Written Answers Nos. 442-65
443. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures put in place and progress to date in dealing with the high volume of applicants for the public services card; the number of hits on the new work ready reckoner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4316/14]
View answerThe Public Services Card (PSC) has been introduced to enable individuals gain access to public services more efficiently and with a minimum of duplication of effort, while at the same time preserving their privacy to the maximum extent possible. The PSC is designed to replace other cards within the public sector such as the free travel pass and the social services card of this Department and to make it easy for providers of public services to verify the identity of customers. Registration for the PSC is currently by invitation only. Over 525,000 PSCs have been produced to date.
The Benefit of Work Ready Reckoner is a user friendly tool for those in receipt of a Jobseeker's Payment. It gives an indication of the difference between a person’s potential in-work and their current out-of-work payments based on information provided by the person. The tool is designed for those who are currently not in any type of employment, are in receipt of a Jobseeker's Payment and are considering taking up full-time sustainable employment. It was launched on December 12th last year. By and to the end of the first week in January this year it had received over 4,000 unique page views.
444. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of appointments to State boards under the remit of her Department, that were made as a result of applications made through the publicjobs.ie website in the last three years; the number of board posts that were advertised on publicjobs.ie; the number of board posts that were not advertised on the website but instead were directly appointed; and the average pay to directly appointed board members. [4598/14]
View answerThe statutory bodies operating under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection are the Citizens Information Board, the Pensions Board, the Pensions Ombudsman (which does not have a board) and the Social Welfare Tribunal. Details of appointments to the Boards over the last three years are set out in the following table:
|
Agency/Board |
Number of appointments made as a result of applications made through publicjobs.ie website |
Number of Board posts Advertised on Publicjobs.ie |
Number of Board posts not advertised on Publicjobs.ie but instead were directly appointed |
Average payment to directly appointed board members |
|
Citizens Information Board |
1 |
3 |
2 |
Nil |
|
Pensions Board |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Social Welfare Tribunal |
Nil |
Nil |
62 new appointments 4 re-appointments |
Nil |
Citizens Information Board
There were 2 appointments made that did not require public advertisement. One was appointed as the Department’s representative to the Board on 1 November 2011 and the other was appointed as the Board’s staff representative on 5 November 2012.
Pensions Board
The Public Service Reform Programme provided for a critical review of the integration of the regulatory functions of the Pensions Board with the Financial Regulator and the merging of the Pensions Ombudsman with the Financial Services Ombudsman. The recommendations arising out of the Critical Review on the Pensions Board were approved by Government in April 2013 and were provided for in the Social Welfare and Pensions Act, 2013. It was recommended that the governance structure of the Pensions Board be restructured with two distinct arms as follows: Oversight of the Pensions Board will be undertaken by a three person body called the Pensions Authority. This will consist of a Chairperson and two officials from the Department of Social Protection and the Department of Finance. A separate unpaid Pensions Council, with a majority of members representing consumer interests, will be established to advise me on pensions policy. I expect to appoint the Chairperson of the Pensions Authority shortly. I intend to call for expressions of interest for the appointment to the Pensions Council through the Public Appointments Service.
Social Welfare Tribunal
The Board of the Tribunal consists of a Chairperson and four ordinary members, two of whom are nominated by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) and two by the Irish Business and Employer’s Confederation (IBEC). There have been 2 new appointments and 4 re-appointments to the board in the last 3 years. The Chairperson is sourced by the Department of Social Protection by way of a recommendation from the Labour Court with regard to a particular candidate’s suitability. The revised Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies does not apply to the Tribunal due to its structure and purpose. Members of the Tribunal do not receive a salary although attendance fees are payable for hearings and meetings. Members are also entitled to standard travel and subsistence allowances, if appropriate.
445. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a list of the top 20 consulting firms engaged by her Department, including public bodies, in order of fee generation-cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4625/14]
View answerMy Department engages a range of consultants (individuals or organisations) to provide intellectual or knowledge based services (expert analysis and advice). The majority of consultancy expertise is to support the Department in implementing a multi-annual service delivery modernisation (SDM) programme to enhance the efficiency and quality of delivery of services to the customer. This modernisation programme is supported by the procurement of external development services (IT external service provision) as well as engagement of external IT consultants to provide strategic technical advice. Further technical consultancies relate to the ongoing development of the Department’s extensive information technology systems.
