Martin Ferris
Question:14 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Defence the average cost of deploying the explosive ordnance disposal team on a single occasion. [24531/12]
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].
Question Nos. 1 to 13, inclusive, answered orally.
Defence Forces Expenditure
Primary responsibility for the maintenance of law and order rests with An Garda Síochána. Pursuant to their role in rendering aid to the civil power, the Defence Forces have a number of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams on call, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to respond to requests received from An Garda Síochána for assistance in dealing with a suspect device or for the removal of old ordnance. The cost of individual callouts are not recorded separately as each deployment is different and this does not lend itself to providing average costs due to the unpredictable nature and location of each call-out. However, some of the associated costs involved would include the salary and allowances that are payable to the team, the cost of fuel for the distance travelled by the vehicles despatched to and from the location of the incident, and the cost of any ordnance that has to be used to dispose of the device.
Defence Forces Training
Martin Ferris
Question:15 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Defence his plans to increase training on military vehicle safety in view of the high level of compensation paid out by his Department arising from accidents involving Defence Force vehicles. [24530/12]
Vehicle safety training, as with all military training is reviewed and updated on a regular basis. The current Defence Forces Driver Training Policy Instruction was first issued in 2006 and last updated in 2011. It is a comprehensive instruction covering all aspects of driver training. The aim of this instruction is to apply a safe, suitable and flexible system of driver training which suits the Defence Forces operational needs while maintaining and improving current high driving standards.
I am advised that the issue of safety is constantly addressed across the range of driver training syllabi currently in use within the Defence Forces. Modularised sections within each syllabus contain health and safety briefs together with the necessary safety equipment to be used specific to the vehicle in question. Reference documentation relating to health and safety is also listed on each syllabus and discussed during lectures and in practical training sessions.
The Defence Forces has introduced re-currency training for all driver instructors and driver testers and such training is conducted annually in the Transport School, Defence Forces Training Centre (DFTC). The training brings attendees up to date with best practice and latest information on driver training, specialist vehicles, etc., together with information on legislation and licensing within the Defence Forces and in the civilian domain. By way of example, a recent re-currency seminar in the DFTC received presentations from the Road Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána. Driver testers and instructors are required to undergo such training biennially.
While the focus to date has been on the roll-out of re-currency training for driver testers and instructors, it is also intended that similar training for all drivers will be conducted in each Brigade/Formation. As with testers and instructors, individual drivers will also be required to undergo such training biennially.
On the issue of vehicle safety, a Vehicle Technical Monitoring System (VTMS) was installed on the Defence Forces Fleet of eighty MOWAG armoured personnel carriers in May 2011.This system is expected to help improve driver behaviour including a reduction in vehicle speed. The system can provide accurate real-time data in the event of a road traffic accident. In the event of a road traffic accident involving a vehicle fitted with the VTMS, all driver behaviour prior to the accident can be reviewed. This can help to establish an accurate and true chain of events and provides the Defence Forces with a strong base of information in the investigation of any such accident.
Defence Forces Strength
Billy Kelleher
Question:16 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps, respectively, intend to hire in 2012; the estimated total number of personnel Army, Navy and Air Corps intend to hire by the end of 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24568/12]
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:25 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Defence the current recruitment process for 500 new Defence Forces personnel; the number of these new personnel that will be allocated across the Army, Navy and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24404/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 25 together.
The Government has decided to accept my recommendation that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force will be maintained at 9,500. I believe that this is the optimum strength required to fulfil all roles currently assigned by Government.
The Military Authorities have advised that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 30 April, 2012 the latest date for which details are available, was 8,885 comprising 7,181 Army, 759 Air Corps and 945 Naval Service.
As the Permanent Defence Force is currently below the agreed serving cadre there will be an intake in 2012, of approximately 600 personnel, consisting primarily of the phased recruitment of General Service Recruits and an intake of 42 Cadets.
All such recruitment will be achieved within the resource envelope allocated to Defence so as to maintain the Government approved strength of the Permanent Defence Force of 9,500.
There is no decision at this point as to the allocation of new personnel from the current recruitment competition, the closing date of which was 22 April 2012. Ultimately the deployment of these personnel will be in line with operational requirements. It is planned to assign recruits to the Army and Naval Service, as currently there are no general service vacancies in the Air Corps.
Military Archives
Michael Moynihan
Question:17 Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Defence his plans to develop the military achives; his plans to digitise the offline records by the archive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24582/12]
The Military Archives are located in Cathal Brugha Barracks, Rathmines, Dublin 6. The Military Archives is the designated place of deposit for the records of the Department of Defence, the Defence Forces and the Army Pensions Board under the terms of the National Archives Act 1986. Archives are held there and, because of space constraints, in other locations. The function of the Military Archives is to collect, preserve and make available material relating to the history of the development of the Defence Forces from the formation of the Irish Volunteers in November 1913 up to the present day, inclusive of Defence Forces' overseas service with the United Nations from 1958. The Archives also hold the Bureau of Military History collection.
The digitisation of records is an ongoing process in the Military Archives. Collections digitised so far include a collection of maps, plans and drawings of various posts and barracks around the country. The digitisation of the collection known as the Bureau of Military History is currently under way.
Additionally, a Military Service Pensions Archive project is underway to process approximately 300,000 military service pension files covering the Easter 1916 Rising, the War of Independence and the Civil War. The purpose of this project is to make the records for this period available to the public and to historians in time for the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Rising in 2016. This is a principal project of the Government centenary commemoration programme.
The requirement for a more suitable home for the Military Archives has been recognised for some time. The long-term accommodation for the Military Archives is being reviewed in the context of the Government Centenary Programme and the Military Service Pensions Archive project.
Defence Forces Expenditure
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:18 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence notwithstanding the ongoing requirement for curtailment of expenditure, if he is satisfied regarding the availability of adequate resources to the Defence Forces to ensure the continued operational efficacy and integrity at home and throughout overseas deployments, current and anticipated with particular reference to the standard and quality of equipment, training and backup services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24491/12]
I am satisfied that the level of resources available to the Defence Forces, including equipment and training resources, enables the Defence Forces to carry out their roles both at home and overseas. The acquisition of new equipment for the Defence Forces remains a focus for me as Minister for Defence. However, it is imperative that the Department and the Defence Forces, similar to all other Government Departments, look to whatever efficiencies we can make. We must take into account the current difficult economic environment. This will determine the overall financial envelope available for the Department for the acquisition of new military equipment and for upgrading and refurbishment programmes over the coming years. The budgetary situation will continue to dictate the level of funding available for new equipment and upgrades in that period. Decisions will be made accordingly on a strictly prioritised basis with a view to maintaining the capability of all roles assigned by Government to the Defence Forces.
The provision allocated in 2012 specifically for the purchase of defensive equipment is €27.5m. This allows for the acquisition of a range of priority defensive equipment such as Force Protection Equipment, Chemical Agent Detection Equipment and the implementation of a Rifle Enhancement Programme for the in-service Steyr Rifle.
A particular focus is maintained in ensuring that modern and effective equipment is available for overseas peace support operations. In this regard, the personal equipment, which the individual soldier has at his/her disposal in Lebanon is second to none and compares very favourably with the equipment in use by other countries.
The provision for 2012 also allows for the acquisition of ammunition types needed to maintain stocks given the training and overseas requirements throughout the year.
I am advised that military training techniques are up to date in all respects. Defence Forces training plans are specifically structured to provide the capabilities needed to execute the roles assigned to them by Government. The challenges of preparing military units for participation in international peace support operations constitute the major dimension of Defence Forces collective training. The primary focus of this training is the attainment of a capability for military interoperability in order to conduct peace support operations to international standards. Training standards in the Defence Forces are constantly benchmarked against best international practice and Defence Forces personnel have full access to the best international training standards available.
Defence Forces Strength
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:19 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if the strength of the Defence Forces remains adequate to meet all eventualities including assisting the civil authorities in dealing with security emergencies, nationally or internationally and or natural disasters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24492/12]
My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capacity of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible. I am satisfied that the Defence Forces have the necessary resources to fulfil all roles that are assigned to them by Government including provision of assistance to the civil authorities in any emergency situations that may arise.
In relation to security, primary responsibility for the maintenance of law and order rests with An Garda Síochána. However, one of the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence (2000) is to provide Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) which, in practice, means to assist An Garda Síochána when requested to do so. A wide variety of military training activities are specifically designed to counter or respond to possible security emergencies and the Defence Forces hold regular coordination and liaison meetings with An Garda Síochána in relation to ATCP issues. Whilst the Defence Forces are not a Principal Response Agency, as defined in the Framework for Major Emergency Management, they will continue to provide the fullest possible assistance to the appropriate Lead Department in the event of a natural disaster or severe weather emergency in Aid to the Civil Authority (ATCA) role under the multi-agency Framework.
The various procedures that are in place, both nationally and locally, were seen to operate very effectively during the Winter of 2010 as the Defence Forces made all assets, resources and capabilities available to the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning and responded to all requests for assistance received from the civil authorities during the periods of severe weather that occurred that Winter.
European Defence Agency
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:20 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide details of any working groups or project teams in which Ireland participates with the European Defence Agency; the costs to the State of participating in each of these; and the number of Defence Force or departmental personnel on secondment to these projects. [24529/12]
Ireland participates in the framework of the European Defence Agency and I, as the Minister for Defence, represent Ireland on the EDA Steering Board along with Defence Ministers of all participating EU Member States. The primary reason for Ireland's interaction and participation in the EDA is to support the development of Defence Forces capabilities for crisis management and international Peace Support Operations. Since its inception, the Agency has made significant progress on many military capability projects and programmes in support of EU crisis management.
As part of the EDA's annual work programme, Ireland participates in project teams and working groups engaged in the ongoing work in various capability development areas that will be of benefit to the Defence Forces. Ireland engages in project teams dealing with improved communication and network systems for use in operations; health and medical support for military operations, and the development of improved Counter-IED (Improvised Explosive Devices) capability to enable military forces operate safely in an environment where such devices are present. From their experience in dealing with Improvised Explosive Devices, the Defence Forces provide technical advice and support to the Agency. In addition, we participate in project teams dealing with Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear protection (CBRN) which is of benefit both nationally and on military missions overseas and; maritime surveillance which will enhance our capabilities in monitoring marine activities and the maritime environment in Ireland.
The four main initiatives that Ireland is currently involved in are:
The Joint Investment Programme on Force Protection (JIP-FP) which was launched by the Agency in 2007.
The Maritime Surveillance Project launched in 2011.
The Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear protection project launched in 2011.
Ireland has taken a lead role in a Naval Training study, involving a group of eleven Member States, launched in 2012.
Ireland does not have any personnel seconded to the Agency. The majority of meetings and working groups are staffed by a departmental official who is assigned to Ireland's Permanent Representation to the EU. Also, the staffing of some project team meetings and working groups are attended by Departmental and Defence Forces personnel from Ireland on an ad hoc basis. No staff within the Defence Organisation work full time on these initiatives. An estimate of the cost to staff a one day meeting in Brussels would be, on average, in the region of €550.00, which would include flights and accommodation, as appropriate.
In order to maximise the opportunities presented from Ireland's participation in the Agency, the Defence Organisation is consulting with Enterprise Ireland who can promote and assist Irish Industry and Research Institution involvement in potential contract opportunities arising from EDA projects and programmes.
Ireland contributes, on an annual basis, to the operational budget of the Agency. The financial commitment of participants to this budget is in accordance with EDA funding principles, based on the gross national income (GNI) key. In 2011 Ireland's contribution was €284,047 and to date in 2012 we have contributed €209,656 to the operational budget.
Defence Forces Personnel
Denis Naughten
Question:21 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Defence the number of staff within the engineering corps of the Permanent Defence Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24405/12]
I am advised by the Military Authorities that the number of personnel in the Permanent Defence Force Corps of Engineers was 313 on 14 May, the latest date for which figures are available. The distribution of these personnel is contained in the table below:
|
Unit |
No. of persons |
|
Total Southern Brigade |
80 |
|
Total Eastern Brigade |
66 |
|
Total Western Brigade |
77 |
|
Total Reserve |
7 |
|
Total Logs Base Curragh |
49 |
|
Total Other |
34 |
|
Overall Total |
313 |
The Corps of Engineers provides engineering and combat support to the Defence Forces in operations at home and abroad. The Corps also provides education and training for operations at home and abroad.
Overseas Missions
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:22 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the recent deployment of Irish military personnel to Syria as unarmed observers in a new UN mission; the number of personnel being deployed; the length of the deployment and the nature of the overall UN mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24403/12]
On 21 April 2012, unanimously adopting resolution 2043 (2012), the United Nations Security Council authorized the establishment, for an initial period of 90 days, of a supervision mission, known as the United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS). The purpose of the mission is to monitor a cessation of armed violence "in all its forms by all parties" in Syria. The new mission is also tasked with monitoring the full implementation of the six-point plan proposed by Joint Special Envoy for the United Nations and the League of Arab States, Mr. Kofi Annan. On 24th April 2012, the Government approved the deployment of up to six members of the Permanent Defence Force as unarmed military observers to UNSMIS, in response to a request from the United Nations. Six Defence Forces personnel were deployed to the mission area on 11 May 2012. The role of the Irish personnel is to observe and report on the security situation, and any transgressions of the ceasefire agreement and the implementation of the six-point plan.
The UN mission will comprise an initial deployment of up to 300 military observers, under the command of a Chief Military Observer, with an appropriate civilian component as required by the mission to fulfil its mandate. It is estimated that all 300 observers will be on the ground by the end of this month.
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Question:23 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Defence if he has had any talks regarding the deployment of the Austro-German EU battlegroup. [24526/12]
Ireland is committed to participation in the Austro-German led Battle group, which will be on stand-by for the second six (6) months of 2012. In 2010, the then Government approved Ireland's participation in this Battle group. The other members of the Austro-German Battle group are Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, Croatia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). Our contribution will be a Reconnaissance Company together with staff posts at both the Operational and Force headquarters amounting to approximately 175 personnel. Leading up to and during the standby period one officer has been deployed to the Battle group Headquarters in Ulm, Germany. This officer is engaged in training and planning activities. Any decision by Ireland to participate in a specific Battle group operation is subject to our national sovereign decision-making procedures —"Triple Lock", i.e. UN mandate, Government and Dáil approval. The issue of Battle group usability and flexibility has been discussed at the EU Defence Ministers meetings I have attended. Also, within the EU itself, a number of committees, including the Political and Security Committee and the EU Military Committee, keep the issue of Battle group response under constant review in consultation with all EU Member States. Any decision to deploy the Austro-German Battle group will continue to be taken by unanimity by the Council of the European Union. As such, Ireland will retain the sovereign right to decide on participation in any crisis management mission involving the Austro/German Battle group.
Defence Forces Deployment
Dessie Ellis
Question:24 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Defence his plans to increase the role of the Defence Forces members in local authority areas in severe weather conditions. [24525/12]
Whilst the Defence Forces are not a Principal Response Agency, as defined in the Framework for Major Emergency Management, they provide assistance in an Aid to the Civil Authority (ATCA) role under the multi-agency Framework. Representation on the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, by both my Department and the Defence Forces, ensures the fullest coordination and cooperation with the appropriate lead Department in the event of an emergency. The Defence Forces are also members of eight Regional Working Groups that have been established under the Framework in order to coordinate the work of the Principal Response Agencies. Furthermore, on an ongoing basis, designated members of the Defence Forces, based around the country, act as Liaison Officers to Local Authorities and I am satisfied that this arrangement works well locally.
The various procedures that are in place, both nationally and locally, were seen to operate very effectively during the Winter of 2010 as the Defence Forces responded to all requests for assistance received from the civil authorities during the period of severe weather which ran from 27 November to 26 December 2010.
During this period, all assets, resources and capabilities of the Defence Forces nationally were made available to the Task Force, and its Inter Agency Coordination Committee, for the purpose of providing assistance where it was not possible for other agencies and organisations to respond.
I believe that the response of the Defence Forces proved to be extremely effective and I am satisfied that the Defence Forces will provide the same level of support if requested should the need arise again.
Question No. 25 answered with Question No. 16.
Question No. 26 answered with Question No. 7.
Foreign Conflicts
Peter Mathews
Question:27 Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans regarding humanitarian assistance in Sudan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24612/12]
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:28 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the situation in Sudan (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24639/12]
Dessie Ellis
Question:32 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the work he is doing to raise the humanitarian needs of the affected population in South Kordofan in general and the Nuba Mountains in particular, the action he is taking to ensure that the EU calls on the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan to comply with their binding obligations under international humanitarian law to allow safe and unhindered access for international humanitarian actors to all civilians and to provide prompt humanitarian assistance to all those in need. [24672/12]
Seán Kyne
Question:34 Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the contribution Ireland is making in the humanitarian relief efforts necessitated by the conflict between various groups in Sudan and newly formed South Sudan; and if Ireland has participated in the attempt to resolve the conflict and assist civilians at both EU and UN levels. [24729/12]
Billy Timmins
Question:36 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the situation in Sudan (details supplied) [24740/12]
Patrick Nulty
Question:37 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that since fighting has broken out between Sudan armed forces and the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement — North in the Nuba mountains in South Kordofan, Sudan, the UN estimates that up to 300,000 people have been severely affected or displaced by the fighting; his views on the need for humanitarian access to civilians affected by the escalation; if he will call on the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan to comply with their binding obligations under international humanitarian law to allow safe and unhindered access for international humanitarian actors to all civilians and to provide prompt humanitarian assistance to all those in need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24741/12]
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:41 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the European Union’s response to the current crisis in South Korodofan in Sudan and the action being taken to ensure that all humanitarian assistance is being made available to the general population in South Kordofan in general and the Nuba Mountains in particular; and if the EU has called on the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan to comply with their binding obligations under international humanitarian law to allow safe and unhindered access for international humanitarian actors to all civilians and to provide prompt humanitarian assistance to all those in need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24780/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 27, 28, 32, 34, 36, 37 and 41 together.
The Government is gravely concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in several areas of Sudan, most notably in the states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile, where an estimated 350,000 civilians have been severely affected by fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Sudanese People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N). In addition to those affected within these two states, some 140,000 refugees have already fled to Ethiopia and South Sudan, while 100,000 more have been displaced as a result of fighting around the disputed border area of Abyei.
Ireland, together with our EU partners is responding to the situation and is supporting efforts to bring an end to the continuing conflict across the border region. We are particularly concerned about the issue of humanitarian access for NGOs and international relief agencies to the areas affected by conflict. We have raised the issue of access at EU level and in other international fora.
In January last, and with Ireland's encouragement, the European Union urged the Government of Sudan to allow safe and unhindered access for international humanitarian workers to all civilians and reiterated its readiness to provide humanitarian assistance to all those in need. The EU also emphasised that the ongoing conflicts in Southern Kordofan, Blue Nile and Darfur remain obstacles to moving forward with the full range of support that the EU would like to provide to Sudan. Last month, the EU called on the Government of Sudan and the SPLM North to engage in an inclusive political process to resolve the conflict in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile.
On 2 May, the United Nations Security Council adopted a Resolution condemning the recent cross-border conflict between Sudan and South Sudan including support to proxy forces and aerial bombardment. The Resolution called on both parties to cease all hostilities within 48 hours of the adoption of the resolution, to withdraw their forces, to activate previously agreed on security mechanisms and to resume negotiations under the auspices of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel.
Despite huge challenges, humanitarian agencies are managing to gain limited access to some vulnerable communities in South Kordofan. Both the World Food Programme (WFP) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) have provided assistance to displaced people and affected host communities. Through Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Government has recently allocated €2 million for the UN-managed Common Humanitarian Funds for both the Republic of Sudan and South Sudan.These funds are being used to help UN agencies target the most critical humanitarian needs across both countries, including in areas beset by conflict and affected by displacement from Blue Nile and South Kordofan.A further €1.22 million has been made available to Irish NGOs for programmes in Sudan and South Sudan under the annual Humanitarian Programme Planning (HPP) funding scheme. We are actively examining the possibility of providing further support as access conditions improve and the needs on the ground become clearer.
The Government will continue to monitor closely the situation in South Kordofan and the Nuba Mountains, and along with our EU partners we will continue to press for unrestricted humanitarian access to affected civilians.
International Election Monitoring Missions
Finian McGrath
Question:29 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 60 of 22 March 2012, the progress made on reviewing the working of the election roster and in preparing proposals on the future membership; and if the existing members will be informed and consulted on possible changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24662/12]
Finian McGrath
Question:30 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of members that have joined or left the Irish overseas election observation panel for each of the past four years; if there is an upper age limit to be a member of the roster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24663/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 30 together.
The Government believes that international election monitoring missions have an important role to play in the promotion of human rights and democracy, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains a roster of observers for election monitoring missions. We aim to ensure that, when requested, Ireland is represented at an appropriate level in international observation missions for elections and constitutional referendums. Irish observers participate primarily in missions organised by the European Union and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), but have also been involved in missions organised by the Council of Europe, the United Nations and the Carter Centre.
There are currently 300 people on the Department's Election Observation Roster. The roster is not open for new members at present, but, given the interest in participation and the need to identify new members with specific skills, especially language skills, I have asked officials to review the working of the roster and to prepare proposals on future membership. This review is nearing conclusion and I will decide on proposals for future membership of the roster in the near future.
There is at present no formal process for leaving the election observation roster, but members can ask to have their membership deactivated. In order to address a shortage of observers with strong language skills, a recruitment drive for French and Spanish speakers was held between 2008 and 2010. Since 2008 there have also been some new members who qualify for inclusion based on their status as public representatives. There is no upper age limit for membership of the roster and observers of all ages participate on missions once they have been certified as fit by their doctor. A full list of the numbers of people who have joined or left the roster between 2008 and 2011 is provided in tabular form below:
|
Year |
Number of new observers joining the roster |
Number of memberships deactivated |
|
2008 |
3 |
1 |
|
2009 |
9 |
|
|
2010 |
5 |
|
|
2011 |
5 |
1 |
Finian McGrath
Question:31 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland will send election observers for the elections due shortly to be held in Serbia and Armenia and if so the number of observers for each election; the selection criteria being used to select observers for each of these elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24664/12]
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains a roster of observers for election monitoring missions. We aim to ensure that, when requested, Ireland is represented at an appropriate level in international observation missions for elections and constitutional referendums. Irish observers participate primarily in missions organised by the European Union and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), but have also been involved in missions organised by the Council of Europe, the United Nations and the Carter Centre. When a request for electoral observation is received, the Department seeks expressions of interest from all observers on the election roster. A list of suitably qualified observers is then drawn up, taking into account the length of time since their last mission as well as any specific criteria for the mission, including country and regional experience and relevant language proficiency, if applicable. Attention is also given to contributing to the OSCE's commitment to achieving a better gender balance on missions, as well as the need for Ireland to increase the number of experienced observers on our roster.
