Written Answers Nos. 126-142
126. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will name each company awarded a contract for the provision of professional services by his Department and agencies under his aegis since May 2011; the value and purpose of the contract; if a competitive tendering process was undertaken in line with public procurement best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6456/14]
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. I have set out in the tables below details of all payments to external services providers over €25,000 from 2011 to the end of 2013 in respect of Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and of Vote 27 (International Cooperation). The compilation and preparation of details of payments under that level was not possible in the time available and would involve a considerable amount of staff time and effort to extract and prepare. Neither was it feasible in the time available to differentiate payments to suppliers for the period May-December 2011, and consequently the table gives full-year figures only for 2011.
I can confirm that it is my Department’s policy and practice (both at Headquarters and at Missions abroad) to purchase all requirements by means of competitive tendering to the greatest extent possible. Contracts over €130,000 are formally advertised in the Official Journal of the EU via the online government procurement portal (www.etenders.gov.ie) in accordance with relevant national and EU legal requirements. Contracts under that value threshold are also advertised as national-level contracts on the e-tenders system. Purchasing under €25,000 (or €10,000 in the case of ICT requirements) may be carried out by means of inviting a number of suitable providers to submit quotations.
The Department’s compliance with its public procurement obligations is audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General and any exceptional awards without competitive process must be reported as part of the Department’s annual Appropriation Accounts.
|
Vote 28: Payments to Service Providers over €25,000 in 2013 |
Value € |
Purpose of Contract |
|
BEARING POINT |
2,284,271 |
Provision of technical support and maintenance services for the Automated passport System |
|
AN POST |
1,919,643 |
Provision passport delivery and other postal services. |
|
EIRCOM AGENCY ACCOUNT |
832,301 |
Provision telecommunications services including communications links and bandwidth |
|
COLT TELECOM IRELAND LTD |
777,501 |
Telecommunications services: bandwidth |
|
B T IRELAND |
775,229 |
ICT and telecommunications Services including bandwidth |
|
CARLSON WAGONLIT IRELAND LTD |
758,771 |
Travel booking services |
|
ECO SUPPORT |
537,447 |
Contract Cleaning Services |
|
TOMORROWS WORLD LTD |
518,230 |
ICT helpdesk support services |
|
AIM INTERNATIONAL MOVING LTD |
490,738 |
Removal services for staff being transferred to/from Ireland on posting. |
|
FITZERS CATERING |
459,689 |
Catering services for EU Presidency (on behalf of all Departments) |
|
ARPIN INTERNATIONAL IRELAND |
426,172 |
Removal services for staff being transferred to/from Ireland on posting. |
|
ISS IRELAND |
425,696 |
Static security services |
|
EUROPEAN COMMISSION |
369,600 |
Interpretation Services for EU Presidency |
|
JK NETWORK ARCHITECTURE DESIGN LTD |
360,759 |
High-level ICT technical support |
|
IT ROLLOUT CONSULTANCY |
360,489 |
ICT technical support |
|
BEVERLY SMYTH |
354,237 |
Removal services for staff being transferred to/from Ireland on posting. |
|
EIRCOM LTD |
300,518 |
Telecommunications services |
|
O2 COMMUNICATIONS |
255,552 |
Telecommunications services |
|
DHL INTERNATIONAL |
254,160 |
Courier services for diplomatic mail |
|
CROWN RELOCATIONS IRELAND |
251,045 |
Removal services for staff being transferred to/from Ireland on posting. |
|
TELSTRA GLOBAL |
247,749 |
Telecommunications services: bandwidth |
|
DUBLIN AIRPORT AUTHORITY PLC. |
230,462 |
Miscellaneous services in connection with facilitation of visiting delegations during EU Presidency (on behalf of all Departments) |
|
BRAMBLES DELICATSSEN CAFES |
208,537 |
Catering services for EU Presidency (on behalf of all Departments) |
|
ISAS LTD |
205,949 |
High-level ICT Security services |
|
INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION |
192,826 |
Educational and Training Services |
|
KNIGHTS CATERING |
185,375 |
Catering services for EU Presidency (on behalf of all Departments) |
|
INTEGRITY SOLUTIONS LTD |
177,476 |
ICT technical support |
|
MURRAYS CHAUFFEUR DRIVE |
174,438 |
Ground Transport for EU Presidency |
|
TERMINAL FOUR SOLUTIONS LTD |
172,619 |
Website development Services |
|
MOVE MASTERS |
168,679 |
Removal services for staff being transferred to/from Ireland on posting. |
|
CORE FINANCIAL SYSTEMS LTD |
167,845 |
Support and development for the Department's Financial Management System |
|
ZERO DOWNTIME LTD |
138,004 |
ICT software services |
|
PLANNET 21 COMMUNICATIONS LTD |
131,921 |
ICT software services |
|
CARELINE INTERNATIONAL |
121,303 |
Removal services for staff being transferred to/from Ireland on posting. |
|
PT CONSULTING |
105,782 |
Software consultancy service in providing online accreditation system for the EU Presidency (on behalf of all Departments) |
|
ZINOPY |
98,115 |
ICT technical services |
|
DATASAT COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED |
97,886 |
Bandwidth for telecommunications links |
|
DELL COMPUTER |
96,105 |
Servers |
|
MAGNET BUSINESS |
95,038 |
Telecommunications services: Landlines |
|
OPTIMUM CHAUFFEUR DRIVE |
92,893 |
Transport Services |
|
CORE INTERNATIONAL LTD.(IRL) |
83,462 |
Technical and software support services for payroll system |
|
MICROSOFT |
80,971 |
Software licence services. |
|
NATIONAL RADIO CABS |
80,686 |
Taxi services |
|
ECOM SOLUTIONS LTD |
78,362 |
ICT services |
|
FRANK GLENNON LTD |
72,500 |
Insurance services |
|
ORACLE EMEA LTD |
70,388 |
ICT services |
|
DEVINE CHAUFFEUR SERVICES LTD |
69,579 |
Transport services |
|
FUNSHOG OFFICE FIT LTD |
68,270 |
Facilities support services |
|
EUROPUS |
64,631 |
Translation services for Department's website |
|
WORLDREACH SOFTWARE CORPORATION |
62,850 |
Software support service for Department's consular case management system |
|
RED DOG DESIGN |
61,622 |
Graphic Design Services |
|
ALLIED IRISH BANKS PLC |
61,593 |
Banking services |
|
G4S SECURE SOLUTIONS IRE LTD |
