Written Answers Nos. 111 - 130
111. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the legislation under which the regulations for the conduct of a presidential election and a referendum are held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27490/14]
View answerThe legislation relating to the holding of a Presidential election is the Presidential Elections Act 1993. The relevant legislation in the case of referendums is the Referendum Act 1994 and the Referendum Act 1998.
120. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if funding has been sanctioned by Irish Water to carry out works on the water network at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27533/14]
View answerThe Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013 provided for the commencement of water conservation contracts to the value of €18.79 million during the life of the programme in Co. Kerry. Kerry County Council submitted a number of water conservation proposals to my Department and mains rehabilitation works totalling €10.69 million for the entire county were approved. This funding included provision for the replacement of 9,250 metres of water main in the d-Kerry Water Supply Scheme in the areas of Fossa West, Douglas, Beaufort (Shannera), Cappagh North, Gearha West, Gearha East (Bow Rd), Cappagh South and Ballykissane. I understand that the work in Fossa West is complete. Kerry County Council had not awarded a contract for the remainder of the works prior to 31 December 2013.
Since 1st January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for the delivery of water services capital infrastructure. Irish Water has recently published its Proposed Capital Investment Plan for 2014 – 2016 and this is available on the Irish Water website, www.water.ie. The further progression of all water services capital projects is now a matter for Irish Water to consider. Irish Water has confirmed to my Department that it has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via an email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on 1890 278 278.
121. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the upgrading of the sewerage system in Enniscorthy, County Wexford ; the reason for the ongoing delay in approving it to go to tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27552/14]
View answerThe Enniscorthy Sewerage Scheme Phase 3 involved two contracts which were included in my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013 as contracts to start during the life of the programme. Contract 1 provided for the upgrading of the Wastewater Treatment Plant and Contract 2 provided for the upgrading and augmentation of the sewerage collection network in Enniscorthy Town and its environs.
Wexford County Council submitted revised contract documents to my Department on 9 December 2013 for Contract 1 (Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade). It was not possible for my Department to finalise an examination of the Council’s submission prior to the transfer of responsibility for the delivery of water services capital infrastructure to Irish Water on 1 January 2014. Wexford County Council had not finalised contract documents for Contract 2 (Network Contract) element of the scheme prior to the 31 December 2013.
Since 1st January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for the delivery of water services capital infrastructure. Irish Water has recently published its Proposed Capital Investment Plan for 2014 – 2016 and this is available on the Irish Water website, www.water.ie.. The further progression of all water services capital projects is now a matter for Irish Water to consider. Irish Water has confirmed to my Department that it has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via an email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on 1890 278 278.
122. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Defence if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare can draw down their gratuity payment prior to reaching the age of 66 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27444/14]
View answerI understand that the Deputy is referring to a former civilian employee of this Department. The person in question is entitled to pension benefits in due course under the Non-Contributory Pension Scheme for Non-Established State Employees. Under the terms of this Pension Scheme, the person in question will be due a preserved pension and gratuity payment on their 65th birthday, provided that any service with this Department has not been transferred for pension purposes to any subsequent employment within the public sector. Payment of preserved pension benefits in advance of an individual’s 65th birthday may only occur in the event of ill-health arising. Any such application is subject to the advice of the Office of the Chief Medical Officer for the Civil Service and the approval of the Minster for Public Expenditure and Reform.
123. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Defence the plans that his Department is examining for the use of the Reserve Defence Force in Newcastle West, County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27561/14]
View answerThe Reserve Defence Force site in Newcastlewest was leased by the Department from Limerick County Council. As the property was surplus to the Department’s requirements it was handed back to the County Council in November 2013. Accordingly it will be a matter for the Council, as owners of the property, to decide on its future use.
124. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has received an application from Sligo County Council for funding for vessel access and harbour/pier repairs at Rosses Point, County Sligo, under his Department’s marine leisure and coastal infrastructure development programme; when a decision is expected to be made on the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27428/14]
View answerRosses Point is in the ownership of Sligo County Council and responsibility for its development, repair and maintenance rests with the Local Authority in the first instance. My Department, however, provides funding for the development and repair of Local Authority owned piers, harbours and slipways under the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme subject to available Exchequer funding and overall national priorities.
On 1 May 2014 all coastal Local Authorities were requested to submit applications for funding under the 2014 Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. On receipt of the initial applications from Local Authorities my Department compiled a shortlist of projects on which further background information was requested. When shortlisting projects for consideration under the programme, priority was given to capital works which were ready for build and with all necessary consents in place, over funding for studies, design works and planning preparations.
The application received from Sligo County Council was for funding in respect of planning applications, foreshore licence and design fees for this project at Rosses Point. This project did not meet with the criteria of the programme and therefore was not shortlisted for further consideration. Any application submitted by Sligo County Council in respect of capital works at Rosses Point under the Capital Programme in future years will be given consideration based on the availability of Exchequer funding and overall national priorities.
125. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions he has taken in view of his Department's investigation into milk quota breaches at a location (details supplied); the timeframe for future actions; the body that undertook independent verification of the findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27464/14]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, my Department has carried out investigations carried into allegations that milk collections from a milk supplier were credited to another milk supplier which was facilitated by the milk purchaser concerned. Where allegations of non-compliance are made, my Department investigates such matters to ensure that the obligations of all parties under the Milk Quota Regulations are being met, that any levies are paid in full, that the systems and procedures underpinning the operation of the regime are robust and to ensure that there are no financial losses to the Exchequer or the European Union arising from any non-compliance.
As I have previously outlined to the House, the investigation carried out by officials in my Department is now complete. At my request, corrective actions have been completed by all parties concerned, including the reallocation of milk to the original supplier; the payment of the super levy fine by the supplier concerned; and the distribution of the unused quota though the ‘flexi milk’ scheme. I am currently making arrangements with the parties concerned to have these actions independently verified.