The OSCE decided to send a limited election observation mission, comprising 10 long-term observers, for the Parliamentary elections in Serbia on 6 May. Ireland provided one member of this observation team and she returned to Ireland on 10 May. The first round of the Presidential election coincided with the Parliamentary election on 6 May and the second round of Presidential elections is scheduled to take place in Serbia on 20 May. The OSCE has decided to extend the limited observation mission to cover the second round Presidential election. Ireland has provided one-long term observer to participate in this mission.
A full OSCE election observation mission observed the parliamentary elections in Armenia on 6 May. Ireland provided one long-term observer and seven short-term observers to this mission. The long-term observer returned to Ireland on 14 May and the short-term observers returned on 9 May.
Question No. 32 answered with Question No. 27.
Middle East Peace Process
Clare Daly
Question:33 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will intervene with the Israeli authorities in relation to pushing them to resolve the issues behind the hunger strike of Palestinian prisoners that has been ongoing for weeks. [24699/12]
I refer the Deputy to my answer to Question 157 on 15th May which is set out below:
I have followed closely the hunger strikes undertaken by a large number of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody.
I have stated publicly my view that the widespread use by Israel of administrative detention should cease, and that the punitive conditions imposed on prisoners while Gilad Shalit was in captivity should be ended. EU Missions in the Palestinian territories — including our Mission in Ramallah — made a public statement expressing concern at the hunger strikes and the use of administrative detention last week. Our Embassy in Tel Aviv also conveyed my views directly to the Foreign Ministry. In addition, officials in my Department conveyed to the Israeli Ambassador my view that a solution must be found which will enable the strikes to come to an end without a tragic outcome.
I am very pleased, therefore, by the announcements from both Israeli and Palestinian officials that agreements have been reached on the issues under contention, and that all prisoners have accordingly agreed to end their hunger strikes. Details will emerge in due course, but it is understood that Israel has extensively reviewed the issues raised by the prisoners, and is to reduce its recourse to administrative detention, as well as to make changes in prison conditions, including ending solitary confinement for many prisoners, and permitting family visits from Gaza. The prisoners have for their part made various undertakings. It will be possible at a later stage to assess what long-term changes have been made.
I very much welcome the outcome to this episode. I welcome Israel’s response to the representations made to it and its agreement to what are apparently substantive changes in practice. It is also important to acknowledge the very helpful role played by the Egyptian Government in mediating between the two sides.
Question No. 34 answered with Question No. 27.
Official Engagements
Joanna Tuffy
Question:35 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on his recent visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories including events he attended and any bilateral discussions held during the visit, including in relation to the Israel/Palestinian conflict; if he will confirm that he attended a recent Israeli film festival in Temple Bar, Dublin and that Ireland has ties with both Israel and the Palestinian territories; if he will confirm his policy on Israel and Palestine and that he does not support an artistic boycott of Israel in view of the recently reported decision by Irish band (details supplied) to cancel its concert in Israel following a campaign by boycott campaigners targeted at the band; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24736/12]
I have reported to the House on a number of occasions in relation to my visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories in January. I would refer the Deputy in particular to my reply to Dáil Question No. 101 on 31 January. During the course of my visit in January, I met with a range of political leaders in both Israel and the Palestinian territories, including President Abbas and Prime Minister Netanyahu. My visit enabled me to discuss key political concerns with both Israel and the Palestinian Authority and to reinforce Ireland's excellent bilateral ties with both. Developments in relation to the Middle East peace process have been reviewed regularly by the Foreign Affairs Council and I have contributed actively to these discussions, drawing on the insights gained during my visit.
A major discussion of the Middle East peace process took place at the Foreign Affairs Council this week and important conclusions issued from this. Ireland, with its EU partners, continues to believe strongly that ultimately a resolution to the conflict in the Middle East can come only through a comprehensive, negotiated two state settlement which addresses the Palestinian people's legitimate desire for a viable, contiguous Palestinian state of their own as well as the Israeli people's equally legitimate wish to reside within secure, recognised borders. I believe that such an outcome remains very much in the best interests of both Israel and the Palestinian people and that this week's Foreign Affairs Council discussion and conclusions have contributed in a very positive way to keeping the perspective of a two-State solution both viable and central to current peace efforts.
I have not disguised the serious concerns which Ireland has in this connection about current Israeli Government policies in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territories. However, in my view political differences of this kind should not prevent us from seeking to develop Ireland's relations with Israel in other spheres. I was happy to attend the opening of the Israeli Film Festival in Dublin last November. I made clear on that occasion that the Government does not support cultural or other boycotts against Israel. Irish artists are free to decide for themselves whether or not to engage with Israel. While the Government is firmly opposed to campaigns which seek to impose a cultural boycott on Israel, it is the right of others to take a contrary view. However, I would regard as unacceptable efforts to harass artists with a view to intimidating them from exercising their freedom of choice in relation to engagement with Israel.
Questions Nos. 36 and 37 answered with Question No. 27.
Departmental Expenditure
Niall Collins
Question:38 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will detail, in tabular form, the total photography costs for his Department since coming to office inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24753/12]
The total spend by my Department on photography since March 2011 is €71,501.62. The table below outlines the costs associated with each occasion:
|
Event |
Cost |
|
State Visit of Queen Elizabeth II |
€22,662.70 |
|
Diplomatic Credentials Ceremonies |
€12,117.53 |
|
Official Visit by Chinese Vice President |
€7,321.58 |
|
Expenditure by Missions Abroad* |
€7,114.63 |
|
State Visit of Prince Albert of Monaco |
€6,213.35 |
|
Official Visit to Mozambique, Malawi and Tanzania |
€2,388.30 |
|
Diplomatic Corps New Years Greetings |
€2,015.97 |
|
Global Irish Economic Forum |
€1,923.90 |
|
Inauguration of President Higgins |
€1,817.30 |
|
Launch of Our World Awards, Dublin and Limerick |
€1,268.05 |
|
Africa Ireland Economic Forum |
€1,220.59 |
|
Science for Development Award at BT Young Scientist |
€711.71 |
|
Launch of Commemoration Lecture Series |
€658.82 |
|
Official Visit by Indian Minister |
€569.00 |
|
Launch of the 2010 Irish Aid annual report |
€569.00 |
|
Launch of EU Presidency Logo |
€560.84 |
|
Launch of Africa Day 2011 — Dublin |
€526.35 |
|
Official Farewell for the British Ambassador |
€524.84 |
|
OSCE 5+2 Conference |
€417.76 |
|
Official Visit by US Congressional Delegation |
€388.62 |
|
Launch of Certificate of Irish Heritage |
€296.23 |
|
Irish Aid Fellowship Annual Meeting |
€119.55 |
|
Official Visit to Korea/Japan |
€95.00 |
|
Total |
€71,501.62 |
*It was not possible in the time available to provide a detailed breakdown.
My Department only utilises the services of official photographic agencies where it is warranted, in particular, for major events and State occasions. This is a service which my Department provides so that the media can easily and freely avail of photography for important events where their own staff photographers cannot be fully accommodated. As the table indicates there were a significant number of such events in 2011. In September 2011, my Department led a collaborative advertised tender process for the procurement of a multi-supplier competitive framework of photographic service providers. This is now available for use by all Government Departments. Details of the new framework arrangements are posted on the National Procurement Service website: www.procurement.ie/suppliers/contracts/1298. The purpose of this framework is to ensure Departments’ compliance with EU procurement rules and to ensure value for money by having a competitive process for photographic assignments.
IFSC Clearing House Group
Kevin Humphreys
Question:39 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he or a representative of his Department sits at the meetings of the IFSC Clearing House Group; if he is provided with copies of material submitted for discussion; if he receives copies of minutes, reports, recommendations or policy outcomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24761/12]
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is not a member of the IFSC clearing house group and does not, as a matter of course, attend its meetings or receive copies of material relating to its activities. Occasionally however, representatives from my Department participate in meetings at the specific request of the IFSC Clearing House Group, when a relevant item arises. I might also add that my Department and the Embassy network work closely with the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Finance and the State Agencies to support the promotion of Ireland as a leading location for financial services. Our Embassies are in a position to raise matters of concern to Ireland's international financial services industry abroad and they regularly assist the work of IFSC Ireland and others in the sector.
Diplomatic Representation
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:40 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on issues raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24779/12]
As the Deputy will be aware, my Department offered all possible assistance in this case, through our Embassy in Paris and the Consular Assistance section in Dublin, during this person's detention in France. This person and his family have been advised on several occasions over the past number of months of the necessity to engage the services of a lawyer in order to follow up on the issues outlined. The Embassy of Ireland in Paris has provided a list of English-speaking lawyers to this person's family. The Deputy may also wish to note that this person was released from custody in France in November 2010.
Question No. 41 answered with Question No. 27.
Diplomatic Representation
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:42 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans regarding our embassy to the Vatican; when this embassy will be reopened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24812/12]
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:43 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade with regard to the embassy to the Holy See, if he believes that this is a cost saving measure; the amount of money that will actually be saved in a 12 month period by its closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24813/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 43 together.
The Government's decision to close Ireland's resident Embassy to the Holy See was taken with the greatest regret and reluctance. It was driven by economic factors deriving from our need to cut public expenditure and focus the modest resources of our diplomatic service on economic recovery. The logic for closure was based on the fact that the Embassy was not involved in consular services or trade promotion and that essential issues of Church-State relations could be handled relatively well by a non-resident Ambassador.
The Government nominated the Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. David Cooney, as non-resident Ambassador to the Holy See. His nomination was accepted, and Mr. Cooney presented his credentials to Pope Benedict on 4 May 2012. Net savings in respect of the closure of the resident Embassy to the Holy See are estimated at €400,000 this year and €845,000 in 2013. These projections take into consideration the relocation of the offices of the Embassy to Italy and the residence of the Ambassador to Italy to the state-owned Villa Spada. It is expected that the transfer will be completed during the course of the present year and that the full year rental savings, amounting to €445,000, will be realised in 2013. As I have previously stated in this House, the decision to close the resident Embassy to the Holy See will not be reversed in the immediate term. However, as the economic situation improves, and in the context of the regular review of our diplomatic network, it may be possible to revisit the matter at some time in the future.
National Asset Management Agency
Patrick Nulty
Question:44 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Finance the value of loans owed by a prominent property developer (details supplied) to the National Asset Management Agency; the values of assets held by the developer and available for their benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24681/12]
Under Section 99 of the National Asset Management Agency Act 2009, NAMA and the NAMA group companies are bound by all of the obligations, including that of client confidentiality which relates to any asset acquired from a participating institution. Consequently it is not possible for NAMA to share that information with me or with the House.
European Investment Bank
Michael McGrath
Question:45 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number and total value of all financing operations undertaken by the European Investment Bank in Ireland in each of the past four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24721/12]
According to the Annual Reports of the European Investment Bank (EIB), the Bank signed three finance contracts with Irish entities in 2008 with a total value of €450 million, six contracts in 2009 with a total value of €1.02 billion, two contracts in 2010 with a total value of €241 million, and three contracts in 2011 with a total value of €475 million.
National Asset Management Agency
Michael McGrath
Question:46 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which the National Asset Management Agency has considered using real estate investment trusts as a means of maximising the return to the State from its investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24722/12]
The National Asset Management Agency has been generally positive in their comments on the subject of REITs and their potential to be used as a tool in achieving NAMA's goals. Although I considered a number of options before the Budget, including the introduction of a REIT structure, I decided to take a different approach to facilitating investment in the property market. I reduced the rate of Stamp Duty on non-residential property from 6% (in most cases) to 2%, and introduced a relief from Capital Gains Tax for property purchased within the "incentive period" between 7 December 2011 and 31 December 2013, where that property is retained for at least seven years. These measures are intended to promote investment and employment in property and related sectors. The possibility of introducing a REIT structure will be kept under review in light of the performance of the property market after the recent changes.
Departmental Staff
Michael McGrath
Question:47 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether the current staffing level in his Department is adequate to fulfil its strategic objectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24723/12]
During 2012 and 2013, this Department will actively engage in a threefold action plan to meet its strategic objectives:
This will firstly involve training our existing teams so that they can develop greater technical, management and leadership skills necessary to the challenge. Using the performance management evaluation system, we will review our staff and identify any skills which need enhancing so as to use the training resources most effectively.
We will challenge and acknowledge the efforts of our key performing staff by further developing their skills and add to the value they contribute to the Department.
In parallel, we will be adding to our teams to supplement our skills base where gaps are identified. This will also be necessary for succession planning for the work of future generations of our department.
The addition of any new staff will occur through a combination of employment via open competition and the secondment of staff from other areas of the Civil/Public Service and private sector.
EU Funding
Michael McGrath
Question:48 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his views on the feasibility of a European wide stimulus package; the manner in which this would be funded; the impact on the public finances in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24724/12]
I would point out that fiscal sustainability and measures to promote economic growth are not necessarily incompatible. In this context, the Taoiseach has consistently sought to have growth moved up the European agenda. My view is that measures to boost the economic growth rate can play an important role in addressing the current crisis in the EU. In fact, implementing policies to boost growth in the euro area is one of the key parts of the ‘five-point strategy' to tackle the crisis agreed by the euro area Heads of State or Government last October. Implementing structural reforms can have a positive effect in terms of boosting the rate of growth in many Member States and my view is that these should be implemented without delay.
In addition, there are calls in some quarters for fiscal measures to stimulate growth in the short term. A number of considerations arise in this regard. For instance, for those Member States subject to market pressures, it is clear that these have little, if any, room for budgetary manoeuvre. It goes without saying, however, that consolidation in these Member States should be pursued in a manner which is as growth-friendly as possible. It is also important to bear in mind that additional public sector borrowing designed to stimulate the economy in the short-term could increase public indebtedness and may well act as a restraint on medium term economic growth, thus having a counter-productive impact.
Having said this, borrowing at a reasonable cost — through for instance the European Investment Bank — to fund projects that yield a sufficient rate of return may be justified, and Member States that can afford to pursue such an approach are of course free to do so. Indeed, we are pursuing all options in that regard. It is also worth pointing out that the Government has a public capital programme amounting to €17 billion over the period 2012-2016.
In the case of Ireland we must be particularly conscious of the impact that any fiscal stimulus would have on the public finances. As the deputy will be aware, the Government has secured the approval of the Troika to use a portion of the funds raised from the sale of state assets to support jobs and growth. It is crucial that any such investment yields maximum benefits in terms of boosting the long-term growth of the economy and minimum costs in terms of the impact on the public finances.
VAT Rates
Michael McGrath
Question:49 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he intends to proceed with the imposition of VAT on road tolls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24726/12]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that allowing a person to use a toll road or toll bridge is the provision of a service for VAT purposes that is liable at the standard rate, currently 23%. The application of VAT on such charges is governed by EU law with which Irish VAT law must comply. A European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling on this issue in 2000 meant that Ireland was required to apply VAT at the standard rate on all existing and future roads and bridges which are subject to tolls. The VAT treatment of tolled facilities was amended in the Finance Act 2001 to take account of the court judgment and provide that taxable persons engaged in providing such services account for VAT at the standard rate.
A subsequent ECJ ruling in 2009 provided that the activities of public bodies, in general, are liable to VAT where such activities could lead to something more than negligible distortion of competition. Irish VAT legislation was amended to make such activities liable to VAT from 1 July 2010. Public bodies engaged in the operation of toll roads and toll bridges are liable to charge VAT at the standard rate from 1 July 2010. The Deputy may be referring to recent media commentary in respect of a possible appeal by the National Road Authority in respect of toll roads operated by the NRA. The Revenue Commissioners cannot comment on individual cases.
Government Bonds
Michael McGrath
Question:50 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will give consideration to a proposal relating to the issuance of Government bonds (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24727/12]
Together with the NTMA, my Department is open to proposals relating to the issuance of Government bonds that would allow Ireland to return to the international debt markets in a sustainable manner as soon as possible. Turning to the Deputy's question, I am informed by the NTMA that investors in Irish Government bonds legitimately expect that tax receipts form a substantial part of the revenue stream to meet Ireland's debt obligations as they fall due. Such investors rank "pari passu" (i.e. equally amongst themselves) and would not expect investors in tax backed bonds to be granted a preference in terms of payment obligations, particularly if any significant volume were to be issued.
Furthermore, even if tax backed bonds were to be issued at a lower yield, an increased cost may be demanded from other bond investors who would not have been offered similar terms and who would have to rely on a potentially diminished pool of revenue streams to cover the obligations due to them. Due to current market conditions, investors are reacting very negatively to any perceived or potential future subordination of their claims. The uncertainty caused by the widespread introduction of tax backed bonds could be expected to lead existing investors to reduce their holdings of Irish Government bonds, thus adversely affecting the yields on all new issues of Irish Government debt.
Departmental Expenditure
Niall Collins
Question:51 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Finance if he will detail, in tabular form, the total photography costs for his Department since coming to office inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24752/12]
In response to the Deputy's Question details of the occasions on which photographers were used since coming to office are contained in the following table:
|
Company used |
Details |
Cost € |
|
Maxwell Photography Ltd |
Brian Lenihan — photo required for Minster’s Conference — Engaged on 30th March 2011 |
€424.41 |
|
Maxwell Photography Ltd |
Signing of Taxation agreement with Germany — Engaged on 31st March 2011 |
€400.21 |
|
Maxwell Photography Ltd |
Signing ceremony for Double Taxation Agreement with Switzerland — Minister of State Hayes and Swiss Ambassador- Engaged 26th January 2012 |
€285.05 |
IFSC Clearing House Group
Kevin Humphreys
Question:52 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance the number of the measures present in the Finance Bill 2012 which were either proposed, discussed or requested at meetings of the IFSC Clearing House Group in the preceding year 2011 or in January 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24762/12]
The Strategy for the International Financial Services Industry in Ireland, which was launched by the Taoiseach in July of last year, identifies a competitive and internationally respected tax framework as one of the key foundations for success. The elimination of double taxation is central to the competitiveness of the sector and is the driver for a number of the measures in Finance Act 2012. None of the proposals have a significant cost element and the majority are aimed at simplifying the tax treatment applying to complex financial transactions in order to make it easier to do business in Ireland.
The Finance Act 2012 contains 13 sections to support the international financial services industry to meet the ambitious target of creating 10,000 jobs over the next five years as set out in the IFSC Strategy. Taxation measures in this area tend to be highly technical. In summary, the measures enhance the competitive position of the sector through:
Reducing double taxation in the corporate treasury and aircraft leasing sectors,
Providing clarity around the tax treatment of complex financial transactions in terms of stamp duty in particular,
Addressing tax issues arising for investment funds due to the UCITS (Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities) IV Directive which was implemented on 1 July 2011,
Further easing the administrative burden in relation to non-resident investors in Irish investment funds,
Enhancements to the tax regime for Islamic Finance which was introduced in Finance Act 2010,
Allowing Irish structured finance companies to invest in "forest carbon credits" in order to support the "Green IFSC" initiative.
None of the measures have a significant cost element and the majority are aimed at simplifying the tax treatment applying to complex financial transactions in order to make it easier to do business in Ireland.
Taken together with the more generally applicable Special Assignee Relief Programme and Foreign Earnings Deduction, the measures represent a significant package which will support the competitiveness of the international financial services industry without significant cost to the Exchequer.
Higher Education Grants
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:53 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether farmers' land or farm assets be taken into account when means-testing for college grants in view of the fact that while farmers' land may be an asset they are of no value to the farmer unless they sell; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24783/12]
As the Deputy will be aware, as part of the overall Budget measures announced last December, it was signalled that it is proposed to amend the means test for student grants to take account of the value of certain capital assets as well as income for new applicants from the 2013/14 academic year. A Capital Asset Test implementation group has been convened to develop and bring forward detailed proposals on new means testing arrangements to include the value of assets. This group has met on three occasions and its deliberations are ongoing. I anticipate that the group will report to me by the Summer and will make recommendations on the inclusion or exclusion of various classes of assets.
Any proposals arising from these recommendations will require Government agreement and will also necessitate legislative amendment.
Education Finance Board
Brian Stanley
Question:54 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Skills is his attention has been drawn to the fact that children of survivors of institutional abuse, who have received financial assistance from the Education Finance Board to do year one or two of education courses are being denied funding to complete those courses; and the steps he is taking to rectify this matter. [24618/12]
The Education Finance Board is an independent statutory body established in 1996 pursuant to section 23 of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (Amendment) Act 2005. Funding for the Board has been provided from the €12.7 million contribution provided by the religious congregations under the 2002 Indemnity Agreement specifically earmarked for educational support for former residents and their families. Prior to the establishment of the Board, grants were paid to eligible applicants under an administrative scheme.
The principal functions of the Board are to pay grants in accordance with the provisions of the 2005 Act; determine and publish the criteria for the payment of such grants; provide information in relation to education services for which grants are available.
Grants approved by the Board are in respect of tuition fees and educational assistance for the current academic year. Following its establishment, the Board decided in the case of applicants undertaking multi-annual courses to estimate the costs to completion of the applicant's course and to reserve the lower of the amount of these future costs or the balance of the person's overall grant limit in accordance with the annual and overall limits as set in the Criteria for Awarding Grants of the relevant year.
The level of applications to the Board increased significantly after 2008 and during 2011 it was clear to the Board that its remaining funds would be depleted at an early date. The Board decided that it could continue its policy of reserving funds for subsequent years of multi-annual courses only in the case of applicants to whom grants had already been awarded for the 2010-2011 or previous academic years. Accordingly, since July 2011 new applicants have been advised that their grant approval is a once-off grant with no commitment to any future grant in the case of their application.
