'eacnamaíocht na Gaeltachta — ról atá aitheanta sa Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010–2030.
National Drugs Strategy
Jonathan O'Brien
Question:29 Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she is committed to implementing the national drugs strategy; the reason there is no mention of it in the programme for Government; and if she will provide a guarantee that there will be no roll back on the provisions of the national drugs strategy. [7970/11]
Responsibility for co-ordinating policy on drugs is at present assigned to the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs. As the Deputy may be aware, the Government has agreed, with effect from 1 May 2011, to transfer the functions of the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs in relation to the National Drugs Strategy to the Minister for Health and Children.
The Government is committed to addressing problem drug use in a comprehensive way. Indeed, this is made fully clear in the Programme for Government (Government for National Recovery 2011-2016), which states that “We are committed to providing renewed impetus to the fight against drugs . . .”. In line with this, the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 aims to tackle the harm caused to individuals and society by the misuse of drugs through a concerted focus on the five pillars of supply reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research. The Actions set out in the Strategy facilitate a planned and monitored approach to achieving the overall strategic objectives. It is envisaged that progress on the implementation of these Actions will continue to be reviewed on an ongoing basis.
I can assure the Deputy that the Government intends to build upon the progress already achieved in the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 to the benefit of individuals, their families and their communities.
Departmental Bodies
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Question:30 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her intentions for the Family Support Agency; and in particular the funding for family support centres. [7977/11]
The Family Support Agency has a statutory role in relation to support services for families and its main functions include:
the Family and Community Services Resource Centre Programme;
the scheme of grants to voluntary organisations providing marriage, child and bereavement counselling services; and
the Family Mediation Service.
The agency also has responsibility to undertake or commission research and to promote and disseminate information about family-related issues.
There are 107 Family Resource Centres (FRCs) throughout the country supported by the Agency. The aim of the FRC Programme is to combat disadvantage and improve the functioning of the family unit. The Programme emphasises the involvement of local communities in tackling the problems they face, and creating successful partnerships between voluntary and statutory agencies at community level. FRCs involve people from marginalised groups at all levels of the organisation, including their voluntary management committees.
Funding amounting to €31.7m is being provided to the Agency in 2011 for the support services it provides for families. This includes an amount of approx. €15.9m for the FRC Programme. I am confident that the 2011 allocation for the Programme is adequate to enable the continuation of the very valuable services provided by FRCs throughout the country to some of the most vulnerable families in our communities.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government has decided that the Agency will come under the remit of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. I believe that bringing together responsibility for all family support matters in one Department will provide a key opportunity to improve and enhance services for children and families. Arrangements are being made to ensure that all legislative and administrative requirements will be in place to ensure the smooth transfer of the Agency to the remit of the new Department in the next few weeks.
A decision has also been made, in principle, that the Family Mediation Service (FMS) will transfer from the Agency to the Department of Justice, Equality and Defence. This is in line with the Government's commitment to facilitate the use of mediation in family disputes in order to speed up the legal process, reduce costs and ameliorate the stress of contested court proceedings. The detailed arrangements for the transfer of the FMS will be progressed in the coming weeks in consultation with the Agency and other stakeholders.
Question No. 31 answered with Question No. 17.
Human Rights Issues
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:32 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make representations to the Iraqi authorities and the US Ambassador regarding the recent attacks on unarmed political refugees in Ashraf, Iraq, who had been identified as protected persons under the Geneva Convention. [8018/11]
I am deeply concerned at recent reports of the use of force against Camp Ashraf residents in Iraq and the resulting loss of life. I fully support the statement on 9 April by EU High Representative Ashton condemning the recent violence in Camp Ashraf, and particularly her renewal of the EU's repeated call on the Iraqi government to refrain from the use of violence and to show full respect for the human rights of Camp Ashraf's residents. As you will be aware, Ireland does not have a resident Embassy in Iraq. However, EU representatives met with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on 4 April and conveyed this message directly to the Prime Minister on that occasion.
While there are no easy remedies to the situation in Camp Ashraf, force is not the answer. Iraq's sovereignty should be respected over the entire territory of Iraq, including in Camp Ashraf, but the human rights of residents of Camp Ashraf must be respected too. In seeking a solution, Ireland and its EU partners will continue to call upon the Iraqi government to grant access to independent international observers, to show restraint and to seek a peaceful and sustainable solution. We will continue to work with international partners, including the US, with a view to resolving the situation in Camp Ashraf.
Diplomatic Relations
Eoghan Murphy
Question:33 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide details of all Heads of State outside of the European Union that the European Council has formally called on to step down. [8034/11]
The European Union maintains diplomatic relations with almost every country in the world. Through engagement with these countries, the EU aims to promote the common values and interests of the Union, to develop and consolidate democracy and the rule of law and to promote respect for human rights. The European Council, which defines the general political direction and priorities of the EU, has, on occasion, called on a foreign Head of State or Government to step down. Such a call, however, represents just one, limited way of promoting EU values and influencing the process of change within a country. In relation to Libya, the Deputy will be aware of the Government's view that Colonel Gaddafi and his family should surrender power and leave the political stage in order to allow the Libyan people to peacefully determine their future. This is also the considered view of our EU partners, as clearly expressed by the European Councils on 11 and 25 March, and again by the Foreign Affairs Council on 12 April.
Calling for Colonel Gaddafi to relinquish power does not amount to actively seeking regime change. He has clearly lost all legitimacy to rule and there are no circumstances in which one could envisage the vast majority of the Libyan people being prepared to have him continue as their Head of Government, in light of the violence and repression he has visited upon them. Ultimately, however, it remains for Colonel Gaddafi to draw his own conclusions and recognise that he and his regime have no political future in Libya. Extensive diplomatic and economic restrictive measures have also been imposed by the EU against Libya.
Following the Presidential elections in Cote d'Ivoire last year, Alassane Ouattara was declared the victor but the incumbent, Laurent Gbagbo, refused to accept the result. While the Foreign Affairs Council did not call on Gbagbo to step down, its conclusions on 31 January stated that it would only consider legitimate those institutions and bodies who placed themselves under the authority of President-elect Ouattara. The EU also imposed restrictive measures on Gbagbo and his allies. Gbagbo was arrested on Monday, 11 April, and is in the custody of the forces of President Ouattara.
Overseas Development Aid
Eoghan Murphy
Question:34 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide a detailed breakdown of overseas development aid spending in 2009 and 2010; the amount that was allocated, by country and region, as well as by programme of support; and if money allocated in the years in question was drawn down. [8035/11]
For 2010, Ireland spent €675 million on Official Development Assistance (ODA). Of this total, €521 million was administered by my Department through Irish Aid. A further €154 million was accounted for by ODA eligible expenditure made through other Government Departments, and Ireland's share of the EU Development Cooperation budget.
This level of expenditure resulted in Ireland spending approximately 0.53% of its GNP on ODA — and ensured Ireland met, and indeed exceeded, the wider EU target of 0.51%.
Comparative figures for 2009 show that Ireland spent a total of €722 million on ODA, which represented 0.54% of GNP.
Ireland's aid programme is internationally recognised as being of the highest quality and having a sharp focus on poverty reduction, with hunger eradication at its core. The latest OECD review of Ireland's aid programme has described the programme as "cutting edge". Most of Ireland's bilateral ODA is directed to the least developed countries, with a particular focus on a limited number of very poor partner countries, called Programme Countries, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa.
Ireland's aid programme is based on the promotion of sustainable development results and has a particular focus on the social sectors of health, education, governance and addressing food security and hunger. Funding is delivered through a wide range of partner organisations including Programme Country national systems, NGOs and Missionary Organisations and UN and other international specialist agencies.
My Department is currently in the process of finalising the detailed analysis of Ireland's ODA expenditure for 2010, which will be published shortly in the Irish Aid annual report. The detailed analysis of Ireland's 2009 ODA expenditure is available in the 2009 annual report which can be accessed through the Irish Aid website at www.irishaid.gov.ie.
Eoghan Murphy
Question:35 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the mechanisms in place to ensure that overseas development aid funding is spent as intended once drawn down by the recipient, namely, in accordance with the stated objectives of the programme receiving funding. [8036/11]
Irish Aid has rigorous planning, monitoring, evaluation and audit mechanisms in place. This ensures that all funds are spent effectively and are used for the stated objectives of the programmes receiving funding.
Irish Aid planning processes have a strong results focus which identifies specific objectives and results against which Irish Aid programmes are measured and evaluated. All development aid funding is disbursed based on clear and detailed proposals in line with these specific objectives. Proposals are appraised by Irish Aid staff as well as by an independent external Programme Appraisal and Evaluation Group using a number of different criteria, including quality of intended impact, sustainability, cost effectiveness and efficiency in the use of resources.
Programmes in receipt of funding from Irish Aid are continually monitored and assessed, by both staff in the field and at headquarters, to ensure that they are achieving results and that the intended objectives and goals are being accomplished. This takes place through regular supervision and reporting, and external reviews are also conducted as necessary.
Irish Aid programmes are regularly audited and evaluated by independent evaluation and audit firms as well as by Irish Aid's Evaluation and Audit Unit, including internal auditors based in our Programme Countries. The Unit's work is also reviewed by the Department's independent Audit Committee. These evaluations and audits provide assurance that funds are used for the purposes intended and have a particular focus on poverty outcomes and value for money.
While we are working in some of the most difficult environments in the world, I am satisfied that the monitoring, evaluation and audit systems which we have in place provide the best assurance that development aid funding is used for the intended objectives.
Eoghan Murphy
Question:36 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the last time a value for money audit was conducted in regard to moneys allocated under the overseas development aid programme. [8037/11]
The last value for money work relating to the overseas development aid programme was completed in November 2009. This was a review of Irish Aid's expenditure of €340 million devoted to HIV/AIDS programmes for the period 2000 to 2007. This report was published and is available in the Dáil Library and on the Irish Aid website.
Further value for money work is planned to be undertaken in 2011. This value for money exercise will be a review of Irish Aid's support to Concern Worldwide under the Multi-Annual Programme Scheme for NGOs over the period 2007-2010.
Passport Applications
Michael Creed
Question:37 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is satisfied that he has adequate staff in the passport office to deal with seasonal demand for passports; his plans to recruit additional part-time staff; if so, the procedures in place for this recruitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8078/11]
There are currently 313 staff in the Passport Service working in the Passport Offices in Dublin City Centre, Balbriggan, Cork and London. Passport demand is seasonal with almost 50% of all passport applications received in the four months April-July. To cope with the temporary seasonal increase in applications, temporary clerical officers are employed annually during the high demand season. This year fifty temporary clerical officer positions were sanctioned by the Department of Finance and these posts have now been filled. This is the same as the number of temporary staff recruited in 2010. Temporary staff for the Dublin City Centre Passport Office were recruited from Public Appointments Service panels and temporary staff for Cork and for Balbriggan were recruited through FÁS. We will continue to keep the matter under review.
Departmental Staff
Michael Creed
Question:38 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of staff employed directly in his Department in 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2010; if he will provide details regarding the numbers in each civil service grade for the same years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8090/11]
The following table contains details of the numbers of staff by grade in my Department in December 2002, December 2005 and December 2010. The figures include officers from other Government Departments serving in our missions abroad, most notably Ireland's Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels, and exclude approximately 300 locally-engaged staff. Similar information for the period prior to the introduction of the central Human Resources Management System by the Department of Finance in December 2002 is not readily available.
Increases in my Department's staffing complement since 2002 are largely attributable to the:
recruitment of additional staff for the Passport Service to enable it to cope with annual increases in the demand for passports;
expansion of the Irish Aid overseas development programme.
I should also inform the Deputy that the Department of Foreign Affairs is obliged to shed a total of 177 posts over the period March 2009 to end December 2014 under the Government's current Employment Control Framework.
|
Grade |
Staff numbers by grade December 2002 |
Staff numbers by grade December 2005 |
Staff numbers by grade December 2010 |
|
Secretary General |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Second Secretary General |
4 |
3 |
2 |
|
Deputy Secretary General |
5 |
4 |
5 |
|
Assistant Secretary General and Equivalents |
47 |
47 |
37 |
|
Principal Development Specialist |
3 |
3 |
5 |
|
Principal Officer/Counsellor and Equivalents |
82 |
94 |
81 |
|
Senior Development Specialist |
0 |
15 |
18.6 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer/First Secretary and Equivalents |
172 |
193 |
192.8 |
|
Development Specialist |
3 |
24 |
26.8 |
|
Higher Executive Officer/Third Secretary and Equivalents |
158 |
169 |
179.55 |
|
Executive Officer |
89 |
121 |
97.9 |
|
Staff Officer |
36 |
40 |
43 |
|
Clerical Officer |
400 |
451 |
436.6 |
|
Cleaners/Service Officers and Equivalents |
46 |
50 |
46.8 |
|
Political Appointees |
* |
* |
16 |
|
Total |
1063 |
1215 |
1189.05 |
*The details for these years are not readily available.
Public Procurement Contracts
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:39 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance his views on the fact that 18% of all Government contracts in the printing industry go outside the State when the EU average is 1.5%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8020/11]
A statistic released by the EU Commission in 2010 suggested that 17% of the number of public procurement contracts awarded by Ireland in 2008 went to suppliers outside the jurisdiction. It should be noted that these figures relate to public procurement in general, and not just to the print industry. However, the statistic is based on incomplete data relating only to above threshold procurements, where contract award notices were published, and the nationality of the winning tenderer disclosed.
When one compares the value (as opposed to the number) of contracts going to non-Irish companies in 2008, the figure actually amounts to less than 5% of the overall public spend on procurement. It should also be noted that the figures quoted by the Commission do not distinguish between companies in the UK and those based in Northern Ireland, so of the contracts going "abroad", many of the contracts may have stayed on the island of Ireland. The EU Commission agrees that an alternative interpretation of their figures is that "about 95% of all procurement by value was from domestic suppliers".
As regards print contracts up to 2009, the Government Supplies Agency, a Business Unit of the Office of Public Works, organised centralised procurement of printing services on behalf of Government Departments, Offices and Agencies (including An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces). This role has been subsumed by the National Procurement Service, whose remit now extends to other public service organisations.
