Written Answers Nos. 36-48
36. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the steps being taken to ensure that the issue of small and medium-sized enterprise debt is being tackled; if he is satisfied with the progress being made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1632/14]
View answerIn June 2013 the Central Bank set quarterly institution-specific performance targets for covered banks to move distressed SME borrowers onto longer-term solutions. The targets set reflect the banks’ capacity, processes and systems. It is not intended that these targets will be published. I am informed by the Central Bank that the banks have reported that they have met their required targets to date.
I should stress that the Credit Review process remains available to any SMEs whose credit has been reduced or withdrawn by AIB or Bank of Ireland as well as when credit is refused by them. I would strongly advise any SME whose credit is reduced or withdrawn to avail of the services of the Credit Review Office.
The Government recognises that SMEs are the lifeblood of the economy and play a vital role in the continuing recovery of employment growth in our country. In this regard specific measures to promote access to finance amongst SMEs, including measures relating to debt restructuring, have been a central feature of the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs.
37. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance arising from recent experience in the bond market, the extent to which it might be found possible to issue specific bonds targeting investment leading to job creation such as the public housing building programme in view of the serious need in this area and the opportunities for a major boost in terms of job creation in the construction sector which is currently lagging far below normal economic requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1586/14]
View answerThe proceeds of all borrowings by the Exchequer, as well as tax revenues, non-tax revenues and other receipts are lodged to the Exchequer account at the Central Bank of Ireland to fund on-going Government expenditure.
The National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) has advised that project-specific bonds issued by the State which are linked to a specific project and which are serviced and repaid from the Exchequer in the same way as standard Government bonds , may be of limited interest to investors as they would be concerned about a relative lack of liquidity. Investors in project-specific bonds would require higher yields than standard Government bonds to reflect the inferior liquidity.
The NTMA had advised that project-specific bonds which are serviced and repaid according to the performance of the project would be considered by investors to carry more risk than standard bonds issued by the State and serviced and repaid by the Exchequer. Investors in project-specific bonds would require higher yields to reflect the increased risk and a Government guarantee could be required in order to make a project viable.
I am happy to confirm that the Government remains committed to exploring alternative means of financing capital projects. The National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) is charged with advising on the optimal means of financing the costs of all public investment projects over €20 million in order to achieve value for money, including the €2.25 billion stimulus package announced by the Government in July 2012. NDFA continues to facilitate securing funding for both Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and traditional projects from a wide range of sources including domestic and international banks, institutional investors and supranational organisations such as the European Investment Bank and the Council of European Investment Bank.
The Government has announced the creation of the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) to channel investment from the National Pensions Reserve Fund (NPRF) towards productive investment in sectors of strategic importance to the Irish economy. Within its existing statutory investment policy and in line with the ISIF announcement, the NPRF has undertaken a number of investments and initiatives under which NPRF capital will be invested on a commercial basis in Ireland. The funding structure for two current PPP projects involved the participation of the NPRF alongside EIB and Bank of Ireland. In addition, the NPRF continues to source investment opportunities, in preparation for the creation of the ISIF, a number of which are expected to involve construction activity.
38. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade 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. [1852/14]
View answerMy Department only avails of the services of external photographic agencies where it is warranted, in particular, for major events and State occasions. This is a service which my Department provides so that the media can easily and freely avail of photography where their own staff photographers cannot be fully accommodated. There was a significant number of such events in the period in question, including the State Visit of Queen Elizabeth II, the visit by President Obama and the Irish Chairmanship of the OSCE, all of which resulted in very positive international coverage of Ireland. In the case of Ireland’s Presidency of the EU, there was a demand for photography which would not routinely apply.
In September 2011, my Department led a collaborative advertised tender process for the procurement of a multi-supplier competitive framework of photographic service providers. This is now available for use by all Government Departments. Details of the new framework arrangements are posted on the National Procurement Service website: www.procurement.ie/suppliers/contracts/1298. The purpose of this framework is to ensure Departments’ compliance with EU procurement rules and to ensure value for money by having a competitive process for photographic assignments.
In addition, my Department now makes greater use of in-house resources for photography, including, for example, at the recent lecture delivered by Sir John Major in Iveagh House.
The total cost of photography to my Department over the period in question is €119,284.80.
