Written Answers Nos. 1164-1177
1164. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the staffing levels at a Garda station (details supplied) in County Westmeath as of 15 July; his plans for the staffing levels at the station; if there has been any reduction in Garda vehicles in the area; if Garda vehicles have been given a larger area of responsibility; his plans for Garda stations at Finea and Rathowen, County Westmeath. [37159/12]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the Commissioner is responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including vehicles, throughout the organisation and I have no direct function in the matter. This allocation of resources is constantly monitored in the context of crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies in place on a District, Divisional and Regional level to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public.
I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of Castlepollard Garda Station on 31 July 2012, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 3. Castlepollard Garda Station forms part of the Westmeath Garda Division. The personnel strength of the Westmeath Garda Division, on the same date, was 253. There are also 18 Garda Reserves and 21 Civilians attached to the Westmeath Garda Division. These resources are augmented, when appropriate, by Gardaí from national units. I have been further informed that a Garda vehicle is allocated to the Castlepollard sub-district and that there has been no increase in the area to be covered by this vehicle. Cover is also provided by the Divisional Traffic Corps and District Detective Unit as and when the need arises. The Garda authorities state that they are satisfied that current policing arrangements make the best use of available resources in the delivery of a policing service to residents in the Castlepollard area.
With regard to Finea and Rathowen Garda Stations, the general position is that the Garda Commissioner is currently engaged in an assessment of the potential for improved efficiencies in the structure and organisation of the Garda Síochána as part of the preparation of the draft policing plan for 2013. This plan is due to be submitted to me by the end of October this year and I expect that it will contain proposals for the further rationalisation of Garda stations and Districts. In the meantime, it would be premature, in advance of its submission, to speculate on specific measures which it might contain.
1165. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of agencies, authorities, boards, committees, working groups, tribunals, council services, task forces, agencies or other quangos set up by his Department since February 2011; the number abolished since then; the extra cost of quangos which were established; the savings from the abolition of quangos; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37249/12]
View answer1297. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of State bodies that have been set up since 9 March 2011; the rationale behind these decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40000/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1165 and 1297 together.
I can inform the Deputy that in response to his question the following is the position since I took up office on 9 March 2011:
1. The Expert Group on Article 13 of the European Convention on Human Rights was established following the European Court on Human Rights finding against Ireland in the McFarlane case to make recommendations on the development of policy and legislative proposals for an effective domestic remedy as required by Article 13 of the European Convention on Human Rights in respect of violations of Article 6. It is expected to report in the near future. There is no cost associated with the establishment of this group.
2. ICT Governance Group - this has been established within my own Department and is chaired at Assistant Secretary level. The body is charged with the review and oversight of ICT spending within my Department and agencies. There is no cost associated with the establishment of this group.
3. Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD) was responsible for overseeing the decommissioning of paramilitary weapons. It was established by an agreement between the Irish and British Governments, signed on 26 August 1997, and by legislation enacted in the two jurisdictions. It was dissolved on 31 March 2011. The outturn for the Commission's last full year of operation 2010 was €594,000.
4. Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) was responsible for monitoring and reporting on paramilitary activity across Ireland and also for monitoring the security normalisation measures undertaken by the British Government in the North. It was dissolved on 31 March 2011. The outturn for the Commission's last full year of operation 2010 was €426,000.
5. The Government following its meeting on 14 June 2011 decided to establish an Inter-Departmental Committee which is independently chaired by Senator Martin McAleese, to establish the facts of State involvement with the Magdalen Laundries, to clarify any State interaction, and to produce a narrative detailing such interaction. No extra costs were incurred in establishing this Inter-Departmental Committee.
6. Inter-Departmental Working Group on Corporate Manslaughter was established in January 2012. The Chairman is due a flat fee of €4,000 (gross) on completion of his task.
7. The Internet Safety Advisory Council was appointed with effect from 1 December 2008. It was neither statutory nor regulatory but it was advisory. The mandate for the Internet Safety Advisory Council expired on 30 November 2011. The Chair of the Internet Safety Advisory Council received remuneration of €8,978 per year. The Internet Safety Advisory Committee succeeded the previous Internet Safety Advisory Council and it held its first meeting on 12 April 2012. The Chair does not receive any remuneration.