The Board advised me last year that it expected that its funds would be fully allocated on applications received by end November, 2011. It publicised that it was not therefore in a position to process any applications received after that date. The Board has a backlog of applications received prior to 30th November, which it is continuing to process until the remaining funds are fully allocated.
Part 4 of the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Bill, 2012 dissolves the Education Finance Board and transfers its functions to the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board in relation to the moneys remaining from the €12.7 million.
The Deputy will also be aware that the proposed Statutory Fund will be in a position to assist eligible former residents to avail of education services. It is expected that some 15,000 former residents, whether living here in Ireland or abroad, will successfully complete the redress process and be eligible to apply for services that they need. I am aware of demands to widen eligibility to include relatives of former residents, including children and grandchildren. However, I believe that having regard to the potential pool of applicants and the maximum funds of €110m that will be available to the Fund, the proposed approach is correct. The question of reviewing the eligibility under the Statutory Fund could, however, be considered following the establishment of the Fund in the event of applications not resulting in a significant expenditure of the Fund.
Schools Building Projects
Brian Stanley
Question:55 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps being taken by him to advance the amalgamation of the boys and girls schools in Ballyroan, County Laois. [24628/12]
The major building project for the schools referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. The Design Team was appointed earlier this month following a tender competition. The Boards of Management will now work with their Design Team to progress the project through the stages of architectural planning.
School building projects currently in architectural planning, including the project referred to by the Deputy, will continue to be advanced incrementally over time within the context of the funding available.
Brian Stanley
Question:56 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Skills is his attention has been drawn to the pressure that the staff and pupils are under in a school (details supplied) in County Laois due to the need for new classrooms; the steps he is taking to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24629/12]
The Major Building Project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The Design Team is currently working on the Stage 2(b) submission (Detailed Design and Preparation of Tender documentation). Planning Permission, Disabled Access and Fire Safety Certification have been secured. The project is included in the recently announced five year construction programme and is scheduled to proceed to construction in 2014/15.
Third Level Fees
Jim Daly
Question:57 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork will only be accepted as an international student at University College Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24637/12]
Under the terms of my Department's Free Fee Scheme the Exchequer meets the cost of tuition fees in respect of eligible students who are pursuing full-time undergraduate courses of study which are a minimum of two years duration in an approved higher education institution. The main conditions of the scheme are that students must be first-time undergraduates, hold inter alia EU/EEA/Swiss nationality in their own right, and have been ordinarily resident in an EU/EEA/Swiss state for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to an approved third level course.
Higher education institutions are autonomous bodies and the criteria governing the level of tuition fees to be charged (EU or Non EU rate), in cases where undergraduate students do not qualify for free fees and in the case of postgraduate study, are determined by the institutions and accordingly I have no role in the matter.
Section 473A, Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, as amended by Section 11 of the Finance Act 2011, provides for tax relief, at the standard rate of tax, for tuition fees paid in respect of approved courses at approved colleges of higher education including certain approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses in E.U. Member States and in non EU countries. Details are available on the Revenue Commissioners' website at www.revenue.ie.
School Expulsions
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Question:58 Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the numbers of second-level students that have been expelled from a school since 2009; the cost to his Department in addressing section 29 appeals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24646/12]
The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) has advised my officials that there were 128 students expelled from second level schools for the 2008/09 school year and that there were 148 students for the following school year. The data for 2010/2011 school year is being finalised by the NEWB.
Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 provides for an appeal by a parent or guardian to the Secretary General of my Department, or in the case of a Vocational Educational Committee (VEC) school to the VEC in the first instance, where a Board of Management of a school, or a person acting on behalf of the Board, refuses to enrol a student in a school, expels a student or suspends a student for 20 or more days in any school year. A Section 29 committee is established for the purposes of hearing and determining an appeal and consists of three persons which includes an Inspector, and two other persons who have the requisite expertise, experience and independence to serve on these committees.
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the cost of the latter two persons is set out in the following table:
|
Calendar Year |
Cost of Hearing Committee* |
Total number of appeals admitted under section 29 to the Department of Education and Skills |
|
2009 |
€393,000 |
390 |
|
2010 |
€305,000 |
369 |
|
2011 |
€276,000 |
367 |
*Cost excludes inspectors, and includes a small percentage of spending relating to room hire for some hearings in instances where rooms at Department of Education and Skills office were unavailable.
The main costs involved in the section 29 process relate to payments to appeal committee members, including travel and subsistence.
Higher Education Grants
Charlie McConalogue
Question:59 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons who were employed nationally in 2011 to assess student grant applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24666/12]
It is estimated that some 170 staff have been involved in the student grants administration function across 66 grant awarding bodies nationwide — 33 VECs and 33 local authorities. The single grant awarding authority, Student Universal Support Ireland, or SUSI, which has been established as a unit of the City of Dublin VEC, will operate with a whole time equivalent staffing of 65, thereby reducing the number of administration staff currently operating the system in the 66 grant awarding bodies significantly once the transition is complete. SUSI will commence operation of the nationwide online grant application system for all new grant applicants for the 2012/13 academic year.
The existing 66 grant awarding bodies will continue to deal with the renewal of applications for their existing grant-holders for the duration of their current courses.
Jerry Buttimer
Question:60 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) in County Cork who is continuing postgraduate study of the same subject can be considered an existing postgraduate student for the purposes of a higher education grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24694/12]
The Deputy will appreciate that in the absence of all of the relevant details that would be contained in an individual's application form and supporting documentation, it would not be possible for me to say whether or not a student should qualify for a grant. However, in the context of the necessary but difficult expenditure reduction measures announced in Budget 2012, students entering new postgraduate courses from the 2012/13 academic year onwards will not be entitled to maintenance payments under the Student Grant Scheme. This would appear to be the situation in the case adverted to by the Deputy. Existing postgraduate students in receipt of a grant for their current course and continuing on the same course in the 2012/13 academic year will not be affected.
Those students who meet the qualifying conditions for the special rate of grant will be eligible to have their post-graduate tuition fees paid up to the maximum fee limit under the Student Grant Scheme. In addition, a further limited number of students who would previously have qualified under the standard grant thresholds will qualify to have a €2,000 contribution made towards the costs of their fees. My Department estimates that this will help an additional 4,000 postgraduate students. There will be a new income threshold for this payment which will be lower than the standard grant threshold.
The income threshold for this level of grant is currently being determined in the context of the formulation of the student grant scheme for the 2012/13 academic year. It is expected that the scheme will be published to coincide with the projected go-live date for the new online grant application system on 28 May 2012.
Special Educational Needs
Michael McGrath
Question:61 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills in the context of various Department circulars dealing with the issue, the protections that are in place for existing special needs assistants when the special education needs organiser and/or the school decide to reduce an existing special needs assistant's hours in order to recruit a new special needs assistant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24697/12]
Special need assistants are employed by the managerial authorities of the individual primary and second level schools or by Vocational Education Committees and not my Department. Special Needs Assistant (SNA) allocations are not permanent, as the level of SNA support allocated to a school may be increased or decreased as pupils who qualify for SNA support enrol or leave a school. They are also decreased where a child's care needs may have diminished over time.
The Board or VEC is the SNAs employer and the terms of employment are subject to the conditions of the contract of employment as laid down by my Department. The recruitment and deployment of SNAs within schools are matters for the individual Principal/Board of Management or VEC. However, where a Board or VEC are obliged to reduce the hours of an existing SNA the conditions governing that are currently set out in Departmental Circulars 58/06 and 59/06.
Schools Building Projects
Seán Kyne
Question:62 Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will identify the three schools that have been approved at Stage 2(b) in the planning process but which have not been included in the five year buildings programme; if he will indicate which schools, not on the list, are considered priority; and if he will outline the way he reaches its decisions when determining priority in terms of the provision of school buildings. [24731/12]
The projects which have completed stage 2(b) which are not on the five year construction programme are Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh, Knocknacarra, Galway Roll Number 19994G, Holy Rosary College, Mountbellew, Galway Roll Number 63090I and St. Raphael's College, Loughrea, Galway Roll Number 63070C.
School building projects currently in architectural planning, including the projects referred to above, were considered in the context of that programme, taking into account the funding available, the availability of sites in the case of new schools and the progression of other major projects required to meet demographic needs. However, due to financial constraints and the need to prioritise projects which will meet the increasing demographic needs over the coming years, it was not possible to include those projects in the 5 year programme.
Departmental Expenditure
Niall Collins
Question:63 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will detail, in tabular form, the total photography costs for his Department since coming to office inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24750/12]
The total photography costs incurred by my Department since 9 March 2011 are €381.15 (€315 + €66.15 VAT). This cost relates to copies of photographs taken of a school project and their use on an A1 display board which was submitted to the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland for the joint RIAI/Department colloquium on school design which was held on June 30th 2011 in Dublin.
There have been no photography costs incurred in relation to my role as Minister for Education and Skills.
Post Leaving Certificate Programme
Dominic Hannigan
Question:64 Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the policy regarding PLC colleges that have students above their student cap who receive both the registration fee from the students and the gross allocation per student from his Department; if they will still continue to receive both; if a policy change in relation to the gross allocation per student been communicated to the PLC colleges with a rationale to the change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24766/12]
Under the Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) programme, my Department covers the cost of teacher salaries and allocates a non-pay grant (enhanced PLC capitation) on the basis of the number of approved PLC places or enrolments, whichever is the lesser.
Budget 2011 provided for the introduction of a €200 annual PLC programme participant contribution, with effect from the 2011/2012 academic year. In February 2011, my Department set out the arrangements that would apply (Circular 13/2011) and confirmed that providers should collect and retain the participant contribution from all eligible participants and make a return to my Department. My Department would then recoup the appropriate sum by setting it against the non-pay capitation grant.
I am aware that some PLC centres charge a "registration fee" to cover exam fees, student charges or course equipment which becomes the property of the learner after completion of the course. Such fees are a matter for individual centres and are not recouped by my Department.
Bullying in Schools
Dominic Hannigan
Question:65 Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if funding will be made available to groups running anti-racist bullying programmes in schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24767/12]
As the Deputy may be aware my Department funds the Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) support service at Post Primary level which includes modules on Anti-Bullying which addresses racist bullying. The SPHE Anti-Bullying Co-ordinator is available to give schools in depth advice and support on issues to do with bullying at their request and in addition runs training courses on positive strategies for managing bullying issues.
The SPHE Whole School Anti-Bullying Support programme addresses racist bullying in a number of ways including giving specific examples of racist bullying in SPHE lessons, identifying unacceptable racist behaviour at SPHE workshops and encouraging schools to include racism as an important topic when organising Friendship Weeks. At Primary level schools are advised that the Strands: "My Friends and Other People" and "Myself and the Wider World" include objectives under which schools can include specific lessons on racism where children learn to be aware of and appreciate the diversity of cultures and people in addition to appreciating the diversity of people or groups within communities and the importance of mutual respect, empathy and understanding.
My Departments Guidelines on Countering Bullying in Primary and Post Primary Schools (1993) require all schools to have an anti bullying policy. It is the responsibility of school management to ensure that the guidelines are followed and if training is required, it is available from the relevant Support Service.
I am satisfied that the SPHE provides adequate support and training to teachers and schools in the area of anti racist bullying and I have no plans to make additional funding available to outside groups.
Special Educational Needs
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:66 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent if any to which the child of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare will be accommodated in any of the adjoining mainstream primary schools in view of the fact that the journey to Trim in County Meath is difficult to organise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24804/12]
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department provides for a range of placement options and supports for schools which have enrolled pupils with special educational needs in order to ensure that, wherever a child is enrolled, s/he will have access to an appropriate education. The enrolment of a child in a school is a matter in the first instance for the parents of the child and the Board of Management of a school. My Department has no role in relation to processing applications for enrolment to schools.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) can assist parents to identify appropriate educational placements for children with special educational needs.
Parents may contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs and to seek assistance in identifying placement options, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) can also assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The NEWB will try to help parents to find a school placement if their child has been unable to secure a school placement to date. The NEWB can be contacted at National Educational Welfare Board, National Headquarters, 16-22 Green Street, Dublin 7 or by telephone at 01-8738700.
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 the Secretary General of my Department. Only where an appeal under Section 29 is upheld, may the Secretary General of my Department direct a school to enrol a pupil.
I can also advise that children are eligible for transport under the Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs where they have special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability in accordance with the designation of high and low incidence disability set out in Department of Education and Skill's (DES) Circular 02/05 and where they are attending the nearest recognised: mainstream school, special class/special school or a unit, that is or can be resourced, to meet their special educational needs.
Schools Building Projects
Brendan Smith
Question:67 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the proposed building project for a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; when the project will proceed to the next stage; the likely timescale for construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24809/12]
The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. A stage 2(b) submission was received from the design team earlier this week and is currently under review.
The project is included in the recently announced five year construction programme and is scheduled to proceed to construction in 2015/2016.
National Partnership Agreement
Eoghan Murphy
Question:68 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on whether it is necessary to review the membership of the implementation body for the Croke Park agreement in order that at least one of the body’s members is from a non-public sector area. [24705/12]
As is customary for industrial relations agreements, the membership of the Implementation Body is drawn from the parties to the Agreement and is specified under paragraph 1.18 of the Agreement which provides that the Body will comprise of an independent chair and nominees by Public Service Management and by the Public Services Committee of ICTU respectively.
Departmental Expenditure
Niall Collins
Question:69 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will detail, in tabular form, the total photography costs for his Department since coming to office inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24757/12]
My Department has not incurred any costs in respect of photography since coming to office.
Freedom of Information
Joanna Tuffy
Question:70 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to reform the Freedom of Information Act in accordance with the commitment contained in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24765/12]
The Deputy will be aware of the significant commitments given in the Programme for Government to restore the Freedom of Information Act, to extend its remit to other public bodies including the administrative side of the Garda Síochána, subject to security exceptions and to extend the Act to ensure that all statutory bodies, and all bodies significantly funded from the public purse, are covered.
To this end my Department is currently engaged in consultation with all other Government Departments in relation to proposals for consideration by the Government in due course to implement appropriately the Programme for Government commitments.
Departmental Expenditure
Niall Collins
Question:71 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will detail, in tabular form, the total photography costs for his Department since coming to office inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24755/12]
I can advise the Deputy that the total cost of photography incurred by my Department since coming into office is €4,055. The list of occasions for which photography was booked, the photographers used and the breakdown of costs is detailed in the table below.
No expenditure for photography was incurred from nisterial allowances.
|
Occasion for which Photographer booked |
Name of Photographer |
Breakdown of costs associated with each occasion |
|
Small Business Advisory Group Launch |
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
€409 |
|
Irish Ambassadors for Female Entrepreneurship |
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
€223 |
|
One llionth Document Filed Online at the Companies Registration Office |
Jason Clarke Photography |
€484 |
|
Ministerial image shot for Repeat use |
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
€245 |
|
Launch of the Final Report of the Sales Law Review Group |
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
€386 |
|
Launch of Research, Prioritisation Report |
Jason Clarke Photography |
€492 |
|
Launch of Action Plan for Jobs |
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
€438 |
|
Action Plan for Jobs Roadshow, Cork |
B.L. macGill Photography |
€200 |
|
Capital Investment Announcement |
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
€284 |
|
Action Plan for Jobs Roadshow, Limerick |
Press22 |
€312 |
|
Launch of the Report of “The Voice of Small Business” |
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
€284 |
|
Action Plan for Jobs Roadshow, Waterford |
Gerry O’Carroll Photography |
€298 |
The Department uses external photographers sparingly and, with a view to keeping costs to a minimum, the Department regularly uses its own facilities and staff to take photographs in-house.
My Department will, in the future, consider also availing of the panel of photography firms recently selected following a procurement process undertaken by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and which is generally available for use by all Departments.
Work Permits
Heather Humphreys
Question:72 Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when an application for a work permit will be processed in respect of person (details supplied) in County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24760/12]
I wish to advise the Deputy that a work permit application in respect of the above named person has been received in my Department. This application is currently being processed and a decision will be made shortly.
Questions No. 73 withdrawn.
Equality Issues
Brian Stanley
Question:74 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps she is taking to address the anomaly faced by those who are transgender and have inconsistent documents, for example, the name and gender on the birth certificate being different to that of their passport or drivers licence. [24630/12]
The Gender Recognition Advisory Group was established in May 2010, to advise on the legislation required to give legal recognition to the acquired gender of transgendered persons. The report of the Group was submitted to Government and published in July 2011. The report set out detailed recommendations for legislation to give recognition, including birth registration, to the acquired gender of transgender people.
The Department is in the process of preparing draft heads of a Bill to recognise the acquired gender of transgendered persons. This, as the Deputy will appreciate, involves complex issues which are taking time to work through.
Rent Supplement
Finian McGrath
Question:75 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding support in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3. [24675/12]
The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The overall aim is to provide short term assistance, and not to act as an alternative to the other social housing schemes operated by the Exchequer. There are approximately 95,000 rent supplement recipients with a forecast outturn of €437 million provided for 2012.
The Department currently funds approximately 40% of the private rented sector so it is essential that State support for rents are kept under review, reflect current market conditions and do not distort the market in a way that could increase rent prices for others, such as low paid workers and students.
The new maximum rent limits came into force on 1 January 2012 and are in line with the most up to date market data available. The emphasis of the rent limit review was to ensure that maximum value for money for tenants and the taxpayer was achieved whilst at the same time ensuring that people on rent supplement are not priced out of the market for private rented accommodation.
The person concerned is in receipt of rent supplement assessed on her current rent of €925 per month. She was advised that the new rent limit appropriate to her family circumstances is €875 per month. As this person has no current lease with her landlord she was advised that her rent supplement would continue based on €935 per month for 13 weeks giving time to renegotiate with her landlord or to seek alternative accommodation at or below the appropriate rate.
Employment Support Services
Tom Fleming
Question:76 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection the uptake for the specific skills long-term scheme 1,000 places to be available on a county basis and the success rate of participants in accessing full-time employment. [24684/12]
Tom Fleming
Question:77 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection the uptake for the specific skills training short-term 5,000 places to be available on a county basis and the success rate of participants in accessing full-time employment. [24685/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 77 together.
The effectiveness of these programmes is under review and as part of that review the geographical distribution and progression of participants will examined and reported upon. This information will be made available to the Deputy when the analysis has been completed.
Disability Allowance
Noel Coonan
Question:78 Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for invalidity allowance appeal will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24693/12]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 12 March 2012. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the appeal in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
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.
Departmental Schemes
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:79 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a Tús supervisor job in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24698/12]
The purpose of Tús is to focus on those people who are long-term unemployed and who may not have engaged in activation activity for some time. For this reason, eligibility for both participatory and supervisory positions on Tús is confined to those on the Live Register for at least 12 months and in receipt of jobseeker's allowance. These provisions are to ensure a targeted approach to those currently affected by long-term on the Live Register by breaking the cycle of unemployment and allowing the person improve their work readiness for return to the labour market.
While I appreciate that this can result in consequences for persons actively seeking work, I must balance this against the opportunities that are reserved for those who are in danger of becoming distant from the labour market. I have no plans to alter the eligibility criteria for Tús.
Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare
Patrick Nulty
Question:80 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection when the report of the advisory group on tax and social welfare in relation to child income supports will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24700/12]
Creating jobs and tackling poverty are two of the key challenges that we face. It is essential that our tax and social protection systems play their part in addressing these issues and ensuring work is worthwhile. To this end, last year I established an Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare with the aim of harnessing expert opinion and experience in order to address a number of specific issues. These include making cost-effective proposals for improving employment incentives and achieving better poverty outcomes, particularly child poverty outcomes. The Group has been asked to examine a number of specific issues and make recommendations on them, including child and family income supports, working age income supports, the appropriate unit of assessment in both the tax and social welfare codes, the interaction of the tax and social welfare codes, issues concerning social insurance for self-employed people and any other issues that may be referred to the Group including the Budget 2012 proposals concerning Disability Allowance and Domiciliary Care Allowance.
The Group's overall method of working is based on producing modular reports on the priority areas identified in the terms of reference. Where possible, the aim is to provide recommendations that can be acted upon in time for the annual budget, estimates and legislative cycle and to allow the Government to best address its commitments under the EU-IMF Programme of Financial Support. Decisions in respect of publishing reports of the Group will be made at the appropriate time.
The Group has recently concluded its examination of the issue of child and family income supports and the Group's report has been submitted to me. The report is currently receiving my consideration and it is my intention to publish the report in due course.
Disability Allowance
John McGuinness
Question:81 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal for disability allowance will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny which went to appeals on 14 January. [24709/12]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 23 November 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office and the case has been referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
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.
Local Employment Services
Joanna Tuffy
Question:82 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to have a local employment service in the Lucan electoral area, that covers Lucan and Palmerstown, Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24718/12]
The Department of Social Protection currently has employment services offices in Ballyfermot, and Clondalkin. These offices can provide a service to job seekers in Lucan and Palmerstown. There are no plans to establish further offices at this time.
Pension Provisions
Jim Daly
Question:83 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on whether 52 weeks is a satisfactory time to wait for a decision on an appeal for a contributory pension in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24720/12]
I advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that in this case the claim to state pension (contributory) was disallowed as the person concerned did not fulfil the statutory contribution conditions for the scheme. The person applied to the Scope section of the Department for a decision regarding the insurability of her employment on the family farm on the basis she was in a business partnership with her spouse in running the farm. A Deciding Officer in Scope section decided that a partnership existed and Class S should be applied to income from this enterprise provided her total reckonable income was €3,174 or more in a year. This ruling applied to the period 6 April 1988 to September 2010 when the person became 66 years of age.
However, on checking the department's records it transpired that there had been no income from the farm between 1988 and 2001, all income declared by her spouse to Revenue was for fishing.
As a result of a further request as to whether a partnership existed in the fishing enterprise it was decided by Scope that a business partnership did not exist and that she was not insurable in this enterprise under the social welfare acts.
This decision is now under appeal and because of the complexity of the issues involved the Appeals Officer has decided to hold an oral hearing in the matter. It is hoped to arrange that hearing shortly and Appeals Office will be in touch with the person with regard to the arrangements as soon as possible.