The OPW has always applied the relevant Directives and Regulations in its procurement operations. Notwithstanding this, most of the work under print contracts for the GSA, and now for the NPS, is carried out in Ireland:
In 2008, 89.4% of the total value of OPW print contracts went to suppliers in the Republic of Ireland (90.5% to suppliers on the island of Ireland);
In 2009, 95.6% of the total value of OPW print contracts went to suppliers in the Republic of Ireland (96.7% to suppliers on the island of Ireland).
In 2010, 94% of the expenditure under NPS contracts went to suppliers in the Republic of Ireland (94.1% to suppliers on the island of Ireland).
Although other public bodies also place contracts for print, it is clear from the NPS figures that the vast majority of expenditure on print contracts remains in Ireland and that the "facts" are very different from what is suggested in the question posed by the Deputy.
The National Procurement Service (NPS) has made efforts to ensure that print companies are able to take full advantage of the public procurement opportunities that arise and are available to them. The NPS facilitated a seminar for the Print & Packaging Forum in September 2009, which covered all the issues relating to competing for public procurement contracts, such as the Public Procurement regulations, accessing the market opportunities, the tendering process, and general guidance on how companies should approach the preparation of tenders. Further seminars were delivered to ISME and to Chambers of Commerce in 2010 and 2011. The NPS has produced a leaflet "Top Tendering Tips for Public Sector Contracts" which is freely available. It is also planning to deliver workshops in 2011 on public procurement opportunities in association with Enterprise Ireland and Intertrade Ireland.
In addition, the NPS has put in place a Print Panel for small print requirements (below the new threshold for advertising on eTenders of €25,000). All print companies who are interested in public sector work should apply to be placed on the print panel, but we have not had as great a response as we would have hoped. Of the 700 or so companies that are involved in print, only around 55 are included in the panel, which is available currently to all public sector buyers on www.opw.ie, together with instructions on how it can be used for low-value tenders. The opportunities for small print requirements should be enhanced by the fact that the NPS has ceased the use of aggregated contracts for a number of print services including bookwork and printed stationery. One significant development in the area of facilitating the SME sector was the publication by the Department of Finance in August 2010 of Circular 10/10. These guidelines to public contracting authorities aim to ensure that tendering processes are carried out in a manner that facilitates participation by SMEs, while ensuring that all procurement is carried out in a manner that is legal, transparent, and secures optimal value for money for the taxpayer. It addresses the concerns that SMEs have regarding access to public procurement opportunities, and highlights practices that are to be avoided, where they can unjustifiably hinder small businesses in competing for public contracts. The new arrangements include:
greater open advertising of opportunities (threshold now €25,000);
a reduced requirement for paperwork (such as accounts) at the early stages of tendering;
an instruction that suppliers are not to be charged for access to tender opportunities;
an assurance that all criteria used would be appropriate and proportionate; and
an instruction that turnover and insurance levels would be set at proportionate levels.
All of these actions are consistent with the EU-commissioned research carried out by GHK on Evaluation of SMEs’ Access to Public Procurement Markets in the EU (September 2010), DG Enterprise and Industry, which notes that SMEs in Ireland secured greater access to public procurement than in other countries.
In addition to the work being done by the NPS and the Department of Finance, Enterprise Ireland is running strategic workshops to assist companies, such as Management Development workshops, which have been run specifically for the print industry, and Strategic & Change Management programmes. Enterprise Ireland also offers assistance with exports, management development, lean manufacturing, research and development, and overseas offices programmes.
We cannot be seen to close ourselves off from the EU marketplace, by adopting a protectionist stance, as in 2009 alone 80 companies won €210m in overseas public procurement opportunities with the support of the public procurement section in Enterprise Ireland. In 2010, in the order of 63 overseas public procurement contracts were won by Irish firms, as well as €200m worth of contracts with the Olympic Development Authority in the UK.
Intertrade Ireland offers GO2 Tender workshops, which include mentoring, consortium and cluster development.
Many small companies with less than 10 employees can avail of the services of County Enterprise Boards, and should liaise with their local County Enterprise board to see what support is available to them.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has published links on its website to other countries' public procurement portals which are open to Irish companies as well as other useful links.
The Government is supporting the print industry and SMEs generally through the range of initiatives outlined above, but under EU procurement law and the principles of transparency, non-discrimination and equal treatment, it cannot set out deliberately to discriminate in their favour, when tendering for goods and services.
Tax Code
Eoghan Murphy
Question:40 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will reverse the decision of the last Government to withdraw the patent income tax exemption, an important exemption which underlines Ireland’s commitment to research and development and which, if restored, would also confirm his commitment to putting research and development at the heart of plans for recovery. [8039/11]
The decision to abolish the relief was taken in the light of a recommendation to this effect by the Commission on Taxation. The Commission's views on this relief were quite definitive. It found that it had not had the desired impact on innovation and R&D activity and that, despite various refinements to the scheme over the years, the relief was not a particularly well-targeted measure providing good value for money. The Commission also expressed the view that the relief had not resulted to any great extent in companies carrying out R&D activity and that it was being used in some cases by companies "as a tax avoidance device to remunerate employees". The Government agrees with the conclusions of the Commission and believes that in the current challenging times scarce resources should be focused instead on the R&D tax credit scheme. The R&D credit scheme provides a more direct and effective incentive for enterprises to innovate and invest in R&D activities and the scheme has been enhanced considerably in recent years to make it one of the most competitive of its kind anywhere.
Abolition of the patent income exemption will yield €50 million to the Exchequer in a full year.
The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government states that this Government "will reduce, cap or abolish tax shelters which benefit very high income earners. We will also ensure the implementation of a minimum effective tax rate of 30% for very high earners."
Considering that the patent income exemption had been used as a tax efficient means of rewarding employees and directors, I will not be reversing the decision to abolish the exemption.
Departmental Expenditure
Seán Kenny
Question:41 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Finance the cost to the Exchequer of purchasing two additional mobile X-ray scanners and two cutter vessels for the Revenue Commissioners. [8006/11]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the estimated capital cost of purchasing two additional mobile X-ray container scanners is in the region of €6,000,000, or €3,000,000 per scanner, inclusive of VAT and standard 5-year maintenance service, based on current market trends. The estimated running costs of two scanners per annum, to include crew salaries, fuel costs, etc. is a further €640,000 at current prices.
I am further advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the estimated capital cost of purchasing two additional cutter vessels is in the region of €6,000,000, or €3,000,000 per vessel, VAT inclusive. This is based on the cost of the most recently acquired cutter, RCC Faire, adjusted for changes in commodity prices and inflation. That vessel cost €2.78 million, VAT inclusive, and the contract to acquire it was signed in February 2008.
The estimated running cost of two cutters per annum is in the region of €1,260,000. This includes fuel, insurance, berthage, ongoing maintenance and licensing charges as well as crew salaries and other associated costs.
Any process to acquire additional mobile X-ray scanners and cutters would be subject to competitive tendering, which would determine the actual prices to be paid. It should be noted that prior to any such process, it would be necessary to establish that acquisition of further such equipment would significantly assist Revenue's anti-smuggling operations. Crewing such equipment would also have to take account of Government policy in relation to civil service numbers.
Public Procurement Contracts
Michael McGrath
Question:42 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the contract for the supply of stationery and office supplies as advertised by the national procurement service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8027/11]
The National Procurement Service in the Office of Public Works has tendered for the supply of stationery and office supplies.
The tender was divided into three lots, Lot 1 Stationery, Lot 2 ICT Consumables and Lot 3 Paper. The current status of each lot is as follows:
Lot 1 Office Stationery — A contract has been awarded to Codex Ltd. This is a one year contract with the option of extending for two further six month periods.
Lot 2 ICT Consumables — Now being evaluated.
Lot 3 Paper — The evaluation has been completed and standstill notices have been issued. The standstill period concludes on 24 April 2011.
Senior Bond Debt
Michael Creed
Question:43 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Finance the value of senior bond debt in each of the banking institutions covered by the State guarantee; if he has any information regarding the value of senior bond debt within these institutions which is held by Irish Credit Unions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8075/11]
The Deputy will be aware that on 1 April 2011, the Central Bank of Ireland published the total senior and subordinated debt issuances by those banks covered by the Bank Guarantee, as at March 2011. This information is available on the Central Bank's website at www.centralbank.ie. The Central Bank published the individual figures on a once-off basis disclosed with the consent of the financial institutions which does not form part of any Central Bank statistical series. Although the Central Bank does not normally publish this information, the Central Bank has advised me that as at 1 April 2011, the total aggregate senior debt, guaranteed and unguaranteed, for the covered institutions is €56,644m, made up of €20,643m senior guaranteed, €19,944m senior unguaranteed secured, and €16,057m senior unguaranteed unsecured debt.
The financial institutions do not have comprehensive information on the holders of their senior, junior, or subordinated debt because such debt is publicly traded and dealt through clearing house systems. The covered institutions do not have access to the records of those systems and have no means of establishing the underlying ownership of its bonds at any given time. Unlike the case of shares, the holders of credit institutions' senior and subordinated debt instruments are not subject to a disclosure regime.
Departmental Staff
Michael Creed
Question:44 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Finance the number of staff employed directly in his Department in 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2010; if he will provide details regarding the numbers in each civil service grade for the same years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8089/11]
Below are details of the numbers of staff (Full Time Equivalents (FTEs)) for the years 1995, 2000, 2005 & 2010 in respect of my Department:
|
Department of Finance — Grade Title |
1995 |
2000 |
2005 |
2010 |
|
Secretary General Finance |
1.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
Secretary General PSMD |
1.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
Second Secretary |
3.00 |
3.00 |
3.00 |
3.00 |
|
Asst. Secretary |
10.00 |
11.00 |
15.00 |
12.00 |
|
Principal Officer |
42.00 |
47.00 |
50.40 |
46.10 |
|
Assistant Principal |
106.50 |
134.00 |
149.70 |
125.95 |
|
Professional Accoountant Gr 1 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
Engineer Grade 1 Civil |
0.00 |
1.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
Administrative Officer |
39.50 |
45.50 |
49.80 |
52.00 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
81.50 |
77.50 |
81.53 |
79.89 |
|
Executive Officer |
44.00 |
52.50 |
53.70 |
49.20 |
|
Staff Officer |
17.00 |
29.00 |
30.43 |
27.03 |
|
Clerical Officer |
50.50 |
131.00 |
117.53 |
97.63 |
|
Head Services Officer |
1.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
Visually Impaired Telephonist |
4.00 |
4.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
Paperkeeper |
3.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
Services Officer |
24.00 |
21.00 |
20.00 |
21.00 |
|
Services Attendant |
2.00 |
1.00 |
2.00 |
2.00 |
|
Clerical Asst |
85.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
Cleaner |
2.00 |
1.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
Other* |
12.00 |
8.00 |
10.00 |
18.66 |
|
Total |
529.00 |
569.50 |
587.09 |
538.46 |
* This category includes Medical, Professional and Technical Grades.
School Books
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:45 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the over pricing of school books. [8021/11]
The cost of school text books is determined on a commercial basis by the educational publishers who commission them. My Department has no role in the production and publication of school text books. Accordingly, I am not in a position to speculate on the cost of school books, as referred to by the Deputy.
My Department intends to issue funding to primary schools in April and post-primary schools in June to enable them to provide assistance for school books.
Details of the funding were notified to schools by circulars 0023/2011 (primary level) and 0024/2011 (post-primary level), which are available on my Department's website.
In these circulars, schools are urged to use this funding to establish book rental schemes, as these are the most effective means of lowering costs for all students.
Funding will be allocated on the following basis:
€11 per pupil in primary schools;
€21 per pupil in primary schools within the Delivering Equality in Schools (DEIS) scheme;
€24 per pupil in post-primary; or—
€39 per pupil in post-primary schools within the DEIS scheme.
This funding arrangement affords schools the autonomy to utilise funding in the most effective way based on their particular knowledge of their student needs. The previous system required schools to apply each year to my Department for a book grant, which resulted in a significant administrative burden, both for schools and my Department.
Residential Institutions Redress Scheme
Terence Flanagan
Question:46 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will respond to correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8059/11]
Under the terms of the 2002 Indemnity Agreement, eighteen religious congregations agreed to make a contribution of €128 million towards the cost of the Residential Institutions Redress Scheme, which included €12.7m to be used for educational programmes for former residents of the residential institutions and their families. The Education (Former Residents of Certain Institutions for Children) Finance Board was established in 2006 as a statutory body to administer the fund, which had been previously administered by an ad hoc committee. The Education Finance Board provides financial support to individuals who were resident in institutions referred to in the Schedule to the Residential Institutions Redress Act, 2002, and family members to facilitate them in accessing educational programmes. Further information is available from the Board at its offices on Floor 3, Frederick Court, 24/27 North Frederick Street, Dublin 1 or on its website www.educationfinanceboard.com.
Following the publication of the Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, the Ryan Report, the eighteen religious congregations who were party to the 2002 Indemnity Agreement were called upon to commit to making further substantial contributions by way of reparation. Subsequently, it was proposed to utilise €110m of the offers of contributions to be made over the next few years to establish a Statutory Fund to support the needs of survivors of residential institutional child abuse. My Department has undertaken a comprehensive consultation process and has prepared proposals, together with a General Scheme of a Bill to provide for the Statutory Fund. I intend discussing these proposals with my Cabinet colleagues in the near future.
To date, €20.6m of these cash contribution offers have been received and placed in a special interest bearing account in the Central Bank pending the establishment of the Statutory Fund. The remaining congregations are awaiting confirmation that the legislation will provide for the charitable status of their contributions to the Fund or sight of the proposed terms and structure of the Fund, prior to making their initial contributions. The offers of contributions envisaged that these contributions would be made over a period of years.
Schools Building Projects
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Question:47 Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) in Dublin North Central has not received approval for a new school building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8010/11]
The school to which the Deputy refers is included in the 2011 school building work programme to progress to secure planning permission and prepare tender documents on a brief for an extension and refurbishment to the existing school.
The design team were authorised to seek Planning Permission based on the approved stage 2(a) design which had initially proposed a two storey extension. However, at a subsequent pre-planning meeting held between the Design Team and Dublin City Council, the Council recommended a single storey extension as the optimal solution on the existing school site. Ultimately the design will have to be one which can secure planning permission from the Council.
My Department has requested the Design Team to submit a revised stage 2(a) design solution to incorporate the Councils recommendations. The design team are currently working on this in conjunction with the school authority which is the client on this project.