51,994 |
Security services |
|
FEDEX |
51,824 |
Courier services: diplomatic mail |
|
PITNEY BOWES LTD. |
49,822 |
Postage services |
|
LOCAL GOVERNMENT MANAGEMENT AGENCY |
49,049 |
Common ICT services for public sector including web domain services |
|
EIRCOM MAJOR ACCOUNT |
48,951 |
Telecommunications services: land lines |
|
ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT |
48,315 |
Information services |
|
GARDEN CATERING |
46,474 |
Catering services for EU Presidency (on behalf of all Departments) |
|
UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF IRELAND |
44,232 |
Courier services for diplomatic mail |
|
HIBERNIA ATLANTIC |
44,051 |
Telecommunications services: bandwidth |
|
EGAN EVENT HOSPITALITY |
42,377 |
Catering services for EU Presidency (on behalf of all Departments) |
|
3M IRELAND LTD. |
41,739 |
ICT services |
|
BRINDLEY ADVERTISING |
39,382 |
Print advertising services |
|
BUTLER TECHNOLOGIES |
38,897 |
ICT technical support services |
|
SCHOOL OF ORIENTAL & AFRICAN STUDIES |
37,183 |
Language Training services |
|
BUTLER AGENCIES |
35,469 |
ICT technical support services |
|
VERSION 1 SOFTWARE |
34,184 |
Software support services |
|
G4S CASH SERVICES IRELAND LTD |
34,055 |
Cash-in- transit services |
|
MICROMAIL |
33,514 |
ICT services |
|
FINE PRINT LTD |
32,903 |
Miscellaneous printing services |
|
MAURICE WARD & CO LTD |
32,559 |
Transport services |
|
VINNY HANLON CATERING |
30,189 |
Catering services for EU Presidency (on behalf of all Departments) |
|
UCD APPLIED LANGUAGE CENTRE |
28,730 |
Language training services |
|
SOFTWORKS COMPUTING Ltd |
27,259 |
Software services |
|
HERBERT PARK HOTEL |
26,469 |
Hotel Services for EU Presidency |
|
TETRA IRELAND COMMUNICATIONS LTD |
26,151 |
Telecommunications services |
|
O2 DIRECT |
25,273 |
Mobile telephony services |
|
WITH TASTE |
25,265 |
Catering services for EU Presidency (on behalf of all Departments) |
Table continuing
|
Vote 28: Payments to Service Providers over €25,000 in 2012 |
- |
- |
|
BEARING POINT |
2,440,014 |
APS Support and Maintenance - due for re-tender in 2013. |
|
ROYAL DUBLIN SOCIETY |
1,927,496 |
Venue and event management services for OSCE Ministerial Conference, December 2012 |
|
AN POST |
1,848,042 |
Passport Delivery and other postal services. |
|
B T IRELAND |
1,837,066 |
ICT help-desk service. |
|
COLT TELECOM IRELAND LTD |
850,915 |
telecommunications services: bandwidth |
|
EIRCOM AGENCY ACCOUNT |
780,539 |
Telecommunications services including bandwidth |
|
ISS IRELAND |
530,685 |
Static security services. |
|
CLUB TRAVEL LTD |
489,077 |
Travel booking services |
|
EIRCOM PRIVATE ACCOUNT |
449,595 |
Telecommunications services |
|
ECO SUPPORT |
445,797 |
Contract cleaning services |
|
AIM INTERNATIONAL MOVING LTD |
432,524 |
Removal services for household effects of staff being relocated to/from Ireland on posting. |
|
ISAS |
371,687 |
ICT High-level Security services. |
|
BEVERLY SMYTH |
323,859 |
Removal services for household effects of staff being relocated to/from Ireland on posting. |
|
JK NETWORK ARCHITECTURE DESIGN LTD |
323,742 |
High-level ICT technical/engineering support services |
|
INTEGRITY SOLUTIONS LTD |
285,868 |
ICT technical/software services |
|
CROWN RELOCATIONS IRELAND |
275,035 |
Removal services for household effects of staff being relocated to/from Ireland on posting. |
|
TOMORROWS WORLD LTD |
274,300 |
ICT Help-desk support services |
|
RED DOG DESIGN |
256,249 |
Graphic Design Services |
|
DHL INTERNATIONAL |
218,048 |
Courier Services: diplomatic mail |
|
ECOM SOLUTIONS LTD |
195,459 |
ICT telecommunications services |
|
CORE FINANCIAL SYSTEMS LTD |
174,278 |
Support and development for the Department's financial management System |
|
CARLSON WAGONLIT IRELAND LTD |
162,396 |
Travel booking services |
|
BUTLER AGENCIES |
159,470 |
ICT/telecommunications technical support services |
|
EIRCOM MAJOR ACCOUNT |
151,175 |
Telecommunications services: fixed lines. |
|
CARELINE INTERNATIONAL |
150,462 |
Removal services for household effects of staff being relocated to/from Ireland on posting. |
|
PT CONSULTING |
145,512 |
Development and operation of online delegate and press accreditation system for EU Presidency (on behalf of all Departments) |
|
CORE INTERNATIONAL LTD.(IRL) |
142,516 |
Support and development of payroll processing system. |
|
HIBERNIA ATLANTIC |
134,740 |
Telecommunications services: bandwidth |
|
ZERO DOWNTIME LTD |
125,387 |
ICT technical support services |
|
ARPIN INTERNATIONAL IRELAND |
121,558 |
Removal services for household effects of staff being relocated to/from Ireland on posting. |
|
CAPITA IB SOLUTIONS (IRELAND) LTD |
120,804 |
ICT Services: system development for Foreign Births Registration |
|
FEDEX |
112,141 |
Courier services: Diplomatic Mail |
|
OBSERVE OUTSIDE BROADCASTING LTD |
106,026 |
Web-streaming services for OSCE Ministerial Conference, December 2012 |
|
UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF IRELAND |
98,787 |
Courier services: diplomatic mail |
|
SYSTEM VIDEO |
84,318 |
Telecommunications services: video-conferencing system. |
|
DATASAT COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED |
81,108 |
Telecommunications services: bandwidth |
|
MICROSOFT |
79,704 |
Software services and licensing. |
|
KNIGHTS CATERING |
78,963 |
Catering services |
|
TETRA IRELAND COMMUNICATIONS LTD |
75,441 |
telecommunications services |
|
SOFTWORKS COMPUTING Ltd |
72,911 |
Software system for flexi-time |
|
Eircom Ltd |
72,446 |
Telecommunications services: bandwidth |
|
ORACLE EMEA LTD |
70,388 |
ICT Software licences and support for automated passport system. |
|
ALLIED IRISH BANKS PLC |
61,204 |
Banking services. |
|
BUSINESS & SCIENTIFIC |
60,715 |
ICT Software services. |
|
PITNEY BOWES LTD. |
57,952 |
Postage services |
|
TNT EXPRESS (IRELAND) LIMITED |
57,249 |
Courier services: diplomatic mail |
|
LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMPUTER SERVICES BOARD |
55,805 |
Government Networks and centralised ICT services. |
|
ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT |
53,165 |
Information services |
|
G4S SECURE SOLUTIONS IRE LTD |
52,320 |
Cash in Transit service. |
|
WORLDREACH SOFTWARE CORPORATION |
48,352 |
Software support and maintenance service for Consular Case Management system |
|
VINNY HANLON CATERING |
46,832 |
Catering services |
|