There has been a very significant increase in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office since 2007 when the intake was 14,070 to 2010 and 2011 when the intake rose to 32,432 and 31,241 respectively and these increases have impacted hugely on the processing times for appeals.
In an effort to reduce the processing times, the Department appointed 12 additional Appeals Officers since between 2010 and 2011. In addition, a further 10 Appeals Officers, formerly employed by the Community Welfare Service (CWS) of the Health Services Executive joined the Office as part of the integration of the CWS appeals services into the Social Welfare Appeals Office. This brought the total number of Appeals Officers to 39. In addition to this, the Office has improved its business processes and IT support.
As a result of these measures, the average waiting time for appeals dealt with by summary decisions in the first quarter of 2012 was 22.4 weeks, and 40.9 weeks for those that required an oral hearing. The comparable times for 2011 were 25 weeks and 52.5 weeks respectively.
I am assured by the Chief Appeals Officer that she is keeping the methods of operation by which the Social Welfare Appeals Office conducts its business under constant review, and that the processes are continuously being enhanced to reduce the backlogs in the Office and, overall, to reduce the processing times for dealing with appeals.
Joanna Tuffy
Question:84 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the pension scheme gratuity payment for community employment supervisors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24744/12]
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to question number 686 on 18 April 2012. The position remains unchanged.
Departmental Expenditure
Niall Collins
Question:85 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will detail, in tabular form, the total photography costs for her Department since coming to office inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24758/12]
Photography services are used, in conjunction with press releases and conferences, to communicate the Department's initiatives, schemes and services to customers and to the regional and national media. Photography services were used on seven occasions since March 2011, as set out in the following table. The total cost was less than €3,100, as detailed in the following tabular statement. I do not draw down any Ministerial Allowances.
The procurement of these photography services is carried out in accordance with national and EU procurement procedures. Since March 2012, the Department has been procuring photography services under the Framework Agreement established by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in February 2012. Full details of the Framework are available on-line via the National Procurement Services contract list at www.procurement.ie.
|
Date |
Company |
Event |
Cost € |
|
29th July 2011 |
Maxwell Photography |
Launch of JobBridge — the National Internship Scheme |
1,035.16 |
|
7th Nov 2011 |
Ark Photography |
Mortgage Arrears Seminar |
254.10 |
|
9th Nov 2011 |
Ark Photography |
Social Inclusion Forum |
254.10 |
|
21st Nov 2011 |
Ark Photography |
2 Social Inclusion Projects |
326.70 |
|
13th Feb 2012 |
Maxwell Photography |
Launch of the Partial Capacity Scheme |
338.25 |
|
23rd Feb 2012 |
Maxwell Photography |
Launch of Pathways to Work |
536.28 |
|
27th Apr 2012 |
Lensmen Photographic Agency |
Opening of a new Community Campus |
280.44 |
|
Total |
3,025.03 |
Pension Provisions
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:86 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will identify, in a 12 month period from December 2011 to December 2012, the amount of the social welfare budget that would be made up of payments for old age pensioners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24785/12]
The Revised Estimates Volume (REV), 2012, provides for the following expenditure on the pensioner programme operated by my Department.
|
Estimate Breakdown |
2012 REV |
|
€’000 |
|
|
Pensions |
|
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
967,100 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
3,759,164 |
|
State Pension (Transition) |
153,897 |
|
Widows’, Widowers’ / Surviving Civil Partners’ Pension (Contributory) |
1,348,680 |
|
Widows’, Widowers’ / Surviving Civil Partners’ Pension (Death Benefit) |
7,440 |
|
Bereavement Grant |
18,700 |
|
Total Pensions |
6,254,981 |
This expenditure represents over 30% of the total expenditure of my Department.
It should be noted that approximately 30% of recipients of Widows', Widowers'/Surviving Civil Partners' Pension (Contributory) and of Widows', Widowers'/Surviving Civil Partners' Pension (Death Benefit) are aged under pension age (66 years of age).
Some pensioners are also entitled to additional benefits such as Free Travel, Fuel Allowance and the Household Benefits package. It is estimated that approximately €384 million of the €626.5 million in total provided for these schemes in 2012 relates to recipients of the pensioners programme.
Rent Supplement
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:87 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when it is intended to offer rent support in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24805/12]
As per reply to Question Number 399 of Tuesday, 24 April, 2012, the person concerned has been consistently informed that an entitlement to rent supplement can only exist when the rent sought has been reduced to the limit for a single person in self-contained accommodation. The necessary documentation has already been provided by the Department to the person concerned in order to facilitate this process.
Social Welfare Appeals
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:88 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to correspondence received by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare in relation to their proposed holiday having particular regard to recent correspondence to the effect that their entitlement for the period 29 June to 22 August 2011 is being investigated for over-payment notwithstanding the fact that all necessary requirements were complied with at the time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24806/12]
The person concerned was notified by telephone on 15 May 2012 that this matter was no longer being investigated and had been resolved to the Department's satisfaction.
Question No. 89 withdrawn.
An Foras Teanga
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:90 D’fhiafraigh Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé i gceist aige moladh a chur ar aghaidh chun na Comhairle Aireachta Thuaidh/Theas maidir le straitéis Uile-Oileáin don Ghaeilge a réiteach agus an bhfuil sé sásta coincheap na straitéise Uile-Éireann a chur ar chlár an chéad chruinnithe eile den Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh/Theas; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [24608/12]
Is áisíneacht de chuid an Fhorais Teanga é Foras na Gaeilge a bunaíodh faoin Acht um Chomhaontú na Breataine-na hÉireann 1999 agus atá freagrach as an nGaeilge a chur chun cinn ar bhonn uile-Éireann. Tá an Foras Teanga freagrach don Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh/Theas agus do na hAirí sna Ranna Urraíochta, is é sin mo Roinn féin agus an Roinn Cultúir, Ealaíon agus Fóillíochta i dTuaisceart Éireann. Sa chomhthéacs sin, tá caidreamh an-mhaith agus comhoibriú leanúnach ann maidir le gnóthaí an Fhorais Teanga agus cur chun cinn na Gaeilge i gcoitinne.
Mar is eol don Teachta, foilsíodh an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030 in 2010 a bhaineann le cur chun cinn na Gaeilge sa dlínse seo. Thóg an Rialtas cinntí polasaí maidir leis na struchtúir fhorfheidhmithe don Straitéis ar an 31 Bealtaine 2011 inar sonraíodh go leanfaidh Foras na Gaeilge ag comhlíonadh a dhualgas i gcomhthéacs uile-oileáin mar áisíneacht den Fhoras Teanga.
Tuigtear dom go bhfuil straitéis don Ghaeilge san áireamh i gClár an Rialtais 2011-2015 de chuid Feidhmeannas Thuaisceart Éireann. Tá curtha in iúl ag an Aire Cultúir, Ealaíon agus Fóillíochta, Carál Ní Chuilín Uasal, MLA, go bhfuil a Roinn ag obair i dtreo straitéis don Ghaeilge a fhorbairt.
Foras na Gaeilge
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:91 D’fhiafraigh Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an mbeidh pobal na Gaeilge i gceannas ar a gclár oibre féin faoin tSamhail Nua Mhaoinithe atá beartaithe ag Foras na Gaeilge, an aithneoidh an tSamhail seo bonneagar reatha na n-eagraíochtaí reatha, an aithneofar sa tSamhail nua rannpháirteachas na gcomhaltaí deonacha agus saineolas na bhfoirne reatha; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [24609/12]
Ní mór dom a mheabhrú don Teachta gurb é Foras na Gaeilge atá i mbun na hoibre seo a bhaineann leis an athbhreithniú ar na heagraíochtaí bunmhaoinithe.
Tuigim ó Fhoras na Gaeilge gurb é an staid reatha maidir leis an bpróiseas seo ná go bhfuil tuarascáil á réiteach don bhord maidir leis na moltaí a tháinig chun cinn le linn an phróisis chomhairliúcháin phoiblí a chríochnaigh ar an 2 Aibreán 2012.
Táthar ag súil go mbeidh tuarascáil chríochnúil Fhoras na Gaeilge faoin bpróiseas comhairliúcháin phoiblí réidh le dul os comhair na Comhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas ag an gcéad chruinniú eile i bhfoirm rannach an Fhorais Teanga ar an 9 Iúil 2012.
Ina dhiaidh sin, beidh Foras na Gaeilge ag déanamh leasuithe ar a gcuid dréachtscéimeanna, de réir mar is gá agus mar is cuí, ag tógáil na moltaíón bpróiseas comhairliúcháin san áireamh agus i gcomhréir le treoir na Comhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas.
Departmental Funding
Micheál Martin
Question:92 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide, in tabular form, a breakdown of funding given to the Curreeny Hedge School, County Tipperary, from 2002-2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24611/12]
I am advised that my Department has found no record of providing direct funding to Curreeny Hedge School in the period referred to. If, however, the Deputy is in a position to provide any additional details, I will be glad to arrange for further enquiries to be made in the matter.
Special Areas of Conservation
Clare Daly
Question:93 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount paid for the 250 acres Bullrush Bog acquired by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. [24640/12]
Clare Daly
Question:94 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the measures he will take to deal with the miles of open drains on the Bullrush Bog, with water gushing out onto the adjoining lands. [24641/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 94 together.
Under the provisions of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations, and the Wildlife Acts, compensation is payable in certain circumstances where existing activities must cease for the conservation of a protected site.
Bulrush, a large-scale commercial peat extraction company, had operations ongoing in Mouds Bog Special Area of Conservation and Nure Bog Natural Heritage Area, two sites nominated for the protection of raised bog habitat. Following proposals in 2002 to designate these sites as Special Areas of Conservation the company was compelled to cease turf-extraction activity within these sites and applied for compensation for the losses that it suffered.
Following protracted negotiations a settlement was reached with Bulrush in December 2011. Under the terms of the settlement, my Department agreed to purchase the Bulrush landholdings in both sites (circa 350 acres) for €150,000. The sale of this land has not yet closed. Compensation amounting to €2.35m was paid for the losses arising from the requirement to cease commercial operations as part of this settlement.
The longer term management of the sites, including restoration, will require existing drainage arrangements, including those on Bulrush lands, to be examined and addressed. It is important that such action be undertaken with careful consideration and planning as it has the potential to impact significantly on surrounding lands. General issues in relation to raised bog restoration will be considered in the proposed national SAC raised bog management plan which my Department and the Peatlands Council will be preparing, as called for in the recent Dáil motion on SAC raised bogs. In this context my Department is committed to ensuring that restoration issues, including drainage, are considered in full consultation with local landowners and stakeholders to ensure the minimum of impact on surrounding landowners.
Road Network
Tom Fleming
Question:95 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will arrange to examine the condition and provide funding to carry out remedial work on the road in Iveragh, Gaeltacht, County Kerry. [24671/12]
The scheme under which my Department provided grant assistance to local authorities for works on Gaeltacht roads was suspended formally last year in light of the limited capital allocation available for capital programmes in the Gaeltacht. It may be noted that my Department has not been in a position in recent years to allocate any significant funding to such programmes. The Deputy will appreciate, therefore, that it is not possible at this time to accept applications or approve funding of the nature referred to in his question.
Departmental Reports
Joanna Tuffy
Question:96 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the implementation of the report Creative Capital — Building Ireland’s Audio Visual Creative Economy including the proposal for him to convene an industry wide consultation for all stakeholders to conclude a new set of industrial relations agreements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24696/12]
The whole area of the development of the Irish audiovisual industry, including industrial relations issues, was examined during the preparation of the Creative Capital Report —Building Ireland’s Audiovisual Creative Economy. The Report was published in July 2011 and an Implementation Committee is at present examining the advancement of its recommendations.
Specifically in relation to industrial relations, I understand that negotiations are ongoing between the relevant parties under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission and it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the matter at this juncture.
Departmental Expenditure
Niall Collins
Question:97 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will detail, in tabular form, the total photography costs for his Department since coming to office inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24746/12]
I assume that the Deputy is referring to costs arising where photographers were engaged by my Department to cover Ministerial or Departmental events.
The following table lists the occasions on which photographers were booked for such events for the period since the establishment of my Department in June 2011 to date, the photographers or photographic companies engaged, and the actual or estimated cost associated with each specific occasion. The total cost amounts to €4,081.52. This includes costs both for the booking of photographers and some general ancillary costs, such as postage, etc, where relevant. In a small number of cases, final invoices are still awaited.
|
Cost incurred by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in relation to the engagement of photographers to cover Ministerial/Departmental events from June 2011 to date |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Occasion |
Photographer |
Cost |
|
Edinburgh Festival Fringe event |
Alastair Devine |
€362.23 |
|
Launch of Introduction of Architectural Heritage of County Galway |
Joe Travers |
€100 |
|
Culture Night, Dublin |
Maxwell Photography |
€599.25 |
|
2011 National Famine Commemoration, Clones |
Philip Fitzpatrick |
€400 |
|
2011 Open House Dublin, Lir Theatre, in conjunction with the Irish Architecture Foundation |
Alice Clancy |
€0.00* |
|
2011 National Famine Conference, Dublin |
Bernie McMahon (Mac Innes Photography) |
€370.87 |
|
Release of White-Tailed Sea Eagles, Killarney National Park |
Valerie O’Sullivan |
€120 |
|
Launch of National Biodiversity Plan, Botanic Gardens, Dublin |
Mac Innes Photography |
€283.75 |
|
British-Irish Council Ministerial Meeting (Minority Languages Sector), Co Donegal |
Tommy Curran |
€80 |
|
Launch of Treaty Online Project, National Archives, Dublin |
Mac Innes Photograhy |
€341.83 |
|
Ballycroy National Park Whaling Exhibition |
Eamonn O’Boyle |
€320 |
|
Official Opening of Burren National Park Information Centre, Corofin |
Nicholas Mac Innes |
€550 |
|
Association of Performing Arts Presenters Conference 2012 event |
Erin Baiano |
€347.89 |
|
Commemoration at Teampallín Bán Famine Graveyard |
Domnick Walsh Photography |
€205.70 |
*Part of a package of two events for the price of one.
The hiring of photographers for Ministerial or Departmental events is dependent on a number of factors. These include the nature of the engagement, the expected level of media interest and the national/regional scope of the subject. At all times, value for money is a critical consideration in the context of the booking of photographers.
Inland Fisheries
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:98 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if Ashlley Lodge, Leenane, Connemara, is one of the State assets being considered for sale; the uses this building is used for; the upkeep and other associated costs with this building each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24680/12]
I have been advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland that Erriff fishery which is associated with Aasleagh Lodge is a very important salmon research facility having unique trapping facilities that facilitates counting and examination of fish without the fish having to be touched by human hand.
The Lodge itself is used for staff training purposes. There is a fisheries field staff base adjacent to the Lodge where staff are based all year around. The general upkeep costs associated with the building including heat, power, telephone maintenance and repair amounted to €12,206 in 2011. The Lodge also provides Bed and Breakfast accommodation during the angling season for visiting anglers and is linked to the fishery and to the sale of permits for salmon angling in the same seasonal period. The building is not among those identified to date for sale by the Government. Annual maintenance programmes are undertaken on the properties at Leenane including Aasleagh Lodge.
Hydraulic Fracturing Policy
Niall Collins
Question:99 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to allow additional preliminary or exploratory licences for fracking following publication of the Environmental Protection Agency report on this matter. [24615/12]
Niall Collins
Question:100 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to commission further reports investigating possible environmental, societal and community effects of fracking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24616/12]
Niall Collins
Question:101 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to publish a green or white paper on fracking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24617/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 to 101, inclusive, together. Last week the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a report of preliminary background research it had commissioned into the environmental aspects of shale gas extraction. This research study was carried out by the University of Aberdeen. The EPA proposes to commission further, more extensive, research on hydraulic fracturing in 2012 and representatives from my Department and the EPA are developing the scope for this study, having regard to the findings of the University of Aberdeen study.
I do not believe that publishing a green or white paper now would be of benefit. Instead I propose a way forward based on obtaining further and more detailed scientific advice, as is envisaged with the proposed second study to be commissioned by the EPA in the coming months. Until the results of that study are available and have been considered, I will not make any decision on any application proposing the use of hydraulic fracturing.
Energy Conservation
Charlie McConalogue
Question:102 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when works will be carried out under the warmer homes scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24636/12]
Better Energy: Warmer Homes delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to households that are vulnerable to energy poverty. The scheme is managed by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and delivered through a range of Community Based Organisations, augmented by a panel of private contractors in order to ensure national coverage.
SEAI is currently in the process of appointing a contractor panel for the delivery of the Better Energy: Warmer Homes Programme. This is subject to EU tendering procedures and it is expected that the panel will be in place and operational in early June. SEAI advise that the individual in question is on the waiting list since December 2011 and once the panel is appointed, the application will be dealt with in rotation. Queries in relation to individual applications are an operational matter for the SEAI and a dedicated hot line can be reached at 1800 250 204. In addition, the SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members, which can be sent to oireachtas@seai.ie and will be dealt with promptly.
Joanna Tuffy
Question:103 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount that was set aside in Budget 2011 for the warmer homes scheme, and of that money, the amount that was taken up in grants applied for by members of the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24714/12]
Better Energy: Warmer Homes delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to households that are vulnerable to energy poverty. The scheme is managed by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and delivered through a range of Community Based Organisations (CBOs), augmented by a panel of private contractors in order to ensure national coverage.
The SEAI has contracts in place with 27 CBOs. An Invitation to Tender was recently published by the SEAI to establish a new panel of private contractors to augment this network. This is subject to EU tendering procedures and it is expected that the panel will be in place and operational in early June. Once these procedures are complied with I have requested the SEAI to be prepared to step up delivery in the second half of the year.
Exchequer funding of €17.148 million has been allocated for Better Energy: Warmer Homes in 2012. Energy efficiency upgrades have been delivered to 1,228 homes under the scheme from the start of the year to 30 April amounting to €1.343 million in funding from the Exchequer. Since commencement of the Programme Energy Efficiency upgrades have been delivered to 81,616 homes amounting to €82.773 million in Exchequer funding. There are currently 10,032 homes on the waiting list and energy efficiency upgrades continue to be provided to households on the list on 31 March. These applicant homes are being retrofitted according to their place on the waiting list.
All new applicants since the end of 2011 have been informed that there will be a change in eligibility criteria. The focus in 2012 is shifting to addressing those households identified as being in extreme energy poverty as a priority; such households typically spend over 20% of their disposable income on energy services. This will ensure that those most in need receive the benefit of energy efficiency measures first. Factors that will be taken into account in reviewing the eligibility criteria include the age of the home, the thermal efficiency of the home, the number and age of occupants, health considerations and household income. This will ensure that those most in need receive the benefit of energy efficiency measures first. The revised eligibility criteria have been agreed by the Inter Departmental Group on Affordable Energy and will be published shortly.
Departmental Expenditure
Niall Collins
Question:104 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will detail, in tabular form, the total photography costs for his Department since coming to office inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24748/12]
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table. The booking of photographers is managed by my Press Office in each case. My Department's policy on photography is that we retain a panel of at least three agencies at all times with a view to selecting the most cost effective option on a case by case basis. I have not used the Ministerial Allowance to date.
|
Pay Date |
Company |
Event Date |
Occasions |
Cost |
|
15/07/2011 |
Maxwell Photography |
13/06/2011 |
Government convenes Next Generational Broadband Taskforce |
340.92 |
|
29/08/2011 |
Maxwell Photography |
27/07/2011 |
Age Action Silver Surfer Launch (pre shoot) |
274.97 |
|
12/10/2011 |
Maxwell Photography |
23/09/2011 |
Minister Rabbitte stock photos available for widespread media use |
409.58 |
|
18/11/2011 |
Maxwell Photography |
24/10/2011 |
Minister Rabbitte welcomes EU Commission Telecoms specialists to Dublin |
552.67 |
|
29/12/2011 |
Fennell Photography |
09/12/2011 |
Cunningham Awards, Geological Survey of Ireland, University Geology Project Competition Awards |
510.75 |
|
16/01/2012 |
Maxwell Photography |
(1) 27/11/11 |
Publication of the Government’s Affordable Energy Strategy |
1,052.70 |
|
(2) 16/11/11 |
Launch of Irish Anti Botnet Website (anti cyber crime initiative) |
|||
|
25/01/2012 |
Jason Clarke Photography |
10/01/2012 |
Launch of Community Outreach Campaign — Digital TV Switchover |
492.00 |
|
23/01/2012 |
Jason Clarke Photography |
13/01/2012 |
Launch of the SMS 112 emergency service |
492.00 |
|
17/02/2012 |
Jason Clarke Photography |
06/02/2012 |
Nationwide rollout of high speed broadband to second level schools |
492.00 |
|
14/03/2012 |
Jason Clarke Photography |
01/03/2012 |
Minister Rabbitte welcomes the 23 Digital Outreach Champions |
492.00 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
02/05/2012 |
Next Generation Broadband Taskforce launch |
485.85 |
|
|
Total |
€5,595.44 |
Motor Taxation
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Question:105 Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views regarding the provision of the option of paying car tax in monthly instalments, at present, payment can be made annually, or in six or three month instalments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24635/12]
There are no plans to introduce a monthly instalment payment option for motor tax. Half-year and quarterly rates of motor tax are at a higher rate than the annual fee to take account of the extra workload for motor tax offices and the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) and the resultant higher administrative and printing costs. In addition reminders are issued on each renewal. Any proposal to introduce a monthly payment option would further increase the workload and costs for motor tax offices and the NVDF and the rates set for monthly vehicle licences would have to reflect that increase.
Redundancy Payments
Billy Timmins
Question:106 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding redundancy payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24738/12]
I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 402, 416, 381 and 382 of 27 March 2012, I am aware of the Labour Court recommendation in the case in question. The position is that neither my Department, nor the former Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs, was the employer of the staff members referred to in the Labour Court recommendation. The individuals were employed by an independent company, limited by guarantee, and had employment contracts with that company. Therefore, any employment matters are solely for the board of the company.
Section 2 (3) of the Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2007, provided that:
"The Minister shall not be, or be deemed to be, an employer, within the meaning of the Terms of Employment (Information) Acts 1994 and 2001 Terms of Employment (Information) Acts 1994 and 2001 , by virtue of the provision of funding to a person or persons under any scheme".