The table indicates the cost associated with particular events.
|
Event |
Cost |
|
State Visit of Queen Elizabeth II |
€22,662.70 |
|
Expenditure on photography of missions abroad* |
€21,456.36 |
|
Diplomatic Credentials Ceremonies |
€14,912.44 |
|
Official Visit by Chinese Vice President |
€7,321.58 |
|
State Visit of Prince Albert of Monaco |
€6,213.35 |
|
OSCE Ministerial Council |
€4,786.55 |
|
Official Visit by Japanese Prime Minister |
€2,555.94 |
|
Official Visit by Canadian Prime Minister |
€2,553.36 |
|
Official Visit by the King & Queen of Lesotho |
€2,473.14 |
|
Official Visit to Mozambique, Malawi & Tanzania |
€2,388.30 |
|
Global Irish Economic Forum 2013 |
€2,175.20 |
|
Diplomatic Corps New Years Greetings |
€2,015.97 |
|
Global Irish Economic Forum |
€1,923.90 |
|
Inauguration of President Higgins |
€1,817.30 |
|
OSCE Event: Lessons learned from NI Peace Process |
€1,479.35 |
|
Our World Awards |
€1,268.05 |
|
Africa Ireland Economic Forum 2011 |
€1,220.59 |
|
Presidential Distinguished service Awards 2013 |
€1,074.20 |
|
Our World Irish Aid Awards (National + Regional Finals) |
€942.18 |
|
Haiti Photographic exhibition |
€919.90 |
|
Irish Aid Centre education materials |
€741.80 |
|
Science for Development Award at BT Young Scientist |
€711.71 |
|
Commemoration Lecture Series |
€658.82 |
|
Irish Aid - One World One Future Policy Launch |
€637.14 |
|
Official Visit to Kenya |
€606.40 |
|
Official Visit by Indian Minister |
€599.75 |
|
2010 Irish Aid annual report |
€569.00 |
|
EU Presidency Logo |
€560.84 |
|
Africa Day 2011 - Dublin |
€526.35 |
|
Official Farewell for the British Ambassador |
€524.84 |
|
Meeting of EU Development Ministers |
€521.19 |
|
Western Balkans Conference |
€482.16 |
|
Africa Day 2013 |
€478.45 |
|
Visit of Elders |
€430.50 |
|
OSCE 5+2 Conference |
€417.76 |
|
Visit of Congressman Morrison |
€412.05 |
|
Visit of Aung San Suu Kyi |
€393.92 |
|
Official Visit by US Congressional Delegation |
€388.62 |
|
Hunger Envoy’s Report |
€379.33 |
|
Visit of Governor of Massachusetts |
€361.62 |
|
Simon Cumbers Fund Exhibition |
€350.86 |
|
Official Visit by US First Lady |
€327.18 |
|
Africa Ireland Economic Forum - 2012 |
€319.80 |
|
Meeting with Japanese Ambassador |
€318.84 |
|
Launch of Certificate of Irish Heritage |
€296.23 |
|
Hunger Nutrition Climate Justice Conference |
€284.63 |
|
Irish Aid Trade and Development Conf. |
€282.41 |
|
UNRWA Commissioner General |
€246.00 |
|
Official Visit by Chinese Vice Premier Ma |
€223.86 |
|
Meeting with British delegation |
€209.10 |
|
Irish Aid Annual Report launch |
€206.64 |
|
100 Objects launch |
€206.64 |
|
Visit of Bill Gates |
€195.20 |
|
Visit of German Opposition Leader |
€194.88 |
|
Visit of Norwegian Foreign Minister |
€189.19 |
|
Irish Aid Our World Awards - 2013 |
€171.23 |
|
EU Affairs Ministers Meeting |
€166.05 |
|
Visit of French Minister for European Affairs |
€166.05 |
|
Irish Aid Int'l Conf. on Agriculture |
€164.60 |
|
EU Working Group on Humanitarian Aid |
€154.98 |
|
OSCE 5+2 Conference (2) |
€153.75 |
|
Irish Aid Volunteering Fair 2013 |
€137.76 |
|
Visit of Romanian Foreign Minister |
€137.76 |
|
Visit of Head of International Rescue Committee |
€137.76 |
|
Forum on female entrepreneurship |
€134.33 |
|
Irish Aid - AWEPA Conference |
€120.54 |
|
Lecture by Mark O'Neill |
€120.54 |
|
Visit of Swiss Foreign Minister |
€120.54 |
|
Irish Aid Fellowship Annual Meeting |
€119.55 |
|
Volunteering Fair, Limerick - 2011 |
€119.55 |
|
Forum with Arab Ambassadors |
€116.85 |
|
Africa Day Launch, Limerick - 2011 |
€115.85 |
|
BT Young Scientist - 2013 |
€109.25 |
|
Meeting with UN Special Envoy to the Great Lakes Region |
€103.32 |
|
Visit of Secretary General, Council of Europe |
€103.32 |
|
Global Irish Network Advisory Group |
€102.15 |
|
Official Visit to Korea and Japan |
€95.00 |
|
Total |
€119,284.80 |
*It was not possible to provide a full breakdown in the time available.
39. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade 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. [1867/14]
View answerFor the period referred to by the Deputy my Department has not incurred expenditure on external public relations and communications services. From time to time, consultants or companies with a public relations and communications background are commissioned to provide other professional services such as project management, logistics and event management.
