Written Answers Nos. 536-558
538. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost incurred by his Department for assessing means of individual citizens for any reason on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7392/13]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that my Department does not provide services that require the means testing of citizens and that, accordingly, no costs are incurred.
539. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a list of registered debt collectors, bailiffs and other private security firms at December 31 2012 and outline the law in relation to Garda vetting of debt collectors, bailiffs and other private security firms employed by agents of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7398/13]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that the Private Security Authority, established under the Private Security Services Act 2004, as amended, is the statutory body responsible for the regulation and licensing of the private security industry in the State. The Authority is an independent statutory agency under the aegis of my Department. A register of licensed contractors and individuals is available on the Authority’s website.
In regard to the regulation and licensing of the private security industry by the Authority, I am informed that the vetting of applicants is an integral part of the licensing process as provided for in the relevant legislation. In the case of contractor licensing, all directors of a company, the partners in a partnership, all sole traders and any shareholder in a company with a shareholding of 20% or more are vetted, on the Authority's behalf, by An Garda Síochána. All applicants for individual licences also go through the vetting process. The Private Security Services Acts do not provide for debt collectors or bailiffs. Moreover, as these activities do not fall under the aegis of my Department I have no responsibility to the Dáil for these matters.
The Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) provides employment vetting for approximately 20,000 organisations in Ireland which employ personnel to work in a full time part time, voluntary or student capacity with children and or vulnerable adults. Criminal history vetting for general employment purposes including debt collectors is not available on demand.
540. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the proposed budget allocation in 2013 for the combined Equality Authority and Irish Human Rights Commission; and the outturn for their budgets in 2012. [7406/13]
View answerAs the Deputy will recall, the decision to integrate the Equality Authority and the Human Rights Commission into the new Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission was taken to produce a more coherent and effective institutional framework for the protection and promotion of human rights. I am on record regarding my concerns in relation to the disproportionate cuts to funding made to these two bodies in the past.
The provision made for the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission in Budget 2013 is therefore maintained at the combined 2012 level of Exchequer grant-in-aid funding of the Equality Authority and Human Rights Commission (i.e. €4.409m). Final outturn figures for grant-in-aid drawn down in 2012 by the Equality Authority and by the Human Rights Commission will be available in the Audited Financial Statements for 2012 for each which will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas in due course.
541. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the allocation and subsequent outturn for the budget heading "Equality Monitoring" in his Department for 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 and the allocation for 2013, with details of all projects funded, in each year. [7407/13]
View answer542. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the allocation and subsequent outturn for the interagency fund for Travellers in his Department for 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012; the proposed allocation for 2013 with details of all projects funded, in each year, under this heading. [7408/13]
View answer543. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the allocation and subsequent outturn for the funding for mediation services for Travellers by his Department for 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012; the proposed allocation for 2013; and if he will provide details of all projects funded in each year under this heading. [7409/13]
View answer544. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the allocation and subsequent outturn for the funding for the national Traveller monitoring and advisory committee by his Department for 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012; and the proposed allocation for 2013. [7410/13]
View answer545. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the allocation and subsequent outturn for the funding for Traveller participation, representation conference and communications by his Department for 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012; and the proposed allocation for 2013. [7411/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 541 to 545, inclusive, together.
There is only one allocation of funding in the Justice and Equality Vote for Traveller Initiatives. The budget heading concerned was traditionally called "Equality Monitoring / Consultative Committees". In 2012 the budget heading was changed to "Traveller Initiatives".
