Written Answers Nos. 179 - 191
179. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 598 of 5 November 2013, if he will provide an update on the position of those who have applied for compensation but do not appear to fulfil the qualifying criteria of the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme for a variety of reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1925/14]
View answerMy Department is continuing to work through various legal and other issues regarding the position of those who have applied for compensation but do not appear to fulfil the qualifying criteria of the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme for a variety of reasons. Applicants are being, or will be, written to in relation to their position, as issues are clarified.
180. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide an update on progress at Killarney House; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1954/14]
View answerWork has commenced on the final phase of restoration, refurbishment and new works for Killarney House and I was very pleased to be present at the formal signing of the contract on 30 December. The refurbished Killarney House, in its historic and beautiful setting, will function as a National Park Visitor Centre and will provide an added attraction for visitors to the town.
The visitor centre project will contain three particular aspects. Firstly a newly built extension will house an interpretative centre for the National Park, explaining its significance and importance to the town and region including information on the major themes of the National park; mountain, wood, water and the human impact on the environment. Secondly, as part of the new build element, the provision of exhibition space will be included to cater for temporary exhibitions, displays and cultural events. Thirdly, a number of reception rooms on the ground floor of the original house will be reinstated to accommodate original furniture currently in storage.
The former Pleasure Grounds and Gardens immediately surrounding the House will also be restored in 2014, creating spectacular landscaped areas that will merge into the natural areas of the Park and which will provide vistas linking the town to the scenery of mountain, wood and water. This is a major project for my Department and involves collaboration with the Office of Public Works as project managers and Fáilte Ireland which has committed funding of €5.2 million to the project under its Tourism Investment Programme. A phased approach to the restoration has been adopted and the first two phases were required to safeguard the structural integrity and to create the optimal layout of the House in preparation for the full restoration works. Phase I was completed in 2012 and Phase II was completed in the spring of 2013.
181. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of quangos, State agencies or organisations under the remit of his Department that have been merged, reformed or abolished since 2011; the details of each of these measures in tabular form; the cost saving or service delivery improvement which has resulted; how many more he expects to be merged, reformed or abolished and the timeline for same; if he will provide a full list of all agencies and organisations under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1971/14]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Government Decision of 17 November 2011 on Public Service Reform announced a streamlining of State bodies, including a number of bodies funded from this Department’s Vote Group. The Government Decision of 31 October 2012 endorsed the implementation of these measures and the details as requested are laid out in tabular form in the table below. A full list of the bodies and agencies funded from my Department's Vote Group can be accessed on the Department's website through the following link: http://www.ahg.gov.ie/en/Links/
|
Proposed Measure |
Current position |
|
Combine Irish Museum of Modern Art, Crawford Art Gallery & National Gallery of Ireland while retaining separate identities. |
Legislation is being prepared to give effect to the approach approved by Government in relation to this measure. This will result, inter alia, in a reduction in the number on boards, as well as enshrining pro bono service. Approximately €45,000 has been saved to date and it is estimated that further savings will be achieved through the sharing of services. |
|
Merge National Archives & Irish Manuscripts Commission, into National Library while maintaining separate identities and examine the issue of shared services and the board structure of both bodies. |
Legislation is being prepared to give effect to the approach approved by Government in relation to this measure. Work is also ongoing in relation to a shared services agenda between my Department and the institutions. In this regard, a shared HR service agreement is now in place between my Department and the National Museum. This will result in significant savings across all areas. Shared services between the institutions are also being developed in the areas of education, marketing and tendering processes. The boards are being reduced in number and will operate pro bono. Savings of approximately €200,000 are expected to be achieved in staff costs. It is also envisaged that a further €300,000 in savings will be achieved through additional shared services. Approximately €80,000 per year will be saved on board fees based on 2012 figures. |
|
Merge functions of An Coimisinéir Teanga with Ombudsman Office. |
The requisite legislative amendments will be included in the Official Languages (Amendment) Bill 2014, which is in preparation. |
A number of bodies were subject to Critical Review as part of the Government's reform programme and the updated position in relation to these bodies is set out below:
|
Proposed Measure |
Current position |
|
Chester Beatty Library – examine potential for shared services with other Cultural Institutions |
This action is completed. The Chester Beatty Library continues to share services with other National Cultural Institutions. |
|
Placenames Commission / An Coimisiún Logainmneacha – Absorb function within the department |
This action has been completed and is being implemented on an administrative basis pending legislative change to be included in the Official Languages Act (Amendment) Bill 2014.. The term of office of the Placenames Commission expired in October 2012 and an expert committee, operating pro bono was appointed. Savings in relation to this merger amount to approx €20,000annually. |
|
Culture Ireland – Merge the functions of Culture Ireland into the Department. |
This action has been completed. The functions of Culture Ireland have been fully merged with my Department. A new expert committee, which includes key Government agencies, has been established and is operating pro bono. Savings arising from this action amount to approximately €57,000 annually. |
|
The Heritage Council – Merge the functions of the Council into the Department. |
It has been agreed by Government not to carry out this proposed merger but to streamline operations and eliminate standing committees and board fees. This is currently being implemented on an administrative basis, pending legislative amendment which is currently with parliamentary counsel for drafting. Savings arising from this action amount to approximately €65,000 annually. |
182. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé i gceist aige airgead faoi leith a chur ar fáil faoi scéim na mbóithre áise chun cúnamh a thabhairt do dhaoine a ndearnadh scrios ar bhóithre ina gceantar nach bhfuil faoi chúram na gcomhairlí contae, sna stoirmeacha a bhí ann le gairid; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [2054/14]
View answerI bhfianaise an bhuiséid teoranta atá ar fáil do mo Roinn agus i gcomhthéacs na dtosaíochtaí atá aitheanta sa Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030, is féidir liom a dheimhniú nach bhfuil sé i gceist ag mo Roinn an scéim seo a athoscailt sa mheántéarma.
Mar is eol don Teachta, ní foláir, cuireadh tuairisc eatramhach maidir leis an damáiste stoirme faoi bhráid an Rialtais inné agus tá tuilleadh oibre le déanamh, i gcomhar le comhairlí contae agus áisíneachtaí eile, chun measúnú iomlán a dhéanamh ar an dochar a rinneadh. Ní miste dom a lua go bhfuil scríofa agam chuig an Aire Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil agus chuig an Aire Stáit ag Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí chun aird ar leith a dhíriú ar an damáiste a tharla ar na hoileáin.
183. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide details of each allocation from his Department’s expenditure budget to registered charities in each of the past three years. [2095/14]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, while my Department administers and delivers a wide range of programmes and measures, descriptions of which are available on its website at http://www.ahg.gov.ie/.
In view of the wide range of my Department’s schemes and programmes and the large volumes of applications for funding received thereunder on an ongoing basis, I am not satisfied that the work involved in compiling and collating the breakdown of expenditure sought by the Deputy would be feasible or justified. However, if the Deputy has any specific queries relating to a particular organisation which has been granted charitable tax exemption by the Revenue Commissioners, I would be glad to seek to provide him with relevant information in that regard.
184. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the estimated number and percentage of civil servants who are competent to carry out their duties through the medium of Irish and English in his Department; his views on whether this number is adequate; his plans to increase this number and percentage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2694/14]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that some 60 staff of my Department are currently engaged in the provision of services or development of policy through the medium of Irish. We also have Irish speakers across a number of divisions including the key functions in the Department such as Finance Unit, Personnel, Corporate Services and Press Office. Overall, there are approximately 90 staff working in my Department who have the necessary competence to perform their duties through the medium of Irish and English. This equates to 15% of my Department's staff.
My Department is committed to providing quality services in Irish to its customers and I am satisfied it is currently doing so. Detailed information about the provision of services by my Department is provided in its Irish Language Scheme which was published in 2012 and covers the period 2012 -2015. This scheme is available on my Department's web-site at the following link: http://www.ahg.gov.ie/en/AboutUs/LanguageScheme/
My Department has undertaken a range of proactive measures to ensure that it can continue to provide quality customer service in Irish into the future. For example, extensive Irish language training was provided in 2013 in conjunction with Gaelchultúr and will be provided to further staff in 2014 with the aim of increasing levels of proficiency in the Irish language across all divisions.
185. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will detail, in tabular form, the total photography costs for his Department since coming to office inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1848/14]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table. The booking of photographers is managed by my Press Office in each case.