The Department, at the time, supported the company to ensure that statutory redundancy payments were made available having regard to the impact of the job losses incurred as a result of the reduction in programme funding to the company.
Property Taxation
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:107 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason the new property tax report which was to recommend site valuation charges was due for publication at the end of April has not been published; the reason it was deferred; when will it be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24782/12]
An independently chaired Inter-Departmental expert Group has been established to consider the structures and modalities for an equitable valuation based property tax.
The Group will complete its work and make recommendations to me shortly. Following consideration of the Group's recommendations, I will bring proposals to Government on the full property tax as soon as possible. It will then be a matter for the Government to decide on the structure and modalities of the full property tax.
Water Services
Brian Stanley
Question:108 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the charging mechanism that will be used to charge domestic consumers on privately operated group water schemes with supply from public mains. [24624/12]
Brian Stanley
Question:109 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the meter charge that will apply to group water scheme members when the scheme was taken in charge after being upgraded and metered and where the members contributed to the cost of the upgrade. [24625/12]
Brian Stanley
Question:110 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will guarantee the operational subsidy to group water schemes with private sources and also group water schemes connected to public water mains. [24626/12]
Brian Stanley
Question:111 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will guarantee the higher rate of subsidy to privately sourced group water schemes who have entered in to a 20 year design, build and operate contracts with private contractors. [24627/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 to 111, inclusive, together.
Group water schemes supplied from a public supply are generally charged in line with the non-domestic charges set by the relevant local authority. Such group water schemes can opt to be taken-over by the local authority and funding is available under my Department's Rural Water Programme where investment is required in the infrastructure as part of such take-over. As part of the proposed water sector reforms, it is envisaged that Irish Water would, following the eventual transfer of the relevant functions from local authorities in 2017, be responsible for the bulk provision of water to such schemes. In the meantime, local authorities will continue to administer all group water schemes.
Group water schemes supplied from either a private source or a local authority public supply may qualify for a subsidy towards the operational costs of supplying domestic water in respect of each house connected to the scheme. €21.7 million has been provided by my Department this year to cover the costs of the subsidy scheme, including the higher rate of subsidy referred to in the question.
The future approaches to funding of the group water sector in relation to both capital and operational subsidies will be determined by my Department in due course, in consultation with the National Federation of Group Water Schemes, taking account of the needs of the sector and the developments on the funding of public water schemes.
Household Charge
Paschal Donohoe
Question:112 Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 has had their payment for the household charge returned to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24638/12]
The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) is administering the household charge system on a shared service/agency basis for all county and city councils.
Under the legislation, a person may pay the household charge in a single payment of €100 or, if the person elects to pay in instalments, payment can be made in four amounts of €25 by direct debit.
I have made enquiries with the LGMA and I understand that the residential property owner concerned made a declaration and a payment of €25 by cheque which were received by the LGMA on 27 January. The payment and declaration were returned to the person with a letter dated 6 February indicating that he could either complete the direct debit mandate on the declaration form to effect the payment in four instalments or make a payment of €100.
Homelessness Strategy
Patrick Nulty
Question:113 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the funding if any, he draws down from the European Union to tackle homelessness; his plans for applying for funding from the European Union for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24656/12]
Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Jan O’Sullivan): My Department does not currently receive any funding from the European Union to tackle homelessness; however, it will continue to monitor the situation and will seek to avail of funds should the position change in regard to European funding programmes.
Local Authority Staff
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:114 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 102 of 2 May 2012, if he will account for the number of women who occupy senior management positions in local government for the purpose of measurement with regards to gender balance and equal opportunity alone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24660/12]
Information on the number of women who occupy senior management positions in local government is not held by my Department. Local government competitions at senior level are held by the Public Appointments Service in co-operation with my Department and the relevant local authorities, all of which are committed to the highest standards of customer service and comply with equality and other relevant legislation and codes of practice.
Household Charge
Noel Grealish
Question:115 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 125 of 9 May 2012, the reason tenants in local authority accommodation have been specifically excluded from liability for the household charge under section 2(2)(b) of the legislation; the reason buildings vested in a housing authority were specifically included in the legislation; his views that such tenants avail of the local services for which the household charge is levied in the same way as tenants and householders in the private sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24678/12]
The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 and the Local Government (Household Charge) Regulations 2012 provide the legislation underpinning the household charge. Under the legislation, tenants of residential properties, whether in public or in private rented accommodation, are not liable to the household charge. The legislation provides that an owner of a residential property on the liability date of 1 January 2012 is liable to pay the household charge unless otherwise exempted or entitled to claim a waiver.
Section 2(2) of the Act provides that certain buildings are not residential property for the purposes of the legislation. Section 2(2)(b), in particular, provides that a building vested in a Minister of the Government, a housing authority (within the meaning of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992) or the Health Service Executive is not a residential property for the purposes of the Act.
Planning Issues
Michael Moynihan
Question:116 Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the conditions for a landowner to receive permission from his Department to stone bank a river in order to secure it from erosion; the steps involved to take gravel out of a river; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24691/12]
Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Jan O’Sullivan): The question of whether the extraction of gravel from river beds and the insertion of rock armouring of river banks would require planning permission is a matter for the relevant planning authority in the first instance. For example, it would be a matter for the relevant authority to decide whether, in the particular case, the exemption in Class 3, Schedule 2, Part 3 of the 2001 Planning Regulations would apply. This exemption is for:
"Works relating to the construction or maintenance of any gully, drain, pond, trough, pit or culvert, the widening or deepening of watercourses, the removal of obstructions from watercourses and the making or repairing of embankments in connection with any of the foregoing works."
The development is generally not exempted from the requirement to obtain planning permission if it could require an environmental impact assessment, and, since the commencement of amendments to section 4 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 on 21 September 2011, development is also not exempted from planning if it could require appropriate assessment under the Habitats Directive.
In rivers that have been designated as Special Protection Areas or nominated as Special Areas of Conservation, consent should be sought from the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to an activity that has been notified to a landowner as requiring consent, pursuant to the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations.
Such a consent, I understand, may be given by my colleague Minister, provided that he/she is satisfied that the activity may be carried out in a manner which would not have a significant effect on the site concerned, having regard to the purposes for which it was designated.
Further clarity regarding the consent required for a specific proposal to undertake such works should be sought from the relevant planning authority and/or the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Special Amenity Areas
Joanna Tuffy
Question:117 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on his role in relation to the Liffey Valley special amenity area and the need to ensure that the local authorities including Dublin City, Fingal, South Dublin and Kildare County Councils are working together to protect and enhance this amenity; if there are plans to extend this special amenity area through an order by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24716/12]
Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Jan O’Sullivan): A planning authority has power, under section 202(2) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, to make an order declaring an area to be an area of special amenity, where it considers that this should be done by reason of: “(a) its outstanding natural beauty, or (b) its special recreational value, and having regard to any benefits for nature conservation”.
As Minister I have power under section 202(3) of the Act to direct a planning authority to make such an order. Orders must be confirmed by An Bord Pleanála.
I am fully supportive of the protection and enhancement of the Liffey Valley as an amenity. In 2009, my predecessor requested the relevant authorities (South Dublin County Council, Fingal County Council, Dublin City Council and Kildare County Council) to consider the evaluation of lands to be the subject of further Special Amenity Area Orders. Responses were received from these authorities but no decision on issuing a direction or directions was made by my predecessor prior to leaving office.
Given the time that has elapsed since the relevant planning authorities responded I am considering writing to them again to seek their views/intentions in relation to further Special Amenity Area Orders. However I do not propose to issue any directions to the planning authorities concerned at this time. A number of years ago the Office of Public Works commissioned a strategy document Towards a Liffey Valley Park, which set out recommendations for the creation of a process towards the establishment of a park with a management framework for the Liffey Valley area. The matter of the implementation of these recommendations, or similar steps, is one for the local authorities concerned.
Departmental Expenditure
Niall Collins
Question:118 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will detail, in tabular form, the total photography costs for his Department since coming to office inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24751/12]
My Department engaged the services of photographers on three occasions since February 2011. The details of the engagements are set out in the following table:
|
Event |
Cost |
|
Ireland Best Kept Towns ceremony |
€932 |
|
Tidy Towns National Awards ceremony |
€600 |
|
Meeting of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management |
€302 |
My Department's Press Office generally provide photographic services when required.
Litter Pollution
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:119 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the local authorities rule (details supplied), if he will explain the way in which all parties, whether they are on the yes or the no camp, seem to be flouting this law in all counties and there seems to be no repercussions on them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24786/12]
Section 19 (7) of the Litter Pollution Act 1997, as initially enacted, provided that election and referendum posters had to be removed within 7 days following the relevant polling date. Through the Electoral Amendment (No. 2) Act 2009, this provision was amended to also provide for a time limit prior to the polling date, during which election and referendum posters can be displayed. It specifies that election posters may only be erected from the date of the Polling Day Order or 30 days prior to the date of the poll, whichever is the shorter period. The time limit for referendum posters was not restricted to 30 days; such posters may be displayed from the date the Polling Day Order is signed.
Any election or referenda posters in place before or after the stipulated timeframe may be subject to an on-the-spot litter fine of €150. The responsibility for enforcement of this legislation is a matter for the relevant local authority.
There are no specific requirements under the Litter Pollution Acts governing either the number, size, location or positioning of election posters. However, I understand that under section 95(14) of the Road Traffic Act 1961, which falls within the remit of my colleague the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, the erection of posters on directional signs and traffic light poles is an offence, if such posters obscure the visibility of the signs or obstruct the view of public road users so as to render the road dangerous to them.
Building Regulations
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:120 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent, if any, to which home owners whose property contains pyrite have been offered assistance through home bonds possibly enhanced by the insurance federation and or other interests involved in the construction of dwellings thus affected having particular regard to the need to re-establish confidence in the quality and durability of the construction sector and safeguarding the rights of the consumer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24808/12]
I have no function and, consequently, no information in relation to the extent of assistance provided to purchasers of new homes by the companies providing structural guarantees warranties/insurance. However, I understand that the companies have funded remediation works resulting from pyrite damage and one company continues to do so in line with the relevant insurance policy. HomeBond, one of the companies involved, withdrew cover for such work in August 2011. As I have previously stated, I am very disappointed with the stance adopted by HomeBond in withdrawing cover for pyrite related damage to homeowners and I communicated this to the company last year.
I understand that a number of other insurance companies are also involved in funding pyrite related remediation works agreed through mediation or arbitration processes.
I set up the independent Pyrite Panel in September 2011 with the remit of exploring options to address the pyrite problem and I hope to receive its report early next month. I will give careful consideration to any recommendations it may contain in relation to providing mechanisms to address the pyrite problem.
I attach high priority to consumer protection in the area of quality construction of new dwellings. In July 2011, I announced a number of measures to be advanced by my Department and local authorities with a view to improving compliance with, and oversight of, the requirements of the Building Regulations.
In broad terms the measures will involve:
(a) the introduction of mandatory certificates of compliance by builders and designers of buildings confirming that the statutory requirements of the Building Regulations have been met;
(b) the lodgement of drawings at both commencement and completion of construction, demonstrating how the building has been designed and built to comply with all parts of the Building Regulations;
(c) more efficient pooling of building control staff and resources across the local authority sector to ensure more effective oversight of building activity;
(d) standardised approaches and common protocols to ensure nationwide consistency in the administration of building control functions;
(e) better support and further development of the building control function nationwide.
I have recently released, for public consultation, proposed Building Control (Amendment) Regulations which will provide for mandatory certification and the lodgement of drawings as referred to at (a) and (b) above. The draft regulations and an explanatory document to inform the public consultation process are currently available on my Department's website, www.environ.ie. The closing date for submissions in relation to the proposed regulations is 24 May 2012.
The other measures referred to above are being advanced separately by local authorities in consultation with my Department.
Legal Aid Service
Dara Calleary
Question:121 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the waiting times for civil legal aid services from 2007-2012 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24631/12]
The Legal Aid Board is a statutory, independent body in accordance with the Civil Legal Aid Act, 1995. The issue raised by the Deputy is a matter for the Board. However, in order to be helpful to the Deputy I have had enquiries made with the Board. I wish to inform the Deputy that I am advised that the following table sets out details of waiting times for non-prioritised matters at the Legal Aid Board's law centres:
|
(Waiting times shown are as at 31 December for each year, except for 2012 in which case the waiting times provided are as at 30 April) |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Law Centre |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
|
Athlone |
2 |
5 |
4 |
6 |
5 |
7 |
|
Castlebar |
1 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
|
Cavan |
2 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
|
Cork |
||||||
|
Popes Quay |
4 |
5 |
2 |
3 |
7 |
7 |
|
South Mall |
3 |
4 |
5 |
7 |
5 |
7 |
|
Dublin |
||||||
|
Blanchardstown |
4 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
5 |
7 |
|
Clondalkin |
2 |
5 |
6 |
5 |
10 |
12 |
|
Finglas |
1 |
4 |
3 |
5 |
8 |
7 |
|
Gardiner Street |
3 |
3 |
6 |
5 |
6 |
10 |
|
Brunswick St. |
3 |
2 |
5 |
4 |
8 |
7 |
|
Tallaght |
4 |
3 |
3 |
9 |
10 |
9 |
|
Dundalk |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Ennis |
1 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
5 |
7 |
|
Galway |
3 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
6 |
|
Kilkenny |
1 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
7 |
7 |
|
Letterkenny |
2 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
|
Limerick |
1 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
|
Longford |
1 |
2 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
|
Monaghan |
4 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
|
Navan |
3 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
7 |
6 |
|
Nenagh |
3 |
3 |
7 |
7 |
9 |
9 |
|
Newbridge |
2 |
6 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
8 |
|
Portlaoise |
4 |
3 |
3 |
5 |
7 |
8 |
|
Sligo |
3 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
8 |
|
Tralee |
2 |
3 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
|
Tullamore |
2 |
2 |
3 |
6 |
4 |
3 |
|
Waterford |
1 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
6 |
6 |
|
Wexford |
6 |
4 |
9 |
3 |
6 |
4 |
|
Wicklow |
2 |
3 |
8 |
5 |
6 |
9 |
I acknowledge that waiting times have increased since the downturn in the economy and that there has been a significant increase in demand for the Board's services. However, the Board's grant-in-aid for general civil matters, which accounts for the vast majority of its funding, has effectively been maintained for 2012 at its 2011 level. I have also now incorporated the grant for asylum services into the grant-in-aid which should give the Board greater flexibility in using its resources.
I can also inform the Deputy that there are a number of other measures, taken or being taken, which I believe will have a positive impact on persons seeking services from the Board:
The Board has outsourced to private solicitors significantly more work in recent years than it did a number of years ago. There is of course a budgetary constraint on what can be referred and it is not possible to accommodate all of the additional demand through private referral;
As of 1 November 2011, the Board assumed responsibility for the Family Mediation Service (following the enactment of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011). The Board is currently reviewing the operation of the State funded mediation service with a view to achieving synergies with its legal services and better options in terms of resolving family disputes;
The arrangements on foot of which barristers are retained have been in place since 1998 and are currently under review. There will be a level of restructuring of the current arrangements;
The Board is working with individual law centres with a view to trying to deliver greater efficiencies in a number of its centres. It is assisted in this regard by the preparation of a Value for Money Review Report prepared by my Department and the Department of Finance (now the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform); and
The Board has commenced piloting a "triage" service. The objective of the pilot is to ensure that every applicant for services gets to see a solicitor for the purpose of getting early legal advice within a period of one month. It is recognised that those seeking further services will experience a wait, however it is anticipated that an early consultation will benefit the client in terms of signposting actions the client can take themselves and signposting other support service. The pilot has commenced in five of the Board's law centres — Sligo, Nenagh, Cavan, Wicklow and Athlone. It is anticipated that the pilot will commence in the remaining centres shortly.
Legislative Programme
Jim Daly
Question:122 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when he expects the enactment of the Spent Convictions Bill to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24645/12]
I would refer the Deputy to the reply I gave to Parliamentary Question No. 381 on Tuesday last, 15th May 2012. The position remains the same.
Court Procedures
Eric J. Byrne
Question:123 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will outline the way in which court judgments District, Circuit, Central Criminal, High Court, Family Law District and Circuit, CCA and Supreme Court, including sentencing and all other determinations are communicated to the public; if it is envisaged that a database covering all judgments will be established in the spirit of greater transparency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24669/12]
Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service. The delivery of judgments following completion of a court hearing is a matter for the judiciary who are independent in the exercise of their judicial functions, subject only to the Constitution and the law. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that all written reserved judgments made available by judges of the Supreme Court, High Court and Court of Criminal Appeal are published on their website www.courts.ie. In general, Circuit and District Court judges do not deliver written judgments. However, if a Circuit Court judge gives a written reserved judgment this is also published on the Courts Service website. In relation to judgments against a debtor, the Courts Service has indicated that the primary source of judgment information is the Judgments Register maintained by the High Court and this Register is open for inspection on payment of the appropriate fee. There is no provision in law for a public register of judgments in debt cases brought before the Circuit or District courts.
The Deputy may be aware of the Irish Sentencing Information System or "ISIS" which is a publicly accessible resource designed by the judiciary to gather information about the range of sentences and other penalties that have been imposed for particular types of offences across court jurisdictions. I consider this website has the potential in time to be a valuable tool not only members of the judiciary but also for lawyers, researchers and those of us concerned with the needs of victims and their families. I understand that it is proposed to continue to develop this website subject to available resources and that it will be evaluated after it has been operating for some time.
Parole Board
Finian McGrath
Question:124 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the organisational and legal progress that has been made to give effect to his decision to establish a statutory Parole Board; when he expects the new body to be up and operating; if he will outline the relationship he expects this new body to have with the existing interim parole board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24674/12]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 1029 on 18 April, 2012 outlining the position in this regard.
Departmental Agencies
Seán Kyne
Question:125 Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality on foot of the publication regarding the merging of the Irish Human Rights Commission and the Equality Authority, the steps being taken to ensure the independence of the new enhanced entity, to ensure the establishment of a robust legal basis to facilitate effective functioning through ascribed powers and on the implementation of measures to ensure an appropriate balance between the human rights role and the equality role of the new organisation. [24730/12]
I wish to draw the Deputy's attention to my statement when I announced the Government's plan to merge the Human Rights Commission and Equality Authority last October. At that time I stated that the new Human Rights and Equality Commission will unequivocally keep faith with the UN Paris Principles on national human rights institutions. As the Deputy has noted, the Working Group I established to advise me on practical issues in relation to the new body, including its powers and functions and issues in relation to the necessary establishing legislation, has now reported and its Report was published on 20 April 2012. I am currently examining the recommendations made by the Working Group and will bring my proposals in relation to the various recommendations set out in the Report to Government shortly. The Deputy will be able to judge for himself that my legislative proposals will most definitely deliver on my commitment that this merger will strengthen our institutional framework to strengthen human rights and equality when they are published.
Departmental Expenditure
Niall Collins
Question:126 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will detail, in tabular form, the total photography costs for his Department since coming to office inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24756/12]
I can inform the Deputy that photographic services are only used by my Department to mark high profile events and when considered absolutely necessary. Consideration is given at all times to the cost involved and best value for money is always a priority when sourcing such services. In this regard it should be noted that this service was tendered for in May 2011 and Maxwell Photography were awarded the contract as their tender represented the best value for money. The photography costs for my Department since my appointment is set out in tabular form:
|
Occasions for which photographers were booked by the Press Office |
Date |
Company |
Cost |
|
Launch of the Visa Waiver Scheme by The Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, T.D., the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore, T.D., the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter, T.D. and the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar, T.D. |
30 June 2011 |
Maxwell Photography |
€607.42 |
|
Appointment of Deputy Commissioner Noirín O’Sullivan |
22 March 2011 |
Maxwell Photography |
€500.34 |
|
Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter, T.D. and UK Immigration Minister, Damien Green, M.P., sign Joint Statement and the accompanying Memorandum of Understanding on visa data exchange. |
20 December 2011 |
Maxwell Photography |
€526.35 |
|
Conference in Dublin Castle entitled How to Elect More Women? The event was part funded by the European Social Fund (ESF). To promote the event and to comply with the publicity requirements associated with ESF projects, a photographer was booked. |
20 January 2012 |
Maxwell Photography |
€762.29 |
|
Photography service used to mark the historic deployment of civilian immigration officers to Dublin Airport to replace Gardaí. |
1 February 2012 |
Maxwell Photography |
€551.35 |
|
Total Photography Costs to date |
€2,947.75 |
Finally, the Deputy might wish to note that questions concerning Ministerial allowances are solely a matter for the Oireachtas.
Garda Districts
Dominic Hannigan
Question:127 Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of recent organisational changes made by the Garda authorities to the Meath Garda Division, if he will list the Garda districts included in the amended Meath Garda Division; if he will provide a list of the townlands located in each district as well as provide a map illustrating the district boundaries, noting that this information was previously published on the homepage of the Garda website in July 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24763/12]
In accordance with the provisions of the Garda Síochána Acts, proposals to alter the boundaries of a Garda Divisional geographical area are a matter in the first instance for the Garda Commissioner in the context of the Annual Policing Plan. The Garda Policing Plan for 2012 contained the Commissioner's proposals to amalgamate the Garda Districts of Ashbourne and Laytown. I am informed by the Garda authorities that these Garda Districts were merged on 30 April 2012. There were no further boundary changes made within the Meath Garda Division and no other Districts were affected. The Meath Garda Division currently comprises four Districts: Ashbourne, Kells, Navan and Trim. The stations attached to each District within the Meath Division are outlined in the following table:
|
District |
Station |
|
Ashbourne |
Ashbourne |
|
Ashbourne |
Dunboyne |
|
Ashbourne |
Dunshaughlin |
|
Ashbourne |
Duleek |
|
Ashbourne |
Laytown |
|
Kells |
Athboy |
|
Kells |
Crossakeel |
|
Kells |
Kells |
|
Kells |
Oldcastle |
|
Navan |
Navan |
|
Navan |
Nobber |
|
Navan |
Slane |
|
Trim |
Ballivor |
|
Trim |
Enfield |
|
Trim |
Kilmessan |
|
Trim |
Longwood |
|
Trim |
Summerhill |
|
Trim |
Trim |
I am further advised by the Garda authorities that a list of the relevant townlands is not readily available and that currently they have no plans to publish maps of Garda District boundaries.