DHR Communications has been contracted since 2010 to manage and administer grants under the Simon Cumbers Media Fund (SCMF). This involves managing two funding rounds each year, including through national and regional information workshops; managing and administering the application process; organising the judging process and providing detailed feedback to all applicants; processing grant payments and keeping detailed administrative and financial records; maintaining and updating the SCMF website and managing the SCMF student competition. DHR was awarded a two-year contract to 2012 and was re-engaged in February 2012 for a further two years following a competitive tendering process.
Following a competitive tendering process, DHR has been engaged to plan, manage and execute a national Africa Day flagship event in Dublin. This includes the administration of a small grants scheme for regional events which DHR managed on behalf of the Department in partnership with a number of local authorities. DHR also worked to raise public awareness of the Africa Day events, including through the use of social media and the Africa Day website. This work represented a very minor element of the project and was conducted in close cooperation with my Department’s communications office.
Africa Day Family Days, incorporating musical entertainment, cultural activities and an African Bazaar, were hosted by the Department in Iveagh Gardens in 2009 and 2010, in CHQ in Georges Dock in 2012 and at the Farmleigh Estate in 2013. In 2011, the Department supported a series of smaller-scale performances, family events, art exhibitions, debates and educational activities instead of hosting a flagship event.
DHR also provided short-term management support services for the Review of the White Paper on Irish Aid, including the logistical management of the nationwide public consultation activities.
The table sets out the use of DHR engaged by my Development Cooperation Division since March 2011.
Project and Event Management March 2011 to date 14 January 2014
|
Name of Project/Event |
Year |
|
Simon Cumbers Media Fund (SCMF) grants scheme |
2011, 2012, 2013 |
|
The Irish Aid White Paper Review |
2011, 2012 |
|
Africa Day |
2011, 2012, 2013 |
40. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of consultants or consultancy firms employed by his Department during each of the past five years; the purpose and duration of each of these consultancies or consultancy contracts; the names of the consultants or firms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1874/14]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for two Votes – Vote 28: Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Vote 27: International Cooperation. Consultants are engaged only where specialised knowledge and skills are not available within the Department and, especially in the case of Ireland’s official overseas aid programme, known as Irish Aid, where independent appraisal, audit, monitoring and evaluation of programmes and projects is required. Decisions on the need to commission outside expertise are subject to the establishment of appropriate business cases and an approvals process overseen by senior management of the Department’s Development Cooperation Division. Expenditure on consultancy services is constantly monitored to ensure that it does not exceed the level required for the proper management of the aid programme.
Details of the consultants engaged by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade during the period in question are set out in the tables. It was not possible in the time available to review each individual case in order to determine its duration.
41. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the process and timeframe for the comprehensive review of Ireland’s diaspora policy which he announced at the Global Irish Economic Forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1893/14]
View answerThe current structures and policies for engagement with the Diaspora have been in place for some years, during which time my Department has been providing assistance and support to Irish people overseas through the Emigrant Support Programme, as well as establishing and coordinating the Global Irish Network and hosting successive meetings of the Global Irish Economic Forum to enhance engagement with senior Irish business figures overseas.
As I noted at the Global Irish Economic Forum in October, however, the face of emigration has changed. Recent years have seen a wave of new, young and largely skilled emigrants heading to new destinations as well as the more traditional ones. No matter where they go, or why, they still face challenges. So while continuing to support the older generation of emigrants, we also need to identify ways of better engaging with the younger generation. We would hope that these young people will, in the future, bring the experience they gained overseas back home to Ireland and we must examine how best to facilitate their return.
In that context, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will this year carry out a comprehensive review of our Diaspora Policy to examine all elements of our engagement with the Irish abroad. The review will build upon the success of the Global Irish Network and the Emigrant Support Programme, address the legacy of the Gathering and the needs and potential of both long-standing and new emigrants.
Consultations as part of the review will be wide-ranging, and will include Irish community organizations overseas, members of the Global Irish Network and other business figures, academia, as well as other Government Departments and bodies.
The consultation process will begin in the coming weeks and conclusions of the review will be finalized by the mid-point of this year. I will keep my Oireachtas colleagues informed of progress on the review and the implementation of any recommendations.
42. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide in tabular form a list of all professional fees, including but not limited to legal, consultancy, IT-related, advisory, capital, advertising and accountancy, charged to his Department and agencies under the aegis of his Department, detailing the company name and the amount invoiced between 1 May 2011 and 31 December 2013. [1946/14]
View answerMy Department engages a range of external service providers in a number of areas where the required skills are not available in-house and it is more cost-effective to source them externally. Details of payments in respect of the areas specified by the Deputy for the period in question are set out in the tables below in respect Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and of Vote 27 (International Cooperation). The list of service providers also includes a number of other professional services such as advertising, interpretation and translation (including payments to the European Commission for Interpretation Services provided during the EU Presidency), language and other training, and travel booking services.
