Written Answers Nos. 148-157
148. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will consider amending the arts in education charter to include youth services in disadvantaged areas that cater for early school leavers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29914/13]
View answerThe Arts in Education Charter places new responsibilities on Government Departments, agencies, cultural institutions and arts organisations in terms of providing and promoting arts education to children and young people.
The practical impact of this Charter will result in a more joined-up Government approach across Departments, education agencies and arts organisations. The Charter will require groups like the Arts Council, the National Cultural Institutions, the Colleges of Education and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment to work with both my own Department and the Department of Education and Skills in order to bring the arts into the classroom and school children into the arts and culture sector.
A High Level Implementation Group will oversee the implementation of the Charter and will report to the Minister of Education and Skills and myself at least twice a year. The Implementation Group may also advise on updating and improving the Charter and will provide a strategic, high-level and ongoing point of contact between the policy-makers, key providers and students in the fields of arts and education.
It is not envisaged that either Department will seek additional resources specifically for the implementation of the Arts in Education Charter rather we will work to leverage the maximum from existing resources.
More details of this initiative can be obtained on my Department's website under the Projects and Programmes link listed under
http://www.ahg.gov.ie/en/Arts/ProjectsandProgrammes/ArtsInEducation/
150. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of persons employed in the public sector by his Department or agency and by grade for each year of the five consecutive years for which the most recent data is available. [30449/13]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, my Department was established on 2nd June 2011. The table below sets out the staffing of my Department broken down by grade at end 2011, 2012 and as at end May 2013.
|
Grade (Numbers include Professional & Technical staff equivalents) |
31/12/2011 |
31/12/2012 |
31/5/2013 |
|
Secretary General |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
3 |
3 |
4 |
|
Principal Officer |
19 |
18 |
18 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
85 |
80 |
84 |
|
Administrative Officer/ Higher Executive Officer |
150 |
142 |
139 |
|
Executive Officer |
146 |
141 |
141 |
|
Staff Officer |
10 |
9 |
8 |
|
Clerical Officer |
92 |
91 |
96 |
|
Services Officer |
15 |
15 |
15 |
|
Other Grades |
3 |
5 |
5 |
|
State Industrial Staff |
113 |
102 |
89 |
|
Total (Head count) |
637 |
607 |
600 |
With regard to the bodies under the aegis of the Department, it would not be possible to collate the level of detail requested by the Deputy in the time available. I am arranging for this information to be forwarded to the Deputy by the bodies concerned. The table below summarises the overall staffing levels of each body in terms of Whole Time Equivalents at the dates specified.
|
Staffing (WTE) as at |
31 /12/2011 |
31/12/2012 |
31/3/13 |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
92 |
84 |
83 |
|
Irish Heritage Council |
14 |
15 |
15 |
|
Arts Council |
47 |
45 |
45 |
|
Irish Film Board |
16 |
13 |
17 |
|
Chester Beatty Lib |
31 |
28 |
28 |
|
Crawford Art Gallery |
13 |
13 |
14 |
|
National Concert Hall |
61 |
52 |
49 |
|
IMMA |
84 |
84 |
81 |
|
National Library of Ireland |
106 |
91 |
88 |
|
National Museum of Ireland |
163 |
151 |
150 |
|
Ulster Scots Agency |
17 |
14 |
14 |
|
Foras na Gaeilge |
60 |
61 |
63 |
|
Waterways Ireland |
333 |
330 |
326 |
|
Total (WTE) |
1037 |
981 |
977 |
151. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on progress made in achieving the renewable electricity target of 40% by 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29721/13]
View answerThe 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a binding target where at least 16% of our energy requirements should come from renewable sources by 2020. In order to meet our overall 16% requirement, Ireland is committed to meeting 40% of electricity demand, 12% of heating and 10% of transport from renewable sources.
Though these targets are challenging, I am confident that they can be met. My Department’s Strategy for Renewable Energy 2012 to 2020 sets out the key strategic goals for the various renewable energy sectors in the context of Ireland’s EU obligations.
