Written Answers Nos. 154 - 177
154. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Taoiseach the level of pro bono work provided to his Department by legal, accountancy and consulting firms in the past 24 months; which of the firms, if any, have also been awarded State contracts by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4612/14]
View answerNo level of pro bono work was provided to my Department in the 24 months by legal, accountancy or consulting firms.
156. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of JobBridge interns taken on in County Louth by his Department from September 2013 until January 2014. [3607/14]
View answerMy Department does not have an office in County Louth.
157. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the kidnapping of human rights defenders in Syria, including persons (details supplied) alongside a human rights lawyer; if he is pursuing the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3618/14]
View answerI am aware of the abduction in the Douma suburb of Damascus by unknown gunmen on 9 December 2013 of several distinguished human rights activists associated with the Syrian Violations Documentation Centre, including its founder and human rights lawyer, Razan Zaitouneh. It remains unclear who was responsible for these abductions though there have been suggestions that they may have been carried out by opposition militant elements, possibly the Army of Islam, rather than the regime.
The leadership, dedication, physical and moral courage of human rights activists in Syria, facing continual threats from both the Assad regime and opposition extremists, is well known to many in the international community. Officials in my Department, including those based in the region, have met on a number of occasions with Syrian human rights defenders and continually monitor the many challenges and dangers they face. We urge the abductors of these activists, as well as those holding prisoners on all sides of the conflict, to release immediately all political detainees.
158. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of Irish staff, by grade, and the number of local staff, by grade, in our embassies in countries (details supplied); the costs of each embassy, split by staff costs and non-staff costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3623/14]
View answerThe figures in the following table set out the position in respect of the overseas missions specified by the Deputy and include actual expenditure incurred in 2013 under both Votes for which my Department is responsible; Vote 28: Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vote 27: International Cooperation.
Salary and related costs of staff posted from Ireland are not included as they are a charge on the overall budget of the Department rather than on a specific mission. With regard to the Embassy in Kampala, it should be noted that while the Embassy’'s core local staff complement is four, additional costs are incurred in respect of technical and other project contracted non-core staff engaged for the purposes of management, oversight, administration and support of the Irish Aid programme in Uganda.
|
Mission |
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Officers posted from HQ by grade |
Locally engaged Staff ( including agency, administrative, clerical and other support staff) |
Pay costs 2013 €* (Provisional) |
Non-pay costs 2013 € (Provisional) |
|
Kampala |
(Ambassador post currently vacant) |
4 |
419,800 |
378,199 |
|
1 Senior Development Specialist |
||||
|
1 Development Specialist (Currently vacant) |
||||
|
1 Third Secretary |
||||
|
Ljubljana |
1 Counsellor |
3 |
113,977 |
276,874 |
|
1 Third Secretary |
||||
|
Tallinn |
1 First Secretary |
2 |
44,179 |
260,792 |
|
Valletta |
1 First Secretary |
2 |
63,118 |
267,878 |
|
Nicosia |
1 First Secretary |
3 |
94,813 |
165,826 |
|
Bratislava |
1 First Secretary |
2 |
61,071 |
220,398 |
|
Luxembourg |
1 First Secretary |
3.5 |
187,709 |
177,932 |
|
Riga |
1 First Secretary |
2 |
49,195 |
117,548 |
* Including local tax and social security costs.
159. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason no real progress has been made on a case (details supplied) with the authorities in Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3624/14]
View answerThe latest information that my Department has received from the Sri Lankan authorities is that the individual in question may be released this week. We are awaiting confirmation of this development. The individual named by the Deputy has been detained in Sri Lanka since 5 September 2007. No charge was brought against him until 29 January 2013. Since his imprisonment, both I, and my predecessor as Minister, have written to the Sri Lankan Minister for External Affairs on five occasions; in July 2008, December 2009, October 2011, June 2012 and February 2013. In each of these letters it was stressed that the individual should either be charged and brought to trial or released. In addition, our Ambassador raised the case on many occasions with various Sri Lankan Government Ministers. The individual has been visited in prison on numerous occasions by Embassy officials, including the Ambassador, who travelled from India, as well as the Honorary Consul in Colombo.
On 10 May 2013, following an agreement with the Sri Lankan authorities, the individual named by the Deputy read a statement in court outlining his dealings with the LTTE. In return for this the Sri Lankan authorities had agreed to reduce the charges against him and to impose a sentence of one year of rehabilitation, following a guilty plea to these lesser charges. On 16 May a further hearing took place and the individual was sentenced to one month in prison followed by 12 months rehabilitation.
As a consequence of a meeting between the Head of the Consular Division and the wife of the individual named by the deputy, our Embassy made a formal request for a prison visit in December 2013 but did not receive the required permission in time to go ahead with it. Our Ambassador did however travel to Sri Lanka in December and raised the case with the authorities there and in particular our desire for an early consular prison visit. Embassy officials will visit Sri Lanka in early February 2014 and an official request for a visit has been made. A reply from the Sri Lankan authorities is awaited. Our Embassy has also sought written confirmation of the sentence imposed and again a reply from the Sri Lankan authorities is awaited. The wife of the individual has been kept informed of these developments.