IT ROLLOUT CONSULTANCY |
45,912 |
ICT technical support services. |
|
NATIONAL RADIO CABS |
44,886 |
taxi services |
|
FUNSHOG OFFICE FIT LTD |
43,287 |
Miscellaneous facilities services |
|
MAGNET BUSINESS |
42,776 |
Telecommunications services: fixed lines. |
|
SOS INTERNATIONAL |
35,141 |
Insurance services |
|
LIONBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL |
34,870 |
Translation Services. |
|
OPTIMUM CHAUFFEUR DRIVE |
34,251 |
Ground transport services |
|
FINE PRINT LTD |
33,202 |
Printing services |
|
DUBLIN AIRPORT AUTHORITY PLC. |
32,844 |
Provision of miscellaneous facilities, Dublin Airport |
|
BRINKS ALLIED LTD |
32,130 |
Cash in transit services |
|
TIGER CONSULTING |
30,500 |
Training services |
|
FUJITSU IRELAND |
28,962 |
ICT technical support services. |
|
MOVE MASTERS |
28,841 |
Removal services for household effects of staff being relocated to/from Ireland on posting. |
|
VERSION 1 SOFTWARE |
27,004 |
ICT software support and maintenance. |
|
SCHOOL OF ORIENTAL & AFRICAN STUDIES |
26,476 |
Language training services |
|
G4S CASH SERVICES IRELAND LTD |
26,235 |
Cash-in-transit services. |
Table continuing
|
Vote 28: Payments to Service Providers over €25,000 in 2011 |
|
|
|
BEARING POINT |
2,538,166 |
Provision of technical support and maintenance services for the Automated Passport System |
|
AN POST |
1,346,602 |
Provision of passport delivery and other postal services |
|
B T IRELAND |
1,318,514 |
Provision of bandwidth and other telecommunications services |
|
COLT TELECOM IRELAND LTD |
741,188 |
Telecommunications services: bandwidth |
|
EIRCOM AGENCY ACCOUNT |
727,225 |
Provision of bandwidth and other telecommunications services |
|
EIRCOMPRIVATEACC |
537,698 |
Provision of landlines and other telecoms services |
|
ISS IRELAND |
531,877 |
Static Security services |
|
CLUB TRAVEL LTD |
449,705 |
Travel booking services |
|
ECO SUPPORT |
447,441 |
Contract cleaning services |
|
TELSTRA EUROPE LTD |
435,372 |
Telecommunications services: bandwidth |
|
BEVERLY SMYTH |
411,719 |
Removal services for staff being transferred to/from Ireland on posting. |
|
JK NETWORK ARCHITECTURE DESIGN LTD |
329,951 |
High-level ICT technical support services |
|
CARELINE INTERNATIONAL |
306,280 |
Removal services for staff being transferred to/from Ireland on posting. |
|
EIRCOM MAJOR ACCOUNT |
282,929 |
Telecommunications services |
|
Eircom Ltd |
265,621 |
Telecommunications services |
|
CORE FINANCIAL SYSTEMS LTD |
228,584 |
Financial management system support and development |
|
DHL INTERNATIONAL |
202,428 |
Courier services for diplomatic mail |
|
O2 COMMUNICATIONS |
191,391 |
ICT and telecommunications services |
|
ISAS |
174,768 |
High-level security services for ICT and telecoms systems |
|
AIM INTERNATIONAL MOVING LTD |
162,400 |
Removal services for staff being transferred to/from Ireland on posting. |
|
RITS |
160,554 |
ICT technical support for system and network security |
|
CROWN RELOCATIONS IRELAND |
143,128 |
Removal services for staff being transferred to/from Ireland on posting. |
|
HIBERNIA ATLANTIC |
136,866 |
Telecommunications services: bandwidth |
|
FEDEX |
133,405 |
Courier services: diplomatic mail |
|
ZERO DOWNTIME LTD |
131,359 |
ICT technical support services |
|
FUJITSU IRELAND |
113,964 |
ICT technical support services |
|
RED DOG DESIGN |
109,827 |
Graphic Design Services |
|
DATASAT COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED |
109,723 |
Telecommunications services: bandwidth |
|
INTEGRITY SOLUTIONS LTD |
107,971 |
ICT technical support services |
|
UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF IRELAND |
107,854 |
Courier services: diplomatic mail |
|
MICROSOFT |
78,408 |
Software support services |
|
PITNEY BOWES LTD. |
72,391 |
Postage services |
|
LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMPUTER SERVICES BOARD |
68,901 |
Common ICT services for Government Departments |
|
KNIGHTS CATERING |
68,426 |
Catering services |
|
HOUSEHOLD MOVING CO. |
65,682 |
Removal services for staff being transferred to/from Ireland on posting. |
|
CORE INTERNATIONAL LTD.(IRL) |
64,123 |
System support service for payroll processing |
|
ORACLE EMEA LTD |
63,011 |
ICT technical services |
|
FUNSHOG OFFICE FIT LTD |
60,947 |
Miscellaneous facilities services |
|
ALLIED IRISH BANKS PLC |
57,583 |
Banking services |
|
FRANK GLENNON LTD |
55,000 |
Insurance services |
|
WITH TASTE |
54,701 |
Catering services |
|
MICHAEL DEVINE CHAUFFEUR SERVICES |
52,526 |
Ground transport services |
|
TETRA IRELAND COMMUNICATIONS LTD |
52,357 |
Telecommunications services: bandwidth |
|
WARD SOLUTIONS LTD |
50,467 |
HR/Training services |
|
BRINDLEY ADVERTISING |
49,639 |
Print advertising placement |
|
JOHN FINN |
49,153 |
ICT/Telecoms technical support services |
|
ABBEY W.R.S.WASTE MGT |
48,792 |
Waste disposal services |
|
FINE PRINT LTD |
48,507 |
Printing services |
|
WORLDREACH SOFTWARE CORPORATION |
46,472 |
Software support for Consular Case Management System |
|
TNT EXPRESS (IRELAND) LIMITED |
46,010 |
Courier services: diplomatic mail |
|
DUBLIN AIRPORT AUTHORITY PLC. |
45,669 |
Facilities services |
|
MAXWELL PHOTOGRAPHY |
45,220 |
Photography services |
|
ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT |
44,390 |
Information services |
|
MCM SECURITY LTD |
43,497 |
Security services, Passport Office, Cork |
|
LANTZ PRINTING |
42,652 |
Printing services |
|
EGAN EVENT HOSPITALITY |
42,617 |
Catering services |
|
CORPORATE CHAUFFEUR SERVICES LTD |
42,262 |
Ground transport services |
|
INSTITUTEOFPUBLICADMINISTRATION |
38,990 |
Training services |
|
VINNY HANLON CATERING |
36,843 |
Catering services |
|
CORPORATE CUISINE IRELAND |
36,407 |
Catering services |
|
BRINKS ALLIED LTD |
34,347 |
Cash-in-transit security services |
|
SABEO CONTRACTING SERVICES LTD |
34,205 |
ICT temporary resource service |
|
G4S CASH SERVICES IRELAND LTD |
33,121 |
Cash-in Transit security services |
|
TERMINAL FOUR SOLUTIONS LTD |
32,594 |
Website development services |
|
NATIONAL RADIO CABS |
29,100 |
Taxi services |
|
EIRCOM UK LIMITED |
29,043 |
Telephony services |
|
IRELANDA CANVAS |
28,209 |
|
|
MAXIMA MANAGED SERVICES IRELAND LTD |
28,120 |
|
|
LAMINATION SERVICES |
27,749 |
|
|
GOLDSTAR CHAUFFEUR DRIVE |
27,636 |
Ground transport services |
|
MICROMAIL |
26,794 |
ICT software service |
|
VIP/ACE TAXIS |
26,639 |
Taxi services |
|
MOVE MASTERS |
26,059 |
