Written Answers Nos. 54-62
54. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has assessed the impact of reductions in public expenditure following Budget 2012 and Budget 2013 announcements on the unemployed, children, single parent household, low and middle income workers. [3069/13]
View answer58. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if equality is integrated as a principle into the planning, design, implementation and review of the Governments expenditure related decisions. [3070/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 58 together.
With regard to budgetary matters, when focusing on the primary objectives of reducing the deficit and returning sustainability to the public finances, it has been of vital importance to the Government to spread the burden of the adjustments in as fair and equitable a manner as possible, while also seeking to minimise their negative impact on economic growth. The Government must ensure that the available resources are spent in the best possible way and that critical services continue to be delivered.
The Programme for Government contains a clear commitment that all public bodies would take due note of equality and human rights in carrying out their functions. The State and its bodies must, of course, comply with all provisions of equality legislation in the development and delivery of policies and services.
Furthermore, Cabinet procedures require that proposals put to Government indicate clearly whether there is any impact of the proposal on, amongst other things, gender equality, persons experiencing or at risk of poverty or social exclusion and people with disabilities.
55. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans regarding legislation for Oireachtas inquiries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2822/13]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, at its meeting of 31 October, the Government approved the drafting, as a matter of priority of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Bill 2012 with a view to its early enactment.
This legislation will provide a comprehensive statutory framework for inquiries carried out by the House(s) of the Oireachtas consistent with the current constitutional framework.
The drafting process is currently at an advanced stage and I wish to advise the Deputy that the Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries Privileges and Procedures) Bill 2012 is expected to be published in the spring session.
57. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of jobs that have been created to date as a result of the EU €2 billion stimulus package; the number that will be put in place by end 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2836/13]
View answerOn the 17th of July 2012, the Government announced its plans for an additional 2.25 billion euro investment in public infrastructure projects in Ireland. The most important contribution capital investment can now make is in providing the capacity for the economy to grow, which will in turn create employment.
The stimulus package included 1.4 billion euro to fund the proposed new Public Private Partnerships (PPP) programme. This investment is directed towards projects that meet key infrastructural needs and are in line with the priorities in the Government's Investment Framework. These projects will form the first phase of a new programme of PPPs designed to stimulate economic growth and create employment. As the Phase 1 projects are progressed and as funding permits, projects that could be delivered as part of further phases will be considered.
Job creation is a critical priority for Government. Investment in the projects included in the Stimulus package is expected to generate significant numbers of jobs spread out across the country. Analysis of each sector indicates that the investment may generate around 13,000 direct jobs and many more indirect jobs. It will also create much needed social and economic infrastructure and aid economic recovery.
The National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) are working closely with Departments to progress projects and to accelerate delivery of this much needed activity. The preparatory work for the projects is well underway in the various Departments and Agencies. At this early stage in the process most of the employment impact to date has been in the technical and advisory areas. Further employment benefits will be evident as the projects progress through the tendering phase and the construction gets underway.
The indicative timetable for the projects shows that the most advanced ones will be proceeding to tender from quarter 2 of this year and construction is expected to commence by end of 2014.
My Department together with the NDFA and the Sponsoring Authorities are also looking at how to maximise job creation as part of each tender competition that is in line with procurement regulations. With the NDFA, we are also examining ways to encourage SME participation by facilitating access to the programme and the NDFA is working with Enterprise Ireland to organise awareness raising events for SMEs.
60. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he intends consulting with the Information Commissioner in relation to those State agencies and or bodies which may be excluded from the Freedom of Information legislation to be introduced later this year; and his views on the possible limitations that will come with the inclusion of An Garda Siochana, refugee and asylum agencies as set out in the draft heads of the Bill. [3076/13]
View answerDecision-making on the application of Freedom of Information to public bodies is a matter for Government on the basis of proposals made in my role as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. As the Deputy will be aware, the Government decided in July last to endorse the principle contained in the Programme for Government that in the future Freedom of Information should apply to all public bodies subject to some exemptions - in whole or in part - agreed in the public interest.
In developing my proposals and the Government in considering them, had regard to the views publicly expressed by the Information Commissioner relating to the application of FOI to public bodies. In the specific examples highlighted in the Deputy’s question, the proposed extension of FOI is fully in line with the Programme for Government commitment in the former case and in the latter no exemption or exclusion is being proposed, in line with the long-standing position of the Information Commissioner that FOI should apply to the refugee and asylum agencies in line with international best practice.
62. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has made any representations to any Government, organisation or representative body regarding the recent killing of three Kurdish activists in Paris; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3161/13]
View answerI have made no representations in respect of this incident. My Department, however, has closely followed the reports of these killings, which I note are currently being investigated by the French authorities.