With regard to legal services, litigation is dealt with on my Department’s behalf by the Chief State Solicitor’s Office and the State Claims Agency who engage lawyers to act for the Department where necessary in relation to personal injuries claims and other matters. Legal advice on contractual and other matters arising from time to time is initially sought from the Chief State Solicitor’s Office and/or the Office of the Attorney General, and the use of external legal advisors for such requirements is kept to a minimum.
There are also small costs incurred on professional fees at missions abroad where advice is sought from time to time on a range of local matters.
Vote 28 Foreign Affairs and Trade
|
Service Provider |
Amount € |
|
A&O SYSTEMS & SERVICES IRL |
2,695 |
|
ABRIS TRANSLATIONS |
135 |
|
ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DE LIMERICK LTD |
2,000 |
|
ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DUBLIN |
17,411 |
|
AMS LTD |
6,682 |
|
B CONNECTED LTD |
2,886 |
|
B T IRELAND |
1,288,002 |
|
BCT COMMUNICATIONS LTD |
5,725 |
|
BEARING POINT |
6,069,815 |
|
BERNADETTE NIC AN TSAOIR |
57 |
|
BLUEWAVE TECHNOLOGY |
14,936 |
|
BRIDGE INTERPRETING |
4,097 |
|
BRINDLEY ADVERTISING |
54,355 |
|
BUTLER TECHNOLOGIES |
35,469 |
|
CARLSON WAGONLIT IRELAND LTD |
288 |
|
CENAD |
19,500 |
|
CENTRAL SOLUTIONS LTD |
22,243 |
|
CIVICMEDIA LTD |
5,166 |
|
CIVIL SERVICE LANGUAGE CTR |
2,718 |
|
CLARE MULLIGAN CONSULTING LTD |
600 |
|
CLARE MULLIGAN CONSULTING LTD |
1,000 |
|
CLEAR OCEAN INTERNET SOLUTIONS |
47,834 |
|
CMI LTD |
950 |
|
CODEC-DSS |
1,000 |
|
CODEC-DSS |
2,952 |
|
COMMERCIAL MEDIA GROUP |
395 |
|
CORE FINANCIAL SYSTEMS LTD |
514,276 |
|
CORE INTERNATIONAL LTD.(IRL) |
284,573 |
|
CORPORATE AUDIO VISUAL SERVICES |
2,460 |
|
CREA LANGUES FRENCH ACCOUNT |
7,309 |
|
CW SYSTEMS INTEGRATION |
33,020 |
|
DATAPAC LTD |
917 |
|
DCULS LTD |
615 |
|
DELAP & WALLER |
5,651 |
|
DIARMUID P KELLY & ASSOCS |
3,630 |
|
E TEAMS (INTERNATIONAL) |
19,636 |
|
EMCO CUMARSAID TEO |
6,000 |
|
EN FRANCAIS |
780 |
|
EUROPEAN ACADEMY FOR TAXES ECONOMICS & LAW |
1,653 |
|
EUROPEAN COMMISSION |
406,336 |
|
EUROPUS TEO |
63,905 |
|
EUROTEXT TRANSLATIONS LTD |
1,498 |
|
FENNELL PHOTOGRAPHY |
918 |
|
FREASTAL.IE |
4,679 |
|
FUJITSU IRELAND |
114,435 |
|
FUSIO LTD. |
1,457 |
|
GAELCHULTUR TEORANTA |
12,690 |
|
GERMAN LANGUAGE CENTRE |
1,187 |
|
GMM MEDIA LTD |
7,211 |
|
GOETHE INSTITUTE DUBLIN |
480 |
|
HIGH PERFORMANCE |
15,265 |
|
ICC INFORMATION LTD |
258 |
|
ICS SKILLS TRAINING & CERTIFICATION |
16,810 |
|
INDEPENDENT COLLEGES |
295 |
|
INSTANT TRANSLATION |
900 |
|
INSTITUTE FOR SECURITY & RESILIENCE STUDIES |
291 |
|
INSTITUTEOFPUBLICADMINISTRATION |
102,948 |
|
INSTITUTO CERVANTES |
6,263 |
|
INTEGRITY SOLUTIONS LTD |
336,348 |
|
IRIS OIFIGIUIL |
1,724 |
|
IRISH MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE |
5,000 |
|
ISAS |
743,981 |
|
IT ROLLOUT CONSULTANCY |
406,402 |
|
JK NETWORK ARCHITECTURE DESIGN LTD |
931,131 |
|
KEELVAR SYSTEMS LTD |
6,150 |
|
KEYTRAINERIRELANDLTD |
4,450 |
|
KL COMMUNICATIONS |
4,491 |
|
KROLL ONTRACK |
10,032 |
|
LANGUAGES UNLIMITED SERVICES LTD |
5,983 |
|
LENSMEN & ASSOCIATES |
344 |
|
LIONBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL |
34,870 |
|
MAC INNES PHOTOGRAPHY LTD |
263 |
|
MAXIMA MANAGED SERVICES IRELAND |
26,687 |
|
MAXWELL PHOTOGRAPHY |
310 |
|
MAXWELL PHOTOGRAPHY |
2,789 |
|
MCGRATH BARRETT & ASSOCIATES |
450 |
|
MEDIATION NORTHSIDE |
1,145 |
|
