Thursday, 18 Oct 2012

Written Answers Nos. 86-98

Road Safety Issues

Questions (86)

Jim Daly

Question:

86. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied with the system in place to ensure the maintenance of hedgerows and verges in rural areas under section 70 of the Roads Act 1993 which is intended to safeguard road users of all types of hazardous growth that impinges on road users; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that hedgerows are being totally neglected in rural Ireland since 2009 and have reduced the clearance width between hedges by up to four metres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44950/12]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993.  Works on those roads are funded from local authorities own resources supplemented by State road grants.  The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.

Also under Section 70 of the Roads Act 1993, the owner or occupier of land is required to take all reasonable steps to ensure that a tree, shrub, hedge or other vegetation on the land is not a hazard or potential hazard to the safe use of a public road.  This section also confers powers on local authorities to ensure that action is taken to address potential hazards by landowners or failing that by direct action by the local authority. In view of the provisions set out above, I am satisfied that local authorities have adequate powers to ensure the maintenance of hedgerows and verges.

Rail Network

Questions (87)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

87. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to complete the Western Arc project before the end of this Government’s term [45132/12]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

As I have indicated to the House previously, I have no plans at this time to develop a so-called "Western Arc" from Cork to Belfast as this would require both the re-opening of the remaining phases of the Western Rail Corridor and also the development of new rail lines to connect with the rail network in Northern Ireland.  

The Government’s programme for the funding of capital projects to 2016 is set out in the "Medium Term Exchequer Framework 2012-16 ". Due to the overall reduction in funding for transport infrastructure the priority to 2016 is to protect investment made to date and to maintain safety standards. The limited funding available over and above this priority will only be provided for projects which are affordable, meet overall transport objectives and deliver the best return in terms of economic recovery and job creation. Moreover the ability to operate profitably and without the need of any subsidy would also be a key consideration for any new rail projects or extensions. 

We have no money for new subsidies. I would draw the Deputy's attention to the Programme for Government and in particular the commitment that: "We will insist that major capital projects are subjected to proper cost-benefit analysis and evaluation, improving future productivity and growth prospects, and that the value-for-money obtained is significantly enhanced compared to the most recent period."  

Furthermore, the AECOM/Goodbody “2030 Rail Network Strategy Review” carried out for Iarnród Éireann examined the potential for new and re-opened lines and it did not recommend the development of a rail link between Sligo and Derry or between Donegal and Derry. Likewise its predecessor, the “Strategic Rail Review” in 2003 did not recommend such rail links.  

It should also be noted that the Northern Ireland Executive has no proposals to provide such new rail lines. For the Deputy's information, Sinn Féin's recently published Jobs Plan which provides for "€13 billion additional investment in job creation and economic growth over [the next] four years" does not provide for any investment in these new rail links and services.

Tourism Industry Issues

Questions (88)

Tom Fleming

Question:

88. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will investigate the potential to develop a National Heritage Coastal Trail based on the Wales Coast Path (details supplied). [35513/12]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

Preliminary estimates indicate that 743,000 people engaged in walking and hiking while on holiday in Ireland during 2011, with an associated spend of €649m. Therefore the walking product is an important part of our tourism industry. 

I am advised that, over the coming months, Fáilte Ireland plans to undertake extensive research into the potential and perceptions of all adventure tourism activities in a number of key overseas markets. Analysis of consumer preferences regarding activities such as walking will be central to this research. This is turn will inform any proposals for the further development of new or existing walking trails.  

I would advise the Deputy that my Department's role in relation to tourism is primarily concerned with national policy, and it is not engaged in the development of particular sectors of tourism. As the matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland, I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if a reply is not received within ten working days.

Trade Relations

Questions (89)

Eric J. Byrne

Question:

89. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the value of imports from Israel each year for the past five years; the value of exports to Israel each year for the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45410/12]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Eamon Gilmore)

Ireland’s trade with Israel currently amounts to over €1bn per annum. Israel is an important trading partner and under its trade promotion strategy, the Government is committed to growing Ireland’s exports in all foreign markets, and expanding our trade footprint outside our main trading partners. The export and import figures are laid out below.

€m	Services Imports	Merchandise Imports	Services Exports	Merchandise Exports	Total Trade
2007	66	83	189	219	557
2008	83	72	199	199	553
2009	72	83	271	197	623
2010	95	71	360	248	774
2011	109	68	417	475	1,069

Please note that these figures correct figures given in my reply to Question 134 on 16 October, which asked for similar data. There were inadvertent errors in the table attached to that reply.