Photography Costs – Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources
March 2011 – Jan 2014
|
Company |
Event Date |
Event |
Cost |
|
Maxwell Photography |
13/06/2011 |
Government convenes Next Generational Broadband Taskforce |
340.92 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
27/07/2011 |
Age Action Silver Surfer Launch (pre shoot) |
274.97 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
23/09/2011 |
Minister Rabbitte stock photos available for widespread media use |
409.58 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
24/10/2011 |
Minister Rabbitte welcomes EU Commission Telecoms specialists to Dublin |
552.67 |
|
(1) 27/11/11 |
Publication of the Government’s Affordable Energy Strategy |
||
|
Maxwell Photography |
(2) 16/11/11 |
Launch of Irish Anti Botnet Website (anti cyber crime initiative) |
1,052.70 |
|
Fennell Photography |
09/12/2011 |
Cunningham Awards, Geological Survey of Ireland, University Geology Project Competition Awards |
510.75 |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
10/01/2012 |
Launch of Community Outreach Campaign - Digital TV Switchover |
492.00 |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
13/01/2012 |
Launch of the SMS 112 emergency service |
492.00 |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
06/02/2012 |
Nationwide rollout of high speed broadband to second level schools |
492.00 |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
01/03/2012 |
Minister Rabbitte welcomes 23 Digital Outreach Champions |
492.00 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
02/05/2012 |
Next Generation Broadband Taskforce launch |
485.85 |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
28/05/2012 |
Launch of the Renewable Energy Strategy Report |
492.00 |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
22/08/2012 |
Third Central & North Atlantic Conjugate Margins Conference |
492.00 |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
30/08/2012 |
Launch of the National Broadband Plan |
492.00 |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
15/10/2012 |
Minister Rabbitte visits Kippure TV mast for Digital Switchover with media |
492.00 |
|
Phocus |
08/11/2012 |
Minister Rabbitte inspects high speed broadband in St. Colman’s School |
359.78 |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
17/12/2012 |
Announcement of Ireland’s Digital Champion |
492.00 |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
24/01/2013 |
Signing of Energy MoU with Britain |
492.00 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
28/02/2013 |
Launch of National Energy Efficiency Action Plan |
499.38 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
05/03/2013 |
Announcement of phase II of Schools Broadband in Warrenmount School |
361.62 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
11/07/2013 |
Launch of the National Digital Strategy |
327.18 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
26/11/2013 |
Appointment of the New Chairman and Commissioners in Comreg |
137.76 |
|
TOTAL |
10,832.41 |
186. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will detail, in tabular form, the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department since coming to office; the list of uses of the external public relations firm; his internal Department policy regarding employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1862/14]
View answerMy Departmental remit includes complex policy areas, oversight of State regulation and service provision across key strategic services such as energy and public broadcasting, and regulation of sectors such as mining and hydrocarbon exploration. Given the technical complexity, economic significane and community interest in these areas, there is a requirement to disseminate information and to address specific issues as they arise. The Department therefore necessarily incurs some expenditure on public relations from time to time.
In procuring these services, my Department always seeks to ensure value for money and the keeping of expenditure to the minimum necessary.
The information which the Deputy requested is outlined in tabular format below.
|
Company |
Purpose of Consultancy |
|
Morrow Communications Ltd |
Provision of services in relation to outreach in rural communities with respect to low flying geophysical survey and soil geochemical survey. |
|
Murray Consultants |
Media Services to the Department. |
|
McConnells Advertising Agency |
Public information campaign on the Digital Switchover moving from analogue TV to Digital TV. |
|
Communications Consultants Ireland |
Management of two Public Information Meetings on new Inland Fisheries Legislation |
187. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the total cost to his Department of the Programme of Research in Communications 2010-2012; the documents and reports produced under this programme of research; if these documents are publicly available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1910/14]
View answerMy Department contributed €75,000 per annum for the years 2010-2013 inclusive to co-fund research work undertaken by the ESRI within the Programme of Research in Communications (PRC). The research, which was agreed annually in advance with my Department, was conducted independently by the ESRI and is accessible on its website www.esri.ie. Table 1 lists the research projects completed to date and column 2 updates on presentation of that research in other fora.