I wish to assure the Deputy that my officials remain in close contact with the individual’s wife and family and liaise directly with them on any request for assistance or on any development on this case. The Ambassador and officers in the Embassy in New Delhi, which is accredited to Sri Lanka, and the Honorary Consul in Colombo, have also been very active in pursuit of progress in this difficult case. I wish to assure the Deputy that all possible consular assistance will continue to be provided and that my officials will continue to liaise with the individual’s family.
160. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 62 of 15 January 2014, if he will provide details, as requested, regarding his Department, as provided by all other Ministers. [3793/14]
View answerMy Department does not have delegated sanction for pension purposes, unlike some of the larger Government Departments. All the relevant service records and background material for retiring staff of my Department are sent to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to enable them to calculate the superannuation benefits for these staff, including the awarding of added years, if applicable.
161. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade 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. [4218/14]
View answerThe members of the Audit Committee of my Department are fully independent and work on a voluntary basis. The Audit Committee operates under a charter approved by the Secretary General. The charter requires that at least two members of the Committee will be qualified accountants and some members will have professional experience in the area of development cooperation and the evaluation of aid programmes. The Committee usually meets at least six times a year.
The current members are:
Dr Richard Boyle - appointed in January 2008 - Chairman with effect from July 2013. He is Head of Research, Publishing and Corporate Relations with the Institute of Public Administration.
Mr Donal Corcoran - appointed in July 2010 – is a retired management consultant.
Mr Aidan Eames - appointed in July 2010 – is a solicitor in private practice.
Mr Jim Gillespie - appointed: July 2011 - is a chartered accountant and a former partner in Ernst and Young.
Ms Emer Daly - appointed in March 2012 -is a chartered accountant and a company director.
The Annual Report of the Audit Committee is published on my Department’s website.
162. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a person's child (details supplied) is entitled to an Irish passport. [4229/14]
View answerOn the basis of the limited information provided, it is not possible to confirm entitlement to an Irish passport. However, if either of the child’s parents was an Irish citizen at the time of the birth of the child, then the child is automatically an Irish citizen, irrespective of the place of birth of the child. The Deputy, or applicant, may wish to contact the Passport Service, (Ms. Fiona Penollar, Head of the Molesworth Street Passport Office) to discuss the specifics of this individual case.
163. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the 20-year legal battle between Ecuadorian communities in the Amazon and Chevron-Texaco over one of the world's most severe environmental disasters; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that the communities won the legal case for compensation in 2011 and that Chevron are still refusing to pay the legally required compensation; his views on the actions of Chevrons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4247/14]
View answerI am aware of the legal proceedings to which the Deputy refers involving local communities in Ecuador and their claim against Chevron-Texaco for environmental contamination. I know also of the active engagement of the Government of Ecuador in this matter. As this is a legal matter involving Ecuadorian interests and an American company, the Government has no standing in the matter and it would not be appropriate for me to comment.
164. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the resolution entitled civil society space; creating and maintaining, in law and in practice a safe and enabling environment, at the Human Rights Council of the UN; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4285/14]
View answerIreland’s three-year membership of the United Nations Human Rights Council, from 2013 - 2015, presents an opportunity to make an enhanced contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights. Ireland is committed to defending the universality of human rights, and one of our key priorities is the promotion and protection of space for civil society to operate, free from harassment and intimidation.
Civil society actors have come under increasing pressure in many parts of the world in recent years. In some countries, dialogue with civil society remains limited, and the space for civil society engagement is narrow or shrinking. Restrictive legislation and repressive practices in some countries have led to stigmatisation, harassment, and even criminalisation of civil society actors.
As part of our commitment to the protection of civil society space, Ireland took the lead, with the support of a cross-regional group of member states consisting of Chile, Japan, Sierra Leone, and Tunisia, on a new draft resolution entitled ‘Civil society space; creating and maintaining, in law and in practice a safe and enabling environment’ at the most recent session of the Human Rights Council in September 2013.
The creation and maintenance of space for civil society is inextricably linked to the ability of individuals to exercise their fundamental right to the freedoms of peaceful assembly, association, opinion and expression. This resolution addresses, for the first time at the Human Rights Council, the issue of civil society space as a human rights concern, underlining the importance of the contribution of civil society in so many aspects of our lives, and calling on States to create and maintain, in law and practice, a safe and enabling environment in which civil society can operate effectively. The draft resolution was the subject of difficult and politically sensitive negotiations. Ireland successfully defended the draft resolution against several hostile amendments, paving the way for it to be adopted by the Council without a vote.
On foot of the resolution, a panel discussion will be held during the next session of the Human Rights Council, in March 2014, on the challenges facing States in their efforts to ensure space for civil society, and lessons learnt and good practices in this regard. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is organising this panel discussion, which has been scheduled to take place on 11 March 2014. The Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations in Geneva has been working closely with OHCHR in relation to the ongoing preparations for this event.
