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Tuesday, 17 Dec 2013

Written Answers Nos. 101-128

Ministerial Responsibilities

Questions (101)

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

101. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the total number of responsibilities she currently has, not including the areas for which the Health Service Executive has responsibility, on a statutory basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53843/13]

View answer

Written answers

As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs I have responsibility for the Child Care Acts 1991 to 2013; the Adoption Act 2010; the Ombudsman for Children Act 2002; the Protection for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998 and the Youth Work Act 2001.

Under the Children Act 2001, I have responsibility for section 88 (Remand in Custody) (other than subsection (12) and (13)) and for Part 10 (Children Detention Schools) of that Act.

In addition I have responsibility for the National Educational Welfare Board under the Education (Welfare) Act 2000 in relation to the administration of the Home School Community Liaison scheme and the School Completion Programme.

I also have responsibility for the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund under section 2 of the Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2007 under which I provide financial support on an annual basis to approximately 230 youth projects.

I will also have responsibilities under the Child and Family Agency Act 2013 following the commencement of that Act. I will commence that Act shortly.

Child Care Services Provision

Questions (102)

Denis Naughten

Question:

102. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps she will take to address the availability and affordability of regulated child care services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53712/13]

View answer

Written answers

I am aware that lack of access to affordable, quality childcare is a significant barrier to many low-income and disadvantaged families seeking to avail of work opportunities. Significant investment, totalling more than €260m, is being provided this year by my Department to support childcare programmes. These include the Free Pre-School Year, from which approximately 68,000 children benefit annually. The financial benefit to the parent of a child participating in the free pre-school year is about €2,500. I have succeeded, despite the challenging budgetary situation, in maintaining the Pre-School Year as a universal and free programme, ensuring that a significant number of children can avail of quality pre-school services who would not otherwise be in a position to do so.

The Community Childcare Subvention programme, which provides targeted benefit primarily to lower income and disadvantaged families, is also accessible to parents who have relatively average incomes on the basis of their entitlement to hold a GP visit card. About 25,000 children each year benefit from this programme.

Funding is also provided by my Department to support the Childhood Education and Training Support programme which targets funding to support parents seeking to return to the workforce who are participating in Solas or Education and Training Boards education and training programmes. About 2,500 childcare places are provided each year under this initiative.

The School Age Childcare Initiative, which is a joint initiative between my Department and the Department of Social Protection, is also targeted at low-income parents availing of employment opportunities. The uptake of this programme during the first two pilot phases of the initiative has been low, and the eligibility criteria are being examined by the Department of Social Protection in the context of the third pilot phase. It is proposed to augment this programme in 2014 with a new strand for certain community employment participants.

I was recently asked to launch the Indecon Report on Support for Childcare for Working Families and Implications for Employment. This report, which was commissioned by Donegal County Council, sets out to address the issue of affordability and access to childcare supports, and a particular focus of the report is an independent examination of whether the cost of childcare represents a barrier to labour force participation, and an examination of potential policy options to address any childcare obstacles which may exist.

The Report does offer policy options which could be considered as part of any review of the current supports. I am aware that childcare costs in this country are high, and would like to expand and enhance the existing childcare support programmes to help address this issue when funding to meet the additional costs becomes available. However, my emphasis at present is on improving the quality of the services currently provided, and the challenge for the Department is to ensure that the maximum number of children can avail of quality supports within the available resources.

Question No. 103 answered with Question No. 87.

Exports Data

Questions (104)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

104. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Taoiseach the value of exports, imports and trade surplus for the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector for each year since 2003. [53698/13]

View answer

Written answers

Goods exports and imports statistics provide data on the movement of goods between countries. The figures set out in the table are exports and imports of medical and pharmaceutical products and exclude any other products exported or imported by the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector.

Table: Goods Exports, Imports and Trade surplus of Medical and pharmaceutical products, 2003-2012

Commodity division 54 Medical and pharmaceutical products

Year

Exports

Imports

Trade surplus

-

€ million

€ million

€ million

2003

13,612

2,168

11,444

2004

15,155

1,970

13,185

2005

14,531

1,995

12,536

2006

14,247

2,235

12,012

2007

14,749

2,397

12,352

2008

16,750

2,867

13,883

2009

21,722

2,849

18,873

2010

23,959

3,464

20,496

2011

26,393

4,387

22,007

2012

24,551

4,164

20,387

EU Directives

Questions (105)

Anthony Lawlor

Question:

105. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Taoiseach the number of EU directives related to his Department that have yet to be transposed into Irish law despite the deadline date having passed; when is it proposed that these directives will be transposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53688/13]

View answer

Written answers

The Department of the Taoiseach has no EU Directives awaiting transposition. Responsibility for transposing EU measures into Irish law rests with individual Departments with responsibility for the relevant policy area.

Departmental Records

Questions (106, 107)

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

106. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Taoiseach if he will confirm the existence of a petition for reprieve file for Harry Gleeson, who was executed on 23 April 1941; if the file exists, if he will provide the file reference and current location; if the file is available for public inspection; and, if not, the statutory basis on which the file is being withheld. [53689/13]

View answer

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

107. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Taoiseach the current location of file reference S12368 Harry Gleeson: death sentence, which was recalled by his Department from the National Archives on 6 October 1995; the reasons for the recall of the file; and the reasons for its retention in his Department for over 18 years. [53690/13]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 107 together.

