Finian McGrath
Question:197. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the new Health Service Excutive voluntary redundancy scheme 2014 offer. [48555/13]
View answerHealth Services Staff Issues
Questions (197)
Written answers
The Government has decided that the numbers employed across the public service must be reduced in order to meet its fiscal and budgetary targets. The health sector must make its contribution to that reduction. This policy requires the health service to reduce its workforce to just under 98,000 wholetime equivalent employees (WTE) by the end of 2014.
Earlier this year my Department authorised the introduction of a Targeted Voluntary Redundancy (VR) Scheme in the HSE and in organisations funded by the HSE under Section 38 of the Health Act 2004. The purpose of the scheme is to achieve a permanent reduction in numbers and to facilitate on-going health sector reform. The HSE will determine the areas and functions where there is scope to reduce employee numbers in the context of changing health sector structures and roles, for example, as a result of implementation of productivity measures provided for in the Haddington Road Agreement.
The scheme will be implemented on a rolling basis as appropriate areas and functions are identified. Employees in the areas targeted will be given an opportunity to avail of the scheme but there will be no automatic right to redundancy.
The HSE will operate the Targeted Voluntary Redundancy Scheme in 2014 and subsequent years as a key element in the reform of the health service. It will enable the HSE and other service providers to maximise the quantum and quality of services provided within the resources available.
Motor Tax Collection
Questions (198)
Lucinda Creighton
Question:198. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the motor tax renewal discrepancy of one month, in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 4 will be corrected. [48497/13]
View answerWritten answers
The records on my Department's National Vehicle and Driver File indicate that the motor tax disc for the vehicle in question expired on 31 October 2013. The vehicle was taxed through the on-line motor tax service on the 22 October 2013 for a period of twelve months, commencing 1 November 2013, and expiring on 31 October 2014. Accordingly, the expiry date on the disc issued to the owner is correctly displayed as 10-14.
Roads Maintenance
Questions (199)
Brendan Smith
Question:199. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be allocated to the National Roads Authority in 2014 in respect of necessary upgrading of the east-west route from Cootehill, County Cavan through Shercock and Carrickmacross to Dundalk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48389/13]
View answerWritten answers
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
Cavan County Council was provided with over €2 million between 2007 and 2012 from my Department in connection with this project under the Strategic Non National Road Grants Scheme in order to bring this 75 km route to preliminary design stage.
Cavan County Council has also been allocated €400,000 for this scheme in 2013 and it is expected that the preliminary design will be completed in Q2 of 2014.
It should be noted that the Strategic Grants scheme is scheduled to be discontinued from 2014 onward in order to focus monies on the repair and maintenance of regional and local roads. The small amount of funding available for major schemes will focus on projects already under construction or to which the Department is already committed.
I will announce the 2014 regional and local road grant allocations early in the new year.
Sports Capital Programme Eligibility
Questions (200)
Denis Naughten
Question:200. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the most frequent reasons that applications under the sports capital grant 2012 scheme were deemed ineligible; the steps he is taking to reduce the level of ineligible applications under the new funding round; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48404/13]
View answerWritten answers
The main reasons why applications under the 2012 SCP were deemed invalid were: No evidence of title / letter from landlord; No evidence of planning application; Insufficient own funding; No evidence of required amount of own funding.
These four reasons accounted for 75% of invalid applications. All unsuccessful applicants received letters setting out the reasons why their application was deemed invalid. If a particular applicant requires any more information or clarification they should contact the Sports Capital Programmes Unit of my Department in Killarney.
My officials are working on the terms and conditions of the next Programme. Part of this process includes examining possible measures to reduce the proportion of invalid applications. However, it is ultimately a matter for applicants to ensure that applications meet the Programme's criteria.
Driving Licence Issues
Questions (201)
Stephen Donnelly
Question:201. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the costs involved in opening each of the new 34 driving licence centres; if any American or overseas companies were outsourced to handle data of any kind in the set-up of the new national driver licence service; if so, the steps taken to ensure confidential information was protected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48474/13]
View answerWritten answers
The subject matter of this question, namely the operation of the National Driver Licensing Service, is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. Accordingly, I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
Driving Licence Issues
Questions (202)
Tom Fleming
Question:202. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will intervene on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who, through no fault of their own, had their full bus licence revoked by Kerry County Council which admitted it issued the licence in error in 2001, and who has now been informed by Bus Éireann that they require a licence prior to 4 December 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48475/13]
View answerWritten answers
This is a matter for the Road Safety Authority as the National Driver Licensing Authority, and I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's query to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.