The resolution further requests OHCHR to prepare a summary report on the panel discussion, which will be presented to the Human Rights Council at its twenty-seventh session in September 2014. Building on this report, Ireland intends to work with its partners to lead a further resolution on civil society space at the Human Rights Council. We will also continue, through our development cooperation programme, to use our voice, influence and partnerships to protect and promote the ability of civil society organizations to operate.
165. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the resolution entitled Preventable Mortality and Morbidity of children under five years of age as a human rights concern at the Human Rights Council of the UN; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4286/14]
View answerIreland’s three-year membership of the United Nations Human Rights Council from 2013 - 2015 presents an opportunity to make an enhanced contribution to the international promotion and protection of human rights. In particular, we are committed to highlighting the importance of ensuring that human rights considerations underpin all areas of development, with a particular focus on gender equality, health, education and combating hunger.
As part of that commitment, Ireland, in partnership with a cross-regional core group of countries consisting of Austria, Botswana, Mongolia and Uruguay, presented a resolution entitled “Preventable mortality and morbidity of children under five years of age as a human rights concern” at the most recent session of the Human Rights Council which took place from 7 - 28 September 2013. The resolution was adopted by consensus by the Council on 26 September 2013. Six point six (6.6) million children under the age of five die each year, mainly from preventable and treatable causes. The resolution focuses on how the Human Rights Council can act in elaborating a human rights-based approach to this issue to support the much needed engagement of the human rights community in the ongoing efforts to strengthen accountability for children’s health.
As a result of the adoption of this resolution, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is elaborating technical guidance which will be grounded in human rights principles, and which will help national Ministries and other actors to design policies and programmes to reduce and eliminate preventable morbidity and mortality of children under five. OHCHR is preparing this technical guidance in close consultation with the World Health Organisation and with the participation of all relevant stakeholders, including governments. My Department is providing financial support through the World Health Organisation for the development of the technical guidance.
The resolution also mandates the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to convene an expert workshop to discuss the draft technical guidance. This workshop will be convened in 2014 in cooperation with relevant UN agencies, in particular the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, special procedure mandate holders, and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children. It will also entail the participation of governments as well as being open to regional and civil society organisations.
Finally, the resolution requests the Office of the High Commissioner to provide an oral update on the elaboration of the technical guidance before the twenty-seventh session of the Human Rights Council, which will take place in September 2014, and to present the technical guidance to the Human Rights Council at that session. Ireland intends to lead a further resolution at the Human Rights Council on the preventable mortality and morbidity of children under five years of age as a human rights concern, once the technical guidance is presented.
166. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline the most recent discussions he has had with the British Foreign Secretary and with other members of the British Government concerning Britain's continued membership and participation in the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4289/14]
View answerI meet regularly with my British counterpart, Foreign Secretary Hague, and with other members of the British Government, both bilaterally and at multilateral meetings. I discuss this issue with them on an ongoing basis and continue to outline our strong view that the UK is better off within the European Union and that the Union is stronger by having the UK within it.
167. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a detailed report on the recent EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4291/14]
View answerI attended the most recent Foreign Affairs Council that took place in Brussels on 20 January. This was the first Council meeting of 2014 and there was a very busy agenda. Conclusions were agreed across a number of key policy areas; the full text of these Conclusions may be accessed on the official EU website. http://www.consilium.europa.eu/ueDocs/cms_Data/docs/pressData/EN/foraff/140673.pdf. The Council reviewed developments in relation to Syria and considered the prospects for the so-called “Geneva II” conference which began later that week in Montreux. Ministers voiced their continuing concern in relation to the ongoing conflict, the critical humanitarian situation inside Syria, and its impact on neighbouring countries - including Lebanon and Iraq. In my intervention, I reiterated Ireland’s support for the Geneva conference and welcomed the call in the Council Conclusions for a UN Security Council Resolution on the humanitarian situation, something for which Ireland has advocated for some time.
The constitutional referendum in Egypt and the prospective Presidential and legislative elections were also discussed, with particular reference to the conduct of the recent referendum. In relation to Iran, the Council took note of the most recent report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Noting that Iran had implemented the voluntary measures agreed within the framework of the Joint Plan of Action between Iran and the E3/EU+3, the Council agreed to suspend certain EU restrictive measures against Iran for a period of six months. Negotiations are to begin next month with a view to arriving at a comprehensive solution to the issues around Iran’s nuclear programme. I welcome these important advances.
The Council took stock of the latest developments on the Middle East Peace Process, in particular the ongoing direct talks between the parties. I joined with other Ministers in expressing full support for the talks, and for a comprehensive package of EU support in the context of a final, comprehensive peace agreement, while noting also the need for a continuing focus on critical issues on the ground. There followed a discussion on Afghanistan focusing on the strong commitment at EU level to continue to support the country in the period ahead. Council Conclusions were adopted endorsing the EU’s priorities for engagement with Afghanistan post-2014.