8. National Disability Strategy Implementation Group (NDSIG) was established by Ms. Kathleen Lynch, T.D. Minister of State at my department with responsibility for disability. The Group was established the on 30 November 2011. The NDSIG is not an additional group in the sense that it has replaced and will build on the former National Disability Strategy Stakeholder Monitoring Group, which was in place under the previous Government. There is no cost associated with the establishment of this group.
9. National Steering Committee on Violence against Men which met for the first time on 14 December 2011. There is no cost associated with the establishment of this committee.
10. Prisons Authority Interim Board was abolished on 26 July, 2011. The amount saved is in excess of €100,000 per annum.
11. Property Services Regulatory Authority was established on a legal footing on 3 April 2012. It has an annual budget for 2012 of €738,000.
12. Property Services Appeal Board was established on 24 July 2012. No costs have been incurred to date in respect of the Appeal Board. Board members will be paid a daily rate for each day they meet in accordance with rates and conditions sanctioned by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
13. Task Force on Cost Reductions in Criminal Legal Aid was established in May 2011 to identify changes which could potentially contribute to cost reductions on criminal legal aid (CLA). The Task Force reported in October 2011. The establishment of this Task Force did not incur any additional costs.
14. Thornton Hall Review Group was established to review the need for the Thornton Hall Prison Project. It was set up in April 2011 and reported to me in July 2011. Review Group costs incurred = €15,712.
15. Working Group on Efficiency Measures in the Circuit Court and District Court was established in November 2011 at the request of both the Chief Justice and of myself. A number of changes have already been introduced and its work continues. There are no additional costs associated with the establishment of this group.
16. Working Group on the establishment of the new, enhanced Human Rights and Equality Commission was appointed on 6 October 2011 to advise me on this extremely important matter. The Group completed its work in April 2012 and its report was published on 19 April 2012. There are no costs associated with the establishment of this group.
For his information, I would remind the Deputy that the term "quango" is an acronym which stands for "quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisations". No non-governmental organisations fall under the remit of my Department. Finally, the Deputy might wish to note that new groups/committees set up since I came into office were established for very specific reasons such as dealing with complex issues that require consultation with a range of stakeholders and in which it is anticipated that the outcome will be in the public interest, achieving savings or cost reductions for my Department and agencies or responding to requirements under Ireland's international commitments in, for example, the area of human rights.
1166. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost of each quango in his Department; the amount expected to be saved from the mergers of quangos in his Department; the basis for this figure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37265/12]
View answerI presume that the Deputy is referring to Government agencies falling under the remit of my Department. The term "quango" is an acronym which stands for "quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisations". No non-governmental organisations fall under the remit of my Department. I wish to inform the Deputy that the information requested regarding the cost of agencies under my Department's aegis is available on pages 85-104 of the 2012 Revised Estimates for Public Services and can be accessed via the following link http://per.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/Rev-20121.pdf. I understand that the 2012 Revised Estimates for Public Services is also available in the Houses of the Oireachtas library.
As the Deputy is aware, the radical streamlining of State bodies is a key deliverable of the Public Service Reform Plan, which was published in November 2011. This streamlining includes the rationalisation of 48 bodies by the end of 2012, as well as the critical review of a further 46 bodies to take place by the end of June 2012. Details of the bodies involved are set out in Appendices IIa and IIb of the Plan which can be found at: http://reformplan.per.gov.ie/files/2012/01/Public-Service-Reform-28112011.pdf. While these rationalisations will deliver savings to the taxpayer, the real benefits lie in the simplification of the administrative landscape, thereby ensuring greater accountability, less duplication of effort and more transparent lines of responsibility of public servants. It is not possible at this time to specify anticipated savings on an individual State body basis. However, the Public Service Reform Plan indicated that across the public service as a whole, savings of 20 million euro in enhanced service efficiencies and value-for-money are envisaged from the rationalisation programme.