PUBLIC AFFAIRS IRELAND LTD |
16,683 |
|
PATRICK SUTTON T/A COMMUNICATE |
24,413 |
|
PAUL LOFTUS & ASSOCIATES INC |
2,400 |
|
PEANNAIRI IRISH CALLIGRAPHERS |
100 |
|
PITMAN TRAINING CENTRE |
2,900 |
|
PKA TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT |
2,348 |
|
PRIVATE FILE |
590 |
|
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT LTD |
1,393 |
|
PT CONSULTING |
242,268 |
|
RED DOG |
143,588 |
|
RITS |
113,023 |
|
SABEO CONTRACTING SERVICES LTD |
10,375 |
|
SAGEM IDENTIFICATION |
763,965 |
|
SANDFORD LANGUAGE INST. LTD. |
15,537 |
|
SCHOOL OF ORIENTAL & AFRICAN STUDIES |
72,316 |
|
SEAN DE FREINE |
4,118 |
|
SECOND LANGUAGE TESTING FOUNDATION INC |
210 |
|
SELECTION BY DESIGN LTD |
775 |
|
SL GRAPHICS LTD |
3,850 |
|
SMART LICENCE LTD |
23,616 |
|
SOFTWARE ONE UK LTD |
13,442 |
|
SOFTWORKS COMPUTING Ltd |
100,170 |
|
SURESKILLS |
26,070 |
|
TERMINAL FOUR SOLUTIONS LTD |
108,388 |
|
THE COMMUNICATIONS CLINIC |
5,400 |
|
THE SIMULTANEOUS TRANSLATION CO |
16,421 |
|
TIGER CONSULTING |
43,650 |
|
TOMORROWS WORLD LTD |
792,529 |
|
TONY TAAFFE |
3,850 |
|
WORD PERFECT TRANSLATION SERVICES LTD |
1,805 |
|
WORLDREACH SOFTWARE CORPORATION |
14,037 |
|
WORLDREACH SOFTWARE CORPORATION |
161,471 |
|
WRIGHT CONSULTANCY |
47,550 |
|
ZERO DOWNTIME LTD |
364,555 |
|
ZINOPY |
63,456 |
Vote 27 International Cooperation
|
Service Provider |
Amount € |
|
Carlson Wagonlit Ireland |
31,168 |
|
Club Travel Ltd |
30,983 |
|
Core Financial Systems |
2,113 |
|
DTalk Kimmage Manor |
1,500 |
|
International Human Rights Network |
1,675 |
|
Paula Ni Shlatarra |
665 |
|
Ana Bela |
676 |
|
Abairtin Teo - T/A Europus |
830 |
|
SDL Global Solutions (Ireland) Limited |
148 |
|
Word Perfect Translations Ltd |
1,953 |
|
ISAS Information Security & Assurance Service |
2,490 |
|
Core Financial Systems |
435,613 |
|
Equiniti ICS Limited |
71,672 |
|
Actra Advisers Limited |
21,811 |
|
Astec Global Consultancy Limited |
41,881 |
|
Mary Brady |
25,643 |
|
Caroline Burke |
3,000 |
|
Gerald Cawley |
5,815 |
|
Mary Corbett |
40,492 |
|
Anne-Maire Cunningham |
9,424 |
|
Vicky Dillon |
82,371 |
|
Marie T Fanning |
1,500 |
|
Kevin Farrell |
18,730 |
|
Dr Margaret Fitzgerald |
8,140 |
|
Fitzpatrick Associates |
41,246 |
|
Nicholas Freeland |
6,642 |
|
Cathy Gaynor |
15,706 |
|
Marcel Grogan |
53,660 |
|
Bronagh Hynes Karen McMinn |
18,389 |
|
ITAD Ltd |
147,442 |
|
Grace Kelly Hartnett |
15,600 |
|
Jim Kinsella |
6,300 |
|
Nogugu Mafu |
8,800 |
|
Hunter McGill |
12,394 |
|
Bernard Mcloughlin |
5,043 |
|
Stefanie Meredith |
8,621 |
|
Mokoro Ltd |
124,690 |
|
Kevin Moore |
5,507 |
|
Una Murray T/A Nua Consulting |
12,500 |
|
NUI Galway |
15,730 |
|
NUI Maynooth Central Account |
42,565 |
|
Mairtin O Fainin |
3,800 |
|
Prof Helen O'Neill |
4,675 |
|
International Organisation Dev |
180,982 |
|
Pieternella Pieterse |
2,000 |
|
Pat McMullin |
7,650 |
|
Philip Regan |
6,704 |
|
Rodney Rice |
12,300 |
|
Samia Saad |
8,621 |
|
Aisling Swaine Consultancy Ltd |
17,798 |
|
Tony Taaffe |
25,350 |
|
Ronan Tierney |
13,758 |
|
Emma Warwick |
107,315 |
|
Mike Williams |
20,328 |
|
Bernard Wood + Associates Ltd |
9,316 |
|
Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors |
22,755 |
|
Annemarie Cunningham |
7,093 |
43. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade 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. [1978/14]
View answerThere are no state agencies or other organisations of the type referred to by the Deputy under the aegis of my Department.
44. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress that is hoped to be made in 2014 regarding the undocumented Irish in the USA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1986/14]
View answerThis is an issue to which I accord very high priority. I am conscious of the difficulties experienced by Irish citizens who are undocumented in the United States, and I have met and spoken with many of them on my working visits there, and also with the various groups who lobby on their behalf.
I have maintained contact, both directly and through our Embassy in Washington, with many key players in Congress who are influential in steering the process of US immigration reform. Over the last four months, both the Embassy and I have had direct contact with some 70 Members of the House of Representatives and their staff. These have included 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 and several other leading Republican members of that Committee, including Immigration Sub-Committee Chairman Trey Gowdy; Minority House Leader Nancy Pelosi; Chair of the Congressional Friends of Ireland, Pete King; with House Speaker John Boehner and House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy and their staffs. 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 year.
The comprehensive draft legislation, which was prepared over several months by a bipartisan 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, also in light of other issues on the Congressional agenda which may be unrelated but can impact negatively on efforts to secure the necessary bipartisan agreement. The next window of opportunity for any movement on immigration reform is expected to arise during the first months of this year but the exact shape and form of such movement remains to be seen. The most recent development has been the announcement last week by Speaker Boehner that he is preparing to release a set of “principles” and “standards” to guide the House Republican side’s consideration of immigration reform. These are expected to become available in the coming weeks.
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. More recently, I wrote to US House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner on 12 December last, 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 Government will continue to raise this issue with high-level political contacts in the period ahead, particularly during the St Patrick’s Day period in Washington DC.
In addition, 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.
45. Deputy John Deasy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide details of each allocation from his Department’s expenditure budget to registered charities in each of the past three years. [2102/14]
View answerMy Department is responsible for two Votes – Vote 28: Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Vote 27: International Cooperation. The Government’s international aid programme, Irish Aid, which is managed by my Department, is recognised internationally for its effectiveness in improving the lives of the poorest and most vulnerable communities.
About a quarter of Ireland’s overseas development assistance is channelled through development Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). This reflects the strong contribution which NGOs are making to the fight against world poverty and hunger, and the broad support which they continue to receive from the Irish public. Funding is provided to support the long-term development work carried out by NGOs in developing countries, as well as emergency humanitarian assistance and development education programmes.
Funding is provided to partner organisations following a rigorous appraisal process by Irish Aid. Funding applicants must meet strict and transparent criteria, have clearly identified, specific objectives, and have a record of demonstrable results indicating a sustainable and positive impact in improving the lives of some of the world’s poorest communities.
The statistical annexes to the Irish Aid Annual Report provide detailed analysis of Ireland’s ODA, across a range of metrics, including details of funding to non-governmental and civil society organisations. Statistical analysis of funding to NGOs in 2013 is currently being compiled and will be published in the middle of 2014. This will be on the lines of the details provided in the Annual Report for 2012, which included a breakdown of funding to NGOs and civil society organisations, across all funding schemes operated by Irish Aid, above a grant threshold of €50,000. For 2011, the Annual Report provided information on funding to NGOs through the main civil society funding schemes operated by Irish Aid at headquarters level. The Annual Reports are available on the Irish Aid website, at www.irishaid.ie .
My Department provides funding for the Ireland-United States Commission for Educational Exchange (the Fulbright Commission), which is a registered charity, on an annual basis. The Commission was established by the Educational Exchange (Ireland and the United States of America) Act, 1991 to facilitate the administration of educational and cultural exchanges between Ireland and the United States of America. The Act provides that the Commission be for charitable purposes only within the meaning of section 333 of the Income Tax Act, 1967. The members of the Commission are nominated by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and by the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland. Funding provided to the Commission in each of the past three years was as follows: 2011: €254,000, 2012: €254,000 and 2013: €254,000
In addition, my Department’s Emigrant Support Programme (ESP) provides funding to non-profit organisations and projects to support Irish communities overseas and to facilitate the development of more strategic links between Ireland and the global Irish. Applicant organizations to the ESP should be established as registered charities, charitable bodies or voluntary/not for profit organizations.