Over lunch, Ministers had the opportunity to review EU-Russia relations in preparation for the EU-Russia Summit (28 January). There was a free-flowing exchange on the status of the EU’s relationship with Russia, notably in the context of the Eastern Partnership process. Council Conclusions on Ukraine were agreed, underlining the EU’s concern about recent developments and emphasising the EU’s commitment to Ukraine's political association and economic integration with the Union, based on respect for common values.
The alarming reports of the deteriorating humanitarian situation and of human rights abuses in the Central African Republic remain a cause of deep concern. During our discussions on this issue, there was general consensus on the need for the international community to step up its response to the crisis. To this end, Ministers gave their political approval for a possible EU military operation aimed at providing a safe and secure environment in the Bangui area, in support of the African Union and taking account of UN Security Council resolution 2127. We also welcomed discussions in other fora notably at the UN Security Council and at the High-Level Meeting on Humanitarian Action which took place in Brussels that same day and secured pledges of €366 million. Finally, there was a brief discussion on the political and humanitarian situation in South Sudan and Council Conclusions were adopted.
168. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding accountability of €4 million Irish Aid fund to Uganda in 2012 which went missing; if the €4 million has been recovered; if prosecutions followed; the control systems that have been put in place since to ensure that all Irish foreign aid is secure and reaches its destination 100%; the total amount of foreign aid in 2013; the amount given to each recipient country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4304/14]
View answerAs Deputies will be aware, in October 2012, the Tánaiste and I suspended over €16 million of development assistance which was due to be channelled through Government of Uganda systems, following the discovery of fraud in the Office of the Prime Minister. The Government of Uganda has since refunded in full the €4 million of Irish Aid funds which were misappropriated.
Ireland continues to press the Government of Uganda for concerted action following the fraud. To date, 26 Government officials and 31 private firms are being investigated, 6 Government officials are facing trial and 1 conviction has already been secured. In total, the Ugandan Director of Public Prosecutions has opened over 100 case files which are being followed closely by our Embassy of in Kampala. I am happy to report that the Anti-Corruption Court in Uganda is now up and running again following its temporary suspension on foot of a constitutional petition on its legality last year, which delayed many of the cases. In addition, the Office of the Auditor General of Uganda has been conducting follow-on inquiries and audits, with the support of our Embassy in Kampala. While I was in Kampala in December I had a very positive meeting with the Auditor General and his key staff and he outlined clearly his determination to address issues of fraud and corruption in the public domain. I also invited him to Ireland to address relevant Oireachtas Committees.
Ireland’s 2014 country programme in Uganda, which focuses on education, HIV and AIDS, gender-based violence, governance and livelihoods, is built around supporting projects and programmes which operate through trusted non government systems. In addition, we are continuing to provide direct support to the Office of the Auditor General which uncovered the original fraud at the Office of the Prime Minister. I am also pleased to note that a group of Ugandan MPs are currently visiting Ireland in order to learn from our experiences of developing and implementing anti-corruption legislation, with a view to introducing similar legislation in Uganda.
The Evaluation and Audit Unit of the Department has increased the level of support and oversight that is being provided to the Uganda programme. An update on the interim report from the Evaluation and Audit Unit on the misappropriation of funds (drafted in November 2012) will be completed shortly, along with a review of programme and risk management systems, as well as financial controls. These reviews are being carried out in all Irish Aid key partner countries. We continue to ensure strong financial oversight of the aid programme is in place in order that the valuable contribution made by Ireland towards improving the lives of some of the most vulnerable people is maintained, while at the same time providing strong assurance and accountability to the Irish taxpayer.
Ireland’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget for 2013 was €622m, of which €497m was managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade under Vote 27 International Co-operation , with the remainder comprising eligible funding by other Government Departments as well as Ireland’s share of the EU Development Cooperation budget.
Ireland has long term, strategic development partnership programmes with a small number of developing countries, called Key Partner Countries. These are Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia and Vietnam. 2013 allocations to Partners countries are provided as follows:
|
2013 Budget Allocations to Partners Countries |
€ millions |
|
Ethiopia |
27.20 |
|
Lesotho |
1.08 |
|
Zambia |
14.21 |
|
Malawi |
13.70 |
|
Mozambique |
37.50 |
|
Tanzania |
28.40 |
|
Uganda |
12.40 |
|
Vietnam |
12.50 |
|
Total |
146.99 |
In addition Irish Aid provides significant levels of funding to other developing countries, through our bilateral aid programme, delivered on the ground by NGOs, missionary and international organisations and UN agencies. For 2013 we expect to have provided assistance to in excess of eighty developing countries. The detailed statistical analysis of programme expenditure for 2013 is currently being compiled and will be published in the annexes to the Irish Aid annual report on our website: www.irishaid.ie.
169. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade 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 past 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 were directly appointed; and the average pay to directly appointed board members. [4594/14]
View answerThere are no State agencies under the aegis of my Department.
170. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the level of pro bono work provided to his Department by legal, accountancy and consulting firms in the past 24 months; which of the firms have also been awarded State contracts by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4608/14]
View answerNo pro bono work has been provided to my Department by legal, accountancy and consulting firms in the past twenty four months.
171. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a list of the top 20 consulting firms engaged by his Department, including public bodies, in order of fee generation or cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4621/14]
View answerMy Department engages a wide range of external service providers in areas where the required skills or resources are not available in-house and it is more cost-effective to source them externally. In the absence of a particular time period specified by the Deputy details of payments of €20,000 or above made by my Department from 1 October 2013 to 31 December 2013 to such providers are set out in the table below. It should be noted that these are a snapshot of payments falling due during the period in question and do not represent quarterly payments. The list of service providers includes a number of professional services such as IT-related, interpretation and translation (including payments to the European Commission for Interpretation Services provided during the EU Presidency) and other Presidency related payments, for example catering costs, incurred on behalf of all government Departments, which fell due for payment in that particular period.
The Deputy may wish to be aware that the information provided is publicly available, at the following link, on my Department’s website and is updated on a regular basis.
https://www.dfa.ie/media/dfa/alldfawebsitemedia/aboutus/workingwithus/Q4-2013-Payments-over-20k.pdf.
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Payments of €20,000 or above to external service providers in period 1 October 2013 to 31 December 2013
|
Company |
Total Amount |
|
Bearing Point |
€ 1,018,051.98 |
|
An Post |
€ 595,553.46 |
|
European Commission |
€ 299,578.40 |
|
Colt Telecom |
€ 191,574.45 |
|
Eircom Agency Account |
€ 188,829.15 |
|
Tomorrows World Ltd |
€ 132,840.00 |
|
Telstra Europe Ltd |
€ 116,499.58 |
|
Fitzers Catering |
€ 113,781.65 |
|
It Rollout Consultancy |
€ 96,744.72 |
|
Eco Support |
€ 93,384.69 |
|
B T Ireland |
€ 82,102.43 |
|
JK Network Architecture Design Ltd |
€ 79,065.63 |
|
Terminal Four Solutions Ltd |
€ 74,224.35 |
|
Oracle Emea Ltd |
€ 70,387.73 |
|
Sagem Identification |
€ 56,668.76 |
|
Knights Catering |
€ 37,118.35 |
|
02 Communications |
€ 28,125.00 |
|
Datasat Communications Limited |
€ 25,663.91 |
|
Dublin Airport Authority Plc. |
€ 23,029.77 |
|
Fedex |
€ 20,159.02 |
172. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Finance the total amount of investment sought and received by the Government from the European Investment Bank for each year from 2007 to 2013; the details of the projects for which this money was sought; and if he will outline the Government's contribution towards each of these projects. [3784/14]
View answerThe Deputy will find below a table with a breakdown of all Irish projects assisted by the European Investment Bank (EIB) in respect of the period 2007 2013, including: the project titles, the amounts for loans approved; the approval date; the sector involved; and the signature dates for the loans, where applicable. The Deputy should note that the total amount of EIB support in a particular year may include loans approved by the Board in that year as well as signatures in respect of loans approved in previous years.
With regard to the Government's contribution to each project, as the Deputy may be aware, the European Investment Bank provides loans to both public and private entities and in all cases will normally provide up to 50% of the total cost of a project, with the balance being made up from other sources. Loans to private entities are provided on the basis of applications made by the entities themselves directly to the Bank and therefore do not involve a Government contribution. In the case of public projects, the EIB provides assistance in the form of direct loans to the Exchequer and loans to Public Private Partnerships (PPPs). For EIB loans to the Exchequer, Ireland, via the National Treasury Management Agency, is the Borrower, with the balance of the cost of the project being made up by Exchequer and/or other sources of financing. In these cases, the Government contribution is readily identifiable and this amount is indicated in the column on the far right of the table appended.
PPPs are financed primarily by private sector funding sources, debt and equity funding. However there would also be some Exchequer costs for land purchase, consultancy fees etc. The State also pays the VAT costs up-front on completion of construction rather than over the life of the project. Costs are specific to individual projects. While the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform publishes details of Financial Commitments under PPPs, details of up-front Exchequer costs are a matter for the Sanctioning Authorities.
With regard to the Irish Water Investment Programme in 2012, the Local Authority Framework Loan II in 2007 and the Housing Finance Agency Environment Global Loan in 2007, information on those projects is currently being compiled by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and will be sent to the Deputy when available.