I understand that the file S12368 "Henry Gleeson - death sentence", the only file created in my Department on this matter, is available for inspection at the National Archives. Files relating to prisoners and sentencing are held in the Department of Justice and Equality. I understand that the Deputy has already contacted that Department concerning the location of the prisoner file.

Departmental Records

Questions (108)

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

108. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Taoiseach if he will confirm the existence of file reference S12369; if he will confirm that it was recalled by his Department from the National Archives on 6 October 1995, and if he will reveal the subject matter of the file. [53691/13]

View answer

Written answers

I understand that File reference S12369 exists and that it is currently available for viewing the National Archives. The title of the File is Special Criminal Court: Joseph O'Connor (No - 49/1941). I have been advised that this file has never been withheld from public inspection.

Departmental Legal Cases

Questions (109)

Jim Daly

Question:

109. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Taoiseach the cost incurred in his Department as a result of Oireachtas Members initiating legal challenges in the courts for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53692/13]

View answer

Written answers

The total cost incurred by my Department as a result of Oireachtas Members initiating legal challenges in the courts in the past five years is provided in the table.

Year

2012

241,675.75

Departmental Funding

Questions (110)

Billy Timmins

Question:

110. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Taoiseach the amount of funding that his Department provides to Irish charities; the names of each organisation that receive funding; the amount of funding each organisation receives; the number that are open and transparent regarding salaries; and the steps he is taking to deal with non-disclosures. [53693/13]

View answer

Written answers

Since 2002, my Department provides no funding to Irish charities.

Overseas Visits

Questions (111)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

111. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to Japan and the itinerary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53694/13]

View answer

Written answers

I visited Japan from 1-5 December on foot of an invitation extended to me by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during his visit to Dublin in June this year. The key objective of my visit was to further increase Ireland’s trade, economic, and political relationship with Japan. My programme included a visit to Tokyo and Osaka and a brief visit to Nagoya.

I was accompanied for part of the visit by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Mr. Simon Coveney, T.D.

While in Tokyo, I had a meeting with Prime Minister Abe. We agreed on a new Partnership for Growth and Innovation which will provide a framework for the development of relations between Ireland and Japan over the next four years.

During my visit, the re-opening of the Japanese beef market to Irish exports was announced by the Prime Minister, following extensive engagement between the Irish and Japanese administrations.

During my visit to Tokyo I also had the great honour of meeting with Crown Prince Naruhito and with the Japan Ireland Parliamentary Friendship League.

A sizeable trade delegation travelled to Japan for the visit, representing business interests in both Ireland and Japan. This included representatives from the ICT, Financial Services and Agri Food sectors.

I attended a number of sectoral events aimed at promoting stronger trade and business links between Ireland and Japan, covering Agri Food, Financial Services, Green Energy, and Research and Development. I also met with a number of IDA and Enterprise Ireland client companies and their partners.

I delivered a keynote address on Ireland-Japan relations at the Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA).

While in Tokyo, I had an opportunity for a brief informal meeting with US Vice President Joe Biden, who was in Japan as part of a wider visit to the region.

Following two days in Tokyo, I travelled on to Nagoya and Osaka for further meetings with Irish and Japanese business leaders to promote trade, investment and business-to-business links. I also met with the Governor of Osaka Prefecture, Mr. Ichiro Matsui.

Departmental Records

Questions (112, 113, 114, 115, 116)

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

112. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Taoiseach if there is any record in his office from 1997 to date of agreements or deals struck between occupants of the office of the Taoiseach with Deputies in return for support of the Government of the time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53957/13]

View answer

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

113. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Taoiseach if his office has records or copies of any of the agreements or deals struck between previous occupants of the office of the Taoiseach, with Independent or other Deputies in return for support of the Government of the time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53958/13]

View answer

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

114. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Taoiseach in relation to any agreements or deals struck between previous occupants of the office of the Taoiseach, with Independent or other Deputies in return for support of the Government of the time, the records kept of these agreements; if there are any progress reports on file and how extensive are the files covering these agreements or deals; if there is correspondence with line Departments related to seeking the implementation of specific items in those agreements or deals; if he will provide an itemised list and description of all the documents that are on file relevant to these matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53959/13]

View answer

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

115. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Taoiseach in the interests of transparency and openness if he will publish the details and documentation, progress reports, correspondence with line Departments, and related materials, relevant to any agreements or deals struck between previous occupants of the office of the Taoiseach, and Independent or other Deputies in return for support of the Government of the time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53960/13]

View answer

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

116. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Taoiseach in relation to any agreements or deals struck between previous occupants of the office of An Taoiseach, with Independent or other TDs, in return for support of the Government of the time, who was responsible for monitoring the implementation of these agreements; the person they reported to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53961/13]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 to 116, inclusive, together.

I was widely reported at the time that there were political agreements between previous Governments and various Independent Deputies from 1997 to 2011. I understand that no records of any such agreements are on official files held at the Department of the Taoiseach.