Passport Applications

Questions (90)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

90. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount it would cost if the Passport Office were to alert persons by email or text alert that the passport is due for renewal with a minimum 4 weeks notice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45421/12]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I am pleased to confirm that the Passport Service already offer a passport reminder service available at www.passport.ie. The service sends passport holders a reminder by e-mail three months before a passport is due to expire. At the moment, Passport holders must register for this service, where name, e-mail address and the expiry date of the passport is all that is required. The Passport Service is currently examining the feasibility and cost of introducing an automatic reminder service.

Pending the outcome of this feasibility study, I would urge all passport holders to register for the reminder service.

Overseas Development Aid Oversight

Questions (91)

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

91. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the up to date position with the Irish overseas aid programme up to 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45479/12]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Joe Costello)

Ireland’s aid programme prioritises the fight against global poverty and hunger. Every day it saves lives and builds capacity for the future – making a real difference in the lives of millions. The programme is central to our foreign policy, has an enviable international reputation, and consistently enjoys strong political and public support.

Our Programme for Government contains a very clear commitment to Ireland’s aid programme, and to the UN target of providing 0.7% of Gross National Product (GNP) for Official Development Assistance (ODA). Last month, in his address to the United Nations General Assembly, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Eamon Gilmore, again confirmed the Government’s commitment to the aid programme and to reaching the 0.7% UN target as soon as we possibly can.

Despite the enormously challenging budgetary environment the Government has managed to maintain Ireland’s ODA levels above 0.5% of GNP. For 2012, the Government has allocated €639 million to ODA which is expected to achieve an ODA/GNP percentage target of 0.51%. This is an important and significant achievement and a very clear indication of the Government’s commitment to the poor and hungry in the world. However the 0.7% target can only be achieved with the restoration of sustainable growth in the economy. This is the Government’s absolute priority and we are working extremely hard to achieve this goal.

The Government remains ambitious for, and committed to, Ireland’s overseas aid programme. We are determined to maintain and build on its high international reputation, and to ensure that it continues to build the foundation of real change, future prosperity and wellbeing in the lives of many of the world’s poorest people.

Diplomatic Representation Expenditure

Questions (92)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

92. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding Villa Spada; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45583/12]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The plaques in question were erected about 50 years ago when the Villa Spada was the location of our Embassy to the Holy See. They have been removed following the closure of the resident Embassy to the Holy See and are being replaced by plaques which, for the purpose of assisting Irish citizens and other visitors, will accurately identify the Villa Spada as the location of our Embassy to the Italian Republic. The previous plaques have been preserved.

Haulage Industry Regulation

Questions (93)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

93. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he continues to engage with the road haulage representatives in the context of the extent to which high fuel prices here place the industry at a disadvantage in comparison with other European countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45524/12]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

As the Deputy is aware a working group was set up between officials of my Department, the IRHA and members of the Oireachtas. This working group had a series of meetings to discuss issues of concern to the haulage industry including the matter of an essential users rebate. I have recently received a submission from the group and I am considering the matters raised.

Job Assist Scheme Eligibility

Questions (94)

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

94. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance the reason persons receiving illness benefit do not qualify for revenue job assistance until they are ill for 18 months or more while those unemployed or receiving jobseeker's benefit, jobseeker's allowance, one parent family, disability allowance, blind pension or invalidity pension qualify after 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45440/12]

Written answers

Minister for Finance (Deputy Michael Noonan)

The Revenue Job Assist allowance is available to two separate categories of individual:

(a) - an individual who, prior to taking up a qualifying employment, was continuously unemployed for the immediate period of 12 months and who was in receipt of either Jobseeker’s Benefit, Jobseeker’s Allowance or the One-Parent Family Payment. Individuals that sign for PRSI credits are also eligible for the scheme.

(b) - an individual who is within a category of persons approved by the Minister for Social Protection (with the consent of the Minister for Finance) for the purposes of the Job Assist Scheme. The individuals in this category are those who, prior to taking up a qualifying employment, were in receipt of either the Blind Person’s Pension, Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension or Illness Benefit.

An individual in receipt of illness benefit must, prior to taking up a qualifying employment, have been in receipt of that benefit for a continuous period of at least 18 months in order to qualify for the allowance. The main reason for this extended period is that it is possible that some individuals in receipt of illness benefit may be on sick leave from their job with the same job remaining open to them until they are capable of returning to work. A shorter qualifying period for such individuals could leave the Revenue Job Assist scheme open to abuse with no real new job creation element being provided.