With regard to State bodies under the aegis of the Department of Justice and Equality, the bodies which are to be rationalised, amalgamated or abolished during 2012 are:
Equality Tribunal (Rationalise the industrial relations / employee rights institutions – Labour Court, Labour Relations Commission, Employee Appeals Tribunal, National Employment Rights Authority, and Equality Tribunal into single agency). The purpose of the Equality Tribunal is to deal with all complaints of discrimination in employment and access to goods and services under the terms of equality legislation.
Equality Authority, Human Rights Commission (Merge to form new Human Rights and Equality Commission). The purpose of the Equality Authority is to ensure that all people in the country are treated equally and to ensure that discrimination on certain grounds does not occur. The Authority provides information to the public on the equality legislation and it can, at its discretion, provide legal assistance to people who wish to bring claims of unlawful discrimination. The Irish Human Rights Commission works to promote and protect human rights in Ireland. The General Scheme of a Bill to replace the Equality Authority and the Human Rights Commission with a new Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission was published on 5 June 2012. The Bill has been approved by Government for priority drafting in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel and it is intended to have the legislation in place by the end of 2012.
With regard to State bodies under the aegis of the Department of Justice and Equality, the bodies which are subject to critical review in 2012 are:
Property Services Regulatory Authority (Merge with the Private Residential Tenancies Board). The purpose of the Property Services Regulatory Authority is to set and enforce standards in the provision of property services by auctioneers, letting agents and property management agents.
Reception and Integration Agency, Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner & Refugee Appeals Tribunal (Rationalise various Refugee structures). The purpose of the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) is to accommodate asylum seekers in RIA accommodation centres while their applications for asylum are processed and to coordinate the provision of services to asylum seekers in RIA accommodation. The purpose of the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner is to investigate applications from persons seeking a declaration for refugee status and to issue appropriate recommendations to the Minister for Justice and Equality. The purpose of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal is to decide appeals of those asylum seekers whose applications for refugee status has not been recommended by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner.
Property Registration Authority (Merge the Valuation Office, Ordnance Survey Ireland and the Property Registration Authority). The purpose of the Property Registration Authority is to act as the registering authority in relation to property registration in Ireland.
Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (Amalgamate Office of the Data Protection Commissioner with the Office of the Ombudsman). The purpose of the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner is to protect the individual's right to privacy by enabling people to know, and to exercise control over how their personal information is used, in accordance with the Data Protection Acts, 1988 and 2001.
Prison Visiting Committees (Reduce or merge Visiting Committees as there is now a Prisons Inspectorate). A prison visiting committee is appointed to each prison and the committee’s function is to visit, at frequent intervals, the prison to which it is appointed and hear any complaints which may be made to them by any prisoner.
Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests (Subsume Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests into proposed Office of the Charities Regulator). The purpose of the Commissioners is to provide a variety of services to charities of a judicial or quasi-judicial nature in accordance with legislation governing charities.
Forensic Science Laboratory (Merge Forensic Science Laboratory into State Laboratory). The purpose of the Forensic Science Laboratory is to assist in the investigation of crime and serve the administration of justice by providing scientific analysis and objective expert evidence to international standards. The services of the Laboratory are geared mainly to the requirements of the criminal justice system, chiefly the criminal courts of justice and the Garda Síochána as well some other State organisations involved in the investigation of criminal matters.
With respect to the bodies under the aegis of my Department which are subject to critical review during 2012, it will be a matter for the Government to decide how to proceed in each case, having regard to the outcomes of the critical review process.
1167. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new jobs created by his Department as a result of the jobs initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37281/12]
View answer1168. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new jobs created by his Department as a result of the action plan on jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37297/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1167 and 1168 together.
I wish to inform the Deputy that while my Department has no specific job creation targets as such, it plays its part in creating an environment for job creation by continuing to support economic growth, and working with other stakeholders both within Government and the private sector.