Up to 2009 an Assistant Principal at the Department of the Taoiseach assisted the Government Chief Whip in liaising with these Deputies. From 2010 to 2011 an advisor to the then Taoiseach liaised with them.

Decentralisation Programme Expenditure

Questions (117)

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

117. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Taoiseach if he will outline what offices relevant to his Department are located or have been decentralised outside of Dublin; if he will provide the total number of staff in his Department and the number of staff based outside County Dublin as of 2013; the annual cost incurred in 2012 and 2013, respectively, for decentralised staff travelling to meetings in Dublin; the number of times staff travelled to individual meetings in Dublin in each of those years; the costs those staff will be reimbursed for; and if his Department has procedures or mechanisms in place such as video conferencing to reduce the cost of travelling for each unit based outside Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54001/13]

View answer

Written answers

My Constituency Office is split between Government Buildings and Castlebar. Two staff are based in Castlebar and do not attend meetings in Government Buildings. There are two staff working in the Chief Whip's Constituency Office based in Enniscorthy and they do not attend meetings in the Dublin office. Therefore no travelling costs are incurred. No offices or bodies under the aegis of the Department have decentralised outside of Dublin.

Employment Data

Questions (118)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

118. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Taoiseach if, in relation to the Quarterly National Household Survey, quarter 3 of 2013, he will provide a breakdown by sectoral employment of the all persons part of table 5A; and if he will also provide a breakdown of the same part of this table by age, International Labour Organisation economic status and region, respectively. [54426/13]

View answer

Written answers

The Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates of employment in the State.

The tables show additional breakdowns of Table 5a of the QNHS Quarter 3 2013 release:

Table 1 - Number of persons aged 15 and over in employment (ILO) classified by employment status and NACE Rev. 2 economic sector.

Table 2 - Number of persons aged 15 and over in employment (ILO) classified by employment status and age group.

Table 3 - Number of persons aged 15 and over in employment (ILO) classified by employment status and ILO economic status (employment) by full-time and part-time employment.

Table 4 - Number of persons aged 15 and over in employment (ILO) classified by employment status and NUTS3 region.

Table 1 -Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by employment status and NACE Rev.2 Economic Sector '000

Employment Status and NACE Rev.2 Economic Sector

Q3 11

Q2 12

Q3 12

Q4 12

Q1 13

Q2 13

Q3 13

Self-employed (with paid employees)

SECTION A — AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHING

4.2

5.8

5.1

6.0

7.7

8.0

7.9

SECTION B-F — TOTAL INDUSTRY

17.8

19.0

18.6

19.4

19.2

17.9

17.0

Section B-E — Industry

8.3

8.5

8.2

8.9

8.6

8.3

7.7

Section F — Construction

9.5

10.6

10.4

10.5

10.6

9.6

9.3

SECTION G-U TOTAL SERVICES

65.2

63.2

59.2

58.2

61.3

60.9

59.8

Section G - Wholesale & Retail trade; Repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles

18.1

17.8

16.4

16.0

17.2

16.5

15.3

Section H - Transportation & Storage

[3.7]

3.9

[3.6]

4.1

[3.6]

[3.6]

[3.5]

Section I - Accommodation & Food service Activities

10.3

10.2

7.9

7.2

7.0

7.3

8.0

Section J - Information & Communication

[3.5]

[3.1]

[2.9]

[3.1]

*

[3.5]

*

Section K-L - Financial, insurance and real estate activities

[3.1]

[3]

[2.6]

[2.7]

[3.2]

*

*

Section M Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities

10.7

9.7

9.8

9.6

10.1

11.1

11.3

Section N Administrative & Support Service Activities

[3.4]

[3.1]

[3.1]

[2.6]

[2.7]

*

*

Section O Public Administration and Defence; Compulsory Social Security

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

Section P Education

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

Section Q Human Health and Social Work Activities

5.3

5.6

5.2

5.0

6.1

5.6

5.5

Section R-U Other Services Activities

5.7

5.0

5.4

5.8

6.2

6.1

6.4

Not Stated

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

All

87.3

88.1

82.9

83.6

88.2

86.8

84.7

Self-employed (with no paid employees)

SECTION A — AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHING

55.6

57.0

54.6

59.8

61.8

65.4

71.0

SECTION B-F — TOTAL INDUSTRY

40.3

37.8

37.6

39.2

41.2

39.8

41.8

Section B-E — Industry

11.0

10.5

10.5

10.3

12.5

11.7

11.2

Section F — Construction

29.3

27.4

27.1

28.9

28.7

28.1

30.6

SECTION G-U TOTAL SERVICES

108.9

109.2

104.4

108.6

112.1

111.8

112.4

Section G - Wholesale & Retail trade; Repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles

16.2

15.9

16.5

17.0

17.3

17.2

18.0

Section H - Transportation & Storage

20.5

18.3

18.8

17.5

17.6

16.7

18.0

Section I - Accommodation & Food service Activities

5.2

4.4

4.2

[3.6]