Black Economy Issues

Questions (95, 97, 98)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Question:

95. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Finance the actions he has taken to stop persons working in the black economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45442/12]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Question:

97. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Finance the amount of money lost to the State each year due to the black economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45444/12]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Question:

98. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Finance the amount of money he has saved by taking a tough stance on persons working in the black economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45445/12]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

I propose to take Questions Nos. 95, 97 and 98 together.

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they are very mindful of the unfair competitive advantage to be gained by those businesses that do not fulfil their tax obligations. Revenue’s tax and duty compliance programmes are under constant review to ensure that they are focussed on the areas of greatest risk, including risks from the shadow economy.

I am further advised that Revenue tackles the problem of people working in the shadow economy through a range of compliance and audit interventions including targeted special projects. A variety of methodologies are used by Revenue to identify those who are operating in the shadow economy including covert surveillance, cold calls to businesses and venues as well as pre-arranged aspect queries on specific items. In addition, joint operations are conducted with the Department of Social Protection using Joint Investigation Units.

Revenue also has a particular focus on tackling evasion of taxes and duties in the oil and tobacco sectors. In 2012 to date nine oil laundries have been detected, thirty-eight filling stations have been closed down and over one hundred and fifty-six thousand litres of fuel have been seized from oil laundries. During 2011 Revenue’s Customs Service seized a total of 109 million cigarettes in 10,581 seizures. Commercial quantities in maritime freight traffic accounted for 76.4 million cigarettes. Revenue also seized 11,158kg of tobacco in 2011.

Regarding the amount of money lost to the State each year due to the shadow economy, I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that given the nature of the shadow economy there is no reliable system to measure the tax lost.

I am confident that the Revenue Commissioners are pursuing a programme, which is dealing in a very determined way with tax evasion in all its forms. For the year 2011, the Revenue Commissioners secured €440m in additional yield through their audit programmes. This additional yield includes a significant amount in respect of interest and penalties. In addition, through its programme of assurance checks for 2011, the Commissioners secured additional yield of €81m.

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they have a prioritised focus on those sectors that traditionally have been susceptible to shadow activity such as cash businesses. The following is a summary of the audit results for the year 2011 for a number of sectors:

- Specific hospitality businesses (bars and restaurants) - 613 audits - Yield €16.9m

- Professionals (White Collar) – 543 audits - €14.5m yield

- Rental – 908 audits - €35.1m yield.

The Deputy should also note that changes are frequently made in tax legislation aimed at counteracting the shadow economy. Two notable examples are the introduction of the electronic Relevant Contracts Tax regime and an enhanced penalties regime for employers who fail to operate the PAYE regulations fully, both of which came into operation during 2012.

Tax Code

Questions (96)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Question:

96. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Finance his plans to support and encourage legitimate tax paying businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45443/12]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

I am well aware of the challenges facing all businesses in the current economic climate. My Department is just one of many who are working to support and encourage business in Ireland, and the following are some examples of how this is being done. Access to credit is widely regarded as one of the biggest challenges facing businesses in Ireland at present. The Government has imposed lending targets on the two domestic pillar banks for the three calendar years, 2011 to 2013. Both banks achieved their 2011 targets and I would be confident of them achieving the more challenging target this year. In terms of rejection rates from banks, the Credit Review Office (‘CRO’) can review decisions by the pillar banks to refuse, reduce or withdraw credit facilities, including applications for restructured credit facilities, from €1,000 up to €500,000. The CRO is overturning 55% of the refusal decisions referred to them.

My Department also introduced the Microenterprise Loan Fund Act this year and the fund commenced business on 1st October. This provides for a scheme which will facilitate up to €40 million in additional lending to microenterprises over the next five years. Furthermore, the Government is in the process of facilitating up to €150m per annum of additional credit through the Temporary Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme, designed for small and medium enterprises who, because of lack of collateral or because of the specialised sector they operate in, face difficulties in accessing bank credit.

Further, the Department of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation have taken the lead on a number of measures, including the transposition of Directive 2011/7/EC which has the purpose of establishing a clear legal obligation regarding the timing of payments from debtors. This mechanism is to improve cashflow for businesses and is deemed to be particularly useful for small businesses.

Aside from incentives to support and encourage businesses, there are a number of measures in place to ensure tax compliance for all businesses. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that their tax compliance programmes are under constant review to ensure that they are focused on ensuring tax compliance. The Deputy will be aware of the continuing strengthening of legislation to provide for a robust framework within which the Revenue Commissioners may tackle tax evasion.

In terms of upcoming plans, it is not appropriate to discuss any measures which could form part of Budget 2013, but all of theses issues will feed into our considerations.

Questions Nos. 97 and 98 answered with Question No. 95.