Removal services for staff being transferred to/from Ireland on posting. |
Vote 27
|
Company Name |
Value of Contract (over €25K) |
Purpose of Contract |
|
University College Dublin |
€ 1,357,160 |
MSc Programme - Provision of post-graduate business education fellowships under the Irish Development Experience Sharing (IDEAS) component of Irish Aid Vietnam Country Programme 2011-2015 |
|
University College Dublin |
€ 854,179 |
MBA Programme - Provision of post-graduate business education fellowships under the Irish Development Experience Sharing (IDEAS) component of Irish Aid Vietnam Country Programme 2011-2015 |
|
Self Help Africa |
€ 802,174 |
Professional Service and management of the World wise Global Schools 2012 to 2016 |
|
Irish Council for International Students |
€ 600,000 |
Provision of Specialist Support Services for the Irish Aid Fellowship Training Programme 2012-2014 |
|
Kimmage Development Studies Centre |
€ 286,984 |
Provision of Specialist Information and Guides Services in the Irish Aid Volunteering and Information Centre |
|
ESRI |
€ 269,332 |
Training in Socio -Economic Analysis and Applied Forecasting |
|
DHR Communications |
€ 119,245 |
Africa Day |
|
ITAD |
€ 82,255 |
Evaluation of the Ethiopia Country strategy 2008-2011 |
|
DHR |
€ 79,500 |
Consultancy Support for the Simon Cumbers media Challenge 2012-2014 |
|
Real Events |
€ 75,600 |
Professional Services for the Our World Awards 2012 to 2013 |
|
Maxmedia |
€ 73,600 |
Provision of Professional Copywriting Services |
|
Fitzpatrick Associates |
€ 60,000 |
Provision of Technical management Support to the Irish Development Experience Sharing (IDEAS) Programme Vietnam |
|
Mokoro |
€ 58,740 |
Evaluation of the Irish Aid Programme in Timor Leste 2001-2013 |
|
IOD PARC |
€ 56,100 |
Evaluation of the Irish Aid Programme in Sierra Leone 2011-2013 |
|
Niall Morris |
€ 54,600 |
External Specialist Services for the Policy Planning and Effectiveness Section; OECD Engagement and Coordination of DAC Peer Review 2014 |
|
IOD PARC |
€ 51,860 |
South Africa Country Programme Evaluation |
|
John Geraghty (Geraghty Consulting) |
€ 45,125 |
Provision of Professional Services - External Agriculture Consultant |
|
Everywhere Consulting |
€ 42,850 |
Feasibility Study on the establishment of a Humanitarian Hub at Shannon Airport |
|
Mary Corbett |
€ 42,000 |
External Support in Food and Nutrition Security |
|
Emma Warwick |
€ 40,500 |
Technical Services in Emergency & Recovery Section in Humanitarian Response and Fragile States |
|
Emma Warwick |
€ 40,500 |
Technical Services for the Emergency & Recovery Section in Humanitarian Response and Fragile States |
|
Anne Marie Cunningham |
€ 40,500 |
Technical Services for the Emergency & Recovery Section in Linking Relief, Recovery and Development |
|
Vicky Dillon |
€ 40,000 |
Support the Presidency of the Council of the EU on the development of the post 2015 global development framework |
|
Fitzpatrick Associates |
€ 39,000 |
Evaluation Mentoring Support |
|
Una Murray |
€ 37,500 |
Provision of Technical Support Irish Aid - International Labour Organisation Partnership – 2013 to 2015 |
|
Una Murray |
€ 37,500 |
External support for a Review of Irish Aid support to Mama Cash and Intern-Parliamentary Union |
|
Sarah Hunt |
€ 36,000 |
Technical Services for the Policy Planning and Effectiveness Section Governance and Financing for Development |
|
Valid International |
€ 33,992 |
Provision of Professional Services to deliver Hunger and Food Security Training |
|
Pat Mc Mullin |
€ 33,250 |
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research Consultant |
|
ASTEC Consultants Ltd |
€ 33,000 |
Financial Policies and Procedures Review Vote 27 – Development Cooperation Division |
|
ISOS |
€ 31,010 |
Development Education Reviews |
|
Mary Brady |
€ 30,000 |
Technical Support in Food Security |
|
Mike Williams |
€ 29,250 |
Framework Agreement - Support Appraisal of Programme Grant Annual Reports |
|
Mokoro |
€ 28,980 |
Senior Evaluation Specialist Lesotho 2012 - Framework Agreement |
|
DHR Communications |
€ 27,030 |
Africa Day 2012 Coordination |
|
DHR Communications |
€ 26,180 |
Support Services for the Review of the White Paper; €26180 fee, €18826 project expenses |
127. Deputy Damien English asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total amount spent on advertising by his Department and each agency under his aegis in 2013; if he will provide a breakdown of the amount spent on each of TV, radio, print, outdoor, Internet and social media platform advertising; the amount spent on advertising agencies; if he will provide the information in tabular-readable form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6583/14]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for two Votes – Vote 28: Foreign Affairs and Trade; and Vote 27: International Cooperation. There are no agencies under the aegis of my Department.
Advertising undertaken by my Department relates mainly to notification of changes to passport and consular fees, public office opening hours, and occasional notices concerning employment, grants, and other matters, including Irish Aid activities, which require communication to a national audience. The information requested by the Deputy on the Department's headquarters advertising from 1st January to 31st December 2013 is set out in the following table.
|
Advertising Medium |
Name of Company/Organisation |
€Cost |
|
Print Media |
Brindley Advertising |
39,448 |
|
Print Media |
MediaVest |
6,890 |
|
Print Media |
Irish Primary Principals Network |
1,620 |
|
Print Media |
Sport Against Racism Ireland |
500 |
|
Print Media |
Ard Education Limited |
615 |
|
Print Media |
Guerin Media Limited |
1,230 |
|
Print Media |
Think Media Limited |
2,091 |
|
Social media |
Use of Twitter to publicise changes to Passport application procedures. |
6,150 |
|
Total |
- |
58,544 |
128. Deputy Damien English asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department currently engages in real-time reporting of online conversations on issues relating to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6599/14]
View answerMy Department is among the most active on social media. My Department's Press Office monitors online media, including social media, for material relevant to the work of the Department. Officers ensure that colleagues within the Department are kept informed, as appropriate.
129. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has requested a report on whether it is possible for the Passport Office to alert persons by e-mail or text alert that their passport is due for renewal with a minimum eight weeks notice; the cost involved in doing same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6724/14]
View answerA passport reminder service is available on the Passport Service website www.passport.ie. This reminder service sends an e-mail, to those who have registered, three months before a passport is due to expire. Registration is simple and merely requires those interested to record their name, e-mail address and the expiry date of the passport. It is possible to register a number of different passports (e.g. all members of a family) using the one e-mail address with the reminder e-mail detailing which passport registered is about to expire. The reminder e-mail also provides details of how to renew the passport, where to obtain passport application forms, etc.
130. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide details of all official engagements by him or the Ministers of State in his Department that have taken place in Northern Ireland since he took office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6819/14]
View answerMy work and that of Ministers of State and officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade extends across a broad range of relationships in support of the peace process. This is an absolute priority for me, for my Department and for our missions, particularly our Embassies in London and Washington DC, our Consulates in the United States and our work through the European Union. Most particularly it is a focus for the work of our offices in Belfast and Armagh. I am directly and regularly engaged in all of these areas and am kept informed of developments by my officials on a daily basis. I have a broad range of meetings and contacts which take place in Dublin including meetings with leaders of the political leaders in Northern Ireland, with community and sporting organisation and with business leaders. Recently for example I hosted and met with the first Minister and deputy First Minister and with other political leaders at an event in Google to mark the Irish, north and south, who died in the first world war.
I discuss Northern Ireland frequently with international interlocutors, and engage with community and voluntary groups, given their important role in advancing peace and reconciliation on this island. In line with this approach, since assuming office, I have hosted three meetings in Dublin of the Reconciliation Networking Forum, comprising hundreds of representatives of community groups, working on peace and reconciliation projects through Northern Ireland and the southern border counties. I have also met in Dublin in recent months with UUP leader, Mike Nesbitt MLA, with the leader of SDLP, Dr. Alasdair McDonnell MP MLA, and with the leader of the Alliance Party, David Ford MLA.
The following table sets out details of my engagements in Northern Ireland since I took office, and reflects meetings and engagements undertaken specifically in Northern Ireland only.
|
Engagement |
Date, location |
Groups / Individuals met, nature of event |
|
Meeting with Members of NI Executive |
- |
First Minister Peter Robinson, deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, Justice Minister David Ford |
|
Visit to Ashton Centre |
- |
Community representatives |
|
Visit to Greater Whitewell Community Surgery Cross-Interface Project |
3 June 2011, Belfast |
Community representatives |
|
North South Ministerial Council Institutional Meeting |
3 October 2011, Belfast |
First Minister and deputy First Minister |
|
North South Ministerial Council Plenary Meeting |
18 November 2011, Armagh |
Meeting between members of the Irish Government and members of the Northern Ireland Executive |
|
Meeting with Secretary of State |
16 January 2012, Belfast |
Secretary of State Owen Paterson |
|
Alliance Party Conference |
20 April 2012, Belfast |
Tánaiste addressed Party Conference and met with Alliance Leader David Ford and other Party members |
|
National Union of Students / Union of Students in Ireland |
24 May 2012, Belfast |
Addressed event and met members and guests |
|
Meeting with Secretary of State |
17 September 2012, Hillsborough |
Secretary of State Villiers |
|
North South Ministerial Council Plenary |
- |
Meeting between members of the Irish Government and Members of the Northern Ireland Executive Bilateral: First Minister deputy First Minister |
|
Meeting with NI Justice Minister |
2 November 2012, Armagh |
David Ford MLA |
|
SDLP Party Conference |
10 November 2012, Armagh |
Tánaiste addressed Conference and met with SDLP Leader McDonnell and other Party members |
|
- |
||
|
Tánaiste laid wreath at Cenotaph in Belfast City Hall and met with other dignitaries |
- |
Dignitaries and other participants |
|
Duncairn gardens interface and Duncairn Community Partnership |
- |
Community representatives |
|
Visit to Cultúrlann McAdam-Ó Fiach |
- |
Community representatives and Irish language activists |
|
Attendance at Reconciliation Fund supported event; All-Island School Choirs Competition, organised by Co-operation Ireland. |
- |
School Choir competition participants and community and voluntary representatives |
|
Meeting with deputy First Minister |
11 November 2012, Belfast |
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness |
|
Public Interactive Event with young people marking Fifteenth Anniversary of Good Friday Agreement |
Young people and representatives of civil society, including Belfast YMCA, Public Achievement, Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education, and Northern Ireland Children's Enterprise. |
|
|
Meeting with Secretary of State |
- |
Secretary of State Villiers |
|
Quadrilateral meeting |
- |
Secretary of State, First Minister and deputy First Minister |
|
North South Ministerial Council Institutional |
29 April 2013, Metropolitan Arts Centre, Belfast |
First Minister and deputy First Minister |
|
- |
- |
- |
|
Meeting with business figures Call to Short Strand centre on St Matthew's Church |
- |
Business leaders |
|
Meeting with PUL community leaders, Skainos Centre |
- |
Community representatives |
|
Meeting with Ardoyne residents at Holy Cross |
- |
Community representatives |
|
Meeting with Carrick Hill residents group |
- |
Community representatives |
|
Meeting on dealing with the past |
- |
Community representatives Meeting with acknowledged expert |
|
Meeting with GAA, St Brigid's GAA Club |
29 August 2013, Belfast |
President and CEO of GAA Ulster Council |
|
Meeting with SDLP representatives |
- |
Party representatives |
|
Attended reception and gave keynote address to Annual Dinner of the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce |
- |
Key business and other contacts |
|
Visit to PSNI Station Strand Road accompanied by Min David Ford |
- |
Minister Ford and PSNI officers |
|
Visit to Healthy Living Centre, Creggan |
- |
Community representatives |
|
Visit to Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall Museum |
- |
Apprentice Boys representatives |
|
Meeting with Foyle Women's Information Network |
- |
Included Galliagh Women's Group and Caw/Nelson Drive Women's Group |
|
City of Culture Reception in the “Shirt Factory” Exhibition space and viewing of Rita Duffy exhibition |
- |
Key political, business and community contacts |
|
Meeting with deputy First Minister |
18 -19 October 2013, Derry |
deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness |
|
Sports and Reconciliation Conference, |
Members of the Irish Government and Members of the Northern Ireland Executive as well as senior representatives of the Ulster Council of the GAA, the Ulster Branch of the IRFU and the Irish Football Association |
|
|
North South Ministerial Council Plenary |
8 November 2013, Armagh |
Meeting between Members of the Irish Government and Members of the Northern Ireland Executive Bilateral: First Minister deputy First Minister |
|
Address to SDLP Conference |
- |
Party Delegates |
|
Shadow Secretary of State for NI |
- |
Ivan Lewis MP |
|
Meetings re the past in Northern Ireland |
9 November 2013, Armagh |
Meetings with victims of the Troubles in Northern Ireland |
|
Seventy Fifth Anniversary Dinner of the Irish Association |
- |
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, other participants |
|
Meeting with First Minister |
- |