5.0

5.4

5.4

Section J - Information & Communication

9.7

8.0

6.7

8.9

8.3

8.7

9.7

Section K-L - Financial, insurance and real estate activities

4.7

5.0

4.1

5.0

4.6

5.0

5.1

Section M Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities

18.6

21.5

19.0

19.9

21.8

21.9

20.4

Section N Administrative & Support Service Activities

6.0

6.3

6.3

6.4

6.2

5.8

6.6

Section O Public Administration and Defence; Compulsory Social Security

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

Section P Education

5.9

4.9

4.3

5.6

5.8

[4.2]

[4.4]

Section Q Human Health and Social Work Activities

7.0

8.3

8.1

8.4

7.3

7.9

6.6

Section R-U Other Services Activities

15.0

15.9

16.0

15.4

17.0

17.9

17.1

Not Stated

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

All

205.0

204.2

196.8

207.5

215.3

217.0

225.2

Employee

SECTION A — AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHING

18.4

17.9

19.0

18.3

20.0

23.3

25.1

SECTION B-F — TOTAL INDUSTRY

288.3

273.2

274.5

280.2

272.7

282.0

286.7

Section B-E — Industry

219.2

212.1

211.6

217.4

216.4

218.0

222.4

Section F — Construction

69.0

61.1

62.9

62.8

56.3

64.0

64.3

SECTION G-U TOTAL SERVICES

1233.2

1238.6

1250.3

1241.5

1233.2

1244.5

1259.8

Section G - Wholesale & Retail trade; Repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles

240.8

233.4

238.1

239.0

237.7

236.2

237.9

Section H - Transportation & Storage

72.2

68.4

67.5

66.9

66.9

64.9

66.1

Section I - Accommodation & Food service Activities

104.4

104.6

109.6

106.4

107.6

116.1

123.1

Section J - Information & Communication

63.9

69.9

68.4

70.7

66.2

68.0

69.4

Section K-L - Financial, insurance and real estate activities

91.3

91.2

95.6

95.0

91.8

91.6

93.9

Section M Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities

66.8

70.9

71.0

72.2

71.6

74.4

79.3

Section N Administrative & Support Service Activities

59.8

53.3

57.1

54.1

50.6

49.7

55.2

Section O Public Administration and Defence; Compulsory Social Security

99.0

98.7

98.9

94.8

93.8

94.0

94.8

Section P Education

130.0

139.6

134.1

137.7

139.1

143.2

134.0

Section Q Human Health and Social Work Activities

230.8

229.6

230.8

230.9

232.4

229.5

230.8

Section R-U Other Services Activities

74.2

78.9

79.1

73.8

75.6

77.0

75.4

Not Stated

[3.5]

*

*

[3.2]

*

*

*

All

1543.3

1531.3

1546.4

1543.1

1527.3

1550.8

1573.6

Assisting relative

SECTION A — AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHING

4.2

6.3

6.8

6.0

6.7

6.8

6.6

SECTION B-F — TOTAL INDUSTRY

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

Section B-E — Industry

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

Section F — Construction

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

SECTION G-U TOTAL SERVICES

4.8

5.0

6.8

7.0

6.9

7.0

7.2

Section G - Wholesale & Retail trade; Repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

Section H - Transportation & Storage

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

Section I - Accommodation & Food service Activities

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

Section J - Information & Communication

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

Section K-L - Financial, insurance and real estate activities

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

Section M Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

Section N Administrative & Support Service Activities

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

Section O Public Administration and Defence; Compulsory Social Security

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

Section P Education

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

Section Q Human Health and Social Work Activities

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

Section R-U Other Services Activities

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

Not Stated

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

All

10.0

12.6

15.2

14.7

14.9

15.3

15.7

Total persons

SECTION A — AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHING

82.4

87.1

85.6

90.0

96.2

103.4

110.6

SECTION B-F — TOTAL INDUSTRY

347.4

331.3

332.1

340.4

334.3

341.1

347.3

Section B-E — Industry

238.9

231.7

231.1

237.2

238.0

238.4

242.0

Section F — Construction

108.5

99.6

101.1

103.2

96.3

102.7

105.4

SECTION G-U TOTAL SERVICES

1412.1

1416.0

1420.8

1415.3

1413.5

1424.2

1439.2

Section G - Wholesale & Retail trade; Repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles

276.5

268.2

272.7

273.4

274.1

271.5

273.3

Section H - Transportation & Storage

96.7

90.9

90.3

89.0

88.8

86.0

88.2

Section I - Accommodation & Food service Activities

121.1

120.0

123.1

118.3

120.3

129.6

137.7

Section J - Information & Communication

77.1

81.2

78.2

83.2

77.4

80.4

82.0

Section K-L - Financial, insurance and real estate activities

99.1

99.3

102.3

102.8

99.7

98.9

101.5

Section M Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities

96.6

102.6

100.4

102.2

103.9

108.0

111.3

Section N Administrative & Support Service Activities

69.4

63.0

66.6

63.2

59.5

58.0

64.7

Section O Public Administration and Defence; Compulsory Social Security

99.3

99.6

99.7

96.0

95.2

95.1

96.1

Section P Education

137.2

146.3

140.6

145.3

147.5

150.3

140.8

Section Q Human Health and Social Work Activities

243.5

244.4

245.0

245.7

247.5

244.6

243.6

Section R-U Other Services Activities

95.5

100.6

101.9

96.2

99.8

101.8

99.9

Not Stated

[3.8]

*

[2.8]

[3.2]

*

*

*

All

1845.6

1836.2

1841.3

1848.9

1845.6

1869.9

1899.3

Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.;

Reference period: q1= Jan-Mar; q2 =Apr-Jun, q3= Jul-Sep, q4= Oct-Dec

* Estimates are too small to be considered reliable;

Parentheses [ ] indicate where estimates are considered to have a wider margin of error and should be treated with caution;

Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office.

