Written Answers Nos. 623-40
623. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the inquest into the murder of a person (details supplied) was adjourned for the 13th time in March and that this, and the refusal of An Garda Síochána to share vital information with the Police Ombudsman in the North, is causing great distress to the family and obstructing the investigation by the Police Ombudsman. [19615/14]
View answerThe murder of the person to whom the Deputy refers was a brutal act and we all hope that its perpetrators will be brought to justice. I am sure the Deputy would agree with me that there can never be any justification for the criminal, violent taking of human life, no matter what the circumstances. I am aware that the Coroner's Inquest into this killing has been adjourned on a number of occasions since it opened and I can, of course, understand that this would be a cause of concern for the victim's family. The Deputy will be aware, however, that such adjournments are provided for in cases where a criminal investigation is ongoing in order to ensure that the criminal investigation would not be compromised.
I am aware also that the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman is conducting an investigation into certain matters relating to the victim in this case and has sought the assistance of the Garda Síochána. To the extent that it is possible for the Garda authorities to co-operate with the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman they will seek to do so. They must, however, be conscious of the legal constraints applying given that they must ensure the ongoing murder inquiry and the chances of a successful prosecution arising would not be compromised in any way. I am sure the Deputy will agree that the first duty of the Garda Síochána in this matter is to investigate the brutal killing that has taken place in this jurisdiction and to make those responsible for it amenable to the courts.
624. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has met with a person (details supplied) to discuss the death of their baby and to discuss with them the significant number of questions that they have arising out of the Gageby report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19616/14]
View answerWhile I have not met the person in question in my capacity as Minister, I have recently received a petition on their behalf in addition to further correspondence from their legal representative. On foot of this, I have sought a report from the Garda authorities with respect to the issues of concern. While this report is awaited, I have been assured there is currently ongoing contact between local Garda management and the person's legal representatives regarding the case. I can assure the Deputy that I fully appreciate the concerns expressed by the person in question and will respond to her after I have received and considered this report.
625. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the fact that Ireland's direct provision system was 14 years old last week, his plans to get rid of the current system and replace it with something more modern, humane and fit for purpose. [19617/14]
View answerThe Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is responsible for the operation of the system of direct provision. There are currently 34 asylum accommodation centres under contract to RIA, providing accommodation and ancillary services to 4,300 persons, a decrease of 39% since the end of 2008. The operation of the direct provision system is kept under review. I have previously acknowledged that, while the direct provision system is not ideal, it is a system which facilitates the State providing a roof over the head of those seeking asylum or seeking other grounds to be allowed, on humanitarian grounds, to stay in the State and has provided accommodation to more than 53,00 people in all. It allows the State to provide such accommodation in a manner that facilitates resources being used economically in circumstances where the State is in financial difficulty. There are no cheaper alternatives to the Direct Provision system. A key finding in the 2010 Value for Money Report on the Direct Provision system was that if we were operating a system which facilitated asylum seekers in living independent lives in individual housing with social welfare support and payments, aside from the asylum 'pull factor' it would likely create, the cost to the exchequer would be double what is currently paid under the existing system.
The Direct Provision system remains a key pillar of the State's asylum and immigration system. The Government must therefore take cognisance of the likely consequences of any changes to the Direct Provision system. My efforts therefore continue to be focussed on addressing the factors which lead to delays in the processing of cases are dealt with so that asylum seekers spend as little time as is necessary in that accommodation system as well as to improving the facilities available in direct provision centres. To that end, work is at an advanced stage for the re-introduction to the Oireachtas of a revised Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill. This is pursuant to the current Government policy of reform in this area, which will include a statutory appeals system and set out rights and obligations in a transparent way.
The new legislation should substantially simplify and streamline the existing arrangements for asylum, subsidiary protection and leave to remain applications. It will do this by making provision for the establishment of a single application procedure, so that applicants can be provided with a final decision on all aspects of their protection application in a more straight forward and timely fashion. In advance of the enactment and commencement of the new legislation and with a view to improving processing in the area of international protection, new arrangements have already been introduced for the processing of subsidiary protection applications in light of recent judgments in the Superior Courts.
626. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he is giving consideration to the need for an urgent and comprehensive independent inquiry into the policing of the Corrib gas project in view the recent calls by AFRI, Front Line Defenders and Archbishop Tutu to name but a few; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19618/14]
View answerSignificant protest activity over a number of years has occurred in the North Mayo area connected with the development of a very important natural resource. This has necessitated the temporary redeployment of large numbers of Gardaí, including specially trained personnel, from throughout the Western Region into the Belmullet District. It is deeply regrettable that so much Garda resources have to be tied up in the policing of protest activity at this location. However, this is absolutely necessary in view of the actions of some of the protestors, many of whom, as I have said previously, are not from the area and engage in acts of public disorder as well as damage to property. Indeed between 2011 and 2013, 38 defendants were brought before the courts for public order offences, criminal damage and assault on Gardaí. Such actions cannot be tolerated. The aim of the policing measures currently in place is to prevent public order offences and to ensure that people can go about their lawful business.
In relation to any independent inquiry, I would point out that the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission which is wholly independent in the performance of its statutory role has investigated in the region of 124 complaints against members of the force arising from policing at this location and that other matters remain under investigation by it. The Deputy may wish to note, however, that in excess of 100 of these complaints have either been found by GSOC to be inadmissible or not to have disclosed breaches of discipline on the part of the members complained of, and that those that did indicate a breach of discipline on the part of the Garda member concerned related to the behaviour of the individual member rather than practices, policies or procedures within An Garda Síochána. Given these circumstances I do not see a necessity for an independent inquiry into the policing operation in north County Mayo.
The total cost of policing these protests has now reached in excess of €16m. This does not include the significant cost of the basic salaries of the members of An Garda Síochána who have performed duties at the Corrib Gas Project as these arise in the normal course. Such expenditure comes at a time of economic difficulty for the State and when such resources could be put to far better use elsewhere.
627. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will ban the practice of single-manning in betting offices in the forthcoming gambling control Bill; and the date on which this legislation will be introduced. [19630/14]
View answerThe Gambling Control Bill, which is due to be published in early 2015, will bring such matters within my Department. The regulation of betting shops will be covered under the legislation. The issue raised will be dealt with during the licensing process and Head 31 of the draft scheme of the Bill refers. The draft scheme of the Gambling Control Bill has been made available on the website of my Department.
628. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider, at the request of the family, the inclusion of a case (details supplied) in the investigation by Mr. Justice Fennelly into telephone recordings made by Garda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19634/14]
View answerI understand the concerns that are involved in relation to the matter raised by the Deputy. As he will be aware, the background circumstances are linked to a very tragic event which occurred in 2001 and I am conscious of the impact it has had on the family concerned. The Deputy will appreciate that a major concern of the family has been that no criminal prosecution has been taken in the particular case. This is not an area in which it is open to me to intervene and the position is that the investigation or prosecution of criminal offences are dealt with by the Garda Síochána and the Director Public Prosecutions respectively.
In a response to related Questions on 15 April 2014, Nos. 491 and 492, I indicated that I have asked the Garda authorities to let me have any updated information which may be available with respect to the matters that have been raised in relation to this case. I am currently awaiting the report from the Garda authorities and I will contact the Deputy directly when I receive it. The Deputy will be aware that the terms of reference for the Commission of Investigation being undertaken by Mr Justice Niall Fennelly were recently approved by this House and the Government has no proposals to extend the remit of the Commission.
629. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the level of recruitment envisaged to An Garda Síochána in 2014; the number of applicants that may be held in reserve from this process for future Garda recruitment campaigns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19660/14]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that I am committed to maintaining Garda strength at 13,000 and I therefore expect that recruitment in 2014 will broadly match the number of retirements in 2014. The review of An Garda Síochána as provided under the Haddington Road Agreement will also provide a framework to ensure that the best possible policing service continues to be provided to all communities across the State.
The Public Appointments Service (PAS) is managing the recruitment process for the Garda Commissioner and I have no direct involvement in the matter. I have, however, been informed that some 25,000 applications were received for the current competition. It is understood that around 18,000 candidates completed stage 1 tests, and of these approximately 13,000 reached a satisfactory standard. These 13,000 candidates were placed in three Bands in order of merit. All candidates have been informed by PAS of the results of these tests and of their position in each Band.
