Written Answers Nos. 965-987
965. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will immediately publish the full report on the alleged quashing of certain penalty points including a divisional breakdown of the Garda districts and the road traffic offences involved in each one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17636/13]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, documentation containing specific allegations concerning the enforcement of road traffic legislation was forwarded by my Department to the Garda Commissioner. The Commissioner appointed an Assistant Commissioner to conduct an examination and to report on these allegations. I have now received the report from the Garda Commissioner of the examination into the allegations and this report is currently under consideration within my Department. I intend to bring the report to Government at the earliest opportunity and to publish the findings thereafter, including statistical information contained in the report.
966. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the 22 additional intoxilysers that gardaí requested in 2009 will be installed in the necessary stations by the MBRS; the number of the 220 gardaí due to be trained in their use that have received the training to date; when the remainder are going to receive the two-day training course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17637/13]
View answerI have requested a report from the Garda authorities on the matters raised by the Deputy. I will contact the Deputy directly when the report is to hand.
967. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the 171 Garda vehicles purchased in 2012 are going to be rolled out to Garda districts by the Garda Commissioner and breakdown of districts to receive these vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17638/13]
View answerDecisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the context of his identified operational demands and in the light of available resources. The Deputy will be aware that I made an additional €3 million available to An Garda Síochána towards the end of last year enabling the Commissioner to procure a further 171 Garda vehicles. This brought total investment in the Garda fleet in 2012 to €4 million and resulted in a total of 213 new vehicles being procured during the year. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the roll out of the most recently purchased patrol vehicles has been completed. Details of the allocation of all 171 vehicles by Region are outlined in the table below. A more detailed breakdown is not currently available. However, the Deputy can be assured that the vehicles have been deployed in the most effective manner to meet existing operational requirements.
|
D.M.R. |
22 |
|
EASTERN REGION |
30 |
|
NORTHERN REGION |
25 |
|
SOUTH EASTERN REGION |
25 |
|
SOUTHERN REGION |
31 |
|
WESTERN REGION |
30 |
|
OTHER |
8 |
|
TOTAL |
171 |
In addition, a further allocation of €5 million has been provided for the purchase and fit-out of Garda transport in 2013. This represents a very considerable financial investment in Garda transport, particularly at a time when the level of funding available across the public sector is severely limited. It is a clear indication of my commitment to ensure that, to the greatest extent possible, An Garda Síochána are provided with sufficient resources to enable them to provide an effective and efficient policing service.
968. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will clarify the body responsible for the legal due diligence on the lease of the planned probation service building on Wolfe Tone Street, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17641/13]
View answerMy Department relied on the advices of the Chief State Solicitor's Office on legal matters relating to the signing of the lease for premises at 25 Wolfe Tone Street, Dublin 1.
969. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Defence the cost incurred by his Department, in respect of this year’s overseas travel programme for St Patrick’s Day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16611/13]
View answerDuring the period 9 to 15 March 2013, I visited Lebanon and Israel in a comprehensive St Patrick’s Day programme in the Middle East. I was accompanied on this trip by the Chief of Staff, three officials from my Department and three officers of the Defence Forces. The final costs cannot be confirmed until the final invoices are received in respect of the visit. The costs incurred to date amount to €13,989 and primarily relate to commercial flight costs, accommodation and subsistence expenses and do not include the costs of the Ministerial Air Transport Service which are set below.
The Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Defence, Paul Kehoe T.D., visited Australia and New Zealand on 7 March - 24 March. Minister Kehoe travelled in his capacity at Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach. He was accompanied by an official from my Department and the cost bourne by my Department in respect of this visit is €1,060.
The Ministerial Air Transport Service provided by the Air Corps was used for the overseas travel programme for St. Patrick’s Day as follows:
|
Date |
Return Date |
Ministerial Time On Board (Minutes) |
Route |
Minister |
|
09/03/2013 |
12/03/2013 |
390 |
Baldonnel - Beirut – Tel Aviv - Baldonnel |
Minister for Justice, Equality & Defence |
|
15/03/2013 |
22/03/2013 |
1600 |
Baldonnel - White Plains - Washington - Orange County - Burbank - Moffett - Seattle - Edmonton - Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach |
My Department follows the normal practice in the aviation business of costing aircraft by reference to the cost per flying hour under either of two headings:
- The direct cost which includes costs which are additional to those associated with having the aircraft and which only arise when the aircraft is flown including maintenance, fuel and support services such as catering costs, cleaning services and airport handling charges.
- The total cost which is the direct cost plus the costs associated with having the aircraft and includes depreciation and personnel costs.
