Written Answers Nos. 107-131
109. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will publish the report on the Labour Market Activation Programmes to ensure that all stakeholders have a fair opportunity to study its findings in advance of any further policy change. [44549/12]
View answerThe Department assumed full responsibility for the Community Employment Programme on the 1st of January 2012. The Department then initiated a financial review of the Programme to examine the income and funding of sponsoring organisations in terms of their ability to continue to deliver the programme. This review has now been completed and published. The review reflects the outcomes of the discussions that took place with community employment sponsors and sets out a series of recommendations for the future financial and operational management of the programme. Separately, the Department is also conducting policy review of the overall range of employment support, activation and work schemes operated by the Department.
The aim of this activation review is to assess the schemes, individually and in combination, “in the light of their contribution to the Department’s policy objective of supporting people of working age into employment” and to “recommend any changes to the current range of schemes/programmes seen as required on the basis of the analysis carried out”. The review will be completed shortly, discussed by Government and then published. It will then be discussed with stakeholders.
111. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applicants for back to education allowance, third level option, in 2011 and 2012; the number of successful applications and the number of appeals for both years; the number of successful appeals in both years where the applicant had been initially refused based on the cumulative total number of days of unemployment being deemed insufficient; if her attention has been drawn to the practice of FÁS/Solas encouraging applications for the allowance where applicants have not the required number of days of unemployment; if she will detail any communications her Department may have had with the Department of Education and Skills on this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44568/12]
View answerThe BTEA is operated via local and branch office network of the Department and data are not collated centrally on the overall number of application received, refused or where a review is sought. Data are compiled on the number of persons awarded the back to education allowance (BTEA) in respect of the academic years. For the 2011/12, some 25,700 persons were supported by the BTEA of which 62% pursued courses under the third level option. At end of September 2012 a total of 16,974 participants were approved BTEA in respect of the 2012/13 academic year - 67% of which are pursuing courses under the third level option. BTEA operates on an administrative basis. The guidelines and applications processes are published on my Department’s website - www.welfare.ie. Decisions made at local or branch office level are subject to review should an applicant be dissatisfied with the decision and/or explanation provided. The review is conducted by a more senior officer not involved in the original decision.
The Department is in regular contact with the Department of Education and Skills regarding the range of activation schemes available to person who are unemployed. Returning to education is considered when jobseekers are invited to explore the wide variety of options available to them. However, the Deputy will appreciate that an individual’s eligibility can only be determined following a formal application process during which all relevant circumstances are established. This is undertaken by the local or branch office.
112. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will provide minutes for the meetings of the Clearing House Group for the past year. [44300/12]
View answerIn a reply in the Dáil on 22 May this year I stated that I am open and willing to exploring any additional mechanisms with regard to enhancing the accessibility of the deliberations of the IFSC Clearing House Group and that I had asked my Officials to consider the matter. The question of publication of minutes is one of the matters under consideration in that context. My Department is working to develop proposals to address these issues and I expect this work to be completed in the coming weeks.
113. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Taoiseach the discussions he has had to date with the EU officials in respect of Ireland's participation in the Compact for Growth agreed at EU level in June 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44760/12]
View answerI discussed the Compact for Growth and Jobs with EU colleagues at the European Council on 28/29 June. The Irish Government had long argued that such a Pact was urgently needed to ensure a firm focus on growth and job creation at European-level. The Compact also featured in discussions I had with President Van Rompuy, President Barroso and the College of Commissioners in Brussels on 3 October. The European Council meeting on 18 October will review progress in the implementation of the Compact and set additional orientations to promote growth and employment. The key issue is sustaining momentum, with a clear focus on delivery and implementation. The Compact is set to become a key driver of the Irish Presidency programme and it will underpin work on key growth and jobs priorities.
114. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach if he will outline in tabular form, the amount to money allocated by him and agencies within his Department to Ballina, Castlebar and Westport Town Council between 1997 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44086/12]
View answerNo funding has been allocated by my Department or agencies under the aegis of my Department to Ballina, Castlebar or Westport Town Council for the period of 2002 to the end of September 2012. Information for the years 1997 to 2001 is not readily available.
115. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the occasions on which he has raised the issues of the Ballymurphy massacre, the Dublin and Monaghan Bombings and the need for an inquiry in the killing of human rights solicitor Pat Finucane with the British Prime Minister David Cameron; in each instance, if he will clarify whether the issue was raised in writing, by way of a document or orally with the British Prime Minister. [44087/12]
View answerI have taken the opportunity frequently when I have met the British Prime Minister in 10 Downing Street to raise the cases listed above. These meetings tend to concern bilateral issues as well as including a discussion on Northern Ireland issues and I have spoken to him with regard to the outstanding issues that arise in these cases. I have had two bilateral meetings to date this year with the Prime Minister, on 12 January and again on 12 March. I also raised the cases and others when I met the new Secretary of State Theresa Villiers on 2 October in Government Buildings.