Table 1
|
Research topic |
Publication and dissemination additional to public access via ESRI at www.esri.ie/ |
|
Timing and determinants of local residential broadband adoption: evidence from Ireland. |
Accepted for publication in the journal Empirical Economics. |
|
The effects of broadband provision on Irish primary schools: the Broadband for Schools Programme. |
Presented at the 2013 Irish Economic Association Conference and the International Telecommunications Society European Regional Conference, October 2013. Currently under consideration by the Economics of Education Review. |
|
Choice, price and service characteristics in the Irish broadband market. |
Appeared in the International Journal of Management and Network Economics. Presented at the Applied Microeconometrics and Public Policy Conference, NUIG, and the Irish Society of New Economists Conference in Cork. |
|
Behavioural biases: a fourth market failure? |
Working paper presented at a plenary session of the Workshop on Behavioural Economics: Science, Philosophy, and Policy Making, Trento, October 17-18, 2013. During 2013 the paper was also presented at the Irish Economics and Psychology Conference and featured at the conference for European Competition and Consumer Day during the Irish EU Presidency It is due to be presented at the Financial Conduct Authority in London. |
|
Socioeconomic influences on Irish children’s use of the internet. |
The paper was presented at the Growing Up in Ireland 5th Annual Research Conference on November 27, 2013: “Fun, Learning or Both – Does it Matter to Academic Achievement what Children do on the Internet?” It is now under review by the Oxford Review of Education. |
|
How impact fees and local planning regulation can influence deployment of telecoms infrastructure. |
Journal article appeared in Administration. |
|
Telecommunications consumers: a behavioural economic analysis. |
Paper appeared in the Journal of Consumer Affairs. |
|
Broadband adoption and firm productivity. |
Paper in revision following assessment by Telecommunications Policy. |
|
ICT use and academic performance of 9yearolds. |
Appeared in the Oxford Review of Education. |
Table 2 (Research work notified by the ESRI on related topics which was not funded from the PPRC including updates on the presentation of that research in other fora in column 2).
|
Research topic |
Publication and dissemination additional to public access via ESRI at www.esri.ie/ |
|
Estimating the value of lost telecoms connectivity |
Paper appeared in Electronic Commerce Research and Applications and was the subject of an ESRI Research Bulletin in 2013 |
|
Behavioural Economics and "Vulnerable Consumers": A Summary of Evidence |
Published by the UK Communications Consumer Panel. |
|
Determinants of ICT adoption: evidence from firm level data |
Published in Applied Economics. |
|
Economic Regulation: Recentralisation of Power or Improved Quality of Regulation? |
Published in the Economic and Social Review |
|
Measuring the Effects of Mobile Number Portability on Service Prices |
Published in the Journal of Telecommunications Management |
The external interest in the research is indicated in the preceding tables. The programme, which is co-funded by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), assists my Department and ComReg in developing and implementing policy and regulatory initiatives to accelerate the roll out of high speed broadband infrastructure, and the take up of high speed broadband services.
188. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will rule out the introduction of a new angling charge or rod licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1959/14]
View answerI refer to the reply to Questions No. 456 and on 15 January which fully addresses the issue raised by the Deputy.
I have already made it absolutely clear that no proposal was made by me or my Department to introduce a "rod licence", nor is it intended to introduce such a licence.
189. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of quangos, State agencies or organisations under the remit of his Department that have been merged, reformed or abolished since 2011; the details of each of these measures in tabular form; the cost saving or service delivery improvement which has resulted; how many more he expects to be merged, reformed or abolished and the timeline for same; if he will provide a full list of all agencies and organisations under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1973/14]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the Government, on completion of a wide ranging review of State Bodies, published its decision on the rationalisation of such Bodies in November 2012. In relation to my Department, the current position on the Bodies which fall under this review is as follows:
|
Body |
Current Position on Rationalisation |
|
Ordnance Survey Ireland |
The OSI will be merged with the Property Registration Office and the Valuation Office which will, in 2014, see it transfer to the Department of Justice and Equality, who are leading on the transfer process Medium term savings are likely to be achievable in the areas of common back office functions such as HR, conventional (non-specialised) IT systems, Financial Management and Corporate Services. There may also be potential savings in the areas of accommodation and software licences. In the longer term, more efficiencies/synergies in delivery of the merged organisation’s services may lead to further savings in operational areas. Additional commercial revenues which would reduce the burden on the State may also be achievable in the medium to long term. |
|
Digital Hub Development Agency |
The DHDA will be fully merged (already on an administrative basis) with Dublin City Council (DCC) pending enactment of legislation. It is intended to revert to Government with detailed proposals for the transition in Q2 2014. |
|
Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) / Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI). |
There is provision for certain back-office administrative functions of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) to be merged. The BAI - ComReg working group on the proposal identified a number of specific functions, including functions previously outsourced, having potential for providing benefits to both organisations: · Information Technology – Operational Support · Information Technology – Website hosting and development · Finance – Internal Audit Action plans were prepared for these areas and were approved by the Steering Group in Q3 2013 with implementation commencing in Q4 2013. A joint invitation to tender for IT Operational Support was issued in Q4 2013. It should be noted that neither BAI nor ComReg is Exchequer funded and any savings achieved would not reduce Exchequer expenditure. |
My Departmental remit includes complex policy areas and oversight of State regulation and provision of key strategic services such as energy and public broadcasting. In this context, the number of Commercial State Bodies and Non-Commercial State Bodies, including Regulators, currently under the aegis of my Department is 18, broken down as follows:
|
Name of Body |
Status |
|
An Post Bord Gáis Éireann Bord na Móna EirGrid Electricity Supply Board (ESB) Raidió Teilifís Éireann TG4 |
Commercial State Bodies |
|
Inland Fisheries Ireland Digital Hub Development Agency Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission (Loughs Agency) National Oil Reserves Agency Irish National Petroleum Corporation Mining Board Ordnance Survey Ireland Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland |
Non Commercial State Bodies |
|
Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Commission for Energy Regulation Commission for Communications Regulation |
Regulators |
190. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to provide high speed broadband to rural areas; when the roll-out of this high speed broadband will take place; the platforms that will be utilised; the intended strength of this broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1991/14]
View answerIreland’s telecommunications market has been fully liberalised since 1999 in accordance with the requirements of binding EU Directives. The market has since developed into a well-regulated market, supporting a multiplicity of commercial operators, providing services over a diverse range of technology platforms. Details of broadband services available in the Irish market can be found on ComReg’s website at www.callcosts.ie .
The Government’s National Broadband Plan, which I published in August 2012, aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses. This will be achieved by providing:
- a policy and regulatory framework that assists in accelerating and incentivising commercial investment, and
- a State-led investment for areas where it is not commercial for the market to invest.
Since the publication of the Plan, investments by the commercial sector are underway and in some instances have been accelerated in both fixed line and wireless high speed broadband services. These developments have been facilitated through the implementation of measures in the National Broadband Plan, including the conclusion of ComReg's multiband spectrum auction, and the new regulatory regime for fixed line Next Generation Access and service bundles. Both of these measures are designed to incentivise the rollout of services by operators.
In tandem with these developments, intensive work is underway in my Department to progress a State-led investment to secure the countrywide introduction of next generation broadband access. In order to progress the State-led investment for areas where it is not commercial for the market to invest, a full procurement process must be designed and EU State Aids approval must be obtained. My Department is engaged in a comprehensive mapping exercise of the current and anticipated investment by the commercial sector over the coming years, the results of which will inform the areas that need to be targeted in the State-led investment as envisaged in the National Broadband Plan.
In designing the procurement process for the intervention, my Department will be required to comply with the EU State aid rules which set out conditionality in relation to, among other things, technology neutrality. As different technological solutions exist to provide broadband services, no particular technology or network platform should be excluded. The guidelines emphasise the role of fibre is assisting the delivery of high speed broadband through various platforms.
Intensive technical, financial and legal preparations, including stakeholder engagement, are ongoing. The procurement process for the approved intervention will be carried out in accordance with EU and Irish procurement rules and it is expected that it will be launched in 2014.
Through the implementation of the National Broadband Plan, I am committed to ensuring that all parts of Ireland have access to high speed broadband, with a view to ensuring that all citizens and businesses can participate fully in, and maximise the benefits of, a digitally enabled economy and society.
191. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide details of each allocation from his Department’s expenditure budget to registered charities in each of the past three years. [2097/14]
View answerThe funding of registered charities is not a direct function of my Department. However there are a number of bodies that engage in research or support social and community initiatives in areas such as e-inclusion which have qualified for charitable tax exemption under Section 207, Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997 and such organisations have provided services or carried out research work for my Department, for which they have been remunerated.