In addition consultants are engaged for work including the delivery of reports, studies, assessments, recommendations and proposals that contribute to decision making or policy making. I am satisfied that the engagement of consultants provides valuable support to the Department and that the procurement of consultants is compliant with best practice in realising value for money. Expenditure details for 2013 in respect of the top 20 consulting firms engaged by my Department and bodies under its aegis are set out in the following table.
Department of Social Protection Top 20 Consultants 2013
|
COMPANY/PERSON |
PURPOSE |
€ |
|
Naked Objects Group Ltd |
BOMi - Business Objects Modelling Advice & Expertise |
234,463.00 |
|
Naked Objects Group Ltd |
BOMi- Technical Development Advice |
168,181.00 |
|
ESRI |
SWITCH Research Programme |
150,000.00 |
|
Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion |
Assistance with the design and delivery of an Employment Services Model |
140,989.00 |
|
Haywood Associates |
BOMi- Technical Development Advice |
87,871.00 |
|
Axiom Consulting |
Employee Engagement Programme (Culture & Values) |
74,812.00 |
|
ESRI |
Analysis & measurement of Deprivation & Poverty |
69,979.00 |
|
Deloitte & Touché |
IS Internal Audit Services |
48,688.00 |
|
Pathfinder (Citizens Information Board) |
Review Mabs NDL. Feasibility Study. |
47,232.00 |
|
Unity (Pensions Board) |
Computer consultancy |
34,508.00 |
|
Red C (Pensions Board) |
Market research |
34,472.00 |
|
Accenture |
Mobile Opportunity Exploration |
33,388.00 |
|
Capita Consulting (Citizens Information Board) |
Internal audit for CIB |
21,250.00 |
|
P Tools (Pensions Board) |
Computer consultancy |
18,584.00 |
|
Mercer Ireland Ltd |
Long-term Pensions Policy Research |
18,450.00 |
|
ESRI |
Profiling of “Stock” Live Registrants |
16,873.00 |
|
DNM Technology (Citizens Information Board) |
IT- Business intelligence consultancy, process mapping (MABS) and ICT review. |
11,808.00 |
|
Microsoft |
Support to Technical Architecture Group |
11,515.00 |
|
Irish Research Council |
Social Inclusion Research Innovation Awards |
11,103.00 |
|
Mel Cousins & Associates |
Review of Best International Practice regarding In-Work Supports |
10,000.00 |
446. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he is considering implementing the main points of the Bacon report on rural towns to encourage the refurbishment and modernisation of disused commercial premises in order that some commercial and residential activity in traditional town centres will be restored to correct the imbalance consequent upon the proliferation of shopping malls on the outskirts of these towns. [3990/14]
View answerThe report referred to by the Deputy - “Assessment of Possible Fiscal Incentives in relation to the Built Heritage in Ireland’s Towns” - by Peter Bacon and Associates, Economic Consultants, was commissioned by the Heritage Council, which is funded by my Department. The report is a welcome economic analysis of the various types of fiscal incentives which could be applied to assist in the renewal of the built heritage of Irish towns. As such, it will be useful in ongoing consideration, in a number of Government Departments, of issues in relation to the protection of the built heritage and the sustainability of urban centres more generally.
447. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the protection that exists in law for our old railway buildings and associated infrastructure and features; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3513/14]
View answerUnder the provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000-2012, each planning authority is required, for the purpose of protecting structures or parts of structures which are of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest, to maintain a Record of Protected Structures. This record should include every structure which is, in the opinion of the planning authority, of such interest within its functional area including railway structures.
The Act also enables me to make recommendations to a planning authority concerning the inclusion of specific structures in its Record of Protected Structures. These recommendations are based on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) surveys conducted by my Department. The aim of NIAH surveys is generally to include structures which are of international, national and regional importance. Thus far, over 1,200 structures that are of interest due to their connection with the railways have been recommended to local authorities for inclusion in their Record of Protected Structures. These structures include railway stations (those currently in use and former stations), goods sheds, engine sheds, bridges, footbridges, water-towers, railway workers’ houses, stationmaster houses, crossing guards houses, railway machinery of historic interest, steam-engine turntables, railway hotels, mile-posts, signal boxes, warehouses, viaducts, workshops and other structures as necessary.
While planning authorities must have regard to my recommendations, the making of an addition to, or deletion from, a Record of Protected Structures, is a reserved function of the planning authorities.
448. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide in tabular form the number of JobBridge interns taken on in County Louth in his Department from September 2013 until January 2014. [3600/14]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that no JobBridge interns were taken on in my Department in County Louth from September 2013 until January 2014.
449. Deputy Michael Conaghan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans for commemorating the men and women of 1916 whose involvement was not of a scale consistent with the award of medals but whose service has not been adequately acknowledged to date. [3891/14]
View answerIt is the intention that the National Commemorative Programme for the Easter Rising will be comprehensive, authentic and inclusive. The arrangements for Easter 2016 will acknowledge all aspects of the Rising, commemorating those involved in the planning and fighting, as well as all the others whose lives were affected. I hope the many of the less familiar aspects will be brought forward to contribute towards a complete narrative of that time. I welcome initiatives at community and local level that will ensure the roles and lives of all in this moment of history can be acknowledged.
450. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of semi-State companies under the remit of his Department that have paid bonuses to its employees in 2011, 2012 and 2013; if he will identify these semi-State companies; the number of employees and the level of bonuses paid; his views on the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4160/14]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that there are no semi-State companies under the remit of my Department. However, a number of bodies and agencies are funded from my Department's Vote Group. I am advised that bonuses are not paid in these bodies or agencies, with one exception referred to below. In the case of the National Concert Hall, I am advised that a payment recognising the unsociable hours worked over the Christmas period has been made to staff in the past, in the context of a local collective agreement. The Board is currently reviewing this practice and it is envisaged that the matter will be referred to the Labour Relations Commission over the coming period with a view to discontinuing the practice.
451. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will, in respect of his Department's audit committee, provide details of its current membership; the date of appointment of each member; the fees paid to each member; if members of the committee are required to hold certain professional qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4211/14]
View answerDetails in relation to the membership of my Department's Audit Committee are set out in the following table:
|
Membership |
|
John Rockett (Chair) Financial Advisor, FCA (retired) |
|
Tom O'Connor Solicitor (retired) |
|
Tim Dalton Former Secretary General, Department of Justice |
|
Pat Dowling Former Principal Officer, Department of Education |
|
Conor Falvey Principal Officer, Finance & Accounts, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht |
Each member was appointed for a three year term in September 2011. Members serve pro bono, with the Chair receiving a fee in line with central guidance (a total of some €1,900 was paid in 2013) in recognition of the additional duties and responsibilities attaching to that position. While Audit Committee members are not required to hold specific professional qualifications per se, I think it is evident that the depth and breadth of the skill mix of my Department's Audit Committee as a whole is considerable. The Committee also includes significant external and private sector representation.
In line with the guidance issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Committee works closely with the Secretary General of my Department, who is the Accounting Officer for the Vote, and with my Department's Internal Audit Unit. The Committee meets, generally on a quarterly basis, to review the Internal Audit Unit's audit programmes; examine audit reports completed and assess the actions taken; examine and monitor the implementation of my Department's risk management strategy; and meet officials from my Department to review issues, as appropriate.
452. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will support a matter (details supplied) in County Kerry regarding farm fencing. [4233/14]
View answerI have asked my officials to look into the matter raised in the Question and I will write to the Deputy as soon as possible in this regard.
453. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when payment of bog compensation will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4262/14]
View answerAn application for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme has been received by my Department from the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question. I am advised that a payment of €1,500 in respect of Year 1 of 15 (2011) and a payment of €1,500 in respect of Year 2 of 15 (2012) have been made to this applicant. The qualifying criteria for the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme are that: the claimant must have a legal interest in one of the 53 raised bog special areas of conservation – ownership or turbary right; the claimant must have been the owner or entitled to exercise turbary rights on the land in question on 25 May 2010; the turbary on the site must not be exhausted; the claimant must have been cutting turf on the land in question during the relevant five year period; and no turf cutting or associated activity is ongoing on the property.
As part of my Department’s verification procedures, the applicant has been requested to forward information demonstrating her legal interest in the site on which she claims to have been cutting turf. Officials from my Department have been assisting the applicant in this regard and will be writing to her again shortly in relation to this matter.
454. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of appointments to State boards under the remit of his Department, that were made as a result of applications made through the publicjobs.ie website in the last three years; the number of board posts that were advertised on publicjobs.ie; the number of board posts that were not advertised on the website but instead were directly appointed; and the average pay to directly appointed board members. [4588/14]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that vacancies on the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta were advertised using www.publicjobs.ie and following on from that, 12 board members were appointed in 2013. Under the relevant legislation, five nominations were made by County Councils which have Gaeltacht areas within their jurisdictions. Expressions of interest were publicly advertised in respect of the 7 Ministerial nominees on www.publicjobs.ie. I would point out that as Minister, I am not bound by the list of applicants when making appointments and that I can also approach candidates who in my view may have a contribution to make and be willing to serve. In the event, four appointments were made from among those who expressed interest through www.publicjobs.ie and three were directly appointed. None of these directly appointed members receive fees.
For completeness, I wish to advise that a number of appointments have been made to boards of State bodies and agencies funded from my Department's Vote Group in accordance with the revised public appointment procedures approved by the Government. My Department seeks expressions of interest from the public by advertising on my Department's website. Proposed appointees to the position of Chairperson are required to make themselves available to appear before the relevant Oireachtas Committee. Details of these appointments are outlined in the following table.
It should be noted that appointments to the boards of Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency are made by the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC), arising from nominations on a 50:50 basis from each jurisdiction.
|
State Board |
Number of board members appointed between March 2011 and December 2013 |
Were these appointments subject to the public advertisement process? |
Number of appointments drawn directly from the public advertisement process |
Number of board posts that were directly appointed and remuneration paid to directly appointed members. |
|
Chester Beatty Library |
3 |
Yes, the appointments were publicly advertised on my Department's web-site. |
3 |
0 The board does not receive fees. |
|
Irish Manuscripts Commission |
19 (inc Chair) |
No – the commissioners were reappointed pro tem during the public service reform. process. |
N/A |
N/A The commissioners do not receive fees. |
|
National Archives Advisory Council |
6 |
Yes, the appointments were publicly advertised on my Department's web-site. |
0 - no applications were received. |
N/A The board does not receive fees. |
|
Crawford Art Gallery |
8 (inc Chair) |
7 board members were reappointed pro tem during the public service reform process. There was one new appointment in November 2013 and it was publicly advertised on my Department's web-site. |
1 |
N/A The board does not receive fees. |
|
National Concert Hall |
15 (inc Chair) |
Yes, the appointments were publicly advertised on my Department's web-site. |
12 |
3 – none of the directly appointed members receive a fee. For information - the Chair receives a fee of €8,978. Ordinary board members do not receive fees. |
|
National Gallery of Ireland |
1 |
N/A – the appointment was underway prior to the introduction of the public applications process. |
N/A |
N/A The board member has waived his fee. |
|
Irish Museum of Modern Art |
1 |
Yes, the appointments were publicly advertised on my Department's web-site. |
1 |
0 For information - the Chair has waived his fee of €8,978. The ordinary board members do not receive fees. |
|
Heritage Council |
7 (inc Chair) |
Yes, the appointments were publicly advertised on my Department's web-site |
4 from the publicly advertised process. |
3 Two members receive remuneration of €5,985 each. |
|
Irish Film Board |
7 (inc Chair) |
Yes, the appointments were publicly advertised on my Department's web-site. |
5 from the publicly advertised process. |
2 The board does not receive fees. |
|
Arts Council |
5 |
Yes, the appointments were publicly advertised on my Department's web-site. |
3from the publicly advertised process. |
2 Two members receive remuneration of €5,985 each. |
|
Foras na Gaeilge |
16 |
N/A – Appointments are made by the NSMC |
N/A – Appointments are made by the NSMC |
N/A Fees for North South Bodies are as follows: Chair - €11,970/Stg£8,140; Vice Chair - €9,830/Stg£6,690; Member -€7,695/Stg£5,235. |
|
Ulster -Scots Agency |
8 |
N/A – Appointments are made by the NSMC |
N/A – Appointments are made by the NSMC |
N/A Fees for North South Bodies are as follows: Chair - €11,970/Stg£8,140; Vice Chair - €9,830/Stg£6,690; Member -€7,695/Stg£5,235. |
455. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the level of pro bono work provided by legal, accountancy and consulting firms in the past 24 months to his Department; which of those firms have also been awarded State contracts by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4601/14]
View answerI am advised that no pro bono work was provided to my Department by legal, accountancy and consulting firms in the past twenty four months. With regard to bodies funded from my Department's Vote Group, the Deputy will appreciate that the matters raised are part of the day-to-day operational responsibilities of the bodies in question. I am arranging, therefore, for the terms of the Deputy’s Question to be transmitted to the heads of relevant bodies with a request that they provide information, to the extent feasible, directly to the Deputy.
456. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide a list of the top 20 consulting firms engaged by his Department, including public bodies, in order of fee generation-cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4614/14]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, my Department, as currently configured, was established on 2 June 2011 and therefore the available information is being provided from that date. The details requested in relation to this expenditure are set out in the following table below. It may be noted that contracts for the provision of services are not included.
|
Company |
Amount paid from 2 June 2011 to date |
|
University of Birmingham |
€34,337 |
|
Dorgan Associates |
€28,783 |
|
Ann Bonnar, Bonnar Keenlyside |
€10,959 |
|
Avia Solutions |
€6,300 |
With regard to bodies funded from my Department's Vote Group, the Deputy will appreciate that the matters raised are part of the day-to-day operational responsibilities of the bodies in question. I am arranging, therefore, for the terms of the Deputy’s Question to be transmitted to the heads of relevant bodies with a request that they provide information, to the extent feasible, directly to the Deputy.
457. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide copies of all the tender notices that were published on the www.etenders.gov.ie website or in the OJEU by Bord Gáis relating to the employment of consultants to perform services for them or any legal entity associated with them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3905/14]
View answerThe tender notices which the Deputy is requesting are in the public domain and available on the following websites www.etenders.gov.ie and http://www.ojeu.eu/. I have no direct role or responsibility in relation to tender processes or contracts awarded by a commercial semi-State company. The Chair of Bord Gáis Éireann, in compliance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, confirms on an annual basis that all appropriate procedures on procurement are adherred to. I am satisfied that the company complies with national and EU guidelines on public procurement.
458. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the payments made to persons on the board of Ordnance Survey Ireland; the number of members; and the names of board members appointed directly to the board following a public application process. [4024/14]
View answerMy Department has, in all instances, brought to the attention of each body the policy initiatives of the Department of Public Expenditure in relation to the payment of Board fees, and the payment of board members’ expenses is an operational matter for each State body. Details of fees paid are set out in the Annual Reports of Ordnance Survey Ireland.
This Government has made changes in relation to appointments to State Boards and bodies with new arrangements involving advertisement of vacancies for applications from suitably qualified candidates and, in accordance with the government Decision of 12 April 2011, I have, each year, on my Department's website, invited Expressions of Interest from persons wishing to be considered for appointment to vacancies on State Boards under the aegis of my Department. This information has been used to inform decisions for appointments to State Boards. Such invitations are designed to extend the range of suitable persons from which a Minister might make appointments – not to constrain that range.
There are 10 members on the Board of Ordnance Survey Ireland and there are no vacancies on this Board at present. The list of board members is set out below. One of the Board Members was appointed following an expression of interest received.
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, this provided that Ordnance Survey Ireland will be merged with the Property Registration Office and the Valuation Office which will, in time, see it transfer to the Department of Justice and Equality.
|
Ordnance Survey Ireland |
Name |
- |
|
Ordnance Survey Ireland |
* Mr. Padraic Jordan Mr. Ronan O’Reilly (Chairperson) Mr. Noel Ward Mr. Robin Simpson Dr. Enda Howley Dr. Denis Kelliher Ms Marion Coy Mr. Justin Gleeson Ms Sandra Ryan Mr. Oliver Hickey |
Category 3 Chair: €11,970 Director: €7,695 |
*Expression of Interest received.
459. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of Irish small and medium enterprises that commenced trading online in 2013; when he expects the target of 2,000 to be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4185/14]
View answerThe latest indicative figures available from the CSO in their Enterprise & Information Society statistics suggest that less than 1 in 5 Irish businesses are trading online. The National Digital Strategy which was published last year aims to address this challenge, by encouraging more Irish businesses to trade online.
The Government provided funding in Budget 2013 for the implementation of a Trading Online Voucher Scheme for small businesses and this scheme is currently being piloted in Dublin. At present 25 companies are participating. A second pilot identifying a further 25 businesses, will start in February followed by a full national roll out of this scheme during 2014. While I do not have figures for the number of businesses in Ireland that have developed an online trading platform in 2013, I expect that the target of 2,000 additional small businesses trading online as a result of the Trading Online Voucher Scheme will be met by the end of 2015.
460. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of jobs that were created and supported in 2013 through the energy efficiency measures promised in the Action Plan for Jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4186/14]
View answerEnergy Efficiency is an established services sector in Ireland, one that is labour intensive and represents a great opportunity for business and the public sector to reduce costs, improve competitiveness and thereby protect and support jobs. The potential of energy efficiency in terms of the delivery of jobs is underscored by the inclusion of the objective of transforming Ireland into one of the most energy efficient economies in Europe by 2020 in the Action Plan for Jobs (APJ).
Our APJ activity focuses on the delivery of the National Energy Services Framework (NESF) and the establishment of an Energy Efficiency Fund as well as supporting businesses to reduce their energy costs and remain competitive. The progress across all of this activity was significant during 2013. The NESF is published and is being utilised by a group of exemplar projects in the public and commercial sectors. An Energy Performance Contracting model is being used by the exemplar projects which are at varying stages of development and due to be implemented this year. I will not have a figure for jobs involved for 2013 until mid-February but, according to the SEAI, jobs in the sector are likely to have averaged 3,500 over the past 3 years. Moreover, the combined number of jobs that are being supported through the delivery of the Better Energy Programme by SEAI, which provides grant assistance for energy efficiency assessments and upgrades in the residential, community and commercial sectors, is estimated to be 2,300.
461. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will clarify the employment status within the Civil Service of the ComReg chairman (details supplied); if he has resigned or is on leave of absence from the Civil Service; and if so, the grade he currently holds and any continuing rights he retains with regard to pension entitlements, increments, seniority or rank when his term or terms as commissioner finish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4254/14]
View answerThe position of Chairperson of ComReg is currently held by a Principal Officer on secondment from my Department for the duration of his tenure with the Commission. The appointment was made following a public competition. His pensionable pay continues to be based on his salary in his substantive grade of Principal Officer and is subject to pay adjustments during the period of secondment in line with adjustments to the remuneration of the Principal Officer grade. This is in accordance with the terms of the competition under which the person in question was appointed a ComReg Commissioner.
The Chairperson is paid a non-pensionable allowance by ComReg which brings his salary to that applicable to his position in the Commission. If, during the term of his secondment, an adjustment is made to his pensionable pay, for any reason, including increments payable in his substantive grade within the Department, the non-pensionable allowance is recalculated accordingly. Entitlement to, and payment of, this non-pensionable allowance will cease on termination of the secondment and he will return to the Department on the salary and the terms and conditions then pertaining to his substantive grade of Principal Officer.
462. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in tabular form the number of JobBridge interns taken on in County Louth in his Department from September 2013 until January 2014. [3602/14]
View answerMy Department has no offices in County Louth and therefore, no JobBridge interns were taken on by my Department in that county within the time specified.
463. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will detail in tabular form the amount a company (details supplied) has earned from Bord Gáis Éireann in the past 10 years, with a brief description of each body of work undertaken. [3758/14]
View answerPayments by Bord Gáis Éireann to third parties are operational matters for the company and not matters in which I, as Minister, have a role or function. However, I have requested Bord Gáis Éireann to contact the Deputy directly on this matter.
464. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the national broadband scheme; the timeline as to when broadband will be available in rural areas in County Tipperary (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3795/14]
View answer465. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the national broadband scheme; when broadband will be available in rural areas (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3810/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 464 and 465 together.
Ireland’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 State can only intervene to ensure access to broadband services in areas where the competitive market fails to deliver such services, as in the case of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS). My Department entered into a contract in late 2008 with Hutchison 3G Ireland Ltd (“3”) for the delivery of the NBS to certain designated Electoral Divisions, including the area of Borrisokane referred to by the Deputy. The broadband service contracted under NBS is a basic, affordable, scalable product in keeping with EU State Aid clearance for the Scheme in September 2007.
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, including those in County Tipperary. 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. In the fixed line segment of the market, eircom has announced plans to pass 1.4m premises with its next generation broadband service, with speeds of up to 100Mbps, while UPC has increased its entry level and maximum speeds to 120Mbps and 200Mbps respectively. Mobile operators have also made announcements regarding network upgrades and are rolling out enhanced product offerings. Last week, I introduced legislation in the Dáil, to allow the ESB to utilise its electricity network to install a new high speed broadband communications network.
I am aware of at least one service provider announcing that it will be providing advanced broadband services in Borrisokane and Holycross in County Tipperary before July 2016 and my Department will be happy to discuss this further with the Deputy. 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.
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.