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Question:48 Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) in Dublin 5 has been refused funding for new windows on the front of the school after previously receiving funding for new windows at the rear of the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8011/11]
I can confirm that the school in question submitted an application for the works referred to by the Deputy under the 2011 Summer Works Scheme.
A list of 453 successful schools was announced on 30 March 2011 and I regret that the application made by the school referred to by the Deputy was not selected. A letter to this effect has issued to the school.
Applications from schools for gas, mechanical and electrical works were prioritised for Summer Works funding this year.Unfortunately, due to the scale of demand for funding under the scheme, it was not possible to grant aid all applications. The capital budget allocated for the Summer Works Scheme has been reduced in recent years and it has been necessary to prioritise some categories of works over others.
My Department has sought to prioritise the funds that are available towards works that are most relevant to the health and safety of staff and students alike in our schools.
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Question:49 Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) in Dublin North Central, which has had an application in for an extension since 2001, has so far been refused the necessary funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8012/11]
I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers applied to my Department for large scale capital funding for a school building project to provide an extension. A design team was appointed and the project reached stage 2(a) of architectural planning in 2007. In accordance with the published criteria for large scale building projects, the project for this school has been assigned a Band 2.4 rating.
The Deputy will understand that it is not possible to advance all projects to tender at the same time. This project was not included in the announcement of the 2011 school building work programme earlier this year.
The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will continue to be considered in the context of the Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the Department's capital budget, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of a project for the school in question at this time.
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Question:50 Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) in Dublin North Central has been refused funding for a renovation of its front gate, which would allow for quick emergency access for vehicles such as ambulances or fire engines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8013/11]
An application for funding under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme was received late last year from the school referred to by the Deputy. The application related to new entrance gates. The purpose of the Emergency Works Scheme is solely for unforeseen emergencies or to provide funding to facilitate inclusion and access for special needs pupils. An emergency is deemed to be a situation which poses an immediate risk to health, life, property or the environment, which is sudden, unforeseen and requires immediate action and in the case of a school, if not corrected would prevent the school or part thereof from opening.
As the scope of works requested by the school in question is outside the terms of the Emergency Works Scheme, the school has been informed that it cannot be considered for emergency funding.
School Enrolments
Finian McGrath
Question:51 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the rules and regulations regarding primary school children attending schools outside their own area. [8028/11]
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.
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. The Board can be contacted at National Educational Welfare Board, National Headquarters, 16-22 Green Street, Dublin 7 or by telephone at 01-8738700.
FÁS Training Programmes
Michael McCarthy
Question:52 Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he expects to begin officially dismantling the FÁS programme; when this process will be completed; the structures of the existing FÁS programme that will remain; when he expects the new national employment and entitlements service to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8050/11]
Following the commencement on 1 January 2011 of the relevant sections of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2010, the Department of Social Protection assumed the funding and overall responsibility for FÁS employment services and employment programmes. As far as the training activities of FÁS are concerned, I am currently reviewing options regarding the provision of further education and training and the structures to support it. The timeline for the setting up of the National Employment and Entitlements Service and the details pertaining to it are matters for my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection.
Higher Education Grants
Dan Neville
Question:53 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [8068/11]
On 5/11/2010 an appeal was received by my Department from the candidate in question to review the decision of her grant awarding authority not to award a student grant. The grant awarding authority had taken this decision because the reckonable income limits for student grant eligibility were exceeded.
The appeal was examined in detail by my Department and a decision issued to the candidate on 23/11/2010. On the basis of the income details supplied by the candidate, the reckonable income limits are exceeded and the original decision of the awarding authority not to award a grant was upheld on this basis.
Michael Creed
Question:54 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there is grant aid available for a student who wishes to pursue studies in performing arts in the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8071/11]
The student grant schemes include provision for grants to eligible students pursuing certain full-time undergraduate courses of at least two years duration in other EU Member States.
In addition, section 473A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides for tax relief, at the standard rate of tax, for tuition fees paid in respect of approved full-time and part-time courses in both private and publicly-funded third level colleges and universities. Further details and conditions in relation to this tax relief are available from the Revenue Commissioners. To qualify for a grant a student must also satisfy the terms and condition of the student grant schemes relating to age, residence, means, nationality and previous academic attainment.
A decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the grant awarding authority in the area where the student resides. Therefore, the student in question is advised to submit a fully completed application form to her grant awarding authority to establish her eligibility or otherwise for a grant. Grant awarding authorities also deal with the question of whether or not the course a student wishes to pursue is eligible for grant purposes.
School Transport
Timmy Dooley
Question:55 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will sanction an extension of a school bus service (details supplied) to accommodate students attending a gaelscoil in County Clare. [8079/11]
Bus Éireann, which operates the School Transport Scheme, on behalf of my Department, has advised that the pupils referred to by the Deputy, in the details supplied, reside between 18.2 kilometres and 23.5 kilometres from the school in question. Bus Éireann further advises that the pupils can avail of a service which has a pick up point between 7.9 kilometres and 12.1 kilometres from their homes. Under the terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme, my Department is prepared to offer the families a Remote Area Grant towards the cost of arranging transport to the pick up point.
The planning and organising of school bus routes is an operational matter for Bus Éireann. Bus routes are planned in such a way as to ensure that, as far as possible, eligible pupils have a reasonable standard of service while at the same time ensuring that school transport vehicles are fully utilised in the most efficient manner. Bus Éireann has advised that the service in question cannot be extended to provide a more convenient pick up point as the travel and waiting times of other pupils on the route would be adversely affected.
Departmental Staff
Michael Creed
Question:56 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of staff employed directly in his Department in 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2010; if he will provide details regarding the numbers in each civil service grade for the same years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8086/11]
The information requested by the Deputy on the number of staff employed in my Department in 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2010 is set out in the following tables.
|
1995 |
FTE* |
|
Grade (Non-Admin) |
|
|
Chief Inspector |
1 |
|
Deputy Chief Inspector |
2 |
|
Assistant Chief Inspector |
8 |
|
Divisional Inspector |
20 |
|
District Inspector |
48 |
|
Senior Inspector |
19 |
|
Post Primary Inspector |
33 |
|
Director of NEPS |
- |
|
Regional Director |
- |
|
Senior Psychologist |
4 |
|
Psychologist |
35.5 |
|
Manager |
4 |
|
Quantity Surveyor Grade I |
2 |
|
Senior Architect |
4 |
|
Architect |
3 |
|
Architectural Assistant Grade I |
9 |
|
Architectural Assistant Grade II |
3 |
|
Engineer Grade I |
1 |
|
Engineer Grad II |
1 |
|
Mechanical/Electrical Engineer |
1 |
|
Head Services Officer |
1 |
|
Services Officer |
24 |
|
Services Attendant |
1 |
|
Nightwatchman |
5 |
|
General Operative |
1 |
|
Supervisor of Cleaners |
1 |
|
Cleaner |
18 |
|
Telephonist |
5 |
|
Civilian Driver |
2 |
|
Senior Statistician |
- |
|
Statistician |
1 |
|
Accountant |
1 |
|
Advisory Counsel |
- |
|
Assessor of Youth Work |
- |
|
Records Manager |
- |
|
Solicitor |
- |
|
Barrister |
- |
|
Child care adviser |
1 |
|
Senior clerk of works |
2 |
|
Principal engineer |
1 |
|
Senior editor |
1 |
|
Editor |
2 |
|
Assistant editor |
10 |
|
Technical officer |
1 |
|
276.50 |
*full time equivalent.
|
1995 |
2000 |
2005 |
2010 |
|
|
Grade(Admin) |
FTE* |
FTE |
FTE |
FTE |
|
Secretary General |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
5 |
4 |
5 |
8 |
|
Director |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Principal Officer |
23 |
24 |
35.1 |
36.6 |
|
Assistant Principal |
42.5 |
55 |
61.5 |
93 |
|
Administrative Officer |
4 |
5 |
4.4 |
7.8 |
|
Employee Assistance Officer |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
90 |
103 |
139.5 |
146.33 |
|
Executive Officer |
160.5 |
237 |
284.18 |
266.86 |
|
Staff Officer |
46.5 |
44 |
41.83 |
39.53 |
|
Clerical Officer |
117 |
290 |
311.69 |
304.1 |
|
Clerical Assistant |
146 |
|||
|
Ministers Staff — Press Officer |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Ministers Staff — Special Advisor |
2 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
|
Ministers Staff — Personal Assistant |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Ministers Staff — Personal Secretary |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Ministers Staff- Programme Manager |
1 |
|||
|
Minister of State Staff — Personal Assistant |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Minister of State Staff — Personal Secretary |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Totals |
645.5 |
769 |
891.2 |
912.22 |
*full time equivalent
Telecommunications Services
Dominic Hannigan
Question:57 Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the lack of broadband at a school (details supplied) in County Meath; the way an Internet service provider is contracted to provide broadband through the National Centre for Technology Education, NCTE; if the NCTE may engage with a local provider of broadband to provide a service for this school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8099/11]
I am aware of the issue in relation to the broadband connection at Culmullen National School. Under my Department's Schools Broadband Programme connectivity to the internet is routed through a National Broadband Network, developed by HEAnet — the National Education and Research Network provider. HEAnet provides the broadband access to schools together with centrally managed services such as security, anti-spam/anti-virus and content filtering. Access to resources such as on-line versions of Britannica and World Book are also only available through the Schools Broadband Network. A broadband support service desk has been established to interface between the network, the local broadband service Access Providers and schools. It is managed by the National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE).
My Department with the assistance of the NCTE and HEAnet has secured broadband services on behalf of schools through a public procurement process that is open, objective and transparent in line in line with EU Treaty principles and Directives on public procurement. The Directives impose legal obligations on public bodies in regard to advertising and the use of objective tendering procedures for contracts above certain value thresholds. In line with public procurement regulations, a public procurement competition for provision of broadband connections to all schools (Phase II of the Schools Broadband Programme) was carried out by the Department in 2009. Contracts under the new agreement were signed in September 2009. The contracts are in place until end June 2011 with an option to extend for one year. My Department is currently working on the tender process for the next phase of the Schools Broadband Programme.
Following from the tendering process for phase 2, a contract was awarded to Digiweb for the provision of satellite broadband to this school as this was the only technically viable option at the time. My Department subsequently tried unsuccessfully to upgrade the service. The satellite broadband has since been disconnected. Since the commencement of the roll-out of phase 2 in 2009 of the Schools Broadband Programme there has been over a 50% increase in bandwidth capacity, this is due to improved bandwidth speeds being made available to schools and the substantial reduction in the number of schools who are connected via satellite. Schools are only offered satellite connections where no alternative was offered during the procurement process. Should a better solution become available from the contractors over the lifetime of the contracts, schools may be migrated to the new solution.
My Department has obligations under public procurement regulations and cannot engage with the local provider for provision of broadband to this school. If my Department allowed this private connection to be connected to the schools broadband network it could be seen as conferring an unfair advantage on this company over other broadband suppliers. I wish to inform the Deputy that if the school chose to connect privately with the local provider then they would have to pay for this from its own resources and would not be connected to the Schools Broadband Network.
The NCTE has been in contact with the school with a view to reconnecting the satellite connection which the school has declined. My Department is currently investigating if a fixed line (DSL) service can now be installed and is awaiting a response from the contractor. Once this response has been received, the school will be informed of the outcome.
Special Educational Needs
Timmy Dooley
Question:58 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a student (details supplied) at a school in County Clare has been refused access to a reader for the leaving certificate. [8120/11]
Timmy Dooley
Question:59 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a student (details supplied) in County Clare has been refused a waiver from the assessment of spelling, grammar and punctuation language subjects. [8121/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 58 and 59 together.
The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations including organising the holding of examinations, determining procedures in places where examinations are conducted including the supervision of examinations and making arrangements for the marking of work presented for examination. The Commission operates a scheme of reasonable accommodation for certain students with special needs who are sitting the examinations. In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
Joanna Tuffy
Question:60 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans regarding maintaining the number of special needs assistants in schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8124/11]
The Programme for Government clearly states that education will be a priority for this Government and that we will endeavour to protect and enhance the educational experience of children, young people and students. To that end, we will endeavour to protect front-line services in education.
However, the fiscal position is extremely difficult. This country is effectively in receivership. It is necessary to ensure that educational services are delivered within the resources available. I intend to prioritise and support special educational services. However, I cannot re-visit the previous Government's decision to place a cap on the number of posts available under the Special Needs Assistant (SNA) scheme. This number is 10,575 whole time equivalent (WTE) posts. This is a significant number of posts and unlike other areas of the public sector vacancies are being filled up to this number. It also represents continual increases in the number of SNAs over recent years. For example, there were 10,543 WTE SNA posts in place at the end of 2010 and 10,342 at end 2009. It is considered that with equitable and careful management and distribution of these resources that there should be sufficient posts to provide access to SNA support for all children who require such care support to attend school, in accordance with Departmental criteria.
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. The NCSE has issued a circular to all schools advising of the allocation process for the 2011/2012 school year. A key feature of the amended scheme will be to provide for an annual allocation of Special Needs Assistant support to eligible schools.
My Department and I will be glad to consider any suggestions from school management or parent representative organisations as to how the allocation of SNA resources can best be managed within the context of the overall limit on SNA numbers established. In this regard I am committed to making whatever improvements are possible to the resource allocation system. We all have to understand the legacy of economic mismanagement which the last government gave to this country.
Enterprise Support Services
Michael Creed
Question:61 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if he will provide details of the proposals for State guaranteed loans to small business; the criteria envisaged for eligibility for those loans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8116/11]
The introduction of a temporary, partial credit guarantee scheme as provided for in the Programme for Government was discussed by the Government on Tuesday last and is currently under active consideration. It is important, however, that any new initiative complements, rather than substitutes, the main banks' lending commitments and activities under the recapitalisation packages and that they would represent value for money from the taxpayer's perspective.
I would envisage that any scheme would be closely targeted at specific market failures and that it would impact on 2%-4% of overall lending to the SME sector. The focus of any scheme would have to be on commercially viable businesses. The introduction of a temporary, partial credit guarantee scheme will require legislative backing and will have to be compatible with EU state aid obligations.
Company Closures
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:62 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation his plans to support the printing industry here who are losing contracts due to under bidding from abroad which has led to several Irish printing companies going out of business. [8021/11]
The Paper, Print and Packaging (PPP) sector is made up of a number of sub-sectors. The Print sub-sector (comprising print, packaging and promotional print) is facing significant challenges with a drop in prices and demand in recent years. A number of factors are contributing to the challenges including overcapacity, change arising from the move from print to web-based services, the economic downturn and access to working capital.