First Minister Peter Robinson |
|
National Day of Remembrance Ceremony, including laying of wreaths by the Tánaiste |
Belfast 9 & 10 November2013 |
Other dignitaries participating in the ceremony, other participants |
|
Engagement with Political parties re Panel of Parties Talks |
30 & 31 December 2013, Belfast |
Secretary of State Villiers Meetings with political parties |
|
Engagement with Secretary of State |
- |
Secretary of State Villiers |
|
Visit to Belfast Science Park |
16 January 2014, Belfast and Hillsborough |
Meeting with senior Science Park representatives and representatives of companies based there |
Minister of State for Trade and Development
|
Address to Assembly All-Party Group on Development (Minister Jan O'Sullivan) |
15 September 2011, Belfast |
Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly |
|
Commemoration Ceremony of the Battle of the Somme (Minister Costello) |
1 July 2013, Belfast |
Local dignitaries and participants |
|
UN Conference on Trade and Development Workshop (Minister Costello) |
3 July 2013, Belfast |
Addressed issue of Port Training |
Minister of State for European Affairs
|
Minister Creighton |
Belfast 7th June 2012 |
Open Conference - European Research and Innovation Funding for SMEs |
131. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress made to date on the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, with particular reference to the North-South, east–west and internal Northern Ireland dimensions of the Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6888/14]
View answerI co-hosted an event, with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Theresa Villiers MP, to mark the Fifteenth Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement in Belfast on 29 April 2013. In my remarks that day, I pointed to the great progress in the totality of relations since the overwhelming approval of the Agreement by referenda in both parts of the island. Whilst Northern Ireland continues to face a number of challenges, the devolved institutions have been operating since 2007 and are working with the support of the two Governments for peace, reconciliation and prosperity in Northern Ireland.
The Irish government has no closer relationship than we do with the Northern Ireland Executive. The North South Ministerial Council meets on a regular basis across Ministerial areas of responsibility, co-operating in the interests of economic recovery and job creation, North and South. 25 Ministerial level meetings were held in 2013. Relations between Ireland and Britain are strong and close. In April this year President Higgins will make a State Visit to Britain at the invitation of Queen Elizabeth, whose own successful visit here in 2011 exemplified the close relations between our two countries. The visit of President Higgins in April will mark further progress. Next month the Taoiseach will visit London for his third Annual Summit with Prime Minister Cameron. I and other Ministers regularly engage with our British colleagues in our individual areas of responsibility. The North South Interparliamentary Association established in July 2012 has contributed greatly to mutual understanding between members of the Houses of the Oireachtas and the Northern Ireland Assembly.
The main outstanding elements of the Good Friday Agreement are the Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland, an Irish Language Act and the Civic Forum. In ongoing contacts with the British government, most recently at my meeting with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers MP, on 6 February, I continue to stress the importance of both Governments supporting the full implementation of all aspects of the Agreements.
132. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 153 of 4 February 2014, the reason the four criteria carried equal weighting when one criterion, for example, experience, is vastly more important than language skills as such supports are generally provided in-country. [6904/14]
View answerFurther to my previous replies to Parliamentary Questions on this issue, I wish to reiterate the importance that Ireland attaches to participation in international election monitoring missions, particularly in the light of our strong commitment to the promotion of human rights and democracy. Ireland's election observation roster has been put in place to facilitate the deployment at short notice of suitably qualified individuals to participate in international election observation missions, organised in the main by the EU and the OSCE. The EU and the OSCE set the specific skills requirements for election observation missions and make the final call in selecting observers to participate in individual missions. Requirements set for participation include relevant language skills, good knowledge and/or experience of electoral processes, knowledge of human rights and/or governance issues, and relevant regional experience.
Ireland has had very good success in recent years in terms of having nominees selected to participate in missions led by the EU and the OSCE. In order to ensure this continued success, it was critical that a new election observation roster contained the right mix of skills and experience, matching the specific requirements set by the EU and the OSCE. Specific, often difficult, language skills are frequently sought by the EU and the OSCE in organizing missions. The importance of having this as a criterion for inclusion in the new roster is borne out by recent calls to serve on election monitoring missions. In 2013, for example, Irish roster nominees took part in eleven election monitoring missions overseen by the EU. Six of those missions required fluency in a primary language other than English. In the case of the OSCE, while English is the primary language used on missions, knowledge of a second relevant local language is usually indicated as desirable for election observers. The trend for 2014 so far mirrors the 2013 experience.
Given the range of experience and specific skills requested by both the EU and OSCE for participation in election observation missions, I am satisfied that the four criteria selected to assess applications for Ireland's new roster were appropriate and merited equal weighting. The assessment of applications against these four criteria was carried out in a fair and impartial way. I am confident that, given the broad mix of skills and experience across our new roster, Ireland will be in a position to maintain our active participation in international election observation missions into the future.
133. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance notwithstanding the decision not to make allocations from the local government fund at a municipal district level, if for the purposes of transparency and to further strengthen democracy at a local level, he will provide a breakdown of local property tax revenues on a municipal council level for 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6367/14]
View answerThe Local Property Tax Act 2012, as amended, is based on local authorities within the meaning of the Local Government Act 2001. Accordingly, I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that compliance data in relation to the Local Property Tax (LPT) are available broken down by city and county councils nationally and that preliminary figures for 2014 will be published shortly. Any changes having regard to the new Municipal Districts will be considered in due course if considered necessary.
134. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered extending the principles of the cycle to work scheme to other activity areas, for example, gym membership, to promote healthier lifestyles among the general population. [6547/14]
View answerThe Cycle To Work scheme was introduced by Finance (No. 2) Act 2008 and specifies that bicycles and associated safety equipment provided by employers to employees will be treated as a tax exempt benefit-in-kind subject to certain conditions being met. One of the benefits envisaged from the scheme was indeed that more people cycling to and from work would improve health and fitness levels, however it was primarily intended to be an environmental measure. The scheme complements the Taxsaver commuter scheme and, by encouraging more employees to commute by bicycle, reduces traffic congestion and lowers carbon emissions.
While all such schemes are kept under review by my Department I have no plans at present for an extension along the lines proposed by the Deputy.
135. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of times the Credit Review Office has given an opinion to the banks; the number of times its opinion differed from a bank; the number of times a bank accepted that opinion and reversed its decision; and if he will provide a breakdown of these figures by bank. [6623/14]
View answerI am informed by the Credit Review Office (CRO) that they have received 447 formal applications to date. Of these, 305 have reached final conclusion and the CRO has upheld 55% of the appeals in favour of borrowers. Some of the other appeals are work in progress, others are resolved between the borrower and the bank before opinions need to issue, and some were abandoned by the applicant.
The breakdown of the 305 is as follows:
|
- |
Upheld |
Overturned |
Total |
% overturned |
Decision Reversed |
|
AIB |
77 |
86 |
163 |
53% |
- |
|
BOI |
61 |
81 |
142 |
57% |
- |
|
TOTAL |
138 |
167 |
305 |
- |
160 out of 167 |
In 7 cases where the CRO recommended facilities be made available, the bank has not provided facilities. This was mainly due to factors other than the viability of the credit request. Explanations were provided to the CRO as prescribed in legislation (see extract below from SI 127 of 2010) and these decisions by the bank were accepted by the CRO.
Extract from SI 127 2010
"Response to Credit Reviewer recommendation
22. If the Credit Reviewer recommends that a credit facility should be granted, the participating institution which refused credit shall comply with the recommendation of the Credit Reviewer or provide an explanation to the Credit Reviewer why it would not be appropriate for the institution to comply with the specific recommendation. The explanation shall be in the form prescribed by the Credit Reviewer."
136. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance the plans by the National Treasury Management Agency to issue Sharia-compliant Sukuk, also known as Islamic bonds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6177/14]
View answerI am informed that the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) currently has no plans to issue a sharia-compliant sovereign Sukuk also known as Islamic bonds. The NTMA recently raised €3.75bn out of a probable total of €8 billion for 2014 all of which is pre-funding for 2015. Given this relatively modest issuance plan and the desire to return to regular bond auctions, the focus for the near future will be on conventional issuance likely to be completed via auctions of Irish government bonds, the main source of borrowing for the national debt.
137. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance the measures in place to encourage Islamic finance here; the number of such funds that are listed on the Irish Stock Exchange; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6178/14]
View answerMeasures to encourage the development of Islamic finance in Ireland include: the continuing development of the UCITS and alternative investment fund platforms; the Finance Act 2010 which introduced a number of provisions to ensure that financial products structured along Islamic finance principles are taxed in the same way as conventional financial products; double taxation agreements which have been put in place with countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Malaysia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar; measures to allow banks from non-EEA states to establish branches in Ireland; and, increased opportunities for further education in the field of Islamic Finance.
I am also advised that IDA Ireland is actively promoting Ireland to Islamic finance companies and expects further site visits to Ireland by prospective Islamic finance investors this year. This will build on the recent visit by an Taoiseach to the Gulf. Finally, I am advised that at the end of 2013 there were 13 sharia compliant funds listed on the Irish Stock Exchange.
138. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance the assistance available to home owners who are under threat of repossession from banking institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6207/14]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the Central Bank's Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears (CCMA) places an onus on the banks in respect of a co-operating borrower, to explore all the options for offering an alternative repayment arrangement to address a mortgage difficulty, before any legal action is considered. The CCMA is a statutory Code issued under Section 117 of the Central Bank Act 1989 and lenders are required to comply with the CCMA as a matter of law.
The CCMA sets out the framework that lenders must use when dealing with borrowers in mortgage arrears or in pre-arrears. This framework is known as the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP) which sets set out the steps which lenders must follow:
Step 1: Communicate with borrower;
Step 2: Gather financial information;
Step 3: Assess the borrower's circumstances; and
Step 4: Propose a resolution.
The CCMA provides an integrated and cohesive package of consumer protection measures and it seeks to deliver on the following principles, to:
- ensure appropriate resolution of each borrower's arrears situation;
- ensure that lenders deal with borrowers in a fair and transparent manner;
- support and facilitate meaningful engagement between lenders and borrowers; and
- ensure borrower awareness of the benefits of co-operating with their lender, and the consequences of not co-operating.
The Central Bank has advised that, where a borrower believes that his/her lender has not complied with or in any way disregarded the Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears, he/she may make a complaint to the lender. The lender must seek to resolve the borrower's complaint in line with the complaints handling process set out in provisions 10.7 to 10.12 of the Central Bank's Consumer Protection Code. If the borrower remains dissatisfied following the outcome from the complaints or appeals process, he/she may then refer the matter to the Financial Services Ombudsman who deals independently with unresolved complaints from consumers about their individual dealings with all financial service providers. In addition to the protections provided by the CCMA, under the Central Bank's Mortgage Arrears Resolution Targets (MART) process, the Central Bank is requiring the main lenders to work through their mortgages in arrears of more than 90 days and, where possible, to propose and conclude sustainable restructures for their borrowers in arrears.
Of course, the CCMA and MART can only work in circumstances where the borrower cooperates with the lender and engages with the process. Where this does not happen, the lender may have no other option but to go down the legal route to deal with an arrears case. However, if that course of action leads the borrower to commence a constructive engagement, this can lead to a more favourable outcome for the respective parties. The Deputy may wish to note, that according to information collected by my Department, in the case of private dwelling home some 50,000 mortgage accounts in difficulty have been the subject of permanent restructuring following engagement between borrower and lender. A further 23,000 mortgage accounts in difficulty have been the subject of temporary restructures.
However, even if the MARP process has concluded and a repossession case has commenced in the legal system, the recent Land and Conveyancing (Law Reform) Act 2013 now provides a power to the Court to adjourn a repossession proceeding in relation to a principal private residence to enable the borrower to consult a personal insolvency practitioner (PIP) and, where appropriate, to instruct the PIP to make a Personal Insolvency Arrangement (PIA) proposal. In formulating a proposal for a PIA, the Personal Insolvency Act 2012 places an onus on a PIP to do so on terms that shall not insofar as reasonably practicable, require the borrower to dispose of an interest or cease to occupy a principal private residence.
139. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding a person (details supplied) in County Wexford in respect of the Revenue Commissioners' CG diesel rebate scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6214/14]
View answerI introduced this scheme under the Finance Act 2013 to provide for a repayment of part of the mineral oil tax paid on the purchase of auto-diesel by qualifying road haulage and bus operators for use in the course of their business. To address the risk of widespread abuse of the scheme, provision was made for certain restrictions on the means by which the auto-diesel concerned may be purchased. The requirements of the scheme, including those relating to fuel purchases, were explained at length during meetings between Revenue and the IRHA prior to its commencement. Detailed information on the application of the scheme is published on www.revenue.ie.