I have also as indicated, requested that the relevant papers be sent to the Chief State Solicitor’s Office for advice on whether any further action is warranted, having regard to the provisions of the Milk Quota Regulations or other legal provisions. As this matter is now under consideration with that Office, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further on the case at this time.
126. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a foreshore licence has been granted for a project (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27465/14]
View answerA Foreshore Licence under Section 3(3) of the 1933 Foreshore Act has been approved by me to enable access to a local source of freshwater for onsite utilisation at the salmon farm referred to by the Deputy. The Licence in question has been issued to Marine Harvest Ireland.
127. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a 2013 agri-environment options scheme payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the reasons for the delay in payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27470/14]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the 2010 Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 1) with effect from 1 September 2010 and full payment has issued in respect of the 2010, 2011 and 2012 Scheme years. During a 2013 inspection, the person named was deemed non-compliant in respect of the Laying of Hedgerows and Wild Bird Cover actions. A letter issued on 10 January 2014 notifying the person named of the non-compliances found on inspection and giving a right of appeal to the Regional Inspector of the Department. As my Department has no record of receiving an appeal, the file was processed for payment based on the inspection findings. On preparing the file for payment it became clear that the extent of the breaches is such that the amount owed by the person named exceeds the amount due for 2013 and therefore no payment falls to be made by my Department.
As regards 2014, the applicant has submitted his 2014 Single Payment application, which is also his claim form for AEOS payment for this year. Payments for the 2014 scheme year will not be processed until the 4th quarter of 2014 and any outstanding reductions or penalties may be taken from this payment or any other departmental scheme payments.
128. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers, broken down by county that have commonage listed in their area aid applications; the number of farmers broken down by county that were or are in REPS 4 and had commonage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27529/14]
View answerThe data requested by the deputy is set out in tabular form below.
|
County |
Number Of Farmers Claiming commonage |
Number of REPS applicants |
|
Carlow |
176 |
48 |
|
Cavan |
135 |
34 |
|
Clare |
375 |
63 |
|
Cork |
977 |
362 |
|
Donegal |
2698 |
507 |
|
Dublin |
45 |
5 |
|
Galway |
2677 |
577 |
|
Kerry |
1926 |
545 |
|
Kildare |
61 |
1 |
|
Kilkenny |
35 |
2 |
|
Laois |
105 |
27 |
|
Leitrim |
469 |
123 |
|
Limerick |
59 |
18 |
|
Longford |
61 |
16 |
|
Louth |
166 |
34 |
|
Mayo |
3299 |
860 |
|
Meath |
12 |
0 |
|
Monaghan |
3 |
0 |
|
Offaly |
42 |
5 |
|
Roscommon |
162 |
41 |
|
Sligo |
486 |
125 |
|
Tipperary |
328 |
76 |
|
Waterford |
179 |
48 |
|
Westmeath |
27 |
4 |
|
Wexford |
106 |
29 |
|
Wicklow |
320 |
60 |
|
Total |
14929 |
3610 |
Please note that these figures are for REPS 4 applicants does not include applicants from other REPS schemes and AEOS.
129. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 641, when a determination will be made in respect of the foreshore licence application from Louth County Council relating to the proposed maintenance dredging at Annagassan Harbour; if he will consider compensation for the fishermen concerned including the repayment of harbour dues that have been paid even though the fishermen have not had use of the harbour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27581/14]
View answerA Foreshore Licence under Section 3 of the 1933 Foreshore Act has been approved by me in respect of periodic maintenance dredging works at Annagassan Harbour, Castlebellingham, Co Louth. The Licence in question will issue to Louth County Council as a priority. As Annagassan Harbour functions under the authority of Louth County Council issues such as Harbour dues are a matter for the Council.
130. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to recognise Irish Sign Language as an official language of the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27442/14]
View answerThe programme for Government includes a commitment to "examine different mechanisms to promote the recognition of Irish sign language" and this process has already commenced. The National Disability Authority (NDA) facilitated consultations with the Deaf Community in Ireland in 2012 at my request in relation to actions that could make improvements in the lives of deaf people and submissions received from them were considered for inclusion where possible and appropriate in the National Disability Strategy Implementation Plan (NDSIP) which was published in July 2013. As part of the follow-up to that initiative, I chaired the first special themed meeting of the National Disability Strategy Implementation Group (NDSIG) on the issue of Irish Sign Language on November 28, 2013. This meeting brought together representatives of relevant Departments, the NDA, the Deaf Community and other relevant stakeholders with a view to further progressing the implementation of the NDSIP in this regard.
The meeting reviewed the current situation across Government Departments and their Agencies with regard to promoting recognition of Irish Sign Language including in-service provision and provided the Deaf Community with the opportunity of presenting their experience of interaction with the Public Sector. It also provided a useful opportunity to examine mechanisms which could promote the further use and recognition of Irish Sign Language and understand practical implications for service users. Further to this meeting, the Deaf Community prepared a report to reflect their views on key actions and priorities. This report was submitted for my consideration last month. The intention is that the recommendations from this report will be reflected in the NDSIP where practicable, through the incorporation of new actions and related performance indicators and timelines as appropriate. Progress on all relevant actions will then be monitored as part of the Implementation Plan monitoring process.
The focus therefore remains on the identification of mechanisms for the further promotion and recognition of Irish Sign Language with a view to promoting and supporting its use, thereby improving service delivery on the ground, rather than on its designation as an official language. I might add that the existing supports for use of Irish Sign Language in Ireland give a level of recognition and practical measures equal to, or above that, in countries which have formally recognised sign language.