The Irish Public procurement market for Paper, Print and Packaging is worth €120m annually. In 2009, the Government established the National Procurement Service (NPS) to centralise procurement on behalf of Government Departments, offices and agencies, including the procurement of printing services. That year, 95.6% of the value of NPS print contracts (amounting to approximately €6.8m) went to suppliers in the Republic of Ireland.
The Public Sector presents a large market opportunity for the Paper, Print & Packaging Sector and is taking steps to further facilitate access to contracts for SMEs. These include recent issuing by the Department of Finance in August 2010 of Circular 10/10: "Facilitating SME participation in Public Procurement”.
These new guidelines include:
1. Reduced Threshold of €25,000 for inclusion of contract notifications on e-Tenders website.
2. An assurance that all criteria used will be appropriate and proportionate.
3. A reduced requirement for paperwork (such as accounts) at early stages of tendering.
4. An instruction that turnover and insurance levels would be set at proportionate levels.
In addition a print panel for small print requirements below €25,000 has been put in place by the NPS. All print companies who are interested in public sector work should apply to be included and details of this have recently been published. To date, 55 companies have applied to be included in the panel.
Print companies can register for inclusion in the print panel listing at www.opw.ie/procurement/nationalprocurementservice/print.
Redundancy Payments
Joanna Tuffy
Question:63 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if his attention has been drawn to any problems with employers using short-term lay-offs to avoid paying redundancy payments under the Redundancy Payments Acts 1967-2007; his plans to address this anomaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8031/11]
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has drawn my Department's attention to certain concerns about the lay-off provisions under the Redundancy payments Acts 1967- 2007. Congress has been advised to bring any concerns that it has in this area to the attention of the Minister for Social Protection together with any supporting evidence. The Minister for Social Protection has responsibility for the Redundancy Payments Acts, which include the lay-off provisions, since 1 January of this year.
Complaints received about alleged abuse of the lay-off provisions by an employer can be lodged with the Employment Appeals Tribunal under the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts 1973 to 2001 and Redundancy Payments Acts (using Form T1A). I can advise the Deputy that additional resources have recently been allocated to the Tribunal in order to address the difficulties caused by the level of its current workload resulting in backlogs in cases being heard.
Innovation Task Force
Eoghan Murphy
Question:64 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation his position in relation to the recommendations of the Innovation Task Force. [8040/11]
The Programme for Government lists a significant number of targets for advancing the innovation economy. It is clear, also, that there are worthwhile initiatives deriving from the Innovation Task Force Report which should be taken forward on their own merits, which align with Government Programme objectives and can contribute to the strategic goal of creating and sustaining jobs.
I have, therefore, requested my Department to draw up an innovation agenda composed of the relevant targets drawn from the Programme for Government combined with key high level recommendations drawn from the ITF report. This will create an innovation agenda for priority action.
I am also reviewing the best mechanism to progress this agenda. I believe that there would be considerable merit in an Innovation Steering Group representative of relevant Government Departments and agencies, coupled with a significant private sector component, taking forward this renewed, refocused innovation agenda.
Departmental Staff
Michael Creed
Question:65 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of staff employed directly in his Department in 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2010; if he will provide details regarding the numbers in each civil service grade for the same years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8087/11]
It has not been possible in the time available to compile all the information sought by the Deputy. My Department has, however, begun the process of collating the information requested and I will communicate with the Deputy as soon as the exercise has been completed.
Work Permits
Marcella Corcoran Kennedy
Question:66 Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if he will review an application for an employment permit in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8104/11]
My Department processes applications in respect of the different types of employment permits (Green Cards Permits, Work Permits, Spousal/Dependant Permits and Intra-company Transfer Permits). All applications are processed in line with the Employment Permits Act 2006.
I wish to advise the Deputy that this particular application was refused on the 15th March 2011 on the grounds that it is current Government policy to issue new employment permits only in respect of:
highly skilled, highly paid positions or;
non-EEA nationals who are already legally resident in the State on valid employment permits or;
where there is an officially recognised scarcity of workers of a particular type or qualification. A list of the ineligible job categories for employment permits is available at my Department's website at www.deti.ie.
Furthermore, it appeared from the information submitted that the proposed employee was currently resident in the State without immigration permission.
An appeal in respect of this decision was received in my Department on the 30th March 2011. A decision is expected on this appeal in the next 1-2 weeks.
Community Development
Charlie McConalogue
Question:67 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of Tús community work placement initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8055/11]
The Minister for Finance announced the introduction of a community work placement initiative for up to 5,000 persons in his Budget statement to Dáil Éireann on the 7th December 2010. The initiative, known as Tús, was launched on the 21st December 2010 and work on developing the necessary implementation structures has been underway since then. The aim of Tús is to provide short-term, quality work opportunities for those who are unemployed for more than a year. Promotion of Tús to potential work placement providers has been underway for some weeks as part of a process of identifying suitable work placements and local development companies are currently recruiting supervisory staff. The random selection of participants by the Department will commence shortly once the necessary arrangements have been put in place by the local development companies.
There are a number of significant differences between the operation of Tús and the community employment programme. In the main, these differences relate to the programmes' aims, participant selection, delivery, duration of engagement, and training requirements. The amount paid to participants on both programmes will be similar and participants will continue to maintain their entitlement to certain secondary benefits. Equally, participants will be required to work 19½ hours per week.
Social Welfare Appeals
Gerald Nash
Question:68 Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection the reasons for the delay in processing an application for half rate carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8060/11]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in this case. The person concerned will be informed when arrangements have been made.
There was a 46% increase in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office in 2009 when compared to 2008, which in itself was 27% greater than the numbers received in 2007. There was an increase of a further 25% in the number of appeals received in 2010. These increases have caused delays in the processing of appeals. In order to be fair to all appellants, oral hearings are arranged in strict chronological order.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
EU Legislation
Jack Wall
Question:69 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will raise the matter of the transgender community with her fellow Ministers in the EU; if there is any EU legislation that Ireland has not addressed in regard to this very important matter; if the committee set up to deal with the Supreme Court decision issued any information that it needed to reflect or investigate such legislation within the EU given the grave concern that the community has with the ongoing problems of completing the courts directive; if all other EU countries have now completed the legality of transgender communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8069/11]
The High Court has ruled that the State is in breach of its obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights in its failure to provide for the legal recognition of the acquired gender of transgendered persons. The State does, however, provide for some level of recognition as in the provision of passports, driving licences and in many official dealings with transgendered persons, including social welfare, healthcare and revenue matters.
Following the High Court decision the Government established the Gender Recognition Advisory Group in 2010 with the following terms of reference:—
"To advise the Minister for Social Protection on the legislation required to provide for legal recognition of the acquired gender of transsexuals. In particular, to propose heads of a bill to provide for:—
The establishment of a process for legal recognition of the acquired gender of persons suffering from Gender Identity Disorder, who have made the transition from one gender to another.
The establishment of a gender recognition register
The granting of entitlement to marry in the legally recognised reassigned gender, and
Any other provisions as may be deemed necessary consequent to the main provisions of the Bill.
The Group is made up of representatives of various Departments and Offices of State. The group has met on a number of occasions and has engaged in extensive consultation with a range of representative organisations and individuals with knowledge and expertise in the area, both in Ireland and abroad. Further consultation, research and discussion is required on the issues arising. I understand that the group hopes to report within a matter of weeks.
As far as the EU dimension is concerned, the State has not been found to have been in breach of any EU legislation on transgender recognition. I am not aware of any information issued or investigated by the Gender Recognition Group as regards EU legislation, as I am not yet in receipt of the Group's report. I am aware that the European Parliament adopted a resolution on 17 June 2010 on assessment of the results of the 2006-2010 Roadmap for Equality between women and men, and forward-looking recommendations. The resolution contains a comprehensive set of recommendations covering equality issues, including the position of transgendered persons. The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) has taken an active role in the area of gender equality and has published two studies, one in 2008 containing a legal analysis of issues, and an update on the 2008 position in 2010. In the 2008 report, the FRA identified Ireland, Luxembourg, Latvia and Malta as not having fully complied with the requirements for legal recognition of transgendered persons. The report states that legal recognition was generally available in the other Member States, although the approach varies from state to state. The 2010 report noted the decision of the High Court in Ireland and stated that proposals for new legislation are now expected. In light of the active roles of the European Parliament and the FRA in the area of transgender equality, I do not consider it necessary to raise the matter with fellow Ministers in the EU at this time.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to provide for the legal recognition of transgender persons. The report of the Gender Recognition Advisory Group will make recommendations as to the legislation required to provide for such recognition and it is my intention that legislation will be proposed as soon as practicable, following receipt of the report.
Departmental Staff
Michael Creed
Question:70 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of staff employed directly in her Department in 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2010; if she will provide details regarding the numbers in each Civil Service grade for the same years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8093/11]
The number of full-time equivalent posts filled in the Department at 1 January 1995, 1 January 2000, 1 January 2005 and 1 January 2010 is broken down, by grade, in the following table:
|
Grade |
1995 |
2000 |
2005 |
2010 |
|
Secretary General |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Deputy Secretary |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
5 |
5 |
6 |
3 |
|
Chief Appeals Officer |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Deputy Chief Appeals Officer |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Chief Medical Advisor |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Deputy Chief Medical Advisor |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Principal |
43 |
61 |
64.8 |
64.8 |
|
Assistant Principal |
181.5 |
182 |
212.5 |
201.2 |
|
Administrative Officer |
2 |
8 |
10 |
11.8 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
521.5 |
557 |
612.6 |
620.1 |
|
Executive Officer |
572.5 |
722.5 |
728.6 |
831.3 |
|
Staff Officer |
450 |
421.5 |
453.6 |
568.8 |
|
Clerical Officer |
1,359.5 |
1,397 |
2,059 |
2,309.2 |
|
Clerical Assistant |
981.5 |
619 |
— |
— |
|
Visually Impaired Telephonist |
10 |
12.5 |
— |
— |
|
Paperkeeper |
27 |
25 |
— |
— |
|
Services Grades |
142 |
134 |
132.3 |
117 |
|
Total |
4,300.5 |
4,150.5 |
4,285.4 |
4,733.2 |
|
Family Mediation Service |
||||
|
Service Co-ordinator |
1 |
|||
|
Area Co-ordinator |
4 |
|||
|
Mediator |
5 |
It should be noted that (i) following the Civil Public and Services Union restructuring agreement, the grades of Paperkeeper, Visually Impaired Telephonist, Clerical Assistant and Clerical Officer were amalgamated to a new Clerical Officer grade; (ii) prior to the establishment of the Family Support Agency in May 2003 the staff of the Family Mediation Service were members of staff in this Department; (iii) the figures provided for principals include the Department's directors and medical assessors; and (iv) the Assistant Principal figures include the Department's professional accountants.
Social Welfare Appeals
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:71 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has studied the decision of the appeals officer in his decision to withdraw jobseeker’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare, with particular reference to the evidence adduced at the oral hearing, whereby the actual evidence submitted by the applicant completely refuted the assertions of the investigating officer; if she will now facilitate a full review of the case by a different officer, in view of the fact that an appeals officer decision is final in the absence of new evidence; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the value of the review assessed in this case was at least seven times the actual value, and that this was conveyed to the appeals officer; if she has satisfied herself that the principles of due process and natural justice have been served; if her attention has been drawn to the consequent hardship caused to the family in this instance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8105/11]
As I said in response to Question No. 55 of 24 March last, and during the Adjournment debate of the same date, this case is being re-investigated for entitlement to jobseeker's allowance. A social welfare inspector will call to the person concerned next week. In the meantime, she is receiving supplementary welfare allowance at a rate of €278.40 per week and mortgage interest subsidy of €887.33 per month.
Social Welfare Benefits
Marcella Corcoran Kennedy
Question:72 Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a carer’s allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8115/11]
On 16 September 2010, the person concerned was refused carer's allowance on the grounds that the Department's medical assessor had expressed the opinion that the care recipient is not so disabled as to require full-time care and attention as prescribed in regulations. She was notified of this decision, the reason for it and of her right to appeal to the social welfare appeals office. Representations were sent in on her behalf and forwarded to the appeals office on the 9 March 2011. The appeals office will contact her directly if an appeal is opened in this case.
Alternative Energy Projects
Robert Dowds
Question:73 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, notwithstanding the publication of the Geothermal Energy Development Bill, the steps he is undertaking to exploit geothermal energy sources here. [8074/11]
The general scheme of a Geothermal Energy Development Bill was published in July of last year. This is a new area of legislative intervention and a significant support to the sector. In line with the programme for Government, it will provide considerable security of tenure to potential investors. The Bill sets out an approach to licensing exploration for, and exploitation of, geothermal energy, which is modelled on the approach taken in respect of minerals exploration and development, but also deals with a range of ancillary issues such as entry onto land, etc. Small-scale geothermal technologies are already included in the greener homes scheme as currently operated by the SEAI.
Departmental Staff
Michael Creed
Question:74 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of staff employed directly in his Department in 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2010; if he will provide details regarding the numbers in each Civil Service grade for the same years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8083/11]
The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources was established in June 2007. At the end of December 2007, the total number of staff in the Department was 339. The following table sets out the staff numbers in each grade on 31 December 2010:
|
Grade |
Number of Staff |
|
Secretary General |
1 |
|
Deputy Secretary General |
1 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
3 |
|
Principal Officer |
16 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
35.5 |
|
Administrative Officer |
4 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
41.5 |
|
Executive Officer |
47.5 |
|
Staff Officer |
1.5 |
|
Clerical Officer/Typist |
48 |
|
Services Officer |
6.5 |
|
Service Attendant |
1 |
|
Storekeeper |
1 |
|
Chief Technical Advisor (Energy) |
1 |
|
Director of Communications |
1 |
|
Senior Laboratory Technician |
1 |
|
Laboratory Technician |
2 |
|
Staff Engineer |
2 |
|
Assistant Staff Engineer |
1 |
|
Executive Engineer |
2 |
|
Assistant Director of GSI |
1 |
|
Principal Geologist |
3 |
|
Senior Geologist |
10.5 |
|
Super Cartography |
4.5 |
|
Assistant Super Cartography |
2 |
|
Chief Super Mapping |
2 |
|
Petroleum Exploration Specialist |
2 |
|
Professional Accountant Grade 1 |
1 |
|
Geologist |
5.5 |
|
Legal Advisor |
1 |
|
Geological Assistant |
6 |
|
Technical Assistant |
1 |
|
Financial Adviser |
1 |
|
Engineer in Communications |
1 |
|
Adviser to Minister of State |
1 |
|
Personal Assistant to Minister |
1 |
|
Personal Secretary to Minister |
1 |
|
Press Advisor to Minister |
1 |
|
Total |
263 |
Offshore Exploration
Michael McCarthy
Question:75 Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to encourage more private sector companies to invest in oil and gas exploration in view of the low success rate of previous contracts to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8118/11]
Ireland competes with countries in Europe and further afield to attract mobile international exploration investment. To that end, Ireland maintains a licensing regime that appropriately reflects both the risks and rewards of investing in petroleum exploration in the Irish offshore, while ensuring the State receives a fair share of profits where a commercial discovery is made. My Department also encourages exploration investment through an active and targeted promotion campaign and by guiding and supporting petroleum research projects that deepen knowledge of the petroleum potential of the Irish offshore.