In addition, under the Directive, Ireland was required to set out in a National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) the trajectory towards meeting its legally binding targets. The NREAP and the First Progress Report on the NREAP, which are available on my Department’s website, show the sectoral and technology breakdown that we anticipate in the achievement of our target.
By the end of 2011, we had reached 6.4% of overall energy consumption from renewable sources and the trajectory set out in the NREAP assumes that we will achieve the 16% target incrementally at approximately 1% per annum.
At end 2012, 19.5% approximately of our electricity consumption was from renewable sources.
In 2012 15.5% of Ireland’s electricity demand was met by wind generation. By the end of quarter one 2013 1,763 MW of wind generation capacity was connected to the grid, with 238 MW of hydro power and 71 MW of smaller renewable sources (mainly landfill gas and biomass).
To date, wind energy has been the largest driver of growth in renewable electricity, contributing most towards the achievement of the 2020 target. However, if we are to reach that target, the build rate of onshore wind farms must accelerate from an historic average of 180 MW per year to at least 250 MW per year. It was for this reason that I decided to amend the terms of REFIT 2 to extend the closing date for applications to 31 December 2015, with projects required to be built by the end of December 2017. Support under REFIT 2 cannot exceed 15 years and will not extend beyond the end of December 2032.
In order to take a structured approach to connecting the necessary amounts of renewable generation to the grid, the Commission for Energy Regulation established the Gate 3 process. Under this process, grid connection offers have been made to around 3,900 MW of renewable generation, the bulk of which is wind. It is now a matter for project developers to accept or reject these offers in the coming months.
152. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will itemise the number of active prospecting licences currently issued and broken down into the specified mineral in each case, the location, licensee, duration, and land geographical area applicable. [29727/13]
View answer153. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will itemise the number of active State mining leases and mining licences which are currently issued, broken down into the specified mineral in each case, location, licensee, duration of licence, and geographical area applicable; if he will list the specific mandatory environmental considerations which must be adhered to for the extraction of each type of mineral; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29732/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos, 152 and 153 together.
I would refer the Deputy to the six-monthly report to the Oireachtas by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, compiled under the relevant provisions of the Minerals Development Acts 1940 to 1999. The report sets out details of the State Mining Leases, State Mining Licences and Prospecting Licences current as of 31 December 2012, and the total amount of all moneys collected by the Minister under or by virtue of any such Lease or Licence or otherwise in connection with the Minerals Development Acts for the twelve months ended 31 December 2012. The next such report will be for the six months ending on 30th June 2013. It will be presented to the Oireachtas as soon as possible thereafter. Information on all current licences, including maps of locations, is accessible on the Department’s website.
As regards environmental considerations for extraction of minerals, I am precluded by the Environmental Protection Agency legislation from including conditions in a State Mining Lease or License which relate to control of environmental emissions. These matters are regulated by the Agency under an Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Licence which is a requirement for all operating mines. In addition, any new mining development requires planning permission. Planning applications for mines are subject to Environmental Impact Assessment, which involves preparation by the developer of a detailed Environmental Impact Statement. This must entail consideration of the potential impacts of the project on population, fauna, flora, soil, water, air, climatic factors, material assets, including the architectural and archaeological heritage, landscape and the inter-relationship between the above factors, and will include a properly costed closure plan. It is a requirement of all three permits that a financial surety or bond is in place from the outset to guarantee the availability of funding to implement the closure plan, whether at the end of life of the mine or in the event of premature closure.
154. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 413 of 14 May 2013, the up to date position in relation to Electric Ireland's joint venture on fibre deployment here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29873/13]
View answerThe position I outlined in responding to the previous question remains unchanged. The ESB is continuing its consideration of the prospect of utilising its network to rollout fibre services. To this end, it sought expressions of interest in 2012 for a joint venture with the telecommunications sector. This process has not yet been completed and I await a detailed proposal from the company in this regard.
155. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 413 of 14 May 2013, the up to date position in relation to Electric Ireland's joint venture on fibre deployment here; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
View answer156. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of persons employed within the public sector by his Department or agency and by grade for each year of the five consecutive years for which the most recent data is available. [30451/13]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy in respect of full time equivalents employed by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources is detailed below.
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. I have requested the relevant authority in the agencies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisations.
|
Year |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
|
Grade |
FTE |
FTE |
FTE |
FTE |
FTE |
|
Secretary General |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Deputy Secretary General |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
Principal Officer |
19 |
19 |
19 |
17 |
15 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
38 |
38 |
35 |
36 |
35 |
|
Administrative Officer |
5 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
50 |
47 |
41 |
36 |
37 |
|
Executive Officer |
57 |
48 |
45 |
47 |
47 |
|
Stagiaire |
5 |
||||
|
Staff Officer |
3 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
|
Clerical Officer/Typist |
60 |
54 |
51 |
47 |
50 |
|
System Analyst |
- |
- |
1 |
4 |
2 |
|
Junior System Analyst |
- |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Head Services Officer |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Services Officer |
10 |
9 |
8 |
6 |
6 |
|
Service Attendant |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Storekeeper |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Chief Technical Advisor (Energy) |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Director of Communications |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Assistant Director of Communications |
1 |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Communications Engineer |
1 |
1 |
|||
|
Senior Lab Technicians |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Lab Technician |
1 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
|
Staff Engineer |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Assistant Staff Engineer |
- |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Executive Engineer |
3 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
|
Director/GSI |
1 |
1 |
1 |
- |
- |
|
Assistant Director/GSI |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Principal Geologist |
4 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
Senior Geologist |
11 |
10 |
10 |
11 |
10 |
|
Geologist |
10 |
10 |
9 |
10 |
10 |
|
Temporary Graduate Geologist |
8 |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Driller |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
|
Project Geologist |
3 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Superintendent Cartography |
6 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Chief Superintendent Mapping |
1 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Superintendent . Mapping |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Chief Technologist |
1 |
1 |
0 |
||
|
Petroleum Exploration Specialist |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Technical Assistants |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Professional Accountant |
1 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
|
|
Legal Advisor |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Principal Solicitor |
1 |
||||
|
Research Coordinator |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
|
Civilian Driver |
2 |
0 |
2 |
||
|
Grand Total |
322 |
296 |
269 |
261 |
257 |
157. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his role in appointments to the Clondalkin, Palmerstown, Lucan, Newcastle partnership in Dublin; and if his attention has been drawn to complaints regarding the appointment of a person (details supplied). [29736/13]
View answerMy Department has a role in relation to the provision of guidance on corporate governance arrangements for Local Development Companies as well as in ensuring adherence to contractual funding agreements for Department funded programmes, including the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP). With regard to corporate governance, Guidelines on the Governance of Integrated Local Development Companies and Urban Based Partnerships were issued by the then Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, to all companies on 1 October 2007 (with an addendum to the guidelines issued in June 2009). The guidelines were designed to assist the companies with the establishment of the company board structure (including the relevant sectors and pillars), and with the prescribed requirements of the Department to enable each Company to ensure eligibility for Departmental and European funding. In addition, the guidelines provided a model Memorandum and Articles of Association, along with a model of Corporate Governance Policy which was adaptable to meet individual requirements.
In June 2012, my Department requested that Clondalkin, Palmerstown, Lucan, Newcastle (CPLN) Local Development Company, Dodder Valley Local Development Company and South Dublin County Council develop a plan to establish a single structure for LCDP delivery in the two areas in question. The new structure, called South Dublin County Partnership Company Ltd was established in 2012. CPLN is therefore no longer contracted to deliver the LCDP on behalf of my Department. In relation to the particular query raised in the Question, my Department is not aware of any such issue.