While the vast majority of funding under the Emigrant Support Programme (ESP) is provided to organisations overseas, almost 12% of the budget is allocated to Irish based organisations. Recipient organisations here are typically active in providing services to returning or departing Irish emigrants or in promoting Irish heritage and sport abroad. Organisations receiving grants under the ESP are required to submit a financial report for each programme funded and financial accounts or audited financial statement. Full details of all funding provided by the Emigrant Support Programme can be found here: https://www.dfa.ie/our-role-policies/the-irish-abroad/emmigrant-support-programme/
In addition, my Department manages a small budget aimed at supporting projects linked to DFAT’s commitment to international peace, security and human rights. This funding is designed to complement and support Ireland’s priorities in relation to the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). The discretionary funding available to support such activities is approximately €300,000 per annum, the bulk of which is made up of payments to the UN and other international organisations. However, funding is also provided to support a number of projects managed by international civil society organisations, in areas such as human rights, conflict resolution and disarmament, and non-proliferation activities. A summary of the relevant expenditure over the last three years is set out below.
2011:
|
Organisation Name |
Policy Area |
Amount (€) |
|
International Action Network on Small Arms |
Disarmament & Non-Proliferation |
10,000 |
|
Seibersdorf Analytical Laboratories |
Disarmament & Non-Proliferation |
10,000 |
|
Institute for Security and Democracy |
Conflict Resolution |
50,000 |
|
TOTAL |
€70,000 |
2012
|
Organisation Name |
Policy Area |
Amount (€) |
|
Eastern Europe Studies Centre |
Human Rights |
2,065 |
|
Equis: Justicia para las mujeres |
Human Rights |
10,000 |
|
TOTAL |
€12,065 |
2013
|
Organisation Name |
Policy Area |
Amount (€) |
|
Femmes Africa Solidarite |
Conflict Resolution |
33,000 |
|
Atomic Reporters |
Disarmament & Non-Proliferation |
10,000 |
|
Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining |
Disarmament & Non-Proliferation |
20,000 |
|
Gmedia Center |
Human Rights |
19,000 |
|
International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) |
Human Rights |
17,800 |
|
Eastern Europe Studies Centre |
Human Rights |
2,200 |
|
Centre for Equality Advancement |
Human Rights |
1,220 |
|
Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation |
Human Rights |
5,000 |
|
Equis: Justicia para las mujeres |
Human Rights |
10,000 |
|
Network on Small Arms |
Disarmament & Non-Proliferation |
15,000 |
|
TOTAL |
133,220 |
Through the Reconciliation and Anti-Sectarianism Funds , which support community development and outreach in Northern Ireland and the border counties, cross-border co-operation and sensitive commemorative and cultural events, my Department has awarded a total of €8,383,797 in the past three years (2011-2013 inclusive). A table of all organisations that have been awarded funding is set out below. Funding is awarded for project costs primarily. There are mechanisms for annual reporting and accounting by recipient organisations. Organisations in receipt of grants of €10,000 and above are required to submit a tax clearance certificate from the Revenue Commissioners and those in receipt of grants of €12,500 and above are required to submit independently audited accounts.
46. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if and when a passport will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2165/14]
View answerAll passport applications are subject to the provision of the 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 wellbeing of Irish citizens, as they travel abroad. Moreover, it helps to combat passport and identity fraud.
The person concerned was born in Dublin on 21 February 2013. His application for an Irish passport would, therefore, be made under the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 2004 (the Act). The Act provides that persons born in the State on or after 1 January 2005, where neither parent is an Irish or British citizen or otherwise entitled to reside in the State or Northern Ireland without restriction, may claim citizenship by birth in the State (and thereby establish eligibility for a passport) only where a parent has been lawfully resident in the State for three of the four years preceding their birth.
The Department assesses such passport applications in line with guidelines provided by the Department of Justice and Equality, which is the Department responsible for immigration and citizenship.
The Passport Service received an application from the person in question on 26 March, 2013. In order to make a decision on the application, the Passport Service has had ongoing correspondence with the Department of Justice and Equality on the matter of lawful residence in the State. The Passport Service is now in a position to issue a passport in this case. The passport will issue on Thursday 16/01/2014.
47. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade 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. [2629/14]
View answerMy Department fully supports the measures to support Irish language proficiency in the civil service which were approved recently by Government and is committed to providing services and answering correspondence through Irish whenever required. A skills audit of all staff carried out in 2012 revealed that 55 staff members in my Department had advanced or fluent Irish language skills while a further 160 officers declared that their Irish language skills were at an intermediate level. In total, this is approximately 20% of permanent HQ-based staff.
Irish Language Classes are regularly provided in-house in my Department and, from 2010 to 2013, over 200 officers registered to attend these classes. Tailored, in-house Irish language classes are currently available in our Passport Office in Cork and will shortly be available in the Passport Office in Molesworth Street. Officers are also encouraged to develop their Irish language skills in their own time and my Department is happy to support and fund this.
48. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of consultants or consultancy firms employed by his Department during each of the past five years; the purpose and duration of each of these consultancies or consultancy contracts; the names of the consultants or firms. [1818/14]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table:
|
Name of Consultant/Consultancy Firm |
Year |
Purpose |
|
Stratathree |
2013-2014 |
Website development for Medium Term Economic Strategy (MTES) |
|
A & L Goodbody Solicitors |
2013 |
Company secretarial work for Sealúchais Árachais Teoranta (SAT) |
|
Arthur Cox |
2013 |
Legal advice on restructuring of Irish Banking System, related litigation, further emerging issues |
|
Creative A.D. Ltd |
2013 |
Graphic design for Budget Day publications: Report of the Review of the R&D Tax Credit and the International Tax Strategy |
|
Crowe Horwath |
2013 |
Independent survey of R&D Active firms for the 2013 Review of the R&D Tax Credit |
|
Dr. Anil Shivdasani |
2013 |
Expert Witness for High Court case |
|
Economic & Social Research Institute (ESRI) |
2013 |
Modelling Support - MTES |
|
Economic & Social Research Institute (ESRI) |
2013 |
MTES - Spatial development principles |
|
Indecon |
2013 |
Independent cost benefit analysis of Living City Initiative |
|
Matheson |
2013 |
Legal advice regarding the acquisition and sale of Irish Life and related matters |
|
Mercer (Ireland) Ltd |
2013 |
Review of Remuneration Practices & Frameworks at the Covered Institutions . This was a once off consultancy. |
|
National Asset Management Agency |
2013 |
National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) Ministerial Advisory Group |
|
PMCA Economic Consulting |
2013 |
Modelling Support - MTES |
|
RED C Research & Marketing Lim |
2013 |
Professional services in relation to the SME Lending Survey |
|
Arthur Cox |
2012 |
Ongoing legal advice on restructuring of Irish Banking System, related litigation, further emerging issues and issues related to development of proposals with Troika |
|
A & L Goodbody Solicitors |
2012 |
Company secretarial work for SAT |
|
BDO and Amarach |
2012 |
Reports on film industry (a) Survey of audio-visual producers (b) Review on international review of audio-visual state supports |
|
Deloitte & Touche |
2012 |
External Review of General Government Debt (GGD) error |
|
Mazars |
2012 |
Professional services in relation to the SME Lending Survey |
|
Matheson Orsmby Solicitors |
2012 |
Legal advice regarding the acquisition and sale of Irish Life and related matters. |
|
McCann Fitzgerald |
2012 |
Bankruptcy/Personal Insolvency Reform |
|
Thomas J. Foley |
2012 |
Consultancy Services (Mortgage Arrears/Personal Insolvency Project) |
|
Aram International Partners LL |
2011 |
Advices in relation to Framework Development - Mortgage Arrears |
|
Arthur Cox |
2011 |
Legal advice in relation to the Bank Guarantee Scheme; redundancies and remuneration issues and general banking advice. |
|
Charles River Associates |
2011 |
Advice on competitions and mergers |
|
David Barneville |
2011 |
Competition and State aid advisors |
|
Mazars |
2011 |
Professional advice in relation to SME lending surveys |
|
McCann Fitzgerald |
2011 |
Bankruptcy/Personal Insolvency Reform |
|
Niamh Hyland |
2011 |
Competition and State aid advisors |
|
Arthur Cox |
2010 |
Legal advice in relation to the Bank Guarantee Scheme; Eligible Liabilities Guarantee (ELG), recapitalisation and restructuring issues; general banking advice. |
|
Paul O'Higgins SC |
2010 |
Independently appointed by the Banking Inquiry |
|
Price Waterhouse Coopers |
2010 |
Accounting advice on promissory notes to Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide Building Society |
|
Arthur Cox |
2009 |
Legal advice in relation to the Bank Guarantee Scheme; ELG, recapitalisation and restructuring issues; general banking advice |
|
Carr Communication Ltd. |
2009 |
Editorial and design service in preparation of the Report of the Commission on Taxation |
|
Economic and Social Research Institute (ERSI) |
2009 |
Economic and social policy on various proposals considered by the Commission on Taxation and on the overall economic impact of the Report s approach. In addition, some detailed advice received on technical issues, including SWITCH amd Hermes model analysis |
|
Hay Group Consulting |
2009 |
Advice to Covered Institutions Remuneration Oversight Committee ( CIROC) in relation to Banking Remuneration |
|
Life Strategies Limited |
2009 |
Parallel Benchmarking of Pensions |
|
Mercer (Ireland) Ltd |
2009 |
Advice to CIROC in relation to Human Capital. |
|
Watson Wyatt (Ireland) Limited |
2009 |
Advice to CIROC in relation to the Executive Compensation market |
|
Total number of consultancy projects |
39 |
|
|
Total number of consultancy firms |
30 |