As part of an ongoing strategy to increase the level of exploration activity, my Department is currently running a licensing round that is deliberately structured towards attracting new exploration companies and new exploration investment to Ireland. The Atlantic Margin Licensing Round, which closes at the end of May, also aims to encourage companies to look at areas of the Irish offshore where little data currently exists and as a consequence, little is known of the potential prospectivity of these areas. The licensing round aims to bring a new momentum to the level of exploration activity off the coast of Ireland and includes all of Ireland's major Atlantic basins.
Rental Accommodation Scheme
Brendan Ryan
Question:76 Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will consider changing one of the conditions of the rental accommodation scheme, whereby a local authority housing applicant may not avail of the scheme if he or she is not in receipt of rent supplement. [8046/11]
Households that are assessed by a housing authority to have a housing need have a range of housing supports available to satisfy their need regardless of whether or not they are in receipt of rent supplement. Included in these supports are availability arrangements, similar to rental accommodation scheme arrangements, under the social housing leasing initiative. As with the rental accommodation scheme, one the main features of the scheme is that local authorities in sourcing accommodation make use of the private and voluntary sector and enter into contractual arrangements to secure medium to long-term availability of rented accommodation. Policies on assessment of housing needs and setting of allocations are matters for individual local authorities.
Water and Sewerage Schemes
Michael McCarthy
Question:77 Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the proposed new sewerage scheme for an area (details supplied) in County Cork; the stage of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8049/11]
The Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library, provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure in County Cork. The Courtmacsherry and Timoleague Sewerage Scheme is included among the contracts to start during the life of the programme.
My Department approved a revised Preliminary Report for Phase 1 of this scheme in December 2010. Approval of the Preliminary Report by my Department allows the Council to procure consultants to undertake the preparation of contract documents for the scheme.
Local Authority Powers
Kevin Humphreys
Question:78 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the specific statutory provisions which confer on local authorities a power to make by-laws; the nature of the by-laws that may be made in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8064/11]
Part 19 of the Local Government Act 2001 deals with by-laws.
Section 199 (1) of the 2001 Act provides that a local authority may make a by-law for or in relation to the use, operation, protection, regulation or management of any land, services, or any other matter provided by or under the control or management of the local authority, whether within or without its functional area or in relation to any connected matter.
The power to make by-laws is a reserved function under Section 199(5) of the Act. Section 199(7) provides that the appropriate Minister may by regulation prescribe matters or classes of matters in respect of which local authorities are not entitled to make a by-law.
Departmental Staff
Michael Creed
Question:79 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of staff employed directly in his Department in 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2010; if he will provide details regarding the numbers in each Civil Service grade for the same years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8088/11]
The Human Resource Management System (HRMS) for the Civil Service was introduced in 2002. The compilation of pre-2002 data would involve a disproportionate amount of time and work. For this reason, staff employed in this Department by civil service grade has been provided for the years 2002, 2005 and 2010. The information is set out in the table.
Following the reconfiguration of the heritage function in 2002-2003, my Department had assumed responsibility also for a number of State Industrial employees which were mainly based in the National Parks. Records available show that industrial employees totalled 115 full-time equivalent (FTE) permanent staff in 2005 and 110.1 FTE permanent staff in 2010. These staff include Guides, Craft Workers and Office Administration staff. In addition, the Department recruits a variable number of seasonal staff annually (subject to sanction from the Department of Finance) mainly for guiding and park maintenance work. There were approximately 50 seasonal staff employed in 2005 and 70 seasonal staff in 2010.
|
Grade |
2002 |
2005 |
2010 |
|
Total FTE |
Total FTE |
Total FTE |
|
|
ADVISORY COUNSEL GRADE 3 |
N/A |
N/A |
1.00 |
|
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER |
17.50 |
9.00 |
8.60 |
|
ARCHAEOLOGIST |
33.20 |
27.70 |
23.73 |
|
ARCHITECT |
8.00 |
3.00 |
2.73 |
|
ARCHITECTURAL ADVISOR |
N/A |
N/A |
1.00 |
|
ARCHITECTURAL ASSISTANT GRADE 1 |
7.00 |
1.00 |
2.50 |
|
ARCHITECTURAL ASSISTANT GRADE 2 |
2.00 |
1.00 |
N/A |
|
ARCHITECTURAL/ENGINEERING INSPECTOR |
19.00 |
11.00 |
13.00 |
|
ASSISTANT SECRETARY |
5.00 |
6.00 |
6.00 |
|
ASSISTANT AUDITOR ENVIRONMENT |
2.00 |
10.00 |
11.60 |
|
ASSISTANT FIRE ADVISOR |
3.00 |
4.00 |
1.00 |
|
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR MET EIREANN SERVICES |
2.00 |
2.00 |
N/A |
|
ASSISTANT LIBRARIAN |
1.00 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OFFICER |
104.50 |
104.83 |
92.23 |
|
ASSISTANT STAFF ENGINEER |
1.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
ASSISTANT PARKS SUPERINTENDENT |
5.00 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
AUDITOR ENVIRONMENT |
19.50 |
18.60 |
17.80 |
|
BOTANICAL ASSISTANT |
1.80 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
BUILDING INSPECTOR |
2.00 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
BUILDING SURVEYOR |
N/A |
N/A |
1.00 |
|
CHIEF ARCHAEOLOGIST |
1.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
CIVILIAN DRIVER |
2.00 |
3.00 |
2.00 |
|
SUPERINTENDENT OF CLEANERS |
1.00 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
CLEANER |
9.00 |
7.00 |
2.81 |
|
CLERICAL OFFICER |
261.32 |
225.91 |
133.41 |
|
CONSERVATION RANGER |
84.60 |
74.60 |
76.00 |
|
CRIERS TO CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE |
N/A |
N/A |
3.00 |
|
DATA ENTRY |
4.00 |
3.00 |
N/A |
|
DIRECTOR BOTANICAL GARDENS |
1.00 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
DIRECTOR METEORLOGICAL SERVICES |
1.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
DISTRICT CONSERVATION OFFICER |
9.00 |
16.00 |
15.60 |
|
DISTRICT WORKS MANAGER |
5.00 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
ECOLOGIST |
1.00 |
1.00 |
N/A |
|
ENGINEER GRADE 3 MECH/HEATING/ELEC |
10.00 |
3.00 |
4.00 |
|
ENGINEER GRADE 1 CIVIL |
7.00 |
5.00 |
5.00 |
|
ENGINEER GRADE 2 CIVIL |
3.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
ENGINEER GRADE 3 CIVIL |
N/A |
N/A |
3.00 |
|
ENGINEERING DRAUGHTSPERSON |
3.00 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
176.66 |
173.90 |
138.90 |
|
GEOGRAPHICAL INFO SYSTEMS CO-ORDINATOR |
2.00 |
2.00 |
N/A |
|
GIS MAPPING TECHNICIAN |
N/A |
3.00 |
N/A |
|
GENERAL OPERATIVE |
2.00 |
1.00 |
N/A |
|
HEAD SERVICES OFFICER |
N/A |
N/A |
1.00 |
|
ASSISTANT HEAD SERVICES OFFICER |
1.00 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
HIGHER EXECUTIVE OFFFICER |
117.80 |
126.93 |
130.83 |
|
HOUSING INSPECTOR |
13.00 |
7.00 |
5.00 |
|
INSPECTOR & ENGINEER FISHERIES |
N/A |
N/A |
1.00 |
|
INFORMATION SCIENTIST |
1.00 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
INSPECTOR GRADE 1 |
N/A |
4.00 |
10.00 |
|
INSPECTOR GRADE 2 |
1.00 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
INSPECTOR OF AUDITS |
1.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
INSPECTOR PLANNING |
2.00 |
N/A |
2.00 |
|
LABORATORY TECHNICIAN |
1.00 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
LEGAL ADVISOR |
1.00 |
1.00 |
N/A |
|
LIBRARIAN |
1.00 |
N/A |
1.00 |
|
METEOROLOGICAL OFFICER |
97.60 |
89.30 |
59.50 |
|
METEOROLOGIST |
38.80 |
35.20 |
32.60 |
|
PARK SUPERINTENDENT |
N/A |
N/A |
1.00 |
|
PERSONAL ASSISTANT |
1.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
PERSONAL ASSISTANT MINISTER OF STATE |
2.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
PERSONAL ASSISTANT MINISTER OF STATE |
1.00 |
1.00 |
N/A |
|
PERSONAL SECRETARY |
3.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
PERSONAL SECRETARY MINISTER OF STATE |
N/A |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
PRESS OFFICER |
1.00 |
1.00 |
N/A |
|
PRINCIPAL OFFICER |
34.00 |
38.80 |
29.80 |
|
PRINCIPAL ADVISER |
5.00 |
6.00 |
4.00 |
|
PRINCIPAL AUDITOR |
3.00 |
5.00 |
7.00 |
|
PRINCIPAL METEOROLOGICAL OFFICER |
8.00 |
9.00 |
9.00 |
|
PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANT GRADE 1 |
N/A |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
QUANTITY SURVEYOR GRADE 1 |
N/A |
N/A |
3.00 |
|
SECRETARY GENERAL |
1.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
SENIOR ADVISER |
12.00 |
12.80 |
13.00 |
|
SENIOR ARCHAEOLOGIST |
5.00 |
5.00 |
6.73 |
|
SENIOR ARCHITECT |
6.00 |
4.00 |
4.00 |
|
SENIOR ASSISTANT FIRE ADVISOR |
N/A |
N/A |
1.00 |
|
SENIOR BUILDING INSPECTOR |
7.00 |
8.00 |
2.00 |
|
SENIOR ENGINEER/DRAUGHTPERSON |
1.00 |
1.00 |
N/A |
|
SENIOR METEOROLOGICAL OFFICER |
52.00 |
55.00 |
56.00 |
|
SENIOR METEOROLOGIST |
8.00 |
8.00 |
7.00 |
|
SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER |
1.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
SENIOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANT |
2.00 |
2.00 |
1.00 |
|
SERVICES ATTENDANT |
10.00 |
8.00 |
4.73 |
|
SERVICES OFFICER |
32.00 |
29.00 |
27.80 |
|
SPECIAL ADVISOR |
1.00 |
0.80 |
4.00 |
|
STAFF OFFICER |
18.53 |
18.26 |
10.73 |
|
STATISTICIAN |
N/A |
N/A |
2.00 |
|
SUPERVISING HOUSING INSPECTOR |
6.00 |
9.00 |
9.00 |
|
SURVEY CONTROLLER |
N/A |
N/A |
1.00 |
|
TECHNICAL GRADES LEVEL 4 |
4.00 |
1.00 |
N/A |
|
VISUALLY IMPAIRED TELEPHONIST |
2.00 |
0.30 |
1.80 |
|
WILDLIFE INSPECTOR GRADE 1 |
3.00 |
6.00 |
4.00 |
|
WILDLIFE INSPECTOR GRADE 2 |
18.73 |
13.00 |
17.00 |
|
WILDLIFE INSPECTOR GRADE 3 |
14.00 |
26.00 |
19.00 |
|
Total |
1355.54 |
1259.93 |
1066.43 |
Note: Figures are provided on the basis of full-time equivalents.
Local Authority Housing
Tom Fleming
Question:80 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to introduce a fair loan scheme to enable local authority tenants to purchase their own homes under the terms and conditions of the new tenant purchase scheme introduced in the most recent budget. [8114/11]
The most recent tenant purchase scheme, provided for in the context of the 2011 budget, operates under the credit policy guidelines for local authority housing lending. These were made under the Housing (Local Authority Loans) Regulations 2009.
Under this protocol, all applicants are assessed according to the same criteria, and their applications subjected to the same scrutiny. It is desirable to make adequate lending provision available to local authority tenants who wish to avail of the tenant purchase schemes, while also adhering to prudent lending practices.
I believe that the current regime is a fair scheme that adequately meets the needs of prospective borrowers, and facilitates participation in housing acquisition initiatives such as the tenant purchase scheme.
Garda Equipment
Seán Kenny
Question:81 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of additional Garda mountain bikes purchased in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011; the cost of these bikes; and the name and address of the company that supplies the Garda Síochána with the mountain bikes. [8001/11]
Seán Kenny
Question:84 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of mountain bikes allocated to each Garda station in the Dublin region; if the stations have requested additional mountain bikes; and, if so, the stations which requested the additional bikes. [8004/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 84 together.
Information on these questions has been requested from the Garda authorities and I will revert to the Deputy when it is to hand.
Crime Levels
Seán Kenny
Question:82 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the crime statistics for Garda stations (details supplied) in Dublin 5 for 2009 to date in 2011, inclusive. [8002/11]
Following the submission in 2004 of a report and recommendations by an expert group on crime statistics, it was decided that the compilation and publication of crime statistics should be taken over by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, from An Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Act 2005 consequently makes provision for this and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. Following the setting up of the necessary technical systems and auditing of the data from which the statistics are compiled, the CSO is now compiling, publishing and responding to queries regarding recorded crime statistics.
I have requested the CSO to provide statistics directly to the Deputy.