The top 5,000 candidates were placed in Band 1. These were then called to the next stages of the competition which involved further online unsupervised assessment tests and then a supervised test. Those who were successful will now be called for interviews, medical examinations and security checks. All these tests are designed to identify candidates who are suitable to be a Garda trainee. Candidates who are successful through all stages will be placed on a panel for entry into training in the Garda College.
630. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount it has cost to provide taxis to transfer prisoners from County Donegal to the various prisons across the State in the years 2012, 2013 and 2014; and the budget from which these costs have been sourced. [19693/14]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the total cost for the transportation of prisoners by taxi in the years concerned were €251,341.00 in 2012, €163,877.00 in 2013 and €57,813.00 to date in 2014. The Irish Prison Service has used taxis for many years as a means of transporting certain prisoners on escort, mainly to court, but occasionally to hospital. The policy is for such escorts to be carried out wherever possible by the Prison Service Escorts Corp, who were established in late 2005 for this purpose, using Prison Service vehicles. However, in certain limited circumstances, decisions are made to employ a taxi service for particular prisoner escorts, in view of the specific logistical, economical and operational factors that exist. The IPS carried out research on this matter with a view to replacing taxis with official vehicles, however, in the vast majority of cases, hiring the taxi made economic sense. Since the establishment of the Prison Service Escort Corp the use of taxi has reduced substantially.
I wish further to advise the Deputy that records in relation to individual taxi journeys are not kept on a prisoner by prisoner basis. To establish the county of origin of each of the prisoners concerned would necessitate a manual examination of several thousand invoices, followed by a cross-referencing of each individual invoice against the Gate Records of each prison in order to identify the prisoners and finally a check of each prisoner's personal details to establish which of them are from, or resident in, County Donegal. The Deputy will, I am sure, appreciate that the resources involved in such an exercise would be inordinate and cause major disruption to the work of the Directorate concerned, which would not be justifiable in the current environment. Finally, I wish to advise the Deputy that the costs incurred are charged to Vote 21 - The Irish Prison Service.
631. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to make it easier for visitors from China to obtain a tourist to visit here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19709/14]
View answerAs a result of a number of initiatives I have introduced the number of short stay visas (including visas for tourism purposes) granted to Chinese nationals has grown steadily from just over 7,300 in 2011 to over 8,100 in 2013, an 11% increase. The approval rate for visa applications from China is 92% which compares very favourably internationally. Visa applications for Chinese nationals living in China are handled by a dedicated Irish Visa Office in Beijing, which is a sub-office of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department.
These initiatives offer Chinese nationals who wish to travel to Ireland as tourists a number of options. For example, the Irish Short-stay Visa Waiver Programme, introduced with effect from 1 July 2011, has proved to be very successful in facilitating Chinese nationals who wish to visit Ireland. The Programme applies to holders of UK short stay visas from eighteen selected countries, including China, and allows visitors, who are in possession of a UK visa, to travel on to Ireland without the need to apply for a separate Irish visa. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, in their latest report on the impact of the Programme estimate that there has been an additional 12,700 visits to Ireland by Chinese nationals, between July 2011 and October 2013, as a direct result of the Programme i.e. in addition to the growth in those visiting the State using Irish visas.
Chinese nationals can also apply for a visa as part of an Approved Destination Scheme (ADS) Group Tour, for an individual tourist visa or for a visit visa which is normally used for visiting family members. Several measures have been introduced in the last number of years to encourage this type of tourist to Ireland resulting in an ADS visa being now one of the most straightforward and quickest Irish visas to obtain with processing times being less than five working days normally.
In recognition of the growing number of affluent and independent tourists from China, a scheme to enable independent Chinese travellers to come to Ireland was introduced in November 2011. This category of visa application is processed within 10 working days. All processing times are, of course, dependent on the required supporting documentation being provided by the applicant. To help with this, application guidelines for all visa categories are published on the Irish Embassy website in English and Chinese. I continue to seek, with my officials in INIS, ways in which the visa regime may be enhanced in order to encourage and facilitate tourism to Ireland, especially from emerging markets such as China. In this regard, work is continuing between INIS and the UK Home Office, on the development of short-stay Common Travel Area (CTA) Visa arrangements which will allow tourists and business visitors to travel to the CTA and to travel freely between Ireland and the UK on the basis of a single visa.
632. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Defence if there are any competitions being held for recruitment to the cadet corps; if he will provide full details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18527/14]
View answerArrangements are currently underway to hold a Cadetship Competition for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service in 2014. It is planned to award a total of 40 cadetships from this competition comprising twenty (20) Army, nine (9) Air Corps and eleven (11) Naval Service. Details of the competition will be made available on the Defence Forces website www.military.ie when the competition commences.
633. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to a recent incident regarding possible exposure to asbestos at the naval base at Haulbowline, County Cork, the steps that have been taken to address the matter; if any health risk was posed to Naval Service personnel or any other person on the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18558/14]
View answerI am aware of the situation with the discovery of asbestos on LE Orla and LE Ciara. At the outset I would like to assure the Deputy that the safety and well-being of all individuals involved in the Naval Base is my primary concern. I am advised by the Naval Service that it is following all Health and Safety Authority (HSA) guidelines while dealing with the current situation. The position is that LE Orla was in dry dock at Cork Dockyard Limited (CDL) last month when work was being carried out in the engine room spaces. During the removal of a gasket head, CDL identified material which it suspected as being asbestos and informed the Naval Service, who in turn instructed that all work should cease and that the material should be analysed. CDL engaged an outside contractor to get the material analysed, this analysis confirmed that the material was asbestos - a particular type of white asbestos called Chrysotile. LE Ciara, a sister ship of LE Orla, had had similar work underway while alongside in the Naval Service Dockyard in Haulbowline. Following the notification from CDL of the discovery of asbestos material on LE Orla, the Naval Service immediately suspended all work on LE Ciara. The Naval Service also called in external expertise to carry out a full survey and analysis of the ship which confirmed, on 2nd April, that the 2 gaskets sampled in the Naval Service Workshop which came from the LE Ciara contained the same asbestos type.
The areas of concern on both ships and in the Naval Transport workshops are currently under quarantine. No personnel are allowed entry into the engine room spaces and suspected contaminated areas. The Naval Service contacted the HSA and the EPA. The HSA has launched its own investigation into the incident and this is ongoing. I am advised that the HSA has visited the Naval Base a number of times since the 4th April and have served the Naval Service with an improvement notice under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005. A company has been contracted independently by the HSA to analyse the material on board LE Ciara.
All staff on board LE Ciara, LE Orla and in the Naval Service Dockyard including the civilian workforce, have been briefed on the situation to date. Medical assessments are ongoing with the Naval Medical Officer for Naval Service personnel who were working in the affected areas at the time and the situation is being monitored on an ongoing basis. In addition, health surveillance is being offered in accordance with regulations to all staff. The civilian workforce has also been offered the opportunity to attend a further round of asbestos screening sessions. These sessions will take place shortly.
I understand that no Asbestos Risk Assessment or Asbestos Management Plan was put in place prior to the work commencing onboard either ship because a survey carried out by an external surveyor on the LE Orla in 2000 stated that there was no asbestos containing materials onboard the vessel. As I mentioned already, LE Ciara is a similar design to LE Orla and it was considered that LE Ciara was also asbestos free. This matter is being followed up at present.
As part of the requirements under the HSA Improvement Notice, the Naval Service is in the process of seeking tenders for the safe removal of the asbestos from the ships and for the provision of asbestos awareness training for Naval Service personnel likely to be exposed to asbestos. Since the discovery of asbestos, air sampling and monitoring has been conducted by an external contractor on both ships and in the Transport Workshops and the samples taken were found to be safe.
I am advised by the Naval Service that a full asbestos audit of all ships in the fleet will be completed shortly. While the two vessels have been withdrawn from service, this was part of a scheduled maintenance plan for both ships. As a result, the current quarantine of these vessels will not affect the overall operational plans of the Naval Service.