With regard to the Ballymurphy case specifically, the Deputy may wish to be aware that, at my request, officials from my Department met with representatives from the Ballymurphy families in Belfast on 11 October. This meeting, which included a tour of the site of those killed in August 1971 in Ballymurphy, was held to prepare for a meeting I intend to have with them myself in Dublin in the near future.
116. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Taoiseach if he intends to consider the right to a home as part of the deliberations of the work of the Constitutional Convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44088/12]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Dáil and Seanad passed Resolutions prior to the Summer recess approving the calling of a Constitutional Convention. The Resolutions noted the issues to be considered by the Convention and further noted that, following completion of reports on these issues, the Convention could consider other relevant constitutional amendments that may be recommended by it.
117. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Taoiseach the expected total legal costs to be incurred in his Department in 2012; his proposals to reduce these costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44316/12]
View answerTo date in 2012 my Department has paid €241,676 in legal costs, incurred in respect of the applicant's costs in proceedings taken against the previous Government about the holding of a by-election in Donegal South-West. It is not expected that the Department will incur further legal costs in 2012.
118. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Taoiseach the number of staff in his Department or agencies under his control that are currently on career break; the number of staff currently hired temporarily to cover those on career break; if he will provide a breakdown of the numbers by grade and agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44374/12]
View answer125. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Taoiseach the number of staff that availed of the special civil service incentive career break scheme 2009; the cost of the scheme since its introduction; the savings on the pay bill in that time period; the estimated full year cost for the return of all the new civil servants in 2013; the number of staff members that applied for a further extension of their leave; if these staff were counted as a reduction in numbers employed in the public service during that time period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45616/12]
View answer126. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Taoiseach the number of staff across the public service that are currently on a career break; if he will provide a breakdown of the numbers on career leave by Department and agency; the estimated cost of this scheme per year; the number of staff currently hired temporarily to cover those on career break; the reforms that have taken place in this general area in the past year; if these staff were counted as a reduction in numbers employed in the public service during that time period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45631/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 118, 125 and 126 together.
There are currently 13 staff on career break from my Department as follows: five Clerical Officers; four Executive Officers; two Administrative Officers and two Assistant Principals. There is one Executive Officer from the National Economic and Social Council, which is the only agency under the aegis of my Department, on career break. Seven staff from my Department availed of the civil service special incentive career break scheme which was introduced for a limited time in 2009. This scheme provided for payment of a third of gross salary to a maximum of €12,500 per annum for three years for those who availed of it. As such a cost arises for my Department under this scheme but no costs arise under the other career break scheme available to staff in my Department which provides for unpaid leave only.
To date, €219,984 has been paid by my Department to the officers who availed of the incentivised career break scheme. No staff were hired temporarily to cover those on career break under either scheme and the savings on the pay bill so far are €1,073,163. In keeping with normal practice for recording staff numbers, staff availing of the scheme are not counted in the staff numbers returns which Departments make to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. It is not possible to estimate the cost arising in 2013, for the return of staff who availed of the scheme, as it is not yet clear when vacancies will be available. The working patterns of the staff concerned (e.g. full time, mornings only, week-on/week/off) and whether they might wish to extend their career breaks are other factors that would affect the costs arising from their returning to work. One of the staff concerned has applied for a career break extension. Changes to the career break schemes are centrally agreed and as such are a matter for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
119. Deputy James Bannon asked the Taoiseach if any proceedings have been initiated against the State arising out of the findings of the Moriarty Tribunal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44459/12]
View answerNo proceedings have been initiated against my Department arising out of the findings of the Moriarty Tribunal.
120. Deputy James Bannon asked the Taoiseach the cost in 2011 to his Department and to each body under the aegis of his Department of implementing the Official Languages Act 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44473/12]
View answerThe primary objective of the Official Languages Act, 2003 was to ensure better availability and a higher standard of service to the public in Irish. This was already a key feature of my Department's Customer Charter, which undertakes that customers who wish to conduct their business through Irish can do so. However, because the primary focus of my Department's work is on dealings with Government and other Departments and Agencies, we do not experience a significant level of demand from the public for service in Irish. Nevertheless, in keeping with the spirit of the Act, we are fully committed to improving the service we provide in Irish and to developing, on an ongoing basis, a positive culture that encourages the use of Irish both within the Department and with our customers.
As required by the Act, we have set out our commitments in this regard in our current Official Languages Scheme. As my Department was already providing a bilingual service as part of our customer service commitments prior to the Official Languages Act 2003, it is difficult to quantify exactly how much is directly attributable to the implementation of the Act.