Immigration
Some recent specific initiatives of particular note are the Visa Waiver Programme introduced in 2011 and the new programmes for Immigrant Investors and Start-up Entrepreneurs which commenced earlier this year. The Visa Waiver Programme is aimed at tourists and business travellers to the UK who might wish to include a trip to Ireland in their overall travel plans. Under the programme, holders of certain types of short stay UK visas who have already been cleared to land by the UK's border control personnel may travel onwards to Ireland without the need to apply for a separate Irish visa. The programme applies to citizens of sixteen countries (soon to be extended to seventeen) mainly from Asia (including China and India), the former Soviet Union and the Gulf and Middle East regions all of which are regarded as key development markets for Irish business and tourism interests. The programme has been widely welcomed by the business and tourism sectors as an aid to developing important overseas markets.
To qualify for the Immigrant Investor Programme the migrant must make an investment of a designated type, ranging from a €2m specially created low interest Government Bond, a capital investment in an Irish business that creates or protects jobs to a €500,000 endowment in the cultural, sporting educational or health areas. Investment in property may also qualify in certain cases. The Start-up Entrepreneur Programme provides that migrants with a good business idea in the innovation economy and funding of €75,000 can be given residency in this State for the purposes of developing their business. Both the Immigrant Investor Programme and the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme are now operational and the first approval letters issued in the past couple of weeks. There is a significant level of ongoing enquiry in the programmes.
Legal Costs
I also wish to inform the Deputy that the Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011, which will modernise and open up the provision of legal services while providing a more transparent legal costs regime, was published within the exceptional EU/IMF/ECB Programme deadline which applied for the end of Quarter 3 of 2011. Earlier this year the Bill completed Second Stage in the Dáil. Important progress has been made in the development of the Bill and this work continues including in conjunction with the Offices of the Attorney General and Parliamentary Counsel. The aim is to commence Committee Stage before the end of this year with a view to the Bill's enactment in 2013.
JobBridge
I can inform the Deputy that as part of the Programme for Government my Department is actively engaging in the Government's new jobs activation programme the National Internship Scheme – JobBridge. This scheme provides work experience placements for interns for a 6 or 9 month period. The aim is to assist in breaking the cycle where jobseekers are unable to get a job without experience, either as new entrants to the labour market after education or training or as unemployed workers wishing to learn new skills. The Department has already advertised some 37 separate internship opportunities across a range of vocational areas including the legislative area, statistics, procurement, customer relations and general administration. There are currently 33 individuals on placements across the Department.
The Department cannot offer full-time employment at the end of an internship period, however, we do provide significant and in some cases challenging job experience opportunities to persons in need of such opportunities and better prepare them for either re-entry to the jobs market or a change in job direction.
Data Protection
The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner as the data protection regulator has no direct role in relation to job creation. However, given that data protection, in light of developments at EU level, is now viewed as an issue of Board level strategic importance in multinationals the Office and the Commissioner have made themselves available on an ongoing basis to the IDA, companies established here and companies considering establishing here to explain data protection requirements. It is understood that this assisted in relation to investment decisions for such companies.
1169. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the total amount spent on taxis by his Department since February 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37329/12]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that while the recording of expenditure on taxi services does not allow for the precise identification of all the spend under this heading, the identified spend since 11 March, 2011 by my Department is set out in the following table.
|
Year |
€ |
|
11/03/2011 - 31/12/2011 |
13,002.68 |
|
01/01/2012 - 31/08/2012 |
8,853.77 |
The amount of money spent on taxi services has been significantly reduced over the past number of years with every opportunity taken to reduce costs in light of budgetary constraints. My Department also re-tendered in 2010 for the provision of taxi services and the contract was awarded to a new provider which has resulted in further savings. In addition, the Department has made use of two official vehicles which can be configured as the need arises for use as people carriers or for carrying materials. The use of these vehicles not only assists in the efficient discharge of Departmental business but has also given rise to significant savings in taxi costs which would otherwise be required in the absence of such a facility. The Departmental policy is that taxis may only be used by staff for business reasons where absolutely essential and where public transport or other cheaper alternatives are either not available or are not viable.