Table 2 - Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by employment status and age group
'000

Employment Status and age group

Q3 11

Q2 12

Q3 12

Q4 12

Q1 13

Q2 13

Q3 13

Self-employed (with paid employees)

15-19

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

20-24

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

25-34

9.6

8.1

8.2

7.6

8.4

7.5

8.0

35-44

27.4

29.3

27.7

27.9

25.3

22.7

22.1

45-54

27.3

26.6

25.2

25.1

28.2

28.8

28.3

55-59

10.0

10.7

10.5

10.3

9.8

12.1

10.8

60-64

7.1

7.0

6.1

6.7

9.7

8.8

8.7

65+

5.5

6.0

5.2

5.8

6.5

6.4

6.3

All

87.3

88.1

82.9

83.6

88.2

86.8

84.7

Self-employed (with no paid employees)

15-19

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

20-24

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

25-34

27.4

26.8

25.0

26.8

28.6

26.1

25.8

35-44

54.1

52.3

47.2

48.5

51.4

53.3

53.5

45-54

55.6

54.9

54.8

57.4

61.2

61.5

66.3

55-59

25.6

23.7

23.8

24.8

25.9

25.1

27.0

60-64

19.9

21.5

22.5

23.6

21.5

23.3

23.1

65+

20.3

22.9

21.9

25.0

24.7

25.8

27.7

All

205.0

204.2

196.8

207.5

215.3

217.0

225.2

Employee

15-19

29.5

23.4

30.0

27.1

22.9

24.8

32.5

20-24

137.7

124.7

127.1

121.9

118.8

122.6

127.8

25-34

478.0

475.9

474.6

474.3

460.1

465.3

465.5

35-44

407.1

409.3

416.2

417.4

424.0

430.9

435.7

45-54

307.7

313.3

317.0

319.0

316.2

319.2

320.5

55-59

104.7

107.8

106.2

109.0

109.4

112.0

113.4

60-64

61.2

59.2

58.1

57.4

58.8

58.0

59.4

65+

17.4

17.6

17.1

17.0

17.0

18.0

18.8

All

1543.3

1531.3

1546.4

1543.1

1527.3

1550.8

1573.6

Assisting relative

15-19

*

*

[3]

[2.4]

*

*

*

20-24

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

25-34

*

[2.7]

*

*

*

*

*

35-44

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

45-54

*

*

[2.5]

*

*

[2.7]

[2.8]

55-59

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

60-64

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

65+

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

All

10.0

12.6

15.2

14.7

14.9

15.3

15.7

Total persons

15-19

31.0

25.3

33.1

29.7

24.7

26.9

35.1

20-24

141.3

129.1

130.6

124.7

123.1

127.0

131.9

25-34

516.7

513.6

510.4

511.1

499.8

501.7

501.2

35-44

490.2

492.3

492.4

495.9

502.5

508.9

513.4

45-54

391.9

396.4

399.3

403.6

408.1

412.2

417.8

55-59

141.1

143.0

141.7

145.3

146.2

150.2

152.0

60-64

88.9

88.8

87.7

89.3

91.5

91.2

92.6

65+

44.5

47.8

46.0

49.3

49.7

51.9

55.3

All

1845.6

1836.2

1841.3

1848.9

1845.6

1869.9

1899.3

Data may be subject to future revision.;
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.;
Reference period: q1=Jan-Mar; q2 =Apr-Jun,q3=Jul-Sep,q4=Oct-Dec
* Estimates are too small to be considered reliable;
Parentheses [ ] indicate where estimates are considered to have a wider margin of error and should be treated with caution;
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office.
Table 3 - Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by employment status and full-time and part-time employment '000

Employment Status and full-time and part-time employment

Q3 11

Q2 12

Q3 12

Q4 12

Q1 13

Q2 13

Q3 13

Self-employed (with paid employees)

Full-time job

81.5

81.4

76.9

77.0

80.4

79.7

77.6

Part-time job

5.7

6.7

6.1

6.6

7.8

7.1

7.1

All

87.3

88.1

82.9

83.6

88.2

86.8

84.7

Self-employed (with no paid employees)