Equality Issues
Joanna Tuffy
Question:128 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to review equal status legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24764/12]
My Department keeps equal status and employment equality legislation under ongoing review. Particular areas currently being progressed for review are set out as follows.
In a decision issued on 1 March 2011, the European Court of Justice, having reviewed Article 5(2) of Directive 2004/113/EC which enables Member States to maintain an exemption from the rule of unisex premiums and benefits in insurance, determined that this provision of the Directive must be considered to be invalid upon the expiry of an appropriate transitional period, which it set to end on 21 December 2012. I will announce shortly the details of legislation to amendment to the Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2011 to give effect to this decision.
The amalgamation of the Human Rights Commission and the Equality Authority announced by the Government in October of last year will require legislation, which will, inter alia, amend the Equal Status and Employment Equality Acts. I am currently examining the recommendations made by the Working Group I established to advise me on the practical implementation issues of this decision and will bring my proposals in relation to the various recommendations set out in the Report to Government shortly.
The Deputy may also recall my recent statement in the Seanad debate of 2 May on the Private Members' Bill to amend provisions of the Employment Equality Acts concerned with religious ethos in religious, educational and medical institutions. I stated my intention to ask the new Human Rights and Equality Commission to consider the issues that arise in this area and to report on its views and recommendations to the Minister for Education and Skills and myself and to the House. I gave a commitment, once the Commission had reported, to bring forward Government proposals in this area early in the New Year.
Finally, I draw the Deputy's attention to discussions which are ongoing at Council working group level on the proposal published on 7 July 2008 by the European Commission for a Council Directive on implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation in the supply of and access to goods and services, social benefits including social security and health care, and education. The text of the legislative proposal and an information note were provided to the Oireachtas on 5 August 2008. As these discussions are ongoing, it is not yet possible to determine whether and when new EU legislation will emerge for transposition. If and when a text is enacted by the European institutions, the Equal Status Acts will fall to be reviewed to determine whether amendments will be required to give effect to it.
Citizenship Applications
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:129 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding residency/naturalisation entitlement in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24787/12]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 193 of Thursday, 29 March 2012. The position is unchanged since then.
Temporary Release of Prisoners
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:130 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if compassionate release for first communion celebration of a child will be offered in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24788/12]
I am informed by the Irish Prison Service that the person referred to applied for temporary release to attend his niece's first communion in March 2012. The application was refused at that time and no new application has been submitted for consideration. I have also been advised that the person referred to has a current remission date in July 2014 and is serving a sentence for a serious drug offence. There are no plans to consider temporary release at this time.
Residency Permits
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:131 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position and status in respect of residency/potential naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24789/12]
The person concerned was granted temporary permission to remain in the State in 2001, under the arrangements then in place for the non-EEA parents of Irish born children. This permission was renewed on a regular basis and is currently valid until 29 August, 2015.
I am advised by the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that an application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy in August, 2010. Section 15 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, as amended, provides that the Minister may, in his absolute discretion, grant a certificate of naturalisation provided certain statutory conditions are fulfilled. One such condition is that the applicant intends in good faith to continue to reside in the State after naturalisation. As the person referred to by the Deputy stated on his application form that he did not intend to reside in the State after naturalisation, it was considered that he did not comply with this condition. Consequently, the application was deemed ineligible.
A further application for a certificate of naturalisation was received in the Citizenship Section of my Department in November 2010. On examination of the application submitted, it was determined that the application be returned in its entirety to the person concerned for further attention in November, 2010. In order to be fair to all applicants, only valid applications can be considered. To date no new application has been received.
I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive parliamentary Questions process.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:132 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position and progress made to date in the matter of determination of residency/naturalisation entitlement, the further requirements to be met in such regard if any in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24790/12]
The person concerned was granted temporary permission to remain in the State in 2000, under the arrangements then in place for the non-EEA parents of Irish born children. This permission was renewed on a regular basis and is currently valid until 29 August, 2015.
I am advised by the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that an application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy in August, 2010. Section 15 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, as amended, provides that the Minister may, in his absolute discretion, grant a certificate of naturalisation provided certain statutory conditions are fulfilled. One such condition is that the applicant intends in good faith to continue to reside in the State after naturalisation. As the person referred to by the Deputy stated on her application form that she did not intend to reside in the State after naturalisation, it was considered that she did not comply with this condition. Consequently, the application was deemed ineligible.
A further application for a certificate of naturalisation was received in the Citizenship Section of my Department in November 2010. On examination of the application submitted, it was determined that the application be returned in its entirety to the person concerned for further attention in November, 2010. In order to be fair to all applicants, only valid applications can be considered. To date no new application has been received.
I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive parliamentary Questions process.
Family Reunification
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:133 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress made to date and likely outcome in the determination of an application for family reunification in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24791/12]
I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to by the Deputy made a Family Reunification application in April 2011.
The application was forwarded to the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner as required under Section 18 of the Refugee Act 1996. The investigation was completed in December 2011 and a report was forwarded to INIS.
I am further informed by INIS that the application is currently under consideration and that the legal representatives of the person in question will be contacted shortly.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
Residency Permits
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:134 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if and when update of Stamp 4 will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24792/12]
I am advised by my officials in the Irish National Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to by the Deputy currently has a valid stamp 4 permission to remain in the State. In order to renew her permission to remain and update her registration details, she must contact the Garda National Immigration Bureau before her current permission expires.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
Citizenship Applications
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:135 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the determination of residency/entitlement to naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24793/12]
The person concerned was granted permission to remain in the State in 1999 under the arrangements then in place for the non-EEA parents of Irish born children. This permission was renewed on a regular basis and is currently valid until 21 May, 2012.
I should add that written correspondence has been received by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) in connection with a variation of the name and date of birth of the person concerned. I also understand that there are concerns regarding his continuous residency in the State and in this regard his legal representatives will be written to shortly for additional information. Upon receipt of this information, the case of the person concerned will be examined by the relevant officials in INIS with a view to deciding on his future status in the State. Once a decision has been made, the decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.
A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy in September, 2006 and my predecessor decided in his absolute discretion to refuse the application. The person concerned was informed of that decision in a letter issued to him in December, 2009, and re-issued in April, 2010. It is open to the person concerned to make a new application at any time.
I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive parliamentary Questions process.
Residency Permits
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:136 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding determination of residency/naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24794/12]
The permission to remain in the State of the person concerned was renewed in 2010 for a two year period, to 7 June, 2012. This decision was conveyed in writing to the person concerned by letter dated 21 July, 2010. This communication advised the person concerned of the conditions attaching to her permission to remain and of the requirement that she attend at her local Garda Registration Office to have the registration process completed.
I am advised that the person concerned has had difficulty in registering with the Garda National Immigration Bureau due to her being unable to obtain an Angolan passport. At this juncture, and to resolve this issue, I have instructed my officials to allow renewal of the registration without a passport.
The person concerned is required to apply in writing one month before the expiry date if she wishes to renew her permission to remain.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
Citizenship Applications
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:137 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the entitlement to residency/naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24795/12]
The person in question entered the State as a minor dependent of his parents on 9 October 1996. Following consideration of their cases they were granted temporary Leave to Remain in the State. As the applicant was still under 16 years of age at that time, he was not required to register his status with the Garda National Immigration Bureau.
On the 9 December 2009, the person in question presented himself to the Garda National Immigration Bureau in order to register his own status in the State. He presented with a college letter and a receipt for college fees paid. Therefore, as is general policy, he was granted a Stamp 2A.
On 25 February 2010, the person in question wrote to this Department requesting an upgrade of his permission to a Stamp 4. Following consideration of his request, the person in question was granted a Stamp 4. The person in question currently has permission to Remain in the State until 20 August 2014.
A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation was received on behalf of the person referred to by the Deputy from his parent in October, 2009 and my predecessor decided in his absolute discretion to refuse the application. The person concerned was informed of that decision in a letter issued to his parent on 27 October, 2009. It is open to the person concerned to submit a new application at any time.
Section 15 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, provides that the Minister may, in his absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation provided certain statutory conditions are fulfilled. Among such conditions are that the applicant must—
have had a period of one year's continuous residency in the State immediately before the date of application and, during the eight years immediately preceding that period, have had a total residence in the State amounting to four years.
In the context of naturalisation, certain periods of residence in the State are excluded. These include—
periods of residence in respect of which an applicant does not have permission to remain in the State,
periods granted for the purposes of study,
periods granted for the purposes of seeking recognition as a refugee within the meaning of the Refugee Act 1996.
The on-line Naturalisation Residency Calculator can be used as a guide to whether an individual satisfies the naturalisation residency conditions and, if not, give an indication of how long they should wait before making an application.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
Residency Permits
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:138 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding entitlement to residency/naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24796/12]
The person concerned has had her permission to remain in the State renewed for a further three year period, to 26 June, 2014. This decision was conveyed in writing to the person concerned by letter dated 22 June, 2011.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
Asylum Applications
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:139 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress made to date in the determination of residency/naturalisation or further action required arising therefrom in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24797/12]
I refer the Deputy to the following reply to Parliamentary Question No. 566 of Tuesday, 24 April 2012. The position is unchanged since then.
Arising from the refusal of her asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 7 April 2004, that the then Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against her.
Representations have been received on behalf of the person concerned. The position in the State of the person concerned will now be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted, including those relating to the possible relevance of the Zambrano judgement to the case, will be considered before a final decision is made. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
Parole Board
Finian McGrath
Question:140 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will detail the number of vacancies that will arise on the interim parole board this year; if he is favourably disposed to filling at least one of the arising vacancies by appointing one or more persons that are from a victims of crime organisation background; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24815/12]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 1030 on 18 April, 2012 outlining the position in this regard.
Garda Reserve
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:141 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the criteria used in the selection of members of the Garda Reserve Force; the numbers appointed to date; the gender breakdown; the numbers from our new communities; the grounds for refusing an application; the process for appeal; if any appeals have been successful to date; and if a refusal precludes a further application. [24649/12]
Recruitment of Garda Reserve members is governed by the Garda Síochána (Reserve Members) Regulations 2006. Recruitment is a matter for the Public Appointments Service in the first instance and then the Garda Commissioner. I have no function in the process.
I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that there are a total of 921 Garda Reserves of which there are 675 male and 246 female. There are a total of 77 Reserve members or trainees who are non-Irish nationals. The Notes for Candidates and Conditions of Service booklet detailing the selection of personnel, the grounds for refusing an application and the review procedure for the Garda Reserve is available to applicants on the public jobs web site, www.publicjobs.ie. The appeal process may take two separate paths, an informal appeal involving the applicant and a person nominated by the Commissioner or a more formal approach where a review is carried out by a Decision Arbitrator appointed by the Commissioner. The results of these processes are confidential between the Commissioner and the applicant and statistics are not generally maintained. A refusal for entry to the Garda Reserves does not preclude any future applications by that candidate providing the statutory requirements then pertaining are met by them.
Media Monitoring Service
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:142 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Defence if he will estimate the cost to the taxpayer of his proposed externally hosted press cutting/media monitoring service for the first 12 months, once such a contract is awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24771/12]
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:143 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Defence the reason his Department is seeking tenders for the provision of an externally hosted press cutting/media monitoring service; the matters that his Department is interested in monitoring and the benefit of this monitoring to the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24772/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 143 together.
The Department of Defence comprises civil and military elements with distinct but complementary roles. The primary role of the civil element of the Department is to support me as Head of the Department, in particular by providing policy advice and support on Defence matters. In support of this role my Department initiated an open tender competition for the provision of an externally hosted press cutting and media monitoring service on the 4th May 2012. This service is required to support the timely, responsive and effective conduct of the business of the Department. The service will provide a press cutting and media monitoring service covering issues of direct relevance to my Department and on the key areas of the Defence organisation including the Defence Forces, Naval Service and the Air Corp. The cost of the provision of this service will be determined by the tender competition which is still active.
Defence Forces Training
Eoghan Murphy
Question:144 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Defence the average cost of putting one person through the standard Defence Forces entry level training process, including cost of instruction, accommodation, meals, equipment, pay, and any other such costs that may be incurred that are relevant. [24704/12]
The cost information requested by the Deputy is not compiled by my Department on a routine basis and it is not possible to provide the detailed information sought by the Deputy in the time available. My Department is currently seeking to compile the relevant data and I will provide the information directly to the Deputy once it comes to hand.
Departmental Expenditure
Niall Collins
Question:145 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Defence if he will detail, in tabular form, the total photography costs for his Department since coming to office inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24749/12]
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table:
|
Date |
Occasion |
Company |
Cost |
Breakdown of Cost |
|
25/3/2011 |
Ministerial File Portrait Package |
Maxwell Photography |
€393.25 (Including VAT) |
Portrait Package. Set up and head shot. Online Viewing gallery. 1 High resolution image |
|
9/11/2011 |
Launch of Winter Ready Campaign |
Maxwell Photography |
€849.42 (Including VAT) |
Booking Fee. Taking and processing. Digital Contact Sheet. Images sent to media. Email to merrionstr.ie. Additional hour on assignment |
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, following an EU-level advertised procurement process, has established a Framework Agreement comprising five firms for the provision of photography services. The Framework was established in February 2012 and is open for use by all Government Departments and Offices at their option. It is my intention that my Department will avail of this Framework Agreement for any future photography needs. I am satisfied that the usage and costs in relation to the hiring of photographers represents value for money. I remain committed to an overall policy of reducing costs and maximising efficiencies.
Harbour Charges
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:146 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will introduce a system in Dingle Harbour, County Kerry, whereby boat owners using water from the harbour will be metered rather than the standard charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24770/12]
Charges for the use of facilities at each of the six Fishery Harbour Centres are currently levied by virtue of the Fishery Harbour Centres (Rates and Charges) Order 2003. Under the current Rates and Charges Order a monthly charge is paid by all fishing vessels where no water metering system is available, and €2.50 per m3 is charged for metered water.
My Department is evaluating the installation of a water metering system into every Fishery Harbour Centre; however this will be subject to current funding constraints. My Department has recently conducted a review of the 2003 Rate and Charges Order and a draft new Order, the first proposed change to the fee schedule for almost a decade, has been prepared on foot of that review. The new draft Order was the subject of a public consultation process that closed on 20th April last, and I am pleased to note that my Department has received a total of 87 submissions in relation to the revised charges, from a wide range of stakeholders in the Fishery Harbour Centres. These submissions, some of which address the water charges issue, are being given careful consideration at present, and when the examination is complete I will, if necessary, make any appropriate amendments.
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:147 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on waste charges in harbours (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24781/12]
Charges for the use of facilities at each of the six Fishery Harbour Centres are currently levied by virtue of the Fishery Harbour Centres (Rates and Charges) Order 2003. Each Fishery Harbour Centre is regarded as the Local Competent Authority and is required to have a fee structure in place so that all ships calling to port are required to contribute significantly to the provision of port reception facilities in the port, whether any particular ship avails of facilities or not. This obligation to pay charges for disposal of waste ensures that waste is not dumped at sea in an effort to reduce harbour charges.
The requirements for management of waste are directed by EC Directive 2000/59/EC on port reception facilities for ship generated waste and cargo residues. Port Waste Management Plans are in place at each of the Fishery Harbour Centres and are revised to reflect the requirements of the Department of Transport. However my Department has recently conducted a review of the 2003 Order and a draft new Rates and Charges Order. The new draft Order was the subject of a public consultation process that closed on 20th April last, and I am pleased to note that my Department has received a total of 87 submissions in relation to the revised charges, from a wide range of stakeholders in the Fishery Harbour Centres. These submissions are being given careful consideration at present, and when the examination is complete I will, if necessary, make any appropriate amendments.
Bord Iascaigh Mhara
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:148 D’fhiafraigh Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara ar phléigh B.I.M. leis nó lena Roinn an cinneadh atá déanta aige stop a chur leis na deontais do threalamh sábháilte d’iascairí; má phléigh, cén chomhairle a chuir a Roinn orthu; cé mhéid airgid a shábhálfar de bharr an bheartais seo i mbliana; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [24606/12]
Faoi Scéim Sábháilteachta na bhFlíteanna arna feidhmiú ag BIM cuireadh cúnamh airgid ar fáil don earnáil iascaigh le trealamh sábháilteachta ar bord ar leith a cheannach. Chuidigh an Scéim le soithigh iascaigh ceanglais rialála a chomhlíonadh agus cuireann ardchaighdeán sábháilteachta ar shoithigh iascaigh chun cinn. D'fheidhmigh an Scéim de réir rialacha de minimis na hearnála iascaigh (875/2007), faoina bhfuil díolúine aici ó ghnáthcheanglais fógra a bhaineann le Cúnamh Stáit.
I 2012 rinneadh athbhreithniú ar an gClár um Fhorbairt Bia Mara na hÉireann 2007-2013, clár ar leith a ndéanannn an tAontas Eorpach comh-mhaoiniú air faoi Rialachán an Chiste Iascaigh Eorpach (1198/2006), agus áiríodh ann roinnt scéimeanna breise lena n-áirítear Scéim Sábháilteachta na bhFlíteanna. De réir Airteagal 25(2) den Rialachán EFF ní chuirtear tacaíocht ar fáil ach le "feabhas" a chur ar shábháilteacht flíteanna agus sin amháin. Tá sé curtha in iúl ag an gCoimisiún Eorpach do mo Roinnse gurbh é a léirmhíniú air sin ná bearta lasmuigh de cheanglais rialála. Níor aontaigh mise le tuairimí an Choimisiúin ach bhreithnigh dá mbeadh bearta ann nach mbeadh incháilithe do chomh-mhaoiniú EFF go bhféadfaí fós iad a mhaoiniúón Státchiste faoi rialacha de minimis. Ag cruinniú den Choiste Monatóireachta ar an gClár Comh-Mhaoinithe an 12 Márta 2012 áfach chuir ionadaí an Choimisiúin in iúl seasamh an Choimisiúin nach raibh bearta sábháilteachta flíteanna atá riachtanach de réir an dlí san áireamh le cúnamh a fháil faoi de minimis. Tar éis an t-ábhar a phlé le comhairleoirí dlí na Roinne scríobh mo Roinnse chuig an gCoimisiún an 18 Aibreán 2012 ag rá nár aontaigh sí le léirmhíniú an Choimisiúin. Cé go bhfuiltear fós ag fanacht le freagra, chuir an Coimisiún in iúl ó shin ó bhéal, tar éis tuairimí na Roinne a iniúchadh, go bhfuil sé ag seasamh leis an méid nach féidir tacaíocht a thabhairt i bhfoirm cúnaimh dheontais lena n-áirítear faoi rialacha de minimis i dtreo trealamh sábháilteachta éigeantach. Tá sé curtha in iúl ag an gCoimisiún go gcuirfidh sé an méid seo in iúl go foirmeálta don Roinn go luath agus go leagfar amach an bunús dlí atá le léirmhíniú an Choimisiúin.
Sna cúinsí sin, ní raibh aon rogha ann ach deireadh a chur go sealadach agus ar bhonn gearrthéarmach leis an tacaíocht a bhí ann do bhearta sábháilteachta éigeantacha go dtí go mbeidh freagra agus breithniú faighte ón gCoimisiún Eorpach.
Tuigim go bhfuil an Scéim BIM an-tábhachtach ó thaobh tacú le hiascairí a chinntiú go gcoinnítear ardchaighdeáin sábháilteachta ar bord soitheach iascaigh agus tá an-imní orm faoin scéala is déanaí seo. Tá sé i gceist agam scríobh díreach chuig an gCoimisinéir Damanaki le mo chuid tuairimí féin a leagan amach agus iarraidh uirthi féachaint arís ar sheasamh an Choimisiúin. Táim freisin ag iarraidh go mbeadh foráil follasach sna socruithe nua maoinithe iascaigh, Ciste Iascaigh agus Mara Eorpach, le cúnamh deontais a chur ar fáil in aghaidh trealamh sábháilteachta, lena n-áirítear trealamh éigeantach.
Bord Iascaigh Mhara
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:149 D’fhiafraigh Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cé mhéid airgid a chaithfidh Bord Iascaigh Mhara i mbliana ar fhorbairt agus pleanáil don fheirm éisc i gCuan na Gaillimhe; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [24607/12]
Is comhlacht reachtúil neamhspleách é BIM agus dá bhrí sin baineann gach ceist oibriúcháin leis an ngníomhaireacht. Tá an t-iarratas curtha ar aghaidh ag an Roinn chuig an BIM le breithniú a dhéanamh air agus le freagra díreach a chur chuig an Ionadaí.
Departmental Schemes
Michael Moynihan
Question:150 Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of schemes run by his Department that have had expenditure reduced since 2008, broken down by year in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24619/12]
The information requested in relation to the schemes and services operated by the Department is set out in the following tabular statement.
Total expenditure by the Department has reduced from €2.1 billion in 2008 to the Vote provision of €1.339 billion in 2012. The reductions in expenditure over the 4 year period are due to a range of factors including the natural expiry of schemes of fixed or limited duration or of limited funding, improvements in the effectiveness and efficiency of service delivery and the reductions in expenditure which have been required in order to remain within the expenditure ceilings in the Government's Comprehensive Expenditure Report, 2012-2014.