1170. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of press officers in his Department; the number of press officers in each agency under his auspices; the total cost of press officers in his Department and in agencies under his auspices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37345/12]
View answerMy Personal Assistant acts as the Press Officer for my Department. She is paid at the Personal Assistant salary scale (€43,715 - €56,060). Notwithstanding the wide range of functions and responsibilities of the Justice Sector, with approximately 22,800 staff, the majority of areas rely on the Department's Press Officer to deal with press/media matters. There are, however, a small number of organisations (details below) that manage their own press/media matters because of the nature of their role.
|
Organisation |
Details |
|
An Garda Síochána |
Press Officer position filled at the rank of Superintendent (salary scale €70,514 - €82,183). |
|
Irish Prison Service |
Press Officer position filled at Assistant Principal level (salary scale €65,185 - €80,678 plus €5,934 allowance p.a.). |
|
Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission |
Press Officer functions are the responsibility of the Head of Communications and Research which is at Assistant Principal level. As the post is currently vacant the duties are being performed by a Higher Executive Officer (salary scale €46,081 - €58,294). |
|
Courts Service |
Media relation services, including Press Officer duties, are provided by a private company retained on contract and paid an annual fee which is currently €94,496. |
It should also be noted that some organisations, such as the Equality Authority, Equality Tribunal, Irish Human Rights Commission, would, because of their independent nature, manage their own press/media matters. They would not, however, require a designated Press Officer.
1171. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of board appointments he has made since he came to office; the names, salaries and expenses of each appointee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37361/12]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that since I took up office, I have made a number of board appointments. Details of these appointments, including remuneration, if any, are set out in the following table:
|
Entity |
First Name |
Last Name |
Current Remuneration p.a./per diem (€) |
|
*Children Detention Schools Board of Management |
Dan |
Kelleher |
No Fee Paid |
|
Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime |
Ray |
McAndrew |
8,978 |
|
Norah |
Gibbons |
5,985 |
|
|
John |
Cheatle |
5,985 |
|
|
Anne Marie |
McMahon |
No Fee Paid |
|
|
Committee to monitor the effectiveness of the Garda Diversion Programme under Section 44 of the Children Act 2001 (as amended) |
John |
Twomey |
No Fee Paid |
|
Courts Service Board |
Deirdre |
O'Keeffe |
No Fee Paid |
|
Pat |
Doyle |
11,970 |
|
|
Shane |
Browne |
11,970 |
|
|
Equality Authority |
Kieran |
Rose |
No Fee Paid |
|
Betty |
O'Leary |
7,695 |
|
|
Ellen |
Mongan |
No Fee Paid |
|
|
Salome |
Mbugua |
7,695 |
|
|
Paddy |
Maguinness |
7,695 |
|
|
Christy |
Lynch |
No Fee Paid |
|
|
Lynn |
Jackson |
No Fee Paid |
|
|
Sean |
Fogarty |
7,695 |
|
|
Nigel |
Brander |
7,695 |
|
|
Angela |
Kerins |
11,970 - Chairperson |
|
|
Rhona |
Murphy |
7,695 |
|
|
Peter |
White |
7,695 |
|
|
David |
Joyce |
7,695 |
|
|
Annette |
Dolan |
No Fee Paid |
|
|
Garda Síochána Complaints Board |
Liam |
Crowley |
No Fee Paid |
|
Annie |
Walsh |
No Fee Paid |
|
|
Shane |
McCarthy |
No Fee Paid |
|
|
Hugh |
Mohan |
No Fee Paid |
|
|
Carol |
O'Kennedy |
No Fee Paid |
|
|
Mary |
Comer |
No Fee Paid |
|
|
Ed |
Ronayne |
No Fee Paid |
|
|
Fergus |
O'Callaghan |
No Fee Paid |
|
|
Derek |
Byrne |
No Fee Paid |
|
|
Irish Legal Terms Advisory Committee |
Victor |
Blake |