The table below details the allocation and outturn for Traveller expenditure for each year and a breakdown of the areas of spending as requested by the Deputy.
|
- |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
|
Allocation |
€1,710,000 |
€981,000 |
€481,000 |
€402,000 |
€430,000 |
|
Equality Monitoring |
€100,000 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Traveller participation/Communication |
€108,717 |
€136,127 |
€25,236 |
€4,796 |
€21,197 |
|
National Traveller Monitoring Advisory Committee |
€3,129 |
€12,561 |
€11,221 |
€9,252 |
€16,883 |
|
Mediation Services |
€135,000 |
€135,000 |
€114,543 |
€70,734 |
€108,864 |
|
Traveller Interagency Fund |
€963,154 |
€479,312 |
€227,000 |
€196,218 |
€99,056 |
|
Total Expenditure |
€1,310,000 |
€763,000 |
€378,000 |
€281,000 |
€246,000 |
In addition, Government approved separate funding from the Dormant Accounts fund for Traveller initiatives in December 2008. This funding was for 15 projects, administered under the Traveller Interagency fund, and was drawn down as follows:
|
Year |
Amount |
|
2009 |
€375,001 |
|
2010 |
€526,919 |
|
2011 |
€208,742 |
|
Total |
€1,110,662 |
The Traveller Interagency fund supported a total of 47 projects delivered through the Traveller Interagency Groups which are in place in each local authority area. This fund operated from 2006 until March 2012 and was administered on behalf of my Department by Pobal. Projects funded under the Traveller mediation services included Pavee Point Mediation Service, the Midlands Traveller Conflict and Mediation Initiative and individual mediators targeting specific problem areas. Projects funded under Traveller Participation/Communications included funding for Traveller Pride Week, support for the Voice of the Traveller Magazine and support for the Traveller counselling service.
The "Traveller Initiatives" budget heading has a provisional allocation of €405,000 for 2013.
546. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications for firearm licences made in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and in January 2013; and the total number of firearm licence holders here. [7429/13]
View answerI have asked the Garda Commissioner for a report on this matter and I will write to the Deputy when it becomes available.
547. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 149 of 6 February 2013 if he will describe the engagements between An Garda Siochána and MI-5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7431/13]
View answerAs I indicated to the Deputy in my reply of 6 February 2013, operational policing co-operation is the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner and the Chief Constable of the PSNI and their forces. The Cross Border Policing Strategy which the two forces operate covers the range of policing areas of mutual interest to the two forces.
The Garda Síochána maintains a close working relationship with the police and security services in Northern Ireland and Great Britain and, indeed, with their counterparts in other EU and third countries in respect of ongoing, international efforts to counter terrorism. I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate, for sound reasons of security, to elaborate in any detail on what might be entailed in the Garda Authorities' relationship with other security and intelligence services.
548. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Defence if there is a proposal to send Irish troops to Mali; if so, if there has there been a request from the UN; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6784/13]
View answerOn 17 January 2013, the Council of the European Union established the European Union Training Mission (EUTM Mali), which will provide military training and advice to the Malian Armed Forces to improve their military capacity and their effectiveness in guaranteeing the country's territorial integrity. Training will also be provided in international humanitarian law, the protection of civilians and human rights. It is envisaged that the training component of the mission will be made up of approximately 250 personnel, and this will be further supplemented by additional troops who will be deployed to provide force protection. The Council has tasked the Mission Commander, General François Lecointre, with preparations for the early launch of the mission. To this end, force generation for the mission is currently ongoing at EU level. All Member States have been invited by the Mission Commander to provide contributions to the mission.
Ireland is currently considering the provision of a small number of Defence Forces personnel to the mission. Any participation by Ireland to this mission would most likely be limited to a small contribution of trainers and would be subject to Government approval.
549. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the development of Donadea Forest Park, County Kildare, with particular reference to the removal of entry fees to the park for local residents and schools to facilitate ease of access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6647/13]
View answerCoillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the management of the forest estate including its forest parks, are the responsibility of the company. I understand that, while there is a daily charge of €5, there is also the option of an access card for €35 which provides unlimited access to all of Coillte’s forest parks for the period of one year, which may be purchased on-line at the ‘Coillteoutdoors.ie’ site.
550. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 530 of 22 January 2013, the number of the 17 actions within the Action Plan for Jobs which are targeted at the agri-food sector that have been completed or rolled out as of 31 January 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6667/13]
View answerAs indicated in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 530, the 2012 Action Plan for Jobs included 17 actions which specifically relate to the agri-food and fisheries sectors. With the exception of one area, all of the targets set were met, or are being met on an ongoing basis.
The target date of end December 2012 for the determination of the deep-sea organic salmon aquaculture licence, action number 8 in the aforementioned Parliamentary Question, was not achieved. This application is still under active consideration. The decision on the licence application will be made when the analysis is completed on the large number of submissions and objections which were received on foot of the statutory public consultation on the issue which ended on 13 December last.
551. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has received sheep census information in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6591/13]
View answerI can confirm that a 2012 Sheep Census form was received from the person named by my Department on 7 January, 2013.
552. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a 2011 and 2012 agri-envoironment options scheme payment will issue in respect of a person (details provided) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6606/13]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 September 2011.
Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. During these checks an overclaim of 0.53 hectares was identified in relation to the claimed areas on the Natura parcels. The first instalment payment of 75% amounting to €686.43 issued in respect of 2011 on 7 December 2012 based on this reduced area. Officials in my Department are now finalising the application of the person named with the intention of issuing the balancing 2011 25% payment as soon as possible. Following the issue of the 2011 payment the application of the person named will roll forward to 2012.
553. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a disadvantaged areas aid payment for 2010, 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6641/13]
View answerPayments have issued to the person named in respect of the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme in respect of each of the years 2010, 2011 and 2012, annually calculated on an eligible area of 25.48 hectares. However, following review, further additional payments are due in respect of 2011 and 2012; these payments will issue shortly. The review, which included an on-the-spot inspection, found that the eligible area should be increased by 1.32 hectares, with effect from 2011.
554. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a rural environment protection scheme payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [6646/13]
View answerThe person named commenced REPS 4 in July 2009 and received payments for the first three years of their contract.
REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. Following an on-farm inspection in 2011 an area discrepancy was discovered between the Single Payment Scheme application for 2010 and the REPS Agri-environmental Plan which has resulted in the need for further clarification. This is currently being investigated with a view to resolution and the issue of any 2012 payment as soon as possible.
555. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an appeal for a disadvantaged areas payment for 2011 will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the expected timeframe for a decision on the appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6662/13]
View answerThe appeal of the person named was recently forwarded to the DAS Appeals Committee for consideration; immediately when that Committee has adjudicated on this appeal, the person concerned will be notified of its decision, in writing.
556. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a rural environment protection scheme 4 payment; the reason for the delay in receiving this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6663/13]
View answerThe person named commenced REPS 4 in January 2008 and received payments for the first four years of their contract.
REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. This process is nearing completion in this case and I expect payments will issue shortly.
557. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a forestry premium for 2012 has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway following compliance with the procedure outlined in correspondence of 4 September 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6680/13]
View answerThe applicant’s annual forestry premium for 2012 was processed for payment on 7 February 2013 with the money being lodged to his bank account within the following few days.
558. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will publish a list of animal welfare organisations that receive funding from his Department; his views that all of these groups are compliant with the law particularly when it comes to fostering arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6709/13]
View answerMy Department provides funding to animal welfare organisations directly involved in the delivery of animal care. In December 2012, funding of €1.365 million was awarded to 140 organisations - details of the recipients of funds are available on my Department's website at: - http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/animalhealthwelfare/animalwelfare/Listoforganisations150113.doc.
My Department also issues a Code of Practice to all recipients of funds which sets out recommendations to promote sound welfare and management practice to which all the organisations should adhere. All recipients of funding involved in the re-homing of dogs must demonstrate that they are participating in a neutering programme in order to assist in controlling numbers of animals and avoid further cases of animal distress. We also remind recipients of the importance of compliance with legislation regarding the control of dogs, namely the Control of Dogs Acts, 1986 and Control of Dogs (Amendment) Act, 1992. Enforcement of this legislation rests with Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and local authorities.