My objective is to ensure that the limited budgetary resources are targeted in the most cost-effective and efficient manner possible obtain optimum benefit and that available funding is directed to priority schemes and services in accordance with Government policy. My overall aim is to focus the available resources in favour of investment opportunities designed to advance the objectives outlined in Food Harvest 2020 and the Government's Programme for Recovery and on ensuring a future for farm families.
|
Scheme/service |
2008 Outturn |
2009 Outturn |
2010 Outturn |
2011 Outturn |
2012 Vote allocation |
|
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
|
Animal Health and Welfare |
79,738 |
64,595 |
52,726 |
53,035 |
54,000 |
|
Temporary Veterinary Inspectors |
23,981 |
21,719 |
20,515 |
19,082 |
20,490 |
|
Pigmeat Recall Scheme |
35,237 |
83,269 |
16,119 |
3,632 |
500 |
|
Fallen Animals Scheme |
26,734 |
16,993 |
8,396 |
5,667 |
6,200 |
|
Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme |
32,919 |
33,190 |
32,989 |
30,845 |
25,000 |
|
School Milk Scheme |
924 |
899 |
752 |
718 |
900 |
|
Income Support in Disadvantaged Areas |
255,823 |
223,807 |
208,195 |
233,195 |
190,000 |
|
REPS/Agri Environmental Schemes |
312,081 |
341,123 |
323,797 |
277,022 |
243,000 |
|
Early Retirement Scheme |
45,632 |
39,541 |
32,633 |
27,305 |
24,000 |
|
Installation Aid Scheme |
9,420 |
7,707 |
2,522 |
397 |
150 |
|
Farm Improvement Scheme |
12,910 |
27,076 |
12,402 |
3,512 |
1,250 |
|
Dairy Hygiene Scheme |
4,654 |
3,539 |
375 |
7 |
50 |
|
Horticulture Grants Scheme |
5,628 |
2,291 |
1,992 |
3,013 |
3,250 |
|
Organic Sector Grants Scheme |
1,495 |
1,500 |
980 |
541 |
1,000 |
|
Farm Waste Management Scheme |
413,738 |
292,763 |
298,149 |
32,640 |
300 |
|
Marketing and Processing Industry Grants Scheme |
28,909 |
37,982 |
21,647 |
15,532 |
18,500 |
|
Forestry and Biofuels |
125,508 |
119,080 |
120,612 |
116,459 |
116,360 |
|
Fishery harbours |
22,305 |
15,014 |
8,666 |
10,133 |
6,100 |
|
Quality Assurance Scheme |
4,400 |
3,669 |
3,655 |
3,850 |
4,050 |
Farm Household Incomes
Michael Moynihan
Question:151 Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers affected by cuts since 2008, on a county basis, under disadvantaged area schemes, REP scheme and single farm payment scheme; the average loss of income due to these reductions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24620/12]
In respect of the Single Payment Scheme, the EU regulatory deductions in respect Modulation have increased, incrementally, from 5% under the 2008 Scheme to 10% under the 2012 Scheme. The marginal rate of modulation, levied on payments in excess of €300,000, increased pro rata, from 9% in 2008 to 14% in 2012. There are only 5 applicants that fit into the latter category in Ireland. As the Deputy is aware all SPS payments less than €5,000 are exempt from the modulation deduction as is the first €5,000 paid to all other farmers.
In relation to the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, National budgetary considerations necessitated two reductions in the annual budget for this Scheme. The first was in respect of the 2009 Scheme-year, when the annual budget was reduced to €220 million, while the second is in respect of the 2012 scheme-year, with the annual budget reduced from €220 million to €190 million. While the savings in respect of the 2009 Scheme were achieved via the application of a general reduction in the maximum payable area, from 45 hectares to 34 hectares, the savings under the 2012 Scheme will be achieved via a series of technical adjustments to the Scheme's eligibility criteria, designed with the intention of giving better focus to the Scheme, which is to the benefit of the majority of those actively farming in areas with recognised constraints. Furthermore, every effort will be made to accommodate all active farmers who may find themselves otherwise adversely affected by the changes introduced for the 2012 Scheme.
Given the changing pattern in individual farmer's farm size, area and category of Disadvantaged land held, it is not possible to accurately measure the impact of the changes, mentioned above, for individual farmers.
REPS 4 was launched in August 2007 as one of the measures in the CAP Rural Development Programme 2007-13. In 2009 because of the very large uptake and the consequent funding commitment involved, the original payment rates were cut by 17%. At that stage 12,031 participants had already joined REPS and had been paid their 2007 and 2008 payments. The rate cuts meant an average loss of income to these farmers of €1,075 per annum. REPS continued to grow in 2009 and 2010 and there are now a total of 30,400 active participants receiving an average annual payment of €6,200. This €188 million annual payment to the farming community is vital to the fabric of our rural communities and this Department continues to support the REPS schemes.
Fish Quotas
Brendan Griffin
Question:152 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the Celtic Sea herring quotas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24644/12]
In 2011 I asked the fishing industry and other interested parties to make proposals on the future management arrangements for all Irish herring fisheries. In response to my notification of the review, a number of proposals were received from industry, many offering conflicting views, particularly in regard to the need to ring fence the fisheries. Taking account of the views expressed I issued a draft policy for consultation in December 2011. Following this, in February of this year, I met with and consulted the industry on the matter. I have asked my Department to bring to a conclusion as soon as possible the analysis of the data and to bring forward options to integrate where possible the views of the industry with the draft policy already issued. I then intend to make a final decision on the management arrangements for the 2012 herring fisheries. Revised arrangements, if any, will be on the basis that they deliver a proper and effective management regime for the stock.
The herring fisheries fisheries off the South, West and North West Coasts are all closed at this time of the year as normal and will not re-open till the Autumn.
Milk Quota
Brendan Griffin
Question:153 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the transfer of milk quota (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24653/12]
The person referred to in the question is permitted to permanently transfer his milk quota from one farm owned by him to another, without reference to my Department.
Changes introduced in the most recent version of the Milk Quota Regulations (SI No. 227 of 2008 (as amended)) dispensed with the requirement for a milk producer to seek permission from my Department to transfer quota between lands owned/leased by him or her.
Under the current Regulations a producer who wishes to sell or otherwise dispose of all or part of the lands used for milk production by him or her, may do so while retaining the milk quota attached to such lands.
Woodland Improvement Scheme
Joe Carey
Question:154 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way he differentiates between thinning and tending in relation to the application and administration of the woodland improvement grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24673/12]
The Woodland Improvement Scheme provides grants for the thinning and tending of broadleaved forests planted after 1980. The prescriptions associated with tending and thinning are outlined in detail in the scheme conditions and can differ for each species.
The term ‘tending' is used to describe the selective removal of very small trees from plantations that have reached a certain height, e.g. 8 metres in the case of ash plantations. The purpose of removing trees is to provide increased light and space for the remaining trees to grow. The term ‘thinning' is generally used to describe the second intervention and involves the further removal of trees from plantations when the trees are taller, e.g. 12- 15 metres in the case of ash plantations.
The Woodland Improvement Scheme provides a fixed grant for a tending or thinning operation of €750/ha.
Departmental Transport
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:155 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any instruction has issued from him in relation to the purchase or replacement of vehicles by the agencies under his remit; the total number of vehicles owned by each agency; the year of original registration of each vehicle; the total expenditure in each of the past three years on the purchase, maintenance and other associated costs of these vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24679/12]
The issue of purchase or replacement of vehicles by the agencies under my Department's remit is an operational matter for agencies concerned.
Animal Welfare
Patrick Nulty
Question:156 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure the banning of hare coursing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24689/12]
Under the provisions of the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 the regulation of coursing is chiefly a matter for the Irish Coursing Club (ICC) subject to the general control and direction of Bord na gCon, which is the statutory body with responsibility for the improvement and development of the greyhound industry, greyhound racing and coursing.
The Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, under section 34 of the Wildlife Act 1976, has responsibility for the issue of an annual licence to the Irish Coursing Club, ICC, and its affiliated clubs to capture live hares.
A Monitoring Committee on Coursing was established in 1993/94 comprising of officials from my Department and representatives from both the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and the ICC to monitor developments in coursing and in that regard the situation is kept under constant review to ensure that coursing is run in a well controlled and responsible manner in the interest of animal welfare both for hares and greyhounds alike. Accordingly the Government does not plan to ban hare coursing.
Tuberculosis Incidence
Sean Fleming
Question:157 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has established an estimate of the financial impact of TB test changes on varying types of dry stock farmers prior to their introduction in January; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24707/12]
Sean Fleming
Question:158 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is monitoring the impact of TB test changes on an ongoing basis; if he intends to review the changes in view of their impact on particular farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24708/12]
Heather Humphreys
Question:163 Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that under the TB eradication programme movement of contiguous herds is now being automatically restricted to four months test period; in view of the difficulties this restriction will cause farmers with regard to the movement of livestock, if he will consider increasing the time limit to six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24769/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 157, 158 and 163 together.
As I have explained in reply to recent Parliamentary Questions, the changes to the TB eradication programme which were introduced by my Department earlier this year are designed to improve the effectiveness of the programme by tightening up on overdue testing and preventing the spread of disease from infected herds to clear herds. Thus, greater stress is being laid on ensuring all herds test on time and on reducing movement opportunities for potentially infected cattle so as to provide increased protection for clear herds and export markets.
I want to emphasise that these changes, which were made following a number of consultation meetings with the farming organisations, are based on research which demonstrates that there are increased risks attached to the movement of certain animals. For example, research has shown that standard inconclusive reactors which passed the re-test and moved out of the herd, subsequent to passing the test, were 12 times more likely to be TB positive at the subsequent test or at slaughter compared to all other animals in the herd. For this reason, my Department has decided to limit the movement of these higher risk individual animals from the herd of disclosure for the duration of their lifetime, except to slaughter or, in exceptional cases, to a feedlot.
With regard to contiguous herds, the only change from previous arrangements is that contiguous herds are now being trade restricted, except to slaughter, pending a TB test. Previously, such herds were permitted to sell cattle on the open market prior to carrying out the test and research had shown that this posed a risk to clear herds. Any herd which tests clear will be immediately de-restricted. The trade restriction only applies to those herds which are identified, following an epidemiological investigation by my Department, as being relevant to the breakdown herd and which have not been tested in the previous 4 months. The four months period is not new or arbitrary but is related to the time interval from when an animal may be exposed to infection and the expectation that a test will give a positive result, if the animal is infected. An increase to 6 months would substantially weaken the measure in that a significant number of animals would be permitted to move from high risk herds without a test. Herd owners will be contacted by my Department prior to restriction and only those herds which, on a case by case consideration, are identified as genuinely relevant to the breakdown will be restricted. Furthermore, since the Department pays for contiguous tests within a 10 month timeframe, the new arrangements will not impose any additional testing costs on most farmers.
Regarding the financial impact on farmers, my Department, in introducing these changes, took account of the fact that any additional costs on those farmers on whom restrictions are imposed are more than offset by a reduction in costs on those farmers who are saved a breakdown as a result of the enhanced policy of confining disease to the holding where it is disclosed and imposing restrictions on high risk animals. In addition, it was conscious of the fundamental unfairness of permitting herdowners to sell potentially infected animals to other herdowners who were not aware of the increased risk attached to these animals. The reality is that a farmer who buys an inconclusive reactor or an untested animal from a contiguous herd will have his restricted for four months in the event that any of those animals test TB positive at the next test or at slaughter and his herd will be required to undergo a minimum of two clear tests. This has financial consequences both for the farmer and the Department in terms of restrictions on trade and additional testing costs. Those farmers whose herds are restricted because they are contiguous to a high risk breakdown can minimise any financial impact by arranging to have their herds tested as soon as possible. In the unfortunate event that reactors are disclosed in those herds, my Department provides a number of compensatory measures including compensation for animals removed as reactor, income supplement and hardship grants.
While I am very pleased with the reduction in both the herd and animal incidence of TB in recent years, my Department subjects the TB eradication programme to on-going review with a view to ensuring that there is a robust testing regime in place. The prevention of the spread of disease from infected herds to clear herds is an important factor both in achieving the goal of eradication and in continuing to secure funding from the EU. My Department will continue to review and make changes to various elements of the programme as deemed necessary in light of experience.
Bovine Diseases
Colm Keaveney
Question:159 Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding national bovine viral diarrhoea eradication programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24711/12]
A voluntary phase of a national bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) eradication programme commenced in January 2012. The programme is designed with an initial focus on identification and removal of persistently infected (PI) animals with particular emphasis on testing of calves for the BVD virus using tissue samples collected by ear punch. The programme will become compulsory in 2013.
In compliance with the programme guidelines, particularly in relation to the non-sale of PI animals and the speedy disposal of infected animals, the Department is providing financial assistance by way of a one off €100 welfare payment for any suckler cow whose offspring is removed under the Programme and a €15 contribution towards the knackery cost of disposal of PI calves payable directly to the knackery.
Details regarding the €100 welfare payment are available from the Department's BVD Compensation Section in Portlaoise and details relating to the €15 calf subsidy are available from the Department's Fallen Animal Section in Wexford. Further details on the programme are available on the Department's website: http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/animalhealthwelfare/ diseasecontrol/bovineviraldiarrhoeabvd.
Agri-Environment Options Scheme
Brendan Griffin
Question:160 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an agri-environment options scheme payment for 2011 will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24713/12]
The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st November 2010 and full payment totalling €476.63 issued in respect of 2010.
Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed annually before any payment can issue. The checks have been completed in the case of the person named and payment in respect of 2011 will issue shortly.
Single Payment Scheme
Denis Naughten
Question:161 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in issuing the 2011 single farm payment to a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; if he will expedite the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24737/12]
The person named submitted an application for the 2011 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Schemes on 27 April 2011. The person named is also an applicant under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme. In order to satisfy the requirements of these Schemes, it was necessary to carry out additional validation checks on the application of the person named. On completion of this process, which is currently being prioritised, and provided there are no errors, payments under the Schemes will issue to the applicant. An official in my Department will be in contact directly with the person named to advise him of the situation.
Departmental Expenditure
Niall Collins
Question:162 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will detail, in tabular form, the total photography costs for his Department since coming to office inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24745/12]
Photographers are booked for the purpose of recording key events attended by Ministers, such as the launch of schemes and programmes, new initiatives and visits by inward delegations. Where possible, the Press Office uses in-house photography. The policy for booking a photographer for official purposes is that my Department's Press Office seeks 3 quotes in advance of each photo-shoot to keep costs to a minimum.
|
Date |
Details |
Amount |
|
26 March 2011 |
O’Gorman Photography |
€363.20 |
|
30 March 2011 |
Fennell Photography |
€350.56 |
|
1 April 2011 |
John Power Photography |
€124.85 |
|
7 April 2011 |
Edmund Ross Studios |
€567.50 |
|
7 April 2011 |
Edmund Ross Photographer |
€397.25 |
|
8 April 2011 |
Barry Cronin Photographer |
€491.16 |
|
12 April 2011 |
Fennell Photography |
€473.19 |
|
14 April 2011 |
Fennell Photography |
€505.20 |
|
18 April 2011 |
Fennell Photography |
€779.96 |
|
19 April 2011 |
Fennell Photography |
€285.23 |
|
5 May 2011 |
Fennell Photography |
€506.58 |
|
10 May 2011 |
Fennell Photography |
€240.57 |
|
16 May 2011 |
Gerard McCarthy Photography |
€215.65 |
|
28 May 2011 |
Fennell Photography |
€1,582.19 |
|
2 June 2011 |
Fennell Photography |
€1,732.19 |
|
9 June 2011 |
Fennell Photography |
€1,170.28 |
|
10 June 2011 |
Barry Cronin Photographer |
€784.23 |
|
15 June 2011 |
Fennell Photography |
€276.52 |
|
23 June 2011 |
Fennell Photography |
€30.86 |
|
29 June 2011 |
Gerard McCarthy Photography |
€227.00 |
|
14 July 2011 |
Gerard McCarthy Photography |
€374.55 |
|
4 August 2011 |
Gerard McCarthy Photography |
€295.10 |
|
6 August 2011 |
B.L. MacGill Photographic Images |
€300.00 |
|
25 August 2011 |
Fennell Photography |
€272.89 |
|
14 September |
Lensmen Photographic Agency |
€73.81 |
|
25-27 September 2011 |
Fennell Photography |
€6,762.85 |
|
3 October 2011 |
Press 22 |
€624.25 |
|
18 October 2011 |
Fennell Photography |
€213.72 |
|
20 October 2011 |
Barry Cronin Photographer |
€995.68 |
|
8 November 2011 |
Fennell Photography |
€497.83 |
|
8 November 2011 |
Fennell Photography |
€541.96 |
|
15 November 2011 |
Fennell Photography |
€851.25 |
|
15 November 2011 |
Barry Cronin Photographer |
€595.71 |
|
23 November 2011 |
Fennell Photography |
€416.56 |
|
25 November 2011 |
Photography by Dermot Sullivan |
€200.00 |
|
25 November 2011 |
B.L. MacGill Photography |
€200.00 |
|
26 November 2011 |
Barry Cronin Photographer |
€588.96 |
|
12 December 2011 |
Barry Cronin Photographer |
€670.82 |
|
Date |
Details |
Amount |
|
18 January 2012 |
Maxwell Photography |
€564.26 |
|
9 February |
Lensmen Photographic Agency |
€666.88 |
|
27 February 2012 |
B.L. MacGill Photography |
€200.00 |
|
5 March 2012 |
Barry Cronin Photography |
€602.12 |
|
21 2012 |
Fennell Photography |
€211.09 |
|
2 April 2012 |
John Power Photography |
€113.50 |
|
30 April 2012 |
John Sheehan Photography |
€340.50 |
Question No. 163 answered with Question No. 157.
Pigmeat Sector
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:164 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether there is a danger that the pig market could be on course for the same fate as the egg market, which was severely disrupted due to the animal welfare changes introduced in 2012, and which followed on massive price increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24773/12]
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:166 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to support pig farmers to ensure their future viability in view of tougher animal welfare regulations from January 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24778/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 164 and 166 together.
The pig sector remains the third largest individual component of the agri-food sector, with production, prices and exports all growing significantly during 2011. The industry faces a number of challenges in the short and medium term and my Department will continue to assist the sector to resolve these issues.
New EU Animal Welfare rules set down new standards in relation to the housing of sows and these are due to come into force on 1 January 2013. A significant number of producers have undertaken the necessary work required in order to upgrade their facilities in order to comply with the new rules. Teagasc have estimated that approximately 36% of pig units, housing some 44% of the sow population are presently compliant with the provisions.
My Department is aware of the scale of the challenge facing pig farmers in respect of the new requirements. To this end, the Department introduced a Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) for Sow Welfare in June 2010. Grant-aid is available at a rate of 40% to eligible producers with a maximum investment ceiling of €300,000, i.e. a maximum grant of €120,000. A total of €13 million has been set aside under this scheme. It follows two earlier schemes in 2005 and 2007 which made payments of €6.2 million to 63 applicants.
At present, more than 50 applications for grants worth approximately €4 million have been received under the current scheme. Applications must be accompanied by either full planning permission or a declaration of exemption from planning.
The initial deadline for the receipt of applications has been extended from June to 31 October 2012 and DAFM has applied to the European Commission for permission to extend the deadline for completion of the work under the current programme to the end of September 2013.
My Department has met with producer representatives in order to discuss and manage this issue. In addition, it has contacted all local authorities in order to ascertain the number of planning applications made in respect of sow housing. In addition, my Department has written to all pig producers impacted by the new welfare requirements.
The approach being adopted in respect of loose sow housing mirrors that taken with regard to the introduction of the enriched cage egg production system in January of this year.
Through the efforts of industry operators, and with the assistance of my Department, Ireland was compliant with the new enriched cage system by the January deadline and an audit visit by the Food and Veterinary Office in early March confirmed this. A number of EU Member States have not yet complied with the provisions of the Directive and this has led to a decline in production and a short-term increase in the price of eggs in the EU market. In recent weeks European egg prices have stabilised as more producers achieve compliance. Prices in Ireland increased by a much lower level than elsewhere in the EU, due largely to our early compliance.
Disadvantaged Areas Scheme
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:165 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of estimates that up to 11,000 land owners risk losing the disadvantaged area payments because their stocking density will be less than 0.3 livestock units per hectare in 2011, if he will reconsider this change in order to protect farmers incomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24775/12]
The budgeted expenditure under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is being reduced from €220 million to €190 million. In order to make the necessary savings it is proposed to make technical adjustments to the Scheme criteria to ensure that the aid payment is focused on farmers whose farming enterprises are situated exclusively in DAS areas and who are making a significant contribution to achieving the objectives of the Scheme, which are defined in the governing EU legislation as follows:
To ensure continued agricultural land use and thereby contribute to the maintenance of a viable rural community;
To maintain the countryside;
To maintain and promote sustainable farming systems which, in particular, take account of environmental protection measures.
Rather than simply apply an across the board cut to the rates payable or reduce the maximum payable area as a means to achieving these savings, I decided that real efforts should be made to focus the Scheme on those farmers who are most actively contributing to achieving the aims of the Scheme, namely, ensuring continued agricultural land use, thereby contributing to the maintenance of viable rural communities, maintaining the countryside and maintaining and promoting sustainable farming systems, which take account of environmental protection measures.
While changes are being introduced in respect of the minimum stocking density requirements, specific provision is being made for those farmers who had a stocking density less than 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare in 2011, where that lower stocking density was as a result of adherence to an agri-environmental measure, such as a Commonage Framework De-stocking Plans, Rural Environmental Protection Schemes (REPS) or Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS).
All applicants, whose stocking density was below 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare in 2011, will be written to formally and given the opportunity to apply for a derogation on the grounds that his or her participation in one of the above measures resulted in the lower stocking density. The principles of force majeure/exceptional circumstances will also be provided for in the process and provision will also be made for new entrants to farming.
Question No. 166 answered with Question No. 164.
Single Payment Scheme
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:167 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding entitlements (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24784/12]
The 2012 National Reserve, the closing date for which was 15 May, caters for new entrants to farming. In order to qualify for entitlements from the National Reserve applicants must have a herd number or have applied for a herd number prior to 15th May 2012, and have submitted an application under the 2012 Single payment scheme providing details of the number of eligible hectares farmed. Owned and leased/ rented land is eligible.
In addition, applicants are required to meet certain criteria with regard to income limits and educational qualifications. Off-farm income cannot exceed €30,000 and total income, including farm income, cannot exceed €40,000. Applicants must have obtained a FETAC Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture or its equivalent. The green certificate in farming is regarded as equivalent for this purpose. The value of entitlements allocated to successful applicants will be the average value of entitlements in the District Electoral Division (DED) associated with the herd number of the applicant. The maximum payment under the 2012 National Reserve is €5,000.
The National Reserve is a scarce resource and is only replenished from entitlements that remain unused over a period of two consecutive years. Where the value of unused entitlements at the end of 2012 is insufficient to meet the requirements of all eligible applicants under the 2012 National Reserve, a linear cut will be applied to the allocation of successful applicants.
It is too early yet to say what, if any, provisions will be made under the 2013 National Reserve as this will depend on the funds available.