|
Project |
Sector |
Date of Approval |
Signature Date |
Amount (EURm) Approv'd |
Amount (EURm) Signed |
Amount(EURm)GovernmentContribution |
|
2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AIB Renewable Energy Framework Loan |
Energy |
25-Oct-13 |
100 |
|
- |
|
|
Dublin Cross City Luas Project |
Transport |
25-Oct-13 |
163 |
|
205 |
|
|
Grangegorman PPP |
Infrastructure |
22-Oct-13 |
110 |
|
- |
|
|
ESB Renewable Connection |
Energy |
17-Sep-13 |
09-Dec-13 |
200 |
100 |
- |
|
University of Limerick |
Education |
12-Jul-13 |
26-Nov-13 |
100 |
100 |
- |
|
Vodafone Mobile Limited |
Corporate |
23-Jul-13 |
27-Nov-13 |
120 |
118 |
- |
|
Irish School Programme II |
Education |
23-Apr-13 |
19-Jun-13 |
100 |
100 |
174 |
|
N11/N7 Motorway PPP |
Infrastructure |
14-Jul-10 |
30-Apr-13 |
|
72 |
- |
|
AIB Loan for SMEs and Midcaps |
SMEs |
20-Nov-12 |
26-Apr-13 |
|
100 |
- |
|
Bord Gáis Onshore Wind Programme |
Energy |
07-Dec-12 |
23-Apr-13 |
|
90 |
- |
|
EIF - Development Capital Fund |
EIF |
16-Sep-13 |
40 |
40 |
- |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
933 |
720 |
|
|
Total net funding approved and/or signed in 2013: 1,193m |
|
|||||
|
2012 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AIB Loan for SMEs and Midcaps |
SMEs |
20-Nov-12 |
21-Dec-12 |
200 |
100 |
- |
|
Bord Gáis Onshore Wind Programme |
Energy |
07-Dec-12 |
23-Apr-13 |
90 |
|
- |
|
Bord Gáis Onshore Wind Programme |
Energy |
07-May-12 |
28-Nov-12 |
155 |
155 |
- |
|
Irish Water Investment Programme |
Energy |
26-Oct-12 |
28-Nov-12 |
200 |
100 |
- |
|
Irish Schools Investment PPP |
Education |
21-Jun-11 |
09-Nov-12 |
|
50 |
- |
|
Irish School Programme |
Education |
05-Jun-12 |
06-Jul-12 |
100 |
100 |
118 |
|
Bank of Ireland Loan for SME II |
SMEs |
15-Mar-12 |
|
100 |
|
- |
|
EIF Funding |
|
|
|
91.1 |
|
- |
|
|
|
|
Total |
936.1 |
505 |
|
|
Total net funding approved and/or signed in 2012: 986.1m |
|
|||||
|
2011 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AIB Loan for SMEs II |
SMEs |
16-Nov-10 |
21-Dec-11 |
|
150 |
- |
|
University College Dublin |
Education |
10-May-11 |
17-Nov-11 |
90 |
90 |
- |
|
ESB Network and E-Cars Infrastructure |
Energy |
15-Nov-11 |
17-Nov-11 |
235 |
235 |
- |
|
Irish Schools Investment PPP |
Education |
21-Jun-11 |
09-Nov-12 |
50 |
|
- |
|
|
|
|
Total |
375 |
475 |
|
|
Total net funding approved and/or signed in 2011: 525m |
|
|||||
|
2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AIB Loan for SMEs II |
SMEs |
16-Nov-10 |
21-Dec-11 |
150 |
|
- |
|
Car Efficiency and Safety RDI RSFF |
Industry |
|
01-Oct-10 |
15 |
15 |
- |
|
Bord Gáis Whitegate CCGT |
Energy |
18-Dec-09 |
02-Jul-10 |
|
197 |
- |
|
Irish Schools Investment PPP |
Education |
|
02-Jun-10 |
|
44 |
- |
|
N11/N7 Motorway PPP |
Infrastructure |
14-Jul-10 |
30-Apr-13 |
75 |
|
- |
|
N17/N18 Motorway PPP |
Infrastructure |
11-May-10 |
|
170 |
|
- |
|
Dublin Metro PPP Project |
Infrastructure |
11-May-10 |
|
500 |
|
- |
|
|
|
|
Total |
910 |
256 |
|
|
Total net funding approved and/or signed in 2010: 1,151m |
|
|||||
|
2009 |
|
|
|
|
||
|
Bord Gáis Whitegate CCGT |
Energy |
18-Dec-09 |
02-Jul-10 |
197 |
|
- |
|
Dublin Airport Terminal 2 (TEN) |
Transport |
14-Jul-09 |
10-Nov-09 |
300 |
260 |
- |
|
ESB Renewable Programme |
Energy |
18-Sep-09 |
28-Sep-09 |
200 |
200 |
- |
|
Eirgrid East-West Interconnector TEN-E |
Energy |
22-Sep-09 |
28-Sep-09 |
300 |
300 |
- |
|
Bank of Ireland Loan for SME I |
SMEs |
12-Mar-09 |
25-Mar-09 |
100 |
100 |
- |
|
AIB Loan for SME I |
SMEs |
12-Mar-09 |
25-Mar-09 |
100 |
100 |
- |
|
Ulster Bank Loan for SME I |
SMEs |
12-Mar-09 |
24-Mar-09 |
60 |
60 |
- |
|
|
|
|
Total |
1257 |
1020 |
|
|
Total net funding approved and/or signed in 2009: 1,217m |
|
|||||
|
2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trinity College Dublin (Bioscience Building) |
Education |
26-Sep-08 |
27-Nov-08 |
75 |
75 |
- |
|
ESB Aghada Gas Fired Power Station |
Energy |
25-Jul-08 |
26-Nov-08 |
175 |
175 |
- |
|
Dublin Airport Development -TEN |
Transport |
Sep-08 |
20-Jun-08 |
|
200 |
- |
|
|
|
|
Total |
250 |
450 |
|
|
Total net funding approved and/or signed in 2008: 450m |
|
|||||
|
2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Local Authority Framework Loan II |
Urban Development |
21-Nov-04 |
29-Nov-07 |
|
15 |
- |
|
M50 Motorway PPP |
Transport |
13-Dec-05 |
28-Sep-07 |
|
120 |
- |
|
M7 - M8 Portlaoise PPP |
Transport |
18-Jul-06 |
14-Jun-07 |
|
116 |
- |
|
Housing Finance Agency Environment Global Loan |
Credit Lines |
22-Aug-06 |
11-Jun-07 |
|
25 |
- |
|
N6 Galway to East Ballinasloe PPP |
Transport |
07-Mar-06 |
04-Apr-07 |
|
70 |
- |
|
Irish Schools PPP |
|
12-Jun-07 |
|
200 |
|
- |
|
Dublin Airport Development -TEN |
|
27-Sep-07 |
|
200 |
|
- |
|
|
|
Total |
400 |
346 |
|
|
|
Total net funding approved and/or signed in 2007: 746m |
|
173. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding single payment tax credits; if he can justify the changes introduced by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3943/14]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the One-Parent Family Tax Credit (OPFTC) has been replaced with a new Single Person Child Carer Tax Credit from 1 January 2014. The restructured credit will be of the same value i.e. €1,650 per annum as the one-parent family tax credit and it will also carry the same entitlement to the additional €4,000 extended standard rate band, which increases it to €36,800 per annum, before liability to the higher rate of income tax arises. However, the credit will be more targeted, in that it will in the first instance, only be available to the principal carer of the child.
Given the difficult fiscal environment, it is essential to review all tax reliefs, credits and incentives in order to ensure that they are properly targeted and if necessary re-focused in order that they can achieve the socio-economic objectives that are set for them. A system that allows multiple claims in respect of the same child or children is unsustainable. The new credit is designed to be an in-work benefit to support the primary carer to take up, or remain in, employment. It should not be considered as a supplementary source of income, on which the financial support of a parent depends.
The Commission on Taxation acknowledged that the One-Parent Family Tax Credit played a role in supporting and incentivising the labour market participation of single and widowed parents. However, in its recommendations it concluded that the credit should be retained but that it should be allocated to the principal carer only. The restructuring of the credit will achieve such an outcome. Ultimately, maintenance payments are a matter for parents and if necessary, the courts to decide. It is not possible, and indeed would not be appropriate, for the tax code to take account of every possible variable.
Notwithstanding the above, as a result of an amendment which I brought forward at Committee Stage of the Finance Bill, a primary carer who is entitled to the credit and who does not wish to avail of it can choose to surrender it. A secondary carer may then make a claim for the credit, provided that the qualifying child resides with him or her for not less than 100 days in the tax year. It should be noted that where a primary carer is married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting they would not be entitled to the new credit (or indeed the former one). In such circumstances the primary carer cannot relinquish the credit to a secondary carer. In addition, a secondary carer who is married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting, would not be entitled to the new credit (or indeed the former one) regardless of the marital status of the primary carer.
174. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the 23% VAT on tennis coaching as an after-school activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3987/14]
View answer195. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered reducing the rate of VAT for children's tennis lessons to make them more accessible for struggling parents and encourage an active lifestyle amongst children in view of the rising rates of obesity here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3743/14]
View answer197. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the reason for the high level of VAT on after-school tennis coaching; and if he will re-examine this 23% VAT rate. [3803/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 174, 195 and 197 together.
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that paragraph 4(3) of Schedule 1 of the Value-Added Tax Consolidation Act 2010 provides exemption for children's or young person's education provided by educational establishments recognised by the State and by other persons supplying education of a similar kind. After-school children's tennis coaching qualifies for this exemption if it is provided as a structured course in an appropriate sporting facility to students by a tutor and if a level of skill or ability is conferred which can be evaluated by comparison with objective standards. The person referred to in the Deputy's correspondence has been advised previously by the Revenue Commissioners that such after-school children's tennis coaching is not liable to VAT at the standard rate but rather is exempt.
175. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance the measures in place to attract international banks to set up here and to increase competition in this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3478/14]
View answerThis Government continues to work to create an environment conducive to the entry of such new entrants primarily through the implementation of policies to promote economic recovery and employment creation but also through different initiatives to ensure that there is an adequate pool of credit to underpin the recovery. This is a theme common to our EU partners. Ireland continues to lead the debate at EU level, on the mechanisms to promote, for example, alternative forms of financing for SMEs.