No Fee Paid |
|
Judicial Appointments Advisory Board |
Karen |
Dent |
No Fee Paid |
|
Valerie |
Bresnihan |
No Fee Paid |
|
|
Simon |
Boucher |
No Fee Paid |
|
|
Legal Aid Board |
Ger |
Power |
No Fee Paid |
|
Michelle |
O'Neill |
7,695 |
|
|
Philip |
O'Leary |
7,695 |
|
|
John |
O'Gorman |
No Fee Paid |
|
|
Donncha |
O'Connell |
No Fee Paid |
|
|
Micheál D |
O'Connell |
7,695 |
|
|
Oonagh |
McPhillips |
No Fee Paid |
|
|
Joy |
McGlynn |
No Fee Paid |
|
|
Kate |
Hayes |
7,695 |
|
|
Rob |
Reid |
No Fee Paid |
|
|
David |
Garvey |
7,695 |
|
|
Mary |
Dalton |
No Fee Paid |
|
|
Oonagh |
Buckley |
No Fee Paid |
|
|
Muriel |
Walls |
No Fee Paid Chairperson |
|
|
Mental Health (Criminal Law) Review Board |
Michael |
Mulcahy |
250 per case reviewed |
|
Nora |
McGarry |
250 per case reviewed |
|
|
Brian |
McCracken |
75,000 ** Chairman |
|
|
Parole Board |
John |
Costello |
11,970 Chairperson |
|
Willie |
Connolly |
7,695 with a 149.75 per diem payment for each prison visit, to a maximum of 12,600 p.a. |
|
|
Eddie |
Rock |
7,695 with a 149.75 per diem payment for each prison visit, to a maximum of 12,600 p.a. |
|
|
Shane |
McCarthy |
7,695 with a 149.75 per diem payment for each prison visit, to a maximum of 12,600 p.a. |
|
|
Nora |
McGarry |
7,695 with a 149.75 per diem payment for each prison visit, to a maximum of 12,600 p.a. |
|
|
Ciairín |
de Buis |
7,695 with a 149.75 per diem payment for each prison visit, to a maximum of 12,600 p.a. |
|
|
Brian |
Murphy |
No Fee Paid Ex officio member |
|
|
Vivian |
Geiran |
No Fee Paid Ex officio member |
|
|
Private Security Appeal Board |
Graham |
Hanlon |
371 per sitting |
|
Pat |
Killalea |
170 per sitting |
|
|
John |
Mulvihill |
170 per sitting |
|
|
Ciara |
Feighery |
170 per sitting |
|
|
Property Registration Authority |
Frank |
Branigan |
No Fee Paid effective 1/11/2011 |
|
Deirdre |
Fox |
11,970 |
|
|
Teresa |
Pilkington |
11,970 |
|
|
Property Services Appeal Board |
Patricia |
O'Connor |
No Fee Paid |
|
Sunniva |
McDonagh |
No Fee Paid |
|
|
James |
Bridgeman |
No Fee Paid |
|
|
David |
McGarry |
No Fee Paid |
|
|
Dorothea |
Dowling |
No Fee Paid |
|
|
Philip |
Moynihan |
No Fee Paid |
|
|
Property Services Regulatory Authority |
Geraldine |
Clarke |
8,978 |
|
Carol |
Boate |
No Fee Paid |
|
|
Edward |
Carey |
5,975 |
|
|
Patrick |
Devitt |
5,975 |
|
|
James |
Doorley |
5,975 |
|
|
Deirdre |
Fox |
5,975 |
|
|
Martin |
Hanratty |
No Fee Paid |
|
|
Josephine |
Henry |
5,975 |
|
|
Paul |
Mooney |
5,975 |
|
|
Myles |
O'Reilly |
5,975 |
|
|
Regina |
Terry |
No Fee Paid |
*The responsibility for appointments to the Children Detention Schools Board of Management moved to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs on 1 January, 2012.
** With one exception, none of the persons appointed are in receipt of a salary. The persons concerned are entitled to travel and subsistence expenses where appropriate. Meetings are arranged to minimise such expenses.
I wish to inform the Deputy that no fees are paid to public servants, to board members who waive their entitlement or in respect of appointments which attract no fees.
1172. Deputy Dara Calleary 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 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. [37377/12]
View answerI 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. Our records show that the photography costs for my Department since my appointment is set out below 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 |
€618.60 |
|
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 |
|
Regulatory Reform for a 21st Century Legal Profession Conference |
6 July 2012 |
Maxwell Photography |
€276.75 |
|
Total Photography Costs to date |
€3,316.75 |
Finally, the Deputy might wish to note that questions concerning Ministerial allowances are solely a matter for the Oireachtas.
