Written Answers Nos 168-175
168. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the feasibility study that has been underway for some time in relation to the proposed extension of the Erne Navigation from Belturbet to Killykeen and Killeshandra; when this study will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24538/13]
View answerI am informed by Waterways Ireland that the current position is that work is continuing on the collection of data relating to this project and Waterways Ireland is currently preparing draft options for the project. At that point consultants will then assess the environmental implications of the options.
It is expected that the feasibility study will be completed as planned by the end of 2013.
169. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the target of his Department and subsidiary offices throughout the country regarding employment of persons with disabilities in the special category and if the target is being achieved; the total number of employees in that category currently and the percentage of the total workforce in his Department that it represents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24608/13]
View answerThere is a target of 3% for the employment of people with disabilities in the Public Service and the National Disability Authority reports on compliance with this target under Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005. The report for my Department in respect of 2012 shows that of its 563 staff, 18 people or 3.2% have a declared disability. My Department will continue to pursue opportunities to promote and support the employment of persons with disabilities.
170. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps he and his officials are taking regarding the archiving of digital media outlets for future keeping; if his attention has been drawn to the best practice exercised in other EU member states; if he will detail the plans his Department have to keep up with industry practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24733/13]
View answerI am aware of the very complex issues surrounding the archiving of digitally published content. The National Library has run a number of pilot projects in this area in order to assess the best approach to archiving and the potential costs involved. At present a change in legislation would be required to overcome the copyright issues which currently prevent the National Library from archiving all such content. In addition to the legislative issue there are, of course, resource implications which are especially difficult to deal with in the current fiscal climate.
The relevant copyright legislation is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. That Department has been working on amendments to the copyright legislation over the past two years. Both the National Library of Ireland and my officials have engaged in extensive consultations with Minister's Bruton's Department on the draft legislation and, in particular, on the issue of legislating for the archiving of digitally published content.
The Deputy can be satisfied that I take this issue very seriously and am committed to continuing to work with the Library on this matter.
171. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress made on the handing of the old Houses of Parliament buildings on College Green to the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24749/13]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my previous replies on this matter. As outlined in those replies, I met the Chair and Chief Executive of Bank of Ireland and had a constructive engagement on the issues.
172. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the action he is taking regarding a proposal for County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24742/13]
View answerAs I have stated on previous occasions in the House, the proposal by Shannon LNG to construct a LNG terminal near Ballylongford is welcomed by the Government. Such a facility, together with the bringing onshore of Corrib Gas, would provide important security of gas supply for Ireland.
The Deputy will be aware of Shannon LNG’s application to the Courts for Judicial Review of the CER decision of 29 June 2012 and the subsequent hearing of the case in the High Court earlier this year with judgement expected this summer. In view of this legal process and a State Aids case initiated by the company in July 2011, both of which are ongoing, and the fact that Ireland and the Attorney General were named as respondents in the former case, I will not be making further comment in the matter.
173. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of television licenses purchased in 2010, 2011 and 2012; the total amount raised in television licences in each of those years; if he considered carrying out a value for money examination of the television licence process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24547/13]
View answerThe number of television licences issued in any particular year is a combination of direct sales by An Post and ‘free licences’ issued by the Department of Social Protection. The number of TV licences issued on behalf of Social Welfare recipients varies according to the number of people eligible for the Household Benefits Package, and this can change from month to month.
The table below provides (i) the total number of licences sold by An Post in the year in question; (ii) the number of "free licences" recorded on the Department of Social Protection's database at the end of the year in question, which is a reflection of the number of free licences in existence at that point in time and (iii) the total receipts received by my Department in respect of television licence fee sales and ‘free’ licences issued by the Department of Social Protection.
|
- |
2012 |
2011 |
2010 |
|
Number of TV Licences sold directly by An Post |
1,003,860 |
1,021,443 |
1,038,665 |
|
Number of TV Licences issued by the Department of Social Protection |
407,927 |
403,815 |
393,051 |
|
Total Licences issued |
1,411,787 |
1,425,258 |
1,431,716 |
|
Total Receipts (€000s) |
215,029 |
217,760 |
222,376 |
As the Deputy will be aware, my Department has recently carried out a Value for Money Review on the proposal to introduce a Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) Household Charge. The independently chaired Review Group considered a range of issues in relation to the proposal, including the efficiency and effectiveness of the current licensing system. The Group's report has been submitted to me recently and I am now considering the its findings in the context of the next steps to be taken in regard to introduction of the PSB Charge.
174. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans regarding any potential sale of Bord Gáis Energy; if he will be able to keep the company within State ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24589/13]
View answerThe sale of Bord Gáis Éireann’s energy business is part of the Government’s State assets disposal programme and is being pursued as a commitment under the EU/IMF Programme and as provided for in the Programme for Government. The sale process was formally launched by Bord Gáis Éireann on 3 May last and it is expected that the sale will be concluded by the end of this year.
The Government is committed to retaining the Bord Gáis’ gas networks along with the two gas interconnectors in State ownership as national strategic infrastructure, critical for the delivery of secure, sustainable and competitive energy supplies. I believe that the sale of Bord Gáis Energy can deliver positive outcomes for Ireland’s energy markets, for Bord Gáis Éireann and its employees.
175. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the target of his Department and subsidiary offices throughout the country regarding employment of persons with disabilities in the special category and if the target is being achieved; the total number of employees in that category currently and the percentage of the total workforce in his Department that it represents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24610/13]
View answerMy Department is currently meeting the statutory 3% target. At the end of 2012, 266 persons were employed in the Department of which 12 members of staff disclosed a disability representing 4.5% of the total number of staff surveyed. Information in respect of bodies and agencies under the aegis of my Department is a day to day matter for those organisations and my Department does not have the information sought by the Deputy.