In this regard:
- we are working to manage and minimise potential market expectations of future State support for the state owned banks which could act as a deterrent to new market entrants
- we are working to establish equality in the assessment of credit risk through the establishment of an industry wide credit register to allow for the appropriate measure of risk in lending, allowing incumbent and new lenders to lend with full visibility of the risk of that lending. The Credit Reporting Act was passed at the end of 2013.
- we are working to reduce switching costs to allow customers to move between banks more easily, enhancing competition and forcing banks to work hard to retain their customers on a commercial basis
- we are encouraging risk sharing partnerships to encourage new lending, such as the AIB/European Investment Bank lending initiative
- alternative innovative mechanisms to involve other lenders are actively being explored and progressed such as the initiative with the German State Development Bank, KfW
- we are in regular dialogue with potential market entrants as they evaluate potential opportunities in Ireland and will be supportive of new entrants as they emerge.
The RBS review by the UK Government confirms the continuing role that Ulster Bank will have in the lending and deposit taking business for all customers here in Ireland. KBC have been expanding their network and their ambitions in Ireland. I believe that it is fair to say that it is not all bad news and that the Irish financial market does offer opportunities to institutions. This Government has also taken steps to ensure that the Irish financial market is accessible to any financial institution considering establishing in Ireland. In seeking to reduce the barriers to entry which are specific to the Irish banking market, Section 149 of the Consumer Credit Act, as amended, which provides for the regulation of bank fees and charges has been disapplied for the first three years in the case of new financial service providers setting up in Ireland.
176. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he is considering proposing legislation to extend the code of conduct on mortgage arrears to cover overseas lenders of financial organisations who acquire Irish mortgages; if not, the measures he will take to better protect borrowers who find that their loans have been sold to an overseas financial institution; if he will provide a full list of such institutions who have acquired loans from any Irish covered institution in the past five years who are voluntarily adhering to the code of conduct on mortgage arrears; those who made no such pledge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3544/14]
View answer192. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if a company (details supplied) who recently purchased the distressed mortgage portfolio of Bank of Scotland, are regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland in the same way as Bank of Scotland; and if the holders of these mortgages continue to have recourse to the mortgage arrears resolution process and code of conduct on mortgage arrears. [3726/14]
View answer193. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a list of all debt factoring companies registered here who have acquired distressed mortgage portfolios or mortgage portfolios in 2012 and 2013 from banks registered here; the number of mortgages purchased by each debt factoring company and the banks from which they bought these mortgages; and the way in which these companies are regulated and monitored with regard to their treatment of distressed mortgage holders. [3727/14]
View answer194. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the legal protections provided for under the Consumer Credit Act for mortgage holders whose distressed mortgages have been sold by their original lender to a debt factoring company or other financial service provider. [3728/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 176, and 192 to 194, inclusive, together.
Where relevant, Irish financial services law (including the Consumer Protection Code 2012, the Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears and the Consumer Credit Act 1995) applies to the regulated activities of regulated entities. The CCMA applies to the mortgage lending activities of all regulated entities, except credit unions, operating in the State, including, inter alia, a financial services provider authorised, registered or licenced in another EU or EEA Member State and which has provided, or is providing, mortgage lending activities in the State.
Any agent acting on behalf of a regulated financial service provider i.e. where an activity is outsourced, must comply with the requirements of Irish financial services law (including the CCMA) and failure to do so may result in the Central Bank imposing penalties on the regulated financial services provider concerned.
By virtue of an exemption in Part V of the Central Bank Act 1997, an unregulated entity to whom a cash loan is transferred by a regulated entity is not subject to Central Bank supervision. I am informed by the Central Bank that Bank of Scotland plc is authorised in the UK and is providing services into Ireland on a cross border basis. Tanager Ltd is not a regulated financial service provider.
The provision of debt factoring services is not an activity which is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland and therefore not subject to supervision by the Central Bank. I would accept that consumers whose mortgage loans have been sold to unregulated entities are in a different position to other consumers whose loans are provided by regulated financial institutions. I do not have a list of the financial institutions who purchased loan books and who are or are not voluntarily adhering to the Code of Conduct.
Consumer protection in this area is an issue which has been the subject of discussion between my officials and the Central Bank and National Consumer Agency but this is an area of some complexity. The main difficulties are how to enforce consumer protection and consumer rights while respecting the rights of individual financial institutions to dispose of loan books and the appropriate level of regulation/supervision that should apply to institutions which wish to purchase such loan books. Securitisation of loan books by financial institutions is also closely connected to this issue. I will keep this area under review and have asked my officials to continue their assessment of the issue.
177. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Finance the assistance that can be offered to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare to obtain a P45 or other documentation to show that they are no longer in employment with a company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3566/14]
View answerI have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the issue of a Form P45 is a matter between the employer and the employee in the first instance. However, Revenue has contacted the employer concerned and requested that Form P45 be issued to the person concerned. In the interim Revenue has updated its records to indicate that the employment with the employer concerned ceased in October 2012 and they will write to the person concerned to confirm this.