1173. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will detail, in tabular form, the total cost of providing entertainment for his Department since coming to office inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the occasions for which entertainment was provided; the entertainers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion; if there is a policy regarding the booking of entertainers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37449/12]
View answerThere have been no costs incurred by my Department in the hiring of entertainers since my Ministerial appointment to date. I wish to advise the Deputy that queries concerning my Ministerial Allowance are solely a matter for the Houses of the Oireachtas and all future queries should be directed to that forum.
1174. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount spent on food and drink by his Department; if he will provide a breakdown of what this involved; the occasions on which food and drink was provided; those present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37465/12]
View answerThe total amount spent on food and drink by my Department since my Ministerial appointment to date, is €27,257. Records do not indicate the specific circumstances under which these refreshments were provided or those present. However, the provision of such refreshments are primarily to facilitate business meetings. Consideration is given at all times to the cost involved and best value for money is always a priority when sourcing such services.
1175. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount spent on hair and make-up by his Department since he came to office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37481/12]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that my Department has not incurred any expenditure on hair and make-up during the time I have been in office.
1176. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number and names of all special advisers, special press advisers, or any other type of ministerial adviser in his Department; the name of the Minister or Minister of State to whom he or she reports; the salary of each adviser now; the salary of each adviser at the time he or she was appointed; if any salary increase was asked for; if it was granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37497/12]
View answer1178. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the gross annual salary costs for his private and constituency offices at present; the same figures for this time last year; and the same figures for any Ministers of State in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37530/12]
View answer1299. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the names of special advisers for whom salary increases have been requested; the amount requested; the details of those granted increases and the amount by which they were increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40024/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1176, 1178 and 1299 together.
The current staffing of my Private and Constituency offices, and their salary ranges, is set out in the following table. The level of staffing in my offices for part of 2011 was slightly higher by 0.4 of a whole time equivalent at clerical officer level. I would remind the Deputy that this Government has reduced the number of staff in a Minister's Private Office from 10 to 8 and in a Minister's Constituency Office from 6 to 4 and that the staffing of my office complies with these guidelines.
|
Private Office |
Salary (as of September 2012) |
|
1 Private Secretary |
€43,816 - €55,415 + appropriate Private Secretary allowance |
|
3 Executive Officers |
€30,516 - €47,975 |
|
2 Clerical Officers |
€23,177 - €37,341 |
|
2 Special Advisors |
€80,051 - €98,424 |
|
Constituency Office |
|
|
1.6 Clerical Officers |
€23,177 - €37,341 |
|
1 Personal Assistant * |
€43,715 - €56,060 |
|
1 Personal Secretary |
€23,820 - €47,755 |
* The Minister's Personal Assistant also acts as the Press Officer for the Department.
I appointed Ms Jane Lehane and Mr Thomas Cooney as my Special Advisors. They are both paid at the Principal Officer standard scale. I have made no requests for salary increases for either individual and the only changes to their salaries have been by way of normal incremental progression. No Minister of State maintains an office in my Department.
1177. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide detail in tabular form of the names of all external public relations and consultancy persons and organisations used by his Department for the years 2011 and 2010; the amount paid to each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37513/12]
View answerThere are no records to indicate that there were any payments made to external public relations persons or organisations for the years 2010 and 2011. Consultancy persons and organisations used by my Department for the years 2010 and 2011 are as follows:
|
Year |
Consultant |
€ |
|
2010 |
IBI Group (UK) LTD |
26,978 |
|
Byrne O'Cleirigh |
5,114 |
|
|
McCann FitzGerald Solicitors |
61,294 |
|
|
Total |
93,386 |
|
|
2011 |
Byrne O'Cleirigh |
3,993 |
|
LHM Casey McGrath |
15,711 |
|
|
Forensic Navigation Services Ltd |
7,316 |
|
|
Prof. Gisli Gudjonsson |
6,867 |
|
|
- |
Total |
€33,888 |