As I mentioned previously, this matter is being treated with the utmost seriousness and attention by the Department of Defence and the Naval Service. The Naval Service will be launching a formal accident investigation team to investigate all aspects behind this occurrence and to ensure that there is no repetition in the future. I understand that the HSA investigation is ongoing and is likely to take some time to complete. I will ensure that any recommendations emanating from the HSA will be acted upon immediately.
634. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Defence if he will consider reviewing the upper service limit of 21 years in respect of privates and corporals in the Defence Forces; if he will have regard to PDFORRA's view that a new upper service limit of 50 years of age for such ranks should be introduced instead of the 21 year limit subject to fitness and medical standards; his views on the contention that this approach can deliver savings of approximately €1 million in the first year; if his Department will engage with PDFORRA on these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18901/14]
View answerThe unsatisfactory age and fitness profile of the Permanent Defence Force was an issue of serious concern during the 1990’s and was the subject of severe criticism by a series of external reports, mainly Price Waterhouse Consultants and the Efficiency Audit Group (EAG). One of the key areas identified for urgent action by the EAG was the development of a manpower policy with an emphasis on lowering the age profile of Permanent Defence Force personnel. The EAG’s report was accepted by Government in 1995. In an effort to alleviate the situation, the Government had already decided in 1993 to enlist personnel on a five year contract basis, following consultation with Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA). In 1997 agreement was reached with PDFORRA on a new manpower policy for the Defence Forces. This policy, applying to personnel enlisted after 1 January 1994, provided that service for Private Soldiers would initially be for five years with the option to be extended to a maximum of twelve years, subject to meeting standards of medical and physical fitness and conduct. Longer periods of service were envisaged for Non Commissioned Officers. In 2004 PDFORRA submitted a claim under the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for a further review of the terms of service applying to personnel enlisting in the Permanent Defence Force after 1 January, 1994. A set of criteria was agreed with PDFORRA to provide longer careers for those who enlisted post 1 January 1994 while continuing to address the Government’s objective of having an appropriate age profile to meet the challenges of a modern Defence Forces.
The criteria require that any person re-engaging after 12 years service must be able to continue to operate at their current level both at home and overseas on an ongoing basis. Re-engagement is subject to the individual soldier meeting specified criteria in regard to physical fitness, medical category, successful completion of military courses of instruction, service overseas and conduct ratings.The maximum service period for these personnel is as follows: Enlisted Personnel, up to and including the rank of Corporal (and equivalent Naval Service rank), may not serve beyond 21 years service. Enlisted Personnel, in the rank of Sergeant (and equivalent Naval Service rank), may be permitted to continue in service up to the age of fifty years. Enlisted Personnel in all higher ranks may serve to the age of fifty-six.
With the approach of 2015 the first effects of the agreement, whereby Privates and Corporals may not serve beyond 21 years, will be felt by Permanent Defence Force members in those ranks. A claim has been received from PDFORRA for a further review in relation to this matter. In accordance with normal procedures the Association’s claim is being dealt with under the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force. As discussions under the Scheme are confidential to the parties involved, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the matter at this time, including the specifics of PDFORRA’s claim, other than to emphasise that in dealing with this issue the manpower and operational needs of the Defence Forces must be the primary consideration.
635. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Defence the amount of payment per week to Civil Defence instructors and the number of persons throughout the country to which this is being paid and the commitment expected from the instructors for this amount notwithstanding most of the work is of a voluntary nature; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19002/14]
View answer636. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Defence the arrangements in place for payment for overseeing the Civil Defence on a county basis throughout the country; the number of branches on a county basis and the number of volunteers on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19004/14]
View answer637. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline any recent discussions or conciliations through the labour relations mechanisms involving his Department and the Civil Defence instructors and other persons involved in the Civil Defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19005/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 635 to 637, inclusive, together.
Civil Defence Volunteers who declare an interest in qualifying as Instructors at local level are obliged to undertake significant additional training. Qualification, through the Civil Defence College, is to a national standard. Instructor certification is generally issued through the College and the relevant national certifying agency. In order to maintain their Instructor qualification they are expected to deliver a minimum number of courses per annum.