The average direct cost per hour for the Gulfstream is €3,270. The average total cost per hour for the Gulfstream is €3,790. These are average costs which take a number of variables into account. It is not possible to assign an exact cost to any particular mission.
970. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on progress with the Military Service Pensions Archive project (details supplied); when he expects that the public might have access to these records; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16857/13]
View answerThe Military Service Pensions Archive project is a cornerstone of the Government Centenary Programme. Approximately 300,000 files relating to the period from Easter Week, 1916, through the War of Independence and Civil War comprise this collection. The files relate mainly to applications by individuals and/or their dependants for the award of pension and gratuities for veterans who served as members of the Irish Volunteers, the Irish Citizen Army, the Hibernian Rifles, the Irish Republican Army, Cumann na mBan, Na Fianna Éireann, the National Army/Defence Forces on active service or who were casualties or wounded while on duty during the period from April and May 1916 through to 30 September 1923. The membership records of these organisations (less that of the National Army) as on 11th July 1921 and on 1st July 1922 will also be released along with selected administration files and material to put the entire collection in context. This is a significant element of the collection which contains files from the period April and May 1916 to September 1923. A phased release of material into the public domain is planned. The first release, which is web based and concentrated on 1916 participants, is planned during 2013. The first release contains files relating to in excess of 3,000 individuals (2395 of these individuals are veterans of Easter Week 1916) and comprising some 452,000 scanned images giving background and context to the individual applications. Databasing and digitizing of these files is now complete and the archivists team are currently testing the web site. This testing phase will be completed in the coming weeks. Regular releases relating to the War of Independence and Civil War will occur in the run up to 2016.
Subsequent releases will have a web element but it is important to note that not all files will be available online. Physical visits to the Military Archives will be required to see the full material. It is envisaged that the provision of accommodation for people wishing to access the Military Archives records and for the storage of the archives will be progressed further under the Government’s Centenary Programme.
Mi
971. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Defence if he will give permission to an association (details supplied) in County Kerry to erect a wall on the left hand side of the Defence Force building in Iveragh Park to prohibit easy access and provide better security as this permission is required by Kerry County Council prior to any works taking place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17369/13]
View answerMy Department has no record of proposals for the erection of a wall adjacent to the Defence Forces building in Iveragh Park. If the Residents Association in question provide specific detail of what works are proposed I will arrange to have the matter examined in consultation with the military authorities.
972. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Defence his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the Irish Red Cross. [17410/13]
View answerThe correspondence referred to was addressed to the Chairperson of the Irish Red Cross Society and, whilst I was provided with a copy, I am satisfied that its contents are entirely a matter for the Society itself. I welcome the significant progress that the Society has made in reforming its financial and accounting procedures over the past two years and I am satisfied that the annual grant paid to the Society by my Department is used for its intended purposes and is properly accounted for.
973. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Defence if he and his Department have been liaising with the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office regarding the upcoming G8 Summit taking place in June 2013 in County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland; if they have requested any assistance or help with the event taking place; if any actions by his Department will be taken as a result of the summit occurring in Northern Ireland; if there are any costs involved with any operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16944/13]
View answerPrimary responsibility for the maintenance of law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State, rests with An Garda Síochána. However, one of the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence (2000) is to provide Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) which, in practice, means to assist An Garda Síochána when requested to do so. The Defence Forces hold regular coordination and liaison meetings with An Garda Síochána in relation to ATCP issues including identifying and responding effectively to any new or developing security issues. I am satisfied that the Defence Forces will be in a position to respond effectively to any request for assistance from An Garda Síochána that might arise from the forthcoming G8 Summit.
974. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Defence if Defence Forces personnel have access to specialist doctors; if such costs are covered by the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17038/13]
View answerWhile the majority of secondary health care for members of the Defence Forces is provided through the public/private health system, some limited in-house secondary health care is currently provided at St. Bricin’s Hospital by Defence Forces Medical Personnel and contracted civilian consultants. The range and availability of medical care provided by St. Bricin’s Hospital strives to meet the occupational needs of the Defence Forces. However, the combination of medical officer and the civilian secondary medical service has a limited capacity and in effect it operates only as an outpatient facility. The contracted civilian consultants conduct regular scheduled clinics for all ranks as required to meet the needs of service personnel. The following are the services provided:
- Physician,
- Ear Nose and Throat specialty,
- Pathology
- Radiology,
- Ophthalmology,
- Periodontal; and
- Psychiatric services.
Appointments for personnel to attend these services are normally made as a result of referral by a medical officer.