Liquor Licensing Laws
Seán Kenny
Question:83 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of pubs and nightclubs whose late night licence was objected to by gardaí in each Garda district of the Dublin region from 2007 to date in 2011, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8003/11]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table shows the number of premises in each Garda Division within the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) in respect of which An Garda Síochána lodged an objection against the issue of a special exemption order in each year from 2007 to 2010 and in 2011 to 13 April.
|
Division |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 (to 13 April) |
|
DMR North Central |
7 |
11 |
8 |
6 |
3 |
|
DMR South Central |
11 |
11 |
12 |
7 |
1 |
|
DMR North |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
DMR South |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
DMR East |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
DMR West |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Question No. 84 answered with Question No. 81.
Proposed Legislation
Eoghan Murphy
Question:85 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when he will bring forward the gambling Bill in view of the fact that the betting (amendment) Bill is expected to be published during the summer session and that both Bills are closely interlinked in terms of properly licensing and regulating gambling in this country. [8038/11]
The purpose of the Betting (Amendment) Bill 2011, to be published by the Minister for Finance, is to bring internet and telephone betting within the licensing provisions of the Betting Act, 1931. Provision has already been made in the Finance Act 2011 to tax such forms of betting, subject to the adoption of a licensing procedure.
The Deputy may also be aware that a document entitled Options for Regulating Gambling was published last December, as part of a review of gambling being conducted by my Department. The previous Government declined to adopt a policy on gambling arising from that review. It falls to me, therefore, to consider whether the proposals outlined in Options for Regulating Gambling represent the best choices in terms of settling a revised regulatory architecture for gambling, into the future. Any legislative proposals arising from my examination and subsequent discussions at Cabinet, will follow in the normal course.
Departmental Staff
Michael Creed
Question:86 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of staff employed directly in his Department in 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2010; if he will provide details regarding the numbers in each civil service grade for the same years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8092/11]
The number of whole-time equivalent staff in my Department, broken down by grade, for each of the years referred to by the Deputy is set out in the following table. As well as the usual mix of administrative grades found across the Civil Service, my Department has a range of professional and technical grades and these staff have been included under the heading "other" in the table.
|
Grade |
Year End 2010 |
Year End 2005 |
Year End 2000 |
Year End 1995 |
|
Principal Officer and above |
9 |
12 |
10 |
4 |
|
Principal Officer |
67 |
61 |
50 |
15 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
129 |
137 |
125 |
46 |
|
Higher Executive Officer/Administrative Officer |
189 |
246 |
182 |
57 |
|
Executive Officer |
316 |
321 |
258 |
72 |
|
Staff Officer |
25 |
154 |
69 |
33 |
|
Clerical Officer |
574 |
1346 |
890 |
243 |
|
Other |
505 |
707 |
511 |
285 |
|
Total |
1814 |
2984 |
2095 |
755 |
The structure of my Department has changed and evolved over the years in question. Consequently, I would point out to the Deputy that the numbers and breakdown for each of the years above are not directly comparable with each other.
Michael Creed
Question:87 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Defence the number of staff employed directly in his Department in 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2010; if he will provide details regarding the numbers in each civil service grade for the same years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8085/11]
I have set out in the following table the number by grade and rank of civil servants in the Department:
|
Grade Title |
Number of Staff |
|||
|
1995 |
2000 |
2005 |
2010 |
|
|
Secretary General |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Head of Corporate Services/Director |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Principal |
8 |
11 |
12.8 |
11.6 |
|
Chief Technical Officer |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Professional Accountant |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Assistant Principal |
25 |
25 |
30.5 |
29.7 |
|
Technical Officer Grade II |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
58 |
64.5 |
55.73 |
50.26 |
|
Administrative Officer |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
Properties Officer |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Assistant Properties Officer |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Executive Officer |
58.5 |
76 |
70.35 |
68.23 |
|
Examiner of Maps |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Senior Technical Assistant |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Staff Officer |
30.5 |
36.5 |
28.5 |
26.9 |
|
Clerical Officer |
131.5 |
163 |
142.43 |
113.3 |
|
Clerical Assistant |
66 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Amalgamated with CO grade |
||||
|
Paperkeeper |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Amalgamated with CO Grade |
||||
|
Storeman |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Storekeeper |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Visually Impaired Telephonists |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
|
Regraded as COs |
||||
|
Head Services Officer |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Services Officer |
14 |
14 |
15 |
13.8 |
|
Services Attendant |
1 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
Nightwatchman |
5 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
|
Superintendent of Cleaners |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Cleaner |
16 |
14 |
6 |
4 |
|
Special Advisor to Minister |
1 |
1 |
||
|
Press Advisor to Minister |
1 |
1 |
||
|
Personal Assistant to Minister |
1 |
1 |
||
|
Personal Secretary to Minister |
1 |
1 |
||
|
Total |
435.5 |
429 |
377.31 |
332.79 |
The change and modernisation process in defence in recent years has been accompanied by a reduction in numbers of civil servants. The numbers in the Department have further reduced in 2011.
Developments in the international security and defence environment and emergency planning have resulted in very significant resource demands on the Defence organisation in this period. This has been successfully addressed within the reduced numbers.
The Department continues to seek further savings within the reduced provision while maximising services.
Grant Payments
John O'Mahony
Question:88 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will received their REP scheme payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7998/11]
The person named commenced in REPS 4 in January 2010 and was subject to an inspection and subsequent audit. Issues arising are currently being finalised and his payment will issue shortly.
Dan Neville
Question:89 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding penalties applied after a farm inspection in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; if this file will be reviewed in view of the fact this person feels that the penalties imposed should only be 5%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8030/11]
An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 15th of May 2006.
This application was selected for a Cross Compliance inspection.
During the course of the inspection breaches were recorded relating to three separate Statutory Management Requirements (SMRs). Breaches of Regulations in relation to the storage of livestock manure resulted in a 3% penalty under Nitrates. Issues were also recorded in relation to Food Hygiene, specifically with the maintenance and operation of a dairy/milking parlour which led to a penalty of 3% being recorded under that SMR. Finally, extensive breaches relating to the Identification and Registration of Bovines were recorded. These breaches involved 97 animals and concerned the Herd Register, Passports, Tagging and failure to notify movements to the Cattle Movement and Monitoring System. These breaches were deemed to be intentional and a 20% penalty was recorded.
As prescribed by the Regulations governing the Cross Compliance system, multiple breaches recorded as negligent are added together to a maximum total of 5%, however breaches recorded as intentional are administered separately with any penalties resulting from intentional breaches being added to the total negligence penalty figure. This resulted in an overall Cross Compliance penalty of 25% being recorded in this case. The person named was informed of this decision and of his right to seek a review. He was also informed of his right to appeal the outcome of a review to the Independent Agriculture Appeals office. To date, no request for a review has been submitted, however, the Deputy's question will now be taken as a request for review which will now be carried out.
Mattie McGrath
Question:90 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when REP scheme payment will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8048/11]
The person named commenced REPS 4 in March 2009. He received his year 1 payment in January 2010. The first 75% of the year 2 payment was made on 7th April 2011. The remaining 25% will be paid over the next two weeks.
Harbours and Piers
Charlie McConalogue
Question:91 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the projected time line and provision of funding for a project (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8056/11]
Greencastle harbour is owned by Donegal County Council and responsibility for the maintenance and development of the harbour rests with that local authority in the first instance.
My Department has, however, in recent years, project managed works on phase one of the Greencastle Harbour development project on behalf of Donegal County Council as well as providing funding.
Officials from Donegal County Council recently met with officials from my Department to explore mechanisms to advance the project. The officials from Donegal County Council agreed to consider the options, in consultation with their colleagues and revert at an early date.
Any proposal for funding submitted under the 2011 Fishery Harbours and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme by Donegal County Council in relation to Greencastle will be considered in the context of available exchequer funding and competing national priorities.
Grant Payments
Brendan Griffin
Question:92 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if grassland sheep scheme payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8062/11]
Under the 2010 Grassland Sheep Scheme, farmers were required to:
maintain ewes;
complete the Sheep Census return; and
submit the SPS application form by the closing date of 17th May 2010.
While an application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme and other area-based schemes was received from the person named on 12 May 2010, following validation it was found that while the person named had submitted the Sheep Census Return, as required, no breeding ewes were declared on the Census Return. Therefore, no payment is due under the Grassland Sheep Scheme to the person named.
Milk Quota
Michael Creed
Question:93 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will provide details of the persons who sit on the independent panel which has been established for the purpose of assessing applications under the scheme for the allocation of milk quota to new entrants as announced in early 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8076/11]
The Scheme for the Allocation of Milk Quota to New Entrants was first introduced in 2009, repeated in 2010, and applications for the 2011 scheme closed last Friday, 8 April.
Applications that satisfy the eligibility criteria as set out in the detailed rules of the scheme are presented for assessment of the extent to which each applicant can demonstrate a real and long-term commitment to dairying.
As in previous years, a panel has been established for this purpose in the context of the 2011 scheme. The panel is required to recommend for approval those applications considered to provide the best evidence of a viable and sustainable enterprise, given the limited amount of quota available. The panel will be chaired by a former Director General of ICOS and will consist of three further members drawn from Teagasc and from my Department.
Dairy Equipment Scheme
Michael Creed
Question:94 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will clarify the situation regarding the dairy equipment scheme as recently announced and specifically if, under the terms and conditions of the scheme, farmers who for reasons of early calving and the requirement to have modifications to their milking parlours completed prior to the detail of the scheme being published will be in a position to avail of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8077/11]
It is a strict condition of all my Department's on-farm investment schemes that grant-aid shall not be provided in respect of works commenced or equipment purchased before written approval has issued to a farmer under the scheme concerned. Any work which has commenced prior to the introduction of the Dairy Equipment Scheme is therefore ineligible for grant-aid.
Departmental Staff
Michael Creed
Question:95 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of staff employed directly in his Department in 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2010; if he will provide details regarding the numbers in each Civil Service grade for the same years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8082/11]
Details of the overall (full-time equivalent) staffing levels in my Department at the end of the years referred to by the Deputy are as in Table 1:
|
End-Year |
Overall Staff Numbers (FTEs) |
|
1995 |
4,004 |
|
2000 |
4,571 |
|
2005 |
4,441 |
|
2010 |
3,632 |
Table 2 provides a breakdown by grade of the full-time equivalent staffing numbers in my Department at the end -2005 and end- 2010. It was not possible to compile corresponding data in respect of 1995 and 2000 within the time available. It should be noted that the Department's functions have been amended occasionally since 1995 — most recently in 2007 when some fisheries functions and a corresponding 189 staff were added to the Department's remit.
|
2005 |
2010 |
|
|
Grade Description |
FTE |
FTE |
|
Advisory Counsel Grade 3 |
0.0 |
1.0 |
|
Acting Harbourmaster |
0.0 |
2.0 |
|
Agricultural Inspector |
86.1 |
75.5 |
|
Administrative Officer |
11.0 |
22.7 |
|
Area Superintendent |
21.0 |
14.0 |
|
Asst Agricultural Insp Agric |
81.6 |
103.2 |
|
Asst Librarian |
1.0 |
0.0 |
|
Asst Principal |
115.7 |
123.5 |
|
Asst Secretary |
9.0 |
6.0 |
|
Chargehand |
0.0 |
1.0 |
|
Chemist |
3.0 |
2.0 |
|
Chief Analyst |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
Chief Inspector Agric |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
Chief Veterinary Officer |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
Civilian Driver |
4.0 |
2.0 |
|
Cleaner |
23.0 |
16.8 |
|
Cleaner Part- Time |
14.0 |
9.0 |
|
Clerical Off |
1298.0 |
935.9 |
|
Craftsman |
0.0 |
6.5 |
|
Dairy Produce Officer |
10.0 |
4.0 |
|
Deputy Chief Analyst |
3.0 |
2.0 |
|
Deputy Chief Inspector |
2.0 |
1.0 |
|
Deputy Chief Veterinary Off |
4.0 |
4.0 |
|
Deputy Director Vet. Research Labs. |
1.0 |
0.0 |
|
Director Of Laboratories |
0.0 |
1.0 |
|
District Superintendent |
120.6 |
98.6 |
|
Driver Tester |
0.0 |
4.0 |
|
Eng Grade 1 Civil |
0.0 |
3.0 |
|
Engineer Grade 2 Civil |
0.0 |
5.9 |
|
Engineer Grade 3 Civil |
0.0 |
5.0 |
|
Executive Officer |
486.5 |
440.0 |
|
Farm Foreman |
4.0 |
4.0 |
|
Farm Worker |
6.0 |
6.0 |
|
First Asst Solicitor Agric |
3.0 |
2.0 |
|
Forestry Inspector Grade 1 |
5.0 |
4.0 |
|
Forestry Inspector Grade 2 |
12.0 |
12.0 |
|
Forestry Inspector Grade 3 |
19.0 |
16.0 |
|
General Operative |
5.0 |
28.8 |
|
Harbour Constable |
0.0 |
2.0 |
|
Harbour Master |
0.0 |
2.0 |
|
Head Laboratory Attendant |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
Head Services Officer |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
262.9 |
249.6 |
|
Higher Seed Analyst |
3.0 |
2.8 |
|
Industrial Foreman |
0.0 |
5.0 |
|
Inspector & Eng Fishery |
0.0 |
1.0 |
|
Inspector Grade 1 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
Inspector Grade 2 |
19.0 |
5.8 |
|
Laboratory Technician/Analyst |
56.9 |
60.0 |
|
Laboratory Attendant Ag&Mar |
34.0 |
29.0 |
|
Librarian |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
Lorry Driver |
2.0 |
1.5 |
|
Poultry Officer |
7.0 |
4.0 |
|
Principal |
33.0 |
32.0 |
|
Professional Accountant Grade 1 |
2.0 |
1.0 |
|
Quality Manager |
0.0 |
3.0 |
|
Research Officer |
19.0 |
20.4 |
|
Secretarial Assistant (Non Contract) |
4.0 |
2.0 |
|
Secretary General Agriculture |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
Seed Analyst |
13.6 |
12.3 |
|
Senior Auditor |
0.0 |
1.0 |
|
Senior Dairy Produce Officer |
6.0 |
2.0 |
|
Senior Inspector |
17.0 |
12.0 |
|
Senior Laboratory Analyst |
44.9 |
41.9 |
|
Senior Lab Tech Class 1 |
0.8 |
0.0 |
|
Senior Legal Clerk |
1.0 |
0.0 |
|
Senior Research Officer |
15.6 |
9.8 |
|
Senior Seed Analyst |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
Senior Serological Assistant |
2.0 |
1.0 |
|
Senior Superintend Vet Insp |
11.0 |
9.0 |
|
Senior Surveyor |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
Serological Assistant |
32.1 |
30.3 |
|
Services Attendant |
7.0 |
5.0 |
|
Services Officer |
41.8 |
36.5 |
|
Staff Officer |
188.1 |
81.2 |
|
Stockman |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
Superinten Sen Research Off |
4.0 |
4.0 |
|
Superintendent Surveyor |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
Superintending Vet Insp |
53.0 |
47.0 |
|
Supervising Poultry Officer |
1.0 |
0.0 |
|
Supervising Serological Asst |
11.0 |
8.8 |
|
Supervisory Agric Off |
290.3 |
242.5 |
|
Technical Agricultural Off |
658.2 |
472.3 |
|
Technical Grades Level 4 |
0.0 |
5.0 |
|
Temporary Ass. Harbourmaster |
0.0 |
1.0 |
|
Tractor Driver |
10.0 |
10.0 |
|
Veterinary Inspector |
229.9 |
203.5 |
|
4,441.4 |
3,631.7 |
Grant Payments
Michael Lowry
Question:96 Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reasons a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary has not received their single farm payments for the past number of years; the reasons for the delays in making a decision on a case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8100/11]
The person named has been fully paid in respect of applications lodged under the Single Payment Scheme. Applications under the Single Payment Scheme were received from the person named in respect of each of the years 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010, with full payment issuing in respect of each year.