I would like to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of Civil Defence Volunteer Instructors. The skills demonstrated by Volunteers in responding to emergencies and at community events are testament to the high quality training they have received locally. A system has been in place for many years to allow for the payment of a fee to qualified Instructors for delivering courses of instruction at local level. The fees are paid by the local authorities from the annual grant provided by my Department to local authorities for Civil Defence purposes.
In 2013 an Equality Tribunal decision in a case brought by two Instructors in Offaly deemed that payment of Instructor Fees gave rise to employment status. Consequently my Department sought legal advice from the Attorney General’s Office with regard to the implications of the Equality Tribunal decision for Civil Defence. That advice favoured the abolition of Instructor Fees. Further advice has been obtained from the Attorney General’s Office and my Department is now considering how best to proceed in the matter.
In the interim, Instructors Fees continue to be paid. Local authorities, their Civil Defence Officers and the Volunteer Representative on the Civil Defence Forum been consulted on the matter and their views will be taken into consideration before any decision is made. Travel and subsistence payments, where applicable, are not affected by the Tribunal decision.
As I have stated publicly on a number of occasions, I would like to pay tribute on my own behalf and on behalf of the Government to all Civil Defence Volunteers who unselfishly provide assistance to their local communities in time of need. Table ‘A’ sets out the number of Volunteers within Civil Defence in each local authority area as recorded in the Civil Defence Register to a total of 4492 as of 24th April 2014. Table ‘B’ sets out the number of Civil Defence training centres within each of those local authority areas. Table ‘C’ sets out the total amounts paid in Instructor Fees in each authority area, together with the number of claimants, as advised to my Department by local authorities for 2012.
Table ‘A’
NUMBER OF ACTIVE CIVIL DEFENCE VOLUNTEERS AS OF 24 TH APRIL 2014
|
UNIT |
NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS |
|
Carlow |
72 |
|
Cavan |
281 |
|
Clare |
180 |
|
Cork City |
103 |
|
Cork West |
88 |
|
Cork South |
55 |
|
Cork North |
105 |
|
Donegal |
113 |
|
Dublin |
671 |
|
Galway |
450 |
|
Kerry |
127 |
|
Kildare |
61 |
|
Kilkenny |
50 |
|
Laois |
106 |
|
Leitrim |
39 |
|
Limerick City |
99 |
|
Limerick County |
104 |
|
Longford |
87 |
|
Louth |
117 |
|
Mayo |
120 |
|
Meath |
195 |
|
Monaghan |
124 |
|
Offaly |
58 |
|
Roscommon |
115 |
|
Sligo |
131 |
|
Tipperary North |
77 |
|
Tipperary South |
213 |
|
Waterford City |
74 |
|
Waterford County |
108 |
|
Westmeath |
106 |
|
Wexford |
177 |
|
Wicklow |
86 |
|
TOTAL NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS |
4492 |
Table ‘B’
Civil Defence training centres in each local authority area
Civil Defence Unit Training Centres
|
Carlow |
4 |
|
Cavan |
11 |
|
Clare |
3 |
|
Cork City |
1 |
|
Cork West |
3 |
|
Cork South |
3 |
|
Cork North |
1 |
|
Donegal |
4 |
|
Dublin |
11 |
|
Galway |
5 |
|
Kerry |
6 |
|
Kildare |
1 |
|
Kilkenny |
1 |
|
Laois |
4 |
|
Leitrim |
1 |
|
Limerick City |
1 |
|
Limerick County |
5 |
|
Longford |
3 |
|
Louth |
1 |
|
Mayo |
2 |
|
Meath |
8 |
|
Monaghan |
3 |
|
Offaly |
3 |
|
Roscommon |
2 |
|
Sligo |
6 |
|
Tipperary North |
3 |
|
Tipperary South |
8 |
|
Waterford City |
1 |
|
Waterford County |
4 |
|
Westmeath |
2 |
|
Wexford |
3 |
|
Wicklow |
5 |
|
TOTAL |
119 |
Table ‘C’
Instructor Fees paid in 2012
|
Unit |
Fees |
Claimants |
|
Carlow |
€0 |
0 |
|
Cavan |
€9,233.56 |
11 |
|
Clare |
€2,631.85 |
5 |
|
Cork City |
€262.39 |
3 |
|
Cork North |
€9,050.19 |
16 |
|
Cork South |
€144.77 |
1 |
|
Cork West |
€4,508.57 |
7 |
|
Donegal |
€6,392.97 |
11 |
|
Dublin City |
€3,685.77 |
7 |
|
Galway |
€6,787.28 |
9 |
|
Kerry |
€9,938.18 |
11 |
|
Kildare |
€6,114.73 |
6 |
|
Kilkenny |
€2,025.70 |
2 |