In accordance with the scheme's legal requirements, in order to qualify for the repayment, the auto-diesel must be purchased by the qualifying road transport operator, either in bulk (a quantity over 2,000 litres), or by means of a fuel card approved by Revenue for that purpose. Purchases in bulk must be made from a licensed mineral oil trader, and delivered, in a quantity exceeding 2000 litres, to a premises or place that is under the control of that qualifying road transport operator. Bulk purchases from licensed mineral oil traders can be verified by reference to the monthly electronic returns that the oil traders are required to make to Revenue. Revenue will approve a fuel card where it is satisfied that the fuel card provider will supply Revenue with the information required about the purchase of auto-diesel by means of that card. There are a number of fuel card providers who provide fuel card services for transport operators and fuel retailers.
The purchasing arrangements under the scheme are necessary to enable Revenue to manage repayments to qualifying operators while controlling the risk of fraud. Fuel purchased other than in bulk or through an approved fuel card is not covered by the scheme.
140. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the amount of income tax forgone by the State in each year from 2010 to 2013 in respect of charitable donations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6247/14]
View answerSection 848A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA) provides for a scheme of tax relief on donations to approved bodies. The list of approved bodies for the purposes of Section 848A, which includes eligible charities, bodies approved for education in the arts and eligible primary, secondary and third level institutions, is available on the Revenue website at www.revenue.ie.
For donations made pre-2013, the arrangements for allowing income tax relief varied depending on whether the donor was a PAYE-only taxpayer or a chargeable person subject to self-assessment. For a PAYE-only donor, the relief was given on a "grossed up" basis to the eligible charity or other approved body. The claim for refund was made by the eligible charity or approved body rather than by the PAYE-only donor. In the case of a self-assessed donor, that individual claimed the relief and there was no grossing up arrangement. For donations made after 1 January 2013, relief in all cases is payable to the charity at a blended rate of 31%.
The level of income tax relief on donations to charities and other approved bodies is as shown in the following table. The figures for 2012 and 2013 are available at the current time in respect of PAYE-only donors.
|
Year |
Estimated Cost of Tax Relief €M |
|
2010 |
50 |
|
2011 |
46.3 |
|
2012 |
25.1 (PAYE-only donors) |
|
2013 |
23.5 (PAYE-only donors) |
141. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Finance if the Central Bank of Ireland will provide a reason for the methodology used for acquiring data produced in published residential mortgage arrears and repossessions statistics; if the banks are subjected to fines or penalties for providing the Central Bank of Ireland with misleading data in these statistics; if the banks in providing this data undergo an independent audit by the Central Bank of Ireland to certify the validity of the data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6280/14]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the Central Bank publishes mortgage arrears, restructures and repossession statistics on a quarterly basis. The latest publication was published in November 2013 and showed data to the end of September 2013. The Central Bank has informed me that statistical information received by the Central Bank as part of its ESCB (European System of Central Banks) functions is subject to a sanctions regime provided for under European law (for example, Council Regulation 2532/98 and ECB Regulation 2157/1999). In relation to information obtained by the Central Bank under Irish financial services legislation, reporting institutions are subject to the enforcement powers provided to the Central Bank under the Central Bank Act 1942, as amended.
The Central Bank has informed me that it is committed to the quality criteria outlined in the ECB Public Commitment on European Statistics[1] for all statistics published, including the Residential Mortgage Arrears and Repossessions Statistics. The Mortgage Arrears return was developed following individual and collective discussions with reporting institutions and agreement on definitions and coverage. The Central Bank has informed me that data is not audited independently, but the Central Bank undertakes extensive validation and consistency checks.
[1] The Public Commitment largely mirrors quality criteria used by National Statistical Institutes (including CSO) for publication of official statistics.
142. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Finance if the Central Bank of Ireland has considered amending the code of conduct on mortgage arrears to address those borrowers where the lenders, through the mortgage arrears resolution process, have commenced legal proceedings but the financial situation of the borrower has improved in the meantime; if the Central Bank of Ireland could amend the code of conduct to put greater obligations on the lender to recommence the MARP process in such a scenario, thus reducing the lender's attempts to seek possession of the property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6282/14]
View answerThe Central Bank's Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears (CCMA) is a statutory Code issued under Section 117 of the Central Bank Act 1989 and lenders are required to comply with the CCMA as a matter of law. The Central Bank's CCMA was revised last year and the revised Code came into effect from 1 July 2013. This followed an extensive consultation process where over 200 submissions were received from consumers, consumer representative bodies, industry and other representative bodies.
I am informed by the Central Bank that the CCMA provides an integrated and cohesive package of consumer protection measures for borrowers facing or in mortgage arrears. It seeks to deliver on the following principles, to:
- ensure appropriate resolution of each borrower's arrears situation;
- ensure that lenders deal with borrowers in a fair and transparent manner;
- support and facilitate meaningful engagement between lenders and borrowers; and
- ensure borrower awareness of the benefits of co-operating with their lender, and the consequences of not co-operating.
The CCMA provides a strong consumer protection framework to ensure that borrowers struggling to keep up mortgage repayments are treated in a fair and transparent manner by their lender, and that sustainable arrears resolution is sought by lenders with each of their borrowers. The CCMA clearly sets out the conditions which lenders must satisfy before legal proceedings for repossession can be commenced.
Below is an excerpt from the CCMA:
"Where a borrower is in mortgage arrears a lender may only commence legal proceedings for repossession of a borrower's primary residence, where:
a) the lender has made every reasonable effort under this Code to agree an alternative arrangement with the borrower or his/her nominated representative; and
b) (i) the period referred to in Provision 45 d) or Provision 47 d), as applicable, has expired; or
(ii) the borrower has been classified as not co-operating and the lender has issued the notification required in Provision 29."
The CCMA does not limit a lender's discretion to re-engage and/or review the borrower's case where the borrower's circumstances improve after the lender has commenced legal proceedings. Paragraph 59 of the CCMA also provides that, where legal proceedings have commenced, a lender must continue to maintain contact with the borrower. If an alternative repayment arrangement is agreed between the parties before an order in relation to the repossession of the property is granted, the lender must seek an order from the Court to put the legal proceedings on hold for the period during which the borrower adheres to the terms of the alternative repayment arrangement.
It is important to point out, however, that even if the MARP process has concluded and a repossession case has commenced in the legal system, the recent Land and Conveyancing (Law Reform) Act 2013 now provides a power to the Court to adjourn a repossession proceeding in relation to a principal private residence to enable the borrower to consult a personal insolvency practitioner (PIP) and, where appropriate, to instruct the PIP to make a Personal Insolvency Arrangement (PIA) proposal. In formulating a proposal for a PIA, the Personal Insolvency Act 2012 places an onus on a PIP to do so on terms that shall not insofar as reasonably practicable, require the borrower to dispose of an interest or cease to occupy a principal private residence.
The strong view of the Government is that, in respect of co-operating borrowers under the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP), repossession of a person's primary home should only be considered as a last resort and that every effort should be made to agree a sustainable arrangement as an alternative to repossession.