Because of the limited capacity of St. Bricin’s personnel may need to be referred for specialist treatment through the public/private care system in civilian hospitals. Where it is necessary to refer enlisted personnel to specialist doctors outside the Defence Forces Medical Corps this is generally done through the public health system and referral onto the public waiting list as the case may be. In certain specific circumstances (Recruits and Cadets), a special case may be made through the Director of the Medical Corps (DMC) for private specialist treatment. If agreed, the cost of this specialist treatment is currently met by the Defence vote.
In certain circumstances, and if approved by the Brigade/Formation Medical Officer and the Central Medical Unit, Defence Forces Headquarters, commissioned officers may be referred to specialist doctors for consultations, tests and treatment. The associated approved costs for such consultations, tests and treatment are currently met by the Defence vote.
975. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied that all clothing, kit and equipment that are issued to members of the Defence Forces are suitable for all regardless of the physical size of the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17039/13]
View answer976. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Defence if recruits in the Defence Forces are being advised to purchase kit (details supplied) for their own personal use as members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17040/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 975 and 976 together.
It is not practice nor policy to advise members of the Defence Forces, including recruits, to purchase any item of clothing. I am advised that the Defence Forces carry a range of clothing sizes varying from XXS to XXXXL. Where required, provision is made for an individually sized set of uniforms to be manufactured by the supplier. The Defence Forces issues a comprehensive set of clothing to each member of the Defence Forces which is designed to cope with a wide range of weather conditions both at home and overseas. In relation to the latter additional supplementary clothing and footwear may be issued where extreme conditions are to be encountered. I am satisfied that the current clothing arrangements are sufficient for the requirements of the Defence Forces.
977. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding the provision of chaplaincy services by his Department; the amount of money spent on these services; the denominations involved; if humanist chaplains are provided by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17130/13]
View answerThe Defence Forces Chaplaincy Service, which currently comprises of 16 Roman Catholic chaplains and 1 Church of Ireland chaplain, respects the traditions and practice of those of other faiths and ensures that the integrity of all faith groups within the Defence Forces is respected. While the Defence Forces Chaplaincy Service cares for military personnel and their families who are predominately Roman Catholics, provision has been made to provide for the spiritual needs of all denominations.
Representatives of other Churches are invited to partake in Ecumenical Services each year during the Week of Christian Prayer. Clergymen of other denominations are encouraged to visit and meet with members of their Churches.
978. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment of agri-environment option scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16059/13]
View answerAn application under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme from the person named was received in my Department on 14th November 2012 and an acknowledgement letter has issued to the person named. The processing of all applications is nearing completion and I expect to be in a position to inform all applicants of the outcome in the next few weeks. In the event that any queries arise on the application of the person named during this process officials in my Department will be in direct contact with the person named.
979. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue on agri-environement options scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17090/13]
View answerAn application under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme from the person named was received in my Department on 14th November 2012 and an acknowledgement letter has issued to the person named. The processing of all applications is nearing completion and I expect to be in a position to inform all applicants of the outcome in the next few weeks. In the event that any queries arise on the application of the person named during this process officials in my Department will be in direct contact with the person named.
980. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure, during the Irish Presidency of the EU that there will be no fishing agreement signed between Morocco and the EU in view of the situation in Western Sahara and the issue of territorial sovereignty. [17231/13]
View answerIn January 2012, the EU Commission introduced a draft negotiating mandate for a new protocol for the EU Morocco Fisheries Agreement. The mandate sought to conclude a protocol which would oblige Morocco to comply with international law and to report regularly on its use of the funds for the population concerned, including the people of the Western Sahara. A Council decision of 14 February 2012 authorised the opening of negotiations with Morocco on a new protocol to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement and subsequent contacts with the Moroccan authorities.
Ireland supported the opening of new negotiations subject to a joint statement with Germany and Slovenia to the effect:-
“Germany, Ireland and Slovenia would have preferred an explicit reference to Western Sahara in the mandate. Germany's, Ireland’s and Slovenia’s acceptance of the mandate does not, in any way, pre-empt our final position on any draft Protocol that will eventually be submitted for approval. The attitude of each of the above Member States to the draft Protocol will be determined by the extent to which the rights of the people of Western Sahara are protected in accordance with international law and the extent of the related reporting requirements that must be fulfilled by Morocco”
The 1st round of negotiations on new Fisheries Protocol with Morocco convened in Rabat in November 2012. The fifth round of negotiations took place on 11-12 February, 2013 and agreement was not reached. It is expected that a further round of negotiations is planned but no date has yet been set.