In 2011, a total of €19,735.69 was incurred in relation to the Irish language: Translation - €12,506.55; Advertising - €7,069.14; Language courses - €160. As one would expect, most of the translation costs were in respect of translation from English to Irish, in order to provide a better service to those who wish to receive material in or conduct their business through Irish; to reflect the national nature of my Department’s work; and to fulfil our obligations under the Official Languages Act. Most of the expenditure on advertising related to public notices for the National Day of Commemoration, and to the Department’s entry in the State Directory pages of the phone books. This figure does not include the long-standing practice of advertising in Irish in the Iris Oifigiúil, which predates the introduction of the Official Languages Act.
With regard to bodies under the aegis of this Department, the cost to the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) of implementing the Official Languages Act 2003 in 2011 was €992.36. This related entirely to translation costs of the annual report of the office for the year ended 31 December 2010.
121. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the membership of the Cabinet sub committee dealing with mortgage arrears. [44480/12]
View answer122. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the number of times the Cabinet sub committee dealing with mortgage arrears has met in 2012; if he will provide a list of the dates on which the committee met [44481/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 121 and 122 together.
Membership of the Cabinet Committee on Mortgage Arrears is comprised of myself as Chair, and: Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade; Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform; Minister for Finance; Minister for Social Protection; Minister for the Environment, Community & Local Government; Minister for Justice & Equality; Minister of State for Housing & Planning. The Committee has met seven times in 2012 as set out in the following table:
|
Cabinet Committee on Mortgage Arrears: Meeting dates in 2012 |
|
14 March 2012 |
|
03 April 2012 |
|
24 April 2012 |
|
15 May 2012 |
|
05 June 2012 |
|
25 June 2012 |
|
19 July 2012 |
123. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a breakdown of the salaries paid to staff in the office of the Attorney General. [44716/12]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following table and takes into account staff changes to date and all anticipated staff arrivals or departures before the end of this year. Please note that eight of the Assistant Principal level staff are temporarily with the Office as they undergo training in advance of their secondment to other Departments. The figures shown are gross and do not reflect the Pension Related Deduction (pension levy).
|
- |
Office of the Attorney General 2012 Staff Salaries |
- |
|
No. |
Grade |
Estimated Total for 2012 |
|
1 |
Director General |
188,640.00 |
|
1 |
Chief Parliamentary Counsel |
188,640.00 |
|
1 |
First Parliamentary Counsel |
172,920.00 |
|
1 |
Deputy Director General |
168,000.00 |
|
9 |
Assistant Secretary |
1,318,929.00 |
|
23.2 |
Principal Officer |
2,445,139.00 |
|
37.8 |
Assistant Principal |
2,430,784.00 |
|
7 |
Higher Executive Officer |
390,863.00 |
|
8 |
Executive Officer |
336,824.00 |
|
4 |
Staff Officer |
160,780.00 |
|
30.2 |
Clerical Officer |
938,136.00 |
|
1 |
Information Manager |
68,260.00 |
|
1 |
Systems Librarian |
60,681.00 |
|
4 |
Legal Researcher |
128,523.00 |
|
1 |
Special Adviser |
83,337.00 |
|
2 |
Personal Assistant |
90,970.00 |
|
2 |
Civilian Driver |
65,930.00 |
|
1 |
Canteen Operative |
9,811.60 |
124. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Taoiseach if he will provide, in tabular form if possible, a list of the bank accounts used by his Department and separately any agencies within the remit of his Department; the purpose of each bank account and the financial institution the bank account is with; the total amount of any interest charged or bank fees incurred by his Department and separately by each agency in 2011 and anticipated figure for 2012; the percentage of payments issued by his Department and each agency which are issued electronically and if the Department agency has any special arrangement in place on the issue of bank charges and fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44857/12]
View answerMy Department has no bank account and has incurred no bank fees or charges to date in 2012. The sum of €48.00 was paid in 2011 by my Department in respect of bank interest charges incurred on official credit cards held by officials in my Department. 93% of payments in 2011 made by my Department were made by electronic fund transfer and 96% in 2012. The National Economic and Social Development office (NESDO) has two bank accounts with Allied Irish Bank plc, a deposit and current account and has incurred no bank fees in 2011 or to date in 2012. The accounts are used to make salary and supplier payments. 98% of payments in 2011 and to date in 2012 were made by electronic fund transfer.
127. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if there are any companies or persons participating, being developed or assisted in Ireland through the European Commission proposed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44526/12]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade plays an active role in providing support to Irish companies and promoting foreign earnings opportunities for Irish business, including through the implementation of the Africa Strategy which I launched last year. Last month my colleague, the Minister of State for Trade and Development, Mr. Joe Costello, T.D., launched the ‘Winning Business in Africa’ Report in collaboration with the Irish Business and Employers Confederation. This valuable report focuses on opportunities in energy and renewable energy, infrastructure, water and mining and identifies over 100 projects in African countries, valued at up to €12 billion, for which Irish companies can bid over the next five years. The report included a reference to the Global Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Fund, to which the Deputy refers in his Question. It is a public-private partnership initiated by the Directorate General for Environment and the Directorate General for Europe Aid Cooperation Office (AIDCO) of the European Commission. We do not have specific information on individual applications by Irish companies to this fund. However, more generally, I am pleased to note that trade with Africa continues to grow. Irish exports of goods and services to Africa were valued at over €2.7 billion in 2011 and figures from the Central Statistics Office show an increase of 7% for the first five months of 2012 over the same period last year.
128. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the arrangements in place to facilitate Irish citizens who require an emergency passport from the Dublin office; if he will outline the various options open to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44186/12]
View answerApplicants applying at the Passport Service public offices can ask to have an application expedited in the case of urgent travel need. In such cases, the Passport Service will issue a passport within 3 working days. A fee of €55, which is additional to the applicable fee for the issue of a passport, must be paid by the applicant. When applying through a public office, the applicant must state clearly at the time of application that the passport is needed urgently and must provide satisfactory evidence of the need to expedite the application. An expedited service is not provided in cases where the applicant is a first time adult applicant and cannot be guaranteed where an applicant cannot produce his/her previous passport due to loss or theft. In cases where a passport is required for travel necessitated by an emergency such as the death or illness of a family member receive the highest priority and are generally turned around on the same day. This service is available at the Passport Service public offices. Outside of normal opening hours, a duty officer service is in place to deal with similar emergencies which cannot await the reopening of a public office.
I should point out that the standard processing time for all passports received through the Passport Express Service available through post offices is 10 working days. Applications made over the counter in the Passport Office in Dublin City Centre or in Cork during the peak season of application demand are processed within 15 working days.
129. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will estimate the cost of Ireland's hosting of the EU Presidency in 2013; if he will indicate the total cost of the previous Irish EU presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44253/12]
View answer148. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the cost to date of preparation for the Irish Presidency of the EU; the estimated total cost that will be incurred; the proportion that will accrue to domestic firms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43396/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 148 together.
An overarching focus of the Government in planning for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the first half of 2013 is to run an efficient and cost-effective Presidency. The Government decided in December 2011 to allocate a budget in the order of €60m over 2012 and 2013 to resource the Presidency, which excludes security costs. This budget is broadly in line with budgets for recent Presidencies and is less than the budget for the Irish Presidency in 2004 where total expenditure was in excess of €93 million.
An effectively managed Presidency will deliver long-term reputational benefit for Ireland. Short-term benefits include significant benefits for the local economy from an influx of up to 15,000 delegates, press and representatives of NGOs who will use local services including hotels, restaurants, taxis etc. over the six month Presidency period. The use of Dublin Castle and a small number of other state-owned venues mainly in Dublin to host most Presidency meetings will reduce venue hire, transport and set-up costs, not to mention significantly reducing the “carbon footprint” of the Presidency. To date, expenditure on Presidency related items by all Departments is just over €4.2 million. However, that figure is expected to rise rapidly as additional staff is deployed to the Presidency and payments to service providers and suppliers begin to fall due over the coming months.
The procurement of most logistical requirements for the Presidency is being centralised to reduce costs, reduce administrative burden, and increase efficiencies. Procurement is being carried out on a collaborative basis involving principally my Department, the National Procurement Service and the Office of Public Works. Purchasing is being conducted in a transparent and competitive basis in compliance with relevant EU and national rules which, among other things, require that contracts over certain value thresholds (€130,000 for goods and services) be advertised and open to EU-wide competition. It is too early to say at this stage how much of the procurement spend will accrue to domestic firms, but I can confirm that domestic suppliers and service providers are actively and successfully competing for tenders to date.
130. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether the EU Council of Foreign Ministers should adopt an EU wide policy preventing Israeli settlement products being sold in the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44337/12]
View answer131. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will end trade with illegal Israeli settlements; and also highlight ongoing human rights abuses in Palestinian territories (details supplied). [44345/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 131 together.
I have answered many questions on the issue of settlement products and the situation has not changed. Notwithstanding the EU’s view on the illegality of Israel’s settlement activity in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, there is, in my view, no prospect of securing agreement on the banning of products produced in the settlements. I am aware that Deputies have received many representations on this issue, and as stated in reply to an earlier Question, I intend to write to all Deputies very shortly setting out in more detail the position in relation to settlement products.