|
Laois |
€10,359.16 |
7 |
|
Leitrim |
€0 |
0 |
|
Limerick City |
€4,931.58 |
7 |
|
Limerick County |
€946.24 |
2 |
|
Longford |
€2,512.10 |
2 |
|
Louth |
€1,540.70 |
4 |
|
Mayo |
€1,335.72 |
9 |
|
Meath |
€14,692.39 |
18 |
|
Monaghan |
€4,312.03 |
9 |
|
Offaly |
€11,918.09 |
7 |
|
Roscommon |
€18,084.35 |
12 |
|
Sligo |
€3,026.20 |
9 |
|
Tipperary North |
€3,227.11 |
6 |
|
Tipperary South |
€19,657.33 |
15 |
|
Waterford County |
€6,955.41 |
4 |
|
Waterford City |
€4,851.13 |
3 |
|
Westmeath |
€7,365.15 |
4 |
|
Wexford |
€12,588.18 |
11 |
|
Wicklow |
€0 |
0 |
|
TOTAL |
€189,078.83 |
218 |
638. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence the number of the Reserve Defence Force discharged, resigned or retired by rank since 1 December 2012; the number posted non-effective since that date; the effective strength by unit as at 31 March 2014; the number of online applications received for membership of the RDF in the recent recruitment campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19338/14]
View answerIt was not possible to provide the detailed information sought by the Deputy in the time available. My Department is currently seeking to compile the relevant data and I will provide the information directly to the Deputy once it comes to hand.
639. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Defence his plans to purchase additional horses for the Defence Forces Equitation School; if he will provide details of any plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19401/14]
View answerThe Army Equitation School continues to source suitable Irish bred horses, acquired through either purchase or lease agreement, that meet the required standard as judged by the School’s Horse Purchase Board. While it is difficult to predict the number of future acquisitions, I can confirm that agreement has been reached for the purchase of one horse so far this year, whilst in 2013 a total of six new horses were acquired. I am satisfied that the current arrangements allow the School to maintain its competitiveness at national and international events.
640. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has compiled any data on the role that hedgerows play in carbon sequestration and thereby in meeting Ireland's obligations under the Kyoto Protocol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18673/14]
View answerHedgerows and woodland habitats are an important feature of the Irish landscape due in part to their roles in biodiversity, agricultural management and potential carbon sequestration. Hedgerows are estimated to cover 3.9% of the Irish landscape. The REPS and AEOS schemes facilitated the planting of approx. 10,000 km of new hedgerows and the rejuvenation of some 3,000 more. The total area of hedgerow and non forest woodland patches across the landscape may represent a significant carbon sink.
At the moment there is no national inventory system to facilitate the accounting of hedgerow sinks under the Kyoto Protocol, and there is a lack of historic baseline data to be used as a reference period for calculating greenhouse gas changes over time. However the EPA, with Teagasc, has recently concluded a climate change research programme Climate Change Research Programme (CCRP) 2007-2013, Report Series No. 32. Carbon Sequestration by Hedgerows in the Irish Landscape – Towards a National Hedgerow Biomass Inventory for the LULUCF Sector using LiDAR Remote Sensing. on carbon sequestration by hedgerows in the Irish landscape, using a LiDAR (Light detection and Ranging) remote sensing technology and terrestrial laser scanning for assessing hedgerow biomass. This technology can measure the physical characteristics of hedges and the work has concluded that a national inventory of hedgerows is technically feasible. We are now considering the report and its recommendations. Climate Change Research Programme (CCRP) 2007-2013, Report Series No. 32. Carbon Sequestration by Hedgerows in the Irish Landscape – Towards a National Hedgerow Biomass Inventory for the LULUCF Sector using LiDAR Remote Sensing.