Full-time job

162.0

159.8

152.7

158.8

165.7

171.1

179.5

Part-time job

43.0

44.4

44.1

48.8

49.5

45.9

45.7

All

205.0

204.2

196.8

207.5

215.3

217.0

225.2

Employee

Full-time job

1163.3

1150.3

1159.7

1157.1

1138.7

1160.0

1185.1

Part-time job

380.0

381.0

386.7

386.0

388.5

390.8

388.6

All

1543.3

1531.3

1546.4

1543.1

1527.3

1550.8

1573.6

Assisting relative

Full-time job

4.5

4.7

5.8

5.8

6.3

7.0

6.4

Part-time job

5.6

7.9

9.4

8.8

8.6

8.3

9.3

All

10.0

12.6

15.2

14.7

14.9

15.3

15.7

Total persons

Full-time job

1411.3

1396.2

1395.0

1398.7

1391.1

1417.8

1448.6

Part-time job

434.3

440.0

446.3

450.2

454.4

452.1

450.7

All

1845.6

1836.2

1841.3

1848.9

1845.6

1869.9

1899.3

Data may be subject to future revision.;
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.;
Reference period: q1=Jan-Mar; q2 =Apr-Jun,q3=Jul-Sep,q4=Oct-Dec
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office
Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by employment status and NUTS3 region
'000

Employment Status and NUTS3 Region

Q3 11

Q2 12

Q3 12

Q4 12

Q1 13

Q2 13

Q3 13

Self-employed (with paid employees)

Border

9.3

6.8

6.2

7.4

7.4

7.9

8.2

Midland

4.1

4.8

5.1

5.1

5.6

6.1

5.6

West

6.6

7.8

7.0

6.9

8.3

7.0

6.9

Dublin

23.5

23.7

21.7

20.7

21.2

22.9

21.1

Mid-East

11.8

10.8

9.5

10.4

11.4

10.3

11.0

Mid-West

8.0

7.7

7.7

6.8

7.2

6.4

6.1

South-East

8.8

11.5

11.5

10.7

11.6

10.5

10.9

South-West

15.0

15.0

14.3

15.6

15.3

15.6

14.8

All

87.3

88.1

82.9

83.6

88.2

86.8

84.7

Self-employed (with no paid employees)

Border

22.6

23.4

21.5

24.4

26.2

26.3

25.4

Midland

12.6

12.0

12.3

11.2

9.8

11.5

14.3

West

24.3

25.1

23.8

24.6

27.3

27.0

26.7

Dublin

46.6

46.8

40.8

44.6

45.9

47.9

47.0

Mid-East

23.9

23.8

24.5

26.8

26.2

24.9

26.3

Mid-West

19.3

19.2

19.5

19.6

18.8

19.2

21.0

South-East

24.6

22.4

22.1

22.6

25.1

25.0

26.0

South-West

31.0

31.6

32.4

33.7

36.1

35.3

38.5

All

205.0

204.2

196.8

207.5

215.3

217.0

225.2

Employee

Border

152.3

143.2

142.7

138.3

142.1

147.5

146.8

Midland

84.6

87.6

86.7

88.7

90.6

91.2

90.1

West

148.3

144.6

148.9

147.2

146.5

148.1

150.0

Dublin

472.3

475.7

484.2

489.2

478.4

482.5

500.1

Mid-East

190.1

187.2

188.6

187.0

181.3

182.2

177.6

Mid-West

126.2

121.9

122.8

122.7

119.5

123.9

124.1

South-East

148.3

148.7

146.7

144.8

145.7

148.5

153.6

South-West

221.3

222.5

225.7

225.4

223.3

227.0

231.4

All

1543.3

1531.3

1546.4

1543.1

1527.3

1550.8

1573.6

Assisting relative

Border

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

Midland

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

West

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

Dublin

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

Mid-East

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

Mid-West

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

South-East

*

[3.4]

[3.6]

[3.7]

4.3

[3.8]

[3.2]

South-West

[2.7]

*

[2.6]

[2.4]

[2.4]

[2.7]

*

All

10.0

12.6

15.2

14.7

14.9

15.3

15.7

Total persons

Border

185.1

174.6

172.4

171.5

176.8

183.1

181.8

Midland

101.7

105.2

105.3

105.7

106.9

109.7

111.2

West

180.9

179.5

181.9

180.9

184.0

183.7

185.6

Dublin

543.5

547.4

548.4

556.3

547.1

555.1

570.1

Mid-East

226.6

222.7

223.5

225.5

220.6

219.0

216.7

Mid-West

154.0

150.1

150.9

150.1

146.5

150.9

153.1

South-East

183.8

186.0

183.8

181.8

186.5

187.7

193.8

South-West

270.1

270.7

274.9

277.0

277.1

280.7

287.1

All

1845.6

1836.2

1841.3

1848.9

1845.6

1869.9

1899.3

Data may be subject to future revision.;
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.;
Reference period: q1=Jan-Mar; q2 =Apr-Jun,q3=Jul-Sep,q4=Oct-Dec
* Estimates are too small to be considered reliable;
Parentheses [ ] indicate where estimates are considered to have a wider margin of error and should be treated with caution;
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office.

Consultancy Contracts Expenditure

Questions (119, 121)

Niall Collins

Question:

119. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the total amount spent on external IT consultants by his Department in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the estimated spending in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54447/13]

View answer

Niall Collins

Question:

121. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach if his Department has renegotiated external IT consultancy contracts and costs since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54479/13]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 121 together.