The European Commission published its proposals for reform of the CAP post 2013 in October last and negotiations on those proposals are continuing. Under the proposals existing single payment entitlements will be abolished on 31 December 2013 and new entitlements will be allocated to eligible farmers in 2014. As the negotiations are still at an early stage it is too soon to speculate on what the final outcome and details of the reform will be including the arrangements for new entrants to farming and the National Reserve.
I will continue to consult with farming organisations and other stakeholders as the negotiations progress.
Freedom of Information
Clare Daly
Question:168 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 278 of 20 July 2011, the action he has taken on foot of the information provided; if he will provide the person with a reply to their correspondence of 10 February 2012; and if he will reconsider the information he provided to the Dáil by way of his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 278. [24814/12]
My Department issued a reply to the person concerned on 26 April 2012 in response to his correspondence dated 10 February 2012.
The position remains unchanged from that outlined in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 278.
Child Care Services
Clare Daly
Question:169 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to change the early childhood care and education scheme for 2013. [24642/12]
The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is implemented by my Department and provides a free preschool year to all eligible children in the year before they commence primary school.
During 2011, officials from my Department engaged in the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure process and scrutinised every area of expenditure as part of this process. Under this review savings of some €16.5 million in current funding have been agreed for this Department for this year. However, this figure reduces when account is taken of the fact that additional funding has been provided to meet demographic pressures arising under the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme and to protect the universality of that programme. The number of children eligible for the programme this year will increase by some 3,000, resulting in an expected rise of €10 million in the cost of the programme.
While I am pleased that in line with the Programme for Government, the ECCE programme is to be maintained on a universal and free basis and that funding to meet the additional costs of the demographic changes has been provided for, it will be necessary to make some changes to the capitation payments in the school year commencing in September 2012, to meet the need to reduce overall expenditure. A reduction of €2 per week will be made to the capitation rates paid to providers from September 2012. However, to give some flexibility to child care services to manage this modest reduction, the staff to child ratios and the space ratios for the preschool element of child care services only, will be increased in September 2012. The staff to child ratio will increase from a ratio of 1: 10 to a ratio of 1: 11. To allow for the implementation of these new ratios it is proposed that a new space/area requirement of 1.818 square metres per child will be applied. The Water Closet/Wash Hand Basin ratios will also change in line with the adult/child ratios.
To facilitate for the introduction of the ECCE programme a number of transitional measures were included when the programme commenced in January 2010. One of these was the option of providing the free preschool provision over either a 38 week or 50 week school year. As the ECCE programme is designed as an educational programme for children and as it is considered that the optimal model in terms of ensuring a high quality early years experience is the 38 week model, the option of the 50 week model will no longer be available from September 2012.
Inter-Country Adoptions
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:170 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on concerns raised in relation to inter-country adoptions (details supplied); the action she will take to address these concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24610/12]
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:172 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding inter-country adoptions; the action she will take to address the concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24658/12]
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:176 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress that has been made in relation to allowing adoptions from Russia to proceed, particularly in cases in which a declaration has been made to adopt a child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24734/12]
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:177 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress made in discussions with the Russian authorities in relation to adoptions from Russia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24735/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 170, 172, 176 and 177 together.
The Adoption Act, 2010, which was commenced on 1st November 2010, coincided with Ireland's formal ratification of the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption. The purpose of the Adoption Act, 2010, is to improve standards in both domestic and inter-country adoption. The Adoption Act, 2010, which provides the legislative framework for adoption in Ireland, is designed to provide a framework to ensure that all adoptions are effected in the best interests of the child and to the highest possible standard. The phrase ‘in the best interests of the child' is absolutely key in this regard. It must not be forgotten that inter-country adoption is a service for those children who cannot be raised by their birth parents or cared for in their own country. The interests of the child must always be paramount throughout the adoption process. This is best achieved through the full implementation of the highest national and international standards governing adoption practice. This is the primary concern for the Adoption Authority of Ireland in conducting its business as it relates to inter-country adoption.
Adoptions from Russia, effected under the transitional arrangements provided for in the Adoption Act 2010, are ongoing and are currently being examined, and recognised, by the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI). Under the provisions of the legislation, such adoptions may take place up to the end of October 2013.
As regards adoptions thereafter, Russia has not ratified the Hague Convention and there appears to be no immediate prospect that this will happen. Therefore, future adoptions from Russia, beyond those provided for under the transitional arrangements, may only be possible under a bilateral agreement. The negotiation of bilateral agreements on inter-country adoption with states who have not ratified the Hague Convention is governed by Section 73 of the Adoption Act 2010 which states that "the Authority, with the prior consent of the Minister, may enter into discussions with any non-contracting state concerning the possibility of the Government entering into a bilateral agreement with that State." Any bilateral arrangements which might be entered into would be required by law to meet the minimum standards set out in the Hague Convention.
A delegation comprised of representatives of the Adoption Authority and officials from my Department held exploratory meetings with the Russian authorities in December of last year. The delegation visited Russia in relation to preliminary discussions around the potential for a bilateral on inter-country adoption. This was a follow up to previous discussions which took place earlier in the year, on the initiative of the Russian authorities. I have received an initial assessment from the Adoption Authority which will inform the next steps to be taken in relation to this matter. My Department is in discussions with the Adoption Authority on this assessment and other issues which will influence any policy decisions to be taken in this regard. I am aware of the need to bring clarity to the situation in respect of Russia and I hope to be in a position to do so as soon as possible.
Brendan Smith
Question:171 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding the proposal to establish adoption arrangements between Ireland and Kazakhstan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24643/12]
With effect from 1 November 2010, inter-country adoptions can be effected with other countries which have ratified the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption (the Hague Adoption Convention) or with countries with which Ireland has a bilateral agreement. Kazakhstan has ratified the Convention.
Over the past 18 months the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) has written to its counterpart Central Authority in Kazakhstan on three separate occasions to begin the process of developing an administrative agreement for inter-country adoption. To date there has been no reply from the Kazakhstani authorities to any of the contacts made by the AAI. The Authority has continued to indicate that it is open to discussing the issue of inter-country adoptions with its Kazakhstani counterparts at any time, and the most recent correspondence from the AAI was in March of this year. I understand that an official of the Irish Embassy in Moscow has now presented the copy correspondence to, and raised the issue of inter-country adoption with, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kazakhstan. I understand the Kazakhstani authorities hosted a meeting on inter-country adoption last Friday. I would like to point out that at no stage were the AAI, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs or the Embassy contacted by the Kazakhstani authorities regarding the meeting. As soon as the issue came to the attention of my Department, official contact was made with the Embassy in Moscow in this regard. The Embassy officials in Moscow are endeavouring to secure feedback from this meeting to assess its relevance for progress towards an administrative agreement on inter-country adoption between Ireland and Kazakhstan.
My officials are actively pursuing the matter in conjunction with the AAI. The Embassy has been asked to request information from the relevant authorities on the position for Irish couples hoping to adopt from Kazakhstan as soon as possible. In the interim the AAI is currently completing a review of Kazakhstan's adoption legislation.
The Adoption Act, 2010, which provides the legislative framework for adoption in Ireland, is designed to provide a framework to ensure that all adoptions are effected in the best interests of the child and to the highest possible standard. The phrase ‘in the best interests of the child' is absolutely key in this regard. It must not be forgotten that inter-country adoption is a service for those children who cannot be raised by their birth parents or cared for in their own country. The interests of the child must always be paramount throughout the adoption process. This is best achieved through the full implementation of the highest national and international standards governing adoption practice. This is the primary concern for the Adoption Authority of Ireland in conducting its business as it relates to inter-country adoption.
Under the Hague Adoption Convention, countries seek to mutually support one another in protecting the best interests of children in the inter-country adoption process. The role of the Central Authority in each country is particularly key in overseeing standards within each jurisdiction and in facilitating collaboration between respective countries. The Adoption Authority of Ireland will continue to engage with its counterpart Central Authority in Kazakhstan with a view to progressing potential collaboration in the best interests of children.
Question No. 172 answered with Question No. 170.
Children in Care
Patrick Nulty
Question:173 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on whether the aftercare needs of young persons leaving care are been adequately met in view of the evidence that there is a severe shortage of aftercare services; her further views that the provisions contained in section 45(4) of the Child Care Act 1991 are insufficient and a statutory right to aftercare is required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24668/12]
Section 45 of the Child Care Act 1991 places a statutory duty on the HSE to form a view in relation to each person leaving care as to whether there is a "need for assistance" and if it forms such a view, to provide services in accordance with the legislation and subject to resources.
At 18 years of age, all young people who are in care with the HSE are entitled to an aftercare service based on their assessed needs. The core eligible age range for aftercare is 18 years to 21 years. However, the HSE policy allows for it to be extended beyond the age of 21 on the basis of a need for assistance.
The most important requirements for young people leaving care are for secure, suitable accommodation as well as further education, employment or training and social support. The most vulnerable group of young people leaving care are those that have dropped out of education and training and those that have left residential care. Some of these young people have mental health problems or a disability. Aftercare provision incorporates advice, guidance and practical support. An individual holistic needs assessment identifies a young person's need for accommodation, financial support, social network support and training and education in the months before their 18th birthday. The level of support required will vary for each individual. It is essential that all young people leaving care are provided with the type of transitional support that their individual situation requires. The provision of an appropriate aftercare service has been highlighted as a key element to achieving positive outcomes for young people leaving care.
Some 90% of children in care are in foster care and a large number of these remain living with their foster families, supported financially by the HSE, on reaching 18 years of age. These young people continue in education and training as planned. This remains a key component of aftercare for young people when they leave care.
The HSE National Aftercare Service is underpinned by a National Policy and Procedures Document which has been developed in cooperation with the key stakeholders, including the voluntary sector agencies involved in aftercare provision and my Department. The policy which was finalised in April 2011, commits to promoting and achieving the best outcomes for young people leaving care and in ensuring consistency of support to these young people. The HSE has established an intra-agency National Aftercare Implementation Group to monitor progress in implementing the national policy and their work is ongoing. The implementation of the policy and the ongoing provision of aftercare services is being kept under review and I will continue to engage with the HSE on this matter over the course of the year.
National Education Welfare Board
Patrick Nulty
Question:174 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there is a chief executive/director currently in place in the National Education Welfare Board; if not, if she will ensure an appointment is made to this position as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24687/12]
I can confirm to the Deputy that Ms.Clare Ryan is the current Chief Executive Officer of the National Educational Welfare Board. Ms Ryan was appointed by the National Educational Welfare Board on 3 May 2011 following an open recruitment process facilitated by the Public Appointments Service.
Youth Services
Patrick Nulty
Question:175 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there have been cutbacks in funding for statutory voluntary and community groups for the provision of summer activities for children between the ages of six and ten years in areas of disadvantage; if so, if she will ensure that funding is re-instated as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24690/12]
The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department provides a range of funding schemes, programmes and supports to the youth sector. As with all Government departments and agencies, funding for the programmes of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs has been reduced in recent years due to the general budgetary situation in which we find ourselves. In 2012 funding of some €56.806m is available to support the provision of youth services and programmes to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. This includes support for a range of volunteer-led youth groups under the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme. Funding of €1.035m has been allocated to this scheme in my Department's budget for 2012.
Some 1500 of such groups receive grants under the scheme for a range of activities including summer projects and developmental activities for young people in out of school hours. The funding allocation for this scheme has not been reduced in 2012.
Questions Nos. 176 and 177 answered with Question No. 170.
Departmental Expenditure
Niall Collins
Question:178 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will detail, in tabular form, the total photography costs for her Department since coming to office inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24747/12]
My Department was formally established on the 2nd of June 2011 and to date photographers were booked for the following events:
|
Company /Photographer |
Date |
Event |
Amount |
|
Report Ltd. |
11/07/11 |
Launch of the report of consultations with young people on Reform of the Junior Cycle in 2nd level schools |
€590.20 |
|
Report Ltd. |
15/07/11 |
Children First Launch |
€493.72 |
|
Moya Nolan |
18/11/11 |
Dáil na nÓg 2011 |
€820.00 |
|
Report Ltd. |
27/07/11 |
Launch of the report of consultations with children living in the care of the State |
€590.20 |
|
Aine O’Meara |
10/04/2012 |
Dáil na Óg Event |
€180.00 |
The Department has a detailed project planning process for each event and the decision to book a photographer is made based on the merits of the event.
Home Help Service
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:179 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding home help hours in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24728/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Brendan Griffin
Question:180 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding MRI scans. [24621/12]
I am determined to address the issues which cause unacceptable delays in patients receiving treatment in our hospitals. In this regard I have established the Special Delivery Unit (SDU), which will work to unblock access to acute services by dramatically improving the flow of patients through the system, and by streamlining waiting lists, including referrals from GPs. The SDU is working closely with its partner agencies — mainly the HSE and the NTPF.
As a priority, public hospitals were instructed to ensure that, by the end of 2011, they had no patients waiting more than 12 months for treatment. I can confirm that the vast majority of hospitals achieved this objective. During 2012 the SDU will support hospitals in the delivery of a 9 month maximum wait time for inpatient or daycase surgery.
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. Should the patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he/she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and facility involved.
National Children’s Hospital
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:181 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he has received advice in regard to the location, extent of service and size of the proposed new children’s hospital; when he expects to finalise the decision making process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24622/12]
As you will be aware, I established an independent Review Group to consider the implications of the decision of An Bord Pleanála received on 23 February 2012 to reject the planning application for the proposed construction of a national paediatric hospital on the site of the Mater Misericordiae Hospital.
The Review Group will, as part of their review, consider all issues relevant to the location of the new children's hospital. I will await the completion of the Group's work and do not wish to make any further comment on the matter at this time.
Health Services
Patrick Nulty
Question:182 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to concerns raised by the Irish Haemochromatosis Association that there is still no equality of access to venesection treatment for haemochromatosis patients; if he will provide an update on progress made in implementing the stated commitment by the Health Service Executive to open three walk-in clinics by 2012; the steps he will take to ensure treatment is available in Limerick in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24670/12]
The Deputy's question relates to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
Dental Services
Tom Fleming
Question:183 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who following initial dental examination when attending primary school was deemed to be in need of orthodontic treatment and subsequently referred for same but was recently notified that the cut off point for remedial treatment was on reaching 16 years of age; and if he will take into consideration that this criteria may be discriminatory under the current system. [24682/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Mental Health Services
Patrick Nulty
Question:184 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health when the new acute mental health admissions unit in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin will be operational; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24688/12]
As this is a service matter the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Nursing Home Repayment Scheme
John Deasy
Question:185 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 479 of 7 February, 2012, if the health repayment scheme appeals office has published its report for the period 2010/2011. [24695/12]
The Health Repayment Scheme Appeals Office is an independent office, established in December 2006 under the Health (Repayment Scheme) Act 2006, to provide a service to those who wish to appeal a decision of the Scheme Administrator.
The remaining work on the Scheme is now drawing to a close with very few appeals still to be determined. I understand that the Office is currently finalising the report to cover the period for 2010/2011 which should be available shortly.
Medical Cards
Ciaran Lynch
Question:186 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be taken regarding an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24706/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Departmental Correspondence
Brendan Smith
Question:187 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will accede to a request for a meeting with persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24719/12]
I have received the invitation, and it is under consideration.
Hospital Staff
Seán Kyne
Question:188 Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health when it is envisaged that the diabetic posts, to be shared between Galway University Hospitals and the Mid-West Hospital and for which funding has been allocated, will be advertised and filled, particularly as the provision of such services will greatly benefit patients in the west, and in particular children with diabetes. [24732/12]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Medical Cards
Brendan Griffin
Question:189 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the reason a medical card was withdrawn in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; if same will be reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24739/12]
If a person has been refused a medical card they can lodge an appeal within 21 days. Details of the appeals process are forwarded to the applicant with their refusal letter. As this refusal of a medical card renewal is a service matter I have referred it to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Departmental Expenditure
Niall Collins
Question:190 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will detail, in tabular form, the total photography costs for his Department since coming to office inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24754/12]
It is the policy of my Department to keep costs in relation to the use of photographers to a minimum. The detailed information sought by the Deputy is currently being collated within my Department and will be forwarded to him as soon as it is available.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:191 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health in view of the replacement of breast implants which were defective and the associated costs, the cost of same; if there will be a cost to the patient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24776/12]
The Chief Medical Officer of my Department has met and is engaging with the three treating clinics involved in the PIP breast implant issue with a view to ensuring that best practice and patient support is paramount in the service provided to concerned recipients of PIP implants. He has discussed the very reasonable concerns raised by affected clients including access to surgeons for consultation and the provision of full medical records in relation to one of the treating clinics.
Two of the clinics have already made arrangements with their clients for consultation and further surgery if appropriate and have managed the associated costs between the parties. The third clinic is currently putting in place a new care plan with its clients to the same effect.
As the provision of care is between the provider clinic and each client my Department is not involved in collecting cost data.
Health Service Staff
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:192 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the call from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation to create 300 additional nursing posts in view of the fact that agency nurses are more expensive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24777/12]
The Government has decided that health service employment numbers must be reduced to approximately 102,000 by the end of this year, in line with its commitment to reduce public expenditure.
Within the employment target set by Government, the HSE's National Service Plan 2012 allows for some targeted investment and recruitment in priority areas to address development priorities, such as in mental health and primary care. The Service Plan also allows some limited and targeted recruitment in critical service areas to help limit the impact of retirements on frontline services. However, given that the overall employment target must be met, these posts can only be put in place where this is possible within employment ceiling and budget.
The HSE's National Service Plan 2012 commits to significantly reducing the expenditure on agency staff usage with a target reduction of up to 50%. The Plan also contains a commitment that overtime and agency staffing are not to be used to support service levels beyond those agreed in the Plan or to substitute for staff losses.
In order to mitigate the impact on frontline services of the reduction in employment numbers and retirements, the priority is to reform how health services are delivered in order to ensure a more productive and cost effective health system. Therefore, the HSE is using the provisions of the Public Service Agreement to bring about greater flexibilities in work practices and rosters, redeployment and other changes to achieve more efficient delivery of services. It is also seeking to deliver greater productivity through the National Clinical Programmes to reduce the average length of stay, improve day of admission surgery rates, increase the number of patients treated as day cases, etc.
Mental Health Services
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:193 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which psychological requirements and support have been assessed in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if appropriate and adequate intervention has been identified and provided for on an ongoing basis in line with the child’s requirements and the family health situation in general; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24798/12]
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Medical Aids and Applicances
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:194 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to the provision of a special buggy to meet the requirements of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24799/12]
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Medical Cards
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:195 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when an application for a medical card will be reviewed in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24800/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
General Medical Services Scheme
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:196 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the drugs deemed to be most effective in the treatment of MS; if all such drugs are covered by the General Medical Services; if it is intended to include the drug tysabri in the GMS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24801/12]
The effectiveness of medicines for the treatment of any illnesses including Multiple Sclerosis are assessed on a case by case basis and in regard to the benefits for each patient. In relation to the specific example of Tysabri, the Summary of Product Characteristics for this product notes that treatment with Tysabri should be started and continuously supervised by a doctor who is experienced in treating diseases of the nervous system and has access to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. This machine enables the doctor to see inside the body to check for changes in the brain linked to MS or the rare brain infection called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Tysabri is given as a one-hour infusion every four weeks. Because the infusion can trigger an allergic reaction, the patient must be monitored during the infusion and for one hour afterwards.
Due to the nature of the treatment, it is necessary for the patient to be treated in a hospital setting. This precludes the drug from being included within the GMS and community drugs schemes which provide for the reimbursement of medicines dispensed by community pharmacists.
Services for People with Disabilities
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:197 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which speech and language or other psychological backup facilities required in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Dublin in view of the fact that all the necessary applications and further information have been supplied; if particular attention will be given to this case having regard to the urgency of the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24802/12]
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Question No. 198 withdrawn.
Departmental Agencies
Tom Fleming
Question:199 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the location of Fáilte Ireland-Tourism Ireland offices internationally; the staff numbers in each of these offices, and the cost of operating each of these offices. [24683/12]
The matter raised is an operational one for Tourism Ireland Limited as the body responsible for promoting the island of Ireland as a visitor destination overseas. I have referred the Deputy's Question to Tourism Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
Sports Capital Programme
Sean Fleming
Question:200 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of sports capital grants approved and paid to County Laois in 2011 and any payment or approval for 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24717/12]
The Sports Capital Programme payments made to projects in County Laois in 2011 and up to the week ending 11 May 2012 are set out in the following table:
|
Name of project |
Amount |
|
Ballylinan GAA Club |
5,000 |
|
Killadooley Sportsfield Development |
2,400 |
|
Killadooley Sportsfield Development |
33,600 |
|
Killadooley Sportsfield Development |
9,988 |
|
Killadooley Sportsfield Development |
7,536 |
|
Laois County Council — Mountmellick Amenity Area |
20,501 |
|
Laois County Council — Mountmellick Amenity Area |
2,408 |
|
Laois County Council — Mountrath Amenity Area |
40,981 |
|
Laois County Council — Peoples Park, Link Road |
40,981 |
|
Laois County Council (Portlaoise Athletic Track) |
150,000 |
|
Laois County Council (Portlaoise Leisure Centre — Gym Extension and Equipment) |
59,185 |
|
Mountmellick Macra na Feirme |
11,983 |
|
Mountmellick Smiths Field Development |
70,000 |
|
Mountmelllick Macra na Feirme |
3,817 |
|
Mountmelllick Macra na Feirme |
12,017 |
|
Offaly County Council — St Joseph’s Estate |
13,184 |
|
Portarlington GAA Club |
6,110 |
|
Rathdowney GAA Club |
2,240 |
|
St Brigids/St Pauls Field Committee |
19,844 |
Details of all sports capital allocations made in 2011 are available on the Department's website www.dttas.ie. There have been no new sports capital allocations in 2012 to County Laois.
Departmental Expenditure
Niall Collins
Question:201 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will detail, in tabular form, the total photography costs for his Department since coming to office inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24759/12]
It is the policy of my Department to keep photography costs to the minimum possible. The information requested by the Deputy is available on my Department's website at the following link http://www.dttas.ie/feature.aspx?id=79.
This information will be updated regularly by my Department.