Animal Welfare
John McGuinness
Question:97 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the way individual farmers were made aware of their obligations under the welfare of other animals under statutory management requirement, SMR 18, section 8; if the possible sanctions for non-compliance were outlined and if so, the way individual farmers were informed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8107/11]
Three information booklets on cross-compliance were published and issued to all farmers in early 2005, August 2006 and August 2007. Furthermore a guide to the Single Payment Scheme was published in March 2011 in the Irish Farmers Journal reiterating farmers obligations in relation to cross compliance including Statutory Management Requirement number 18 concerning the protection of animals kept for farming purposes. These guides have detailed the Cross-Compliance requirements under the various EU regulations as well as giving information on inspection controls on farms and the sanctions applicable for non-compliance. Information on Cross Compliance was also provided by the Department at various Single Payment Scheme meetings with farmers.
Article 12 of Council Regulation 73/2009 governing the Single Payment Scheme provides that Member States shall operate a system of advising farmers on land and farm management to be known as "the farm advisory system"(FAS). FAS was first introduced in Council Regulation 1782/2003 with a requirement that the system must be in place by 1 January 2007. The system is to be operated by one or more designated authorities or by private bodies. The advisory activity must cover at least the Statutory Management Requirements (SMRs) and Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition associated with cross-compliance. The regulation also provides that farmers may participate in the system on a voluntary basis and that Member States may determine in accordance with objective criteria the priority categories of farmer that should have access to the FAS.
Ireland has implemented FAS by approving existing Teagasc and Private planners as FAS advisors with effect from 1 January 2007. Training workshops have been arranged for all approved FAS advisors and, with effect from 2009 Agricultural Science graduates who were not REPS planners have been approved as FAS advisors and received appropriate training. In Ireland some 463 Teagasc and Private REPs planning agencies have been designated since 1 January 2007 as approved Farm Advisory System Agencies following their attendance at a series of Cross Compliance Training Courses. A list of these approved agencies is available on the Department's website www.agriculture.gov.ie. A copy of the presentations given at the training courses referred to is available on the above website. The training courses covered compliance with SMR 18 concerning the protection of animals kept for farming purposes.
Personal Debt
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:98 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the consideration she has shown to the recent findings of a study into financial exclusion and over indebtedness in Irish households commissioned by her; and the measures she will take to tackle over-indebtedness. [8097/11]
My Department commissioned the study Financial Exclusion and Over-indebtedness in Ireland from the Economic and Social Research Institute, as part of its remit to monitor poverty under the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2007-2016 . The study uses data specially collected in the 2008 Survey on Income and Living Conditions.
Financial exclusion is a relatively new policy concept in Ireland and reflects the increasing importance of financial services in everyday life. The study explores four dimensions of financial exclusion: access to a bank current account, access to credit, ability to save and access to housing insurance. The study shows that:
20 per cent of Irish households do not have access to a bank current account;
half of households are unable to save;
a quarter of households do not have home insurance;
a tenth of households do not have access to credit; and
low income groups have higher levels of financial exclusion.
Household over-indebtedness was a second theme in this study. Over-indebtedness refers to a persistent inability to meet essential living expenses and debt repayments. Over five per cent of households are over-indebted, while eight per cent have persistent arrears for utility bills, housing payments and personal loans. Low income, rather than high consumption, is the main factor in over-indebtedness, along with a sudden income drop.
Financial exclusion and over-indebtedness are key policy issues in the current economic situation. The Government for National Recovery 2011-2016 proposes a range of measures which can help address these issues including more support for homeowners with distressed mortgages, a strengthened role for the Money Advice and Budgeting Service and a strategy to tackle fuel poverty.
The findings of the research were discussed at a national conference attended by key stakeholders in March 2011. In addition, arrangements have been made to disseminate the findings of the study to all Government Departments with a relevant policy remit, including the Financial Inclusion Steering Committee, convened by the Department of Finance. The research report has been placed in the Oireachtas library and is available on-line at www.pobail.ie, along with a short research briefing in English and Irish.
Community Development
John O'Mahony
Question:99 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when funding will be available for a scheme to support national organisations in the community and voluntary sector under the White Paper; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8016/11]
The Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector commenced in 2008 with the aim of providing multi-annual funding to national organisations which provide coalface services to disadvantaged target groups. The three-year contracts were concluded at the end of 2010.
On 16 December 2010, applications were invited under a new round of funding for the Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector. This new round of funding will replace the previous Scheme and will provide multi-annual funding (subject to funding being available) to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. The closing date for applications was 24 January 2011.
On 2 December 2010, organisations funded under the previous Scheme were offered an extension to their contract until 31 March 2011. In light of the changes currently underway in relation to Departmental functions, I have decided to roll-over the current interim funding for a further month to allow sufficient time for decisions on the allocations under the new scheme to be made. The relevant organisations were informed of this revised timescale on 25 March 2011.
Departmental Staff
Michael Creed
Question:100 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of staff employed directly in her Department in 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2010; if she will provide details regarding the numbers in each Civil Service grade for the same years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8084/11]
As the Deputy will be aware, my Department in its current configuration was established in June 2002. The number of staff (whole time equivalents) employed directly in my Department on 31 December 2005 and 31 December 2010 are set out in the table below. It should be noted that the number of staff employed directly by my Department increased significantly in 2010 following the transfer to my Department of
the Equality, Human Rights and Integration functions from the Department of Justice and Equality; and
the Social Inclusion and Family Policy functions from the Department of Social Protection.
For completeness, I should clarify that the staff numbers reflected in the table below include civil servants employed by my Department and seconded to the Equality Authority, the Equality Tribunal, Oifig an Coimisinéir Teanga and the Office of the Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests for Ireland.
|
Grade |
2005 |
2010 |
|
Secretary General |
1 |
1 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
3 |
4 |
|
Director of Translations |
0 |
1 |
|
Director of Irish |
0 |
1 |
|
Chief Executive |
0 |
1 |
|
Principal Officer |
14 |
23.8 |
|
Legal Adviser |
0 |
1 |
|
Solicitor |
0 |
1.8 |
|
Senior Agriculture Inspector |
1 |
3 |
|
Assistant Principal |
29.8 |
59.1 |
|
Agriculture Inspector |
4 |
1 |
|
Assistant Agriculture Inspector |
3 |
6 |
|
Higher Placenames Officer |
2 |
2 |
|
Chief Placenames Officer |
1 |
1 |
|
Placenames Officer |
2 |
1 |
|
Development Officer |
0 |
1 |
|
Administrative Officer |
5.8 |
10 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
49.3 |
73.4317 |
|
Accountant |
0 |
1 |
|
Executive Officer |
49.2 |
67.1634 |
|
Engineer Grade 1 |
2 |
0 |
|
Engineer Grade 2 |
0 |
1 |
|
Staff Officer |
2.6 |
2.6 |
|
Translator Grade 3 |
0 |
5 |
|
Translator Grade 2 |
0 |
1 |
|
Maoirseoir Tithe (Housing Overseer) |
5 |
3 |
|
Clerical Officer |
56.7 |
83.1817 |
|
Service Officer |
6 |
10 |
|
Cleaner |
0.9 |
0.5122 |
|
Personal Secretary |
1 |
2 |
|
Personal Assistant |
1 |
2 |
|
Special Adviser |
2 |
3 |
|
Civilian Driver |
0 |
2 |
|
Total |
242.3 |
375.589 |
Hospital Waiting Lists
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:101 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons on the waiting list to see each speciality at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin; the average waiting time to see each speciality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7995/11]
As these are service matters, they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Nursing Homes Repayment Scheme
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:102 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of court challenges that have been brought in respect of his refusal to include within the nursing homes repayment scheme those medical cardholders who had to be cared for in private nursing homes because there were no public nursing home beds available; the number of these cases that have been settled; the number still ongoing and the amount that has been spent, to date, in relation to these court challenges. [7997/11]
The Deputy will be aware that the Minister for Health and Children does not have responsibility for deciding which cases are within or without the Health Repayment Scheme. These are matters for the Scheme Administrator and the Appeals Officers as provided for under the terms of the Health Repayment Scheme Act. Those decisions are made in accordance with the criteria decided upon by the Oireachtas and set out in that Act. Approximately 300 cases have been brought against the HSE and the Department of Health and Children concerning people who spent time in private nursing homes. My Department is dealing with this litigation on a case by case basis. The cases are not all identical, the facts differ significantly. My Department is defending these cases in the usual way in accordance with advice we receive from our legal advisers and the Office of the Attorney General. On foot of legal advice and taking into account the individual circumstances, a very small number of cases have been settled on a confidential basis.
Health Services
Finian McGrath
Question:103 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding a placement in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3. [8000/11]
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have referred this question to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Hospital Services
David Stanton
Question:104 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be seen by a rheumatologist consultant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8009/11]
The management of outpatient 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.
Health Services
Jack Wall
Question:105 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children when a child (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive speech and language therapy and occupational therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8025/11]
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have referred this question to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Hospital Services
Michael McGrath
Question:106 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding an outpatient appointment to see an orthopaedic consultant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [8033/11]
The management of outpatient 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.
Olivia Mitchell
Question:107 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if there is an established protocol in public hospitals regarding bringing persons in for surgical procedures on the day preceding surgery. [8044/11]
In recent years, there has been a much-increased emphasis on improved efficiency in acute hospitals. In particular, the focus has been on reducing inpatient care activity levels through the provision of more appropriate service responses, with a shift to day-case care where appropriate, and on performance improvements in inpatient care such as surgery on the day of admission and reducing inappropriate lengths of stay. Specific targets under these headings are included in the HSE's 2011 National Service Plan.
There are significant variations in the acute hospital sector in the extent to which elective patients are admitted on the day of surgery. Developmental work already under way, such as the Elective Surgery and Acute Medicine Programme, is aimed at delivering more clinically appropriate, consistent and cost-effective care, in order to address this and other issues surrounding the patient journey.
Medical Cards
Niall Collins
Question:108 Deputy Niall Collins 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 Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8051/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Proposed Legislation
Terence Flanagan
Question:109 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 367 of 5 April 2011, if he will clarify his response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8057/11]
My Department is developing policy proposals which will provide the basis for Government to approve legislation to give effect to the policy proposals it decides upon.
Hospital Closures
Terence Flanagan
Question:110 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health and Children if the phasing out and closure of St. Luke’s Cancer Hospital, Dublin, is one of the projects he has put on hold pending review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8058/11]
St. Luke's Hospital, which provides only radiation oncology services, was subsumed into the Health Service Executive under the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2010 (No. 18 of 2010). Radiation oncology services will continue at St. Luke's until at least 2015, when further radiation oncology capacity will be available at Beaumont and St. James's. This decision is based on expert advice and is designed to ensure that radiation oncology is integrated with all other aspects of cancer care, including surgery and medical oncology. It is also in line with best international practice.
The existing radiotherapy centre at St. Luke's, plus the new centres at Beaumont and St. James's Hospitals, have together become the St. Luke's Radiation Oncology Network with some staff and resources now transferred from St. Luke's to the new centres. The first patients were seen at Beaumont on 28 March, while St. James's is due to begin seeing patients this month.
In relation to the future use of the St. Luke's site I can confirm that the legislation provides for the future use of the site as a health facility and states that the HSE may not sell or dispose of St. Luke's or any land on the site without my consent.
Health Services
Jack Wall
Question:111 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive an appointment date for a clinic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8081/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Departmental Staff
Michael Creed
Question:112 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of staff employed directly in his Department in 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2010; if he will provide details regarding the numbers in each Civil Service grade for the same years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8091/11]
The total number of staff (whole time equivalents) employed in my Department in the years requested by the Deputy is listed in the following table:
|
Year |
No. of Staff Employed (WTE) |
|
1995 ** |
448.50 |
|
2000 ** |
490.50 |
|
2005 |
641.00 |
|
2010 |
439.83 |
*The figures quoted relate to whole-time equivalents employed at the end of December each year. It includes staff working in the core Department, the Adoption Board, the Office of the Ombudsman for Children, the Disability Appeals Office, the Health Repayment Scheme Appeals Office and the General Register Office and Social Services Inspectorate (where appropriate).