The total amount spent on external IT consultants by my Department in 2010, 2011, 2012, to date in 2013 and the estimated spend in 2014 is as follows:

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

€ 11,711

€ 18,679

€ 0

€ 2,560

€ 6,000

My Department does not have any ongoing IT consultancy contracts in place. When IT consultancy is required the practice in my Department is to select an appropriate competitive process such as seeking quotations, using a centrally negotiated framework agreement or issuing a Request For Tender.

Departmental Legal Cases

Questions (120)

Billy Timmins

Question:

120. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Taoiseach the cost of legal action against his Department for the years 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54463/13]

View answer

Written answers

The table provides details of the costs of legal action against my Department from 2011 to date in 2013.

Year

2011

43,535

Question No. 121 answered with Question No. 119.

Public Sector Staff Remuneration

Questions (122)

Simon Harris

Question:

122. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Taoiseach if he will provide detail in tabular form by his Department and any agency under his remit, any exemptions granted to the long-standing general principle of pay policy that the payment of additional remuneration to public servants for undertaking additional duties is not permitted; the additional remuneration involved in each case; the date of sanction for such additional remuneration; the rationale behind such sanction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55064/13]

View answer

Written answers

No exemptions from the general principles of pay policy as set out by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform were granted by my Department or Body under its aegis to public servants for undertaking additional duties.

Passport Applications

Questions (123)

Jack Wall

Question:

123. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding a passport application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53868/13]

View answer

Written answers

All passport applications are subject to the provision of Passports Act, 2008 (the Act). The issue of a passport is, therefore, the culmination of an important and legally-binding process. The checks and balances within the passport process embrace the standard principles that are provided for in the Act and help to ensure that the identity of the applicant is known and that the person in question is an Irish citizen. This serves to maintain the worldwide good reputation and integrity of the Irish passport, which, in turn, ensures the safe travel and well-being of Irish citizens, as they travel abroad. Moreover, it helps to combat passport and identity fraud.The Act underpins a long-standing passport policy in regard to the use of verifiable civil documents such civil birth certificates for first-time applicants. These documents confirm the details of a person’s birth name, date and place of birth, all of which are critical components of a person’s identity. The Passport Service received an application from the person in question on 12 March, 2013. It could not be finalised because the person concerned did not provide their civil birth certificate or passport from country of birth. The Passport Service has been in correspondence with the applicant in this regard and, to help the applicant, has recently asked the Irish Embassy in Vietnam to assist in the verification of the individual’s identity.

Decentralisation Programme Expenditure

Questions (124)

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

124. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline what offices relevant to his Department are located or have been decentralised outside of Dublin; if he will provide the total number of staff in his Department and the number of staff based outside County Dublin as of 2013; the annual cost incurred in 2012 and 2013, respectively, for decentralised staff travelling to meetings in Dublin; the number of times staff travelled to individual meetings in Dublin in each of those years; the costs those staff will be reimbursed for; and if his Department has procedures or mechanisms in place such as video conferencing to reduce the cost of travelling for each unit based outside Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53995/13]

View answer

Written answers

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is based in various locations, including in Dublin, Limerick and Cork. The decentralisation to Limerick of the Development Cooperation Division of the Department was formally completed in late 2008 and the majority of the officers assigned to the Division, which manages the aid programme, Irish Aid, are based there. The Development Cooperation Division also has responsibility for our overall political and trade promotion relations with sub-Saharan Africa and a number of countries in Asia where we have an aid programme. The Passport Office in Cork city is part of the Passport Service of Ireland. It has a public office and also accepts passport express applications from nine counties. It produces 25% of the total number of passports delivered annually in Ireland. Certain consular services are also available at this office, including the authentication of documents for use in Ireland or abroad, foreign births registration, and the issuing of certificates of freedom to marry abroad .

Of the total 1378.1 whole time equivalent staff of my Department, 80 are based in Limerick and 76.6 are based in the Passport Office in Cork.

The nature of the work of my Department, including interaction with the Oireachtas and the broader Government system, necessitates travel by officials between locations. My Department operates its own detailed internal travel guidelines and practices which ensure cost effective travel, both at Headquarters and at other offices. The central aim of the Departmental travel policy, which embraces Ministers and officials, is to minimise official travel costs and achieve value for money for expenditure necessarily incurred, consistent with the effective discharge of official duties. To deliver significant savings on travel costs, video-conferencing facilities are available at all offices of the Department. Video-conferencing among the Department’s offices in Cork (Passport Office) and Limerick (Irish Aid) and its offices in Dublin takes place on a daily basis. Over the past twelve months there have been over 640 video conferences between these offices and Dublin.

The table below details the annual cost incurred in 2012 and 2013 by staff travelling from Limerick and Cork to meetings in Dublin and the number of travel claims made in each of those years. The costs include subsistence and reimbursement for expenditure incurred by staff including hotel, rail, bus and taxi fares, as appropriate.