As President of the European Council of Ministers I have a responsibility to reflect the collective views of Council. As an agreement has not been reached, the signature of an Agreement has not to date come before Council during the Irish Presidency.
981. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to correspondence (details supplied), if he will provide reassurances of the long term support for the rural development programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17517/13]
View answerThe new Rural Development Programme (RDP) will be drawn up under the terms of the proposed rural development Regulation when it is finalised as part of the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. We have now entered the second – trilogue - phase of the negotiations between the Council, European Parliament and the Commission with the aim of getting political agreement in June.
The future programme, like all national spending, will be subject to ongoing budgetary policy. In the case of the new programme a general co-financing rate of 53% is proposed but this rate may rise to a maximum of 80% for measures such as farm and business development, co-operation activities, Leader projects, and other measures. Environmental type measures may be co-funded up to 75%. The amount of exchequer funding that will be required to draw down the available EU funding will depend both on the types of measures that will be included in the Programme and on the co-financing rate, that are agreed with the EU Commission for these measures.
In relation to EU funding for the RDP, Ireland’s overall allocation has been decided by the European Council in the Multi-annual Financial Framework and this is now with the European Parliament for consent. In light of the fact that neither the content of the programme nor the co-financing rates applicable have yet been determined, it will be appreciated that we are still some way from the point where national decisions on exchequer funding of the new RDP will fall to be made.
982. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider granting a special derogation to sheep farmers on the offshore island of Arranmorein County Donegal regarding the eligibility requirement of a stocking level of 30 breeding ewes for the STAP scheme in cases where the farmer concerned cannot reach this level of stock density due to the marginal and exposed nature of the land on which they farm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15982/13]
View answerI am aware of the difficulties faced by sheep farmers on offshore islands. However funding for the STAP is capped at €3 million for 2013. The Programme was conceived to cater for approximately 3,000 participants with a maximum annual payment of €1,000 per participant. As approximately 4,900 applications have been received for 2013 under the STAP, based on the qualifying criteria applicable for established producers, the Programme is currently oversubscribed. Therefore it is not possible this year to make provision for the inclusion of sheep farmers from offshore Islands who have less than the requisite breeding stock.
983. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will be made under the disadvantaged area based scheme for 2012 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway, the reason for the delay in issuing this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16041/13]
View answerThe person named is one of a number of applicants under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, whose cases were impacted by the requirement of a minimum stocking density of 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare and who applied for and were refused derogation in this regard. The person named subsequently availed of the option to appeal to the independently chaired DAS Appeals Committee; that appeal was unsuccessful. The person named was notified accordingly by letter dated 12 December 2012. As advised in that letter, it is now open to the person named to pursue the matter with the Office of the Ombudsman.
984. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their payment for cow suckler welfare scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16061/13]
View answerThe person named registered 5 animals under the 2012 Suckler Welfare Scheme. Essential information relating to weaning dates for these animals was received on 2nd April 2013, enabling the application to be progressed. Payment will issue as soon as possible, subject to confirmation that all of the Terms and Conditions have been complied with.
985. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of people who are on the payroll in his Deportment; the number of physical payslips that his Department processes each month; the percentage of these that are sent to payees in the post; the breakdown in the overall cost of physical payslips and postage per year for the years 2008 to 2012; if payees have the option of switching to online payslips; if he and his Department will implement online payslips in the near future; if he has considered the savings this would make; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16062/13]
View answerThere are 3,454 staff on the Department’s payroll. Since 2006, all Departmental staff that have access to the Department’s computer network view their payslips online and do not have the option of receiving a hard copy payslip. The costs of the payslips and postage in relation to issuing the hardcopy payslips is as follows:
|
Year |
Cost € |
|
2008 |
13,389 |
|
2009 |
13,817 |
|
2010 |
12,863 |
|
2011 |
11,508 |
|
2012 |
6,417 |
986. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has not received their agri-environment option scheme payment despite adhering to all conditions of said scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16092/13]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st September 2011 and full payment totalling €639.40 issued in respect of 2011. Payments in respect of the 2012 Scheme year are subject to a similar administrative checking process which includes verification of capital investment through checks on receipts. These checks have been successfully completed and full payment totalling €2,344.25 issued in respect of the 2012 scheme year – 75% payment issued on 4th February and the balancing 25% payment issued on 5th February 2013.
987. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a single farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16105/13]
View answerIn processing the application of the person named, a number of issues arose regarding commonage parcels declared on the holding. These issues have now been resolved and payments under the 2012 Single Payment Scheme, Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and Grassland Sheep Scheme issued on 28 March, 5 April and 9 April 2013 respectively.