**The figures for 1995 and 2000 do not include staff seconded into the Department.
The following table details the breakdown of staff (whole time equivalents) by grade in respect of 2010. The data for the other years is being collated as far as possible and will be forwarded to the Deputy when available.
|
Grade |
31 December 2010 |
|
Secretary General |
1.00 |
|
Deputy Secretary |
1.00 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
5.00 |
|
Director |
2.00 |
|
Principal Officer |
29.30 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
80.50 |
|
Administrative Officer |
14.30 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
81.73 |
|
Executive Officer |
72.20 |
|
Staff Officer |
10.8317 |
|
Clerical Officer |
80.2317 |
|
Clerical Assistant |
n/a |
|
Clerical Assistant Typist/Data Entry |
n/a |
|
Paper Keeper |
n/a |
|
Services Officer |
9.00 |
|
Head Porter/Porters |
1.00 |
|
Ministerial Staff |
15.00 |
|
Other Miscellaneous Grades |
20.1317 |
|
Seconded in Staff |
16.60 |
|
Total |
439.83 |
Hepatitis C Infection
Terence Flanagan
Question:113 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will respond to correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8098/11]
The Health Amendment Act (HAA) Card is given to men, women and children who contracted Hepatitis C from the administration within the State of blood or blood products. It is not the same as a medical card, a GP visit card or a Drug Payment Scheme card. The HAA Card gives entitlements to additional services, on more flexible terms and conditions than the medical card. The HAA card and the entitlements attached to it are for the lifetime of the cardholder. At this stage some people have been infected for over 30 years. There are currently 1,485 HAA cardholders being provided with services by the HSE. Home support is one of the statutory entitlements under the terms of the Health (Amendment) Act, 1996. Home support is available when required to assist people with normal day-to-day household activities. As the group ages their health care needs will change from home support to home care and then home nursing. To date home support was provided on the basis of a referral letter from a GP or consultant stipulating the number of hours to be provided. Less than half of the eligible cohort are currently in receipt of home care services. Part of the plan around introducing the needs assessments is to check the present and future needs of those who do not presently avail of services in order that the HSE complies with its duty of care to these people.
In many cases the HSE has no details of patients' health status or future home support/home care/home nursing needs. In order to plan for the changing needs of the cohort the HSE has developed an assessment process. The assessments will be carried out by nurses who will have relevant experience and training in the specific needs of those living with hepatitis C and associated conditions. Nurses carrying out the assessments will be assisted by a multi-disciplinary approach, which will involve all aspects of a person's care.
The assessment tool and the manner in which assessments will be carried out are being developed in consultation with the support groups representing the cohort — the Irish Haemophilia Society, Positive Action, Transfusion Positive and the Irish Kidney Association. A set of proposed review guidelines have been developed which will support the introduction of standardised health and social care needs assessments and allow individualised care plans to be established for all HAA cardholders who require home care. The process will identify the specific needs relating to domestic, continual care and nursing care as well as establishing a review plan following the initial assessment. All HAA cardholders will undergo a complete health and social care needs assessment to establish the supports required and old arrangements where a GP/Consultant letter prescribing a number of home support hours will cease.
Consultations have taken place with key stakeholders including the HSE public health nursing service, consultant hepatologists, GPs and my Department. All clinicians strongly support this review and see in the best interests of patients to introduce a more managed care approach to health and social care needs assessments, allowing optimum care to be provided to all.
Certain members of the support groups dispute the need for the assessment and argue that it will change or curtail their entitlements under the Act. On the contrary, the objective of the assessment is to ensure that all patients for whom the HSE has a duty of care are provided with the optimum supports necessary. In order to progress the implementation of the proposed new guidelines, work is ongoing to agree the mechanisms to be put in place to support a standardised multi-disciplinary approach to needs assessment which is in line with existing arrangements throughout the HSE.
Hospital Services
John McGuinness
Question:114 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if an assessment and operation will be arranged as a matter of urgency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny and if the person is entitled to be considered under the National Treatment Purchase Fund. [8108/11]
The management of outpatient 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. In the event that a person is on an in-patient waiting list, and subject to the resources available to it and the overall waiting list situation in the hospital concerned, the National Treatment Purchase Fund may arrange treatment for patients who have been on a surgical waiting list for more than three months.
Sean Fleming
Question:115 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health and Children when a hospital appointment will be arranged in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8122/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Departmental Properties
Gerry Adams
Question:116 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the intentions of the Irish Coastguard in respect of premises (details supplied). [7993/11]
Gerry Adams
Question:117 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Irish Coastguard, Drogheda, County Louth has accepted the site offered to it by Drogheda Borough Council at a location (details supplied); and if it will avail of same. [7994/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 117 together.
Since its inception as a Coast Guard Unit in 2004 the Drogheda Unit has used the facilities at Horse Lane, Drogheda. Before that these same facilities were used by the Drogheda Community Rescue Inshore unit, the forerunner of the present Coast Guard Unit. The location provides immediate access to a slipway. However, by direction of the Council the Horse Lane has been vacated owing to concerns relating to the safety of the building, but this has not prevented continued use of the slipway. At this time the Irish Coast Guard and Drogheda Borough Council are engaged in discussions with the objective of identifying a suitable long term base for the Coast Guard Unit in Drogheda.
International Events
Seán Kenny
Question:118 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of major international events and fairs that will be held here in the years 2011 to 2014. [7992/11]
The following is a list of key international events taking place during the period 2011-2014 which have been brought to the attention of Fáilte Ireland. The list is not exhaustive and is focused on once-off events. The inclusion of any event on this list does not imply that it is in receipt of public funding.
Other important sporting, cultural and trade events take place each year, for example the GAA All-Ireland series, the Six Nations rugby, the Irish Open Golf, St. Patrick's Festival and the National Ploughing Championships. The dates for these events are published annually by the relevant organising body.
|
Name of Event |
Date |
Location |
|
2011 Events |
||
|
Rotary International GB & Irl — 2011 |
Apr-11 |
RDS, Dublin |
|
IGaming Super Show |
May-11 |
RDS, Dublin |
|
TM Forum Management World Conference |
May-11 |
Convention Centre Dublin |
|
European Football Championships (UEFA Europa League Final 2011) |
18 May 2011 |
Aviva Stadium, Dublin |
|
World Hairdressing Conference |
May-11 |
RDS, Dublin |
|
Red Hat Linux Conference |
Jun-11 |
Dublin |
|
The Fireball World Championships, 2011 |
2011 |
Sligo |
|
Navy v Notre Dame 2011 (American Football) |
2 September 2011 |
Aviva Stadium, Dublin |
|
The 2011 Solheim Cup |
23-25 September 2011 |
Killeen Castle, Co. Meath |
|
European Surfing Championships (Eurosurf 2011) |
2011 |
Bundoran, Co. Donegal |
|
Tall Ships 2011 |
2011 |
Waterford |
|
Limerick — European City of Sport 2011 |
2011 |
Limerick |
|
The Singlespeed mountain biking world championships |
2011 |
Ballyhoura, County Limerick 2011 |
|
The ISAF team (sailing) Racing World Championships |
2011 |
Schull, Co. Cork |
|
The WAKO world kick-boxing championships |
2011 |
Dublin |
|
2012 Events |
||
|
Dublin Fire Brigade 150 Celebrations |
28 May-2 June 2012 |
Dublin |
|
Eucharistic Congress |
June 2012 |
Dublin |
|
European City of Science |
2 July 2012 |
Convention Centre Dublin |
|
American Bar Association |
Oct-12 |
Convention Centre Dublin |
|
Tall Ships Race Dublin 2012 |
2012 |
Dublin |
|
Volvo Ocean Race Finale 2012 |
2012 |
Galway |
|
ISAF Youth World Championship 2012 (Sailing) |
2012 |
Dublin |
|
2013 Events |
||
|
International Pharmaceutical Federation Conference |
Aug-13 |
Convention Centre Dublin |
|
Womex — The World Music Expo |
Oct-13 |
Convention Centre Dublin |
|
US Ireland Council 50th Anniversary |
2013 |
TBC |
|
2014 Events |
||
|
World Floral Artists Conference & Exhibition |
Jun-14 |
Dublin |
Tourism Industry
Seán Kenny
Question:119 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps taken to attract additional visitors from the North American and UK markets. [8022/11]
The matter raised is an operational one for Tourism Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's question to the agency for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
Driving Licences
Noel Harrington
Question:120 Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if it is possible for a constituent who has dual citizenship in Ireland and Australia, holds a full driving licence in both countries and commutes regularly between both countries to renew their Irish driving licence without surrendering their Australian driving licence; his plans to review this in view of the higher insurance and car rental costs involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8070/11]
Under the Road Traffic (Recognition of Foreign Driving Licences) Order 2007 (S.I. No. 527 of 2007) Ireland has arrangements for recognition and exchange of driving licences from a number of other jurisdictions, including Australia. It is an accepted principle of these arrangements that a person should not hold two driving licences at the same time. In consequence it is a principle that, where an exchange arrangement is in place, one should hand in the "old" licence to get the licence in the exchange country. When a person comes back to Ireland his/her licence renewal application form will ask if he/she has a licence from another country and, where it is from a country with which we have an exchange arrangement, such as Australia, this must be submitted with the application form for the Irish licence. There are no plans to change this arrangement.
Departmental Staff
Michael Creed
Question:121 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of staff employed directly in his Department in 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2010; if he will provide details regarding the numbers in each Civil Service grade for the same years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8094/11]
The information sought by the Deputy is available from 2002 when the Department of Transport was formed. The total full time staff equivalent in the Department at 31st December each year was 551 in 2002, 511 in 2005 and 495.5 in 2010. The numbers and detail by grade are shown in respect of 2005 and 2010 in the following table.
There were a number of changes within the Department between 2005 and 2010 due to the establishment of the Road Safety Authority and the Railway Safety Commission, which reduced numbers, and the transfer of functions into the Department relating to roads planning and maritime safety, which increased numbers. There were substantial reductions in 2009 and 2010 due primarily to incentivised early retirements, incentivised career break schemes and latterly due to staff redeployment to other Departments.
|
Staff Number at 31 December (Full Time Equivalent) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Grade |
2005 |
2010 |
|
Secretary General |
1 |
1 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
5 |
4 |
|
Principal Officers |
17 |
14.9 |
|
Assistant Principal Officers |
45.5 |
36.63 |
|
Administrative Officers |
7 |
7 |
|
Higher Executive Officers |
58.2 |
72.43 |
|
Executive Officers |
71.43 |
79.56 |
|
Staff Officers |
14.6 |
17.1 |
|
Clerical Officers |
124.78 |
134.56 |
|
Transport officers |
9 |
0 |
|
Ministerial Staff (includes Minister of State staff) |
5 |
7 |
|
Services Officers / Attendants / Storekeeper |
15.8 |
14.3 |
|
Telephonists |
2.3 |
2.03 |
|
Chief Aeronautical Officer |
1 |
1 |
|
Aeronautical Officer Grade I |
2 |
4 |
|
Aeronautical Officer Grade II |
0.5 |
1 |
|
Principal Adviser — Engineer |
1 |
|
|
Engineering Inspector — engineer |
1 |
|
|
Senior Adviser |
1 |
1 |
|
Inspector |
1 |
|
|
Accountant Grade 2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Senior Economist |
1 |
|
|
Legal Advisor |
1 |
|
|
Statistician |
1 |
|
|
Sustainability Adviser |
1 |
|
|
Transport Planner |
1 |
|
|
Staff Engineer |
1 |
1 |
|
Director Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) |
1 |
|
|
Assistant Director IRCG |
1 |
|
|
Chief Engineer |
1 |
|
|
Regional Controller IRCG |
2 |
|
|
Deputy Divisional Controller |
3 |
|
|
Electronics Officer |
3 |
|
|
Engineering & Operations Officer |
1 |
|
|
Radio Officer Grade III |
23 |
|
|
Station Officer |
17 |
|
|
Training & Operations Officer |
4 |
|
|
Coastal Unit Sector Manager |
3 |
|
|
Chief Surveyor |
1 |
|
|
Deputy Chief Surveyor |
1 |
|
|
Marine Radio Surveyor |
1 |
|
|
Surveyor (Officer in charge) |
1 |
|
|
Surveyor |
25 |
|
|
Stagiaire |
1 |
|
|
Chief Railway Inspecting Officer |
1 |
|
|
Principal Railway Inspecting Officer |
1 |
|
|
Senior Railway Inspecting Officer |
2 |
|
|
Railway Inspecting Officer |
1 |
|
|
Senior Vehicle Tester |
1 |
|
|
Taxi Regulator |
1 |
|
|
CEO Designate DTSA |
1 |
|
|
Chief Driver Tester |
1 |
|
|
Supervisor Driver Tester |
9 |
|
|
Driver Tester on Higher Duties Allowance |
1 |
|
|
Driver Tester |
88.63 |
|
|
Contract Driver Tester |
19 |
|
|
TotalL |
510.74 |
495.51 |
Driver Testing Service
Michael McCarthy
Question:122 Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the changes that are planned for the driver theory test, in view of the fact that there are plans to update it later this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8119/11]
Responsibility for setting the driver theory test rests with the Road Safety Authority. The last major review of the questions posed in the driver theory test took place in 2006 and I understand the Road Safety Authority has decided that it is now timely to carry out a review of the question bank to update the questions in light of changes and experience in the interim.
Departmental Bodies
Kevin Humphreys
Question:123 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a list of those who comprise the governing board of Railway Safety Commission; the remuneration provided to each board member; the date on which each board member was appointed; the amount of funding from the State received by the Railway Safety Commission in the last financial year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8125/11]
The Railway Safety Commission (RSC) was established on 1 January 2006, under the Railway Safety Act 2005, as the independent regulatory agency charged with oversight of the safety of all railway activities in the State. The RSC has no governing board. However, Section 81 and 82 of the Railway Safety Act 2005 requires the Minister to establish by order a Railway Safety Advisory Council (RSAC), to consider issues relevant to railway safety and to make recommendations as appropriate to the Minister or to the RSC.
The members of the Council are as follows:—
|
Board Member |
Date Appointed |
|
John Power (Chairperson) |
15/11/2010 |
|
Audrey Bradley |
15/06/2010 |
|
Marie Butler |
15/06/2010 |
|
Peter Cuff |
15/06/2010 |
|
Mary Dorgan |
15/06/2010 |
|
Kay Doyle |
15/06/2010 |
|
Dermot Dwyer |
15/06/2010 |
|
Phil Lewis Farrell |
15/06/2010 |
|
Maria Kyte |
15/06/2010 |
|
Dermot O’Leary |
15/06/2010 |
|
Peter Rigney |
15/06/2010 |
|
Paul Scully |
15/06/2010 |
|
Pauline Walsh |
15/06/2010 |
|
Vacancy |
The per diem fee payable to the Chair of RSAC is €712.50, subject to an annual limit of €9,262.50. No remuneration was paid to the chairman or indeed any member of the board in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. The RSC received Exchequer funding of €861,000 in 2010.