-

2012

2013

Total costs in euro

125,194

116,472

Number of claims made

429

518

Social Insurance

Questions (125)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

125. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will engage with UK authorities to ensure that requests from Irish residents for information relating to social insurance contributions made by them while working in the UK will be dealt with expediently, as many such persons are experiencing great difficulty and long delays securing such information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54186/13]

View answer

Written answers

On foot of the Deputy’s question, I have made enquiries into the operation of the arrangements for sharing of information between the British and Irish authorities in relation to social insurance contributions.I am advised that the Embassy of Ireland in London has not received representations on this subject, from individuals or from community groups with which we work. I am further advised that the Department of Social Protection is not aware of any delays or difficulties being experienced by customers receiving information. If the Deputy has a specific case issue he wishes to raise I would be happy to follow up accordingly.

Passport Applications

Questions (126)

Tom Fleming

Question:

126. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way passports can be obtained in the event of an emergency for family members that have to travel abroad at short notice; if he will take into consideration that a number of persons do not have a passport or it may have expired and may need to travel abroad to bring home the remains of a loved one or may wish to visit a family member who is seriously ill in hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54356/13]

View answer

Written answers

Emergency passports permitting travel abroad are issued only in circumstances where the Passport Service is satisfied, on the basis of the application and supporting evidence, that:the proposed journey is related to the death or serious injury or illness abroad of a close relative or a medical emergency relating to the applicant him/herself; and the presence of the applicant at the foreign location in connection with such an unexpected event is necessary or highly desirable; and the need to travel has arisen at short notice.

In such situations of genuine and unforeseen urgency an applicant will be seen immediately upon presentation at either the passport office in Dublin and Cork. No appointment is required.

Additionally, my Department provides a Duty Officer Service outside normal office hours to deal with matters requiring immediate attention, including the issue of passports in such circumstances.

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Questions (127)

Tom Fleming

Question:

127. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress that has been made in respect of the thousands of undocumented Irish in the United States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54357/13]

View answer

Written answers

This is an issue to which I accord very high priority, conscious of the acute difficulties experienced by Irish undocumented in the United States, many of whom I have met on my visits there. I have maintained contact, both directly and through our Embassy in Washington, with many key players in Congress including Republican Congressman Paul Ryan, Chair of the House Budgetary Committee and former Vice-Presidential nominee; Republican Congressman Bob Goodlatte, Chair of the House Judiciary Committee; leading Republican members of the House Judiciary Committee, Congressmen Mark Amodei, Spencer Bachus and Doug Collins; Minority House Leader Nancy Pelosi; Chair of the Congressional Friends of Ireland, Pete King; with House Speaker John Boehner and his staff and with the office of House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy. I have also maintained contact with key figures in the US Administration and with Irish-American community representatives. I have reiterated throughout all these contacts the Government’s interest in all aspects of immigration reform and in particular our interest in seeing an overall agreement reached which provides relief for currently undocumented Irish migrants and a facility for future flows of legal migration between Ireland and the US.

In this context, we very much welcomed the US Senate’s approval of the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Bill by a 68-32 margin on 27 June last.

The comprehensive draft legislation, which was prepared over several months by a bi-partisan group of eight US Senators, provides for extensive reform of the US immigration system. It includes provisions that would legalise the status of undocumented Irish people and provide a path to permanent residency. It also provides for future flows of legal migration between Ireland and the US via the proposed E-3 visa. The focus has since shifted to the House of Representatives for its consideration of the issues and a key factor here remains convincing the Republican House Majority of the importance of making progress. It remains to be seen whether a consolidated Bill can be agreed between the Senate and the House of Representatives. It is generally accepted that securing overall agreement will be a complex and challenging process, particularly at a time when Congress has been preoccupied by budgetary and debt issues. This was clear from my most recent contacts and I believe the challenge to secure agreement has become even greater in recent times. I am determined to continue to deploy all necessary resources at political, diplomatic and Irish community level to make progress on this vital issue. In support of this ongoing effort, a delegation of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade visited Washington DC in October last for a programme arranged by our Embassy during which they met with key members of Congress and with Irish-American community representatives.

I wrote to US House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner on 12 December, reiterating our position and underlining our continuing strong interest in the prospect of reform of the US immigration system. I expressed the hope that the House will engage further in these issues in early 2014 leading to a positive legislative outcome.

The Embassy in Washington continues our intensive follow-up work with all of our contacts on Capitol Hill and particularly with the Republican House leadership. It also continues to coordinate our lobbying efforts with our Irish-American community representatives. I wish to acknowledge the critically important role being played by these community organisations, including the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Chicago Celts for Immigration Reform and the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform.

Consultancy Contracts Expenditure

Questions (128, 130)

Niall Collins

Question:

128. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total amount spent on external IT consultants by his Department in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the estimated spending in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54441/13]

View answer

Niall Collins

Question:

130. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has renegotiated external IT consultancy contracts and costs since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54473/13]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 130 together.

While my Department makes use of external IT service providers for various support and maintenance requirements, it has not engaged any IT consultants since 2011. In 2010 and 2011 the Department engaged consultants for the purpose of providing infrastructure- and systems-related security advice and the amounts expended were €65,545 and €23,529 respectively. There are no plans at present to engage ICT consultants in 2014. It is my Department’s policy to seek competitive tenders and to test the market on a regular basis for all IT requirements.

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